June 22nd - Jack is back!
We found ourselves heading south through Stewart Channel when we came across the T137’s who were heading north to meet us.
We know the members of this pod well, especially our favourite big boy, Jack. The T137’s are lead by the matriarch Loon, and she travels with her 3 kids. Her eldest, Jack, and her 2 daughters Tempest and Wright.
Loon is about 38 years old and, in theory, could still produce a few more calves before she goes through menopause. However, Wright, her youngest, was born in 2012, so it’s been about 10 years since she’s had a calf, when orca typically have a calf every 3-4 years on average. We aren’t sure of Loon’s exact age either, it’s only an estimate, so she could be older and may have already stopped producing calves.
Tempest, Loon’s oldest daughter, is now 16 years old, so with any luck, we could see Loon become a grandmother very soon. Female orca typically begin having calves around 11-12 years old and can produce calves until their mid to late 40’s when they go through menopause. Some females, however, never produce a calf. Whether it’s by choice or infertility we aren’t sure, but there are a handful of older female orca in our catalogues that have never been recorded with calves.
If and when Tempest and Wright begin having their own calves they will likely depart from mom’s side as the pod grows. Our average pod of transient orca is only 4 whales, though they range in size from 2-10 animals. If Loon never produces another calf, she and Jack may decide to stay with Tempest or Wright, even after they’ve begun having their own calves. Matriarchs with many daughters who disperse are known to pod-hop, so to speak. Spending time with each other daughters and helping to raise all their grandkids.
It’ll be very interesting to see how the family dynamic shifts over the next few years as Loon’s daughters begin starting their own families. For now, we get to watch them as one family, traveling, socializing, and playing together.
Enjoy the photos of our wildlife from today’s tour taken by marine naturalist Vanessa and Rebecca
Jack’s impressive dorsal fin with the unique identifiable notches. Photo by Vanessa
Next to her son, T137 Loon could be mistaken for a much younger whale. Photo by Vanessa
Jack and his youngest sister Wright, swimming side by side for some sibling bonding time. Photo by Vanessa
T137A - Jack and T137D - Wright. Photo by Vanessa
Jack. Photo by Vanessa
Wright following closely behind mom, Loon. Photo by Vanessa
Tempest traveling with her older brother Jack. Photo by Vanessa
A perfect photo of Jack. You can see the notches in his dorsal, his saddle patch and his eye patch! All 3 things can be used to check his ID, as each are unique to him. Photo by Vanessa
Sail boats are a common sight on our tours. Photo by Vanessa
Photo by Vanessa
Pacific harbour seals lounging on the rocks. Photo by Vanessa
Practicing their banana pose - how long do you think you could hold this pose? Photo by Vanessa
Gotta make sure to get some sun on the belly! Photo by Rebecca
It looks like someone shaved half this seal! Don’t worry, it’s just wet vs dry fur. Photo by Rebecca
Trying to keep those back flippers dry! Photo by Rebecca
Photo by Rebecca
It’s hard to get a family photo of orca, someone is always missing. Photo by Rebecca
Little T137D Wright leading the charge. Photo by Rebecca
Just the top of Jack’s impressive dorsal which stands over 6 feet tall!. Photo by Rebecca
Big boy Jack. Photo by Rebecca
Photo by Rebecca
Photo by Rebecca
Photo by Rebecca
Photo by Rebecca