OnBoard Tours Whales

July 13, 2016

A wonderful sunny summer Wednesday to see some Jpodders dancing the Westside waltz- traveling up and down San Juan Island, hopefully they are finding enough Chinook-King salmon to sustain their families. J14’s heading south, sighted by Sentinel Island about 3:30pm with more Orca out in Haro Strait. As the groups swam toward Henry Island, one whale breached! Then back floated with pectoral fins waving in the air! Hello! The sea was calm and pond like, since the high tide had ended and tide was now minimal, about a 1/3 of a foot of ebbing water. At about 4pm I am once again revered to see Matriarch, Wise Elder of the Southern Resident clan- J2 Granny steadily swimming south, with her adopted orphan L87 Onyx further out in the strait, but keeping pace.

On my ferry talks, kids ask the most imaginative questions! This week, after a young boy patiently listened to information I was sharing, he asked me “How do we make friends with whales?” I paused for a moment, then answered we make sure they have enough food, clean water, and don’t bother them. Keep telling about whales- their stories. Play music they like may be a way to communicate?  I explained some of Jim Nollman’s work, and my friendly fun experiences with Orca, Gray and Humpback whales.

Whales and dolphins make friends with us, wish I had remembered parts of this quote; “To the dolphin alone, nature has given that which the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage…it is a genial friend to all and has helped mankind.” Plutarch

Hello Breach!

Grand Matriarch J2 Granny

Adopted Orphan L87 Onyx