Sightings Report: T18s - September 1st
Date: Wednesday, September 1st, 2021
Location: Sunset Beach/ Brackett’s Landing, Edmonds, Washington
Weather: Sunny 70 degrees Farenheight with 8 mph winds from N
Tide: High tide
Pods/Matrilines: T018s
Total Whale Count: 3 or 4
Behaviors: Traveling and hunting
After hearing reports of orcas traveling south out of Admiralty Inlet I decided to travel out to the Edmonds waterfront to try and intercept these whales. After about an hour's wait, I got my first looks at two very large bull dorsal fins a little north to my location and was able to confirm the IDs of the T18s.
The T18s are made up of T018 “Esperanza” (estimated 66-year-old female), T019 “Nookta” (estimated 56-year-old female), and her offspring T019B “Galiano” (26-year-old male), and T019C “Spouter” (20-year-old male).
The pod slowly made its way south and close to the Edmonds shoreline passing by the dive park. There were a few patterns that indicated potential kills and eating. After which the orcas would continue on southward.
As the orcas approached the ferry lines the ferry departing the Edmonds dock proceeded at a very low rate of speed, announcing to the passengers of the presence of whales. Once the whales passed behind the ferry safely the ferry sped up and continued its route. There did appear to be a handful of violations of recreational boaters approaching too close, but we cannot confirm the distance. There was also a stand up paddle boarder to approached the whales closely. No whale watch, research, or enforcement vessels were present at this time. (Note: Puget Sound Express had been on the water with these orcas but had returned to port to pick up the next tour).
Please note that our videos and photos are taken with high-powered lenses that can distort distances. The whales appear much closer than they actually are.
