1443, Dot-Spot

First cataloged for Juneau in 2008, I didn’t spot this whale until September 15, 2011 near Lynn Sisters in the Lynn Canal along with a group of bubble net feeders that I did not recognize. With a mostly white tail, it is easily found. The clear black separation of the flukes is obvious, along with the white-dotted black spot a third of the way in on the right fluke. I began calling this whale Dot-Spot. A black slash coming in from the leading edge a third of the way out from the center is also prominent.

The double dive is with 954 in the Lynn Canal. I’m reluctant to claim whales in the Lynn Canal as “Juneau whales”, but 1443 shows up in July 2014 as part of a group of “regular” Juneau bubble netters, especially in Young Bay and South Shelter, as the only white tail.