NOVEMBER 6 - Js and Ks in Puget Sound - just the initial reports
J pod southbound Puget Sound near Seattle:
Tweet from WSF of orcas seen from the Bainbridge/Seattle ferry no location or direction.
At 9:43 a.m. we received a confirmed sighting from Renee Beitzell aboard the Chilkat (who was taking children on a field trip of sorts) that J pod was strait out from Vashon ferry terminal heading south in several groups spread out. J pod continued south around Vashon and north in Colvos.
Meanwhile... K pod was southbound at the north end of Admiralty Inlet.
First report at 9:02 a.m. from Warren Griffith: On Kennewick ferry headed to Port Townsend, passed pod of Orcas, 5 or 6 with a calf! Heading south. Then Orca Network volunteers, Rachel Haight and Sandra Pollard took off scouting and found K pod. We caught sight of them a bit south of Bush Point. Ks continued south and were last seen before dark around the Port Madison area. Somewhere along the shores of central Puget Sound the two pods will meet...
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Friday morning at 1 am we heard a pod of whales, likely orcas, as they passed by just south of Bush Point, Whidbey Island, heading south. We started hearing a few distant blows, then they came closer and before long there were MANY blows, sounded like a fairly large pod going by, then a few more scattered blows. Hopefully more Southern Resident orcas in Puget Sound on Friday!
Susan Berta, Orca Network
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NOVEMBER 5- Puget Sound
9:00 p.m. - Connie Bickerton heard faint calls on the Port Townsend hydrophones at around 9 pm, possibly K pod.-
I was out at Point No Point right at dark, about 4:50 pm until 5:30 pm. Was told by a nice lady and her children that we just missed the Orcas with a baby, they also spotted a humpback.
As we were there we could hear blowing and saw at least 2 big males, maybe a baby (a smaller dorsal close to the adult) and 2 other adults feeding just off the shore south of the lighthouse. Then they drifted north and then east following the tide rip until it got too dark to see. You could tell they were feeding, and not moving too fast.
Jann Clare
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They were all spread out between Whidbey Island and Point no Point, Hansville, it took almost an hour for them all to pass, some far, some close. Heading North. It was a very large pod, all spread out with little ones, guessing J Pod. it was so calm that we could here them blowing in the distance, so magical!
4:28 p.m. - Seeing them from Point No Point way out. Looks like they are heading east of mid channel. Michelle LeMieux Hall
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3:43 p.m. - Orcas north west of Kingston. Almost to Eglon.Erin Steinman
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3:35 p.m. - About a dozen or more orcas northbound heading in direction of Point No Point.
Photo by Gary Peterson, November 5, 2015
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3:32 p.m. - Just saw one while on the Kingston ferry!!! Moving north.Leslie Wong
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3:27 p.m. - Several spanning from mid channel to closer to Kitsap side heading north - north of ferry lanes and west of north Edmonds
3:20 p.m. - seeing orcas mid channel between Edmonds and Kingston and between east and west ferries.
Stu Davidson
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3:03 p.m. - At least 3 mid channel Point Wells/Kingston are milling,including 2 large males, other group cluster near research boat closer to and just north of Kingston, all trend north, others ahead 1plus miles north of them.
2:48 p.m. - they've resumed steady northbound movement...still spread out some north of and others still south of Kingston.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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2:55 p.m. - A call from James McDermott (not that one), who is watching the orcas in the bay at Kingston - he said they were heading north, spread out, but now one has turned back south and they appear to be stopping to feed.
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2:12 p.m. - passing President Point (Kitsap) moving north fast.
Joanne Graves
2:10 p.m. - they just passed President Point in Kingston heading north at a pretty good clip. Several of them relatively close to the Kingston side shore. One a ways out in the middle breached, but mostly they are just moving along.
Christ Beamer Otterson
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1:45 p.m. - Passing Fay Bainbridge park northbound.
Photo by Sue Surowiec Larkin, N0vember 5, 2015
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2:00 p.m. - correction, several already mid way between Jefferson Head and yellow mid channel buoy.
1:55 p.m. - very spread out mid channel to west of mid channel lead males currently out from northern end Port Madison. Several went into Port Madison . Another group was breaching and tail lobbing for several minutes mid channel out from Faye Bainbridge about 10 minutes ago.
1:18 p.m. - from Richmond Beach Saltwater park see at least 6 spread apart sightline north, in front of, and south of Faye Bainbridge park streaming north. Very west of mid channel! Few more closer to mid channel. Males in lead and trailing, females young ones spread.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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1:19 p.m. - Watching from just south of Shilshole Marina, 7-10 orcas midchannel between us and Bainbridge Island. At least 2 large male, good sized females, two babies, but too far away to ID.
Kerry Kirking
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1:06 p.m. - many more approaching from the south. Leaders trending northeast.
12:56 p.m. - just spotted a male and female dorsal northbound near the north end if Faye Bainbridge. West of mid channel.
Connie Bickerton
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12:45 p.m. - confirmed still heading north towards Faye Bainbridge just past Valley Rd.
Janan Peterson Hruby
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12:17 p.m. - just missed 7 or 8 passing Discovery Park/West Point.
Ashley Roessler
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Noon - I was on the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry at 1200. We watched the Orcas traveling from Alki area towards Magnolia.
Pat Herron
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11:45 a.m. - Sue Surowiec Larkin just reported seeing two large males and one female northbound west side of mid channel between Discovery Park and Yeomalt moving slowly. Faye Bainbridge Park may be a good place to watch for them within the hour.
Kitsap Orca Watch
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11:07 a.m. - still 1 or 2 orcas off Alki Beach milling and tail slapping. A larger group (4 or 5) are in the distance heading towards discovery park.
Charles Vendley
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11:06 a.m. - Group of 5-10 orcas off of beach road heading south- lookout at the lighthouse...were heading south... They're mid channel now- barely visible anymore...
Ashe Davlin
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10:55 a.m. - 4-5 Orcas sighted while on Bainbridge Island ferry. They were on both sides of us and in front of the ferry. We were going towards Bainbridge Island.
Dorothy Canepari
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10:45 a.m. - Ocras spotted in Elliott Bay. Pod of about 7 orcas spotted in mouth of Elliott Bay.
Kyle Arbour
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10:54 a.m - Still a couple of stragglers. The rest headed North toward Discovery Park but there are a couple milling about and headed East toward Seattle.
10:24 a.m. - Still some hanging around right off Alki - in front of the bath house
10:15 a.m. - We just watched them from Beach Drive around the lighthouse and headed North past Alki.
Kristina Duca
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10:16 a.m. - Group of 5-10 orcas off of Beach road heading south- lookout at the lighthouse.
Ashe Davlin
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10:00 a.m. - Pod of Orcas this morning at 10:00 off Alki Beach viewed them from the ferry.
Gay McCray
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9:35 a.m. - Mid channel off of Alki point appear to be in three groupings
Jill Hadji
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9:20 a.m. - Orcas passing Alki lighthouse now, northbound.
Buzz Shaw
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9:23 a.m. - Okay. Not certain now. There is one group of orcas heading north past vashon, mid channel and one big group heading south between Bainbridge and Blake on the peninsula side
9:15 a.m. - Mid channel but south from my perspective. But now I've seen orcas heading south past Bainbridge. I think the first one I saw , the vashon one could have been a humpback.
9:06 a.m. - I can see them to the south towards Vashon, viewing from from Me Kwa Mooks, West Seattle.
Kate Calamatta
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Captain on 840 ferry to West Seattle pointed them out, they were heading northwest from off Lincoln Park.
8:20 a.m. - Got em! Still near Fauntleroy. Appear to be northbound or foraging on Seattle side near Lincoln park.
7:40 a.m. - confirmed we had some at the Fauntleroy dock around 7:40. No direction reported
7:15 a.m. - got an unconfirmed report of possible orca in Vashon passenger boat ferry lanes headed south.
Amy Carey
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NOVEMBER 4 - Puget Sound
Days recap by Rachel Haight who first spotted and reported the orcas:
My whale scouting routine always starts at Ebey's Landing. When I first arrived, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something black, then disappear. I figured it was a bird, since it is 99% of the time. As I was about to drive up the bluff for a better look, I looked out my window and saw multiple fins! What I initially took to be a small pod of transients turned out to actually be a lot of residents! I followed them as they traveled south past Whidbey and past Edmonds with Alisa as well. We even saw a humpback in the same vicinity as the orcas. The closest pictures were taken from Bush Pt, while the picture of the line of blows was taken at Edmonds. The line of their backlit blows as they swam along were breathtaking.
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5:05 p.m. - From Kayu Kayu, seeing large group off of Kingston, looking straight across at the Kingston ferry dock, I was seeing a large group of dorsals, slowly moving north.
Pam Ren
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5:05 p.m. - left them mid channel between. Kingston/Pt Wells steadily northbound medium pace.
4:23 p.m. - 2 males made it to Jefferson Head then they all flipped, all northbound west of mid channel drifting back again towards middle.
4:13 p.m. - most drifting bit west of mid now...between yellow buoy and Jefferson Head/Indianola.
4:07 p.m. - from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park see them southbound most approaching mid channel at yellow buoy with some on either side. Some tight groups with several males on outsides.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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4:08 p.m. - Passing Channel marker south of Kingston still moving south
3:53 p.m. - they appear to be on the move, going south, mid channel, south of Edmonds as seen from Kitsap side
Joanne Graves
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4:00 p.m. - Several blows seen from end of Edmonds fishing pier looking south. (Using binoculars) some large splashing and large dorsal fin spotted. Looks like they're heading south hugging shoreline close to Kingston.
Jennifer Love-Talley
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3:49 p.m. - can see lots of blows from the orcas just north of point Jefferson close to Kitsap side - as seen from Edmonds marina park.
Stu Davidson
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3:37 p.m. - Orcas at Richmond Beach! Even saw some breaching, made my day.
Ashley Nagrodski
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3:28 p.m. - Still watching midchannel Kingston side heading south slowly or milling
Kristen Bogren
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3:28 p.m. - Been watching a large, active group mid channel just south of the Kingston/Edmonds ferry (boat passed them just a few min ago). At least a dozen and lots of tails slaps, spy hops and a few breeches!
Jennifer Greiner Clark
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3:26 p.m. - now seeing them from Carkeek
Whitney Neugebauer
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Brightly illuminated exhalations of residents as they pass between Kingston and Edmonds.
Photo by Rachel Haight, November 4, 2015 |
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3:09 p.m. - is beautiful!!! They bunched up mid channel slowly moving south...in front of Kingston/south Edmonds. Illuminated exhalations lots of surface activity
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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3:06 p.m. - Just saw many orca from the Kingston ferry going SE mid channel. They were very spread out but I believe there were around 10 or 11. First they were coming towards Edmonds, and half way turned around to go back towards Kitsap, due South.
Photo by Rebeca Rambal, November 4, 2015 |
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2:51 p.m. - just in front of the Kingston Ferry, the ferry is stopped. As seen from President Point
Joanne Graves
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2:34 p.m. - orcas right off port side of stopped mid channel Edmonds/Kingston ferry.. Those people got a close view of this group!!
Stu Davidson
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2:25 p.m. - from Edmonds Marina Beach we see orcas spread all across channel from south of Edmonds ferry to just north of Kingston. Steadily southbound.
1:55 p.m. - Rachel and I came to Stamm Overlook Park in north Edmonds to scout for second group of SRKWs and found them (at least 7 including large male) and a Humpback east of mid channel about a 1.5 miles north of the ferry dock moving southbound.
1:43 p.m. - from Edmonds Rachel and I are seeing a lot of blows south of Eglon west of mid channel.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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1:55 p.m. - more orcas south east of point no point well east of shipping lanes - those are heading south as well - also right near these orcas is a humpback as traveling south
1:33 p.m. - group of about six orcas still heading south probably around Eglon now
1:14 p.m. - see orcas on Kitsap side heading south towards Elgon near shipping lane
Stu Davidson
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1:25 p.m. - Eleven passed Eglon mid channel
Elyse Sollitto
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1:19 p.m. - passing Eglon now still southbound following big blue shipping boat
Brittany Gordon
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12:55 p.m. - They came through in three groups. All of them are now south of Point No Point.
Dianne Iverson
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12:55 p.m. - Orcas southbound off Kingston.
Gary Peterson
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12:30 p.m. - the orcas north of Point No Point, very active. At 12:38 p.m. passing the point, porpoising south about 100 yards off, at least 11 orcas.
Photo by Marilyn Deroy, November 4, 2015 |
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Momentarily heading in opposite directions while general trend is southbound.
Looks like it could be L72 Racer on the the right. Point No Point, Kitsap.
Photo by Marilyn DeRoy, November 3, 2015
(Possible ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu) |
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12:30 p.m. - At the same time we were also still seeing blows further to the east, all the way from Point No Point what looks like the Shoreline area, south of Pt. Wells.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
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12:30 p.m. - Beautiful!! I greeted the Orcas today as they came by the lighthouse at Point No Point. My first Orca sighting and it was a large group!! Spectacular!
Jann Clare
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12:25 p.m. - I'm at Point No Point, seeing them on Whidbey side!
Happy orca breaching at Double Bluff as this one passes!
Photo by Elyse Sollitto, November 4, 2015 |
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12:20 p.m. - watching from a distance (so of Bush Pt) we see spouts from the green channel marker that is N of Point No Point, south and south east - at least 6-8 orca spouts SE of the marker, and more spouts over toward Pt. Wells, plus 3 breaches SW of Pt. Wells, near Edmonds/Shoreline - not sure if by orcas or a humpback, but it appears there are more blows over in the Pt. Wells area so possibly orcas.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
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11:30 a.m. - 8-12 orcas heading south at a rapid clip, some cartwheeling and porpoising, toward Point No Point. Hopefully some photos to follow.
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1:20 a.m. - Possible J42 south of Bush Pt.
Howard Garrett , Orca Network
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K22 Sekiu powering southbound south in Admiralty Inlet south of Bush Point, Whidbey.
Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, November 4, 2015 |
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| Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, November 4, 2015 |
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| Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, November 4, 2015 |
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K25 Scoter
Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, November 4, 2015 |
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11:05 a.m. - Elsa Leavitt sees at least two orcas heading south, just south of Bush Pt.
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11:10 a.m. - definitely Residents! Just passed Bush Point, spread out.
10:16 a.m. - just arrived at Lagoon Point and with continued great luck, found them immediately. Just north of Lagoon Point, mid channel, southbound still. There may be more whales than I thought, still unsure. At least 7+. Several breaches
9:58 a.m. - They are quickly moving south. South of the PT ferry lanes now.
9:22 a.m. - Orcas southbound off Ebey's Landing (north end of Admiralty Inlet).
Rachel Haight
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K21 southbound passing Bush Point the morning of November 4, 2015
Photo by Rachel Haight |
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Residents off Bush Point.
Photo by Rachel Haight, November 4, 2015 |
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NOVEMBER 3 - Puget Sound
5:21 p.m. - Fay Bainbridge Park. 2 Orcas moving North at Sunset 200 yards off the beach.
Scott Weaver
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4:56 p.m. - Pod of 6-8 approaching Point No Point now.
Photo by Gary Peterson, November 3, 2015 |
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4:43 p.m. - Yay. Orca sighting just north of Kingston ferry. Mid channel or even closer to Seattle
Deb Post Hamlin
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4:00-4:30 p.m. - from Kayu Kayu watched lead group(s) pass northbound between me and Kingston mid channel and west of...very spread out, in ones, twos, some threes. South a few miles trailers veered into Port Madison towards Suquamish with calf (per Connie B).
I now leave at 4:50 from Saltwater park/Richmond Beach watching that group hanging out.
3:50 some are nearing Kingston with others miles in the rear.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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4:24 p.m. - From Edmonds fishing pier I can see a group passing Kingston heading toward Eglon. Close to Kitsap side.
Sara Troyer
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4:08 p.m. - There are probably 5-6 orca off of Kingston. Traveling north. Mid channel. Still south of the ferry lane.
Laura Finch
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4:00 pm - A couple came into Port Madison bay, and they are now porpoising north to catch up.
Connie Bickerton
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4:00 p.m. - orcas off Faye heading north and west. Very young calf amongst them.
Susan Marie Andersson
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3:30 p.m. - Large group of orcas heading north fast approaching Fay Bainbridge...west side of mid channel.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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3:00 p.m. - Spotted 2 Orcas about 3pm today (3Nov15) in on the north side of Port Madison Bay (north end of Bainbridge Island) towards Indianola. They swam in the same area with no direction of travel established.
Tim Cuddy
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2:45 p.m. - breaches between mid channel buoy and Bainbridge Island. Sunset Hill park with binoculars is best bet between now and next 45 min. Carkeek in next hour aprox. Based on speed of travel.
Lance King
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2:45 p.m. - orca passing Faye Bainbridge seem to be closer to Kitsap side still northbound
Brittany Gordon
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2:40 p.m. - whales closer to Kitsap both at Faye Bainbridge park and south end Rolling Bay. Others mid channel at Faye/Golden Gardens transect. Northbound. As viewed from Sunset park above Shilshole marina.
Alisa
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2:08 p.m. - Seeing blows at Rolling Bay Walk on Bainbridge Island.
Sarah Jones O'donnell
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1:40 p.m. - Barely visible from Alki anymore, even with binoculars. The last group is nearing the Bainbridge Ferry line, closer to Bainbridge (research vessel with them). All those breaches & tail lobs were fantastic!
Kathleen Love
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1:40 p.m. - ...there were several breaches and spy hopping going on seen just South of Alki! Closer to bainbridge side!
Kayli Ann Breitweiser
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1:38 p.m. - watching from above Creosote on Bainbridge. Leaders are north of me, not sure how far but possibly rolling bay. Large trailing group is near Alki Lighthouse (line of sight) just east of mid channel with NOAA. Saw multiple breaches, spy hops and tail lobs.
Connie Bickerton
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1:30 p.m. - lots of breaching and tail lobs as they move out of sight from south side Alki.
1:15 p.m. - last group just past on east side of yellow buoy between Alki and south end Bainbridge. Northbound.
Alisa, ON
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1:20 p.m. - Seeing them with the research vessel from the north side of Alki. Closer to Kitsap.
Anna Stuart Olive
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1:20 p.m. - Just saw a breech and lots of blows between Blackly Rocks and Yellow mid channel marker.
Susan Marie Andersson
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1:10 p.m. - Watching lots of take lobbing from Rockaway Beach on Bainbridge Island.
Christ Merritt
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12:55 p.m. - 6+ Lincoln Park to Alki near shore, Seattle side, breaching w/small boat trailing.
Joe Potestivo
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12:50 p.m. - I'm leaving Emma Scmitz, J pod trailing group sightline past Blake, they are more east of mid channel . Next stop south side Alki Point
Alisa, ON
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12:45 p.m. - Down at Alki Constellation Park heading right at us now 12:45 NE from Vashon.
Martin Moore
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12:35 p.m. - They are breaching at the yellow buoy now
(off south end Bainbridge/Alki Pt)12:25 p.m. - Just spotted them. I'm looking from near the PI building on the 7th floor (downtown Seattle) See them splashing between Alki point and NE corner of Blake island.
Casey Williams
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12:25 p.m. - Whales seen from the Olympic Sculpture park, way offshore, heading north!
Tyler Hartje
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12:15 p.m. - At least 10 orcas migrating north now 1/2 way between Blake and Bainbridge Island.
Vicki Pardee
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12:12 p.m. - Just coming to MeeKwaMooks Park, some close to Seattle side.
Terri Mitchell
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Noon - Charlie Leahy of WA State Ferries called to report 6 - 12 orcas northbound between Fauntleroy and Vashon Island.
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11:50 a.m. - got 'em! I'm at Lowman, orcas are halfway btw Southworth fy dock and s end of Blake, hdg north, yay!
Trileigh Tucker
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11:50 a.m. - Kristen is watching a large cluster of orcas heading north, from West Seattle.
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11: 55 a.m. - They are north of Vashon mid channel. Watching from Emma Schmitz overlook park on Beach Dr
11:20 a.m. - lead two groups still northbound just west of mid channel approaching Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lanes. Research boat with them.
Alisa
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11:35 a.m. - Bethany on the ferry reports the large group is mid-channel between Fauntleroy and Vashon, heading north, with others closer to Vashon.
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11:35 a.m. - Spotted south of the ferry Fauntleroy to Vashon -
Addie Meade
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11:30 a.m. - Maia of WA State Ferries reports 7-10 orcas headed north in the Fauntleroy ferry lane.
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11:30 a.m. - Orcas sighted from the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry run just now. Five or six?
Becca Knox
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11:25 a.m. - they're still trending north. First group is past ferry lanes. Lots of breaching!! They're closer to the west side. I watched from Southworth - Fauntleroy ferry.
Jessica Pagan
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11:23 a.m. - There is a red inflatable with them now. All bunched up mid-channel & still south of the W. Seattle/Vashon ferry lane.
11:20 a.m. - seeing blows from Lincoln Park. Just southwest of the ferry waiting to come into the dock. Ok - I also meant BREACH! to the west/northwest of the ferry waiting!!
Lila Pharis
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11:21 a.m. - group headed north mid channel in faultleroy ferry lane!!
Aimee Demarest
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11:15 a.m. - seen from lincoln park breeching off northeast side of Vashon
Jill Hadji
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11:46 a.m. - watching from Fauntleroy ferry. Orca are to the south east tip of Blake island heading north still
11:00 a.m. - spotted from Fauntleroy ferry looked to be off dilworth near fishing boats still headed north
Brittany Gordon
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From the Fauntleroy ferry today!
"I saw another photo that looks like it captured this moment too... If so, looks like Eclipse (J41) in front, Nova (J51) popping up behind her, and grandma, Shachi (J19) behind. The dorsal on Eclipse's right side might be Blackberry (J27) just based on the shape, but that's just a guess".
Photo by Brittany Gordon, November 3, 2015
(ID "notes" by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
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| Photo by Brittany Gordon, November 3, 2015 |
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11:11 a.m. - Spotted them a little south of the Arroyo area of West Seattle, headed north towards Fauntleroy.
Patrick Gould
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10:55 a.m. - All now passed Dilworth headed north mid channel.
Amy Carey
10:20 a.m. - from north side Three Tree. pt. Lead group of 25 plus well past yellow buoy. 2nd large group arouynd yellow buoy from my sightline. Steady northbound look to be mid channel
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network-
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Morning northbound pass of J & K pods, & L87 in resting mode traveling in three very large, tight groups past Three Tree Point, Burien. Newest calf J53 w/J17 pops up mid video.
Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
November 3, 2015 |
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10:15 a.m. - middle of Sound between Burien and Vashon Island.
Photo by Elston Hill, NOvember 3, 2015
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10:15 a.m. - Just spotted a pod between Vashon and Shorewood. 10:15am headed North. Fishing boats in the area too.
Shari Sewell
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9:55 a.m. - Northbound mid channel nearing Three Tree Point.
Amy Carey
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9:54 a.m. - I just arrived south side of Three Tree Point Burien and see the illuminated blows of several tight groups northbound. Lead 2 groups sightline KVI tower.
Alisa
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Off Point Robinson, Vashon/Maury Island. It looks like a mom and calf. There were at least 12 in two clusters traveling closely.
Photo by Emily Schmitt Wigley, November 3, 2015
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K27 and K44
At least part of Kpod was at Vashon with Jpod today.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 3, 2015
(ID Melisa Pinnow) |
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J27-Blackberry passing Point Robinson, Vashon Island this morning. He is a gorgeous boy!
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 3, 2015
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Southern Resident Orcas at Point Robinson, Vashon Island today.
J35 Tahlequah with the visible saddle patch and that's J22 Oreo behind her.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 3, 2015
(ID help by Gayle Swigart and Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
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J47, J40, J14, and J27 at Point Robinson, Vashon Island today. I love seeing the whales grouped up traveling together.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 3, 2015 |
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Here's J53, the newest J pod baby, surfacing next to mother J17 Princess Angeline this morning at Point Robinson, with brother J44 Moby following.
Photo by Meg McDonald, November 3, 2015 |
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9:00 a.m. - Passed Pt Robinson, at least ten
Bonnie Darby
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9:00-9:15 a.m. - Hello, This morning we observed at least 15 orcas plus a baby or two passing by our house on the east side of Vashon. We live between Pt Robinson lighthouse and Maury Island beach. They were clearly in a hunting mode, and they were so close to the shore, we could hear them breathing.
Brandy Wiggins
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8:50 a.m. - Carl Cells reports a large group of orcas, including 8 males, heading north along Maury Island toward Pt. Robinson.
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8:33 a.m. - had an update they may be headed back north along Maury from Manzanita beach to Piner Point area.
8:05 a.m. - Amy Carey relayed reports of orcas southbound near Goldbeach on Vashon/Maury around 7:30 and just now near Quartermaster Harbor.
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8:00 a.m. - Northbound in Quartermaster Harbor, depth is about 60 feet here, taken from the deck of a friends home on the West shore of Quartermaster.
Photo by Karl Schmidt, November 3, 2015
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8:00 a.m. - We watched about 12 orcas coming into Quartermaster Harbor around 7:30 am today. They stayed along the eastern shore between Vashon and Maury, going north toward Burton, then turning around and exiting the harbor the same way at about 8:30. They then appeared to head back east then north toward Point Robinson. This was the first time I have ever heard of orcas actually coming into Quartermaster Harbor. They were very active. We watched from about 3/4 mile away from our house and beach on the Vashon side of the harbor.
Jeffrey Gill
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7:50 a.m. - the pod came by Manzanita Beach, Quartermaster, Vashon.
Approx. 18 (including 2-3 babies). They were very active. They turned around and headed back out at 8:10. So amazing!
Photo by K Rachel Keil, November 3, 2015
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J 19 Shachi in the lead
Photo by K Rachel Keil, November 3, 2015
(ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu) |
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| Photo by K Rachel Keil, November 3, 2015 |
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7:00 a.m. - Several orca passing by Gold Beach off Maury Island at 7 a.m. Spread out, headed south toward Tacoma.. Males, females, young.
Burt Miller
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NOVEMBER 2 - Js, Ks, & Ls - Puget Sound
4:08 p.m. - Just letting you know there is a pod of orcas 2 miles north of Edmonds ferry
Tony Tedford
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3:55 p.m. - saw 5-7 Orcas (adults and calves) hugging the coastline off President Point, Kingston this afternoon -- they were traveling North. What an incredible sight!
Kristin Stafford
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3:50 p.m. - Saw the group of orcas just north of the Edmonds ferry about an hour ago. One with a baby. Traveling north towards Mukilteo. Saw 2 humpbacks spouting in the distance on the Kingston side.
Laura Patton Ballard
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4:00 p.m. - I can see about 6-8 spread across the channel between north Edmonds and Point No Point, Kitsap. All heading north, ones closest to east shore are paralleling the shoreline. Easy to spot from east side shoreline
3:38 p.m. - spot orcas not too far out from north Edmonds heading northerly. Currently due west of north Edmonds , not that far out. If they kept going north they would be on the east side of Whidbey Island. It will be awhile at their current rate!
Stu Davidson
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2:41 p.m. - Large group approaching Edmonds Marina northbound.
Melissa Bird
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Ken Balcomb reports that J pod turned back south around 2:30 this afternoon, while Ks and at least some Ls (they were very spread out) were trending north and eastward.-
2:05 p.m. - watching from Edmonds jetty. Very close to Kitsap side heading north right by headland that is to the south of Kingston. Moving fast towards Kingston lots of splashing and blows
Karen Knight
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1:56 p.m. - some orcas off President Point, Kitsap side, south of the channel marker, heading north. NOAA is with them, I think.
Joanne Graves
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1:47 p.m. - Jill Clogston and I are at Kingston Ferry Terminal, we can see them to the South of us!
Melissa Bird
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1:46 p.m. - watching the orca from Kingston, they are south of Kingston heading north with NOAA and CWR.
Connie Bickerton
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1:30 p.m. - Saw them from Faye Bainbridge park sightline across to Golden Gardens. Very large group.
Rebeca Rambal
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1:30 p.m. - Ken Balcomb has found members of all matrilines, so it's possible all 82 Southern Residents are in Puget Sound now, between Shoreline and Indianola, northbound.-
1:21 p.m. - Several orca's just off President Point south of Kingston (closer to the west side) heading north. They are quite tight together moving at a good speed.
Chris Beamer Otterson
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1:07 p.m. - from Shilsoe Sunset Park, see large group northbound on west side of channel north of Bainbridge. Single male mid channel northbound too.
Bethany Ryals
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12:35 p.m. - Brad Hanson of NOAA called and is with lead group of Js, including J26, mid channel between Faye Bainbridge and Golden Gardens. And we see Ken Balcomb of Center for Whale Research with a larger group to the south. All traveling northbound.-
12:20 p.m. - one group flipped up while others stuck to southbound but eventually all flipped and formed tight groups, all now heading northbound.
11:30 a.m. - We are viewing from Sunset park atop Shilshole marina. Orcas have grouped up...some in resting lines mostly mid channel with some on either side if...south of Faye Bainbridge/Golden Gardens. Slowly southbound
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:09 a.m. - seeing them from Carkeek grouped up going south. Seem to be closer to Kitsap side.
Whitney Neugebauer
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11:00 a.m. - Four or more orcas heading south almost to Shilshole marina, Seeing from Fay Bainbridge park.
Bob Rosenbladt
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10:38 a.m. - must have seen at least 30 orcas heading south spread across the channel , as seen from mid channel just north of Shilshole
Stu Davidson
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10:37 a.m. - Seeing orcas southbound mid channel from Faye Bainbridge park, at least 3 -5 of them!!
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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10:18 a.m. - from Richmond Beach Saltwater park, watching them pass with many still coming from the north. Several spread across channel around yellow mid channel buoy south of Edmonds/Kingston with leaders 4 miles to the south.
Alisa
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10:14 a.m. - pod has regrouped and more together, mid channel beween Richmond Beach and Shilshole. Slowly southbound
9:52 a.m. - Several playing near surface, sight line east of Point Jefferson
Stu Davidson
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10:00 a.m. - more orcas passing President Point, Kitsap side heading south
9:57 a.m. - just passed President Point going south trending toward mid channel but on the Kitsap side. Appears to be a blue hulled yacht watching from a respectful distance
Joanne Graves
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10:25 a.m. - They are now pushing SW toward the north end of Bainbridge. Currently in the traffic lanes.
9:49 a.m. - 4 orcas heading south just off Point Wells - Edmonds.
Jim Devereaux
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10:00 a.m. - orca just off President Point south of Kingston, looked to be 8-10 of them (one big male) spread out and slowly heading south.
Chris Beamer Otterson
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10:00 a.m. - Many Orca's traveling south off Kingston President Point Road. Many large males, females with babies
They were spread out from mid channel buoy to President Pt Appeared to be more than one pod perhaps several. Great to see them return to Puget Sound, love them. Just like a parade! Travelling several pods over long period of time Some out by mid channel buoy some closer to President Pt Rd Looked like females with babies coming last but there were many over a 1 hour or so. Great to see them in the sound
Margret Steen
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9:25 a.m. - leaving Edmonds...watched several well east of channel as well as all the way across. Southbound. Im heading to Kayu Kayu at Richmond Beach.
Alisa
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9:00 am - Capt. Wilke of the Walla Walla ferry, Kingston/Edmonds run, reports 7-12 orcas milling off Apple Cove since 4:30 am. There were a lot of gillnetters but they left before 9.
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9:00 a.m. - several more groups of 1 to 6 orcas just passed by Edmonds, 1 mile offshore, heading south. Plus more heading south mid channel and near Kitsap.
Sherman Page
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9:13 a.m. - the group of orcas currently in the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane slowly
8:58 a.m. - Surrounded by a spread of a group of about 6 or so Orcas just off shore from north of Kingston.. Near commercial fishing boats! Orcas are milling around the area
Stu Davidson
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8:54 a.m. - on bluff in Kingston seeing them southbound mid channel very spread out.
Connie Bickerton
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8:50 a.m. - From Edmonds looking toward Elgon. Orcas banking south to Kingston
Ariel Yseth
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8:40 a.m. - many orcas heading south near Eglon, some mid channel, most near Kitsap, well spread out. Also, a humpback 3 miles NW of Edmonds.
Sherman Page
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8:45 a.m. - orcas spread across channel slowly southbound spread out in 1- 3s with some whales maybe a mile off Edmonds with others mid channel and east/west of mid channel. Saw many blows north of Kingston (Clipper stopped and just resumed).
8:00 a.m. - several orcas spread out approx 3 miles south of Possession Point and 3 miles west of Edmonds. Foraging? Milling? In southerly direction. And a humpback! Viewing from high bluff Stamm Overlook park. Rain squall impairing visibility towards Whidbey a bit to see if others continued, but appears they have flipped, any whales I'm seeing are southbound.
7:38 a.m. - from Edmonds I see blows and dorsals spread out from Eglon to maybe a mile plus south if Scatchet Head buoy. Northbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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7:37 a.m. - can see orcas all the way across from south east of Point No Point across the channel to Useless Bay.
7:22 a.m. - They seem to be heading across the channel to Scatchet Head - orcas spread out but probably half a dozen at least. They are surfacing a lot and don't seem to be on a mission to leave this feeding area. Still spread out from east of Point No Point and towards Scatchet head. Easy to see from north Edmonds.
Stu Davidson
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7:20 a.m. - Pod of orcas on north side of Kingston. Heading to Eglon area.
Erin Steinman
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WS ferries called in two reports of five orcas 6:42 am off Apple Cove Pt and at 7 am off Apple Cove headed SW toward fleet of gillnetters.
