<center><a href='https://d.tube/#!/v/thomasjmitchell/sqnh5lt0'><img src='https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmQApmf32mPXoqVjrpR9qJqAkitCit6qfhKAkVLASRqdJA'></a></center><hr>
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![IMG_2405.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVGT1ReN7TxsppfaskiYKkCagAYbV4yTtG13hzM5bUezu/IMG_2405.jpg)
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J27 aka Blackberry is this big fella's ID.  He is a member of J pod, which is one of 3 pods that comprise of the Southern Resident population in the Pacific North West.  This population is currently critically endangered, as there are only 76 individuals left within this specific type.  The main contributing factor - **LACK OF FOOD!!!**. Don't get me wrong, there are many other factors that are contributing to their current, rapid decline in population.  This is due to orca being a food limited population and secondary factors, such as, noise pollution, toxins/pollutants & vessel traffic can greatly affect them BUT only impact them heavily when food is scarce. 

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I was hanging out with this guy about a year ago in the Juan de Fuca Strait, as him and the rest of his pod/family were slowly moving towards the Pacific Ocean, foraging as they went.  As we did cruise beside him, at some distance, he suddenly changed direction and sped up.  This sudden change in behaviour means - "I found something to eat!"  When this occurs I immediately shut down my engines and wait, giving this beautiful animal every opportunity to catch what he is after.  before I knew it he began circling very quickly at the surface, chasing what I can only assume is a Chinook salmon (they preferred prey).
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![IMG_2403.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWUUCDEeZBwLemV4m9pvJJP8tCtfGfnxhwhsdDQ73qqiM/IMG_2403.jpg)
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What was remarkable is that he began to chase the salmon to the zodiac I was operating.  This happened numerous times, which blew me and everyone onboard away! You could actually see the salmon just in front of his mouth at the surface, as he was less than a foot behind it.  Before I knew it he stopped and logged at the surface for a brief moment - suggests he grabbed it and was chomping it down.  Then he kept moving, as he did previously moving towards the Pacific Ocean with the remainder of his family/pod.

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