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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Southern Residents
Transients/Bigg's whales
Coastal orcas
Humpback whales
Gray whales
Upcoming Events:
JUNE
Orca Awareness
Month
~

FRAGILE WATERS
Screening
June 20, 2015
Grand Illusion
Seattle

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?

Click here  

to order YOUR copy!

_________________

 

  David Kirby  

The bestseller about orcas in captivity

DeathatSeaWorld


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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.

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

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June 14, 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.
Two adult male Transients, T125A and T128, went north up Admiralty Inlet early today, possibly departing south Puget Sound for the first time since at least June 4, but there may still be others down there. Transients were seen all over south Puget Sound and in Haro Strait and elsewhere Saturday. Transients were seen off Harstine Island, Dana Passage and elsewhere in south Puget Sound, and in Haro Strait and elsewhere Saturday.

About 15 members of L pod, including L94 Calypso and her 4-month old L121, headed out toward the Pacific Ocean today, at least as far as Sheringham on Vancouver Island, while J pod and K pod were seen north of San Juan Island.

A couple of humpbacks, including Big Mama, were found in their usual range south of Victoria.

It's rewarding to know so many people are hearing these great reports and seeing such amazing photos, and see that we share these waters with whole communities and populations of whales and dolphins who have been here far longer than we have. Thanks to all.

Orca Network 
Photo of the Day
June 14 
Will this unusual skin coloration on 4-month old calf L121 will fade over the next few weeks or months, or become permanent?
Photo by Connie Bickerton 
Southern Residents  
June 14
10:27pm - Squeals are back on Lime Kiln! Just started, pretty faint.
Danielle Vance

June 14
9:16 -Orcas at Land Bank.
Orca Network

June 14

Today was awesome! I saw a Harbor seal munching on a very large octopus and one bald eagle knocked another into the water! Luckily the other eagle was able to get airborne again, but 2 things I've never seen on the water here! Here's one image from today! We saw Js, Ks, and one of our passengers spotted some transient Killer whales on the way home!

Photo by Traci Walter

June 14
L85 Mystery.
Headed west and encountered L12s, L85, and L25. Whales were very spread out heading west, and we spent time with the trailers.
Photo by Connie Bickerton
 

 June 14 

L94 Calypso and 4-month old L121.
Photo by Connie Bickerton 
 

 June 14 

L94 Calypso and L121.
Photo by Connie Bickerton
 
*****************

June 13
The L12 Matriline. From left to right: L41, L086, L077, L25*, L94.
*L25 Ocean Sun is the presumed mother of Tokitae (also known as Lolita) who was captured in 1970 and now resides at the Miami Seaquarium.
Photo by Michelle Rachel

June 13
L89 Solstice.
Photo by Michelle Rachel

June 13
A close-up on L-121's interesting markings.
Photo by Michelle Rachel


June 13
L121 was tail lobbing like crazy this evening. What a spunky little whale!
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu

June 13
Matia (L77) and Joy (L119).
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu


June 13
L121's unusual color patterns. It's unknown if this will fade with time.
Photo by Rachel Haight

June 13
Baby L121 takes a look around.
Photo by Rachel Haight

June 13
L121 with mom L94.
Photo by Rachel Haight

June 13
L121 taillob.
Photo by Rachel Haight

June 13
L85 after he passed by us.
Photo by Rachel Haight

June 13
8:06 pm - started hearing resident orca vocals on the Lime Kiln hydrophones - word is it's the L12 sub-group.
Monica Wieland
 
Bigg's/Transient orcas 
June 14
T125A and T128 were the two adult males in Admiralty Inlet.  
Sara Hysong-Shimazu

June 14
6:00pm - quick stop at Lagoon Point on way to ferry. Spotted their dorsals and blows Kitsap side mid channel just going in circles...sightline northside Lagoon Pt and south end Fort Flagler.
Was 5:00 before Ed finally saw them again...still out from Lagoon, Kitsap side of mid channel. And now we must leave. Beautiful day on bluffs above Admiralty.
2:50 pm - Ed and I came to Fort Casey for much needed day out...orcas are just hanging out north of Lagoon Point probably fighting the tide says Naturalist Jill Hein aboard Mystic Sea confirms T125s.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

June 14
10:45 - Two adult male Transients heading north in Admiralty Inlet just south of Bush Point, on the Whidbey island side, in the northbound traffic lane.
Howard Garrett

June 14
T128.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 14
T125A.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 14
10:26 - Small group of transients in Admiralty Inlet, trending north south of Bush Point.
Renee Beitzel

June 14
I saw them at 10:20 am in Mutiny Bay, south of Bush Point and Lagoon Point, heading north at a fast lick with no sign of stalling. The tide was then on the turn.
Sandy Pollard

June 14
We saw the T124A's today. The whales were pushing straight into a vicious flood tide off Eastpoint where Boundary Pass meets the Strait of Georgia. At one point the whales turned directly into several whale watching boats requiring a quick stop to give them room. 
  Photo by James Gresham


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

June 13
9:45 pm - Saturday, 2 Orcas just swam by Salmon Beach (between Pt Defiance and the Narrows bridge) heading north, on the east side...simply stunning!
Asher Beckett

June 13
Near Sidney Island, BC...T065 and T123 transients made a kill directly in front of the boat!
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

June 13
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

June 13
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

June 13
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

June 13 - South Sound
Orca in Dana Pasage off Brisco Point, Harstine Island. A group of 4 led by the male Orca. They were not rushing too fast and seemed to be enjoying a calm, north-eastern trip heading toward Key Peninsula. We are enjoying May/June sightings almost every other day going both South & North. So exciting!
PJ Yocum

June 13 - South Sound 
4:20 PM - Just saw between 3 and 4 Orca traveling north through Dana Passage heading towards Johnson's Point, consisting of 2-3 Adults and one juvenile.
Erik Anderson

June 13 - South Sound
3 pm - In the past hour I have sighted an orca whale breaching close to shore in Budd inlet near Cooper point.
Grace Brewer

June 13 - South Sound
2:48 - The Orcas have been in Dana Passage just north of the Boston Harbor Marina for the past couple of hours.  I am dismayed to report boats following along side of them with feet not yards and many boats just speeding toward and around them. I think there needs to be some support in the South Sound area for the whales safety and perhaps more awareness outreach.
Greg Bell

June 13 - South Sound
Saw three of these guys off of Pt. Wilson, Harstine Island. This photo was taken at 10:35 AM. They stuck around for about 15 minutes before continuing south!
Photo by Katie Steinhoff

June 13 - South Sound
I was lucky enough to see what I think were three different pods last weekend off Pickering Rd., across from Harstine Island. Here is one of them.
Video by Maria N Chet Nelson

June 13 - South Sound
12:50 - Now heading north. Slowly. Along the eastern shore. At least 3 males, including T127. Two smaller ones.
12:22 - 4-5 whales currently heading s. past Boston Harbor Marina toward Budd Inlet. Moving very slowly. At least two large males. I was hoping they had headed out and way north of this zoo area.
Kim Merriman

June 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca
8:21 AM - 1 male and at least 2 female Orcas traveling westbound near Ediz Spit (still east of the spit, the Black Ball Ferry was moving towards Victoria. The pod of whales would have been approximately 1/2 mile east of her starboard side.) Winds were CALM in the area of the sighting. The photo was taken from at least 1 mile distance.
Photo by Tony Little


June 13 - Haro Strait
12:25 PM - 3 Orcas mid-channel between San Juan & Vancouver Island. Mid-channel, west of Smugglers Cove on SJI. Some rolling but most traveling. Three whale watch boats maintaining a respectful distance. One moved well within 100 yard limit.
Debra Westwood

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

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
A glorious day with Ts in Admiralty Inlet from the north end of Marrowstone Island to Pt. Wilson at the north end of Admiralty. Several probable predations were followed by exuberant breaches at all angles and tail slaps right side up and up side down and other contortions followed by directional swimming, followed by a disappearing act, rinse and repeat.
Howard Garrett

June 12
A big spyhop off Fort Casey.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 12
One of many breaches, this one with the Fort Casey Lighthouse in the background.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 12
Sometimes the lighting highlights areas to show body contours in new ways.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 12
Ken Balcomb practices his trade - photo-documenting the presence of Resident and Transient orcas - in Admiralty Inlet.
Photo by Howard Garrett

June 12
Old Man House State Park, across Agate Pass from the north tip of Bainbridge Island.
ID'd by Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research as the T65A's.
Photo by Connie Bickerton

June 12
At Old Man House State Park.
Photo by Connie Bickerton

June 12
At Old Man House State Park.
Photo by Connie Bickerton

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
4 pm - Passing Evergreen Park (entrance to Dyes Inlet), headed into Sinclair Inlet.
11:14 am - They are splashing in the middle of Dyes Inlet. Bunch of folks watching and photographing from Tracyton boat launch. No boats anywhere nearby.
Patrick Kerber

June 12 - McNeil Island
Sailing south around the southern tip of McNeil Island (ten miles south of Tacoma) yesterday I sighted two Orcas swimming south alongside our sail boat.
Grace Brewer

June 12 - Juan de fuca Strait
Thanks to Karl and crew of the Island Explorer out of Port Angeles we were able to see U039  patrolling on the inside of the Juan de fuca Strait.
Photo by Mark Malleson

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
I was in my son's small boat in Dyes Inlet today when the Orcas passed us. There were 5, one of them was a baby. It was so cool. Then about 5pm they went past my sister's house between Illahee and Bainbridge Island going toward Brownsville.
Debbie Hinds

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
An amazing day in the NW. We were awoken as the ferry went by the house and we heard the captain announce on the PA that there was a pod of orcas approaching. That's all I needed to fire up my spirit.  I spent the day in bliss following 3 adults and 2 juveniles as they toured the area.
Larry Sagan

June 12
Photo by Larry Sagan

Photo by Larry Sagan

Photo by Larry Sagan

Photo by Larry Sagan

Photo by Larry Sagan

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
3:07 - Have them now directly across from the park.
2:30 - I have them near Tracyton shore from Chico Way.
Elyse Margaret

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
3 pm - Scott called to say the Ts have passed Bush Point heading north at a rapid clip.

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
2:45 - Five transients seen circling a kill in Mutiny Bay, southwest of Whidbey Island.
Morgan Kalani Dipo

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
2 p - Just left Dyes Inlet about 15 min ago maybe more. Boat on their trail too far for identification.
Maria Teresa Gonzalez

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
2:52 pm - They are still in Dyes Inlet. They have been moving around all afternoon and are alternating patterns of being very active and then not so active. They are closer to Erlands Point. Binoculars are necessary. They are closer to two paddle boarders.
2:32 pm - they are in the middle of Dyes Inlet now - between two paddle boarders and a jet ski and two smaller boats.
2:02 pm - at least five orcas off Tracyton in Dyes Inlet, Silverdale. The water is very calm and you should be able to see them quite well from Silverdale Waterfront Park.
1:43 pm - in the middle of Dyes Inlet heading towards Waterfront Park - no boats around!
1:34 pm - still heading towards Chico. Heading away from the shore and more towards Silverdale Waterfront Park.
1:26 pm - heading back towards Chico in Dyes Inlet.
12:25 - They are in the middle of Dyes Inlet!
Diane Russell

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
1:15 - I just saw about 6 orcas from my office window. Dyes Inlet Silverdale /Bremerton.
Maria Teresa Gonzalez

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
12:57 - Across from Tracyton boat ramp on Chico side.
Rachel Caitlin

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
12:20 - They are mid channel in dyes inlet.
Spencer Biggs

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
11:25am - There are at least 9+ in this group, we just left Redhead on scene with them northwest of Point No Point, one baby, two males.
Photo by Janine Harles

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
11 am - Orcas in Kitsap! Saw them in Bremerton moving fast heading toward Silverdale. 4 or 5.
Lori Miska Burt

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
10:35am - We just heard that the orcas have been spotted heading toward Dyes Inlet.
Kitsap Sun

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
At 10:30 a.m. today, saw a pod of four Orcas in Bremerton, traveling north under the Manette bridge. I was standing almost under the bridge on the Manette side.
Barb Horn Hartman

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
10:20 am - Directly in front of the Bremerton Ferry terminal right now!!!
Sara Lyn

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
10:00 AM - 4 orcas seen by foot ferry in Bremerton. Swam toward Port Orchard then turned around and went up Port Washington Narrows.  Looked like maybe 4 Orcas about an hour ago.
Ann Lieseke

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
Per Port Orchard FB page, around 10AM a mama and baby were seen outside slaughter county in Port Orchard. Comments on post say they headed under the manette bridge at 10:30AM.
Brittany Gordon

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
8:53 - T46s and T137s.
Justine Buckmaster

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
This morning in Port Orchard Bay between Bainbridge Island and Illahee State Park in East Bremerton from 8 to 8:30 AM: four Orcas, appeared to be 2 adults and two juveniles, maybe even one of the new babies. Orange spots on lower jaw of baby.........nick in dorsal of adult. Can these be identified?
Bob Jayne
ID'd by Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research as the T65A's.

June 12 - Dyes Inlet
A pod of 5-7 Orcas were sighted at approx 8:30 a.m. in Port Orchard Bay and were last seen moving toward Silverdale via Port Washington Narrows and Dyes Inlet.
Glen Davis

June 12 - Admiralty Inlet
8:38am - at least two large and three small orcas slowly heading north toward Kingston Edmonds area. Victoria clipper still following.
8:26 - at least two orca off President point heading north toward Kingston north of channel marker. Victoria Clipper following.
Joanne Graves

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

June 11
There were orcas off the 4:40 ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge. I wasn't able to discern if they were residents or transients and have seen no reports.
Mary Nieman Meier

June 11
4:25 pm - Saw 5 to 6 orcas traveling north close to shore in Colvos Passage just South of Point Richmond.
Randy Hill
Coastal orcas
Humpbacks
June 14
First Humpback about 30 min out of Port Angeles.
Photo by Connie Bickerton

June 14
Found Big Mama on our way home, about an hour west of Port Angeles.
Photo by Connie Bickerton

June 13
7 pm - A first for us -- seeing a humpback travel eastward through Active Pass.
Photo by Karoline Cullen
Gray whales
June 9 
7pm - Gray whale in Sinclair Inlet. Sighted this approx. 35ft gray whale in Sinclair Inlet off Kitsap Marina and Elandan Gardens near Gorst, WA.
Photo by Ronald Miller  
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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.

 

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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.