Unconfirmend L Pod Baby

Our evening trip last night was extremely exciting because we may have had some of the first looks at the newest member of the Southern Resident Community! We spent our time with the L47s (Marina, Moonlight, Muncher, and L110... soon to receive a name ~ make sure you vote for Marley). However, there was one other member in this group who appeared to be just hours old. L110, who is just turning one year old made this animal look quite small. The calf appeared to be swimming closest to L47, Marina and was very pinkish orange, but difficult to get a perfect look at because it was being sheltered in the middle of the group. The other whale watch operators on the water agreed that it appeared to be the newest member of L Pod who would be less than 24 hrs old!!! This means that we got some of the first looks at this potentially new member. We are awaiting word from the Center for Whale Research to confirm our sighting. Hopefully we will know within the next few days whether our suspicions are confirmed and L47 has a new kid. This would be her fifth calf. Her older two are still alive, however her two most recent passed away as young calves. If this animal is truly new and truly hers, lets hope it makes it through this next tough year.

Megan Young, Naturalist