San Juan Whale Watching

Today was a very odd day as far as whale sightings went.

The same group of L-Pod whales from yesterday turned up late in the morning at Deception Pass, heading north.  They then went up Bellingham Channel (I have seen whales heading down the channel often, but never up).  Then later in the day they went up Hale Passage on the east side of Lummi Island.  I talked to captains that have been out here for over 15 years and have never heard of whales in Hale Passage.

Of course, the truly amazing thing today was viewing the day old calf swimming smartly along side of its mother (L47).  What a beautiful sight!  Every new calf is so precious to this population of whales, which lost as many as 3 members this past year.  We will all be watching anxiously over the coming year, hoping to see little L-111 grow and become strong.