I've been getting lots of questions...I have no answers, but here are my observations and thoughts regarding Ruffles...
Yesterday is the first time all of J pod (that's Group A and B) except Ruffles have been seen together since December 2nd...that's almost 3 months.
During that 'almost 3 months' time':
J pod Group A (Granny/Ruffles group) was seen with K Pod on January 3rd and January 7th. Ruffles was not seen either of those times. I believe the last sightings of him were in November in Puget Sound and then in late November off Victoria.
J pod Group B and the K Klik were seen January 22nd and January 26th.
In the in between times there were audio encounters with J and K pod vocalizations at various times during the night on various days, but since no visuals there could be no identification as to which J and K whales were passing by.
February 2nd, J pod Group B and all of K pod showed up in Puget Sound and stayed there for 8 days.
J pod Group B only was seen on Feb 13th.
J pod Groups A and B were seen yesterday in Puget Sound (February 20th).
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You may remember a year ago, January when during the days of January 26-28 we were all worried about Ruffles...we saw him, but saw no other members of J pod. Last year on the third day of that 'ordeal' there was no sighting of Ruffles or any other whales...I wrote a post...
...and now once again it is looking us straight in the eye...
...but this year however, it is the opposite...we are seeing all members of J pod except Ruffles...
...he does have a reputation for being off to himself, but he has such a distinct dorsal fin...
...then again there's hardly anyone out on the water...
...and the seas have often been rough...
...but how long can we continue to use these excuses...
Ruffles J-1
...Ruffles is 60 (est.) years old this year...
...his life has been long...
...he has given life to many in his community...
...he has given wonderful gifts of fond memories to humans who have had the pleasure of 'meeting' him...
...I cannot even imagine how those who have known him the longest might be feeling right now...
...and Granny, just think of Granny and the rest of his family...
...so hold out hope we will, until there is no longer any hope to be had...
