Whale enthusiasts, rejoice. The annual Ways of Whales Workshop is set to make a splash once again this year.
The event, which is 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 20, will take place at Coupeville High School Performing Arts Center but is also accessible virtually via StreamYard, a live webinar streaming platform.
The workshop opens with a session led by Howard Garrett, co-founder of the Whidbey-based Orca Network. Titled “Toki’s Legacy,” the opening session is all about the beloved captive Southern Resident killer whale, who died last August at the Miami Seaquarium. Her supporters who were dedicated to bringing her home to the Salish Sea have since refocused their energy to helping her remaining family members in L pod.
Other presentations include a session by Jared Towers of Bay Cetology about the use of artificial intelligence in identifying Bigg’s killer whales and a panel of multiple whale experts discussing Southern Resident orcas and their food source, salmon.
Though most of the workshop focuses on orcas, there is one deviation. Fred Sharpe from the Templeton WhaleSETI Team plans to present his findings on humpback whale vocalizations as a possible way to search for evidence of extraterrestrial life using their communication. Sharpe has been studying the foraging ecology of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska since 1987.
The day includes a lunch of plant-based soup and protein salads. There will also be a silent auction and the chance to visit the Learning Lobby and learn about Pod Partners.
Standard tickets cost $40, while seniors and students pay $30. There will be some full and partial scholarships available for those who need them. Email cindy@orcanetwork.org for more information. Attendees who choose to participate virtually will receive a webinar link upon registration.
For more information, visit orcanetwork.regfox.com/ways-of-whales-2024.
A humpback whale breaches the surface. (Photo by Jill Hein)
Transient killer whales T63 and T65 come up for some air. (Photo by Cindy Hansen)
