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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Photo of the Day
Transients/Bigg's killer whales
Coastal Orcas
Gray whales
Humpbacks
Minke whales
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Orca Network recommends:
The Lost Whale, by Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisolm  
An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.  

Lost Whale book...ver scaled  

 To learn more about orcas: 

Orcas in Our Midst, volume 3, by Howard Garrett

Orcas in Our Midst,

Vol. 3: Residents and Transients, How Did That Happen?

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to order YOUR copy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bestseller about orcas in captivity.

Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby 

DeathatSeaWorld


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April 26, 2014

We are watching and visiting the whales in their home~

Please observe, love and respect them from a distance.

Having trouble viewing this Sightings Report? Archived Reports can be found HERE.
The two teenaged males T077A and T049C with the matching dorsal fin nicks (The Boys, Twins, Tweens, Pals, etc.) apparently headed out to seatoday. Two weeks ago, on April 13, they were reported heading south from the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry about 4 pm. For a while on April 14 and 15 they shared Puget Sound with at least two other groups of Transients, and on those days K pod also did a tour down Colvos Passage and under the Narrows Bridge for an evening. None were found today, but 5 or 6 minke whales were out on Salmon Bank on this breezy day.

We'll be celebrating the whales and the ceasing of the Ghost Shrimp harvest tomorrow, Sunday afternoon from 3 - 5 pm on the Mystic Sea! The Orca Network Benefit Whale Watch departs from the Langley Marina on Mystic Sea Charters, Sunday April 27th, 3 - 5 pm, tickets are $75. Registration is here.

For those interested in the most informed opinions and perspectives on how to restore Chinook salmon and feed the orcas, the Orca and Salmon Recovery Workshop is April 29th from 12:00 to 5:30 at the Seattle Convention Center, the day before the start of the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference in Seattle. Registration begins at 11:30. Lunch is not provided so please eat lunch before you arrive! Seating is limited - to register, sign up here. Sponsored by the Puget Sound Partnership, Orca Network, and the Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists and The Whale Museum.
Photo of the Day
5:23 pm - T049C and T077A from the south side of Alki.
Photo by Trileigh Tucker, April 25, 2014.
Transients/Bigg's killer whales
April 26
Yup - T077A and T049C - off Beechy Head, Sooke about 3:30 pm, headed west. I think Eagle Wing Tours and others from vic might have been heading out to find them.
Marcie Callewaert

April 26
I just heard over the radio they are heading straight out for open water. I think our time with them is numbered. Not sure where they are though. Just direction.
Liz Fincher

5 pm - Based on the saddle mark, this is T077A. Taken this afternoon as they were rounding Alki Point by the lighthouse.
Photo by Raymond Chip Yamka, April 25, 2014.

April 25
5 pm - They just passed Dilworth.
4:59 - Just saw T077A and T049C pass Dilworth point. Wow..,they are big boys!! Love those dorsal fins.
4:28 - Found them between Ferry dock and Dilworth Point.
Kelly Burns Keenan

April 25
Feeling lucky here. Saw them from the Vashon ferry around 4:10 p.m. I almost wet myself, as I have not been following the action today and it was a big surprise! What a treat! They were beautiful... Made my day!
Shane Farnor

April 25
3:23 - Watching orcas on s side of Alki. Twins - hedge north slowly - near Vashon ferry dock.
Trileigh Tucker

April 25
3:03 - got pix as they passed West Seattle Lighthouse. They're still southbound toward Vashon.
Meg McDonald WildNorthwestBeautyPhotography:

April 25
2:59 - heading south just past Alki point.
Melinda Simon

April 25
2:47 - Visible from Alki Pt.
Sherman's Corner

April 25
2:25 - Brad says now they've off Eliott Bay and headed south and should go past Alki in 10-20 minutes.

April 25
2:20 PM from Pier 70 - WAY out in the bay thru binoc - heading South NOAA following.
Theresa Rivkin

April 25
2:20 - Two transients in Elliot bay. Spotted from the ferry just off the cruise terminal. Appeared to be feeding. Repeat dive behavior on the same spot.
Meredith Everett

April 25
2:14 - Spotted from the westbound ferry Wenatchee.
Brian Schmitz

April 25
12:21 - I'm on the bluff above golden gardens looking west. Pic was my iPhone thru binocs.
12:01 - Watching thru big binocs from above golden gardens. They are on the west side of the sound near the shore being tailed by what I hope is a research dinghy. Approaching Port Madison area.
Jennifer Greiner Clark
T77A and T49C approaching Port Madison area, Bainbridge Island, with NOAA research boat attending.
Photo by Jennifer Greiner Clark, April 25, 2014.

T049C passing Point Robinson, Vashon Island this afternoon.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, April 25, 2014.

T077A passing Point Robinson, Vashon Island.
Photo by Kelly Burns Keenan, April 25, 2014.

T077A and T049C passing Dilworth beach, Vashon Island this afternoon. It was wonderful to see them after hearing about all the sightings all over Puget Sound in the last two weeks.
Photo by Kelly Burns Keenan, April 25, 2014.

Here's a good look at handsome transient killer whale T077A passing Point Robinson this afternoon. It's amazing how much he resembles his unrelated companion T049C!
Photo by Wild Northwest Beauty Photography, April 25, 2014.

Transient killer whales T049C (surfacing) and T077A (diving) next to Point Robinson this afternoon. Yes, these large orcas really were this close to shore!
Photo by Wild Northwest Beauty Photography, April 25, 2014.

April 25
1:12 - Update from Brad Hanson: The boys have traveled to the east side of Puget Sound, just north of West Point, aiming south toward Elliott Bay.

April 25
12:38 - Now moving slower south sort of milling just north of Shilshole marina.
Kim Funchess

April 25
11:41 - The "boys" are about a mile south of the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane, on the Kingston side, heading south, as seen by Brad Hanson of NOAA. Bainbridge folks, here they come.

April 25
8:55 am - A call came in from the US Coast Guard relaying a report from the Victoria Clipper IV of two orcas off Eglon, heading west in mid-channel. Sounds like the "twins."

April 24
TShaw042414
(left to right) T124A1, 124A, 124A2A, 124A2

Déjà vu.
Slow and steady Bigg's in the same spot two days in a row. (left to right) T124A1, 124A, 124A2A, 124A2. Different families both days. Today it was T124As and T86As.
Another day I am very grateful for.
Tasli Shaw
Déjà vu. Slow and steady Bigg's in the same spot two days in a row. (left to right) T124A1, 124A, 124A2A, 124A2. Different families both days. Today it was T124As and T86As.
Another day I am very grateful for.
Photo by Tasli Shaw April 24, 2014.

April 24
T049C and T077A Transient Orcas. From the shores of Edmonds to Mukilteo, literally. These two Orcas nicknamed the twins (because they swim together, not related), made a kill just North of the Edmonds ferry lane then headed North to Mukilteo. I caught them just off of the beach at Marina Beach, then out from the pier, and then later on at Mukilteo Beach, again, just off of the shore. This started around 11-12pm in Edmonds right off the shore then north of the Edmonds ferry lane, then about 2 hours later right off of Mukilteo beach. Looked like they made a kill at the 2nd stop, lots of activity and lots of birds trying to get scraps.
11:29 - 2 orcas close to shore off marina beach Edmonds heading south (then north) moving fast.
Janine Harles
T049C and T077A Transient Orcas.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.

T049C and T077A Transient Orcas.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.

T049C or T077A.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.
T077A Transient Orca.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.

T049C and T077A.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.

T049C and T077A Transient Orcas.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.

T049C and T077A Transient Orcas.
Photo by Janine Harles, April 24, 2014.



April 24
KJones042414
I have been waiting for *years* for a chance to check out this charismatic individual. He has remained on this elite, mythical level to me for a long time - this arguably legendary creature that others had seen, but I had only ever heard stories about. But today, after a long, tedious, nail-biting search, he surfaced and I can honestly say I erupted in goosebumps (and not just because I was being thoroughly soaked by wind-swept waves washing over the bow). It was him!...It was actually him...it was CHAINSAW!
Katie Jones
I have been waiting for *years* for a chance to check out this charismatic individual. He has remained on this elite, mythical level to me for a long time - this arguably legendary creature that others had seen, but I had only ever heard stories about. But today, after a long, tedious, nail-biting search, he surfaced and I can honestly say I erupted in goosebumps (and not just because I was being thoroughly soaked by wind-swept waves washing over the bow). It was him!...It was actually him...it was CHAINSAW!
Photo by Katie Jones, April 24, 2014.

12:07 - Solo big orca (T077A) -- east side a mile north of Edmonds terminal. Close to shore heading north. More effective than four triple shot lattes to get my heart pumping!! Luckily I looked outside at the blustery weather blowing by this morning; I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this Orca's 6 foot tall fin arching out of the water heading north along the waterfront!! Made my day!! Taken today around noon - Edmonds Washington - with south Whidbey Island in the background.
Photo by Stu Davidson Photography, April 24, 2014.

T063 "Chainsaw" west bound south of Trial Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson, April 24, 2014.

April 24
On my morning trip I came across the T065's south bound a mile south of Kelp Reef. In the aftenoon I was able to re-find them south of Discovery Island, heading west.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

April 24
645 am - Victoria Clipper III just saw an orca off Duwamish Head in West Seattle.
Jason Mihok

T063 "Chainsaw."
Photo by H. Buchanan, April 23, 2014.

April 23
We had the T065's, 86A's and 124A's in Boundary Pass on the morning of April 23rd.  The T065's split off and headed north while the 86A's and 124A's continued south down Sidney Channel in the afternoon.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

T124A's and T086A's south bound in Sidney Channel.
Photo by Mark Malleson, April 23, 2013.

April 17
I spotted three Orca in Port Townsend bay, due east of the ferry dock, ~500 ft SE of Taylor and Water St. in downtown Port Townsend. There were two adults and one young. One of the adults appeared to be hunting an otter or seal, the other adult was flanking the prey, while the little one was trying to keep up. One of the adults seemed clearly to be hunting what I think was a river otter. The otter swam under the back of a cruise ship, and then dock, I think. I didn't see where the Orcas went after that.
Rico Moore
Coastal Orcas
April 4
I didn't see the whale, but
Tradewinds Charters in Depoe Bay Oregon did. They had the whale on their Whale Watch Report on April 4th. You might have already seen this, but I thought I'd send it anyway.
Here's the report: Date: Friday, April 4, 2014 at 07:11
Current Report: Sometimes you get lucky on Gray whale cruises and see the Orca's at the same time. They are spectacular and thanks to one of our passengers who shared some of the pictures he took on the cruise.  Male orca with a notch in the trailing edge of dorsal fin.
Julie Massa
Male orca with a notch in the trailing edge of dorsal fin.
Photo by Julie Massa, April 4, 2014.

Gray whales
April 25
1 grey just east of Shipwreck point (about ten miles NW of Sekiu) Friday afternoon, 2 Grey's this morning between Chito beach resort and shipwreck point. Slowly going back and forth between the two. Been here for over an hour now. Will try and get photos.
Amy Cramer

April 25
2:45 - I actually just saw one blow twice and saw his back!! He's in Saratoga Passage closer to Whidbey Island between Langley and Coupeville, right across from Indian Beach on Camano.
Wendy Nelson

April 24
10:25 am - Grey whale just off shore. North west tip of Camano Island. Headed south.
Randi Susan Armstrong
Humpback
April 25
Windy the humpback has returned.
It has almost been exactly one year to the day that she mugged the boat I was on last season, the first time she was recorded engaging in this behaviour in this area to my knowledge.
This encounter surpassed the original however ....
For over an hour, Windy slowly passed around and under the boat. The water was flat calm, allowing us to get an amazing view of her, and to give her an amazing view of us!
At one point, she came parallel to the side of the boat I was standing on, rolled on her side, and just floated there, her huge blue eye peering at us for many moments. You could even see her eye open and close, the hairs on her chin, every fine detail and scar on her skin, the extreme smell of her breath.
Photo by Tasli Shaw, April 25, 2014.

Photo by Tasli Shaw, April 25, 2014.
Photo by Tasli Shaw, April 25, 2014.

Photo by Tasli Shaw, April 25, 2014.

Exhale ...
So close the orange paint of the boat hull is reflecting off her skin!
Photo by Tasli Shaw, April 25, 2014.

Minke whales
April 26
Beautiful day on the water. As far as whales it was 5-6 Minke. All being slinky. Not one did more than one breath at the surface all day.
James Gresham

April 26
Got to see some Minke's off the Salmon Bank area today
Marcie Callewaert
ABOUT ORCA NETWORK  
Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network involves citizens in helping researchers track the movement of whales, and encourages people to observe whales from their homes, businesses, ferries, and beaches.
Whale reports are sent in to our Sighting Network and emailed out to researchers, agencies, and citizens on our network, and posted on our website (MAP of sightings also on website). Whale reports and observations are sent in by a variety of sources, and Orca Network does not guarantee the accuracy of any report or whale identification.

 

TO REPORT WHALES, CALL: 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2638), email info@orcanetwork.org, or post sightings on our Orca Network Facebook page.

 

*BE WHALE WISE! BOATERS - NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS OF MAY 16, 2011:

 "The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect May 16 and apply to all types of boats, including motor boats, sail boats and kayaks, in Washington"

 

For more information on the new Federal Regulations, visit the NOAA Fisheries website. 

 

 
To report harassment of whales in US waters, call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964;

In Canadian waters, call DFO's Observe Record and Report (ORR) Violations Hotline: 1-800- 465-4336

Report the boat name &/or a description of the boat, & get photos if at all possible.