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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  

In This Issue
Photo of the Day
Souhthern Residents
Bigg's/Transient orcas
Unidentified orcas
Humpback whales
Gray 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.  

Lost Whale book...ver scaled

______________

 

To learn more  

about orcas: 

Orcas in Our Midst, volume 3, by Howard Garrett

Orcas in Our Midst,

Vol. 3: Residents and Transients, How Did That Happen?

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to order YOUR copy!

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November 14, 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.
Yesterday, Friday the 13th, many hardy souls braved the wind and sideways rains to watch another combination of residents in Puget Sound. From some tentative IDs it appears we had members of all three pods. Mid afternoon, WS Ferries reported a few southbound while a large group continued northbound. A report we picked up many hours later of 10-12 southbound in Redondo would go along with the WSF report to indicate at some point the pods split, we look forward to seeing if any show up today.

Tuesday the 10th, Ks and Ls were reported southbound in Puget Sound near Vashon while another smaller group was near Blake Island to the north. Residents made it to Three Tree Point, Burien before they stalled, foraged for a while then flipped direction. About the time they committed to northbound they moved over and hugged the east side of Puget Sound.  And, around this time the northern group became very active and started traveling north as well, on the west side of the Sound. A short time later we learned this northern group was a pod of Transients. Now both types, salmon eating residents and mammal eating transients,  were traveling northbound on opposite sides of the sound, approximately 5+ miles apart, well within audible range of one another.

A large number of Bigg's/Transients were encountered by Traci Walter and Chris Teren in the Boundary Pass. Included are their encounter reports, photos, and King 5 News story about their experience.

Humpback reports have slowed some but many are still around. And the gray whale included in our last report off Tacoma/Gig Harbor was still in Puget Sound as of the 12th.  She/he was seen much further south in the Olympia area and seen the next day back north in the waters off Tacoma.

PHOTO CREDIT CORRECTIONS:  Many photos in our November 6th report were erroneously attributed to K Rachel Keil, including Photo of the Day. Full credit for all of those photos belongs to  John McGrory, our apologies to John for the error on our part in not confirming the photographer.

Please join us this weekend at the Langely Whale Center for our Grand Re-Opening!
Saturday, November 14th 11 am -5 pm includes author readings, music. Sunday the 15th, 11 am - 5 pm for the Grand Re-Opening of our Langley Whale Center in our NEW LOCATION at 115 Anthes, Langley, Whidbey Island, WA!
DETAILS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

We appreciate all of you who make up this global networking community of orca and whale allies.

Orca Network 
Photo of the Day
November 13 
Nothing like waking up to a text saying there are orcas in the area!
Here is J17 and J53 visiting Dilworth, Vashon Island today.

Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 13, 2015 
 
Southern Residents
November 13 - Residents in Puget Sound 
10:45 p.m. -  Sounds like the SRKWs on PT hydro. Started hearing them a few minutes ago. Faint, heard J pod.
Connie Bickerton
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4:20 p.m. - they are booking it! Got to Shilshole/Golden Gardens about 4pm and they were already here, due west. They are clearing Meadow point about now. Lost sight in yet another bank of rain. A bit spread out but close in proximity to one another. Finished out the day watching with Bri Wilson who has trekked along with them all day as well!
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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4:08 p.m. - YES! YAY! We see them! They are surfing the wake of the tug boat. Still heading north. (exciting times for her, this was her first time seeing orcas)
Danette Walker
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3:45 p.m. -  several passing by West Point Lighthouse. Surfed tug wake. Still northbound.
Susan Marie Andersson
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3:37 p.m. - Seeing orcas between south end of Magnolia and Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Isl. spread out from mid channel to Kitsap side.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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3:20 p.m. -  from near Magnolia Marina see large group 20+ in long line, including 4 plus adult males mid channel transected north of Eagle Harbor. Some breaches and tail lobs as they travel steadily northbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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We received a report from Loren of a pod of ~10 orcas off Redondo Beach about 100 yards off the beach at about 3 pm. He said at first they were spread out, then they all collected in a really tight pod of 7 or 8 fins, and stayed that way for 20 - 25 minutes, then headed south toward Tacoma. (We found this report late in the day. Coupled with the WSF report below of southbound orcas off south end of Bainbridge, it indicates the pods split at some point - ALB)
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2:20 p.m. - Marie at Washington State Ferries called again, with a report from a Captain of 3 orcas SOUTHBOUND in shipping lanes off Restoration Point.
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2:10 p.m. - ON north side of Alki saw one female cleared the  Alki side of yellow buoy that is between Alki and Restoration Point, Bainbridge. Not sure if leader, seas are very rough, not seeing others.
1:55 p.m. -  LOL...thru the wind and sideways rain, found one large male approx. 1 mile off southside of Alki Point moving steadily northbound in white-cappy seas.
1:20 p.m. -  quick peek of male passing Lowman Beach northbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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West Seattle to Vashon ferry - 1:15 pm. Pretty choppy, I can't see how many there were,
but Orcas!
Photo by Amanda Kelly, November 13, 2015
("Looks like K26" - Melisa Pinnow) 

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1:05 p.m. - WA State Ferries reports at least six orcas seen off Vashon Head, north end of Vashon Isl., heading north in the southbound traffic lane. And at 1:15 - At least one juvenile in the pod, and they are very active
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12:55 p.m. - 6-8 orcas moving through Vashon ferry lanes, moving north, mid channel
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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12:30 p.m. - I saw him (an adult male)  off Glen Acres in Vashon, just a Big black triangle dorsal ploughing north through the whitecapped waves.
J Felcity Welt

12:25 p.m. -  stopped at beautifully restored Seahurst park in Burien as the pod moves north. Have seen quite a few steadily northbound across the channel. Lincoln park is good next stop then along Beach drive to Alki after. Rain comes and goes.
12:05 p.m. -  Many have passed Three Tree Point, Burien northbound. A male, female and calf are well east of mid channel, very close to the the point. Others spread across. Visibility very limited.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:07 p.m. - Few off of Dilworth mid channel.
Bri Wilson
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11:34 a.m. - several large fins now visible from Normandy Park Cove.
Dave Rausch
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11:15 a.m. - Leaving Pt. Robinson with orcas heading north towards Dilworth.
Kelly Keenan
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11:05 a.m. -  several have stalled and have been foraging spread out around between Des Moines and Point Robinson, many directional changes with some now heading north, others still foraging as the trend north begins. Several have moved very much to the east side. Huge wall of rain marched up from the south, now enveloping the area. Hardcore whale watchers out there!
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:02 a.m. - They turned , now headed northbound from Point Robinson.
Amy Carey
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The best part about today's visit from Jpod was not that they came close, or breached a bunch, but they were foraging. I could see them chasing fish and really moving around to get food. That warms my heart the most. Eat up sweet orcas. I hope there is many more abundant meals in your future.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 13, 2015 

Southern Residents visited Vashon Island today, and with the brisk winds and rainy squalls, the babies seemed to be popping out of the sound like popcorn.
Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 13, 2015 

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11:00 a.m. - From the beach of Point Robinson using iPhone camera, no zoom.
Was awesome to see.
Photo by Ryan Rooks, November 13, 2015 

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10:47 a.m. - Some past and in front of Point Robinson and some still coming south.
10:13 a.m. - Lead group passing point Robinson with the rest still back towards Three Tree Point. Southbound into the waves!
Amy Carey
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L72 Racer passing Point Robinson, Vashon/Maury Island before they are turned around.
Photo by Steve Smith, November 13, 2015 

Point Robinson close pass...another dorsal in the distance.
Photo by Steve Smith, November 13, 2015 
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10:30 a.m. - Point Robinson off Vashon ...they came so close! So fun!
Photo by Jessica Seaman, November 13, 2015 

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10:45 a.m. -  many have passed and several still north of Point Robinson. Steadily southbound very spread out mid channel to west.
10:24 a.m. -  from perch north and above Des Moines Marina see several spread out. Large male approaching Point Robinson now, 2 other males more toward mid channel and group of 4 plus including another male are traveling much closer to shore just north of Point Robinson.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:03 a.m. - Sighted between Des Moines and Point Robinson headed south.
Patrick Gould
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8:51a.m.  - seeing approximately a couple dozen in two groups.
8:31 a.m. - Just found some at Dilworth headed south.
7:25 a.m. - Just received a report from a community member here on Vashon of whales headed Southbound at Dolphin Point - which is near the North end of Vashon Island. No specific number but the report said "large group." I will try to brave the weather and head out soon to see who we might have.
Amy Carey
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7:11 a.m. - Pod of orcas off the north eastern tip of Vashon. Heading south.
Andrew Medina
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7:10 a.m. - Marie Waterman of WA State Ferries reports about a dozen orcas heading south along the east side of Vashon Island.

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

November 12  
4:00 p.m. - Orcas off President Point, heading south , on the Kitsap side.
Joanne Graves
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3:36 p.m. - I just saw a pod of orcas from the Edmonds ferry a couple hundred yards from the Edmonds dock. They didn't really seem to be moving in any direction. The first one that I saw was a calf on the port side only about 20 yds from the ferry.
Brandon Fleck

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November 10 - Ks and Ls in Puget Sound 
4:41 p.m. -  just spotted dorsals approaching West Point lighthouse, as viewed from Rolling Bay Bluff, Bainbridge Island. Still northbound.
Connie Bickerton

4:40  p.m. - Sara, Durand, Ed, and I have been waiting at Shilshole marina/Golden Gardens and finally see fins, blows, breaches approaching. Sightline near green buoy off West Point, Dsicovery Park , Magnolia.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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4:18 p.m. - Now out of view from Magnolia Park and Magnolia Blvd Viewpoint. Discovery Park is probably next best bet with sun going down. They have been closer to Seattle side. There are some happy breaching whales out there!
Courtney Flynn
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4:15 p.m. -  Off Magnolia, Perkins Lane. Northbound very close to Seattle side.
Lance King
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3:37 p.m. - Very large pot of orcas in Elliot day. Heading north.
Rick Snodgrass

An hour with Orca whales will change your life!
Passing Elliot Bay, downtown Seattle.
Photo by Rick Snodgrass, November 10, 2015 

In Elliot Bay with Southern Residents, looking back to the north side of Alki.
Photo by Rick Snodgrass, November 10, 2015 

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3:19 p.m. - pod of whales just south of Bainbridge Seattle ferry lanes mid channel. No direction of travel.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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3:11 p.m. - Alki pod heading out NW with the research boat, being super frisky, and further out in the channel. 3:15 pm - not sure if heading north or milling at this point.
Kristin Jones 
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2:50 p.m. - With Sara Hysong-Shimazu who can confirm IDs Ks and Ls. They are still northbound north side Alki. Very close to Seattle side. All of K pod, L47s w/L122 and probably L4s!
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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2:27 p.m. - Orcas off West Seattle heading north. Heading towards Alki Light.
Jason Mihok
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Little L122 peeking up while surrounded by his family, south side of Alki Point, West Seattle.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, November 10, 2015 

Late afternoon sun and playful orcas - south side Alki Point.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, November 10, 2015 

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Watching  Ks and Ls pass by Alki Point.
Photo by Kersti Uzala Muul, November 10, 2015 

Photo by Kersti Uzala Muul, November 10, 2015  

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2:05 p.m. -  I'm at Emma Schmidt park West Seattle. Big pod just approaching south end of park. Close to this side!
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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1:50 p.m. - 10-12 whales milling around mid channel off Lincoln park, small boat near them, I hope reasearch vessel. (yes was research- ALB) Watching to south from 4600 beach drive park, Vista West Seattle.
Martin Moore
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1:55 p.m. - we are standing on the Seattle shoreline of Mee Kwa Mooks Park--South of Alki Beach/Alki Point--watching them approach. They're very spread out and still moving North slightly Eastward.
1:30 p.m. -  watching 12+ orca with babies on Lincoln Park walkway, north of Vashon ferry lanes, south of Blake Island. Feeding patterns, but definitely moving NE.
Steve Wharton
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1:28 p.m. -  south group still northbound. Stunning!!! Approx 25-35 whales with 2 babes and 5-6 adult males in gorgeous resting line now north of Fauntleroy ferry lanes. About to clear point at Lincoln Park. Did I say stunning! Research skiff now with this group.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network


 
Ks and Ls traveling in resting mode close to the Seattle side passing Lincoln Park, West Seattle.
Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
November 10, 2015 

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1:25 p.m. - At least 10 orca traveling North as viewed from the Fauntleroy Ferry landing.
Amy Bliss-Miller
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1:47 from Lowman - so GREAT seeing them so well with the naked eye! Woohoo! Heading slowly north.
1:17 p.m. - at Lowman - large group, lots of spouts, still south of Vashon ferry lane. Heading slowly north, trending east. C'mon over here, orcas!
Trileigh Tucker
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1:13 p.m. - Can see a group in about mid channel off Fauntleroy milling. At least one male in group. Seen from Schmitz with binoculars.
Buzz Shaw
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1:00 p.m. - at least 10 whales in Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane north bound now.
Martin Moore
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12:49 p.m. -  from Lowman Beach large pod heading north currently in front of Lincoln Park.
Jill Hadji
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12:47 p.m. - Just south of the north tip of Vashon Island closer to West Seattle there is a pod of orcas heading north. Looks to be 20+ and lots of small fins.
Josh Boender
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12:44 p.m. - seeing orca from south of Fauntleroy ferry dock, not even a mile, closer to east side. Watching while aboard ferry from Vashon Island to Fauntleroy, West Seattle.
Photo by Brittany Gordon, November 10, 2015 

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12:33 p.m. - At Lincoln Park, West Seattle and see a bunch of them heading this way (northbound)  just south of Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lane.
Leslie Wong
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12:25 p.m. -  Saw at least some of the south group from Marine View drive at north end Arroyos Heights (south of Fauntleroy) heading north on east side of channel close to this side.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:10 p.m. -  slowly north mid channel sight line from Dilworth to just south of Fauntleroy ferry terminal. Lots of tail lobs.
Sara Hysong-Shimazu
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11:55 a.m. - at least 15 have bunched in couple of groups and continued north. Sightline between Three Tree and Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lanes but they are well south of lanes.
11:35 a.m. - they have flipped and are now heading north, very spread out from Three Tree Point to Dilworth very slow pace, lots of lazy tail lobs.
11:20 a.m. -  I just got to Three Tree point, Burien. Several are milling, spyhops, and breaching at yellow buoy off the point.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:01 a.m. -  I see many from Three Tree Point, on the southside! Hanging out but slowly going north.
Leslie Wong
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I was in between Normandy Park and Maury Island, about half way out between 10-Noon. There was a constant eruption of orca fins, jumps, and spouts. They were in three clumps and stayed, generally, west of mid channel. At one point, two of the groups came within about 3/4 mile of three tree point. They never got more than a 1/2 mile away from me. I was on a SUP.
Matt Parker
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10:34 a.m. - Many whales between Three Tree Point and Point Robinson.
9:00 a.m. - Leaders headed south past Dilworth on Vashon - think we may have more than one pod.
Amy Carey
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8:50 a.m. - orcas in Dilworth southbound spread all across channel. I can still see more coming from the north.
Aimee Demarest
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8:40 a.m. - I see at least two orcas between Vashon and West Seattle. Mid passage, they're heading south. Spread out. In between Dilworth and Vashon Ferry. Going slow. Kind of milling around.
Erin McDermott
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Commenter on WSB just reported, "A big pod of killer whales just showed off for the passengers on the 7:50 ferry to Southworth! Huge pod going south!"
West Seattle Blog
   
Bigg's/Transient orcas
November 11 
Transient Killer whales feed on marine mammals and don't often get the opportunity to "let loose". The noise they make from having a bit of fun can make their presence know to their prey. So when they do have a bit of fun, they give it their best and have lot of fun all at once. We just happened to be there at the time when things got quite amazing. 4 different family groups were together and were socializing like crazy! We were able to put the hydrophone down too and heard incredible vocals as well! Truly an amazing encounter on a beautiful November day! The 4 family groups were the T049A's T123's T68B's T68C.
Traci Walter

One of the younger members in this gathering of 4 different families of Bigg's.
Photo by Traci Walter, November 11, 2015
(All images taken with a 600mm lens and cropped) 

Photo by Traci Walter, November 11, 2015
(See more of Traci's encounter photo's HERE) 

Big guy breach.
Photo by Traci Walter, November 11, 2015 

November 11 
"There were somewhere around 10 Biggs Killer Whales between Patos Island and East Point on Saturna Island, and they were being so social it was amazing! Breaching over and over, tail lobbing and slapping, feeding, spy-hopping, and generally looking like a bunch of very happy WILD orcas!".  Full
King 5 News story on Traci and Chris's encounter HERE. 
Chris Teren

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

November 10
Reports this morning of two separate groups of whales, not together but just a few miles apart had me presuming the larger group was the Southern Residents, and very curious about the second group. Kimberly first spotted them off Manchester, and then subsequent reports from Brittany, Sue Larkin and others had me chasing these whales. They headed north, as the residents flipped north too, and the T's took off. They made record speed around Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island and past the Bainbridge ferry lanes to Rolling Bay, while the Residents were near the north end of Vashon Island. I headed to Rolling Bay Bluff. Not long after I started searching, they popped up in front of me, and appeared to rest from their exertion for a few minutes.Susan showed up and not only did she see them, but her Mom got to see them too. These Transients resumed their travels at a slower but steady speed in typical sneaky T behavior by disappearing for a good amount of time before popping back up further north, traveling on the west side of mid-channel. Identified by Sara as T37As, T37 and T34s. Thanks everyone - much fun running into you all today!
Connie Bickerton

Members of the T37As, T37 and T34s hugging the west side of Puget Sound as the Residents hugged the east side a few miles south of them.
Photo by Connie Bickerton, November 10, 2015
(IDs by Sara Hysong-Shimazu) 

Photo by Connie Bickerton, November 10, 2015

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1:46 p.m. - Northern group of Transients continued north after a few minutes of resting. They are on the west side of mid channel.
1:34 p.m. -  Northern most group visible from Rolling Bay. Identified from photo as Transients (by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
Connie Bickerton
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1:00 p.m. -  5-6 orcas northbound north of Winslow west of mid channel.
Lance King
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12:30 p.m. - About 6 Orcas moving fast through Bainbridge ferry lanes now, moving north east of mid channel.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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12:20 p.m. - Seem to be trending with the the tide. Heading north between Bainbridge and Alki Beach. However they seem to be doing a lot of hunting so who knows?
Kimberly Sylvester-Malsahn
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Noon - group off Bainbridge Island trending north and east near Restoration Point, Bainbridge Island.
Susan Marie Andersson
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12:03 p.m. -  group off Bainbridge island north of the container ships but still south of ferry lane is VERY active, lots of breaches! No direction of travel. I'd say maybe 6-8 at least.
11:17 a.m. - watching orca tail lobbing in between Bainbridge island and Blake island, mid channel (north of the 3 container ships) watching from Manchester. Can't tell direction of travel, but they are very active. There is boat with red bottom that is with them. As viewed from Manchester.
Brittany Gordon
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11:22 a.m. - Just saw a breach and surface activity with binoculars from lower Queen Anne. Just to the North of the blue Hanjin cargo anchored north of Blake Island. No clear direction.
Katie Kirkiing
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11:10 a.m. - Still trending east. Probably 6-8 Orca... A fishing boat has been following them..
11:00 a.m. - Change direction. Now heading east towards Blake Island. Still watching from south end of Bainbridge.
10:20 a.m. - Watching from South Beach, Bainbridge Ialand. I see them on Kitsap (west) side of Blake Island. Watching through scope. Too far out to IDs or get direction yet.
Kimberly Sylvester-Malsahn
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November 10  
Lone male headed south about mid-channel off West Beach at about 8:45 am.
Carol Duncan
 
Unidentified orcas
November 12 
We spotted some orcas from 10:00-10:30am this morning on the west side of Lummi Island (out in the pass between Lummi and Clark, but closer to us on Lummi). They were a ways out and it is very windy so there were a lot of white caps.
...they were far out, at least 2 smaller ones that seemed to be calves, and several adults (at the very least 2, but I'd guess more like 4 or 5. At least one adult male. They appeared to be playing and maybe feeding. They were jumping a lot and sort of circling around a relatively small area right on the line (either the tide line or where the currents were meeting). They also appeared once or twice to either be dragging/tossing something through the surface of the water, or sort of jolting quickly along the surface (again, hard to discern what we were seeing there given the distance and the waves). from what I could tell they were moving south/southwest, since they seemed to drift a little that way over the course of the 20-30 minutes I was watching.  The last one we saw was significantly to the left (aka south), although after that I didn't see any of them again in either direction.
Kelsey McLane
 
Humpback whales
November 11 - north central Puget Sound 
10:46 a.m. - infrequent blows, but just got one mid channel north of line of sight between north Edmonds and Point No Point.
9:51 a.m. - humpback breaching (multiple times) mid channel due west of north Edmonds (one mile north of Edmonds ferry)
Stu Davidson
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9:50 a.m. - a humpback breached a mile NW of Edmonds.
9:40 a.m. -  another humpback 2-3 miles NNW of Edmonds
Sherman Page
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November 11 - Possession Sound 
9:30 a.m. - There was one lone gray or humpback whale sighted just north of the Clinton Ferry dock about 9:30 AM on 11/11/2015. It was headed south towards Possession Point.
Doug Brand

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

November 10 - BC 
5:30 p.m. - Two humpback whales sighted in Trevor Channel near Bamfield BC. Last sighted heading Northwest.
Josh McInnes
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November 10 - north central Puget Sound 
3:37 p.m. - humpback blows on Kitsap side south of Pt no Pt approx 1 mile
Stu Davidson
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2:52 p.m. - Spotted a Humpback at Point No Point around 2:30. Heading toward Norwegian Pt.
Jann Clare
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November 10 -  central Puget Sound 
OK, here ya go... just sighted the ever so "elusive" humpback , breached twice and not seen it since. Location: milling just south of the tanker ship Capri Sea? anchored west of Blake Island closest to the Harper Pier / Southworth DR.. Humpback was heading south close to the beach near Harper Pier and west of Blake Island.... no Orca's , lots of sea lions foraging in the area as well...sorry, no further postings today
Kathe Bradley
Gray whales
November 12 - Tacoma 
The whale was seen at 11:15 only about 200ft from shore, if that. It was in
the same area as the eider. No large dorsal fin seen and it only surfaced
twice. No blowing seen. It appeared grayish with white spots (though these
could be due to barnacles) and appeared maybe 30 to 40 feet in length. Any
whale in Tacoma is a pretty good find. (This is the same gray as in our November 10th report and Kim Merriman's report below on the 11th - ALB)
Christopher Clark, Sumner, WA

Gray Whale off Ruston Way in Tacoma.
Photo by Christopher Clark, November 12, 2015 

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

November 11 - Olympia 
12:35 p.m. - Gray whale. Confirmed. Headed east across Budd Inlet into Eld Inlet right at my house. Then it turned north, very close to shore and is still heading north, toward Hunter Point and Squaxin Island.
Morning - Neighbors to the south of me called at 8:00 and said a whale had surfaced three times heading north. I ran to the deck to see if I could see it. All I saw were sea lions. But 10 minutes later, across the span of water, I saw what I believe was a large blow! A single one. Heading south into Budd Inlet. Then the sunlight was on the water, blinding me. Have not seen anything since. Still on the lookout. If it was/is a whale, and I can confirm, I'll let you know.  (This is the same gray as in our November 10th report - ALB)
Kim Merriman

Here is as it surfaced parallel to my bank. Very shallow surface and no fluke. Very faint blow.
Photo by Kim Merriman, November 12, 2015 

Photo by Kim Merriman, November 12, 2015

Photo by Kim Merriman, November 12, 2015
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November 11 - Possession Sound 
10:56 AM - There are at least two Grey's heading south, right out front of Columbia Beach - just south of the Clinton Ferry. Feeding. Saw spouts, backs and then tails. (reported as grays, but humpbacks higher probability with daily sightings few miles to the south)
Jill Brewster  
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TO REPORT WHALES, CALL: 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2638), email [email protected], or post sightings on our Orca Network Facebook page.

 

*BE WHALE WISE! BOATERS - NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS OF MAY 16, 2011:

 "The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect May 16 and apply to all types of boats, including motor boats, sail boats and kayaks, in Washington"

 

For more information on the new Federal Regulations, visit the NOAA Fisheries website

 

 
To report harassment of whales in US waters
, call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964;

In Canadian waters, call DFO's Observe Record and Report (ORR) Violations Hotline: 1-800- 465-4336

Report the boat name &/or a description of the boat, & get photos if at all possible.