SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. – The first humpback whale moms with new calves have arrived in the Salish Sea.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association says the three moms are known as “Graze,” “Strike” and “Poptart.”
Graze and Strike have given birth before but this is the first baby born to Poptart, who is the offspring of beloved Salish Sea humpback “Big Mama.”
Poptart got her name by breaching completely out of the water as a youngster, reminding watchers of the breakfast treat.
Humpbacks give birth in the warmer waters off Hawaii, Mexico and Central America.
They travel to local waters to feed off krill and small fish and usually stay in the Salish Sea until late autumn.
A record of 34 humpback calf sightings were made in Salish Sea last year.