Sara Shimazu
@hysazu.bsky.social
Whale lover. Wanderer. Photographer. Captain and naturalist on the Salish Sea.
Co-host of After the Breach Podcast. (@afterthebreach.bsky.social)
Co-host of After the Breach Podcast. (@afterthebreach.bsky.social)
A night sky from this last January in Australia. I miss those night time walks.
April 17, 2025 at 5:41 AM
A night sky from this last January in Australia. I miss those night time walks.
There was a moment this evening when the whole world was just calm water, two whales surfacing in unison, and nothing greater or less than that.
📸 of siblings T030A and T030C tonight in Wasp Pass.
📸 of siblings T030A and T030C tonight in Wasp Pass.
March 15, 2025 at 6:44 AM
There was a moment this evening when the whole world was just calm water, two whales surfacing in unison, and nothing greater or less than that.
📸 of siblings T030A and T030C tonight in Wasp Pass.
📸 of siblings T030A and T030C tonight in Wasp Pass.
It was a cold, wet afternoon but it’s easy to forget about both of those things in the moment when you’re watching wild killer whales. T019 spyhops beside her son, T019B in Boundary Pass yesterday.
March 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
It was a cold, wet afternoon but it’s easy to forget about both of those things in the moment when you’re watching wild killer whales. T019 spyhops beside her son, T019B in Boundary Pass yesterday.
A beautiful first weekend back out on the water at home. There are a lot of horrific things happening in the world right now—be sure to take a moment for the bright spots where you can.
March 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
A beautiful first weekend back out on the water at home. There are a lot of horrific things happening in the world right now—be sure to take a moment for the bright spots where you can.
@orcawatcher.bsky.social and I had an interesting encounter with Bigg’s killer whale, T046D, Thursday and it included him vocalizing through the hull of the boat. This video is about the audio. We did not have a hydrophone down. At times he would be 200+ yards away and we could still hear him.
March 2, 2025 at 3:36 AM
@orcawatcher.bsky.social and I had an interesting encounter with Bigg’s killer whale, T046D, Thursday and it included him vocalizing through the hull of the boat. This video is about the audio. We did not have a hydrophone down. At times he would be 200+ yards away and we could still hear him.
While out on the Silver Bank I didn’t do as much painting as I might have liked to but I did paint one little thing in my sketchbook. #watercolorpainting
February 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
While out on the Silver Bank I didn’t do as much painting as I might have liked to but I did paint one little thing in my sketchbook. #watercolorpainting
My week in thirty one seconds. This curious female calf of known mom, “TW”, was really intrigued by the aliens in her world. What a privilege.
February 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
My week in thirty one seconds. This curious female calf of known mom, “TW”, was really intrigued by the aliens in her world. What a privilege.
Heading offline for the rest of the week to spend time in the company of these lovely beings. ✌️
February 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Heading offline for the rest of the week to spend time in the company of these lovely beings. ✌️
I’m home (for a few days)! Even though I’m still majorly adjusting to the temperature difference I can’t wait to get out in the water and see some familiar fins, like T049A6 “Charlie II” here.
February 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I’m home (for a few days)! Even though I’m still majorly adjusting to the temperature difference I can’t wait to get out in the water and see some familiar fins, like T049A6 “Charlie II” here.
@adventuresbethany.bsky.social **waves**!!!
February 5, 2025 at 12:10 AM
@adventuresbethany.bsky.social **waves**!!!
With another year around the sun behind me I was looking forward to seeing some whales to mark the day. Who knew that among them we’d find a brand new calf? This kid was with a group we saw just days ago with no calf and its dorsal fin was still fairly soft and floppy. Happy birthday, little one!
January 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
With another year around the sun behind me I was looking forward to seeing some whales to mark the day. Who knew that among them we’d find a brand new calf? This kid was with a group we saw just days ago with no calf and its dorsal fin was still fairly soft and floppy. Happy birthday, little one!
Yesterday was a rough day, but it was improved by encountering a rarely seen group out over the canyons. It’s my first time seeing this big bull, SWA114 “Zane”. Two more days on the water for this trip and then back to start my own season at home.
January 30, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Yesterday was a rough day, but it was improved by encountering a rarely seen group out over the canyons. It’s my first time seeing this big bull, SWA114 “Zane”. Two more days on the water for this trip and then back to start my own season at home.
This big guy is “Digby” and we had a nice visit with him and the rest of his family this afternoon. Some of my favorite photos from my times here in the Bremer Canyon are of this boy. #orca #killerwhale
January 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
This big guy is “Digby” and we had a nice visit with him and the rest of his family this afternoon. Some of my favorite photos from my times here in the Bremer Canyon are of this boy. #orca #killerwhale
This big male #orca is known as “Kraken”. We had a visit with him today while out with Naturaliste Charters from Bremer Bay in Western Australia.
If you’re looking to see these whales make sure to book a tour with them. They know what they’re doing and operate respectfully around the #whales.
If you’re looking to see these whales make sure to book a tour with them. They know what they’re doing and operate respectfully around the #whales.
January 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Post work swim beneath some moody skies. Lovely!
January 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Post work swim beneath some moody skies. Lovely!
You might think this is a photo of weird dolphins but these are actually Gray’s beaked #whales.
Beaked whales are generally cryptic—inhabiting deep water and some diving for hours. Most species are documented only through beached animals so it’s always exciting to see them living their best lives!
Beaked whales are generally cryptic—inhabiting deep water and some diving for hours. Most species are documented only through beached animals so it’s always exciting to see them living their best lives!
January 25, 2025 at 7:17 AM
You might think this is a photo of weird dolphins but these are actually Gray’s beaked #whales.
Beaked whales are generally cryptic—inhabiting deep water and some diving for hours. Most species are documented only through beached animals so it’s always exciting to see them living their best lives!
Beaked whales are generally cryptic—inhabiting deep water and some diving for hours. Most species are documented only through beached animals so it’s always exciting to see them living their best lives!
“But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.”
January 24, 2025 at 1:11 AM
“But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.”
If you’ve gone stargazing with me you’ve probably heard me say that the stars make me feel small in the best possible way. Tonight, I’m taking a little extra comfort in just how small I am in comparison. How small we all are in comparison.
January 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM
If you’ve gone stargazing with me you’ve probably heard me say that the stars make me feel small in the best possible way. Tonight, I’m taking a little extra comfort in just how small I am in comparison. How small we all are in comparison.
After a successful predation on a beaked whale the kids in SplitTip’s group were goofing off together for the rest of the day. #orca #killerwhale
January 23, 2025 at 1:05 AM
After a successful predation on a beaked whale the kids in SplitTip’s group were goofing off together for the rest of the day. #orca #killerwhale
A lovely moment from the other day with the Bremer Canyon #orcas. The big male is SWA038 “Digby” with the youngest member of his group, “Dundette”.
January 22, 2025 at 1:27 AM
A lovely moment from the other day with the Bremer Canyon #orcas. The big male is SWA038 “Digby” with the youngest member of his group, “Dundette”.
I have that humpback mom and calf to thank—of that I’m certain. 6/6
January 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I have that humpback mom and calf to thank—of that I’m certain. 6/6
In an attempt to distance myself from Meta I will be posting more #whale content here instead of on other platforms. I hope you’ll join me. 🐋
January 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
In an attempt to distance myself from Meta I will be posting more #whale content here instead of on other platforms. I hope you’ll join me. 🐋
With the release of the latest population update for Bigg’s KWs by Bay Cetology it’s not surprising but still sad to see T010C “Bones” on the list of whales we lost. He wasn’t one I saw very often but I have fond memories of him. This photo is from one of the last encounters I had with him.
January 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
With the release of the latest population update for Bigg’s KWs by Bay Cetology it’s not surprising but still sad to see T010C “Bones” on the list of whales we lost. He wasn’t one I saw very often but I have fond memories of him. This photo is from one of the last encounters I had with him.
Epic day with Split Tip’s family in the Bremer Canyon!
January 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Epic day with Split Tip’s family in the Bremer Canyon!
Well, let’s give this a go! (Whale pic because that’s all I’m really good for anyway 😅).
January 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Well, let’s give this a go! (Whale pic because that’s all I’m really good for anyway 😅).