A tender moment between J36 Alki and her son J52 Sonic  off of Kellett Bluffs. Photo by Monika Wieland, October 15, 2015

5:45 p.m. - Stunning evening on the water with the J22s, J16s, and a humpback whale! Many photos to follow, including of J50 and J52 being cute. We left J22s and J16s slowly Northbound at Kellett (with a humpback!). We heard there were more south but never saw any others.
Monika Wieland
5:18 p.m. - Now they're only on Lime Kiln. Lots of boat noise.
4:40 p.m. - On Orcasound now.
Renee Beitzel

2:20 p.m. - SRKW calls live on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Alisa, ON

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I haven't seen J2 "Granny" for a while, but here she is! An absolutely GORGEOUS day on the water today! It's October right?!? Beautiful encounter with some Js, Ks, and Ls! Photo by Traci Walter, October 13, 2015 (all photos taken with a 600mm lens and cropped)

The newest orca kiddo to the Southern Residents, L122 with mom L91. He seemed to have lots of energy today! Those are both a gilnet & a purse seiner net in the background. There was lots of fishing going on in the whale's primary forage habitat off the west side of San Juan Island. I am always amazed at how effortless the whales navigate the lay of the nets. Photo by Traci Walter, October 13, 2015

K35 "Sonata" does a half breach with San Juan Island in the background. Photo by Traci Walter, October 13, 2015

J Pod member "kelping". It strung this piece of kelp along for a while!  - Haro Strait - Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 13, 2015

L122 - Newest member of the resident community, he is certainly finding his independence, although he is still quite small. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 13, 2015

1:50 p.m. - watching dorsals and blows of southbound whales on the webcam aimed at Lime Kiln lighthouse.
Alisa, ON
1:37 p.m. - Orcas now visible on the Lime Kiln webcam.
Jann Clare

1:35 p.m. - Faint calls on Lime Kiln, in between the boat noise.
Wayne McFarland

1:30 p.m. - I think members of all three pods- definitely Ks and greater L4s, but thought I saw J19s too. Many waaaay offshore but some closer to Lime Kiln.
Monika Wieland

I got to check in with the youngest member of the Southern Resident Community this afternoon at Lime Kiln - that's L91 Muncher with her calf L122. Unfortunately I didn't get the shot of him doing a big bellyflop! Photo by Monika Wieland, October 13, 2015

1:15 p.m. - 4 orcas (including 1 adult male) observed traveling east between County Park and Lime Kiln. Viewed with a scope from my deck. I do believe there was a baby alongside one of the females but I was too far away to be certain.
Michelline Halliday

11:45 a.m. -  Residents on OrcaSound hydrophone.
Monika Wieland

11:25 a.m. - More than 30 residents southbound feeding at the north end of Haro Strait. From Turn Point to Henry island.
Dianne Dee Iverson

9:53 a.m. - 30 plus residents approaching Turn Point, southbound.
9:27 a.m. - Large group of residents strung out between Saturna and Waldron Islands, 15 plus.
Kimber Owen

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Humpback (left) at westside San Juan Island Land Bank intercepting J pod (right). The little ones did lots of spyhopping after they passed by. Photo by Ariel M. Yseth, September 28, 2015

 

12:32 p.m. - And again, now going west toward Protection Island. We are now off Violet Spit where there's a harbor seal haul out.
11:34 am.m - Changed direction again. Now heading east.
11:14 a.m. - They've just changed and heading west now toward Protection Island.
11:05 a.m. - T49C and T77A heading for Pt. Wilson.
Renee Beitzel, Chilkat

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5:30 p.m. - Pretty sure the transient "twins" T49C and T77A went through Spieden channel around 5:30 PM. I just got home and by the time I saw them around 6 PM they were by Sentinel and seemed to be heading west.
Peggy Mauro

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This is second hand info from my son: 2 possible orcas (large) close to Lagoon Point jetty heading northbound around 6:30 p.m.
Patricia Prochaska

About 5:30 p.m. -  4 orcas traveling north, in front of Windmill Heights. (Freeland, Whidbey Island, north end Mutiny Bay)
Dennis Allen

5:03-5:10 p.m. - This is just to report 2 very, very large orcas just traveled by in front of our house at the top of the north face of Double Bluff, my sighting as they were passing the green navigation buoy to the left (south) heading north towards Bush Point.  They were maintaining a distance of about 400 yards off the shore, surfacing together about every 50 to 100 yards. In no hurry, just slowly/moderately passing along. Time of sighting was 1703 to about 1710 today, 10/15/15. By the time I got the camera and tripod out to record, by the time I had found them on the screen and focused they submerged and did not rise again. The sound of their breathing was clearly heard and caused our two dogs to bark at them.  This did not seem to disturb them in any way; most likely since we are some 85' above the shore and water.
Regards, Michael Moore

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CA173/U031 and CA166/U033 in the Juan de Fuca. Photo by Mark Malleson, October 14, 2015

T49C and T77A, "The Twins", from today near Lummi Rocks. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, October 14, 2015

T49C heading north in Rosario Strait. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, October 14, 2015

1:20 p.m. - spotted 6 adult orca (3 were very large males fin maybe 6 ft) passing the east side of Fox island heading south. They passed within 60 to 80' from shore. I was so close I could have thrown my fish line over there back, wow! They were traveling toward the Nisqually valley.
Edward Kruger

12:30 p.m. - Spotted four transient orcas, two male, female, and calf feeding between Point Defiance and Gig Harbor. We were with a group of 6th graders on a Foss Waterway Seaport educational boat trip. Video by Jim Christensen, October 14, 2015 (Looks like the T101s per Melisa Pinnow)

10:20 AM - Sighting of two Orcas. Spotted two orcas from Gold Beach (Vashon) about mid-channel between Gold Beach and Dash Point State Park. One large dorsal, other smaller, but could not tell from scale if it was male and female or female and juvenile. Heading south slowly and staying down for long periods. One possible male.
Debbie Miller

9:15 a.m. -  Transients in Friday Harbor.
Monika Wieland

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6:30 p.m. - Saw 4 orcas at Fort Worden beach at very tip near lighthouse. (Point Wilson) Looked like they were eating or trying to catch food along sand bank about 40-50 feet from shore. One was quite small & none really big. Awesome!!
Christina Brinch

11:24 a.m. - Had a run in literally with a stellar sea lion, we think they got a chunk but sea lion got away, twins still heading South, more mid channel, veering towards Olympic Peninsula side.
Janine Harles

The "twins" T049C and T077A in Admiralty Inlet  taken aboard the Chilkat. Photo by Janine Harles, October 13, 2015 (All photos taken with zoom lens and cropped)

T049C and T077A Photo by Janine Harles, October 13, 2015

T49C - Admiralty Inlet. Photo by Janine Harles, October 13, 2015

11:20 a.m. -  they (T49C & T77A) are still just south of Marrowstone.
Dennis Allen

October 13 

We saw this family (T101s) off Minor Island Tuesday afternoon (October 13)!
Annette Colombini

Marie Waterman of WA State Ferries shared a report of 6 - 8 orcas (other report included T101s in this area) southbound in Rosario Strait, just off Thatcher Pass, at 11:05 am 

11:11 a.m. - now heading south, tight together, side by side.
11:05 a.m.  - they seem to have found a forlorn seal just south of Marrowstone Is. Stalled out same place since 10:45.
10:45 a.m. - They T49C and T77A just arrived between Bush Pt. and Mutiny Bay.
Howard, ON

10:19 a.m. - They should be nearing Bush Point, great viewing if you are on Whidbey!
Confirmed from photos T049C and T077A "The twins"
Janine Harles

10:08 a.m. - Two male transients heading south just north of Bush Point in Admiralty Inlet. Looked like T049C and possibly T77A?
Renee Beitzel, Chilkat

T049C, born in 1998. He is still seen traveling with his natal pod on occasion, but mostly travels with his "twin" T077A. No relation. Photo by Renee Beitzel, October 13, 2015

T049C Photo by Renee Beitzel, October 13, 2015

T077A, born 1996 Photo by Renee Beitzel, October 13, 2015

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8:48 p.m. - Faint Transient calls on Lime Kiln.
Sara Hysong-Shimaxu

3:32 p.m. - Those whales off the south end were Ts - False Bay northbound an hour ago
Monika Wieland 

4:11 p.m. -  appears to be three more humpbacks more north in the Elgon area.. Four out there?!
3:56 p.m.  - the humpback almost made it to Apple Cove Point (north of Kingston) now turned back northerly toward Eglon. Couple pleasure boats mirroring at a good distance.
Stu Davidson

October 17 - north Puget Sound   

2:27 p.m. - Chilkat just left humpback off Point-No-Point. Milling mid channel but closer to Kitsap side.
Renee Beitzel

2:23 p.m. - So cool!! First humpback whales I've ever seen!! At Point-No-Point.
James Whiting

1:30 p.m. - Another humpback near Point No Point ...this one is traveling south between Point No Point and Eglon close to Kitsap side.
1:08 p.m. - Humpback at Point No Point. Feeding just north of the lighthouse in between fishing boat.
Dianne Iverson

Noon - We were out near the Gig Harbor lighthouse today and could see him in the distance by Pt. Defiance around noon. He had an entourage of boats watching him.
Allison Stites Heaton

8:55 a.m. - Possible sighting of the humpback next to Tacoma yacht club going north. (Dalco Passage, near Point Defiance Ferry) Caught a glimpse before it went out of our view. (confirmed through another report via Facebook video unable to share here)
Ronda Walters

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BCZ0298 (AKA Split Fin) and an un identified humpback in Swanson's Channel today. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 16, 2015

BCZ0298 (AKA Split Fin) in Swanson's Channel. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 16, 2015

Yet to be identified humpback in Swanson's Channel. She/he has been around the Salish Sea for a little while now. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 16, 2015

4:30 p.m. - 1 humpback whale and 1 Pacific white-sided dolphin...We've been hearing reports from friends about a humpback whale and its dolphin friend in south Colvos Passage for about 6 weeks. We went out on our sailboat hoping for a sighting. We spent about 30 minutes watching them roll, breach, and investigate boats (including ours). We capture many cool photos, including two that show the dolphin jumping over the top of the whale! We understand that both humpbacks and Pacific white sides are rare in the south Sound. The dolphin seems healthy -- VERY full of energy, speed, and social curiosity. Can't vouch for the health of the whale, but it was very active.
Cheryl Mikkelborg

Pacific white-sided dolphin porpoising over the humpback. Colvos Passage, Puget Sound. Photo by Cheryl Mikkelborg, October 16, 2015

1:25 p.m. - At Point No Point saw a humpback just off the lighthouse. Saw blow and great tail view as it dove. Haven't seen reappear after several minutes. No known direction of travel.
Paul Hebert

12:40 p.m. - Humpback milling mid channel off Owen's Beach. (Point Defiance, Tacoma)
Rick Oppegaard

9:18 a.m. - Humpback spotted heading north just a bit south of Gig Harbor entrance. Slow rolls and slow pace.
Dino Martini

We had been enjoying watching a humpback out in the Colvos passage for about two weeks, starting on Labor Day...humpback is back with his little dolphin for about a week now and seems very happy eating, swimming, and breaching out in the Colvos.
Claudia Tolar

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Stunning evening on the water with a humpback whale off Henry Island. Photo by Monika Wieland, Ocotber 15, 2015

5:30 p.m. - Hi there! We are new to the area, so please forgive me that I don't know exact locations. Tonight, around 5:30 we were on the beach in Muklteo near the lighthouse and saw 2 whales, near Whidbey Island. I thought they were Gray Whales at first, but upon research I discovered they were humpbacks. They were heading south, then heading north, then heading south again. Moving slowly and showing their tails. It was wonderful. When we left, they seemed to be heading north.
Holly C Cook

4:20 p.m. - A humpback 2-3 miles SSW of Scatchet Head. From Sunset Ave N in Edmonds, it is line of sight with Double Bluff.
Sherman Page

2:30 p.m. - Humpback of the tip of Point Defiance, Tacoma.
Rick Oppegaard

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5:47 p.m. - Just drove across the Tacoma Narrows bridge heading west and saw a humpback below.
Beverly Varela

5:29 p.m. - The humpback is currently mid channel, off of Possession Beach heading southwest slowly, towards Possession Point.
Tiffany Reynolds

4:12 p.m. - Humpback spotted in Bellingham Channel west of Guemes Island.
Crystal Mervyn

3:50 p.m. - Two Humpbacks heading north directly across from Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, closer to Whidbey Island.
Peg Bohan

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5:05 p.m. - Likely a humpback spotted from Edmonds, closer to Point No Point. Did not see whale (too far) but see blows.
Kayli Ann Breitweiser

3:46 p.m. - 2 Humpbacks between Haines Wharf (north Edmonds) and Kitsap. South of PNP. One mix channel and one closer to Kitsap.
Josh Adams

3:55 p.m. - I believe there are two, one further northwest and one humpback now closer to Whidbey approx 1 mile south o f Cultus Bay last dive northerly.
3:25 p.m.  - humpback kept moving north about a mile plus then turned back south. Down times about 5 minutes.
3:05 p.m.  - came looking for orcas and spotted a humpback. From Point Edwards see blows, her/his back and then fluke. approx 2-3 miles south of Cultus Bay, south Whidbey . Whale was moving in northerly direction.
Alisa, ON

12:45 p.m. - Humpback just off of Point No Point still.
Janine Harles

12:15 p.m. - the pair is still there, just south of a mass of seabirds.
11:40 a.m. -  a second humpback a mile north of Point No Point.
11:25 a.m. - Two humpbacks feeding together 3 miles NW of Edmonds, 3 miles S of Scatchet Head.
Sherman Page

10:43 a.m. -  the whale & dolphins have been making their way south again, very close to the Gig Harbor side. Whale is now south of Vashon.
10:22 a.m. -  Finally found it (the humpback) again. It's now north of Sunrise Beach. Just saw it along with a sea lion and a dolphin or two.
9:55 a.m. -  Humpback spotted from Sunrise Beach, close to tip of Vashon Island, heading south. Saw the tail-between Sunrise & bottom end of Vashon. More mid channel.
Heidi Powers Armstrong

10:50 a.m. - those at Scatchet Head should have a great view of the humpback as it feeds back and forth just south of the beaches. Still passing fishing boats really close!
10:32 a.m. - South east of green buoy heading more north now. More certain now that it's a humpback (a big one). Passing close to those fishing.
9:55 a.m. - huge whale south of Scatchet head (east of green buoy) deep dive heading southerly. Enormous back as it rolled into a dive
Stu Davidson

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6:00 p.m. - My friend was watching with the binoculars when he saw a humpback diving about 200 yards off Point No Point this evening. It was heading north.
Jann Clare

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Left Two humpbacks at 3:15 p.m.  off of southern tip of Lopez this afternoon feeding.
Dianne Iverson

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5:50 p.m. - Port Townsend Bay humpback seen traveling west to east out of the bay near the ferry terminal. Photo by Kyle Porter, October 6, 2015 (Photo was erroneously omitted from our previous Sighting Report)

11:40 a.m. - I am aboard the sea wolf heading south thru Admiralty Inlet and we just spotted a minke just north of Bush Point closer to west side. No direction of travel. Feeding.
Dianne Iverson

10:43 a.m. -  the whale & dolphins have been making their way south again, very close to the Gig Harbor side. Whale is now south of Vashon.
10:22 a.m. -  Finally found it (the humpback) again. It's now north of Sunrise Beach. Just saw it along with a sea lion and a dolphin or two.
Heidi Powers Armstrong