VIDEO, PHOTOS: Young humpback whale still in Elliott Bay, and getting a guard

10:46 AM: This is the third day a young humpback whale has been seen in Elliott Bay. Kersti Muul tells us its official ID is BCY0995, and that it was born last year to a humpback known as “Smiley.” Today it’s near the downtown waterfront again. She says its lingering in the area is not necessarily a good thing, and explains in a comment on Wednesday’s report:

… It is a bit concerning (not only for safety reasons). Humpbacks are particularly prone to being struck as they are not as aware of their surroundings as other species of whales. This is an app that you can put on your phone that alerts vessels like the ferries to whales’ presence in the area. It’s a great tool that we use to help whales and wildlife in yet one more way. Here is the link.

Soundwatch will be heading out to keep an eye on this calf and take some pictures.

1:51 PM: Added video above sent by Manuel, showing the humpback breaching.

4:41 PM: David Hutchinson sent photos of Soundwatch, mentioned by Kersti above and in comments;

Meantime, Jamie Kinney sent this photo of the humpback’s fluke as it dove:

Mr J November 30, 2023 (12:24 pm)

The first day I saw it and there was a tour boat getting illegally close to the whale. I think it was one of the Argosy boats. I haven’t looked into it, but I feel like that behavior should be reported. I hope the whale is ok.

kersti muul November 30, 2023 (2:02 pm)

It’s right by the argosy now 0200
WS Res November 30, 2023 (4:18 pm)

Maybe YOU should report it, since you witnessed it?

Kersti Muul November 30, 2023 (12:27 pm)

Currently logging in the ferry lanes.1225 while it’s logging, it’s very hard for vessels to notice itSoundwatch will stay on scene as long as weather allows

LivesInWS November 30, 2023 (1:59 pm)

Thank you, Kersti, for keeping us informed! In spite of everything else, I feel lucky to live in a region where we can see humpbacks near by. I hope the young whale moves out to where it can be safer.

kersti muul November 30, 2023 (2:38 pm)

Let’s give a big shout out to SOUNDWATCH who has been out protecting this young whale all day. Staying about 400 yards away most of the time, to ensure other boats see them and can’t get near the whale accidentally. Also communicating with ferries and other vessels – as well as other orgs regarding the behavior and body condition. Folks on shore are using the WRAS app too. So many people are watching this little one and trying to ensure it has a safe (and hopefully short) stay in the bay.Let’s continue to keep eyes on BCY0995 – not just for our enjoyment, but for its safety.

Jason L. November 30, 2023 (3:09 pm)

I saw a fast ferry take a good long pause keeping a look out for the whale while traveling into Eliot Bay. A larger car ferry also passed through very slowly and it’s passengers were all on deck watching the show. Nice that the captains are aware and looking. It’s really quite a sight.

Kersti Muul November 30, 2023 (4:50 pm)

There is a little bit of ID confusion with this little one. That ID number might belong to Mom – wtill update

Erin Gless November 30, 2023 (9:48 pm)

Yes, BCY0995 “Smiley” is the mom, and this is her 2022 calf (so almost 2 years old). It does not yet have a unique BC ID number.
- Kersti Muul December 1, 2023 (6:25 pm)
  
  Calf is CRC-20899 likely 1.5 YO as born in July

Beautiful Sight November 30, 2023 (6:59 pm)

We are so lucky to live so close to such amazing creatures. Thank you for the updates and thank you to our ferry boat captains for following the rules and for those watching out for the whales.

Carl Furfaro December 1, 2023 (5:34 pm)

I fondly remember a conversation I had at Lincoln Park in July, year and a half ago, with a man a little older than me. He told me he and his wife had moved here from, I believe, either Texas or New Mexico and lived in Seattle for eleven years when he was offered a good job in Atlanta. So he was flying to Atlanta to talk to them about that job and his plane took off from SeaTac and was turning over the water to go east and he was looking down at Puget Sound and there was a pod of orcas below the plane. He said he decided right then he was not taking the job in Atlanta.

Tawna Gogolin November 30, 2023 (8:24 pm)

We saw it across the bay Tuesday around noon from Salty’s on Alki ❤️🐋

Roxanne Meyer November 30, 2023 (9:20 pm)

It was in front of Don Armeni park at about 3:15 this afternoon. Beautiful animal.

Kersti Muul November 30, 2023 (11:31 pm)

The 3 year year old humpback that was struck and killed by the Mukilteo ferry in 2020 (‘Chip’) was also one of BCY0995’s calves.Hopefully this lineage makes some better decisions here soon and stops hanging around, and in ferry lanes….