Episode 1 - Intro & Spring Whale Sightings

We kicked off our first episode with an introduction to your hosts, Jeff and Sara, and the origins of “After the Breach.” We caught up with early 2022 encounters, beginning with Sara’s amazing experience with Risso’s dolphins, which are very rare in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. We discussed recent encounters with Bigg’s killer whales, Southern Resident killer whales and humpbacks. We also described some of our all-time most memorable encounters and what we are looking forward to this season.

Our next episode will drop on May 13th and will include guest Monika Weiland Shields, founder and director of Orca Behavior Institute.

If you’d like to submit questions to hosts Jeff and Sara and/or our guest Monika for episode 2, you can email us at [e-mail] or message us on Instagram.

 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Read more about Sara's amazing encounter with Risso's dolphins from her blog post.
• 70+ Bigg's Killer Whales Seen in Salish Sea Thursday, New Single-Day Record
• Naturalist, whale-watching guides astounded by humpback whale chasing after orcas in Salish Sea

 

Photos mentioned in this episode:

 

Risso's dolphins, rarely seen in the Salish Sea. Photo by Sara Shimazu, Maya's Legacy Whale Watching.

 

Sperm whale encounter from 2018. Photo by Jeff Friedman, Maya's Legacy Whale Watching.

 

Humpback whale "Valiant" with Bigg's killer whales. Photo by Ellie Sawyer, Maya's Legacy Whale Watching.

 

Bigg's killer whale T65B in 2019 throwing a Steller sealion pelt. Photo by Jeff Friedman, Maya's Legacy Whale Watching.