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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Photo of the Day
Southern Residents.
Transients/Bigg's Killer Whales
Coastal Orcas
Humpbacks
Pacific white-sided dolphins
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?

Click here  

to order YOUR copy!

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

The bestseller about orcas in captivity.

Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby 

DeathatSeaWorld


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orca Lolita/Tokitae,

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in 1970, somehow surviving in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium ever since.

Tokitae looking up at us from her tank in Miami, FL in the late 1990s 

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August 5, 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.
Resident orcas disappeared today but an unidentified group of Bigg's/Transients were in Saratoga Passage this afternoon, and small groups of both types of orcas have been found somewhere in the Salish Sea most days since the last report July 29. Sometimes it's only the K14 matriline, or Group A or Group B of J pod, or the T37 family of Bigg's/Transients, as described and photographed below in this report. Today a group of about 7 probable Transients meandered their way northward from near Gedney Island around noon to the entrance of Penn Cove at dusk.

The big excitement since July 30 has been a small number of humpbacks seen multiple times around the south end of Vashon Island, between Tacoma Narrows and Colvos Passage, for at least six days, until today, when one of the humpbacks showed up in Possession Sound near the Clinton ferry dock.

Orca Capture Commemoration Event August 8:

In memory of the nearly 40 Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State, and the 13 orcas killed during the captures, and in honor of Lolita, or Tokitae, the sole survivor, Orca Network is sponsoring several events to commemorate the anniversary of the 1970 Penn Cove Orca Capture on Friday, August 8th.

The sail on Penn Cove aboard the Cutty Sark from noon - 1:30 pm is now filled, but at 3:30 PM we will gather in Clinton to board the 4 PM sailing of the new MV Tokitae Ferry as walk-on passengers to learn more about the 1970s orca captures and Lolita. Whidbey, and those from the mainland can board the 4:30 Tokitae sailing from Mukilteo for the ride back to Whidbey.

From 5 - 7:30 pm we will meet at the Clinton Community Hall just up the hill from the ferry landing, for food, drink, and presentations including author Sandra Pollard of Freeland who will read from her new book, "Puget Sound Whales for Sale," and Howard Garrett of Orca Network to give us an update on efforts to bring Lolita home to her family in Washington state. Displays, music, and more will be offered during this event; admission is $25.
 
Contact Orca Network at info@orcanetwork.org or call 360.331.3543 to reserve space on the Cutty Sark sail or to RSVP for the evening event, and check www.orcanetwork.org for more information and updates for these events.
###
Photo of the Day
August 1
Just south of Pt. Defiance, north of The Narrows bridge.
Photo by Ken Dzinbal.
Southern Residents
August 4
K16 Skagit. It was a fantastic day on the water with part of Jpod and part of Kpod!
Photo by Traci Walter

August 4
The one and only L87 Onyx breaching near the Turn Point Lighthouse!
Photo by John Boyd.

August 4
K26 Lobo In Canadian waters near coal dock and BC Ferry dock.
Photo by Janine Harles.

August 4
We had 20+ Resident Orca surfing past Sooke Today!
Photo sent by Sooke Coastal Explorations.

August 3
A short, sweet visit... Mystic Sea met up with part of J pod, including Onyx (L87) and Granny (J2), near Tsawwassen ferry terminal, B.C. around 2:00 pm, heading north on yet another beautiful day. Let's hope the Fraser River's providing plenty of food.
Sandra Pollard (SSAMN).

August 3
L87 Onyx cruising north near the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.
Photo by Sandra Pollard.

August 3
K26 Lobo, born in 1993, in the sediment-rich waters of Georgia Strait near the Fraser River.
Photo by Gary Sutton.

August 2
There were no residents around for most of the day, but they headed back in from the Strait of Juan de Fuca just before sunset .
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island

August 2
7:23 - Just had an incredibly beautiful visit with J pod. West of Victoria, westbound when we left.
James Gresham

August 2
What an incredible day on the water!! The T037s were simply amazing, then caught up with Ressies east bound from Victoria later!! We saw the J14s, J16s, J19s, L87, and the K14s- the same group that's been traveling together for the past three days now since they joined up off the Pender Bluffs Thursday evening.
Heather MacIntyre

August 2
J16, Slick, leaps up in a breach last night while heading east into Haro Strait.
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
L87, Onyx. Saturday off Discovery Island BC.
Photo by James Gresham.

August 2
Members of the K14 matriline. Off Discovery Island BC. The whale in the foreground is carrying a strand of bull kelp.
Photo by James Gresham.

August 2
Togetherness. Playing in the strong current off Discovery Island BC.
Photo by James Gresham.

August 2
103 (est) yr old J pod matriarch, J2 Granny from Saturday.
Photo by James Gresham.

August 2
J-Pod is back in town! They put on a great show during the afternoon around Race Rocks as they headed west. The crew also spotted 2 humpbacks in the area, a mother and calf, relaxing east of Constance Bank, as well as T37 and other transients off East Point. Later in the afternoon we had some great evening sightings of K-Pod despite the chop.
Prince of Whales Whale Watch

August 1
At Lime Kiln J2, the J14s, J16s, J19s, L87, and K14s passed heading south between 2:40 and 3:30 PM. While the K14s had been on the west side the day before, J2's group had spent a couple days up north coming down Boundary Pass and going right back up Swanson Channel.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island
August 1
What was it I was saying about these two whales being my most photographed of the season? If J37 Hy'Shqa and J49 T'ilem I'nges want to keep popping up right in front of me, I'm happy to keep taking their picture! Off the rocks at Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
Photo by Monika Wieland.

August 1
12:23 - Lots of orca in Boundary Pass, 25 boats.
Jennifer Conkie

July 31
Well July finished with a bang! We got to watch group A of J pod move from East Point to Blunden Island. They were quite spread with "Granny" leading the way but the best part was watching the J14's, who were trailing, interact with one other. The kids, J40, J45 and J49 were doing lots of coordinated breaching and spy hops......it was awesome! The rest eventually joined in and I managed to get a picture of J37 breaching. Here it is! I've added another of J2 just about to surface.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver

July 31
J2 just about to surface.
Photo by Gary Sutton.

July 31
J37 breaching.
Photo by Gary Sutton.

July 31
J2 Granny looking around.
Photo by Capt. James Maya.

July 31
7:26 - Hearing more calls with echos. Very haunting.
Connie Bickerton

July 31
6:50am - I just turned on Lime Kiln and they are echolocating.
Kelly Burns Keenan

July 30
This evening from 5:00 til 6:30 I watched the K14s (four whales) head very slowly past Lime Kiln - in fact they were still there when I left, bucking the strong flood tide. In the continuing saga of the unexpected groupings this year, the rest of the whales that had come down Boundary Pass earlier in the day (at least part of J-Pod including J2, and L87) went back north up Boundary Pass. The whales (some Ks, some Ls, and maybe some Js too) that spent yesterday hanging off the south end of San Juan Island were westbound in the morning.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island

July 30
From today alongside Saturna Island, BC! Was just a stunning day with beautiful flat water, and very happy popcorn type whales! In the course of 30 min, we saw nearly every type of behavior you could hope to see, what a day!
Photo by Traci Walter.

July 30
At Sheringham Light, near Sooke.
Photo by Sooke Coastal Explorations.

July 30
Ls Near Sooke.
Photo by Sooke Coastal Explorations.

July 30
Ls Near Sooke.
Photo by Sooke Coastal Explorations.

July 30
Orcas passing our place on Galiano Island July 30 2014
Orcas passing our place on Galiano Island.
Video by Gary Cullen.


July 30
"Look Mom! I can walk! I can fly! I can blow bubbles!" Echo, J 42, today in Boundary Pass, just north of Stuart Island, San Juan Island, WA.
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya

July 30
10:00 am - We spotted two orcas a half mile off Gordon's Beach (Strait of Juan de Fuca, between Otter Point and Sheringham, about 20 miles west of Victoria). They appeared to be feeding. They were working the same deep water dropoff the fisherman work religiously out here.
Robert Johnson

July 29
These two have been awfully photogenic this year! It's J37 Hy'Shqa with calf J49 T'ilem I'nges, right off Lime Kiln this afternoon (the 29th). If you're wondering about the names, all the descendants of J14 Samish have been named in traditional ceremonies by the Samish Indian Nation. Hy'Shqa means "blessing" or "thank you" and T'ilem I'nges means "singing grandchild".
Photo by Monika Wieland.

July 29
Orcas graced us with their presence in Active Pass twice on July 29th. One group came close by us on the shore of Galiano around 5 pm and around 9 pm, a second small group stayed along the shore of Mayne Island on the far side of the Pass from us. Many boats, ferries and tugs hanging around both groups.
Photo by Karoline Cullen.

July 28
Today was absolutely amazing on the water... Dorsal fins everywhere! On top of it we had lots of breaching activity including this dual breach with American Camp National Park in the background. Beauty Day!
Photo by Traci Walter.

July 27
We were in the ferry line in Friday Harbor to leave when I heard the whales on the hydrophone at Lime Kiln. We raced across the island and caught about 50 members of K and L pods making their way north past Lime Kiln. They were so close to shore. An unbelievable experience!
Katie Snyder
Transients/Bigg's Whales
August 5
I saw one male dorsal, then a female, about 8:50 mid channel, Saratoga Passage, then they kind of disappeared! Off to find a good meal at the Penn Cove mussel rafts, no doubt!
Jill Hein

August 5
Four or more were headed across Saratoga Passage toward Penn Cove at 8:30.
Howard Garrett

August 5
8 pm - Susan and now all of us saw about 3 or more orcas from Greenbank. On the Camano side heading north.
Howard Garrett

August 5
7 pm - Stephanie Raymond called from the Victoria Clipper heading up Saratoga Passage and found about six Transient orcas off Lowell Point, which is on Camano Island across Saratoga Passage from Greenbank. She said they are in two groups, one with 4 orcas on the Whidbey Island side, and another group with at least two on the Camano side, all trending northward.

August 5
I was sitting eating dinner and looking out over Saratoga Passage and noted the usual south bound Victoria Clipper just north of Langley. The boat stopped, reversed direction, and headed back north. I grabbed the binocs and went out on the neighbors bluff. I could see the blows from approx. 6 orcas (transients?) blowing and rolling on the surface. They looked like they were feeding, roughly between Bell's Beach and Mabana. The Clipper powered toward them, then slowed. They disappeared, to surface away from the boat. The boat zigzagged south to north several times, each time the orca disappeared for a short time, then again surfaced away from the boat and appeared to feed. They were moving very slowly to the north. The Clipper finally turned south to resume it's usual trip.
Barbara Brock

August 5
4:45 - Danielle Doll called from the Mukilteo ferry after seeing 3 or 4 spouts about a half mile south of the ferry. They were too far to see which way they were traveling, but this is a few miles south of where orcas were seen about 4.5 hours ago, so they seem to be heading south. Anybody out there to possibly find them?

August 5
A report from Stacy Olson of TWO PODS OF ORCAS (one group of 3 and one group of 4) between HAT/GEDNEY ISLAND and S. WHIDBEY ISLAND at 12:20 pm, headed north!

August 3
Transient orca T037s off Patos Island heading across Boundary Pass.
Photo by Jill Hein.

August 3
2-year old T037B1 is one scratched up little dude.
Taken near Point Roberts.
Photo by Connie Bickerton.

August 3
The immeasurably cute T037B1.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu.

August 3
One of about 6-9 T's this Sunday near Point Roberts, Georgia Strait.
Photo by Elyse Sollitto.

August 3
T37 herself.
Photo by Elyse Sollitto.

August 3
T37A, born in 1994, with the nick.
Photo by Elyse Sollitto.

August 3
Beautiful family. The way they were meant to be.
Photo by Elyse Sollitto.

August 2
What an afternoon with the T037 family!! These whales have been in the area for the past couple days and are obviously finding what resources they need in the waters in and around San Juan, in particular, Boundary Pass. We saw some of the BEST displays of social behavior ... breaching, spyhopping, tail slapping, cartwheeling, even racing through the water upside down! Today was one of those high pitched squeaky "Eeekkk" (!!!!!) days, for those of you who know me well
Heather MacIntyre

August 2
Loads of tail-slaps and breaches from the T037s today, they were very active out by Patos Island. The most active T's I've ever seen.
Photo by Jill Hein.

August 2
Her eye is open!!!
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
Just LOOK at those little pectoral fins of this young orca calf!! SO CUTE!!
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
Wait Mom, I'm coming too!!
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
This little one was full of itself today, and managed to jump over the other playing orca.
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
Wheee!! This is what happens when Transients have a full belly and aren't down to business foraging.
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 2
Look at how cut up her fluke is ...
Photo by Heather MacIntyre.

August 1
Reports of transients off Waldron Island came in in the late afternoon so Ken and Dave and I went out. We found them well north just about to enter the Strait of Georgia between Patos Island and  Saturna's East Point. And what perfect timing this was: Instantly they put on  a show of tail slapping and leaping repeatedly near the boat. I got a perfect double leap and lots of other leaps and flashy orca displays - in gorgeous light and high speed on the video in 4K!  On top of this we put down a GoPro after a calf, T037B1, showed up in the propeller current right under us taking a jacuzzi. And sure enough it came right up to the camera several times - the first underwater shots from here. For all of us it had been a very memorable trip.
With many tail slaps from Snug Harbor, Florian Graner

August 1
A double breach in the Strait of Georgia.
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
2-year old T037B1.
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

August 1
Photo by Florian Graner.

July 30
8:09pm - Spotted a pod off the southeast side of Whidbey- can see them across the sound from Richmond Beach. Beautiful!
Jacquelyn Hanson
Coastal Orcas
July 25
Jon Scordino received a call from Joe Petersen who was out fishing at 6am on 7/25/2014 and reported passing a group of 50-60 killer whales heading into the Straits just passing Tatoosh Island. Joe had reported the Northern Residents to us back in April and he suspected this was the same group because they spotted several large males with droopy/crooked looking dorsal fins. They have some photographs and I will send them on when I received them if any look useful.
Adrianne Akmajian, Marine Mammal Technician III, Makah Fisheries Management
Humpbacks
August 5
From Harborview Park area in Everett, saw several spouts in that same area about 7:40 pm. Too far out to confirm it's a humpback, but fun to see the sprays.

August 5
7:40 - Dick Snowberger saw the humpback from the Clinton ferry, north of the ferry landing.

August 5
7:20 - Stephanie Raymond called again, this time with a report of a humpback! between the Clinton ferry dock and Gedney Island, moving slowly northward. That's two species in Saratoga Passage in 20 minutes.

August 5
5:33 - There is 1 Humpback off Possession Pt right now
Christopher Hanke

August 5
We popped over to a group of 3 humpbacks traveling down the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Prince of Whales Whale Watch

August 4, 2, 1, July 31
Humpback whale has been sighted 7/31, 8/1, 8/2 and 8/4 from Salmon Beach homes, just north of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Puget Sound).
Photo by Zeno Martin.

August 4
A barnacle-encrusted humpback breaches near Sooke, BC.
Photo sent by Sooke Coastal Explorations.

August 4
10:41 am - Humpback now by Narrows bridge..and a vessel getting way to close following it. Not cool!
9:11 am - Watching 1 humpback just off Salmon Beach towards Gig Harbor.
Asher Beckett

August 4
6:45 AM - One humpback is starting its day just east of Gig Harbor.
Aaron Campbell

August 4
5:20 AM - WA State Ferries reports a Gray whale (but we are assuming it is this same humpback reported and photographed by others) off Neil Pt, near Talequah, S. Vashon Island, unknown direction of travel.

August 3
7:20pm - Humpback whale seen from the 7:10 Bainbridge ferry to Seattle. Whale was headed west around Restoration Pt.
Mary Bond

August 3
7:10- there were reports of Bainbridge ferry sighting on individual posts
Katie Schmelzer

August 3
The humpback I saw today didn't look like it had a destination to be at. I guess this makes sense since there were reports of a humpback a few miles away, but three hours later. It sure was a beautiful day in the sound, that's where I'd be hanging.
Noah Izzard

August 3
I also saw one humpback around 3:45pm from the north side of the beach at Fay Bainbridge heading east. About 20 minutes later, I saw a blow straight across near Seattle.
Elizabeth Nicole

August 3
2:50 pm - humpback whale spotted by my husband off beach near Fay Bainbridge, heading north. Was only 100 yards off shore, but moving out towards open water... Keep an eye out north kitsap.
Sue Surowiec Larkin

August 3
About 2:45 PM - Joining in on the sighting of a humpback off Bainbridge Island. Our guests were thrilled to see the whale as we walked along Fay Bainbridge Beach. The whale was south of us - about off Rolling Bay and heading from fairly close to Bainbridge Island out toward the middle of the Sound.
Kitsap Tours

August 2
This happened today near the Tacoma Narrows bridge.
Sent in by The Ikkatsu Project.

August 2
A humpback raises his or her distinctive flukes, near Fidalgo Island (northwest of Whidbey Island).
Photo by James Gresham.

August 2
7:15 PM - spotting of a whale or Dolphin. I assumed this was a whale. We were putting out crab pots and saw a splash and whale diving. A few minutes I saw it's fluke and at both end points of the fluke were white. Saw it 2 times. 10764 NE Broomgerrie, Bainbridge- right in front of our house. Just swimming along. Only saw one. There were other crabbing boats out closer to it.
Maria Mason

August 2
5:39 - From ferry ... It"s now on the right of the SEA-Bain ferry lane. Sailboats are near from my point of view. Looks to be north of Bainbridge ferry terminal.
Lila Pharis

August 2
5:30 - saw [humpback] on the ferry to Anderson Island. Have seen porpoises before, this was much bigger than a porpoise and it had a white tip on the fin.
Bob Hines

August 2
4:10 - Yay! From Emma Schmitz park we see blows of two, line of site approaching Tillicum Village, closer to Blake Isl side northbound !
Alisa Lemire Brooks

August 2
 I was able to capture several photos of the lone Humpback as he/she traveled up Colvos Passage. Photos taken from Prospect Point, Olalla & Southworth Ferry Terminal.
Saturday in the Puget Sound- ferries, sailboats and a humpback whale! - at Olalla Prospect Point.
Photo by Katie Schmelzer.

August 2
Photo by Katie Schmelzer.

August 2
Photo by Katie Schmelzer.

August 2
1:54pm - One whale just passed through Colvos Passage heading north, wow what a sight!
Donna DiGiacomo Green

August 2
3:26 - Humpback nearing Blakely Island, closer to the Kitsap side.
Kitsap Orca Watch

August 2
3:25 - Looks like he is pointed right at Alki.
Jamie Grundhauser

August 2
3:10 pm - Amy Carey called to report the humpback is now off the north end of Vashon Island, approaching the east shoreline of Blake Island and heading north closer to the Kitsap side of the water.

August 2
3 pm - Erik Ferrel called to report watching one humpback breaching while he was onboard the WA State Ferry Tillicum. The humpback was just west of the Vashon Head Light, northbound.

August 2
11:55 AM - Two humpbacks spotted yesterday just off of Alki point, looked like they were headed northeast toward Elliot bay. Haven't seen them since then.
Miles Dudley

August 2
This morning around 11:00, 1/2-1 mile south of Salmon Beach towards east side in center of Narrows. We saw two or three whales and their spouts. Probably the same bunch we saw there yesterday.
Michael Marlatt

August 2
10:47 - Humpbacks just passed Chambers Bay headed South!!!!!
Glenn Hansen

August 2
We spotted a humpback around 10:45 am between Fox Island and Chambers Golf Course.
Jay-Lisa Matties Gray

August 2
9:32am - Just had a report that the one or more Humpbacks from yesterday is still in the triangle area between Vashon, Point Defiance and Gig Harbor/Colvos. Yay!
Amy Carey

August 1
Small pod of [humpbacks] seen in Narrows apx 9-930 pm 1/2 -1 mile south of Salmon Beach towards east side n center of Narrows. Tails n blows! Narrows south of salmon beach. The tails looks a little big for orcas and I didn't see any dorsal fins.
Michael Marlatt

August 1
6:21pm - In the Narrows now, mid Channel from Salmon Beach.
Melissa Bird

August 1
8 p.m. - Humpback whale at Pt Defiance. Observed a humpback whale feeding just south of Pt. Defiance (north of The Narrows bridge). 47'17"N 122'325W. Appeared to be feeding.
Photo by Ken Dzinbal.

August 1
Humpback whale off south end of Vashon Island.
Photo by Kelly Burns Keenan.

August 1
6:08 - I believe there are two. They're in the Narrows now near Salmon Beach.
5:27 - They are about a 1/2 mile East of Gig Harbor now. Heading South.
Aaron Campbell

August 1
5:13 - Just left Point Defiance-5-mile drive. Watched the humpback for the past hour from there- just west of the Vashon ferry terminal (closer to Vashon) -kept changing direction.
Katie Schmelzer

August 1
4:01 - I'm thinking she did swim there fast & is still solo as I can only see one blow at a time - slowly heading westbound near Point Defiance roughly 1/4 mile from shore.
3:42 - just spotted her swimming westbound right in front of Vashon ferry dock.
Simon North

August 1
2:55 - Now near Manzinita beach and Maury island.
2:27 - East bound near Browns point.
Amy Carey

August 1
1:52 -  Saw one breach and blow about seven minutes ago, heading north toward Ruston.
Danielle Vance

August 1
Photo by Glenn Hansen.

August 1
Between Chambers Bay and Day Island.
Photo by Glenn Hansen.

August 1
Off of Day Island headed North.
Photo by Glenn Hansen.

August 1
11:48 - Wow 2 lucky kayaks just had the humpbacks pass very near as the headed north up Colvos passage. They are heading towards Sunrise beach.
Michele Riley Campbell

August 1
1:54 -  OMG! Right in the ferry lane! No words... So blessed. A dream come true.
12:06 - @ Dalco Passage View Pt/5 mile drive. Looking straight (north) into Colvos Passage. Whale headed north, mouth of Colvos Passage on Gig Harbor side. Just one whale viewed. Now headed toward mid-channel.
11:28 - 1st Narrows view point. Whale headed north now. Not sure if we should move back around towards Vashon or if the whale will turn around south again.
11:10 - watching from 5 mile drive. Whale is still north of Narrows Bridge, sort of heading south very slowly. Fishing boat just north of the one humpback. When it's quiet, you can hear it breathe from time to time. So, so happy! Taking 4-5 breaths and diving with a little fluke up on the dive.
Lila Pharis

August 1
10:44 - North of Narrows midway between Narrows and Owen beach on Gig Harbor side.
10:34 - Just north of the Narrows Bridge on the five mile loop at Point Defiance Park I only see one but others havr been watching longer than me are saying 4 to 5. They are closer to the Gig Harbor side looks like its feeding moving slowly towards the Narrows Bridge. Only one that I see.
10:26 - I'm watching them now from the five mile loop in front of the Narrows Bridge at least four of them.
Meghan Davis

August 1
5:42am - 2+ humpbacks spotted heading South in Colvos passage between Vashon and Point Richmond, nearing the #6 marker right now.
Christy Robinson

July 31
A humpback fluke raised high in Dalco Passage.
Photo by Vicki Brown.

July 31
Yesterday while cruising from Gig Harbor to Tacoma, we spotted in this whale in the distance.  At approximately 12:30 pm, we were in Dalco Pass, near the ferry route.  The whale appeared to be heading NW toward the bottom of Colvos Passage.  The boater stayed stationary and must have had quite an experience as the whale appeared to dive immediately behind the vessel.  
Vicki Brown, Seattle, WA

July 31
Three Humpbacks on the east side of Fox Island at 8:30ish. They traveled south from the Day Island area and then turned around just before reaching Chambers Bay Golf Course. Last seen just north of the Fox Island Fishing Pier. Pictures to follow I hope!
Glenn Hansen

July 31
Well we found the Humpbacks in Puget Sound! Sounds like Point Defiance Park in Tacoma (5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98407) is the best place to spot them!
Whale Scout

July 31
10:05am - A couple of humpbacks are just off Point Defiance near all the fishing boats! Seen them surface 4 times all in the same vicinity.
10:17 - They have headed towards Dash Point.
-Michele Riley Campbell

July 30
8:35pm - Just south of Kingston, mid channel at buoy Sierra Foxtrot two humpbacks.
John Slomnicki

July 30
A humpback at Turn Rock in San Juan Channel, east side of San Juan Island.
Photo by A. Hammer.
Pacific white-sided dolphins
July 31
8pm - Kari and I saw a single lag working the rip off Smallpox Bay & Low Island (just north of Lime Kiln State Park) tonight.
Doug McCutchen
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.