Today I got a call at 11:30 am from orca Researcher Ron Bates reporting several Transient orcas were passing Trial Island. I ran around gathering gear and ran down the road. We went to Clover Point and watched in amazement and excitement as approx 7 orcas milled their way towards us. There was one big male thought to be T20, with family members T21, T22 with others (waiting for confirmation on a few of them). I saw a spy hop, a breach, tail slapping, some speed porpoising before approaching the point. They were just outside of Gonzales Bay and a few milled around inside of Ross Bay as they approached us.
There were many freaked out seals hauling out below us (they eat seals). They came so close to land, they were in the rock and kelp beds – they certainly could not have come any closer. One orca had kelp draped over it’s back. Cars and people with big cameras were pulling up to capture the amazing spectacle. It was the ultimate experience! Word sure does get around town!
After leaving Clover Point, they traveled along the shoreline and we traveled by land to Ogden Point where we saw them approach in a line towards the kelp bed along the breakwater, surprising a lone fisherman. People were running along the cliff sides, and along the breakwater – it was quite dramatic. The whales passed the breakwater and are now headed towards the direction of Race Rocks.
Apparently it was these three transients that clashed with Jpod in the 90′s when the transients approached a jpod calf. The transients were out numbered and took off. I recall reading about this in the killer whale id book. For someone who has orca withdrawl, this is exactly what the doctor ordered! I am one happy camper today. 
