Orcas at Eagle Point San Juan Island WA

When this pod of Orcas cruised by my boat I knew it was the end of the day's salmon fishing. The big male's tail slapping (at about the 1:00 mark) was clearly a sign that he wanted me out of their territory. There is a final breach at about the 2:35 mark. I'm aware of the regs regarding keeping distance from Orcas. I shut down my trolling engine and brought in my gear as soon as I noticed them at several hundred yards distance. The pod seemed to be all around me and, quite frankly, I was so fascinated that I turned on my camera instead of motoring away immediately. A small commercial whale watch boat came by to make sure I was aware of the rules.

[@sobasicallyimgoated]

Hi! I know this video is old, but this family is called the J11s! The big male you saw was J27 Blackberry, and he was probably travelling with his mom, J11 Blossom, his brother J39 Mako, and his sister J31 Tsuchi. These guys are Southern Residents, of which there are currently only 75! You were incredibly lucky to have this encounter with them.

[@gillymac9363]

Thanks for that!

[@Themapleleaforever]

I know this pod! they visit frequently up here in BC after they visit WA

[@horse-lover68]

Can somebody of the experts help me a little please. I am working with horses since 35 years and the communication is with body language. Am I wrong?? This tailslapping TO the boat looks for me like :"get out of here" or "you are disturbing us"??? I have seen so many videos where the orcas react friendly, are coming to the boat. That's a big difference in the body language, am I wrong???

[@johnshepard6851]

@@horse-lover68 hitting the water with the tail is a sign of discontent among whales. But what exactly angered the whale is difficult to understand.

[@horse-lover68]

@@johnshepard6851 Thank you!!! 👍 Of course they are much smarter than f. e horses, that's why it is so much more difficult to understand why (I think). It's hard enough to understand the body language of horses, the dolphin fam must be much harder. Interesting is: when horses are swinging their tails so much it is often a sign of pain, aggression, discomfort and so on, almost the same and horses are pre animals, Orcas apex predictors. Learning to communicate and to understand them is faszinating for me. Best whishes from Austria 🇦🇹 👍

[@Therecouldbe]

Wish i had seen an orca in my time living in WA. Can't wait to move back and get another chance. Such beautiful beings.

[@Sip28]

Sure is I used to live in federal way. I. I miss it 😪

[@brendal6936]

That was really cool! I have seen it in person and there’s just no words to describe it. And unfortunately, you can keep your required distance from them, but you can’t keep them from coming to you. And when they got as close as they did, you’re not supposed to motor away right away anyway, but rather wait until it’s safe after they have moved past. But I’m sure you already knew that. 😁

[@dehlanni]

I went to the San Juan Islands on 4th of July and I am now hooked it was so amazing how they come up so close. Thank you for sharing.

[@aidangm7419]

1:24 that particular moment breached beyond all our expectations

[@johngta7172]

the tail slap = middle finger signal by humans

[@chlomo7672]

oh my god, if I saw those orcas that close, I’d cry lol. So beautiful

[@brianmoore1820]

Thanks Ron of Tukwila, Wa. What a great sight in a great setting. Bry of NZ

[@boufie9997]

HUMAN: "They are beautiful!" NEARBY SEALS: "Run Forrest, RUN!"

[@robertwhitten265]

Humans: Look how playful they are. Orcas: Can you just get the F out of here.

[@jakethedog2934]

robertoppenheimer stupid thug like you would say that shit

[@brixperez3951]

Jake the dog actually... They were hunting or something like that. Tipical moves to disturb prey. You don't need to be this rude buddy. Bark off ...

[@golfmaniac007]

those don't look like friendly tail splashes. it saying get the hell away

[@aidangm7419]

More like an act of defence

[@ulisesmarvels]

The tail splashes could mean that but most of the time it is an act of play, dominance, Or just to get Noticed You sorta have to remember if he moves he could risk hearting them with the propeller so he did what was best and stayed still

[@golfmaniac007]

@@ulisesmarvels i take my comment back.....i think they were making those splashes to stunt their prey or killing them with punches

[@ulisesmarvels]

@@golfmaniac007 They do that underwater most of the things they do are Simply a show of Excitement or Social Reasons As you can see there are no birds flocking and no fish heads popping out of the water plus the orcas arnt eating anything they can use there tails to stunt them under water but Tail slaps on the surface are for social reasons

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

They are saying "Here's how we slap a 1 ton seal into the air! Wanna play!?"

[@JohnDoe-wy1yd]

That was special, thanks for sharing.

[@youngproduct6269]

When i see them slaping the water with the tail is time to go!

[@stephenmaskrey6527]

What amazing creatures, how lucky you were to be there at the right time, great video thanks for sharing

[@skywatergarage]

That was so awesome! I dont know how I have lived in Washington my entire life of 31 years and never see. An orca. I am going to San Juan islands this year just for this. Mark my words!

[@dedwards0797]

Incredible!!! This Is The ONLY Way To See Orca, In It's Natural Habitat

[@hellsbells2028]

Beautiful creatures and happy right where they belong ❤

[@cynthcorcor126]

Madonna

[@incomments2864]

That Orca at 1:03 was giving you a sign to be out of his territory with his tail lmao!

[@shutterbird13]

Fanta Fier even if that was what the orca was getting at, it's still pretty incredible. I mean, I know I'd be impressed if a five ton animal told me to go fuck myself.

[@sepnyte9422]

I think he was more peeved at the one that breached in front of him.

[@Ginger_Sweet]

They were jumping out sideways to get a good look at the boat this is such cool footage thank you for sharing

[@nodigBKMiche]

I was thinking they were hunting. Tail slapping stuns their pray, & maybe breaching does too?

[@shyecho8201]

J-2 BLACKBERRY!!!!!!!!!! So jealous thanks for posting this. I hope one day I'll get to see wild orca like this, out where they belong.

[@jakethedog2934]

+ShyEcho you could go see wild ones at seaworld since no matter where you go its wild life we too are

[@shutterbird13]

Jake the dog no one should give money to parks with captive marine mammals.

[@caitlynkelly8859]

at 1:31, a lot of people are saying the tail lop by Blackberry was a "get the hell out human" but that's not what it was. the other whale, who i think is his younger sister Tsushi, had just breached in front of him, so it was most likely out of annoyance. they tail slap to communicate many things, to show annoyance, to get the attention of other whales, or when hunting. i think, due to the timing of the tail lob, it wasn't a "fuck off human" but a "are you Serious Tsushi!"

[@aidangm7419]

According to seaworld, killer whales can not only breach to get other whales attention but can be used to scratch an itch

[@aidangm7419]

He was probably like “DAMMIT SIS, You’re always in the way”

[@statmanstudios378]

Great stuff we love our whales here on the Oregon coast too.

[@Darienlover999]

That's J27 Blackberry that slapped his tail at you and judging from the unique cheek markings I'd say that's his little sister J31 Tsuchi breaching in front of him.

[@Bluenose352]

He didn't seem too happy with her breaching.

[@Darienlover999]

+Bluenose352 more and more research is revealing that surface behaviors such as breaching and tail lobs, which you see J27 and J31 do in this video, are the result of boat traffic. It is likely that both of these behaviors were a result of the boater's close proximity to them.

[@Bluenose352]

+loveroforcas I watched another video of Blackberry and Mako I believe, doing the same thing. Mako was slapping towards Blackberry. I read that it can also mean they're telling the other Orca "Hey, I'm here" . Or telling others to follow them.

[@Bluenose352]

+loveroforcas Was the other male possibly Onyx? I heard he's been with J pod lately.

[@Darienlover999]

+Bluenose352 yes, it could be L87. He's been with J Pod since 2010. But from the photos I've seen of them he doesn't seem to be right with the J11s a lot. He stays around J2. His dorsal is very wide at the base and that's the best way to tell him apart from the other three adult males in J pod. I've you have Instagram, go check out my account @loveroforcas. I'll post a photo of him for you today :)

[@leanneadams2549]

That was a huge male by your boat ! The males have the straight dorsal fins !!

[@ItsMeFern2019]

1:24 Awesome jump tho! ❤

[@Drag0nrider432]

they were probably curious and we're checking you out

[@c0lelee]

Best footage I've seen of my most beloved creature, the playful, friendly, unstoppable 0RC∆

[@kathyd2595]

Lucky for you to be able to witness this. Sadly, the orca population in the Pacific Northwest is dwindling.❤🐬

[@OregonFamilyAdventures]

I would cry of joy if I saw this. 😭💚

[@twistedfrannie9311]

I have been out in a small wooden rowboat here on the Atlantic and had them cruse me and play around . I always bring in my oars and spend time singing to them just floating along.

[@iamsuperperfect4605]

The male's tail whip was earth shattering!

[@jonathans4503]

You mean water splashing right

[@kuanyingtong9428]

😱 their tails are really so powerful. Amazing ! 🐳🐳

[@gillymac9363]

Soooo jelly🤣 You're a lucky, lucky man!

[@sandyjones4393]

I could watch them all day!!

[@danielringenberg2640]

No playful belly display ... warning sign to stay away! (not counting body positioning to align splash). Great video regardless! Such beautiful animals! Thanks for sharing

[@peterbeadman9010]

Free orcas. What a beautiful show. Thank you orcas. Xxx

[@blacklavendar6492]

so coool!!! wow !! i really hope to some day be lucky enough to experience seeing orcas up close like this!

[@GaryMCurran]

So, I have a question for you. In 2011, NOAA came out with a new ruling for being around whales in the Puget Sound, which states no closer than 200 yards. Obviously, the whales were a lot closer than 200 yards in some cases. Now, you were already there, fishing, and these guys come along. I'm assuming your engines were off, so no real noise, but, did you have to proceed out of the area where they were? I mean, from your video, they were as close as 50 feet and maybe 400 or more yards away. How does that get handled, legally? I'm just curious, and not trying to start any kind of argument or anything.

[@IFreakingEatPeople]

I think that's one of those things like you can't intentionally chase them within 200 yards. But there's no way you can stop them from coming to you. They're very curious animals and amazingly smart

[@GaryMCurran]

That's about what I thought. The video was awesome. Maybe, one of these days, if I win the lottery, I'll buy myself a boat and cruise up and down the Sound. Maybe get to have my own encounters with them. You're very fortunate to have had them that close. :)

[@shutterbird13]

Yeah, from what I understand, humans can't approach them, but if they come up to you, that's a different story. Starting your boat and trying to get away could cause injury...and you may not be able to get away, anyway, since some orcas like to chase boats, lol.

[@omaryahya9405]

breathtaking this is absolutely beautiful

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Absolutely beautiful orcas . My fav indeed

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Really great, thrilling experience thanks for sharing 🙏

[@jamecke3216]

great...thanks for uploading

[@donnasanchez63]

That was amazing... I love these creatures. your video stirred up emotion in me. Lol why did it seem mad when it slapped its tail? Lol

[@jaredbrown3249]

Orca jumps and say SUPRISE!!!!

[@janeevanz]

That male bull orca warned with his fluke not to get close. Footage is amazing.

[@canadasweetie]

Scientists still don’t know why orcas breach or slap their tail flukes. Play tine; advertising hey I’m here etc. it isn’t necessarily cause they are angry

[@janeevanz]

@@canadasweetie I mean... if you have family your trying to protect you would show some sort of aggression correct. It's not just cause of that specific factor it's also those sea lice.

[@Fanalfanal]

Wie ist es überhaupt möglich, dass ein Orca Luftsprünge machen kann ? Wie können so viele Tonnen, die Schwerkraft überwinden ? Ich staune, denn Geschwindigkeit, und/oder Kraftaufwand (Newton)... ist gigantisch WIE ist so was möglich ?

[@alexmatwick2737]

There is a video clip by a Norwiegen fellow that explains most of what Orcas are doing...a good clip

[@twoside3188]

I think the male was a little mad at the other one for jumping infront of him XD Like: Hey! I'm swimming here!

[@aidangm7419]

That’s j27 blackberry tail slapping as if he is scolding his sister j31 tsuchi

[@jimhall7760]

Great video!

[@susanlarson215]

thanks so much for sharing your awesome video!!! I loved it

[@elisma3537]

do you have any website ? thats is the best pointe en San Juan to watching Orcas? thank you

[@bari2883]

I think it was hunting salmon when it tail slapped.

[@joaniewaller6504]

I love these whales so much like so many other people, but I think by us loving them we are actually stressing them out. They don't get any privacy at all. Constant, constant people on the water and the shore, I think they have been very good sports about it, but there must be times when they just want to be alone.

[@jacquelinemanzano9328]

The Orcas are saying hello to you. What a wonderful sight.

[@luhanaorca2489]

Beautiful💓i love the orcas🐋🐋

[@jessicawise3263]

This is amazing!

[@dianemainiero6760]

That was amazing...and u have lovely voice ..u should use it xx

[@kaylav714]

So heartbreaking what is happening to this population of orcas in the wild. Unfortunately, due to lack of food, they are starving and many of their young are dying. Such incredible animals. Fyi, that lob tailing you are seeing is an aggressive behavior by the way lol. I would have been a big terrified

[@mmfleshman]

Wonderful video, Thanks for sharing ☺

[@metalgear-]

*Rontukwila -* I think they were showing off for you. Orcas never chased Humans away from anyplace ever before. They are more fascinated by us than anything. They like us.

[@fogstreet108]

you can call those 2 #1Rock & #2Roll cause they wanted to make some noise : )

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

It's good to be the King. They fear nothing and even play with their food! I wouldn't swim with them just in case one's in a bad mood but my god they are perfect animals.

[@dennisdownes9319]

great video

[@awuma]

Wouldn't motoring away with orca around you be more dangerous for all concerned than staying put?

[@shutterbird13]

awuma yes. When they're that close to your boat, the best thing you can do is stay put until they clear out. This doesn't stop irrational idiots from criticizing every person who films an orca, unfortunately.

[@SithSereyPheap1]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude that's awsome ! What's on their menue this time of the year ? Greeting from Cambodia.Most Cambodian children had never seen Orcas,ever !!!

[@megaroo6110]

These are the waters off the coast of Washington sate and the resident orca feed on salmon.

[@cierrarouse9036]

Pretty much fish (including shark), other whale, seal, etc...

[@joaniewaller6504]

Not the resident orca . They only eat Salmon and Steel head, The transient orca eat mammals like seals. The offshore orca do eat sharks.

[@dinoisland6554]

Whoa Pod of Killer Whales.

[@aidanmartin4334]

If blackberry and tsuchi are in this video then it must be the J4 pod

[@MsOthmar]

So wunderful:This is my world.

[@McHeisenburger]

Goddam I am so very jealous.

[@ALoveForOrcas]

Stunning footage! Can I borrow it, I always give credit!

[@Mummabear543]

This is how they should be :-) wonderful thanks for showing us !!!

[@Goatboysminion]

At 1:24. That was epic!

[@Erikali26]

Nice video

[@edwardelric10001]

These are residents, right?

[@lydiapua4613]

Wow very nice i love it

[@dinoisland6554]

They Look scary. But there friendly.

[@sabriinaclifford6261]

Super jealous of your experience omg!!!

[@horse-lover68]

That looks for me a little aggressive, like :"get out of here" The tailslapping doesn't mean good things.

[@timid3000]

Must be a different breed from the prisoners at Seaworld. This lot have straight dorsal fins!

[@CosbyTheCaterpillar]

I can't tell if this comment is sarcastic or not but in case its not the dorsal fin has nothing to do with breed.

[@timid3000]

ClearSky Productions Yes it was sarcasm.

[@Erikali26]

Dude: There! They're breaching again! --uh-huh, yea, you're shooting a video dude, we see them. Dude again: I'm speechless. -- Finally

[@anthonyvespia6662]

They're so beautiful, and that's a beautiful thing to capture. I've seen real footage, orcas in pods, attack great White sharks. They will not let any type of shark, in those islands. Which is why sharks will take off extremely fast, in fear, of our beautiful killer whales..🐋 🙏 😎 ⛵

[@AnnieCowden]

Can you tell me what ferry or boat company you went with that you would recommend?

[@profd65]

He's in his fishing boat.

[@matthewwalters1175]

Great video, WA?

[@ingridribeiro9772]

Bravo 👏👏👏 ,é lindo, vê-las soltas n natureza!!

[@sarafarrell6808]

May I please use this footage? I will give credit :)

[@jaredbrown3249]

I can't believe that the orcas came so close

[@PepsiGirlJenny]

I hate to break to you all but the Killers Whales that are in the sea world can not be free because they will die out there just in the wild and go up to people when they are sick if they need food and taken care of look what happen to Keiko we know he lost his family when he was taken and he never found them and also he was not use of the big move and he was still learning the wild but he got sick out there and when you guys brought him back into the tank he pass away if you free the other killer whales now they will happen again to them

[@unleashthebats]

Jenny Melson It’s true they become dependent on people, but with Keiko people watched, fed, exercised, and interacted with him when he was free in Norway until he died, and he was getting old for an orca that’s been raised in captivity. As long as they are dedicated to caring for them, and as long they aren’t dangerous to the people they will seek out for attention and food, I think it’s a really good thing to free them. It’s very expensive, but we’ve done it before.

[@RBNobody]

This is incredible

[@ihatebattlerapfans2850]

Splash zone alert !

[@CapeCodBelle]

Wow, incredible!

[@WanderingSoleTV]

Spectacular!

[@spwb2k]

whats he tryna say with that wicked repeat tail slap? i dont think its "hi how yooz doin'?" aha i see the above note.

[@theprancingpony6075]

miked765 The orcas are playing and checking out this strange object in their ocean. They probably want to see what he'll do if they make splashes. They're are extremely intelligent problem solving animals.

[@janheard3826]

I think they were trying to splash you.

[@dinoisland6554]

I ever seen Before!

[@darkprose]

Wow. Fantastic.

[@1970karenleah]

Beautiful!!

[@user-nz8pg7qs9o]

オスのシャチに威嚇されてましたね～😅

[@sharokhjoudi4693]

THANK U.

[@CajunAdrienne]

Amazing!!!

[@alanmeires]

This in the wild means stay away