in Puget Sound.
Naturalists had a whale of a time over the Easter weekend spotting four different pods of Bigg s killer whales in the Salish Sea, including two orcas known for their standout appearance.
Whale watchers also spotted the Southern Resident orca J-pod swimming against the outgoing tide up the east coast of San Juan Island. In all, the Pacific Whale Watch Association reported seeing 56 orcas over the weekend.
Among a group traveling up Haro Strait, which is the boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada, was a Bigg’s killer whale named “Chainsaw.” The orca got its nickname from the large, distinct notches in the top of his fin that make it look like a large saw blade.
56 orcas, including rare white one, spotted in Salish Sea over weekend KIRO 7 News Staff
More than four dozen orcas were spotted throughout the Salish Sea over Easter weekend, including two “celebri-whales” known for their unusual appearance.
The “J Pod,” which is part of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population, was seen moving slowly up the east coast of San Juan Island, with the whales swimming in close social groups, the Pacific Whale Watch Association reported.
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Pods of Bigg’s killer whales, which are transient orcas, were seen among the San Juan Islands in both President’s Channel and Haro Strait heading north into Canada and along the south end of Lopez Island. There was also a report of a small pod of Bigg’s killer whales in south Puget Sound.