❄️Happy December!🌊 from @pnwprotectors With the sun setting on another month, it's time for a check-in on Southern Resident Orcas and Bigg's/Transient Orca visits to the Salish Sea throughout the month of November. The Southern Resident Orcas were present in November more than any other month this year, and it was also the first month of the year where they were present more days than Bigg's Transient Orcas. The Southern Resident Orcas spent 15 of the 21 days present within the waters of the Puget Sound. With our shorter days this time of year, night falls fast so even though we didn't see the Southern Resident Orcas, they were audible on the hydrophones in the Haro Strait after dark. 🌙 We believe the absence of the Southern Resident Orcas in what used to be their peak during spring and summer season has to do with the declines of regional Chinook salmon runs, particularly on the Fraser River. Fall Chinook runs and chum salmon runs have been stronger, which likely explains the shift we're seeing to more resident killer whales here later in the year.🐟 Photograph of J56 Tofino alongside mom J31 Tsuchi with J47 Notch in the background. Words and images by Monika Wieland Shields @orcawatcher @orcabehavior 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 #srkw #orca #salishsea #weprotectwhatwelove #breachthedams #notransmountainpipeline #biggsarethebalance #nofishnoblackfish #getfishfarmsout #racingextinction #extinctionisforever #extinctionrebellion https://www.instagram.com/p/B5lNQSUDcOz/?igshid=mi6q2n633pzi
