L77 with new calf L114 and L113 (mother is L94)
Photo by Dave Ellifrit

L79 and L22
Photo by Ken Balcomb
L79 cartwheel
Photo by Dave Ellifrit

L79
Photo by Dave Ellifrit

L77 and new calf L114
Photo by Dave Ellifrit

L89 cartwheel
Photo by Dave Ellifrit

Encounter # 7 • February 21 • L12's

Observers: Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit

After receiving a report from Mark Malleson of L's heading south along the Vancouver Island shoreline, Ken and Dave launched Starlet in Roche Harbor around 1530 and arrived on scene at 1610. The L12 subpod was traveling slowly south in Cordova Bay. Both L94 and L77 were traveling with calves and we were able to confirm that L113 was L94's calf. L77's calf (L114) was very young and still had fetal folds. Around 1700 near the south end of Cordova Bay, the L12s turned east and spread out and began foraging. Lots of taillobs, cartwheels and pec slaps out of L79, L85, and L89. L89 also breached twice and whales up ahead of us looked to be going after some fish. We left the whales at 1711 still spread out and heading east. Whales photographed were L12, L22, L25, L41, L77 and L114, L94 and L113, L79, L85, and L89.

These photos were taken under MMPA permit #532-1822