Resident Orcas near San Juan Island this evening and Transient Orcas in the day! Aug 7th, 2008.

The picture above and 2 below are of J1 "Ruffles", the oldest male in the Southern Resident Orca Pods.

T20 above as he surfaces.

T20, a male Transient Orca

Our 2 trips during the day watched the t20 group of Transient Orcas as they patrolled the local coast line in search of Harbor Seals, their favorite prey. These top Ocean predators  are efficient and stealthy hunters that feed on Marine Mammals.

This evenings encounter was with the Southern Resident Orcas, Jpod and 6 members of Lpod near Eagle point. Unlike Transient Orcas, the resident Orcas feed on fish, mostly Chinook or Pink Salmon. We watched several Orcas foraging for Salmon and these Orcas can feed on between 300-400 lbs of Salmon a day!

Another stunning west coast sunset greeted our vessels as we headed for home after another incredible day on the water:)