Fin whale in Colvos Passage, seen from Gig Harbor: I Heard this whale blow...It was diving when I got the first pictures and it stayed down 2-3 minutes then blew again. I saw no tail. I didn't see it again after the second dive. Photo by Archelle Reynolds, August 7, 2016

 

9:30 a.m. - More down south.
John Boyd
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4-5 Orcas heading up island off Westside Preserve 6:35AM.
Jack Collins

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What a KILLER morning! With an early tip from Mark Price of Foot Loose Charters we knew of some Orca heading west past Sooke, BC.  We were fortunate enough to be the first to catch up to the Southern Resident Killer Whales J & L pod minutes from our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottage.
Paul Pudwell

J50, J42, and J36 with J16 diving in front. Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 6, 2016 (ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 6, 2016 (ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu - "looks like L103")

Beautiful big guy J27 Blackberry. Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 6, 2016

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Orcas spotted in Birch Bay and Cherry Point on 7/17/16 at 6:50pm. We were heading back to Semiahmoo from Sucia Island and spotted 2 orcas far away just off Cherry Point. One came up face first from the water. Then just minutes later we were making a beeline across the mouth of Birch Bay and saw 2 more way over to the NE, towards BB Village. I took a right angle course away from them directly West, however it took them what seemed like seconds to come right at us. One came straight at us and I believe went under the boat. Several times they came out face first and everyone in the back saw them
come almost completely out of the water lengthwise, maybe 50 feet from us while I idled helplessly in a bit of a panic.
David Johnson

Photo by David Johnson, August 4, 2016

Crop of above photo by David Johnson, August 4, 2016

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Orcas headed east off the coast of Point Roberts today
Justin Schultz

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L92 Crewser with little L122, to be named this month! - Haro Strait. Photo by Monika Wieland, August 3, 2016

The dorsal fin of L47 Marina reflects the colors of the orange sunset as she swims north off Henry Island this evening. Photo by Monika Wieland, August 3, 2016

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7:20 p.m. - Jpod was at Smugglers Cove, San Juan Island.
Jill Shackelford Statham

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It was a five marine mammal kinda night at Lime Kiln - harbor seal, Steller sea lion, harbor porpoise, minke whale, and orcas! Photo by Monika Wieland, August 3, 2016

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This afternoon was quite magical. Js and Ls in a few different groups being super social and playful as they made their way towards San Juan Island. Glassy water and massive clumps of whales. Hope they are finding enough to eat. Photo by Traci Walter, August 3, 2016

Photo by Traci Walter, August 3, 2016

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Hi Susan and Howard, we been out today close to 3-4 miles west of race rocks, L pod slowly came into direction of San Juans. Photo by Peter Pijpelink, August 3, 2016

Photo by Peter Pijpelink, August 3, 2016

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Southern Resident killer whales jumping for joy, 10  minutes from our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottages this afternoon. Great photo by Captain Dan on "Sonar" right out from of Sooke and Whiffin Spit. Shared by Paul Pudwell, August 3, 2016

What a killer morning west of Sooke with L pod of the Southern Residents coming east past Sheringham Light House! Then, a quick visit with humpback whales right out front of our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottages, Sooke.
Paul Pudwell

L55 Nugget off Sooke, BC this morning. Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 3, 2016

J45 Se-Yi'-Chin (born 2009) while off Sooke BC with other J and L pod members. Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 3, 2016

Photo by Paul Pudwell, August 3, 2016

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J-19 "Shachi" breaching in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Photo by Carrie Sapp, July 31, 2016

J19 Photo by Carrie Sapp, July 31, 2016

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It's been an incredible past couple of weeks on the water. Yesterday, July 31st, we saw members of the L4 and L47 matrilines socializing with J pod. They were engaging in tactile behavior all day with periods of forging in between. In the evening the Ls were heading west out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, seemingly heading for the Pacific. We shall see who's around today! It was definitely nice to see some of L pod again. Now if only K pod would come back ...
Heather MacIntyre

J31 sure has been giving us lots of surface activity lately. So nice to see her in good spirits after losing her calf this winter. Gotta love this gals heart. Photo by Heather MacIntyre, July 31, 2016

Photo by Heather MacIntyre, July 31, 2016

 

7:20 p.m. - Still visible from Bainbridge, but closer to the Seattle side. Looks like they're starting to head north again.
Isaac Olson
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7:10 pm. Been watching the Transients (5 total, including one adult male and 1 young juvenile) from Faye Bainbridge since 5:45. Lots of surface activity and hunting behavior. Slowly moving north, east side of mid-channel.
Susan Marie Andersson
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6:20 p.m. - I just spotted them from Sunset Hill Park. Way across the channel from Shilshole, hard to see, even with binoculars, but lots of splashing. Slowly headed north I think but they've been milling around in the same area for a few minutes.
Danielle Carter
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3:50 p.m. - Orca whales in the sound have turned and are northbound again. Just passing the south end of Bainbridge island.
Brian McGinn
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3:40 p.m. - just west of marker buoy off Alki Point, heading north.
Jason Lee Bell
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3:35pm - WS Ferries reports ten orcas heading north between Alki and the south tip of Bainbridge Is.
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On the 3:00 p.m. Bremerton-Seattle ferry the captain came on the loudspeaker and announced orcas were on the starboard side! I jumped out of my car and raced to the front of the boat where I saw three frolicking! I didn't capture that on my camera, but got this picture. What a thrill for me as my husband and I have been "orca chasing" all year without any luck until this sighting of orcas splishin' and splashing'!
Deb Otterby
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2:21 p.m - Several orcas right now, about 1 mile due south of Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island. Lots of breaching and tail flapping. Very cool! Boats are getting way too close though.
Norah Kates
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2:20 p.m. - Orca sighting with baby, south side of Bainbridge - while on the Bremerton Seattle ferry.
Lana Myers
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1:30 p.m. - Sighting off Decatur Reef (Bainbridge Island) 5-6 whales total - 3 young were swimming Around and spy hopping - approached our boat within 30 feet while we were stationary.
Carrie Culp
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1:17 p.m. -  4 or 5 orcas at Blakely Rock - 1 big male.
Kim McCormick Osmond
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12:45 p.m. - A groups of 6-10 Orcas (including adult male) was see moving southbound just West off the shipping lane in Puget Sound along Bainbridge Island. They darted around for over an hour just east of the #1 Port entry marker to Eagle Harbor, where dozens of recreational boaters, one whale watching boat and presumably Bainbridge ferry passengers saw them. We will are editing the film we made and post it in the next few days.
Jelle Kylstra
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12:30 p.m. - currently watching them from the ferry just outside of Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island, swimming in circles right now.
Ti Cuddy
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11:35 a.m. - I can see pod across (sightline) southend Rolling Bay Bainbridge...probably still mid channel or west of. Steady southbound. Viewed from Elliot Bay marina, Magnolia.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:40 a.m. -  The T65As are heading south in the direction toward Blake Island. Missed the "dream shot" of the pod in front of Seattle with the Blue Angels passing by. Two out of three ain't bad! Photo by Stu Davidson, August 6, 2016

Photo by Stu Davidson, August 6, 2016 (see more of Stu's encounter with the T65As HERE)

T65A -  Puget Sound. Photo by Stu Davidson, August 6, 2016

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10:50 - watching from Shilshole Marina, lost the lone male for a time, then he surfaced to the north, back off Meadow Point and grouped up with his family. They circled, went on long dive and resurfaced to the west, more towards mid channel, currently due west of marina. Moving generally steady southbound with some long down times.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:29 a.m. - Chilkat Express is on scene with the T65A's near Shilshole, headed south.
Brian McGinn
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10:00 a.m. - orcas are just north of Meadow Point at Golden Gardens. Just seeing a lone male who surfaces a few times then goes on long dives. He is still southbound and is very much on the east side of channel. Viewed from Shilshole Marina/Golden Gardens
9:20 a.m. -  Pod of 5 (with large male ) is south of Jefferson Head/ Indianola southbound at good clip. West of mid channel. Viewed from Richmond Beach
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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8:10 a.m. -  4-5 Orcas spotted, off Apple Tree Point, moving south slowly, closer to Kingston side. Beautiful!
Gina James Vigna

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4:14 p.m. - 75Bs with 75C and possibly a few more. At least 5-6 animals. No males. (Partridge Bank pod)
Renee Beitzell
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3:18  p.m. - 3.5 mile WNW of Libbey Beach now.
Mike Swanton
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West side of Partridge Bank, pointed Northwest at 1535
Christopher Hanke
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1:30 p.m. - 4 - 5 orcas 1.25 miles east of Partridge Bank (off NW Whidbey Island), feeding, at least 1 calf. No direction of travel given. Report from Gary and Marcy Lagerloef, relayed by Susan Marie Anderson.

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Another beautiful sunny day and an early whale report took us north along Bellingham Channel on a search - Resident Killer Whales far far up north in Canada, but another whale watch boat saved the day by finding Transient/Biggs killer whales north of Patos Island - much closer to home port! The whales were heading away from us at a fast clip, and spread out, we had some great looks at the T65s and T34s, with possibly some T37s in the distance. A nearby harbor seal avoided detection by these mammal eating whales - it was his lucky day! After some quality time watching these magnificent mammals, we reluctantly left them, finding seals with new pups on several rocky haulouts, harbor porpoise and many bald eagles en route back to port. Thanks Capt Eric for going the distance, it was a great day.
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

T65A2, north of Patos Island and heading west. He's quite large for his age, born in 2004! Photo by Jill Hein, August4, 2016

T34 - born approximately 1970. Photo by Jill Hein, August 4, 2016

Photo by Jill Hein, August 4, 2016

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6:40 - Jack Burchard reports 4 orcas heading south into Admiralty Inlet near Port Townsend, about mid-channel.

2:00 p.m. - I saw it (fin whale) pass Olalla headed north around 2:00PM. It was close to shore and, like you, I heard it blow before I saw it. It looked just like your picture.
Steve Henderson
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12:30 p.m.  - Fin whale in Colvos Passage, seen from Gig Harbor:
I Heard this whale blow about 12:30 and just happened be standing there with my camera and a 100-400 lens. (see photo below)  It was diving when I got the first pictures and it stayed down 2-3 minutes then blew again. I saw no tail. I didn't see it again after the second dive.
Archelle Reynolds

Fin whale cruising Colvos Passage. Photo by Archelle Reynolds, August 7, 2016

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9:06 a.m. - Either a humpback or fin whale in Mukilteo just south of the ferry dock slowly heading south right now.
Lee Anne Tobin

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Fin whale sighting this evening about 1800, 1 mile NNW of Golden Gardens. Feeding I guess, headed N, then spotted farther S just off the Meadow Pt bouy. LONG body, little scimitar fin, way way back.
Eric E. Jolley
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We saw the fin whale just north of Golden Gardens (north Seattle) around 1730 while doing a memorial. Just before the service the whale changed direction and came right past our bow. Phenomenal.
Adelia Mae Boyar

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Traveling out of Everett heading towards Mukilteo Thursday morning, August 4th, spotted a whale breaching (surfacing?) that had a blow hole or nostral visible, and then as it breached, approx. 25-30 feet back came up a small curved fin, approx. 18"-24" tall. Never had seen anything like this before, so researched when we got home and looks like it was a fin whale.
Wayne Jensen

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10:45 am - reports and sent short video of Fin in Case Inlet, way north near Victor, circling then last seen heading south.
Beverly McCallum

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8:52 p.m. - I just met someone who saw the whale go by North point of Harstine Island 30 minutes ago (8:20ish). Just missed it!
Connor O'Brien
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06:50 PM - My folks just saw a whale heading north in Pickering Passage north of Harstine Island bridge. They heard it twice, thought there were two, then saw a big grey back roll out. No clear id but thought someone around the way might get one if they know to look out. No photos. We heard 1 breathing noise and then a 2d and we saw a whale body but could not identify it. It did not look like an orca or a pilot whale. We watched for a 3d breaching but did not see one. We heard what might have been a 3d breathing breech but did not see it.
Carl and Carol Hauge
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4:00 p.m. - Fin whale headed south passing Boston Harbor into Budd Inlet. Turned around and headed north toward Squaxin. Turned around again and headed south down Eld Inlet. It zig zagged from one side of the shoreline to the other. 5:00 it headed north out of Eld Inlet where I lost sight.
Kim Merriman

Fin whale deep in Puget Sound in Olympia inlets. Photo by Kim Merriman, August 1, 2016 (Images taken with a telephoto lens and cropped)

Fin whale - Puget Sound - Olympia, WA Photo by Kim Merriman, August 1, 2016

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Here's the whale I saw off Steilacoom. Unfortunately, temperature distortion and my shaking from excitement makes this not the greatest pic, but it was incredible to see! Photo by JJ Davern, August 1, 2016

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10:23 a.m. Cathy Baker reports seeing the Fin whale (Long back. Small fin way back. Not a hump) surface near Point Ruston, Tacoma. Surfaced headed towards the big area into the ferry lane area going towards Point Defiance/Dalco Pass.

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We saw what we took to be a humpback, but what could have easily be a fin whale in Admiralty Inlet evening of July 31st probably around 5 pm, maybe earlier. We were fishing and not paying a lot of attention to time. It was moving south toward Bush Point about mid-channel. (was the fin whale- see our August 1st Sightings Report)
Glenn Barnett

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Jess Payton took this picture of the fin whale on Saturday about 4pm South of San Juan Island, from the Blackfish San Juan Island Whale and Wildlife tour. Captain Tom did a great job getting us close -- but not too close -- to see several surfaces.
Sheryl Geuder Payton

Fin whale south of San Juan Island. Photo by Jess Payton, July 30, 2016

Photo by Jess Payton, July 30, 2016

Photo by Jess Payton, July 30, 2016

She was moving around Fauntleroy Cove at day break when WS Ferry staff first took notice. They called it in as a sighting and then a stranding once it was clear she was in distress. As the tide receded, she beached and lovely devoted humans did their best to keep her comfortable. I arrived about 15 minutes before she took her last breath just before 11:00 a.m. As the tide continued to ebb, her beautiful young body lay more exposed. From her appearance it was clear she was emaciated. Her long graceful white pec fins stood out. Researchers and staff from all entities, NOAA, Cascadia Research, DFW, Seattle Aquarium, Stranding Networks, Seal Sitters, and probably others were present. Much gratitude to all responders. A prelimiary exam was conducted telling us she was a 1-1/2-3 year-old juvenile and she is 39 feet long. Many of us naturalists lined along the ferry dock answered questions through out the day. She was towed in the evening at high tide to a private location for full necropsy. This is nature's cycle, and maybe humans somehow played a role in her death, we will not know until results of a full necropsy are shared, either way it is sad such a young being lost her life. Looking in the eye of a giant creature who has just passed is a moment etched in my being forever. I am relieved she did not have to suffer too long under her own weight. Rest little one.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

Stranding response members pouring water on this female juvenile humpback trying to keep her hydrated. Photo by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network, August 7, 2016

Beautiful female juvenile humpback shortly after she took her last breath. Photo by Alisa Lemire Brooks, August 7, 2016

9:15 a.m. - Two Humpbacks and a Minke off Westside preserve heading up Haro Strait.
Jack Collins

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7:30 p.m. - Just saw a humpback off constellation park in West Seattle. Slowly headed south.
Katy Coffey

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August 4

So when a humpback heads directly towards your boat, most would zoom their lens out, but I was intriged enough to just leave it. This photo is also cropped. Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 4, 2016

Humpback MMZ0004 (Malleson/CWR catalogue) dorsal and fluke compilation photo. One of the few humpbacks encountered in Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 4, 2016

Unidentified humpback dorsal and fluke compilation -  Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo by Connie Bickerton, August 4, 2016

About 1:30 p.m. - a single humpback heading north about three miles out from Port Angeles. Photo by Jack Tindall, August 4, 2016

Photo by Jack Tindall, August 4, 2016

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Another beautiful day on the Salish Sea! We left the marina with news of resident orcas west but quite far and not moving much, but headed south west to find humpbacks. Which we did! With reports of multiple sightings, we were watching one, when Captain Eric spotted a big breach back toward the north east. We caught up with Split Fin and Heather about 5 miles north of Dungeness Spit, and watched them fluke up tail dive, skim along the surface, and even have a close encounter (with engines shut down!). Thrilling to see these big, majestic whales feeding along the current lines and one huge breach that we're hoping a passenger captured on film! Also spotted some adorable harbor seals, harbor porpoises and bald eagles.
Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

Humpback BCY0160 Heather north of Dungeness Spit. Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 3, 2016 (taken w/300 mm lens and cropped)

Humpback BCZ0298 Split Fin (2006 offspring of BCY0324 Big Mama) Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 3, 2016

BCZ0298 Split Fin Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 3, 2016

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We left port with no whale reports so headed around the south side of Lopez Island via Colville Island to see the seals hauled out and - aha - minke whale reports at Hein Bank, and humpbacks a little further to the west! So off we headed in that direction. The trip was a little bumpy at times but Capt Eric kept us on a steady course - we found a humpback a few miles west of Hein Bank and had quality time viewing this gentle giant as (s)he fed in the area. There were a few good fluke (tail) shots, and a few "almost" fluke shots. Homeward bound we encountered two (or three) minke whales, still near Hein Bank. No orca today, but two of our favorite baleen whales were well worth watching! A long but enjoyable day aboard Mystic Sea!
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

Spent some quality time with this gentle giant a few miles west of Hein Bank. Photo by Jill Hein, August 2, 2016

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8:40 a.m. Stephanie Raymond on the San Juan Clipper, reports one or possibly two Humpbacks, 1 mile south of the Clinton ferry dock (South Whidbey Island) southbound at a fast pace.

It was a long slog through the islands in fog today, but as gray skies gave way to blue intrepid whale watchers were rewarded for their patience by an engaging encounter with a humpback whale near Port Angeles. This whale was intrigued by our presence, so with engines cut we rolled around in the swell inhaling the 'sweet' smell of whale breath as the whale surfaced nearby, surprising passengers by exhaling a plume of rainbow colored vapor from two blowholes (the humpback is a baleen/rorqual whale). Not too many good photos on this trip due to boat movement, and sometimes it's fun to simply enjoy the moment in the presence of these magnificent creatures.
Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

An inquisitive humpback checks out the humans- near Port Angeles. Photo by Sandra Pollard, August 1, 2016

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Today, the morning tour out of Anacortes with Island Adventures was lucky enough to encounter a very curious female humpback. (see Facebook video)  We spent about 30 minutes with her and she gave us 3 encounters where she explored the boat, rolled over and gave us belly, sprayed us, and really checked us out. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had! Also hilarious because I had to abandon my 600mm lens fitter my iPhone to get the shots
Belen Bilgic Schneider

Gray Whale this morning just off the coast of Point Roberts. Turned and headed back out toward White Rock. Photo by Justin Schultz, August 1, 2016

 

We left port with no whale reports so headed around the south side of Lopez Island via Colville Island to see the seals hauled out and - aha - minke whale reports at Hein Bank, and humpbacks a little further to the west! So off we headed in that direction...Homeward bound we encountered two (or three) minke whales, still near Hein Bank..
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

One of the several minke whales going fast in all directions today. Photo by Jill Hein, August 2, 2016

My boyfriend and I were sitting on the shore near the Des Moines Marina looking into the Puget Sound, we both saw a whale's tail in the water. We kept an eye out to see it again and then to our surprise it surfaced and breached. We aren't completely sure whether it was an orca or other whale but it was shocking to see it so close to the shore an in an enclosed area of the Sound. Very awesome experience!
Natasha Polupan

11:23 a.m. - Eight to a dozen dolphins have flipped, flopped, fished and played "follow the boats" in Pickering Passage for over 2 hours this morning. They came from the north but stayed in the passage about 1/4 mile from the Harstine Island Bridge for the full 2 hours. They have been leaping and swimming in circles in multiple places to fish. Last seen following a boat wake under the Harstine Island Bridge. I do hope they return as they were so entertaining.
Gretchen Stewart
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9:35 a.m. - Large group of common Dolphins arcing and eating in Pickering passage. They headed south nearly to Harstine bridge and are now returning north near Harstine maybe 1/4 miles north of bridge
Jill Streart

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Saw dolphins this morning at 10:30 off Seacrest Park in West Seattle. From kayak. Sorry no pics.
Deborah Neisuler

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7:15 p.m. - Spotted Common dolphins at Chambers Bay they were closer to the Fox Island side around 6:00 heading South then came back up again heading north just now.
Soun Nonthaveth-Moffett

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I saw the them (Common dolphins) at Narrows Viewpoint on Point Defiance Five Mile Loop at 8:30 pm. They were travelling south towards the bridge. At least 8 of them,
Meghan Davis-Van Horn
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I got to see the common Dolphins  in Steilacoom. We saw them around 2pm traveling north towards the Tacoma Narrows. I've read a lot that says there are only 2 or 3 of them but there were more than that. There were at least four.
Jennifer Concoby

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Common dolphins today off Steilacoom while looking for the fin whale. Photo by JJ Davern ,August 1, 2016

 

9:05 a.m. - About 5 small gray (I believe) dolphins just off Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Appear to be heading south.  (after seeing examples of the Common dolphins and  Harbor porpoise Anne thinks probably porpoise)
Ann Ventic