Orca Network recommends:
The Lost Whale, by Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisolm
An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.
To learn more about orcas:
Orcas in Our Midst,
Vol. 3: Residents and Transients, How Did That Happen?
Click here
to order YOUR copy!
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The bestseller about orcas in captivity.
Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby
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Click here
to learn about L pod
orca Lolita/Tokitae,
captured in Penn Cove,
Whidbey Island, WA
in 1970, somehow surviving in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium ever since.
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| February 13, 2015
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.
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The happy announcement for this report is the discovery of new baby J51 born to J19 Shachi! Yesterday Dave Ellifrit went out from Snug Harbor on the west side of San Juan Islandand accompanied all of J pod as they headed north in Haro Strait, where he confirmed the new arrival.
The details:
12 February 2015
Another New Baby in J pod!
After spending the past two weeks near the west entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, J pod finally came back into the interior Salish Sea waters and showed off another brand new baby whale to the few observers that braved the mist and light rain and watched the whales swim by from land and from vessels at respectful distance. Dave Ellifrit from the Center for Whale Research, and Jeanne Hyde who first heard the whales on Lime Kiln hydrophone this morning, embarked on the Center 's research vessel "Chimo" to Haro Strait while CWR Senior Scientist, Ken Balcomb, watched from shore and managed communications.
The late December calf, J50, with its J16 family were seen today as well; but, the big news is that J19 and J41 were swimming protectively on either side on another new baby that we estimate is about one week old. This newest addition to J pod is designated J51, and the presumed mother is thirty-six year old J19. Her ten-year old daughter, J41, was also in attendance. The newest baby appears healthy.
This brings us to twenty-six whales in J pod, the most viable pod in the Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population of the US and Canada Pacific Northwest. K pod has 19 individuals, and L pod has 34 individuals for a total population of 79 SRKW's as of today. That number can change anytime with the birth or death of one of these charismatic whales.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research
A band of roving Transients/Bigg's Killer Whales made their way up Saratoga Passage Wednesday and apparently spent the night around Penn Cove, where they foraged most of Thursday before heading back south by late afternoon.
Tuesday several groups totaling 21 of the mammal-eaters scouted San Juan Channel and out across Haro Strait where they split into two groups heading in different directions.
At least two humpbacks have been doing what humpbacks do in Hood Canal and Puget Sound, and on Wednesday a Pacific white-sided dolphin showed unusual interest in a lead sinker attached to a working fishing pole.
There is still at least one opening for our annual visit to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico to see gray whales, March 3 to 7. The lagoon is filled with gray whales in early March, and some of them sometimes come over to meet the visiting humans in their little boats. Details and registration can be found HERE.
Orca Network |
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Photo of the Day
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February 12  | Mom J19 Shachi with newborn J51 alongside in her slipstream.
Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research
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Southern Residents
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February 12
 | J50 was really rambunctious yesterday! She came zooming up to take a closer look at us, when mom (J16) promptly put an end to it! She came out of the water in a spyhop, surprising us all!
Photo by Heather McIntyre, Legacy Charters
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February 12
 | J50 and J16. And the two carried on in an orderly fashion.
Photo by Heather McIntyre, Legacy Charters
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February 12
 | J19 Shachi on the outside, little J51 in the middle, and J41 in the foreground.
Photo by Heather McIntyre, Legacy Charters
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February 12
 | From left to right: New baby J51, new mama J19 Shachi, and J49 T'ilem I'nges - yesterday in northern Haro Strait.
Photo by Monika Wieland |
February 12
 | J pod including new calves! (J50 & J51).
Video by Traci Walter, Western Prince
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February 12
3:13 - Listening to orcas on Lime Kiln right now. Cindy Murray Lunsford February 12
3:15 - J pod still vocalizing on OrcaSound, so beautiful in quiet seas. 2:41 - S1 & S4 calls OS.1:27 - S4 calls and echolocation on OrcaSound hydrophone now. 12:55 - J calls are now loud and clear on Lime Kiln hydrophone. Sure hope J50 is around and we get to see photos! Alisa Lemire Brooks February 12
Js were heard briefly this AM off the Lime Kiln hydrophones. James Mead Maya ************* February 11
Map-2015-02-11S  | 11 February update - On the evening of February 8, J pod was near the west entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They continued to spend the day in the same general vicinity but by the 10th they had moved back out near the continental shelf break before they looped back to the north around La Perouse Bank. By the morning of the 11th they were headed back toward the west entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dr. Brad Hanson and a team of scientists embarked on a 21-day research cruise out of Newport, OR aboard the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada, with the hopes of catching up with J27.
Map courtesy of NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center
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Transients/Bigg's Whales
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February 12
Orcas at Cama Beach 3:15, headed south along Whidbey island shoreline.
Shane Bishop
February 12
 | Today at 12:30 or so in Penn Cove.
Photo by Richard Snowberger |
February 12
 | | Photo by Richard Snowberger |
February 12
Transients in Penn Cove today by the mussel rafts.
Keith Paddock
February 12
12:27 - South side of Penn cove headed east going out. East of Coupeville but west of long point. Heading to Long Point now.
11:19am -Heading into Penn Cove.
11:08am - And I found them again lol. They look like they're angled toward the cove now.
10:57am - they surfaced by that green marker headed north. And I lost them again lol.
Rachel Haight
February 12
12:20 - Bonnie Gretz is seeing at least two orcas heading east out of Penn Cove.
Short but lovely glimpse of 3 transient (Biggs) orcas in Penn Cove around 12:15-12:45...one male...thanks Alisa Lemire Brooks and Rachel Haight!
Bonnie Gretz
February 12
10:52am - Just north of Penn cove hangin out...circling, and being kind of mellow right now.
10:44 - They're closer to Penn Cove now.
9:51am - There are five now! Also saw dolphins.
9:42 - Watching three or 4 orcas chasing and playing with a seal in Saratoga passage from my telescope in Madrona beach camano. Quite the show!! Looks like mom dad and baby for sure
Outside of Penn Cove in between Camano and Whidbey.
Wendy Nelson
February 12
10:21 - picked them up again. They have turned west and seem to be heading slowly towards Penn Cove. They are mid channel at intersection of passage and cove entrance.
9:44am - they were mid channel. I think they are still heading north, probably up near madrona beach by now (out of sight for me). I didn't see them turn and go into Penn Cove. If they do, I'll report that.
9:02 - 3+ orcas off Woodland Beach right now heading north or possibly to Penn Cove.
Krista Paulino
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February 11
4:48 - We see them just south of Woodland Beach heading in. We are across from Penn Cove. Just south of entrance. They are mid channel.
3:53 - They are hanging out in one area still south of Sandy Beach (about a mile north of Cama Beach), slow diving in a circle. Assume they are feeding.
3:25 - South of Sandy Beach, mid channel. We see them from Camano inn.
2:27 - 5 fins in row close to shore off Whidbey, still south of Camano state park.
2:18pm - They are to the west side of that white and blue boat out in channel closer to Whidbey now.
2:05 - Bingo! Mid channel south of State Park saw 1 large fin and blow.
Krista Paulino
February 11
Watched from the Inn with the Paulinos. From that point I saw a very small Orca near the male just off Sandy Beach, surfaced and dove with two females a couple times, during the group slow diving and circling. Close to the Whidbey side of Saratoga.
Laura Love Wymore
February 11
Just saw them at 4:10 pm - heading north closer to Camano side. I think they are just south of Onamac Pt but not sure of landmarks. Watching from Hidden Beach.
Susan Berta
February 11
4:00 PM - Orca spotted. 4 Orcas seen feeding in Saratoga Passage across from Indian Beach Camano Island. Looking west. Back and forth feeding.
Kerie Kremian
February 11
3:45 PM - Orcas in Saratoga Passage off Cama Beach. 5 Orcas about 1 mile slightly north. One large male, 4 females. Small school of harbor porpoise near Cama Beach and a harbor seal, all hiding out from the Orcas.
Tina Dinzl-Pederson
February 11
3:38...milling around just north of Cama Beach, more toward Whidbey side.
Julius Smith
February 11
2:40 pm - West side of Camano, 1 male 4 females spread out over Saratoga passage. Heading north.
Laura Love Wymore
February 11
2:24pm - Closer to Whidbey. Can see without binoculars.
2:15 - Found them! I'm at Fox spit and they're out in front of me. South of Camano state park.
Rachel Haight.
February 11
1:12 - Sandra Pollard called from the dog and boy park in Langley after seeing two orcas, a male and one other, still headed north.
February 11
 | We found the small pod of approximately six Orcas between Camano Island and Whidbey early this afternoon. We paralleled them, at the safe distances, and enjoyed (understatement) observing them as they playfully wandered the channel. A few more than this frame shows were with this pod.
Photo by Stu Davidson Photography
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February 11
12:52 - 200 yards from them west of Camano head. They are slowly heading northerly. Big dorsal (male) with several others. Quite a day! On the way home north to Edmonds we found the small pod of approximately six Orcas between Camano Island and Whidbey early this afternoon. We paralleled them, at the safe distances, and enjoyed (understatement) observing them as they playfully wandered the channel.
Stu Davidson Photography
February 11
1:01 - They're near the Camano shore....looks like approx 4 or 5 with one adult male.
12:46 - Mid channel just south of Camano...still headed north
Dan Gulden
February 11
12:15 - last saw fins & blows heading towards Saratoga at slow steady pace about noon...now too far for these eyes.
11:52 - appear to be heading north-westerly, closer to Whidbey side. At least one bull, too far for IDs.
11:45 - from Mukilteo spotted fins circling mid channel in the middle of triangle of Clinton-Hat Island-Sandy Point.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
February 11
10:45 am - John Rogstad of WA State Ferries relayed a report of ten orcas in the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lane, heading slowly north.
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February 10
Very awesome encounter with a very large group of Killer Whales. There were 21 animals in total, mostly of females and calves, but a couple male sprouters as well. Several different pods that came together. They took down at least a Harbor Seal and a Harbor Porpoise, may have been more. In this clip, there are several times where you can see the tiny porpoise tail fluke. I've slowed down those shots so you can see them a little better.
IDs: T86As, T100s, T124s, T124As.
Traci Walter
 | Bigg's Killer Whales - San Juan Channel.
Video by Traci Walter
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February 10
After hearing about the whales near Lopez Island from the Washington State Ferry report, several of us heading out on the Western Explorer to look for them. We intercepted them in San Juan Channel right outside of Friday Harbor around 12. They were spread out in 3-4 groups heading north. From oil slicks in the water it was clear they made several kills. When all the groups converged near Jones Island, there was a lot of surface activity and they killed at least one harbor porpoise. Dave Ellifrit identified the whales present as the T100s, T886As, T124s, and T124As. We left them at about 1:30.
I went straight over to Snug Harbor where I jumped on my boat with a few friends. After getting an update from Jim Maya, we found the whales again northwest of Battleship Island heading north at about 2:45. The T100s were several miles further north, with all the others in one large traveling group. We left them on the Canadian side of Haro aiming for Moresby at about 3:30.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island
February 10
 | A big transient spyhop with gulls circling overhead, from yesterday in San Juan Channel. The whales made at least four kills while we were there (harbor seals and harbor porpoise), and the gulls were not shy about getting their share!
Photo by Monika Wieland
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February 10
 | I'm not that skilled at identifying transients, but I'm enjoying the challenge of pouring over the ID guide this afternoon. They're certainly putting me to the test, as for much of the day yesterday they were all mixed up! Here's T86A, T124D, and T124D1.
Photo by Monika Wieland |
February 10
Thanks to Ivan Reiff of Western Prince Adventures for passing on a sighting of killer whales near Friday Harbour mid day. We were able to catch up with the T100's, T086A's and the 124's near Moresby Island late afternoon.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
February 10
 | T124's and 086A's north bound at Moresby Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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February 10
 | T100's west bound in Satellite Channel near Saltspring Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales |
February 10
5:35 - Dave Ellifrit called after traveling with 21 transients, 6 T100's, 3 T86A's, and 12 T124's. The encounter began about 1:30 in Upright Channel (between Shaw and Lopez islands), up San Juan Channel, out Spieden Channel, across Haro Strait and north to Moresby Island by 5 pm. In Haro Strait the group split into two groups: the T100s, now up to six members with a new calf, in one group that continued heading west, and the T124s and T86As, 15 in all, who were heading north to Moresby Island when the encounter ended.
February 10
Juvenile T100F was first documented in Blackfish Sound by @M.E.R.S. in October.
Simon Pidcock
February 10
2 pm - Multiple groups of Ts Speiden channel heading northwest/west (?): T86As, T100s, T124s, T124As.
Heather MacIntyre
February 10
FINALLY! My first Orca encounter of 2015. A Big ole' transient superpod! Roughly 17 Killer Whales (turned out to be 21), doing what they do.. Killing things! At least one harbor seal and at least one Harbor Porpoise. Today started with the Washington State Ferry reporting 10 orcas by Thatcher Pass west bound from the ferry. I alerted a friend, on the off chance we would get to go out and see them. We waited and got another update that they were still coming toward San Juan Island. So, away we go! Turns out there were many groups of Transient Killer Whales. They were spread in 3 groups across San Juan Channel and then eventually started zig zagging with many of the group coming together and killing a Harbor Porpoise near Jones Island. They also made a few other kills in the channel as well as oil slicks were seen and the gulls had a bounty.
Traci Walter
February 10
 | | Photo by Traci Walter |
February 10
 | Synchronized swimming, orca style. I had an amazing afternoon with a group of nearly 20 transient orcas! There will be many photos to share from this encounter, but for starter's here's one from San Juan Channel.
Photo by Monika Wieland, Orca Watcher Photography
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February 10
11:30 - Maia called again to report orcas in San Juan Channel near Cape George.
11 am - Maia called again with a report from the ferry Yakima of 8-10 orcas still heading west in Upright Channel, between Shaw and Lopez islands.
10 am - Maia of WA State Ferries called with a report of about ten orcas heading west, just west of Thatcher Pass, on the west side of Rosario Strait, on the Anacortes to Friday Harbor ferry route.
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Coastal orcas
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February 11
We flew yesterday and saw a minimum of 8-10 orcas offshore of Copalis Rocks (SW Washington coast) about 1 miles at Latitude 47.14653 N. and Longitude 124.24760. Scattered so there may have been more. Two large bulls with female in one group being quite active on the surface. Others scattered around a crab boat.
Steven Jeffries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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February 7
We are very excited to announce two new transient calves to the West coast community. T100F and T085D. We were sent images of T085D of February 7th from colleague Howie Tom of the Whale Centre in Tofino BC.
Josh McInnes, The Transient Killer Whale Research Project
February 7
 | T085 and new calf T085D.
Photo by Howie Tom |
February 7
 | | Photo by Howie Tom |
February 7
 | | Photo by Howie Tom |
February 7
 | | Photo by Howie Tom |
February 7
 | Photo by Howie Tom
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Humpbacks
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February 10
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5:20pm - The Humpback Whale passing our place again heading south - an awesome sight! 5th time spotting one (could be the same?) over the last week.
From Edmonds, a mile north of the Edmonds ferry terminal, looking out over the Puget - with the Kitsap Peninsula in the background (view of a couple miles north of Kingston).
Photo by Stu Davidson Photography
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February 10
Hood Canal Humpback still here! I saw it this morning at about 9:15 passing by Maple Beach in Seabeck heading south. Traveling slowly a few breaths, long dive, then gone.
Neighbor also saw it Friday Feb. 6th. No more details. Heard this second hand from another neighbor. Was hoping it had heading out of the canal but looks like that is not the case.
Kathy Cole
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February 7
At 2pm this past Saturday, we watched a whale breach a half dozen times south of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry run. I know there were sightings of a Humpback around there, but this seemed smaller... Has anybody reported a Minke around?
Jim Newberry
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February 6
4:55 pm - just offshore in North Edmonds heading south looks to be a humpback whale.
Stu Davidson
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Gray whale
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February 6
KIRO is reporting a gray whale in the Foss Waterway/Tacoma, spotted by helicopter.
Facebook VIDEO LINK.
Tami Rainmom
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Pacific white-sided dolphin
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February 11
Pacific White Sided Dolphin swimming next to my brother's boat in Tacoma this morning. We were fishing off Pt. Defiance for late winter blackmouth.
Trestin Lauricella shared Tracy Lauricella's facebook video.
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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.
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