Puget Sound orcas: Another new baby spotted

(J45 photo added Thursday am, republished courtesy of Center for Whale Research – other whales in the photo: J14 and J1 in the background)
Just got tonight’s edition of the Orca Network e-newsletter, and it includes a report that J-Pod has another new baby – the second one this year. Ken Balcomb from the Center for Whale Research in the San Juans is quoted by the Orca Network as saying a new calf, J45, was spotted with J14, not far from the new calf reported in February, J44, who’s with J17. The newsletter includes a photo, which we’ll add IF we can get permission – or we’ll link it if we find it online. J-Pod is one of Puget Sound’s three resident “pods” – groups of orcas – but it’s not the same one that passed through West Seattle waters last month; as reported here, that was L-Pod. Members of J-Pod DID pass this way in December (as noted here).

acemotel March 5, 2009 (12:39 pm)

very cool. is that my man, Ruffles in the background?

WSB March 5, 2009 (12:42 pm)

You clearly know your orcas. I was remiss not to include the full excerpt from Orca Network newsletter … which says “In this photo, J45 is in foreground, next J14, and J1 is in background.” (and as I’m sure you know, J1 is Ruffles) – Will add that detail to the post … TR

Jo March 5, 2009 (6:02 pm)

Acemotel and WSB: Isn’t it always exciting to see Ruffles’ magnificent dorsal. I always think of him as our “poster-boy orca,” always recognizable when seen in the wild.
Wow, good news on the new calves this year.

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