Olivia Esqueda | May 3rd, 2025 | M/V Osprey | 12:30pm
It was such a neat experience today with a Humpback Whale east of the islands! We traveled inner island passing heaps of birds, including many Rhinoceros Auklets before reaching Rosario Strait, which is the first big body of water you cross when heading to Friday Harbor on the WA State Ferry. We were able to spot a Humpback Whale [CRC-19888 named Schooner] foraging along the shoreline with half a tail fluke! This whale was first spotted in 2021 as the calf of another well-known Humpback Whale, [ZigZag, BCX1193] and has been returning to the Salish Sea every summer season since then. This humpback whale (unknown if male or female) migrates to and from Hawaii every year between the breeding/birthing grounds and summer feeding grounds.
As of June 2024, Schooner’s tail fluke was severely damaged from either an entanglement or a ship strike and was found with scars from its dorsal fin down to the fluke but seemed to be healing as of July 2024. In October 2024, Schooner was seen alive and healing well, but unfortunately with a total loss of the left fluke. This means, it was a very humbling experience and a reminder of their resilience when Schooner successfully migrated to and from Hawaii and has been actively foraging again here in 2025!
Following our time with CRC-19888, we were able to catch sight of Harbor Seals, Harbor Porpoise, and adult and juvenile Bald Eagles! The water was stunning, the whale experience was magical, and we are already looking forward to discovering more surprises from the Salish Sea.