Oraca (Orcinus Orca)

Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals, traveling in groups called pods. Their fierce predatory style won them the nickname of “killer whale” in spite of the fact that Orcas, both in the wild and in captivity, show incredible curiosity, awareness and gentleness toward people. Orcas have no natural predators except for humans. Whaling, aquarium capture, pollution and the reduction of food supply have taken a toll on these majestic animals. Although orcas are found in all oceans and most seas they prefer colder waters and are more predominant in the Pacific Basin. Orcas are black in color with white undersides as well as white markings located behind the eyes and dorsal fin. The largest of the dolphin family, male Orcas average 27 feet in length and weigh eight tons with dorsal fins growing as high as 6 feet. Females are smaller, growing to an average 23 feet and weighing six tons. Their dorsal fins only grow to two feet and are more curved, making it possible to tell the genders apart while viewing them from the boat. To spot Orcas, look for their black dorsal fins rising through the water. It is easier to spot adult males as their dorsal fins are so tall and distinct. Also, scan the horizon for rising puffs of steam known as a blow. This is a sign that a whale is coming to the surface to breathe. An Orca may jump clear of the water and crash back down on its back or side. This is known as breach. It is also common to see an Orca slap its tail on the water’s surface, a behavior called tail lobbing. Another way to get a great view is to watch for spy hopping. This is when an Orca hangs vertically in the water and sticks its head above the surface to get a look at what is going on out of the water.

Puget Sound Orcas

In the waters of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands there are two different types of killer whales known as transient and resident Orcas. Transient Orcas travel a much broader range than residents. The transient Orcas we see here travel between Alaska and the mid-Californian coast and travel in small pods, usually between one and seven whales. They feed primarily on marine mammals such as seals and sea lions but will also form large temporary pods in order to attack other species of whales like the Gray or Minke. There is no socializing, interaction or breeding between transient and resident Orcas. In fact, resident Orcas will chase transients out of the area, making transient Orca sightings somewhat rare in these waters. Resident Orcas have a smaller and more defined traveling range, spending months at a time in a specific area. They travel in family oriented pods of 20- 40 whales. When a baby is born into a pod it is a group effort to raise it. Residents spend their entire life with the pod into which they were born. They will interact, socialize and breed with other resident pods but they will not change from one pod to another. Their diet is made up of fish and squid with the primary food source being salmon. The resident Orcas that reside in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands are known as the Southern Resident Community and are one of the best-studied Orca populations in the world. Their growing community is made up of three distinct pods known as J, K and L pods. From spring throughout the summer and sometimes into the fall, these resident whales can be seen regularly in the San Juan Islands as they seek out the salmon returning to spawn. In the fall and winter months, they will leave protected waters, sometimes for months, and swim out to sea to follow the salmon. An adult Orca must consume about 40 salmon a day, so they spend considerable time hunting.

Minke(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Minke whales fall into two different species, the Northern and Southern or Antarctic variety. They are relatively abundant and can be found in all oceans and seas across the world. Minke whales are the smallest of the baleen whales. To feed, the Minke takes in huge mouthfuls of water then, using its tongue, pushes the water back out of its mouth catching small fish and plankton in its bristly baleen. Minke whales are dark grey to black with a white underside and a white patch on both front flippers. They often have a pale chevron behind their heads. Adults grow to an average size of 30 feet and weigh between five and ten tons and females tend to be larger than males. The Minke are usually solitary but may be seen in groups of up to three whales. They are normally difficult to approach but some are curious and will come close to boats for a better look. They are not as acrobatic as Orcas but they will breach, usually three times in a row. These whales have also been observed making dolphin-like dives in the water. To spot a Minke whale look for a low, bushy blow at the water line as well as watching for the broad black back and small dorsal fin. When the animal dives, the dorsal fin is visible well above the water but the tail rarely breaks the surface.

Gray(Eschrichtius robustus)

Gray whales are the most coastal of the baleen whales (whales lacking teeth) and are often found within a few miles of shore as they migrate f rom Alaska to Baja. Gray whales have baleen (a hairy substance) instead of teeth. To feed, they fill their vast mouths with mud from the sea bottom and filter it through their baleen to capture amphipods and other small animals. This is the only type of whale to feed in this manner. The average adult Gray whale reaches 50 feet and weighs up to 35 tons. They have robust bodies that are mottled gray, marked with orange patches that are caused by parasitic whale lice. Their heads often have areas encrusted by barnacles. To spot this animal, look for a tall and bushy blow near shore as they feed in shallow water. These whales lack a dorsal fin and show their tails when diving. Gray whales will quite often swim alongside boats to “people watch,” and are also known to breach. Gray whales are found in two areas: off the coat of Korea and off of the west coast of the North America.