Orcas at Eagle Point San Juan Island WA

[@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 🇦🇹 👍

[@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.

[@johngta7172]

the tail slap = middle finger signal by humans

[@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 😪

[@brianmoore1820]

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

[@chlomo7672]

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

[@JohnDoe-wy1yd]

That was special, thanks for sharing.

[@aidangm7419]

1:24 that particular moment breached beyond all our expectations

[@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 ...

[@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!

[@youngproduct6269]

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

[@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.

[@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?

[@dedwards0797]

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

[@c0lelee]

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

[@hellsbells2028]

Beautiful creatures and happy right where they belong ❤

[@cynthcorcor126]

Madonna

[@statmanstudios378]

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

[@Drag0nrider432]

they were probably curious and we're checking you out

[@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!?"

[@kathyd2595]

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

[@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 !!

[@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.

[@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.

[@OregonFamilyAdventures]

I would cry of joy if I saw this. 😭💚

[@gillymac9363]

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

[@kuanyingtong9428]

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

[@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

[@ItsMeFern2019]

1:24 Awesome jump tho! ❤

[@omaryahya9405]

breathtaking this is absolutely beautiful

[@iamsuperperfect4605]

The male's tail whip was earth shattering!

[@jonathans4503]

You mean water splashing right

[@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”

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Really great, thrilling experience thanks for sharing 🙏

[@sandyjones4393]

I could watch them all day!!

[@peterbeadman9010]

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

[@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

[@blacklavendar6492]

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

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Absolutely beautiful orcas . My fav indeed

[@manfred-72]

great...thanks for uploading

[@susanlarson215]

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

[@jaredbrown3249]

Orca jumps and say SUPRISE!!!!

[@luhanaorca2489]

Beautiful💓i love the orcas🐋🐋

[@mmfleshman]

Wonderful video, Thanks for sharing ☺

[@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

[@Mummabear543]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@MsOthmar]

So wunderful:This is my world.

[@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 ?

[@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.

[@elisma3537]

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

[@dennisdownes9319]

great video

[@jessicawise3263]

This is amazing!

[@dinoisland6554]

Whoa Pod of Killer Whales.

[@sabriinaclifford6261]

Super jealous of your experience omg!!!

[@aidanmartin4334]

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

[@alexmatwick2737]

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

[@rontukwila]

Ha! How'd you know that? Ron

[@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.

[@dianemainiero6760]

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

[@lydiapua4613]

Wow very nice i love it

[@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..🐋 🙏 😎 ⛵

[@ALoveForOrcas]

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

[@jimhall7760]

Great video!

[@matthewwalters1175]

Great video, WA?

[@Erikali26]

Nice video

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Goatboysminion]

At 1:24. That was epic!

[@fogstreet108]

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

[@bari2883]

I think it was hunting salmon when it tail slapped.

[@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.

[@RBNobody]

This is incredible

[@karlshaner2453]

The tail swipe.....If someone was at your fishing spot throwing big rocks in the water, you would be mad too. Orca's are very smart and blackberry was mad at the boat!! Not other whales.

[@theprancingpony6075]

kira fitzgibbon He's not throwing rocks in the water, is he? Also, orcas aren't whales, they're dolphins.

[@karlshaner2453]

Dolphins by family yes, Killer whales by name. Any ignoramous can see the Orca's were angry at this boat. Fish of all kinds are sensitive to all vibrations in the water, and this guy starting and stopping along their path most likely scared off the fish they were hunting or just plain irritating. I was making an analogy, human/Orca . My guess the motor boat engine is far worse than a rock thrown in a pond. How many more Orca have to die because of ignorant jerks seeking to make a video?

[@theprancingpony6075]

kira fitzgibbon Ooohhhhhh! Okay, I thought you literally were saying he was throwing rocks. Yes, when near orcas you need to turn off your engine or it's like tapping the glass of a fish tank. Although, orcas aren't fish, they are mammals.

[@karlshaner2453]

Its so nice of you to teach others, that Orca are mammals.The fish I was refering too are the salmon. Orca eat salmon, it's a shame we eat more of salmon than they do without the slightest care for the Orca. Anyone coming to San Juan island can stop in Friday Harbor and visit our Whale Museum and learn more about them. When all the salmon are gone so goes the Orca.

[@theprancingpony6075]

kira fitzgibbon Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't understand. It is sad that many don't know or don't care about basic facts. Obviously you're not one of them and it's great to meet someone who loves orcas too. I'm not fond of salmon and don't eat much of it. It's so sad that the orcas may become extinct.

[@CapeCodBelle]

Wow, incredible!

[@AnnieCowden]

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

[@profd65]

He's in his fishing boat.

[@jaredbrown3249]

I can't believe that the orcas came so close

[@RhebheczQBLIFE]

omg thats soo big,hope they not damage your boat heheh

[@sarafarrell6808]

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

[@McHeisenburger]

Goddam I am so very jealous.

[@ingridribeiro9772]

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

[@jacquelinemanzano9328]

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

[@ゆうこ-n7b]

オスのシャチに威嚇されてましたね～😅

[@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.

[@dinoisland6554]

They Look scary. But there friendly.

[@karessamilano2220]

Where you scared Ron?

[@WanderingSoleTV]

Spectacular!

[@darkprose]

Wow. Fantastic.

[@1970karenleah]

Beautiful!!

[@wayneupham4737]

How cool would that be!

[@trishmccormack4450]

wow this is so cool

[@CajunAdrienne]

Amazing!!!

[@JohnPGrier-sm8cl]

That was Awesome!!!

[@livandcompany]

I want to come along!

[@nateword]

that is SO cool

[@EE-hi4re]

Beautiful