Written by Alison
on Sep 30, 2026

Whales and Puffins!

Whales and Puffins!

September 10, 2026 11:00AM – Today Captain JB had a plan but after our first two stops, one to see a beautiful Bald Eagle perched on a navigational marker on Turn Rock and second the see the Steller Sea Lions at Whale Rocks he changed course. A new report of whales had come in that were even closer and in an area where we sometimes find Tufted Puffins. Off we went after about 20 minutes we started our encounter south of Smith Island with members of the T60 Bigg’s Killer Whale family. We had the mother, 46 year old Panthera, her oldest son, 25 year old Yelnats, 14 year old Tigris and 7 year old Uncia. They were traveling with mystery whale that was later identified as T59A4 who was born in 2017. they were swimming in the kelp and one did a nice spy hop. Soon after they grouped up and headed south. Eventually it was time to go, so we headed over to the banks around Smith Island and were able to locate at least 3 Tufted Puffins. This was a life bird for some of our passengers! We had time for one more brief look at the T65B’s, another family of 4 killer whales on the way back to Friday Harbor. What a great start to the day!

Photographer and Naturalist: Alison Engle – Instagram: @AlisonEngleArt – Website: www.AlisonEngle.com – Instagram: @WesternPrinceWildlife – Facebook: Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures

Written by Alison
on Sep 30, 2026

Whales and Puffins!

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