06/21/2025
In the Salish Sea, individual orcas are well-documented through a system of identification numbers and names, allowing researchers, naturalists, and locals to observe and appreciate their distinct behaviors and social dynamics. One particularly notable individual is T65A5, known as "Indy," an 11-year-old male who has displayed a more uncommon behavior of often traveling independently or associating with groups outside his natal pod, rather than consistently staying with his immediate family. So we were thrilled to see him traveling with his mom again last week! Female orcas conduct 70% of the hunting and mothers help keep their sons fed and healthy. The June 18th tour out of Edmonds was lucky enough to see an amazing display of prowess as matriarch T65A Artemis, named after the goddess of the hunt, caught her family a harbor porpoise meal. She and her 7 year old daughter Callisto took turns herding and ramming the porpoise until it was injured enough to catch and share with the rest of the family. The June 19th tour saw the T65A family again, still with Indy, as well as with the T36 family and bull T49C Nielson. It will be interesting to see if T65A5 Indy continues to stay with his mom or disperses off to be by himself again.
Photos taken with telephoto lens, zoomed, and cropped. Naturalist/Photographer Kyla Bivens
