Written by Alison
on Aug 18, 2025

Two Families of Killer Whales

Two Families of Killer Whales

August 7, 2025 – We headed north on a nice sunny day. Our first stop was in the Cactus Islands where we had lots of Harbor Seals swimming around in the Bull Kelp. As we started to pull away slowly one popped up right next to the boat! Next it was on to see some Orcas! Just a couple miles away we encountered 2 families of Bigg’s Killer Whales. They were just coming around Battle Ship Island and had started to split up. Captain JB decide to check out the lead group first. What a lovely family – the T109A’s. Frio, the 35 year old mother was traveling with her offspring in tight formation along the San Juan Island shoreline. Her youngest, who is less than a year old, Weiss, was traveling at her side. This little cutie was surfacing high with every breath. Her oldest, 13 year old Garrett, is sprouting a tall dorsal fin as he starts into his teenage years. We also had Argyle, who is 11, Ridley – 7 and Wieland who is now 4. After a bit we went to see the trailing group the T19’s. They are always a favorite with Nootka, the 60 year old mother and her two grown son’s, Galiano at 30 years of age and Spouter at 24! These boys are massive big whales. We watched them as the came around the top of San Juan Island exciting many people on shore as well as on the boats. Finally it was time to say goodbye. We had time for a quick stop to see some more Harbor Seals hauled out on Low Island and a Bald Eagle perched in a tree on the shoreline. What a day!

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 Aug 18, 2025

Two Families of Killer Whales

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