Written by Alison
on May 30, 2024

Killer Whales & Humpbacks by Friday Harbor

Killer Whales & Humpbacks by Friday Harbor

May 8, 2024 – We were excited to leave the dock with a report of Orcas nearby.  We headed east and started our encounter with the Whales within about 15 minutes of leaving the dock.  The whales were traveling along the Shaw Island shoreline.  They were identified as Bigg’s (marine mammal eating type) of killer whales.  It is always memorable to see member of the T46 matriline.  T46, the matriarch who passed last year was  captured in in Budd Inlet in 1976.  She was eventually released and since then has had many calves and grand calves.  She currently has over 20 living offspring!  Just imagine if she had not been released none of the whales would be here!  Today we had two of her granddaughters T46B1who is 21 and T46C2 who is 15.  We also had 2 of her great grand kids T46B1A (9) and T46B1C (2).  The whales eventually crossed over to Lopez Island where it was time for us to move on and look for other wildlife.   We headed south and checked out the Steller Sea Lions on Whale Rocks.  From there we headed up the west side of San Juan Island and caught up to a Humpback Whale near the Turn Point Lighthouse.  It was a beautiful day on the water with stunning mountain vistas in every direction and we passed 3 lighthouses to boot.

Photographer and Naturalist: Alison Engle – Instagram: @Alisonengleart – Website: www.alisonengle.com

Western Prince Wildlife Adventures – Instagram: @Westernprincewildlife – Facebook: Western Prince Whale Watching

Written by Alison
on May 30, 2024

Killer Whales & Humpbacks by Friday Harbor

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