There have been recent reports of two humpback whales spending time in Puget Sound: CRC-22584 (the 2024 calf of Anvil), and CRC-22858 (the 2024 calf of Phi). While it is not unusual for yearlings to separate from their mothers at this point and begin exploring on their own, it is notable to see two one-year-olds navigating the Sound at the same time. We are currently investigating regional differences in humpback whale presence across the Salish Sea, looking at patterns by age class, sex, and group composition. Sightings like these help lend insight into which whales use certain areas, and can reveal important clues about foraging opportunities, developmental behavior, shifting habitat preferences, and broader ecosystem changes. If you spot a humpback in the area, photos of the underside of the fluke or the dorsal fin can help confirm identity. Please consider sharing your images directly with Cascadia or submitting them via happywhale. Thanks to Jason Cook for submitting his images of CRC-22858! For more images from his encounter, visit his Instagram at whaleguy253 (fb)

We were thrilled to document CRC-53 Little Patch back in North Puget Sound yesterday. He was spending a lot of time with CRC-56 Stardust, they circled Hat Island and were last seen at the edge of the Snohomish delta as the tide was rising. For more information on Sounders gray whales, visit our website at https://cascadiaresearch.org/project/north-puget-sound-gray-whale-photo-id-and-feeding-study/ (fb)