MEET THE SOUTHERN RESIDENTS IN FULL SUPERPOD MODE HERE:
The event features Pacific Northwest killer whales, including the famous "Southern Residents," but also transients, whose numbers are on the rise, and who are frequently seen from boats and shore.
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| Photo by Dr Astrid van Ginneken, Co-Principle Investigator of "Orca Survey" based on San Juan Island |
The people that attend the event include scientists, journalists, former trainers, naturalists, film-makers, bloggers, and people that want to see killer whales in their natural home. This year the event begins on "World Orca Day, Monday July 14," as declared by Dr. Visser. Scheduled events will occur Monday through Friday, but most folks will be departing on Sunday, July 20.
Howard, Ken & Tim were all involved in Blackfish at Superpod 1 & 2. Photo via JV.
The first two Superpods were successful. Whales were abundant & they provided an incredible setting for pod members & three film crews, including from Blackfish, the Humane Society, and the Non-Human Rights project. David Kirby utilized Superpod 2 to launch Death at SeaWorld to a full house of whale enthusiasts. There have been multiple presentations including from Drs Lori Marino, Naomi Rose, Astrid Van Ginneken & Ingrid Visser; also from Terry Hardie, Howard Garrett, Attorney Jeff Kerr, Attorney/Professor Steve Wise (of the Non-Human Rights Project), Ella Van Cleave, and more. Sam Simon broadcast his radio program from the Best Western Hotel in Friday Harbor on 20 July 2012.
Superpod gatherings occur in the "San Juan Islands" of Washington state, and (also) on "San Juan Island." The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the Northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. They are accessible to the public by water and air. Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island. It is where your ferry or sea plane will take you.
A Washington Stare Ferry Navigating the San Juan Islands. You drive your car onto this boat.
The waters between the islands are also the home to Chinook salmon, the Southern Resident killer whales' favorite food. J,K, and L pods, including Granny, the 103 yo matriarch, congregate each summer in a "Superpod gathering." Thus, this event is both a gathering of killer whales and "whale people," complete with annual customs, and festivities.
The most common means of travel to Friday Harbor is by Washington State Ferry out of Anacortes. One advantage of this approach is that you can use your own vehicle for island transportation. But other options exist; and they include a high speed catamaran out of Seattle, called the Victoria Clipper.
This is a terrific ride, although it's a walk-on ferry only. It's a great option if you're meeting up with other folks that have transportation, or don't need a car. Of note, there are plenty of ways to get around on the island without a car, including bicycles, scooters, and island taxis.
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Stunning View of Deception Pass. If you ride a Victoria Clipper Catamaran out of Seattle, You'll go under this Bridge
Lastly, one can arrive on a sea plane via Kenmore Air from Seattle. This will get you in and out of the event quicker than the other options, and the ride is stunning; definitely a great way to arrive. If you're a heavy packer, though, this ride has a weight limit.
Regardless of which method you select, they all offer incredible approaches to a very special place, Friday Harbor and the surrounding ocean.
Howard, Ken & Tim were all involved in Blackfish at Superpod 1 & 2. Photo via JV.
The first two Superpods were successful. Whales were abundant & they provided an incredible setting for pod members & three film crews, including from Blackfish, the Humane Society, and the Non-Human Rights project. David Kirby utilized Superpod 2 to launch Death at SeaWorld to a full house of whale enthusiasts. There have been multiple presentations including from Drs Lori Marino, Naomi Rose, Astrid Van Ginneken & Ingrid Visser; also from Terry Hardie, Howard Garrett, Attorney Jeff Kerr, Attorney/Professor Steve Wise (of the Non-Human Rights Project), Ella Van Cleave, and more. Sam Simon broadcast his radio program from the Best Western Hotel in Friday Harbor on 20 July 2012.
Superpod gatherings occur in the "San Juan Islands" of Washington state, and (also) on "San Juan Island." The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the Northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. They are accessible to the public by water and air. Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island. It is where your ferry or sea plane will take you.
A Washington Stare Ferry Navigating the San Juan Islands. You drive your car onto this boat.
The waters between the islands are also the home to Chinook salmon, the Southern Resident killer whales' favorite food. J,K, and L pods, including Granny, the 103 yo matriarch, congregate each summer in a "Superpod gathering." Thus, this event is both a gathering of killer whales and "whale people," complete with annual customs, and festivities.
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| A Washington State Ferry at Friday Harbor. Photo by Jeffrey Ventre |
The most common means of travel to Friday Harbor is by Washington State Ferry out of Anacortes. One advantage of this approach is that you can use your own vehicle for island transportation. But other options exist; and they include a high speed catamaran out of Seattle, called the Victoria Clipper.
This is a terrific ride, although it's a walk-on ferry only. It's a great option if you're meeting up with other folks that have transportation, or don't need a car. Of note, there are plenty of ways to get around on the island without a car, including bicycles, scooters, and island taxis.
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Stunning View of Deception Pass. If you ride a Victoria Clipper Catamaran out of Seattle, You'll go under this Bridge
Lastly, one can arrive on a sea plane via Kenmore Air from Seattle. This will get you in and out of the event quicker than the other options, and the ride is stunning; definitely a great way to arrive. If you're a heavy packer, though, this ride has a weight limit.
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| Kenmore Sea Plane takes off from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA, USA. Photo via Jeffrey Ventre |
Regardless of which method you select, they all offer incredible approaches to a very special place, Friday Harbor and the surrounding ocean.
Once there, various options exist for lodging all over the island. These include hotels, B&B's, camping, marina cabins at Snug Harbor, large boats, and rental homes. Over the years, we've found the most cost effective method (excluding camping) is to get a group in a rental house together. This year, the four of us at Voice of the Orcas, will be co-hosting a party with Jeff Friedman @orcawild on Wednesday July 16, at this ocean front location, below. The deck provides a great view of killer whales and the Haro Strait. It also serves as a picturesque backdrop for interviews, especially when whales are swimming by (which typically is a daily occurrence). Superpod events have historically attracted journalists, authors, and film teams. Wednesday's deck party should bring lots of folks together in one location, and hopefully some very special #Blackfish.
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| Photo by Jeff Friedman @orcawild |
Events occur daily, and include whale watching tours, documentary screenings, presentations, and nightly social gatherings. Below is a rough schedule to give an idea of #Superpod3. Keep in mind that it stays light very late in mid July
DRAFT / ITINERARY / MORE TO COME
MON: Arrive. See whales. Meet & Greet Social Event in the Evening
TUES: Whale watching activities / Presentation(s) / Whale Museum Event
WED: Whale watching / Presentation(s) / VOTO Party / media
THURS: Group Whale Watch Trip on The Western Prince / Presentation
FRI: Whale watching / kayak trips /Movie Screening / Party
SAT/SUN: Possible Movie Screening / Flex time / departure
Lastly, slide show presentation topics & potential movie screenings have been discussed and will be announced when various experts confirm their travel plans. For reference, Superpod gatherings have become an educational real world setting for disseminating (actual) killer whale knowledge & facts to regular people from all over the world. Most folks consider the experience pivotal or life changing, including the four of us at VOTO.
Use the comment area for questions. This itinerary will be updated as new information becomes available.
Use the comment area for questions. This itinerary will be updated as new information becomes available.
