L123 Lazuli born to L103 (Lapis), her first calf, November, 2015
Lazuli (L-123) is a calf born by Lapis (L-43) in L-Pod in December 2015. L-Pod is considered to be the biggest family group of the 3 pods in the southern region killer whale populations.
Inspiration for the tile dedicated to Lazuli was drawn from his name and his mothers' name, Lapis. Lapis lazuli is a beautiful deep-blue with white veins metaphoric rock that is prized by many. I decided to paint the waters and the lettering as a representation of the stone he was named after.
Lazuli is cared for by a big family including his aunties Kasatka and Jade, and his uncle Takoda. Lazuli has a playmate in his older cousin Finn who is five years his senior. Lazuli was born with a sharply curved dorsal fin, characteristic of his entire matriline.
They are a close-knit family. It seems that in recent years Kasatka and Finn travel up ahead of the rest of the family. This family spends time with the L47s, a family similar to theirs, with females and juveniles.
During 2017, due to the scarcity of salmon, the whales remained on the outer coast where their chances of finding enough food were better. The L4s, L26s, L47s, and the 72s, a total of 19 whales, were the only Killer Whales in the inland waters during the month of August. In September J, K, and most of L Pod were present for a few days. Lazuli was seen on several occasions breaching.