Josh McInnes, administrator of the Facebook page Oregon Coast Killer Whale Sightings, posted this local sighting : “On Nov. 23, several reports came in of a group of killer whales sighted in the Columbia River near Astoria …”

“Based on photographs shared by Mark Ludwick, our research team was able to confirm these whales as members of the inner coast transient (mammal-eating) killer whale family T137s. Typically this group is sighted hunting along the coast and around harbor seal and sea lion haulouts.”

The family, seen in Hammond, consists of matriarch T137, and her offspring, T137A, T137B and T137D. Her third offspring, T137C, died.

“This transient family is predominantly encountered in Puget Sound, Washington, but also off Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia and the U.S. San Juan Islands.

“However, we also have reports of this family as far north as Southeastern Alaska (Juneau) and off the outer coast of Eureka, California. However this is our first record of this group off the Oregon Coast!”

Have an orca sighting to share? Email transientproject@gmail.com (Photo: The Oregonian/Mark Ludwick)