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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  

In This Issue
Southern Residents
Transients/Bigg's whales
Coastal orcas
Humpback whales
Minke whales
Gray whales
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June 20, 2015
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Orca Network recommends:
Puget Sound Whales for Sale: The Fight to End Orca Hunting, by
Sandra Pollard
This important volume recounts the people whose determined efforts ultimately succeeded in ending the captures.

_______________

The Lost Whale, by
Michael Parfit and
Suzanne Chisolm
  An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.  

Lost Whale book...ver scaled

______________

 

To learn more  

about orcas: 

Orcas in Our Midst, volume 3, by Howard Garrett

Orcas in Our Midst,

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

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to order YOUR copy!

_________________

 

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

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June 11, 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.
We have Transients in south Puget Sound for the 8th consecutive day, and K pod made their first appearance this year today along the west side and north of San Juan Island.

K pod has arrived in Haro Strait and joined up with J pod heading into Swanson Channel to Active Pass. Their mewling calls were first heard on the Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones around 7am until after noon today.

A small group of Transients continued patrolling south Puget Sound today, while others were seen near the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane about 3:30, and were seen near Seattle north of the Bainbridge ferry lane around 5 pm .and in Rich Passage at the end of the day.

We also have some unusual coastal orca reports, and a gray whale seems to have found its way into Dyes Inlet Wednesday, and was in Sinclair Inlet this morning. It was apparently heading north close to shore between Eglon and Point No Point this afternoon.

We thank you for your reports and photos.

Orca Network 

Photo of the Day
June 11 
J pod passes close to the rocky shore of Active Pass.
Photo by Karoline Cullen 
Southern Residents  
June 11

6:45pm Got some good close ups of J-Pod passing our place on Galiano Island this evening. I got sprayed in the face from their blows twice while shooting the video they were so close! Saw at least two of the babies, one can be seen quite early and close up in the video. Some good underwater views as well as a few were looking for rock fish in the bull kelp along the bluff shoreline. - Orca in Active Pass filmed from Galiano Island Video by Gary Cullen 

 

June 11 

J and K pods head north up Active Pass.
Photo by Karoline Cullen
 

June 11  

Photo by Karoline Cullen
 

June 11

Photo by Karoline Cullen
 
June 11

6:20 - Eileen Solomon reports 8-10 orcas very spread out, heading NW past Mayne Island toward Active Pass.

 

June 11

Yep, K Pod was here, at Lime Kiln! All of them!

James Taylor

 

June 11

7:15 AM - Heard some faint resident orca vocals on the Lime Kiln hydrophones.

Monika Wieland

 

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

 

June 10

9:05 pm - spotted 3 Orcas heading north in Carr Inlet. Probably north of Kopachuck State Park by now.

Sarah Richey Guenther

 

June 10

4:23 - Small pod just south of Lime Kiln State Park right now. Appears to be fewer than five whales.

Jessie Hunter

 

June 10

Hearing calls on Lime Kiln (beneath the current giant ship noise). Began at 3:15 PM.

Justis McLaren

 

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

 

June 9

11:35: Hearing them on Orcasound now.

11:14 am: Activity on Lime Kiln.

Jill Clogston

 

June 9

it was so sweet to see J51 socializing with some other youngsters (J47 and J46) today in Rosario Strait. They were rolling around and over each other. It was beyond sweet to watch.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu 
 

June 9

Tsuchi (J31), Lapis (L103), Nugget (L55), and the tip of Oreo's (J22) dorsal fin.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu
 
June 9
I love Tsuchi's (J31) cheek markings. heart emoticon Beautiful girl.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu

June 9
Tsuchi (J31) spyhops while socializing with some L-pod whales and other members of J-pod.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu 


June 9
J-Pod and part of L-Pod in Haro Strait.
Photo by Monika Wieland

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

June 8

We enjoyed a spectacular evening with J-Pod and part of L-Pod in Haro Strait. The whales were in a roly-poly mood, and it was fun to watch! Here's a few of them in front of Mt. Baker.
Photo by Monika Wieland 
 

 June 8 

J27 Blackberry and L95 Nigel in Haro Strait.

Photo by Monika Wieland

 

June 8

We had another amazing trip today - whales reported out by Cypress Island, so close to home! What a great surprise to find J-Pod almost in our back yard. We had some wonderful views of them before heading south towards James Island where we found 2 Humpback whales, wow! Our passengers then had a choice - and voted to head back north to see J-pod for another short look, our special treat for doing so was a TRIPLE spyhop from members of J-pod!

We continued north to Peapod Rocks to check out eagles and harbor seals, and still had time for a leisurely trip back to port. A truly spectacular day with whales and beautiful weather.

Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

  

June 8

J-28 Polaris, J-27 Blackberry and group.
Photo by Jill Hein
 

June 8

A TRIPLE spyhop!!
Photo by Jill Hein
 

June 8 

J pod and some Ls mingle in Rosario Strait.
Photo by Jill Hein 

   

June 8

9:47 am - Maia of WSF called to report 10 orcas in the middle of Rosario Strait, feeding, possibly northbound.

 

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

 

June 7

Some whales came through Active Pass about 1:45 this afternoon.

Mary Greenwood

Bigg's/Transient orcas 
June 11
9:15pm - Small pod of four orcas swimming southwest in Eld Inlet, spotted by Colin and Anders from Flapjack Point, Steamboat Island. Three mature, one small calf. Three skinny tall and pointed fins, one shorter rounded fin. Rainbow sunset all around, a beautiful and peaceful wild encounter in the south sound. They appeared to be simply enjoying the sunset and the good company of friends.

Anders Rodin


June 11

8:15 - John Miller of WA State Ferries relayed a report of 2 small orcas heading west in Rich Passage toward Sinclair Inlet. 

 

June 11

8:15 - Craig Stenegal saw four orcas in Eld Inlet, one with a gashed up dorsal fin.

June 11

7:50 pm - Saw an Orca breach in southwest Olympia off of Cooper point road.

Jennifer Susalski

 

 

7:00 pm - 3 orcas just south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock- headed south. They seemed to be hugging the shoreline. I didn't see any sign of them on the 705 crossing to Vashon.

Aimee Demarest

My husband just saw a pod off the Bainbridge ferry, hanging out off the east shore of the island.

Chelsea Morgan Ramsey

June 11 

Three or four small orcas (appear female) Colvos Pass, two miles north of Olalla. Observed from 17:35-17:52 transiting slowly northward.

David Reed

 

June 11 

Orcas spotted right in front of Anderson Point in Olalla!

June 11

Two Orcas spotted at 5:05pm on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge ...just outside Eagle Harbor. Milling around ... no direction of travel established.

Tim Cuddy


June 11

Three to four orcas eastbound, seen north of the Bainbridge-bound 4:40 ferry.

Amy Fowler


June 11 

5pm - Fred Michelson called in a report of 2-3 orcas mid-channel traveling west between the south tip of Anderson Island and the Nisqually delta. He said they have been covering the same route almost every afternoon since June 6. He says one male has a distinctive dorsal fin. He writes: "2-3 orcas were in front of our home during late afternoon June 6 and 7 swimming in mid channel between Anderson Island and south shore of the Nisqually reach moving east to west. Watched them for about 30 minutes till they went out of sight to the west heading toward Johnsons Point. The same occurred the next day June 7. Another sighting was made on late morning of June 8 off the southeast tip of Anderson Island and they moved toward the DuPont shoreline and toward the Nisqually Delta but didn't see them again."

8:40 - We believe these are the same whales I reported today from the weekend and this week which I reported earlier today. Now they came again today (it appears 2 and I am thinking one is young) but not a new born. They seem transient because no pod is seen. They are on the same course and same exact spot and heading the same direction. It is as if they like the chances of catching prey so the cycle that brings them back here everyday is productive. It is in the Nisqually Reach from the outer Delta of the Nisqually River Delta traveling east to west past the south shore of Anderson Island toward Johnsons Point or Devils Head. We lose sight of them as they moving westerly about 2-3 miles from where we live on 52d Lane NE Olympia Wa.

 

June 11
3:49 - Chainsaw and crew spotted at Lyle pt Anderson Island.

3:40pm - Orcas off Lyle pt. Anderson island.

Peace Corey

 

June 11

3:30 - Three orcas south of Kingston/Edmonds ferry route, mid channel, behaving like Ts and circling around a possible mammal for dinner. Announced by captain.Dianne Dee Iverson

 

June 11

2:34pm - I'm at Steamers and am spotting Orcas off Fox Island

.Soun Nonthaveth-Moffett

 

June 11  

10:15am - Pod of about 6 in Nisqually.

Miranda Ries

 

June 11

Saw two large orca dorsal fins in Henderson Bay from Purdy Spit at 8:10 am Thursday.  I was driving so can't give any more info than that. I wish I could have stopped and admired them, but work awaited.

Kevin Stroh

 

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

   

June 10

9:05 pm - spotted 3 Orcas heading north in Carr Inlet. Probably north of Kopachuck State Park by now.

Sarah Richey Guenther

 

June 10

5:54 - watched them round the tip of McNeil, heading northwest between Fox and McNeil. Lots of tail slapping, breaching and spy hopping, they don't seem to be in a hurry. They were pretty far for even my 600mm lens, but hopefully someone on Fox can get some lovely shots of their evening!

5:47 - very close to shore at the southern tip of McNeil island, likely traveling between Fox and McNeil.

5:21 - seem to be heading toward the south end of McNeil, with some nice beaches.

5:19 - They are moving slowly north, but still on the north side of Chambers golf course
from my perspective. I have confirmation that they came up the east side of Anderson island around 4pm, and I have 4.

4:58 - from Anderson Island, I have 3-6 Orca in 2 groups on either side of the chambers golf course.

One set near a small stationary boat, the others north of that. Seem to be milling with no direction of travel, or maybe headed slightly north.e of the chambers golf course. One set near a small stationary boat, the others north of that. Seem to be milling with no direction of travel, or maybe headed slightly north.
Belen Bilgic Schneider

 

June 10

3:31 - At least 3 orcas in Nisqually, enjoying there afternoon seal snack. All the crabbers are gone so they are just hanging out not being bothered.

Miranda Ries

 

June 10

1 pm We saw three groups heading west toward Shelton, Hammersly Inlet, about 2 hours apart - never saw them coming back out heading east.

Photo by Jana Walters

 

June 10

12:30 - Family of Orcas sighted traveling north from south end of Harstine Island.

Dianne Ramsey

    

June 10

10:45 - Ts were out there for 3 hours in Budd and Eld Inlet. They played and breached a lot in front of Dana Passage. 

Kristin Boberg Susalski

 

June 10   

11 am - The orcas headed east through Eld Inlet on the south side of Squaxin and Harstine islands.  Then they headed north into Dana Passage and kept going. There were 6.  These image were taken with a long telephoto lens and are cropped.  And, within whale watching/boating guidelines.  

Kim Merriman

 

June 10

Photo by Kim Merriman
 

June 10  

Photo by Kim Merriman
 

June 10  

Photo by Kim Merriman
   

June 10 

Photo by Kim Merriman
 

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

 

June 9

A group of transients were seen near Allen Island. They were ID'ed as the T137s and T046s. Here's T137 and her kiddo, T137D.The Ts grouped up together as they pushed offshore in the late afternoon light. It was striking. I later saw them from shore at Washington Park as they continue north towards Bellingham Channel before I lost sight of them.
Photo by Sara Hysong Shimazu 
 

June 9

There have been four Orcas in Hammersley inlet and Oakland bay at various times of the day, both early morning and mid afternoon.  One has a high straight fin with no markings, one has a high straight fin with a notch in the back side about half way down. The third has a fin that curls over to the left at the tip and appears damaged with a notch at the top. The last has a shorter fin with no markings. First sighting of Orcas here in some time. 

Thomas Pearson

 

June 9

2:15 pm - There are 4 whales in Hammersley Inlet now... most of the day but I have been hesitant to post because we don't want boats getting close. We think 3 adults and 1 baby. 

Penny Walden

 

June 9

2:13 pm - Just saw 3 orcas in Hammersley Inet, Shelton heading to town.

Lori Shipman

 

June 9

11:25 am - John Gore reports seeing four orcas, including two adult males, a female and a juvenile, in Hammersly Inlet at Libby Point.  

 

June 9

8:05 am - Orca Pod fishing south of Herron Island in Case Inlet this morning. Last I saw they were moving west toward Harstine Island.

Photo by Karen Dorans

 

June 9

5 or 6 Orcas this morning (06:00 to 06:45) between Vaughn Bay and Dutchers Cove, Case Inlet. We watched them slowly head south toward the Heron Island ferry dock. Looked to be two adult males, two adult females and a youngster? Amazing!

Jeff and Kim

 

June 9

At 6:15 AM Orcas were sighted on the outgoing tide in front of my house on Hammersley Inlet in Shelton. Saw 4 large whales leaping andt raveling out on the tide. AWESOME!!!

Barbara Hinck

 

June 9

This is one of the orcas that was in Hammersly Inlet today. They were heading in toward Oakland Bay (Shelton) around 5:45 this morning, then came back out around 6:15 or 6:30 then about 6:45, they were going back in again.

Photo by Opal Singer

 

 June 9

5:00am - Three Orcas in Hammersley Inlet this morning! We live about midway between Oakland Bay and Arcadia point. Around 5:00 am my husband woke me to report that Orcas were swimming past our house. They have been back and forth three times now, and were probably hanging out in these waters last night too.

Photo by Rebecca Suhre

 

June 9

T46E and T137A traveling north in Rosario Strait.
(See Center for Whale Research Encounter #42.)
Photo by David Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research


June 9
The Center for Whale Research has posted Encounter #42 - June 9, 2015  

T46's and T137's (T46, T46D, T46E, T46F, T122, T137, T137A, T137B, and T137D)

in Rosario Strait and Bellingham Channel.

 

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

 

June 8

We saw orcas on two different dates. We saw one group of 7 to 9 orcas on the seventh and then the next day on the eighth, both in Eld Inlet.

Photo by Andrew Edwards

 

June 8

T101A from tonight's encounter with the T101's.  They were traveling north through the Strait of Georgia as per their normal routine.
Photo  by Heather MacIntyre
 

June 8

This is one impressive orca! T102 is simply massive! Every time I see him I'm impressed by his size ... Here is the thirty-one year old bull orca with a spyhop just after making a kill in the Strait of Georgia. 
Photo by Heather MacIntyre
 
June 8

7:15 pm - We saw a smalll pod of about five orcas, with one male. Appeared to be hunting off Protection Island, neighbor thinks they are seal hunters, not local pod. 

Paul King

 

June 8

Beautiful Orca seen from our deck on Eld Inlet late afternoon. This pod was heading to the Port of Olympia. We live on Salty Drive off Hunter Point road in the steamboat community.

Photo by Kristin Susalski

 

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

 

June 7

8:00 PM - Baby orca traveling with what looked like three other juveniles. Had seen all seven on Saturday (6th) by Harstine. Photo of calf taken with a telephoto lens by Harstine Island. 

Photo by Dan Beaudoin

   

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

 

June 6

We spotted a pod of at least 8 orcas in Puget Sound around Harstine Island just under the bridge, they were traveling south to Steamboat Island, then turned around and headed back towards the bridge at about 3pm. There were several boats escorting them but keeping their distance.

Jeri Sevier

 

June 6

1:30 PM - Orca Sighting in Pickering Passage. Saw a pod of at least 5 but probably 6 Orcas in Pickering Passage between Harstine Island Bridge and Northern Tip of Squaxin Island this past Saturday. Calmly traveling South intially just to double back 20 minutes later. They were trailed by quite a bunch of boats.

Carsten Eisenbarth

Coastal orcas
June 10

We had a female traveling with 4-5 animals along the backside of Meares Island
(by Tofino BC) then she showed up again, separated from the fleet. The next morning she was on her own with this calf with a still wrinkly and moderately folded fin.
Rod Palm
Principal Investigator
Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society

 

June 10 

Off Meares Island.
Photo by John Forde

June 10
Off Meares Island.
Photo by John Forde

June 10
Still wrinkly calf with moderately folded fin.
Photo by John Forde

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

June 8

A group of Transients was sighted in Newport on Monday, June 8. Unfortunately I didn't get to see them, but several folks around town have reported seeing them swimming up into Yaquina Bay. Here are two posts that I've seen on Facebook, including pictures.
Jim Rice 

 

June 8

Orcas in Yaquina Bay OR, what a #WorldOceansDay treat! They've headed back out to sea, be on the lookout for this crew as they head north and likely visit a few more deep ports and bays along the way!

Photo courtesy of Oregon Marine Reserves

 

June 8

The class from Bend OR staying in our school tonight went on a Marine Discovery Tour today and look what they saw!

Photo courtesy of Newport Intermediate School

Humpbacks
June 9
A mighty cartwheel in Rosario Strait.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu 

 

June 9

I saw a small dorsal fin and heard an exhalation off of Manchester State Park. Is it possible? (We have been having humpback whales showing up periodically in Puget Sound)

Pat Conely Jack

Minke whales
June 7  
 

2:00 pm - On a whale watch tour with my family, and the captain got a report of minkes off of Cattle Point. Went out and spent quite awhile (an hour, maybe?) on the water with at least two minkes.

Photo by Beth Schivitz

Gray whales
June 11   

4:45 - Marilyn Deroy called while watching a whale that sounds like a gray whale heading north close to shore between Eglon and Point No Point.


June 11 

Around 8:15 am. Sinclair Inlet, near Lighthouse point. Spotted a Gray whale, it spouted twice, it's back breaking the water surface on it's second spout. It had no dorsal fin and was a mottled dark gray and whitish color. Heading out toward Rich Passage

Lynn Precht

 

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

 

June 10

The whale is out in the middle between Erlands Point and Tracyton 4:35 pm. I'm out in a 22' Boston Whaler, drifting about 300yards away from him/her (I don't know how to sex a grey whale and it seems rude to poke down there).

Katnip Sun

 

June 10

3:14 - Gray whale update: A caller to our newsroom just now reported that it's in Dyes Inlet, visible from Silverdale Waterfront Park.

Kitsap Sun

 

June 10

2:12pm - So apparently there's a grey whale somewhere in the vicinity of Sinclair inlet. Last report I saw was that it was headed away from Silverdale and somewhere toward either Port Orchard and Gorst, back out toward Seattle. Could have turned around but the people I saw at Evergreen said they didn't see it turn around. 

Matthew Scheer

 

June 10

10:37 - Something breaching under the Warren Ave bridge in Bremerton. Trying to get at better look. At Evergreen Park.

Ann Haines

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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.

 

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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.