Did You Get a Picture of the Fluke?

What do you do on a Monday, in Edmonds, on an extended road trip, with nothing planned?
Naturally, a ferry ride.
After roaming the in's and out's of the vessel, it wasn't long before there was a whale sighting to the north. I almost always have my Tamron AF 18-250mm lens on my camera when traveling, which allows you to get a wide frame for close shots, and the zoom for moments like this. After a couple shots, a guy to my right approached me and asked if I'd gotten a photo of the fluke.
The what?
I'd seen a sticker on his water bottle that was a badge for some sort of whale committee, but wasn't making the connection with his question.
Drumroll......it's the tail.
He asked for my name and if I was willing to send him the photos, which I gladly obliged. His close friend is studying them in the area and he was excited to show her.
The whale flailed its tail as a final farewell and the three of us parted ways, having enjoyed our chance encounter.