Fingers
Female, Unit F
Born: <2000
Mother: Unknown
Born: <2000
Mother: Unknown
Fingers and Pinchy form the heart and soul of Unit F. Fingers is a constant caretaker within the small group and she has been a mother several times. Prior to 2005 she gave birth to Thumb, however this whale is now deceased. Her daughter Digit was born in 2011, and we believe that Fingers became a mother again in 2021, based on frequent observations of her with a female yearling calf in the final months of 2022.
Fingers is known to be an elusive, timid whale and she has been difficult to document underwater. She tends to keep a great deal of distance between herself and in-water observers.
We noticed an interesting shift in Finger’s behavior in 2022. She was far bolder in terms of approaching humans when swimming in the company of her calf. During our 2022 field study, we often observed Fingers traveling with her small calf tucked safely underneath her large body. She initiated several close and extended swim-along encounters with our team members, seemingly proud to show her calf to us.
Smooth pectoral fins, no facial markings
Smooth underside, no obvious markings
Serrated edges, distinct bites out of right fluke
Dec 16, 2022
Dec 16, 2022
Nov 30, 2022
Dec 9, 2019
Dec 9, 2022
Dec 9, 2019
Dec 18, 2022
Nov 28, 2022
Dec 18, 2022
Dec 9, 2019
Dec 16, 2022
Dec 5, 2022
Dec 9, 2019
Dec 9, 2022
Last Observed
| Date / Time | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 19/12/2022 3:04 pm | 15 16 100/061 26 978 4.5 miles from shore |
Fingers and her calf travel together 10 ft under surface with family members in background |
| 18/12/2022 10:15 am | 15 17 535/061 25 987 3.5 miles from shore |
Fingers and Pinchy approach with open mouths, Fingers peels off for extended swim with Hope |
| 16/12/2022 12:36 pm | 15 20 256/061 27 314 3 miles from shore |
Fingers and her calf approach from distance for close, long swim along |
| 09/12/2019 10:16 am | 15 21 616/061 27 809 3.6 miles from shore |
Fingers swims parallel at distance as 5 members of Units F and U glide at surface and shallow depth, then dive deeper |
| 09/12/2019 8:55 am | 15 22 835/061 24 871 3.5 miles from shore |
Fingers glides close by on surface with Pinchy for good view of flukes as they dive together |
| 03/12/2019 1:16 pm | 15 29 278/061 3 105 2.5 miles from shore |
Fingers logs on surface, dives and flukes for positive ID |
| Date/Time: | 19/12/2022 3:04 pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | 15 16 100/061 26 978 4.5 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers and her calf travel together 10 ft under surface with family members in background |
| Date/Time: | 18/12/2022 10:15 am |
| Location: | 15 17 535/061 25 987 3.5 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers and Pinchy approach with open mouths, Fingers peels off for extended swim with Hope |
| Date/Time: | 16/12/2022 12:36 pm |
| Location: | 15 20 256/061 27 314 3 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers and her calf approach from distance for close, long swim along |
| Date/Time: | 09/12/2019 10:16 am |
| Location: | 15 21 616/061 27 809 3.6 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers swims parallel at distance as 5 members of Units F and U glide at surface and shallow depth, then dive deeper |
| Date/Time: | 09/12/2019 8:55 am |
| Location: | 15 22 835/061 24 871 3.5 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers glides close by on surface with Pinchy for good view of flukes as they dive together |
| Date/Time: | 03/12/2019 1:16 pm |
| Location: | 15 29 278/061 3 105 2.5 miles from shore |
| Activity: | Fingers logs on surface, dives and flukes for positive ID |
