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Submitted: January 27
Image Size: 2.4 MB
Resolution: 833×1000

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Birthby *taslishaw

Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Animals

I was fortunate enough to be in the presence of the southern resident orcas when a new baby (J49) was born. It was truly unique, I doubt I will ever witness anything like it again. The whole pod (15+ orcas) seemed to be very excited and very curious of their new family member, and were taking turns carrying the calf on their head and passing it around, helping to support the less than 3 hours old baby at the surface.

This illustration depicts J2 "Granny" and her family. Granny became a great great grandmother with the birth of J49.
Clockwise from top: J49, J14 "Samish" (J49's grandmother), J45 "Se-yi-chn" (J49's uncle), J2 "Granny" (J49's great great grandmother), J40 "Suttles" (J49's auntie), and J37 "Hy'shqa" (J49's mother) who at 12 years old, is the youngest southern resident whale known to have given birth.

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~loveforRuka Mar 27, 2013 Hobbyist Photographer

This is just lovely! A great tribute to them!

*xSkyeCrystalx Feb 28, 2013 Professional General Artist

Aw this is amazing and so touching !! I love how graceful you drew them

You saw the birth for real? Oh my, the kind of things that happens once in a lifetime! (though I wish to you to witness more!) Must be so touching and interesting to see! All the family gathers around the baby?
You gave such a sense of love to your drawing, you can feel how they care for the whole family and are very caring for this new little life~

*taslishaw Mar 6, 2013 Student

Thank you for such a thoughtful comment

You are so sweet.
I did not see the actual moment of birth. That occurred underwater and out of sight of course, but yes, the family was gathered around mom and baby in an interesting formation that you don't really see them in otherwise. They were almost stationary in one spot, just floating and spyhopping and rolling around. Its hard to explain, but here is a video demonstrating pretty much exactly what I witnessed, except there were more whales. [link]

Thanks again, much appreciated!