September 2nd - Raptor and calf

On September 2nd we once again spotted “Raptor” with her calf “Harpy”. We visited this duo the day before just a bit further south than where they were spotted this day! Raptor has a very unique dorsal fin which makes her a bit easier to tell apart from other humpback whales. If you’re lucky enough to get a peek at Raptor’s fluke you’ll see what look like Raptor claw marks on the right side - just like in Jurassic Park!

It is getting close to weaning time for this little one - soon she will be feasting on krill and other small schooling fish instead of Raptor’s milk. Humpback whales only spend one year with their mother; they must first learn to swim and breathe, and then learn the migration route, how to avoid predators, and how to filter feed up north. It’s a tough and quick paced world for a humpback whale calf!

Later this fall both mom and calf will make their migration south to the warm waters of Hawaii or Mexico. Next spring we will patiently be waiting to see Raptor again and to resight Harpy on her own!

Here are our best photos taken during the tour by marine naturalist Ryan Uslu:

Oyster catchers