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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 24, 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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Southern Residents have not been reported in the Salish Sea for the past few days, but NOAA scientists have been tracking L84 Nyssa and presumably most or all of L pod and possibly K pod as well. The tracks of the research ship the Bell Shimada as shown on MarineTraffic.com show a convoluted path off the coasts of Washington and central Oregon. The route, and the goal of establishing winter habitat use for the endangered Southern Resident orcas, are described in Orca research continues, but will it add critical habitat along the coast? by Christopher Dunagan. As of this evening the Bell Shimada is about 40km (25 miles) NW off the mouth of the Columbia River. The research and policy question before NOAA is whether to add the coastal shelf waters to the inland waters as critical habitat under the ESA. Dunagan reports that: "NOAA announced in today's Federal Register that the agency would consider expanding critical habitat, as allowed by the Endangered Species Act..."
Transients/Biggs killer whales have been very much in evidence around the south end of Whidbey Island and in Penn Cove in recent days, as shown in the sightings and photos below and as portrayed in this charming video by Alisa Lemire Brooks: Bigg's orcas-T46s Saratoga Passage Feb 22, 2015 (HD).
Two or three humpbacks have been reported near Edmonds, off Point Defiance and near Seabec in Hood Canal in the past few days, a possible gray whale was reported off Point No Point today, and a Pacific white-sided dolphin was photographed near Tacoma.
Orca Network |
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Photo of the Day
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February 22 |
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11:04 - Unbelievable! Watching orcas play in Saratoga Passage with Mt Baker in the background. Everybody was enjoying the view.
Photo by Stu Davidson
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Southern Residents
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February 23
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| Here's the latest news from our orca cruise and the latest satellite track of tagged whale L84, courtesy of Dr. Brad Hanson from the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada.
February 23 - As of Friday afternoon (the 20th) we were with the whales heading south off Cape Lookout. The whales continued south on the 21st and at about 1600 that day, near the mouth of the Umpqua River, in central Oregon they abruptly turned north. They continued north on the 22nd, sometimes up to 10 miles offshore. We observed alot of surface active behavior thoroughout the day - lots of spy hops - and at one point we observed numerous whales repeatedly breaching over a several minute period. Like the previous couple of days, we have observed no apparent foraging and with the exception of a several hour period shortly after the breach fest episode they have remained quiet. This morning we are back off Cape Lookout and they are slowing continuing north.
More information at: 2015 Southern Resident Killer Whale Satellite Tagging
Map courtesy of Northwest Fisheries Science Center
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************** February 20
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| Cape Flattery, 3.30 pm. There were two large ones together, we couldn't capture them together.
Photo by Chay Wilkerson Ahmad
Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research identified this orca as L85 Mystery.
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February 20
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| 3.30 pm - Cape Flatery Pod of 4, you can only see 2.
Photo by Chay Wilkerson Ahmad
Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research identified these orcas as L22 Spirit and L89 Solstice.
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February 20
There have been two sightings of killer whales near Neah Bay recently. The first was reported by fishermen to me of a small group (5-10) killer whales on Jan 30 at 9:50 am at Koitlah Point (48 23.19 N, 124 36.02 W). The second sighting was by me on the 20th. I observed a group of 5 killer whales offshore Wa'atch Point (48 20.07N, 124 44.44W) at 4 pm. Attached are the best identification photos I collected. The group was a bit spread out and the lighting made it difficult to get good identification photographs. Jonathan Scordino, Marine Mammal Biologist, Makah Fisheries Management Yes, the two from Jon are L25. February 20
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| Photo by Jonathan Scordino, Marine Mammal Biologist, Makah Fisheries Management
Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research identified this orca as L25 Ocean Sun.
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Transients/Bigg's Whales
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February 24
9:34 - from the bluff south of Bush Point could see they had feasted. Lost them for a few then re-sighted the pod now traveling northbound up Admiralty Inlet, mid channel.
Howard Garrett
February 24
9:07 am - Renee Beitzel just texted from the Victoria Clipper, they are on scene with Transient orcas who are feeding on something just south of Bush Point (Whidbey Island) in Admiralty Inlet. " They were being very elusive. We weren't able to stay there long but when we first spotted them they were heading north then stopped to feed. When we left them they were still feeding. Hope someone else was able to get some eyes on them!" February 24
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| Transient orca in Admiralty Inlet south of Bush Point, with Foulweather Bluff and Hood Canal in the background.
Photo by Renee Beitzel
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February 23
5:50 PM - Just spotted Orca in Penn Cove. 1 possibly 2.
Aspen Bryan
February 23
4:15 pm - Orca in Penn Cove - just saw one Orca by Long Point (east of Coupeville Wharf), Coupeville traveling west down Penn Cove toward the mussel farm.
Eileen Ryan
February 23
2:18 - Nancy Zaretzke called from Greenbank while watching at least three orcas in mid-channel, where they've been for almost an hour.
February 23
2:11 - Looking at at least two orcas off of our home at Pecan Place in Greenbank.
Michael Stilwell
February 23
1:50 - Carolyn Mercer, just north of Greenbank, reports seeing orcas between Whidbey and Camano Island, moving slowly north but mainly just milling.
February 23
1:50 - Sandra reports now they seem to be heading back south.
1:40 - Sandra Pollard called to say the orcas in Saratoga Passage got about as far as Greenbank and have now turned around and are heading north.
February 23
12:55 - I think I see them over toward greenbank heading south. I'm at Camano state park.
Krista Paulino
February 23
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11:49 - My phone camera couldn't keep up, but those black dots are one of the adults and one baby!
11:30 am - Just witnessed a pod of Orcas swimming south in Saratoga passage! At least 2 babies! They just passed by our home in Madrona Beach (opposite Penn Cove)....Awestruck!
Photo by Tracy Stevens |
February 23
11:30 - Just noticed a spout in Saratoga Passage, about one mile west of Madrona Beach...so much closer to Camano then Whidbey Island.
Steve Rothboeck
February 23
11:20 AM - Saw an orca off Madrona Beach area of Camano Island. There may have been more than one.
Ron Nelson
February 23
11:17 am - Just saw two orcas heading south at Madrona beach at Camano!
Wendy Nelson
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February 22
2:05 PM - Spotted approximately 4 Orcas passing Fox Spit in Saratoga Passage between Whidbey Island and Camano.
Jim Lovvorn
February 22
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| | A glorious sunny day with fellow Orcaholics watching transient orcas passing Whidbey Island under snow-capped Mt. Baker
-Sandra Pollard
Photo by Richard Snowberger
Identified by Melisa Pinnow as the T046 family
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February 22
ID'd as the T046s, the first report had this pod of 5 mammal eating type orcas on the south side of the Clinton ferry dock on Whidbey Island. They had killed something and fed in that location for an hour feet from the dock, briefly interrupting ferry travel and leaving many in awe. The pod then headed north at a fairly swift clip, stalling at Sandy Point where they made a second kill and stuck to this location for another hour. They then proceeded northwesterly into Saratoga Passage where 4 grouped up with one adult male trailing about 1/2 mile behind. We watched with a large happy crowd of people in Langley and followed them along as they kept a steady pace up the Passage. Eventually the trailing male caught up and tucked in with his family as they passed us veering towards Camano Island State Park still northbound direction. To learn more about Bigg's (Transient) or Resident Killer Whales please visit:
www.orcanetwork.org
www.whalemuseum.org
www.whaleresearch.com
To listen to underwater hydrophones:
www.orcasound.net
Alisa Lemire Brooks February 22 |
| Photo by Richard Snowberger
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February 22
1:13 - Watched them for almost an hour right in front of our house (just south of the Clinton dock). There were at least four and definitely a baby or very young one with them. They put on quite the show! They headed north after playing near the Clinton dock for an hour or so.
Gwendine Ellis Norton
February 22
1:05 - Sego Jackson reports the orcas are between the Langley marina and Camano Island, slightly more on the Camano side. It's time to ring the Langley Whale Bell.
12:55 - Sego Jackson is at Edgewater bluff seeing the orcas now approaching Langley.
February 22
Whales still heading north, at 12:40 they'd just passed Sandy Point, heading towards Langley.
Jill Hein
February 22
12:51 they are on the move appears northwesterly, 5 orcas!
12:45 update: still off Sandy Pt on a kill, gulls swooping in for scraps.
12:11 from Langley bluff above marina, see them (4 orcas) right off Sandy Point! Milling back and forth.
11:44 from ferry see them between Clinton and Camano Head.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
February 22
Stu Davidson's incredible album of photos from this encounter can be found here:12:04 -They are milling and moving slow.. Northerly between Hat island and south Camano head.
11:38 - They are west of north west of Hat Island.
11:31 - They were so near the dock a little bit ago. They are north of ferry run about mile
11:04 - Unbelievable! Watching orcas play with Mt Baker in the background.
They are still just east of the Clinton ferry dock. Breaching, Head bobs, tail slaps.
Stu Davidson
February 22
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Just east of the Clinton ferry dock. Breaching, Head bobs, tail slaps.
Photo by Stu Davidson
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February 22
February 22
February 22
February 22
11:51 - we are on Brighton beach. They are towards the south point of Camano Island. I cannot tell the direction of travel.
Danielle Pennington
February 22
10:53 - Still milling very close to shore just south of the dock. One large male, possible 2 females and maybe a young one.
10:45 - They are RIGHT at the Clinton dock. Ferries are stalled out waiting for them to leave!
Pam Ren
February 22
10:50 - I'm on the ferry that's just arriving in Clinton and we had an amazing view!
Kristin Kreifels
February 22
10:10 - Maia at WS Ferries relayed a report from the ferry Kittitas that a group of about three orcas are milling near the Clinton ferry dock.
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January 30
6:00 PM - Saw what looked like 4 orcas near the Orcas Island ferry landing. We were on the ferry and the whales appeared very close to the boat as it was docking. They were heading towards Deer Harbor.
Debbi Williams
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Coastal orcas
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February 22
Bob Affinito called at 9:30 am this morning to report seeing two orcas very close to shore, heading north near Albion CA. One was an adult male. They were just south of Salmon Creek and north of Navarro.
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Humpbacks
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February 24
2:45 pm - Just watched a gray whale (possibly a humpback) feeding off Point No Point for about 20 minutes. I left there at about 2:45. Seemed to be heading back south. We had seen it come up along the shore from the south, moving pretty fast until it got to the Point.
Ken Shawcroft
February 24
3:24pm - It's gone. Headed west towards Foul weather bluff.
2:55pm - Huge Grey Whale (possibly a humpback) 20 yards off shore at Point No Point.
Thomas Judd February 24 Talked to someone on the beach that said it was a humpback - looked just like the one that was here last week. Wish I'd seen it. Connie Bickerton ****************
February 23
5:40 we left after watching the HB with a happy crowd of humans. It was surfacing and fluking and keeping to the same general area. 5:12 - It is humpback and she/ he is mostly milling and just now fluked.4:58 - we just spotted a whale (probably the humpback) from Sunset Ave in Edmonds mid channel between us and Possession Point moving southbound.Alisa Lemire Brooks February 23
Just saw it from the Sounder Train! Thanks for posting this! Caleb Thompson February 23
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| 6:00 pm - Same whale (humpback) about half hour before sighting at Sunset .. a bit more when northwest of north Edmonds
Photo by Stu Davidson
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February 23
3:45pm - He's back (again). Humpback off shore of North Edmonds with southerly direction. Probably about 1.5 miles out from Edmonds.8:57am -Direction: back and forth south and north...Currently south And definitely a humpback. White under flukes. Got some shots of repeated deep dives8:20am - whale blows offshore of north northwest of Edmonds and south of Possession Point. Couple blows then a huge bend over deep dive. Watching for a resurface to get possible direction. Likely the humpback. Stu Davidson February 23
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| Saw this guy today around 2 pm right around the Tacoma Narrows Bridge!!
Photo by Laurie Littlefield-Wells
This appears to be a humpback from the tall shape of the blow. Gray whale blows are more V-shaped.
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February 23
7:45 AM - Saw gray or humpback whale this morning about 7:45 off Sunset Beach, just south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in University Place. Spouts and several dives and resurfaces. Heading north. My son said there were white spots on the skin and I thought I saw a distinctive small fin close to the large tail, but hard to tell which whale it was. Definitely not an orca. Brian Nathanson
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Pacific white-sided dolphin
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February 23
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| Pacific White Sided Dolphin
not sure what this guys is? swam right under our boat. Right off of Point Defiance by the Ferry terminal today at about 3pm.
Photo by Laurie Littlefield-Wells |
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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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