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tnakahara t1_ixki23y wrote

There is very little else that says Pacific Northwest like this picture does.

Thank you for this.

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geekathair OP t1_ixki82r wrote

Happy to share it. It was really amazing to have them come so close to shore.

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whalebonerz t1_ixmssha wrote

Yeah, super lucky! Once in a lifetime, I'd guess.

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geekathair OP t1_ixmv9pj wrote

If you can get out ahead of them there are several places where they get even closer to shore, especially during low tide. That said, yes, it was definitely an experience that will stick with me ā¤ļø

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funwhileitlast3d t1_ixkrfdl wrote

Dude. That is a picture for the ages.

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geekathair OP t1_ixkru8p wrote

Thanks! Iā€™m pretty happy with how it turned out šŸ™‚

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Old-AF t1_ixkkdqq wrote

Fantastic! Was that today?

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geekathair OP t1_ixkkib0 wrote

Yeah! This was around 3pm. The Southern Residents were hunting around Commencement all afternoon before starting their trip north.

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Emergency_Bit_157 t1_ixkj9yy wrote

Southern residents!

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geekathair OP t1_ixkjl26 wrote

Yeah! We watched them from Point Defiance before deciding to hop on the ferry and explore the island a bit before hearing they were headed East. Perfect timing to have them come within 50-100ā€™ from the shoreline.

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Emergency_Bit_157 t1_ixkppx0 wrote

I definitely miss seeing them. I work in cetacean research and used to work with them. Nowadays I live in Alaska and research killer whales up here. But these guys are so special!

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geekathair OP t1_ixkqcl6 wrote

That sounds like an amazing job! Iā€™ve been fascinated with Orcas since I was a kid and now that I have kids of my own I take every opportunity to take them out to see the Southern Residents and Biggs as they make their way through. We have so many species of whales for such a populated and enclosed area. Seeing the young Humpback hanging out off of the Dune Peninsula (Tacoma) for almost 3 weeks this summer was really something special.

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DrENFP t1_ixmi6rs wrote

I just moved to Gig Harbor and would LOVE any insight you can provide on where and when itā€™s best to spot any marine wildlife! This pic is amazing!!!

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geekathair OP t1_ixmit3g wrote

Thank you! Check out the Orca Network and Puget Sound Whale Sightings groups on Facebook. From the first report of the day the Orca Network has a thread going for each whale or pod. They usually have a thread for baleen whales and orcas each day and as people report in you can sort of figure out which direction they are going and head them off.

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DrENFP t1_ixmjstz wrote

Oh thatā€™s perfect! Thank you!!

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bccarlso t1_ixkomdu wrote

Saw your vid with the kids excited to see them. Wish I had a chance to go out. Maybe they'll be around tomorrow, too. Pic turned out great!

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geekathair OP t1_ixkoyql wrote

Thanks! The kids were being buttheads about going out whale watching but as soon as they saw them headed along the shore attitudes immediately changed šŸ˜‚

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young_obiwan t1_ixkx93q wrote

Incredible photo!!! Such a great reminder of what an amazing state Washington is.

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Nexus03 t1_ixluuol wrote

Can't imagine how excited you must have been realizing this picture was about to happen! Awesome is an understatement.

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geekathair OP t1_ixmbk1g wrote

There were 5 of them swimming along and I was struggling to line it up with more than one anywhere near Tahoma. The baby is in the rear here and just about to sink below the water line. I was so excited to get them both in this!

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sammie_kb t1_ixnromb wrote

Absolutely stunning shot! Thank you so much for sharing it

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geekathair OP t1_ixnshyb wrote

Happy to share it! They are such an incredible part of our region ā¤ļø

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Kontrollv3rlust t1_iy8y43w wrote

Awesome picture! We were on the ferry crossing to Vashon when it stopped because they surrounded us. Absolutely awe-inspiring animals.

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