Written by Alison
on May 12, 2023

Whale Report: April 27, 2023 – Two Orca Encounters in one trip!

Whale Report: April 27, 2023 – Two Orca Encounters in one trip!

April 27, 2023 – We left the dock in Friday Harbor with two possible sightings.  Captain JB decided to go for the sure thing even though it was a bit of a ways to go.  We headed south and went the distance to encounter part of an amazing matrilineal of Bigg’s (marine mammal eating) Killer Whales.  We ended up being south of Protection Island, which was a first for me.  There we encountered the T46’s and T46’B’s  T46 was the last whale to be live captured in this area.  She was released and has left an amazing legacy of close to 20 living dependents and certainly more to come.  We were excited to meet the youngest T46B7, who was first seen in earlier this year!  We had a lovely visit and then headed back towards home.  Along the way we stopped at Whale Rocks to see a Bald Eagle and several “posing” Steller Sea Lions.  From there Captain JB let us know that another group of whales was ahead and not too far from home back in the main San Juan Islands.  We were all excited at the prospect of seeing more whales.  Just south of Shaw Island we encountered the T18’s and 5 members of the T49A’s.  The youngest in this group is T49A6 who was born in early 2002.  This little whale is so cute with its underbite making it look a little different from the rest.  We also got to check out T19B “Galiano.”  He is a massive 28 year old male with a dorsal fin that leans to one side.  He was there with his mum, possible grandma and little brother Spouter.  Another amazing day in the Salish Sea!

T46s and T46Bs surfacing together

T18s and T49As

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 12, 2023

Whale Report: April 27, 2023 – Two Orca Encounters in one trip!

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