Doublestuf J34 doing a crazy flip off the rocks north of False Bay. Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016 (see back flip sequence in section below)

2:00 p.m. -  still intermittent L pod calls.
1:30 p.m. -  Just came in from outside, L pod members vocalizing on Lime Kiln.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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12:30 p.m. - Saw some orcas today near Lime Kilm on San Juan Island. I was told it was the J pod over the radio I heard that possibly J 27. I am new to this so if I am wrong about identification I am sorry. (ID's unconfirmed)
Kelli Carlson

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WOW. L Pod passed Sooke late this afternoon and nobody even knew. Keep You eyes peeled. THEY ARE BACK!
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Amazing evening with J-Pod!

It was an epic pass at Lime Kiln. The party continued up the shoreline. Later (on the water) we left most of Js northbound at Battleship then ran into the J16s just north of Kellett on our way home. So funny we're hearing Js making L calls and I said Ls must be on their way in! (reports of Ls in Strait of Juan de Fuca heading inland)
Monika Wieland

A major breach fest - even L87 Onyx got in on the action! Photo by Monika Wieland, July 13, 2016

 

Here's J47 Notch - an uncropped photo from Lime Kiln State Park. Photo by Monika Wieland, July 13, 2016

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5:16 p.m. - Vocals and Echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Melissa Mikey Howes
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Around 2pm, Saw about 7 orcas off of Western Preserve, SJI. I'm guessing J pod? they were heading south along the coast. One adult and one juvenile continued south. Another group with one large male (someone near me said so, but not 100% sure), two other adults and two juveniles headed south along the coast and then turned out toward Victoria/ more open water.
Julia Wallace
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Trip report - It's always good to hear that whales are close by, but really exciting that they're members of J-pod - still in our waters - and hopefully finding enough food! We headed towards the west side of San Juan Island where they were doing their "west side shuffle", traveling very close to shore, and were able to identify J-26 Mike, J-16 Slick with her calf J-50, and several other members of the J16s and J22s (and possibly the J17s) - always a delight to see them. We had a fleeting glimpse of a Minke whale on our return trip, with several Steller sea lions resting on a channel marker, some harbor seals, and eagles. And it was a really beautiful sunny day.
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

Approx 1:30 p.m. - J-16 Slick with J-50 Scarlet tucked in close on her left. Haro Strait - west side San Juan Island. Photo by Jill Hein, July 13, 2016

A youngsters spyhop off the west side of San Juan Island this afternoon. Photo by Jill Hein, July 13, 2016

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1:30 p.m. - Faint calls/echolocation on Lime Kiln right now!
Mandy Johnson
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12:54 p.m. - Faint echolocation on the Lime Kiln hydrophone! They started chatting as soon as I posted yesterday so let's see if my luck continues!
Amy K Fowler

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J-pod came through Active Pass today at about 3:30pm. I was almost splashed by a tail slap! Part of J Pod close to the shore of Galiano in Active Pass this afternoon. Carolyn & Gary Cullen, Galiano BC Video by Gary Cullen, July 11, 2016

9:05 p.m. -  still hearing calls.
8:45 p.m. - still hearing faint calls amid cargo ship noise.
7:55 p.m. - There we go...Loud calls and visible on webcam
7:40 p.m. - Started hearing echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. J pod has been shuffling the west side of San Juan today.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Image No. 1 of 4 in sequence of 18-year-old Doublestuf J34 doing a crazy flip  during a late afternoon amazing J pod encounter from shore.  J16, J22, J34, J42, and J50 all got in a bundle and went absolutely CRAZY right off the rocks. (north of False Bay) Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016

No. 2  -  J34 back flip. Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016

No. 3  -  J34 back flip. Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016

No. 4 -  J34 back flip. Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016

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J53 embracing her inner bird. Just four of the dozens of breaches from this spunky little girl this evening in Haro Strait. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 12, 2016

More J53 and her prowess in aerials. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 12, 2016

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12:52 p.m. - Hearing echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. No vocals yet but hoping someone will say something soon!...Just as I posted hearing vocals now! Loud and clear!! No background noise!
Amy K Fowler
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11:11 a.m. - Nice distant but easily audible S1 calls and a concusive (pec slap or breach?)
11:08 a.m. - still whales in view on the webcam
10:15 a.m. -  start hearing calls on Lime kIln hydrophone and saw an orca on the webcam.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

Moby J44, Princess Angeline J17, and J53 in the morning - taken from shore. West side San Juan Island Photo by Melisa Pinnow, July 12, 2016

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11:35 p.m. - Listening to blows and slaps... now. ( from shore at Eagle Cove)
Erin Corra
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5:35 p.m. - Got Suttles at Hein playing with a neonate harbor porpoise. J49 was with her at first but J37 came in and seemed to almost collect him. Like "do not do what your aunt is doing!"
Sara Hysong-Shimazu

J40 Suttles with neonate Harbor porpoise. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 11, 2016

J40 Suttles with neonate Harbor porpoise. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 11, 2016

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Today's encounter with J pod. Approximately 2 miles north of Hein Bank we observed J40 playing with what appeared to be a dead harbor porpoise. We heard on the radio that she had been playing with it for at least an hour. J14 and J45 were close by, as well as at least 2 minke whales right alongside of them. (see photo in Minke section) We left the whales at 6:30 and they were heading south spread out in loose groups. What a day!
Cheers, Barbara and David, All Aboard Sailing
 

J40 with dead neonate Harbor porpoise draped over her. Photo by Barbara Bender, July 11, 2016

J40 pushing the deceased neonate Harbor porpoise. Photo by Barbara Bender, July 11, 2016

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We saw them too around 3:00 from San Juan Island Natl Historic Park and they were beautiful! My family and I were watching from shore.
Christina Mssimino
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2:10 - 2:35 p.m. - about a dozen orcas travelling east-to-west past Flint Beach on the south end of Lopez Island.
Tome Reeve
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12:32 p.m. -  Maya from WSF called  with a report of 25 Whales off Rosario Straight.
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12:25 p.m. - Orca pod during ferry ride. We just saw about a dozen orcas during the ferry ride from Anacortes to Friday Harbor (San Juan Islands). There were several babies in the pod and one of them jumped out of the water! This was about 20 minutes into the one-hour ride.
Drew Chuppe

Such a joy to see J-pod in the inland waters for the fourth consecutive day after a somewhat prolonged absence... It was a short trip from the dock to Rosario Strait, where J pod were southbound in Thatcher Pass. The whales were actively feeding with some rapid porpoising in pursuit of prey, many powerful tail and pectoral fin slaps to stun their quarry, and an occasional spy-hop and breach. Little ones were keeping close tabs on Mom, swimming in her slipstream, the area of least resistance. It's all about family, and to see these whales in their close-knit groups and natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest was a joy to behold.
Sandra Pollard, Naturalist and Author

Sticking together - J Photo by Sandra Pollard, July 11, 2016

A very determined orca in pursuit of salmon among the kelp. Photo by Richard Snowberger, July 11, 2016

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8:46 p.m. - Getting louder!
8:41 p.m. - I'm still hearing them, somewhat faintly though.
Melissa Burke
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8:30 p.m. - Loud and clear -Lime Kiln hydrophone
Laurie Arnone
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8:30 p.m. - I'm hearing a few calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone right now.
Kara Clayton
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Trip report - It was a magical day today as we found J-pod whales a half hour from port!! We connected with many of these amazing icons by Decatur Island, very spread out, traveling slowly southbound (the J22s, J16s and J17s). Many of the group passed close to shore by Burrows Lighthouse, continuing south past Deception Pass and thrilling beach goers at Deception Pass State Pass. We took a sight-seeing trip under Deception Pass Bridge, and when back in Rosario Strait we headed to see yet more whales - near Colville Island on the south end of Lopez Island. Here we found our favorite lady J-2 Granny with more members of her pod! It's always a good day when we see Granny, estimated to be over 100 yrs of age.
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

Always happy to see Granny, J-2. Photo taken near Colville Island, south end of Lopez Isl. Photo by Jill Hein, June 10, 2016

J-26 Mike (born 1991) traveling slowly southbound in Rosario Strait off Burrow's Island we had so many amazing looks at him. Photo by Jill Hein, July 10, 2016

J-34 Doublestuf with his mother J-22 Oreo. Photo by Jill Hein, July 10, 2016

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I was finally able to reunite with most of Jpod off the west side of San Juan Island. It had been over two months since I had seen them. Here was the first playful group we caught up with--Echo (J42), Moby (J44), Star (J46), and J53 were busy socializing and playing together. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 10, 2016

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6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Part of J pod had been in since July 3rd (J2, L87, J14s and J19s). Morning time brought word of more incoming  (or eastbound Juan de Fuca Strait) residents.  This group turned out to be the rest of J pod minus the J11s. Both groups ended up in Haro Strait off the west side of San Juan Island, spread out quite a distance, and moving in all directions. Around 6:00 p.m. we caught up with what turned out to be the J16s (and possibly others) off False Bay. Sweetly, the first whales we encountered were J16 Slick and her 19 month-old daughter J50 Scarlett who were first heading south then soon made directional change heading north, then south, then in circles.  J16's family, daughters: J36 Alki  and her son 17 month-old J52 Sonic; and 9 year-old J42 Echo were foraging for Chinook salmon.
J16s eldest offspring,  25-year-old son J26 Mike was to the north and much further offshore. After spending time with the inshore whales  we turned northwest to spend time with J26.  No sooner had the boat gone idle did he veer towards us in a zig zag pattern. With engines now cut J26 headed right for us and dove under our bow where I stood. A meaningful moment to say the least. He continued on southbound,  still zigzagging and well offshore. Soon after he veered inland all the while in foraging mode. We left the group still spread, with moms and calves inland and Mike still further off around 7:00 p.m.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

The J16s foraging off False Bay, San Juan Island. Sweet looks at calves J50 & J52 and a close pass under the bow by J26 Mike. Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network July 8, 2016

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On West Side (San Juan Island, around 12 orcas, 4 large males, females & young.
Jill Atchison   

1:30 p.m. - I saw 2 Orcas in the Columbia river at the Astoria bridge. Playing
Brent Davis  

A  Fin Whale feeding off of Jordan River in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the morning of July 9th, 2016. Photo by Mark Malleson

July 13 - Juan de Fuca 

Oh today. You will go down in history as one of the few days where I'm utterly speechless. To see such an incredible scene in nature with one's own eyes, creates such pure happiness that I carry for life. I love encounters with any wildlife, but there is something extra special about those whales. I had an incredible encounter today with nearly 30 Humpbacks in the general area we were in. (Strait of Juan de Fuca) Lunge feeding, cartwheels, and lots of tail flukes in the air! Oh, and we also saw Killer whales.
Traci Walter

A few of the approx. 30 humpbacks out in Strait of Juan de Fuca. Photo by Traci Walter, July 13, 2016 (All images taken w/600mm lens and cropped)

Photo by Traci Walter, July 13, 2016

Photo by Traci Walter, July 13, 2016

4:00 p.m. - Humpack went past Point Defiance, Tacoma and north into Colvos Passage. Photo by Zeno Martin, July 13, 2016

Beautiful back of the humpback heading away, north into Colvos Passage. Photo by Zeno Martin, July 13, 2016

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3:00 p.m. -  This is how close it went by the shore and the houses at Salmon Beach, Tacoma. Photo by Kim Merriman, July 13, 2016

Humpback fluke, Puget Sound, Tacoma. Photo by Kim Merriman, July 13, 2016

Humpback dorsal and blow hole. Tacoma, WA Photo by Kim Merriman, July 13, 2016

Pacific Northwest scenic beauty...humpback and sailboat, Tacoma, WA. Photo by Kim Merriman, July 13, 2016

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Approx 12:45 p.m. - Watched this humpback very close to shore at Chambers Bay golf Course. Headed north, toward Narrows. Slow surfacing, breathing. No fluke. No jumps. Very mellow pace, but steady. No boats near. Came within 100 feet of shore. Stayed under for a bit while a train passed, then continued easy surfacing and still north bound.
Dean Burke
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9:10 a.m. - Humpback surfacing with blows between Ketron abd Steilacoom as seen from the 9 am ferry! She/he was heading south along the shoreline between Ketron and Steilly. I saw her/him on the west side of Ketron first, but thought I was just being optimistic given all the sightings lately!
Danielle Vance

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Yep. Four full breaches and a few tail slaps just north of Salmon Beach before it headed south. One breach was about 150 ft from me while on paddle board!
Zeno Martin
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There are 3 great videos taken from a boat and posted tonight on another Facebook page (Gig Harbor- Town Talk) showing the humpback breaching 3 times. Incredible! It was in the area between Salmon Beach and the Narrows Bridge.
Katie Schmelzer
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8:00 p.m. - Just spotted what looks like a humpback just passing Salmon Beach 8pm heading south towards Narrows Bridge.
Dino Martini
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John Miller, WSF phoned in a report: Kathlamet Ferry reports 6:50 am 1 Humpback lingering 500 ft North of Dolphin Pt., Vashon Island.

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8:34 p.m. -  great sight of (humpback) in the sunset! Might be the same one I've seen (spotty) each of the last couple mornings?!
7:45 p.m. -  Whale blow right off breakwater at Edmonds marina.
While eating dinner at Antony's off the outside patio saw a huge whale blow!
Stu Davidson
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Spotted what we believe are humpbacks on ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles about 2/3 the way to Washington. There were about 4 to 6 scattered over a large distance with one group of two together.
Erin Rooks
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Beautiful look into the tops of mouths of two lunge feeding humpbacks.  Strait of Juan de Fuca near Port Angeles. Photo by Janine Harles, July 11, 2016

Lots of lunge feeding going on out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Photo by Janine Harles, July 11, 2016

Humpback Pleats and Pecs... Photo by Janine Harles, July 11, 2016

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Not about orcas, but had to share anyway! Had an amazing encounter with Poptart, BCX0324 Big Momma's 2016 calf yesterday (July 10, 2016), while hanging out with several humpbacks out in the Strait, due north from Port Angeles.  He decided to go on a breach-a-palooza, popping off 100+ breaches and/or chin slaps, and threw in a few tail throws for good measure.  I'm not exaggerating, we all lost count after about 30, and even had to leave for a while to get out of the way of a military vessel and he was still at it when we reconnected.  It was an unbelievable experience.
Carrie Sapp

Humpback Big Mama BCX0324 's calf breaching in the Strait of Juan de Fuca north of Port Angeles, WA. Photo by Carrie Sapp July 10, 2016

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Two Humpbacks Lunge Feeding in the Strait of Juan de Fuca north of Port Angeles, it was breathtaking. We could see 8 of them lunge feeding within a 1/4 mile of our boat and up to another 15 spread out in the area! Photo by Andrew Lees, July 9, 2016

1:36 p.m. - May from WSF phoned in report of Gray whale seen from the Hyak, in Sinclair Inlet, off Waterman Point, heading towards Restoration Point.
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11:15 a.m. - What I believe is a grey whale is cruising along the edge of Bremerton Marina breakwater. Right up against the edge and blowing occasionally. Now heading west toward Gorst inlet.
Ann Lieseke
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10:41 am - William Pauli phoned in a report of a small whale in the bay at the south end of Bainbridgel Island near Lynnwood Center, Rich Passage. Said it was -unusual to see whales in this bay. Didn't know type.

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We received a phone message of Gray Whale Sighting near Pt. Wilson.
No name provided

7:50 p.m. From Johnson Pt, saw a pair swimming toward the point.
6:41 p.m. - Neighbor saw the dolphins about a half hour ago from Johnson Pt. over toward Taylor Bay.
Joan Ahre

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9:15 a.m. - Common Dolphins just headed south into Eld Inlet moving fast in quite a lot of chop on the water. They are being followed by a flock of gulls. Photo by Kim Merriman, July 11, 2016

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One of the many common dolphin.  Near Boston Harbor, Olympia. Photo by Chris Hamilton, July 10, 2016