Transient killer whales off the west side….

Young calf and mom. They were teaching the calf the art of the hunt, according to Jim Maya.

I ran into Jim Maya, and asked him how the wildlife on the west side has been doing, and he said, “Gotta send you some pictures.” So I thought I would share them with you – here’s his report:

For the second time in two days, we were lucky enough to find transient orcas on the west side of San Juan Island. Yesterday, at dusk, we got help from a call from Sandy Buckley, and today, perhaps instincts and a sharp eyed passenger. These are pictures taken late this afternoon (3/18), on the Canadian Side of Haro Strait. We were just leaving the Kelp Reef marker, after watching eagles and sea lions, headed south toward Lime Kiln, when Jonathan shouted out, “What’s that?”

“Orcas!” I said. They proceeded to kill and eat a Steller’s Sea Lion, weighing perhaps 2200 lbs. It was an amazing sight that I have seen only two other times, and both times right in this area. One other time the sea lion got away.

Finishing the job. The whole process took over an hour.

Sea lion between two female Orcas.

Sea lion flipper, motionless, at the left of the Orca.

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