11-29-17 Groupings Toward Year's End

November 29th

In the early part of 2017 J Pod was split in a different manner than Group A and Group B.
Part of Group B, the J17 family group, and Onyx L-87, who was part of Group A, on multiple occasions were seen together and away from the rest of J Pod, by many miles.

The J16 family, who is known for their independence, was seen several times as the only SRKWs in the inland waters on several different occasions this year.

All of J Pod was pretty scarce in these inland waters for a good portion of the season.

In May, when they came in, Onyx was traveling with Cookie J-38.  Cookie had lost his brother the prior December.  Cookie belonged to Group B, but on this day it seemed that there was no Group A or B, it was J Pod, and they were back as a full unit.  They pretty much stayed that way, at least through November.
However, the J16 family maintained their independence.  Sonic J-52, a member of this family, died in September, so there was definitely more going on during this summer's season for this family group than we humans knew about.

With the loss of Granny, Shachi J-19, a Group A whale, had become the matriarch and some people wondered why Slick J-16, who is actually the oldest female in J Pod, did not become the matriarch.
Thoughts:
-perhaps they want to keep their independent ways;
-perhaps it was because Sonic was in ill health, so this family had other things to deal with.
We will have to watch to see what unfolds in 2018.