An Unexpected Return

After heading out to the Pacific the evening of July 3rd, the Southern Residents hadn't been seen for several days. Often, someone will pick them up on their way back in from the ocean, so it was a surprise this morning when Js, Ks, and some Ls were picked up off the west side of San Juan Island. As you can see from the above photo taken at Lime Kiln Lighthouse, they were still around at sunset. This whale spyhopped as K-Pod members made their way quickly south, leaving Js and L7, L53, and L57 to head north. While I worked on the boat this afternoon, I also got my first good look at the K-Pod baby, currently the youngest whale in this community.