Kelly Klein | M/V Osprey | June 10th, 2026 | 12:30pm
We had truly backyard Biggs today aboard the M/V Osprey! Not but 5 minutes after motoring out of the harbor we slowed our speed to 7 knots and approached a group of killer whales identified as the T100's including:
T100/Hutchins — female, born around 1979
- T100C/Laurel — male, born in 2002
- T100F/Estrella — born in 2014
We watched this group of three transit in a zig zag pattern making their way slowly up San Juan Channel. Laurel's (T100c) 6 ft tall dorsal a fin a clear standout amongst his mother and younger siblings 3-4 foot tall fins. After a few surface sequences we slowly peeled off and very quickly stubbled across another group of killer whales identified as the T46B's including:
T046B/Raksha — female, born in 1988
- T046B2/Akela — female, born in 2008
- T046B2B/Takaya — female, born in 2023
- T046B3/Sedna — female, born in 2011
- T046B3A/Munro — born in 2025
- T046B4/Quiver — male, born in 2014
- T046B6/Sol — female, born in 2019
- T046B7/Tala — born in 2023
- T046B8*/Pi — born in 2026
9 whales total! The clear standout of this family was certainty the new born calf T46B8 Pi, always enthusiastically surfacing with extra momentum. It didn't take long before these two killer whale families merged! The 100's slowing down and switching direction to meet the T46Bs. The combined 12 orcas surfaced in circles around each other, clearly socializing and enjoying each others company. Some notable behaviors include: 3 spy hops, countless tail slaps and rolling at the surface. I can imagine they had a lot to catch up on! We finished the tour with a circumnavigation of Shaw Island, enjoying the sunny weather and perfectly clear seas the entire journey back.