J49 Tilem l’nges born to J37 (Hy'shqa), her first calf.
He is 8 years old and his name means "Singing Grandchild". This really touched my heart as a singing grandmother! He received his name at a traditional Samish Nation naming ceremony. His mom and her siblings, Suttle J40 and Se-Yi-Chn J45 also received their names in this manner. His mom was 11 years old when she gave birth to him her first calf; the youngest documented Southern Resident orca to give birth. She then made her mom, J14 Samish, a first time grandmother and J2 Granny a great great grandmother! The Center for Whale Research got an amazing photo of him with his dorsal fin flopped over (which makes birth easier; it stands up shortly after birth. I learned this from a post from Monika Wieland Shields who wrote Endangered Orcas, a book I hope to read soon. I got the inspiration for my painting from a book by Robert James Challenger called Eagle's Reflection and Other Northwest Coast Stories.

J49 Tilem l’nges