Transient mammal-hunting Orcas have been sighted several times in the past week! Transient killer whales were spotted just north of San Juan Island, near Spieden Island, on November 22, 2013. They just happened to be traveling along with a Washington State Ferry. Then this afternoon, we received reports of the same pod traveling in Haro Strait near Discovery Island (across from Victoria, BC). These killer whales were identified as T035, T038, T038B, T038C, T038D, T075B and T075C.
Humpback whales were also in our area this morning. Two humpback whales were traveling south outside of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. On average, adult humpbacks are about 45 feet in length, and can weigh as much as a ton a foot! The pectoral fins, which are up to one-third of their body length, have rough edges are the largest flippers of any whale.
Humpback pectoral fin. Photo by Kevin Culmback.
Humpback whale tail fluke. Photo by Kevin Culmback.