We have whales here in Puget Sound and we get to see them from time to time. We have Gray Whales in the Spring on their migration north. There is a small group of a dozen or so that takes a detour into Puget Sound to feed. They eat shrimp from the sand right in front of the Briny Beach Cabin.
Gray Whales Feeding off the beach at Briny Beach Cabin
The fin of a Gray Whale as it feeds
Gray Whale stirring up the mud to feed on shrimp
We also have Humpback and Fin whales in the sound.
Most common though are the Orcas, also called Killer Whales. In Puget Sound we have Resident Pods of Orcas that eat Salmon. We also have Transient Orca Pods that eat larger animals like Seals and have been known to go after Gray Whales.
Sadly blurry picture of an adult and baby Orca swimming by
Orca surfacing as it swims by
More of the same
And a bit more
Orcas swimming rapidly through Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano Islands
Orca swimming through Saratoga Passage going under water
If you visit the Northwest in the Spring or Summer be sure to take a whale watching trip. Seeing these animals in their natural environment is magical.