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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Photo of the Day
Southern Residents
Bigg's/Transient orcas
Humpback whales
Minke whales
UPCOMING EVENTS:
45th Anniversary Tokitae/Lolita
Orca Capture Commemoration

August 8th
Penn Cove, Coupeville
Event details HERE

~~~~~~~~~
COME VISIT
Orca Network's
LANGLEY WHALE CENTER

Corner of 2nd & Anthes, Langley,
Whidbey Island
~~~
Open Thurs - Sun 11 - 5
Displays, videos, gift shop, lending library
~~~

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


Quick Links

 

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 

Sign up for our 

Whale Sighting  

or Free Lolita

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Click Here to Join
August 3, 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 are listening to Resident orca calls and echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone as the final pieces of this report come together. Yesterday the L12s (which includes calf L121) showed up and spent time off the west side of San Juan Island.  For some lucky humans this was their first encounter with L121. Some of K pod and all of J pod was present as well which meant all four calves were encountered in Haro Strait within a short time frame. Other reports over the past several days had the residents near, and traveling to and from,  the Fraser River and Point Roberts just to the south.

Transient reports have been sparse but we do have a correction to our July 30th report: On his last two encounters with the T37As, Captain Gary Sutton observed, and photographed, an unidentified younger calf traveling with T37A. In our July 30th,  Sara Hysong-Shimazu's photo from the 27th is not T37A3 as was reported, the calf has yet to be ID'd. Janine Harles' photo from July 26th reported as including T37A3 is uncertain at this time. We will update in future reports as IDs are confirmed and calves are sorted out.

In memory of the Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State for marine parks, and for those killed during the captures, and in honor of Tokitae/Lolita, the sole survivor, Orca Network is sponsoring a day of events to commemorate the anniversary of the 1970 Penn Cove Orca Capture this Saturday, August 8th. Click HERE for schedule and details and/or see the Upcoming Events column to the left.

Orca Network 
Photo of the Day
August 2 
J2 Granny breaches this afternoon off the west side of San Juan Island.
Photo by Karin Kratzig Burns, August 2, 2015 
 
Southern Residents     
August 3
7:45-8:55 pm and still going... Loud calls on Lime Kiln. Early calls sound like L pod and now later calls typical of Js and Ks.
Alisa, ON

August 3
7:47 pm - Echolocation on Lime Kiln!
Renee Beitzel

August 3
7:18 pm - start hearing distant vocals on OrcaSound hydrophone.
Alisa, ON

August 3
6:13 pm - Orcas passing San Juan county park, Snug Harbor. Heading north in Haro strait. Group of 3, + possibly baby.
Tami Rainmom

August 3
12:45 pm - L12s off south end, others heading down Haro from Kellett Bluff, some stayed up by Point Roberts
Monika Wieland

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

August 2
7:20-7:50 pm -  hearing SRKW vocals on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Alisa, ON

August 2
7:32 pm -They are still squeaking and one is kind of gruting right now!
6:16 pm - They are on Lime Kiln hydrophone now.
Shellly Shima Cordis

August 2
Day report: Some Js and Ks rocketed down Haro Strait this morning to meet up with other whales off False Bay. This afternoon all of J-Pod, the K12s, K13s, and K14s, and the L12 sub-group headed north past Lime Kiln between 4:15-5:00 PM. Shortly thereafter, the L12s split off and came slowly back south, making little to no progress against the strong flood tide. When I left Lime Kiln at 6:30 PM they were still milling offshore. These Ls used to be such a mainstay on the westside during the summer, but it was my first time seeing them this year! It was great to see them, and to meet little L121 for the first time.
Monika Wieland

August 2
It was great to see the L12s, and to meet little L121 for the first time.
Photo by Monika Wieland, August 2, 2015

August 2
Spirit (L22) spyhopping tonight up near County Park,
she was foraging with her son, Solstice (L89).
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, August 2, 2015

August 2
5:58 pm - Orcas on Orcasound Lab hydrophone now.
Patricia Prochaska

August 2
We had members of all three Southern Resident pods here (J, K, and L), and I was able to see all four new calves all in the same hour! Not only did the L12's return, an independent matrilineal sub-group of L Pod, but all of the orcas were incredibly social. The first thing we witnessed when we got on scene was none other than L41 Mega (the oldest SR male) spring into a full breach- twice! The vocalizations were incredible.
Heather MacIntyre

August 2
L41 Mega born in 1977 breaches off South Beach, San Juan Island.
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, August 2, 2015

August 2
L41 Mega born in 1977, babysitting his sisters calf, L121 off South Beach, SJI
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, August 2, 2015

August 2
L41 Mega in a cartwheel off South Beach, SJI
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, August 2, 2015

August 2
A spectacular afternoon watching & talking whales with my grandson from South Beach & Eagle Cove. I think Granny & all 3 J pod babies were out there this afternoon. (confirmed) From shore, we could see salmon jumping too, hope all the orca ate well! Wonderful, many surface behavoiors, continual sightings from about 1-3:30pm. Treasured memories with my 2 generations. And I encouraged calling the Whitehouse for breaching the 4 lower Snake River dams, to family, friends, visitors!
Caroline Armon

August 2
We encountered members of J11, J16, J17, J22, and J19 matrilines crossing Haro Strait. They were primarily traveling, the hydro was quiet when dropped by the boat. Many spyhops and aerial scans.
Connie Bickerton

August 2
Left to right:  J27 Blackberry, J34 Doublestuff, J28 Polaris, J41 Eclipse is one of the leading dorsals, so I think the baby is J51.
Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 2, 2015
(All photos were taken with a 400mm and cropped)

August 2
J27 Blackberry (left) and unknown someone trailing kelp (right)
Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 2, 2015
(All photos were taken with a 400mm and cropped)

August 2
Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 2, 2015
(All photos were taken with a 400mm and cropped)

August 2
12:26 pm - The Js and Ks flew down. All at False Bay by noon. Literally over 100 boats out with whale watching and fishing.
Monika Wieland

August 2
11:29 am -  Clicks and squeals on Lime Kiln hydrophone and on webcam. Headed south!
Casey Graham

August 2
11:28 am - Just heard them on Lime Kiln hydrophone and saw them on the web camera. Actually still hearing them!
Cindy Murray Lunsford

August 2
Calypso (L94), Cousteau (L113), and a spyhopping L121. Little L121 was very active (just like last time I saw him/her). Lots of tails slaps, spyhops, and even squirting water at mom and sister. It was very cute to watch! Near Eagle Cove, San Juan Island.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, August 2, 2015

August 2
Granny (J2) breached twice in a row this morning while we were on scene.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, August 2, 2015

August 2
11:23 am - Ls reported at Eagle Cove northbound
11:05 am - Whales southbound at Kellett Bluff at 8knots
Barbara Bender

August 2
10:00 am - At Turn Point Stuart Island, orcas heading toward Spieden.
Photo by Sherrie Stahl, August 2, 2015
(See more of Sherrie's photos HERE)

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

August 1
2:21 pm - Hearing and seeing whales on the Lime Kiln hydrophone and webcam right now.
Denise Stubbs

August 1
The only whales I saw were J16 w/ J50, J36 w/ J52, J27 w/ J39. Later found J19's with J28 and J46 and J31 plus one more ? headed south from Land Bank.
Barbara Bender

August 1
The spiritual beauty of Southern Residents in a quiet resting line.
Off Vancouver Island this morning.
Photo by James Gresham, August 1, 2015

August 1
J's and K's off Vancouver Island this morning.
K26 Lobo is leading with J2 Granny behind him.
Photo by James Gresham, August 1, 2015

August 1
J52 zipping across Haro Strait while the whales were inbound Saturday morning.
Photo by James Gresham, August 1, 2015
(Taken with a telephoto and cropped)

August 1
We were out this morning off Oak Bay and saw a large pod of orcas. I believe this was J and K pod traveling together. Big family unit, including a baby. It was just off Oak Bay Marina - they were traveling down from Sooke and headed towards San Juan Island.
Deanna Neumann

August 1
Resident orca near Oak Bay, Victoria BC
Photo by Deanna Neumann, August 1, 2015

August 1
11:04 am- Trial island now 5knts.
Barbara Bender

August 1
9:54 am - Whales inbound from Constance Bank.
Monika Wieland

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

July 31
8:20pm to 8:30pm - From Lime Kiln Lighthouse we got quite a treat. At first two orcas were transiting toward the south many many yards out in Haro Strait. Then coincident with a whale watching boat passing buy, more orcas appeared right in front of the lighthouse. We were treated with about seven orcas passing by toward the south. These ~ 7 orcas were only a "stone's throw" from the shore as they passed by! It looked like at least 2 males with their tall dorsal fins.
Greg Salo

July 31
Southern residents close in shore passing Lime Kiln Lighthouse southbound.
Photo by Greg Salo, July 31, 2015,

July 31
We had the K13s, K14s, J2s, and J19s heading south from Battleship to SJ County Park from 7:15-8:15 PM.
6:06 pm - Whales near Turn Point southbound. I think there are still others off the south end.
Monika Wieland

July 31
A beautiful evening on the water with members of J and K Pods. When we met up with them they were porpoising down Haro Strait - always an impressive sight!
Photo by Monika Wieland, July 31, 2015

July 31
We had over 20 orcas all around our boat jumping and playing in stunning pacific northwest scenery. We must have seen over 50 breaches! I thought your viewers might enjoy my favorite image from the day.  (below)
Aaron Baggenstos

July 31
Breaching resident orca with Mt. Baker.
10 miles south of East Point, Saturna Island in the San Juan Islands.
Photo by Aaron Baggenstos, July 31, 2015

July 31
2:12 pm - Some clicking and squeals on OrcaSound!
Danielle Vance

July 31
11:45 am - Point Roberts Lighthouse Park. Orcas traveling from North to South, including one younger one traveling in between two bigger ones, 8-10 or so in total.  One bull orca, huge fin, traveling farther out from the shore. A couple there said this is the third day in a row that they've seen them traveling south around noon and traveling back north around 7-9 PM.  Hopefully you can zoom in to see them closer!  Very exciting morning!
Jenna Hastings

July 31
Watching pod of orcas from shore at Point Roberts Park.
Photo by Jenna Hastings, July 31, 2015

July 31
10:53 am - Some residents inbound from Trial Is, others southbound from Sand heads by the Fraser River.
Monika Wieland

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

July 30
10:00 PM  - whale blows, several different whales going from False Bay to Eagle Point. Full moon.  Doesn't get much better!
Jenny Stands Wilson

July 30
6:00 pm - One group was spread from False Bay to Eagle a while ago - definitely shuffling. J2's group with some Ks was coming down Rosario.
Monika Wieland

July 30
11:30 am - 10-12 orcas (including 2 adult males) sighted off Lummi and Sinclair Islands...whales observed while sailing over at least a half hour.
Photos taken with telephoto by Gregg Godsey, July 30, 2015

July 30
Photo by Gregg Godsey, July 30, 2015

July 30
Photo by Gregg Godsey, July 30, 2015

Bigg's/Transient orcas      
July 27
"Two groups of transient killer whales made a rare appearance in the Guemes Channel Monday..." Link to Go Anacortes article.
Humpback whales    
July 30
4:40 pm - Large whale in front of my house, surfaced once. Heading north out of Eld Inlet, Olympia. Shallow, faint blow and shallow surface. VERY fast moving. One surface and a deep, long dive. I say humpback.
Kim Merriman
Minke whales    
August 1
12:30 pm - Sighted a whale, about 1 mile south of Camano State Park, Saratoga Passage. I believe it was a minke. Was around 20 feet in length dark back with smallish dorsal fin. Whale was moving fairly fast long distances before resurfacing. First time I have seen a whale like this in this area.
Laurence Petz
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.