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In This Issue
Southern Residents.
Transients/Bigg's Killer Whales
Humpbacks
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Orcas in Our Midst,

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

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

The bestseller about orcas in captivity.

Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby 

DeathatSeaWorld


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December 4, 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.
J32 Rhapsody has died.

As this sightings report was in production news came of a deceased orca found in northern Georgia Strait. Soon the word came from Ken Balcomb at the Center for Whale Research that the whale was J32, known as Rhapsody. Rhapsody was an 18-year old female whose mother, J20, died in 1998, when Rhapsody was only two.  She was raised by her aunt, J22 Oreo, alongside her cousins 16-year old male J34 Doublestuf and 11-year old female J38 Cookie.

Before the mid-1990s it seemed that females in their reproductive years - between 12 and 40 - simply didn't die. Since then many have died, but this death of a young adult female prior to her first offspring is especially troubling. This endangered extended family desperately needs more reproductive females.

Why did she die?

Less than 10% of deceased orcas are ever found and can be examined to determine cause of death. The necropsy of J32 will take place Saturday where she came ashore, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Raverty, with Ken Balcomb assisting. We are likely to also learn if she was pregnant as was often suggested, or whether she had ever been pregnant, given that she was almost five years beyond the average age at first birth. We'll also learn about her overall health, toxin levels, any impairments, etc. We'll hopefully learn about what may be wrong with other Southern Resident orcas, and that knowledge may help us build the focus and dedication needed to change whatever human activities may have contributed to her death.

Orca Network News Release on the Death of J32 Rhapsody

Howard Garrett and Susan Berta, Orca Network 

Photo of the Day      
November 29                        
J32 Rhapsody leads her family in Speiden Channel.
This was taken between Sentinel Rock and Battleship Island. We began our encounter with J and K pod in San Juan Channel. They continued on through Spieden Channel. They then split into three groups. Group #1 was made up of the J14's, J1
6's, J19's, and Onyx L87. Group #2 was the J11's, J17's, J22's, K12's, and K16's. Group #3 was the K13's and K14's. #1 and #2 headed for Sentinel Rock, then regrouped and aimed for Battleship Island. #3 was ahead of the other two groups and went from Battleship to Stuart Island, then turned around when #1 and #2 headed back for Danger Shoal. They all had an orca mosh pit and J pod vanished into thin air. My guess was that they headed North. K pod continued South for Henry Island. Rhapsody J32 is on the far right in the photo. This is possibly the last photo taken of J32.
Photo and encounter report by Melisa Pinnow 
Southern Residents
December 3
I saw a post from 8:30 this morning on Tweeters birding list that Orca were spotted in Edmonds this morning. I emailed the person that posted asking about direction of travel.
from Jeremy at Tweeters: "For anyone interested, there are three or four Orcas just off the pier. It's been entertaining swiveling between Snowy Owl and whale views. They were heading north from Edmonds up towards Mukilteo. I lost sight of them as they were passing east of Possession Point (Whidbey Island)."
-Connie Bickerton

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December 2
About 4:15 pm there was a small trailing group that appeared to be foraging south of Bush Pt, across from Foulweather bluff closer to the Whidbey Side. We watched from about 3 pm to 3:45 pm from Bush Pt. as they traveled spread out, heading south. A submarine passed by, one trailing group remained closer to the Whidbey side, the whales that had passed earlier headed over toward Foulweather Bluff and the Kitsap side. Difficult in windy conditions with lots of whitecaps, but great to see them coming back in on this sunny day!
-Susan Berta

December 2
K20 Spock heading south past Bush Point, Whidbey Island.
Photo by Susan Berta

December 2
4:20 - spread out from Mutiny Bay between Foulweather Bluff and Double Bluff, approaching Point No Point. Some foraging and tail lobbing. K20 below demonstrates the wind at her tail blowing her breath ahead of her.
2:10 - seeing the orcas heading south, passing Lagoon Pt (west Whidbey Isl) heading toward Bush Pt, closer to the Whidbey side.
-Howard Garrett

December 2
K20 in stormy seas off Bush Point.
Photo by Howard Garrett

December 2
A backlit tail-lob off Bush Point.
Photo by Howard Garrett

December 2
K26 Lobo, heading south past Bush Point.
Photo by Jill Hein

December 2
A southern Resident orca meets up with a submarine off Bush Point.
Photo by Jill Hein

December 2
K20 Spock.
Phogo by Jill Hein

December 2
2:55 - I'm just north of Bush Point and they are going by. Most nose to the ground but some lingering.
3:20 - There are several that we assume are hunting hanging in the upwelling just north of Bush Point but some have already made it to Bush Point proper.
-Rachel Gaydosh

December 2
3:19 pm - Jan Bell at Bush Pt reported orcas heading south past Bush Pt.

December 2
2:51 - Seeing from Bush Pt now. Waves making it difficult to see.
2:14 - Definitely southbound! Close in front of Lagoon Pt now
1:55 pm - from Orca Network volunteer Rachel Haight: Saw my first blow. Due north of Bush Pt, between me at Ft Casey and Bush Pt. At least two blows well south of here close to Whidbey side. I'm assuming southbound and relocating to Lagoon Pt now.
-Rachel Haight

December 2
1 pm - Connie Bickerton reports hearing orcas on the Port Townsend hydrophone, sounded like K pod to her.

************************

December 1
Ken Balcomb relayed reports that all three pods were seen heading west out the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the afternoon.

November 30
4:40 - I leave...the pod was more spread out they passed Kingston getting harder to see in waning light. Met many people along the way to share binos and orca/salmon discussions. Was especially fun to end the day meeting Isabel who finally caught up with and was so happy to see their blows across the water! Always feels so magical, sundown with orcas and blazing orange and red Olympic Mtns.
4:20 sundown...approaching Apple Tree Cove/Kingston see 3 adult males...1 in lead two towards back. Pod not as tightly grouped but still tucked close together. Dives not as long. Steady northbound with occasional tail lob.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

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November 30
K12 Sequim in Puget Sound.
Photo by Steve Smith

November 30
Another glorious winter day int the Pacific Northwest with friends, orcas (KPod?) and the snow covered cascade mountains behind. Shot from Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island.
Susan Marie Andersson

November 30
4:21 - see from Edmonds marina beach, they're on the Kitsap side near the cell tower south from the ferry terminal. We can only see blows.
Michelle Goll

November 30
Seeing orcas go by from Edmonds.
Photo by Janine Harles

November 30
4:05 - at Edmonds beach park. Blows spotted south of Prez point (just south of Kingston). Far west side of channel.
Jack Nolan

November 30
3:12 - can just barely see them looking south from President Point.
Joanne Graves

November 30
2:56 - they are still headed north at Golden Gardens tightly grouped mid channel possibly a little west of mid channel.
Jamie Grundhauser

November 30
2:40 - seeing them grouped up south of Richmond beach backlit but I think going north.
Whitney Neugebauer

November 30
2:08 - at Discovery Point light house west mid channel trending NE.
Jill M Rotset

November 30
3:40 - pod is still in resting formation steadily northbound, west of mid channel about even with the middle Port Madison approaching Jefferson Head. Small boat accompanying them to the rear. And if hasn't been noted there are at least 20 orcas.
3pm - Near or just south of Faye Bainbridge about now.
2:40 - from Sunset Ave/Shilshole still in resting line trending now north westerly. 2-3 minute dives...2 minute surfaces all together! Due west from my location right now.
1:55 - getting close to Discovery Point lighthouse.
1:46 - Gorgeous! Watching a line of illuminated blows still south of West Pt/Discovery from Sunset Ave above Shilshole.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

November 30
1:22 - tightly grouped heading north towards Discovery Lighthouse, mid channel. Viewing from Creosote, orca are in front of freighter by the marina.
Connie Bickerton

November 30
12:46 - I am now just south of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge. The 8-10 are heading north into ferry lanes... Just south of Rockaway Beach.
Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn

November 30
12:00 - tight group of 6 or 7 orcas just turned and are heading north, mid-channel off north east side of Blake Island. Two big males in the group.
11:35 - watching from Restoration Point--Bremerton ferry captain just announced the whales. Orcas are moving south rapidly with the current. Just east of Blake island, Kitsap side. Two or three males with the group.
Susan Marie Andersson

November 30
10:47 - directly out from Discovery park light house about 6-8 heading south. Hugging Bainbridge Island.
Jill M Rotset

November 30
10:20 am - Two more whales behind the first group, southbound mid channel.
10:11 am - Just spotted two southbound, mid channel from Fay Bainbridge..large male. Yeah!
Sue Surowiec Larkin

November 30
10:02 - group of 5-6 heading south in shipping lane between north end of Golden Gardens (east) and Port Madison (west)
Jennifer Greiner Clark

November 30
10:01 - Now between Meadow Point and Suquamish Dock in the southbound shipping lanes. It never ceases to amaze me how fast these dudes can travel. Spread out over a mile, at least five.
9:47 - at least five headed south quickly, mid-channel on the line between Meadow Point and Kingston.
Ben Blankenship

November 30
9:44 - two more just south of channel marker east of President Point. staying down a long time. were going south, but now milling in all directions.
9:41 - saw three more moving slowly south just south of channel marker east of President Point (south of Kingston). staying down a long time.
9:22 - just saw one going south off President pt going south.
Joanne Graves

November 30
9:35 - whales mid to west of channel spread out. Some now south of Jefferson Head others still north of mid yellow channel buoy. With a little elevation viewing conditions are better. Gorgeous out here. Mountains amazing.
9:25 - from Richmond Beach have seen at least 2 bulls and female. Mid channel south of Kingston just north of yellow mid channel buoy. Steady southbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

November 30
8:15 - 4 miles north of Kingston a group widely spread, heading south. Closer to Kitsap side but some as far as 2 miles out.
Rebecca French Gerke

November 30
1:52am - orcas on Port Townsend Hydro.
Connie Bickerton

********************************

November 29
The orca that was found dead today at Bates Beach near Comox, BC, was Rhapsody J32.... I saw her just a few days ago during my encounter with J and K pod on November 29th, 2014....here is a shot of her from that encounter (See Photo of the Day), she is the farthest right. Also pictured is the rest of her small family, her aunt J22, and her two cousins J34 and J38. This may very well be the last photo of Rhapsody while she was alive.

The Southern Resident orcas are now down to 77 members...
Melisa Pinnow


November 29
K21 Cappuccino (born 1986) today!! I can't tell you how happy I was to see these guys again I should mention that it was COLD!!!
Photo by Heather McIntyre

November 29
K21 and K33 in Speiden Channel.
Photo by Heather McIntyre

November 29
K pod lined up in a resting formation.
Photo by Heather McIntyre

November 29
K pod in Speiden Channel.
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya

November 29
Checking out the sunset colors?
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya

November 29
5:10 - Unexpected whales are the best kind of whales.....off Henry Island late this afternoon with K-Pod!
Photo by Monika Wieland

November 29
4:40pm - J Pod about 1/2 mile off shore near Sunset Point (San Juan Island)!!!
-John Boyd

November 29
2:56 - With J and K pod right now!! Spread between Stuart Island and the north end of San Juan! Not sure if they will head down or up Haro Strait.
-Melisa Pinnow

November 29
2:45 - Three or four whales were sighted in Spieden Channel this afternoon heading west. Traveling fast.
-Roy Clauson

November 29
1345 - off Reuben Tarte County Park (NW side of San Juan Island) 5-8 orcas heading quickly north in San Juan Channel in rough seas. Included at least one male, maybe two.
-Monika Wieland

November 29
I saw a small group of orcas going eat to west down Harney channel between Shaw and Orcas island early this morning. One larger male, one female and one smaller one. Not sure if they were residents or transients.
-Mariann Carrasco

November 29
10:55am - Two orcas passed headed south, guessing Edmonds waterfront prob right in front of ferry.
8:15am - orcas seen appx 2 miles north of Edmonds ferry, heading north.
-AnaLisa Gerbig

November 29
9:45 - my friend/neighbor texted me he saw the orcas. Near Picnic Pt, N of Edmonds We both saw groups of 4 or 5 milling about but mostly heading N toward Mukilteo.
9:30 - Picnic Pt close to shore headed north.
9:15am - off Picnic Pt slowly heading n into Possession Sound.
-John Carroll

November 29
We spotted a single orca at 8:15 this morning. It was spotted about 1.5 miles north of the Edmonds Ferry, heading north between Possession Point and Mukilteo.
-Jeff Johnson

November 29
8:15am - two or three pods, 3 in each, spotted from Room #1 Orcas Hotel, Ferry Dock on Orcas Island took shots w/iphone.
-Christopher James

November 29
9:56 AM - Saturday morning of Thanksgiving weekend... very windy and cold, but the sight of 3 Orcas traveling west between Crane and Shaw Islands (north of San Juan Island) drew us outside. A short time later, we sighted 7 or 8 more, again going west through Wasp Passage. We didn't see the first group soon enough to get a good photo, but a photo of the second group is attached. Based on the photo, there were 2 males in the second group.
Photo by Cynthia Hertlein

************************

November 28
My wife - Lynn - & her sis were on the 3:30 o'klok ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo - and they saw a pod of 15-20 orcas heading east ( toward Saratoga Passage ? )
Later ... at 4:30'ish... I saw - near Baby Island - appeared to be a group of whales (?) ... with a HUGE raft of birds covering the water in that area...
Wayne Flaaten
This report indicates a group of orcas was up by Baby Island while another group was near the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane.

************************

November 27
I saw a small group of orcas (5-7) off my bluff (about half way between Clinton and Langley) It was around 11:30 and they were heading south. Very fun to see them on Thanksgiving Day!
Frances Wood

**************************

November 26
Thanks for the recent Orca Network report.  I noticed the date is wrong for the day Ken and I got photos of all 78 whales (it's listed under the 25th).  That was November 26th when the whales were heading southeast from Discovery Island toward Hein Bank. It was a very good encounter for late November! 
Dave Ellifrit
Transients/Bigg's Killer Whales 
December 4
Big Orca on Fox Island
Big Orca on Fox Island.
Video by Dave Maddock

December 4
The T137s are apparently still in the south Sound. At 10 am today, at least three orcas, 2 big and one small, were seen in Henderson Bay, which is in the upper reaches of Carr Inlet, NW of Gig Harbor, according to a report just called in from Vinnie Shefler. The T137s have been in the south Sound since at least Nov. 23rd.

December 4
12:01 pm - A report of Ts in San Juan Ch. near Yellow Island, going north, from Tom Averna.
-James Mead Maya

December 4
10:28 am - Four orcas heading north past Mouat Point on Pender Island just now.
Barb Floyd

************************

December 3
We saw a pod of 5 or more heading north in a tight formation by the western side of Vashon Island.
Thomas Downs

December 3
4:31 - Yes...going up Colvos!!
3:12 - Seen from Old Ferry Dock in Gig Harbor .. Pt. Defiance to the right...south and they were heading north into Colvos Passage..between Gig Harbor and Vashon Island.
2:31 - Yes..now going north up Colvos Passage. They are moving fast!!
1:29 - Im heading to Tacoma Narrows Park Gig Harbor...just spotted them in the distance heading south below the bridge..close to shore.
Vickie Doyle

December 3
T137s and T36Bs went north under the Tacoma Narrows bridge.
Here is a photo from this afternoon of T137 throwing a harbor seal.
Photo by Candice K. Emmons, Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA/NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center

December 3
2:49 - They are in Colvos Passage. Visible from Sunrise Beach.
-Heidi Gerling

December 3
2:31 - Heading up Colvos.
-Kathy Cappon Eliasen

December 3
2:44 - think they just passed Point Richmond headed north fast.
2:42 - they are headed up Colvos, close to Gig Harbor side.
2:32 - just north of Gig Harbor, trending North into Colvos Passage, close to Gig Harbor side.
1:23 - NOAA is with them. Hard to see with the sun behind them. Still north of the bridge mid channel but trending south slowly.
1:00 pm - milling mid channel just north of Narrows Bridge. Looks like NOAA is joining them.
-Melissa Bird

December 3
1:24 - They are back. Just north of bridge. I saw 5.
1:19 - I see them! 300 yards north of the bridge. Coming south.
11:20 - About 20 minutes ago I saw 2 heading south under the narrows.
-Andrea Reubel

December 3
1:00 PM - At least 4+ orcas near and around the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I saw two with large fins/ hey appeared to be feeding. at one point I saw a smaller dolphin or seal get lightly tossed. They were all coming up to the surface over and over quickly and I saw a few of their tails.
-Benjamin Maestas

December 3
12:51 - I spy! coming north up Narrows passage still south of Salmon Beach.
-Michele Riley Campbell

December 3
12:49 - I just saw splashing mid channel right where that boat just went.
-Jessica Arnold Badgett

December 3
2:01 - Moving pretty quick north still.
1:44 - They turned north again and are hugging the Gig Harbor side.
12:49 - At Narrows viewpoint...orcas north of bridge around salmon beach.
-Victoria Elizabeth Scalise

December 3
10:40 - They have now crossed under the bridge heading north still. They should be coming up that direction (towards Pt Defiance) on the Salmon Beach side of the channel
10:22am - 6 orca heading towards salmon beach about to head under the narrows bridge. Large male with them.
-Heidi Gerling

*************************

December 2
T068A north bound in Haro Strait.
Photo by Mark Malleson, taken under permit  #MML-001

December 2
10:32 - Just spotted a pod from Narrows Park heading towards Steilacoom.
Heidi Gerling

**********************

November 30
1:41 - The only place you might be able to see them from right now is Boston Harbor.
12:43 - There is a raft of sea lions within 500 feet of where these animals have been milling. They are either full or they are not interested in the s. lions as a food source. Will try to upload a few photos.
2:15 -The 6-8 orcas changed direction and headed south into Budd Inlet - very close to the western shore of Cooper Point. The entire time they were on the Eld Inlet side, there were two different groups of sea lions that did not interest them at all. Weird. Here's one photo.
T137's!
12:12 - there seem to be 6-8 - can't count completely. Choppy water and some are surfacing at the same time - shallow surfacing.
12:11 - I'm on my deck in Olympia. Facing the tip of Cooper Point which splits Budd and Eld inlets. They are still there - milling and surfacing. GORGEOUS.
12:07 - 6-8 orcas still at Cooper Point - at entry to Budd/Eld inlets - far into South Sound. Lots of surfacing and milling. A few spy hops. Lots of surfacing together. At least one large male.
11:09 - at Cooper Point right now! Budd/Eld Inlets.
-Kim Merriman

November 30
Photo by Kim Merriman

November 30
Photo by Kim Merriman

November 30
10:00 am - 4 or 5 south Sound whales just passed Johnson Point headed south down Nisqually Reach, per a call from Donald Mott.

November 30
8:29 - 3 Orcas off Longbranch (Key penninsula).
Carrie Hesch Viergutz

********************

November 29
12:10 - 8 to 10 orcas in Case Inlet (or Nisqually Reach), between Johnson Point and Anderson Island (13 miles SW of the Tacoma Narrows bridge), breaching and milling. Not traveling. Leslie Demich.
My wife, Leslie, called you on Saturday to report an Orca sighting in Case Inlet.  Per your instructions I tried for dorsal fin photos.  While it seems to me there is sufficient evidence here to confirm the creatures in question are Orcas, unfortunately they were too far from shore for my lens to get much detail.  I estimate they were about a half mile off shore, based on Case Inlet being about two miles wide from Johnson Point to Anderson Island.  They were paused in front of our house when Leslie first spotted them, then moved slowly southward with an accompanying flock of seagulls to help locate them.  They paused again perhaps a mile south of Puget Marina, a few circling back almost to our location once or twice, then left the area heading generally southeast toward Luhr's Beach.
-Gary and Leslie Demich

November 29
3:53 - Just left Tolmie. Spent over an hour there. The distortion is terrible, but blows were visible. There was a boat near them, but because of the distortion, that's all I can relay. It's just too cold to stand out there for long! Plus I had zero service.
-Jessica Pagan

November 29
1:35 - Lost sight in the chop. However, they're headed toward Nisqually Wildlife Reserve past the southern tip of Anderson Island.
1:15 - "Seeing them hunting seals between Anderson Island and Tolmie State park. Just saw a seal being tossed into the air".
12:30 - From a friend of mine, Carolyn Logue - "ORCAS heading south in Nisqually Reach toward Tolmie State Park."
-Kim Merriman
Humpbacks
December 2
Ken Balcomb reports seeing 4 or 5 humpbacks south of Sooke.

November 30
11:00 AM - Group of humpbacks sighted just off Clover Point, Victoria, BC. On Sunday morning, November 30, I saw a breaching humpback whale just about a kilometer off Clover Point, Victoria, BC (to the southwest). It was a sight to behold. The splash was like an explosion and I originally thought it was a speed boat that hit a wave too hard. Through my binoculars I could see more humpbacks coming up for air. They hung around for a few minutes and never saw them again. In total, I would guess there were 2-3 whales, but I can't be sure.
Andrew Patrick
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*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.