Return of K & L-Pods to San Juan Island (Baby Orca spotted)

(Photo: K & many of L pod off of San Juan Island. Courtesy of Center for Whale Research - 6/3/08)

I am so giddy with excitement! I just heard about the report of the return of the other two pods that make up the Southern Resident group of Orcas. There are a total of three pods: J-pod (26 members), K-pod (19 members), and the L-pod (43 members). The J-pod is the one most frequently seen in the San Juans and in Puget Sound. The K & L pods just recently returned and were spotted off of the west side of San Juan Island which is where I will be paddling for 5 days later on this month. Now do you see why I'm giddy?? I hope I'm lucky enough to see them.

(Photo: "Spyhopping" K-pod baby orca. Courtesy of Center for Whale Research - 06/03/08)

The most exciting news is that a baby was spotted in the K-pod (pictures of the baby are featured on this page). And, take a look at this video and you can see the baby swimming in the pod. What an amazing sight....I LOVE it here! Whee! So, why is the baby splotchy? Basically, it's a result of the baby orca's thin skin, and, as its blubber builds up, the baby orca will turn white. So, the splotches you see in the picture is comparable to blushing.

You can go to the Center of Whale Research for more information about our Southern Resident Orcas. And, also check out the CetaceaLab that is located on the northern coast of BC and they study all the whales that migrate up to the area.