"Siku"

     "Siku" is the name of a bowhead whale in the novel, Ice Whale by Jean Craighead George. In the story, the whale, which lives over 200 years (yes, they live that long!) has a deep connection with a family who was fated to protect him. I had an encounter with a gray whale, while surfing in Neah Bay, Washington. The whale surfaced to look directly in my eyes knowingly. This photograph reminded me of this incident and the relationship in the book, where I took the name.  Whales can be pretty curious about people and there are many Indigenous stories connecting whales and people.
 Original photograph by Craig Lambert.