September 8, 2023
Potential Illegal Whaling
I was out and about just minding my own business swimming (it was quite cold) out past Two Harbors when a commotion took my attention. I saw what appeared to be a fishing boat hauling in their catch. Not a big deal. But then I looked again and saw an absolute beast of an orca. I swam up to a nearby rock and pulled my Nikon 3000 ultra out of my Fanny pack and manage to photograph whatever was going on with this orca. I’m not sure if catching these wonderful creatures is legal or not, but I do know for sure that what I saw will be with me forever. This happened a couple of weeks ago (8/16/23) and I’m not really sure how to go about it.
Still awesomesauce!
April 3, 2023
Baby Beluga!
We saw this mama and baby beluga at the Lester River visitor center the first weekend in April, 2023. The waves coming into Duluth were huge but she sought out the calmer water and smelt at the mouth of the Lester River. The mama was so easy to see with her light coloring but spotting the baby’s dark little head was an unexpected and very sweet surprise! I heard belugas were spotted off of Wisconsin Point in the spring of 2022 and was so happy to get to see them!
April 3, 2023
Stoney Point Surfing with Curious Whale
The northeast gale that started on March 31, 2023 was impressive. The whales took advantage of the waves and made a run down the shore toward Duluth, snacking on smelt at the many river outlets. Several surfers made their way to Stoney Point near Knife River the next morning but found the waves too forceful. The surfer pictured here was only one of two we saw out on the lake. I didn’t notice the tail of the curious whale until I got home and looked at my photos on the computer.
April 3, 2023
Big Waves and a Whale at Stoney Point
This was so cool! This was taken at Stoney Point. I think there were several whales that came down the shore with the gale that started on Friday, March 31, 2023. This was taken Saturday morning. It had to be quite the leap for this whale to breach the big waves. Stoney Point is a great location for whale watching.
March 26, 2023
Two Harbors Whale Breach
Incredible to be this close when a whale breached. The sound was so unreal! This was taken the last week of March, 2023 after a weekend skiing at Lutsen. We were on our way home to Wisconsin and stopped to walk out on the breakwater at Two Harbor. We were not expecting this at all! We saw this shadow moving in the water and then this! It was unbelievable! So glad I had my camera!
March 7, 2023
Split Rock Orca
Couldnt believe my eyes.
October 3, 2022
Fall Color Whales!!
We rode the gondola to the top of Moose Mountain. The hillsides looked like a watercolor painting of fall colors. Wow! And then . . . bonus! we spotted a dark spot on the lake, watched it and noticed a spray. Whales!! We think there was a calf trailing behind and you could see the swirls where others were diving.
Best Fall Day. Ever.
– Carrie & Piper
January 24, 2022
Never would have thought, but here we are
I’ve heard of the whales in lake superior, but didn’t think they were real until now. I came up from Kalamazoo to see my daughter and when we were taking a morning stroll my jaw dropped.
– Jamie
LSWWS comments: It blows you away doesn’t it?
November 1, 2021
Hard evidence!
LSWWS comments: So happy you saw them William & Tillia!
September 26, 2021
Spouting Off!
Perfect title, right?!
Motoring up the shore for the last week of trout fishing and saw this whale. Fished here many times, have only seen whales a few times and haven’t been able to get a shot until now. Not great but it’s a whale!
– Patty
LSWWS comments: They can be so hard to photograph, good for you!
July 7, 2021
Saw it!
I never believed this whale in Lake Superior stuff … until last week. We were up on top of Palisade Head and saw a group of people pointing. I pulled out my long lens and captured this image. If you need to see it to believe it, here’s proof!
– Sally
LSWWS comments: Nice photo Sally. It must have been exciting to be up high looking down on the whale. I’ve never seen one from that vantage point.
June 20, 2021
Big Spout!
We were all zen on Stony Point, taking in the massiveness of the lake and then there was a huge splash. The lake went calm and we thought that was it, but no. It surfaced and blew it’s top!
– Frankie
LSWWS comments: How exciting!
September 19, 2020
Breathtaking and wonderful
Went snorkeling with family just east of Schroeder in late October last year. We saw 2 Orcas (killer whales). One was giving birth. Absolutely amazing. This is God’s glory.
– Scott
LSWWS comments: Isn’t life grand? Note: no orcas in Lake Superior, so another breed.
April 2, 2020
Humpback near Taconite Harbor
We were checking out the boat landing to see if the ice was out yet and this beautiful whale came up just off shore!
-Ben M
LSWWS comments: It is a beauty!
March 30, 2020
What?! They’re Here!
I was taking a drive along Scenic 61 and had stopped at Bluebird Landing to look at the lake. At first I thought it was a rock. Everything was grey that day. But then it disappeared AND CAME BACK!!
-Julia V
LSWWS comments: Official 1st sighting of the year! Congrats Julia!
