11:16 p.m. -  still hearing vocals, more distant and less frequent.
10:51 p.m. - SRKWs vocalizing on OrcaSound...very echoey. Awesome
Alisa, ON

5:08 p.m. - Orca moving in! Just heard the first call.
Katy Rudolph

Most of the SRKWs just south of Sandheads. We spent quite a bit of time near L122, and it seems he likes hitching a ride on mom's head (or anyone else who will take him!). Then he had this one exuberant surfacing where he was squirting some water out of his mouth.
Andy Scheffler

Close up L122 resting atop mom L91. Photo by Andy Scheffler, October 4, 2015

L122 atop his mom L91 Photo by Andy Scheffler, October 4, 2015

L122 surfacing with a mouthful of water... Photo by Andy Scheffler, October 4, 2015

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Just when I think life as a biologist, educator, and photographer can't get any better, this happens: J, K, and L Pod in Active Pass, BC tonight. From back to front - J40 Suttles, J14 Samish, J37 Hy'shqa, and J2 Granny about to surface. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 3, 2015

Little J52 definitely has grown! He's totally white now which means his blubber layer has thickened. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 3, 2015

Even though I missed the triple syphop shot for a photo of another breaching orca, I'll settle for one and a half. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 3, 2015

We don't call them urban whales for nothing! L86 Surprise is in the foreground, while another pod member breaches right next to her as they exit Active Pass. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 3, 2015

L54 Ino passing the southern end of Lopez Island on Saturday afternoon. Photo by James Gresham, October 3, 2015

L88 Wave Walker living up to his name in the swells rolling up Rosario Strait in Saturday's wind. Photo by James Gresham, October 3, 2015

L84 Nyssa in Rosario Strait. Photo by James Gresham, October 3, 2015

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We went up to Sooke B.C. as a superpod was reported, when we arrived, the fog was so thick we could barely see anything! When out of the fog we were surrounded by appx. 10 resident orcas, most of which looked like L's including the two L babies!...
Janine Harles

L25 Ocean Sun - Sooke, B.C. Photo by Janine Harles, October 1, 2015 (ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, marine naturalist, ON volunteer)

 

L pod whale - Sooke, B.C. Photo by Janine Harles, October 1, 2015

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3:35 p.m. - Good day. My husband and I were heading towards Sucia Island, Sept. 30. About 1 mile south of Matia Island we noticed several boats stopped, so we slowed down and lo and behold we saw a pod of orcas heading north and two going south. This was my first siting while on our own boat. Loved seeing a little one following its Mama...
Susan Waters

Southern Residents traveling through the San Juans from the north. Photo by Susan Waters, September 30, 2015

 

5:30 p.m. -  Seeing the Ts heading north in Rosario along the Blakely Island shoreline. 15-20 animals.
5:00 p.m. - Northbound in Rosario past Washington park now. Aiming for Thatcher Pass it looks like.
Sara Hysong-Shimazu

Transient Killer Whales (including the T100s, T101s, T124s, and T124As) were seen swimming north through Saratoga Passage and Skagit Bay. They later exited through Deception Pass, swimming under the bridge in the late afternoon and then heading north in Rosario Strait. Video by Sara Hyagon-Shimazu  October 5, 2015

Saw quite a few, like 10 or more, on the 4:15 return ferry to Anacortes from San Juan and Lopez today.
Shelly Turner Grebeck

4:00 p.m. - Orca's at Deception Pass. 12 boats fishing the hole for silvers had a very special treat today,  6-10 orcas traveling thru...stayed close together. Took 5 minutes to get from bridge pass to Deception Island, they were going with ebb tide.
Greg Cormier

I saw a pod of approximately 7 Orcas (including at least one male) swimming west through Deception Pass about 3:15 pm.
David Stamey

Scenes from today as we followed transients from the south end of Whidbey all the way up the east side and out through Deception Pass, then they headed north in Rosario passing Washington Park. ID'd as T100s, T101s, T124s, and T124As
Rachel Haight

3:05 p.m. - whales are westbound going to come out under Deception Pass soon!!! Photo by Rachel Haight, October 5, 2015

Several Transient pods westbound in Deception Pass approaching the bridge. Photo by Rachel Haight, October 5, 2015

Photo by Rachel Haight, October 5, 2015

approx. 2:15 p.m. - I saw several Orcas off of Ala Spit and Dugualla Bay, Whidbey. They were heading towards Deception Pass. Photo by Christine McEwan, October 5, 2015

L to R: T124D1, T124D, and T100B Quite a few Transients in Saratoga Passage today, heading north towards Deception Pass - around 2 pm. Photo by Jill Hein, October 5, 2015 (IDs by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

T102 (born 1984) Photo by Jill Hein, October 5, 2015

Photo by Jill Hein, October 5, 2015

T124D & T124D1 Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, October 5, 2015 (All photos taken with a 400mm lens and cropped)

T124D spyhop Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, October 5, 2015

T102 Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, October 5, 2015

1:33 p.m. - Heading back towards Skagit bay. Made a harbor seal kill
1:10 p.m. - They just turned around... At least ten whales will have IDS later.
Sara Hysong-Shimazu

12:13 p.m. - 2 orcas at the north end of Saratoga Passage moving toward Skagit Bay quickly.
Dana Brooks

12:35 p.m. - Just left T101's entering Skagit Bay.
11:56 a.m. update: Three groups of T's still heading north just south of Penn Cove.
Renee Beitzel, Chilkat

11:45 p.m. - they are in three groups. One group close to shore by Camano near Rockaway Beach. Another group further to the south and more mid channel, with the third group a little further south mid channel. Still appear to be northbound. JUST SPOTTED: 4th group on Whidbey side.
Rachel Haight

11:30 a.m. - Another report of the Transient orcas from Connie Barrett of Camano Island, reporting watching 4 different groups of orcas north of Camano Island State Park, traveling north at a fast pace.

10:54 a.m. - They are moving FAST! A group is mid channel north of Fox spit. Other group further south and closer to Camano. Still continuing north. Moving to next spot....
10:45 a.m. - Caught my first glimpse. Appear to be angling more NW. Relocating to Fox Spit now in case they cut close that way.
Rachel Haight

10:05 a.m - Just now! Orcas in Saratoga Passage heading north. Just passed me at Pebble Beach. More than ten at least! Photo by Sarah Malmstead, October 5, 2015

7:56 a.m. - Still going north past Glendale (Whidbey) mid channel now.
7:30 a.m. - 4 orcas passing Possession Point boat launch heading north close to shore.
Deception Pass Tours

7:28 a.m. - 2 adult Orcas on Possession Bar. Then went east towards Shipwreck. (Lynnwood)
Jason R Bourne

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Last seen still heading south from Three Tree Point at 7:00pm
Kelly Kennan

6:50 p.m. - Moved over to south side of Three Tree Pt., watched at least 6 more this side of mid channel. Still southbound when I left at 7:15.
6:45 - 2 surfaced 75 Feet from shore right in front of us!!!
6:40 p.m.  From north beach at Three tree Point, Burien watching 4 orcas come right towards us. Neighbors say more on south side the past hour.
Alisa, ON

Super close pass (approx. 75 feet from shore) by Transients, believed to be the T101s at sunset. This group took a super close line all the way down Puget Sound from Edmonds pier to Three Tree Point, Burien. Many people along the way were so pleased to see orcas swimming by as they enjoyed such a gorgeous October day in Puget Sound. I am very appreciative to have planted myself at Three Tree Point before their arrival. Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON  October 4, 2015

6:12 p.m. - I'm waiting for Fauntleroy ferry now. The 3 on the east side passed by 20 minutes ago. I can still see the group that's closer to Vashon trending south. From my point of view it looks like they're under the 3 radio towers.
Jessica Pagan

Orcas off Seola Beach south of Fauntleroy ferry Sunday night about 6pm. Photo by Sue Spezza, October 4, 2015

6:00 p.m. - Two groups of 2 each swam past the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal tonight around 6 pm.
David Burns

5:53 p.m. - They are right behind Vashon ferry. Ferry has stopped
Tanya Jackson Esparza


5:51 p.m. - 2 at Lincoln Park close to shore nearing Fauntleroy more behind a little further from shore
Neil Hathi

5:50 p.m. - 2 orcas spotted traveling south just off Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Cathy Takayoshi

5:43 p.m. - I caught a brief glimpse of them just now well south of Alki.
Steve Smith

5:21 p.m. -  some Orcas off Beach Drive heading south heading towards Lincoln Park.
Dana Sheppard

5:20 p.m. - Several orcas west side of West Seattle heading south by Lincoln park. At least one large male.
Jill Hadji


5:00 p.m. -  Orcas just off of Alki seeing blows watching from Bainbridge.
Brittany Gordon

4:54 p.m. - one group south of Alki, second group south end of Elliot Bay. Too far east to see much except blows from Bainbridge.
4:14 p.m. - just watched two groups past West Point headed south. East side of mid channel as seen from Rolling Bay.
Connie Bickerton

4:00 p.m. -  Amy and I are now at Golden Gardens, we just watched probably the same 2-3 males and one female pass just outside the green buoy. And watching a couple groups spread out south end of Shilshole approaching West point.
Alisa, ON

Around 4:00 p.m. - We saw 3 orcas headed south as we returned to Shilshole. So cool!
Greta Knappenberger

3:50 p.m. - 4 orcas off of north side of Discovery park.
Jill Hadji

Approx 2:25 p.m. -Amy Carey and I watched at least a dozen orcas in two groups out from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Lead group of 6-7 were south of Jefferson Head mid channel with the other group of another 5-7 spread out on either side of mid channel just north of yellow mid channel buoy between Point Wells and Presidents Point. With reports of a few more whales still to the north, passing Edmonds close to shore we dropped down to Kayu Kayu Ac park (north Richmond Beach, just south of Point Wells) at approx 2:40 p.m. just in time to catch sight of 2 large males and at least one female very close to shore, just clearing the end of the dock at Point Wells, Woodway.  I think we have at least 15 whales! All southbound.
Alisa, ON
2:37 p.m. - orcas passed Edmonds Marina beach and approaching Richmond Beach now.
Michelle Goll

2:22 p.m. -  couple Orcas heading right towards parked ferry terminal Edmonds
2:17 p.m. -  a couple orcas heading towards Sunset (Edmonds) Just a little north west of Sunset getting closer to Edmonds side. Close enough to Edmonds that you shouldn't have needed binoculars!
Stu Davidson

2:19 p.m. - seeing orcas from Jefferson Point traveling south with a sailboat that has blue on it.
Brittany Gordon

2:25 p.m. -  two or three orcas approaching Marina Beach a few hundred yards off of Edmonds.
2:10 p.m. -  two or three orcas just west of the Edmonds ferry terminal, heading south.
Sherman Page

2:10 p.m. - We have been watching them from the Kingston ferry lookout for the last 1/2 hour. Still heading south!
Wendy Haskins

1:56 p.m. - one group south of Point Wells, lone male north of Edmonds. All heading south.
1:48 p.m. - southbound mid channel at ferry lanes
1:44 p.m. - just spotted orcas north of Kingston, no clear direction of travel.
Connie Bickerton

1:24 p.m. - WOW.. Now I see the Orcas!! Heading south just south east of Pt no Pt. Close to shipping lanes, several!
Stu Davidson

1:00 p.m. - We just saw what looked to be about 10 orcas...They just passed Eglon heading south. Beautiful!
Kelly Griebel

12:35 p.m. - They are mulling about together, tail slaps and a few breaches due east of Point No Point still. Mid channel.
Jen Walters

12:43 p.m. - south of Whidbey, many breaches and splashing!
11:54 a.m. - Looks like they are in Mutiny Bay.
Elyse Sollitto

Lots of happy breaching T's today! Such Magnificent Creatures. My heart skips a beat every time I see them! Photo by Elyse Sollitto, October 4, 2015

Family -What a beautiful morning sight!  Photo by Elyse Sollitto, October 4, 2015

Photo by Elyse Sollitto, October 4, 2015

11:45 a.m. - Mutiny Bay side about 15 minutes ago, heading south. Very close to shore.
Kathy Hitzmann

11:38 am- Orcas mid channel off Foulweather heading east, mid channel look to be heading towards Double Bluff, Whidbey.
Jen Matchem

11:29 a.m. - Yipee, I got me some orca healing this morning, saw them from the Mutiny Bay boat launch as a few were at the north side of Double Bluff Pt where it meets south side of Mutiny Bay. More were mid channel and heading towards Kitsap side. My lucky day.
Marilyn Armbruster

11:25 a.m. - I see them! Just outside Mutiny Bay, also think I saw humpbacks beyond, closer to Kitsap side.
Kristin Kreifels

11:20 a.m. - ...Saw a pod of at least five orcas(?) going south towards Bush Point.
Joye Merry Johnson

11:10 a.m. - Still headed south mid channel just past Mutiny Bay.
Sam Christine

11:10 - Seems to be two or three more orcas now off Mutiny Bay heading south.
10:45 - just saw four orcas, look like Transients, heading south mid-channel, between Mutiny Bay and Foulweather Bluff, Admiralty Inlet.
Howard, ON

One of the Transients. Watching from a distance on a bluff south of Bush Point. Photo by Susan Berta, ON, October 4, 2015

10:48 a.m.  - Claudia Mitchell reports orcas between Lagoon Point and Bush Point 1/4 mile off the beach among the salmon fishers.

10:35 a.m. - South bound orcas,  group of 4 close to Whidbey side.
Jan Bell

10:32 a.m. - Orca just moved past Bush Point headed south. Look like Three. Mid-channel. Spy hops and thrashing.
Patrick Scott

Around 10:30 a.m. -...we spotted a single humpback ...We live on east side of Marrowstone Island...Shortly after that we also spotted a pod or two of orcas east of the shipping channel. We could view them best with binoculars. At least six were sighted heading south.
Patricia Ives

Look what popped up next to the boat while coho fishing off Lagoon Point today! Photo by Jeffery Rang, October 4, 2015

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Transient Killer Whales in Sooke Harbour & Basin tonight, T11A Rainy & T11 Wakana hunting and exploring the inner harbour and basin. This is a rare, wonderful, special day! Sooke Basin to the end of Whiffin Spit. WOW! Photo by Paul Pudwell, October 3, 2015

Photo by Paul Pudwell, October 3, 2015

Photo by Paul Pudwell, October 3, 2015

 

This is the fin whale that's been hanging around south of Lopez Island for the past few weeks. I finally saw it today. Fin whales are the 2nd largest animal on earth behind the blue whale. This is the first time a fin has been seen in this area for at least 10 yrs. I've heard contradicting things about it and have been wanting to get a look. Fins are seen routinely in Southern Ca. and I've seen many. They are also an animal we had to know to complete naturalist training in Ca. Although they can reach 75-80 feet in length I would estimate this animal at 50-55 feet. Either a sub-adult or just a smallish adult. It appears to be healthy and was behaving normally, maintaining a rhythmic sequence of 8 minute long dives with 3 breaths on the surface in between. Based on the bowel movement it had while we watched it seems to be feeding just fine. The whale has penella balaenopterae pits but so far I have not seen any penella remaining attached. They are a warm water parasitic copepod and would likely detach in the cold water here. Good to see this whale. I hope it hangs around for awhile. The common murres on the other side of the whale are about 1 foot long and give some size perspective.
James Grehsam

Fin whale, south of Lopez Island. Photo by James Gresham, October 3, 2015

 

2:00 p.m. - There were two humpback around Point no Point, until approx. 2pm.
Annemarie Vosselman

9:45 a.m. - 2 humpback a near POINT NO POINT playing in front of our house all morning so far. We face Whidbey Island looking north and they are straight out from our property on Twin Spits Rd, Hansville.
Paula Merilian Bingham

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4:53 p.m. -  whale blows on Kitsap side shipping lanes - south of Point No Point... looked to be northerly, then did a deep dive southerly. Humpback is east of the shipping lanes.
Stu Davidson

Humpback sighted about 2:45 pm between Kingston and Point No Point, about 100 yards off Kitsap side. Headed North.
Beverly Steinman

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4:15 p.m. - 2 humpbacks today 2 mile south of Scatchet Head. One larger, one smaller. Milling about feeding in all directions, with lots of bird companions.
Eric Jolley

3:50 p.m. - Just saw a single humpback at Point No Point. Came up twice. Not sure where it is at now.
Patty Hahn

Kitsap Orca watch received a report from Michelle Chambers and Jen Walters of 4 humpbacks off Eglon, Kitsap side at 1:24 today.

1:19 p.m. -Humpback again heading northerly still east of PNP.
1:14 p.m. - Been watching (from north Edmonds) only seen the Humpback in the area of PNP
12:30 p.m. - The humpback has moved a bit south, still mid channel east of the shipping lanes. Line of sight from Bracket's Landing North/Sunset Ave N would be halfway between Double Bluff and Point No Point (PNP), but closer to Edmonds.
Stu Davidson

1:00 p.m. - I see two humpbacks, one just east of PNP and another further east south of Scatchet Head.
Shreman Page

12:25 p.m. - Humpback sighting, Slowly traveling. 3-4 blows then dive. Returning to surface every 5 minutes. Belle Chain Islets, in the Strait of Geogia off Samuel Island.
Doug and Leslie Peers

11:50 a.m. - Watching from Sunset Ave in Edmonds. Just saw one humpback dorsal that from my line of sight would appear to be near Point No Point? Also saw one a bit more towards Whidbey (Scatchet Head)
Amy Carey

11:30 a.m. -  Another humpback 3 miles NW of Edmonds, 3 miles south of Scatchet Head, east of the shipping lanes in among the small craft and a mass of sea birds. From the Bracket's Landing North area of Edmonds, it is line of sight with Double Bluff.
Stu Davidson

11:09 a.m. -  (Humpback) Going south toward Bush Point on Whidbey.
Joyce Merry Johnson

Around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 4, we spotted a single humpback moving south west of the shipping channel. We followed the spout and then to our surprise, he breeched. What a sight for our visiting friends. We live on east side of Marrowstone Island. The breech took place heading south just before East Beach Park. Shortly after that we also spotted a pod or two of orcas east of the shipping channel. We could view them best with binoculars. At least six were sighted heading south.
Patricia Ives

10:32 a.m. - big humpback breach between Foulweather Bluff and Mutiny Bay.
10:20 a.m. - Large humpback going south one mile south of Bush Point, Whidbey Island. Mid channel.
Howard, ON

9:00 & 10:00 a.m. - We saw them too. Traveling north from Edmonds to Everett about 9:00 am. First I saw two, then an hour later (around 10am) saw 2 or 3 more in same area heading north from Edmonds toward Everett, then one of them veered off to the west toward Point No Point. He stopped to feed and dove down and showed us his tail. He was swimming in different directions before heading toward Whidbey and then west again. It was the coolest sight I'd ever seen!
Wendy Nelson

8:00 a.m. - 2 humpbacks near Eglon boat launch. Feeding and seem to be traveling south.
Grace Bowser