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Orca Network

Whale Sighting Report

In This Issue

Photo of the Day

Southern Residents

Bigg's/Transient orcas

Humpback whales

Minke whales

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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.

______________

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!

_________________

Death at SeaWorld, by

David Kirby

The bestseller about orcas in captivity

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

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October 27, 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.

Saturday, October 24th, brought great news of another new J pod calf! Designated J53, the calf was seen traveling with J17, Princess Angeline as they and the rest of their clan were encountered heading southbound in Haro Strait. Center for Whale Research staff was out and observed J53 and officially announced her/his arrival later in the day.
"...Peregrine was with some of the J17's about a 1/2 mile west of Smugglers Cove and we arrived at that spot by 1300. J17 and the new calf designated J53 zig-zagged a little before heading south and then southwest...." Read CWR's full summary report HERE.

The residents exited west that afternoon into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and returned today. With word of incoming residents, humans headed to the west side of San Juan Island to catch a glimpse, and tuned into the hydrophone to have a listen. The residents reached the island by late afternoon and continued up island.

Bigg's killer whales have been around Puget Sound for several days. The T101s and T90s traveled up and down Pickering Passage and Case Inlet this morning and afternoon. Other reports has several Bigg's cruising the Salish Sea, including more California Transients.

Humpbacks still abound in new and usual places around Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and Victoria.

It is with heavy hearts we include very sad and tragic news out of Tofino, NW Vancouver Island. Sunday, a tour boat operated by Jamie's Whaling Station carrying 24 passengers and three crew members capsized off Vargas Island killing 5 passengers, with one still missing. Local whale watch and charter boats and citizens helped the Coast Guard with the search, rescue and transport of those pulled from the water back to Tofino. We are all part of this community and this touches everyone deeply. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone involved and we send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who's lives were lost.

Orca Network

Photo of the Day

October 24

Great news!!! A new calf was documented today in J pod! The calf, designated J53, was seen traveling with J17. This is the third calf in J pod this year!
Photo was taken by Dave Ellifrit under NMFS Permit #15569 and/or DFO license #2013-04 SARA-272 "3". Center for Whale Research

Southern Residents

October 27

Lots of calls right now (7:21 PST) on OrcaSound.
Nicole Soulodre

October 27

6:50 -7:29 p.m. - listened to a lot of calls on Orca Sound hydrophone, Js and .
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

October 27

6:30 p.m. - Listening to some great orca calls on the OrcaSound hydrophone
Susan Berta, Orca Network

October 27

6:20 - Calls on OrcaSound
Howard Garrett, Orca Network

October 27

5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via the webcam, watched SRKWs stream past Lime Kiln northbound...
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

October 27

5:30 p.m. - Orca sighting, west side San Juan island on Aerie drive Jpod ?
Sharmon Auge

October 27

5:09 p.m. - I see some activity on the Lime Kiln web cam!!
Leeda Funderburk

October 27

2:50 p.m. - Woohooooo! Lots of residents inbound! Hoping I'll see the new calf!
John Boyd

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October 24

First picture taken of J53 with J17 on the morning of October 24th north of Kellett Bluff.
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 24

J42 near Kelp Reef on the morning of October 24th.
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 24

Super excited another new calf born to the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Welcome little J53 we believe born to J17. What an amazing year for the Southern Residents!
Simon Pidcock

October 24

New calf J53 alongside J17 - Haro Strait
Photo by Simon Pidcock, October 24, 2015

October 24

J17 Princess Angeline and J53
Photo by Simon Pidcock, October 24, 2015

October 24

J17 Princess Angeline and J53
Photo by Simon Pidcock, October 24, 2015

October 24

Welcome to the beautiful world little J53 - Haro Strait, west side San Juan Island
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 24, 2015

October 25

L91 Muncher and her calf L122 (now 2nd youngest SRKW) - Haro Strait south of Lime Kiln.
Photo by James Gresham, October 24, 2015

October 24

K25 Scoter with a Dall's porpoise. A large pod of the little speedsters mobbed the big guy for about an hour south of Lime Kiln this afternoon.
Photo by James Gresham, October 24, 2015

October 24

K25 with a bowriding Dall's porpoise this afternoon.
Photo by James Gresham, October 24, 2015

October 24

2:15 p.m. - So great to hear all three pods on the hydrophones today! Still hearing J pod calls.
Susan Berta, Orca Network

October 24

1:55 p.m. - watched them passing the lighthouse for over an hour, and they are still coming from the north! All spread out still.
Joanne Schlund

October 24

1:28 p.m. - Mewly calls (Ks) on Oercasound now.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network

October 24

1:15-2:05 p.m. - vocals continuous since this morning, hearing S1, S37, S7, whistles. Occasional visuals on web cam including breach.
12:40 p.m. - hearing S1 calls and sounds like S17 calls. J pod is in the area too.
12:29 p.m. - vocals continue on OS while others are visible on the webcam aimed at Lime Kiln.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

October 24

A crisp autumn morning out on the rocks at Lime Kiln, and when one of the youngest members of the Southern Residents surfaces next to his mom, for a moment the world is perfect.
Photo by Monika Wieland, October 24, 2015

October 24

11:07 a.m. -Viewing from Lime Kiln... Residents spread all the way across Haro southbound, not at the park yet, but can see them approaching.
Monika Wieland

October 24

10:47 a.m. - After a long journey north, SRKWs are back on the west side of San Juan Island. Hearing, so far anyways, at least members of Ks and Ls live on OrcaSound hydrophone.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

Bigg's/Transient orcas

October 27

A pod of 4-5 orca with a youngster were traveling north towards Allyn /Victor this evening at 5:30. One had a huge dorsal fin. Erin Ewald

October 27
4:00 p.m. - Four or maybe five orcas were in Pickering Passage today at about 4 pm. There were two adults and two or three young ones. We saw them moving northbound to the east of Jarell Cove. We watched them approach then pass us, but we could not see them beyond McLane Cove.
Kevin Stoops

October 27

3:35 p.m. - Orcas heading North in Pickering Passage towards N. Top of Harstene Island.
Brandon Grevstad

October 27

12:25 p.m. There are seven of them. They are currently heading north past Stretch Island (Where Pickering Passage meets Case Inlet- ID'd as the T90s and the T101s, see photos below)
Kim Merriman

October 27

The T101s and the T90s.
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27, 2015

October 27

T102 heading towards the Stretch Island Bridge.
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27, 2015
(ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

October 27

T90 - female born 1980 & T102 - male born 1984
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27, 2015
(ID help Alisa Lemire Brooks & Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

October 27

T90 and T102
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27, 2015

October 27

T101B - male born 1997
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27, 2015
(ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

October 27

T101B
Photo by Kim Merriman, October 27,2015

October 27

11:05 a.m. - They came back and now they're right off Harstine point where Pickering and Case Inlet come together. There's a boat near them.
8:51 a.m. - There are at least five Orcas cruising down the middle of Pickering Passage - just off the tip of Harstine Point and headed toward the bridge. There was at least one juvenile and one that seemed exceptionally large.
Ruby Luby

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October 26

6:00 p.m. - someone posted to the Anderson Islander's FB page around 6pm that they saw them heading south past Lyle Point.
Belen Schneider

October 26

5:00 p.m. - Two large male Orcas were observed near Ketron island moving south at a quick pace. One Orca partially breached creating a big splash very near shore, and then both Orcas appeared to be circling the area while along side each other for a couple minutes. They both appeared to move south of Ketron and disappeared.
Taylor Frierson

October 26

4:55 p.m. - Two male orcas off the West beach of Ketron Island.
Andrea Hennings

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October 25

California Transients- CA172 and CA173 in the Juan de Fuca Strait on October 25th.
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 25

CA166 west bound in the Juan de Fuca on October 25.
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 25

6:00 p.m. - Left the orcas about 6pm passing Evergreen Park, Bremerton- headed back out of Dyes Inlet. They stopped under Warren Ave. Bridge and played- lots of tail slaps and big splashes. Heard they were seen at Beachman park after that.
Katie Schmelzer

October 25

5:30 p.m. - 4 orcas in Dyes inlet. They checked it out and are leaving. An awesome sight.
Kari Wright

October 25

5:00 p.m. - Saw at least 4 coming out of Dyes Inlet, south of Tracyton and across from Rocky Point.
Ann Aoki Becker

October 25

I'm so thankful for this page. Orca network has brought our whole community together today to watch the whales. I met so many new people and had so much fun. We got to follow the orcas from Olalla this morning out to Silverdale and back until 6pm when they went under the manette bridge.
5:24 p.m. - orcas just passed Lions Park headed towards Manette bridge.
4:30 p.m. - orcas still in Dyes Inlet, mid channel appear to be headed back to Tracyton
Brittany Gordon

October 25

Last I saw was at 4:30 and they were near heading toward Tracyton from Silverdale. Haven't heard anything since.
Matthew Scheer

October 25

The pod in Dyes inlet!
Photo by Stevi Heigert, October 25, 2015

October 25

4:25 p.m. - Passed right by Boat Shed Restaurant and under Manette Bridge!
Alicia Harck

October 25

3:18 p.m. - Several Orcas at Bremerton. Headed north up the Washington Narrows toward Silverdale. Lots of tail slaps, turning upside down, and spyhops.
Rick Snodgrass

October 25

3:29 p.m. - watching orcas from Traycton they are mid channel headed towards Silverdale.
3:01 p.m. - Just went under the Manette Bridge
Brittany Gordon

October 25

3:05 p.m. - Just spotted 3 going through into Bremerton under the bridge.
Photo by Maxine Knight Byers, October 25, 2015

October 25

Reported sighting in Bremerton at 3pm going past the Manette Bridge.
Layren Eli Oldfield

October 25

2:50 p.m. - I was catch and release cutthroat fishing and turned around to tie on a new lure. Finished and turned around to a pod or orcas swimming by. Two large males and possibly a calf lost them as they neared Tracyton and Silverdale.
Video by Matthew Scheer, October 25, 2015

October 25

3:10 p.m. - Orcas heading up Port Washington Narrows - Bremerton. Jus now saw 4 - 5 orcas swimming up Port Washington Narrows toward Silverdale.
Cheryl Creelman

October 25

3:07 p.m. - Maxine Byers reports the orcas going under the Bremerton bridge into Bremerton.

October 25

Breaching Orca in Port Washington Narrows, approaching Dyes Inlet
We saw one orca swimming swiftly under the Manette Bridge toward Silverdale and Dyes Inlet from between Bremerton and E Bremerton.

Photo by Ellen Johnson, October 25, 2015

October 25

2:10 p.m. - At least 3 orcas on south side of Bainbridge Island on ferry route. Saw 1 male, 1 calf and one too far away to be sure of gender.
Kristine Teets

October 25

1:00 p.m. - Tim Ferris reports 8 or 9 orcas in Colvos passage heading north

October 25

1:33 p.m. - Watching humpback and orcas from Harper Pier, Olympiad. Orcas might be headed into Bremerton. Still traveling north.
12:56 p.m. - Seeing orcas from south of the Southworth ferry dock. Still headed north closer to Vashon Island.
Noon - 15+ orcas just passed Prospect Point in Colvos Passage headed north.
Brittany Gordon

October 25

11:50 a.m. - Donna Sibbers called to report seing 3+ orcas heading north up Colvos Passage near Pt. Richmond, including 2 possible males. They also saw two huge sea lions 1/2 mile away, chasing porpoise (or maybe they were all fleeing from the orcas if they are Transients?!).

October 25

Noon - they passed Lisabeula headed north. Making steady progress but not moving too fast.
11:34 a.m. - Just below Lisabuela being followed by boats way too close...also saw two dolphins trailing behind the 4 orcas and not too far back. Dolphins were also headed north up Colvos.
Lark Pelling

October 25

11:12 a.m. - Believe I saw them from Owen beach near gig harbor side. Only once no direction of travel yet.
Jill Clogston

October 25

10:26 a.m. - Just spotted a pod of orcas by Point Defiance! About 4-5, were traveling from east to west from around Tacoma Port towards west tip of Point Defiance. No idea if they were transients or residents..
Momoko Hozumi Shiga

October 25

9:30 a.m. - Two orcas spotted off the east coastline of Maury Island. Believe they were 2 males.

Susanna DeBell

October 25

These photos (below) were taken about 9:15am this morning (Sunday) in Colvos Passage at the southern end of Vashon. They spent about 45 min. around the area. Fun to watch!
Ann Marie Crisalli Eberhart

October 25

T49C and T77A
Photo by Ann Marie Crisalli Eberhart, October 25, 2015
(IDs per Melisa Pinnow, CWR)

October 25

T101A - male born 1993
Photo by Ann Marie Crisalli Eberhart, October 25, 2015
(ID per Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

October 25

T102 - male born 1984
Photo by Ann Marie Crisalli Eberhart, October 25, 2015
(ID per Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

October 25

9:10 a.m. - Carl Selves at Gold Beach, Vashon Island, reporting two large male orcas traveling past Gold Beach heading south quickly.

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

October 24

Saw 5-6 Orcas, perhaps with a baby, heading into Findlayson Arm off the Saanich Inlet around 7pm Saturday, Oct 24. No photos.
Rhona McLevy Maguire

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October 23

T069C leaving a trail of harbour seal crumbs for the gulls on the morning of October 23rd at the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 23

Noon - How about this... transient T069C tossing a seal about 80 ft into the air! Quite a scene! I took Island Adventure out of Port Angeles and saw a couple of them at noon just over the Canadian border.
Photo by Rebeca Rambal, October 23, 2015

October 23

T69C tossing a seal with his fluke.
Photo by Rebeca Rambal, October 23, 2015

October 23

Photo by Rebeca Rambal, October 23, 2015

October 23

Photo by Rebeca Rambal, October 23, 2015

October 23

Photo by Rebeca Rambal, October 23, 2015

October 23

T069C just after launching a harbor seal about eighty feet into the air.
Sometimes the magnitude of a moment is best captured zoomed out!
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 23, 2015

October 23

The big guy himself- T069C.
Photo by Heather MacIntyre, October 23, 2015

Humpback whales

October 27 - north/central Puget Sound

5:33 p.m. - Humpbacks have moved closer to Bush Point, Whidbey. You can see them feeding from point no point.
5:18 p.m. - Two humpbacks at Point No Point. Feeding with no direction of travel. Just north of the beach closer to Kitsap side of channel.
Diane Iverson

October 27 - central Puget Sound

5:00 p.m. - Spotted one of the humpbacks that has been hanging around Blake Island for the last week off the NW side of the island.
Paul Ruppert

October 27- central Puget Sound

4:43 p.m. - Just got off work and decided to stop by Manchester @4:30 to see if I could spot the humpback, YUP!! their she blows on the west side tip of Blake Island and moving toward Bainbridge...
Kathe Bradley

October 27 - central Puget Sound
2:05 p.m. - watching 20+ dolphins/porpoise in Yukon harbor! Still seeing the humpback in the same spot also
1:42 p.m. - it's on the middle of the west side of Blake island, heading south.
12:33 p.m. - lots of tail lobbing and huge splashing going on same area
12:21 p.m. - Watching the humpback on the north west tip of Blake island again today! It's headed south
Brittany Gordon

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

October 26 - north/central Puget Sound

3:00 p.m. - One, maybe two humpbacks off Point-no-Point around 3:00 today.
Peach Stebbins

October 26 - central Puget Sound

2:33 p.m. - Watching a humpback on the south tip of Blake Island for the past 15 minutes. (whale is on the south west side of the island)
Brittany Gordon

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

October 25 - Juan de Fuca Strait

Close encounter with breaching Humpback near Race Rocks on October 25th
(taken with 300mm lens and has not been cropped)
Photo by Mark Malleson

October 25 - north/central Puget Sound

Saw half a dozen humpbacks about 2NM south of Scatchet Head off Whidbey Is. Did not appear to be traveling as they were doing doughnuts in the same areas. Within a mile or 2 of that general area.
Nathan Witherly

October 25 - north/central Puget Sound

The humpback from Point No Point about 3:30 on October 25. Traveled north.
I didn't have my camera out when it came up twice, just about 200 yards from shore. Photo by Marilyn DeRoy

October 25 - central Puget Sound

Humpback still hanging around the south side of Blake Island as of 10/25. Two Orca's spotted of the west side of Blake Island. Humpbacks appear to have been feeding in this area for a week. We have seen them in front of the marina on the east side as well. Orcas were passing through, headed north on the west side of Blake Island. This is second hand information from park visitor.
Paul Ruppert

October 25 - central Puget Sound

2:07 p.m. - Humpback just took a deep dive off the south tip of Blake Island.
1:51 p.m. - Humpback is headed south towards the (Southworth) ferry dock now. Orcas went towards Bainbridge Island.
1:39 p.m. - watching orca and humpback from Harper pier!
Brittany Gordon

October 25 - north/central Puget Sound

2:00 p.m. - Whale (not an orca) off President Point, Kitsap in shipping lanes south of channel marker, may be moving north.
Joanne Graves