Members of K pod eastbound in Active Pass, passing the shore of Galiano Island early this evening. Photo by Karoline Cullen, September 3, 2016

   

8:30 a.m. - Still hearing a few clicks on Lime Kiln.
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8:15 a.m. - turned OrcaSound back on (off due to ship/boat noise) still hearing vocals.
7:20 a.m. -  turned on Hydrophones, Southern resident echoing distant vocals can be heard on both Lime Kiln and Orca Sound!   
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Calls on Lime Kiln 6:40am PT. I've been hearing them for around an hour but they were heavily obscured by vessel noise. They must be much closer to the hydrophone now!
Ali Barratt
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Approx 6:00 a.m. - They actually passed by about an hour ago (6:00 a.m.ish) as well!
Elyse Woda

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Beautiful Mega L41 southbound in Haro Strait, passing by Lime Kiln Lighthouse this afternoon. Photo by Traci Walter, September 7, 2016

Solstice L89 - Haro Strait this afternoon. Photo by Traci Walter, September 7, 2016

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6:58 a.m. -  calls at first faint and by 7:03 a.m.  hearing whistles and J calls. Soon after vocals erupted in volume and variety, it was stunning. Around 7:25 noted I'd been listening to S2iii calls typical of L12 sub pod.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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6:00 a.m. - Pod of 5+ orcas heading north this morning.
Elyse Woda
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4:00 a.m. - K pod mews.  
3:14 a.m. -  Much louder now. J and L pod calls, I think.  
3:03 a.m. Pacific time - Distant calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Ali Barratt

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Great to see a "Super Pod" J, K, & L of the Southern Resident Killer Whales off Sooke, BC today. Feeding, mating, and highly energetic this afternoon! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 6, 2016

Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 6, 2016

Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 6, 2016

WOW! Super Pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales coming east past Sheringham Lighthouse this morning! We also had a super "POD" of 60+ Humpback whales just south of the same area... WOW! This might be the most epic total whale sightings we have ever seen around Sooke, BC
Paul Pudwell

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Js and Ks were very spread out heading north in Haro Strait in the morning and the J17s including J28 passed directly in front of the CWR porch...
For photos and full report see Center for Whale Research Encounter 94 Summary

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5:50 p.m.  - I have been listening with glee for about an hour to the Lime Kiln hydrophones and have been treated to some of the most wonderful range of vocalizations. Don't know who it is, but there's a whole lotta talking going on. Clicks. Whistles. Squeals. Still going strong and with no distractions.
4:36 p.m. - faint calls on Lime Kiln hydro!
Kim Merriman
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3:47 p.m. - more are southbound at Lime Kiln
3:23 p.m. - they seem to be milling at Hannah Heights.
3:15 p.m. - Residents at Land Bank now. First moving up island now moving down island.
Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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10:43 am.. - GREAT vocals on Lime Kiln hydrophone right now. Loud and clear!
Kim Merriman
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9:31am - Orcas on Lime Kiln Webcam.
Laurie Arnone
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9:28 a.m. - Hearing orca on the Lime Kiln hydrophone now.
Colleen Moore
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8:35 a.m. - Js on Lime Kiln
8:15 a.m -  hearing faint K pod calls on Orca Sound hydrophone.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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7:30 a.m. - Lime Kiln hydrophone - Orca!
Laurie Arnone

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J2, aka "Granny", passed CWR at 1145 heading up Haro Strait, and she was followed a short while later by J19 and the J16s, and then the K13s and K14s who finally passed by at 1305...
For photos and full report see Center for Whale Research Encounter 94 Summary

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Resident orcas eastbound through Active Pass, September 3, 5:30 pm (see photos below and photo of the day)
Karoline Cullen
(K13, K34, K38, and K26 are in the photos. ID's by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research)

Photo by Karoline Cullen, September 3, 2016

Photo by Karoline Cullen, September 3, 2016

Photo by Karoline Cullen, September 3, 2016

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Sweetness from 4:00p.m. trip to Active Pass with some residents.  (which included the J16s and J2 Granny and L87 Onyx) Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, September 3, 2016

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Great day with resident orcas. This is K13 Skagit spyhopping in Swanson Channel with her daughter, K27 Deadhead and grandson, K44 Ripple in the background. Photo by Katie Jones, September 3, 2016

This K37 Rainshadow surfacing near False Bay on San Juan Island from Saturday morning. Rainshadow was born in 2003. He is at an age where he will start going through a noticeable growth spurt. His dorsal fin will begin to sprout and grow taller, his pectoral flippers will increase in size, and his tail will begin to curl on the ends. All apart of growing up and enduring the gawky teenage years! It will be very fun watching Rainshadow grow over the next 10 years. Photo by Katie Jones, September 3, 2016

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Js & Ks up west side of SJI  - saw J2 and K13s for sure. The groups were widely spread & most crossed into Canada by 3pm. Also heard reports of some Ls around Eagle Pt, but did not get to see them. Hope they stuck around today!
Michelle Leann

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L92 Crewser passing by Lime Kiln lighthouse. Members of all 3 pods were there. Photo by Breanna Elsea Cena, September 3, 2016

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Our evening trip. Star, J46. I'm giving her a 10 on her forward lunge breach! Photo by Capt Jim Maya, August 31, 2016

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Even though it's still summer, this felt like a fall day! But captains Monte and Eric steered us through the raindrops to first get a good look at a lone gray whale by Kellet Ledge in Rosario Strait, then headed up toward San Juan Island to catch up with some of K pod and L pod. We got great looks at the young male K25 Scoter, lovely female K20 Spock and her son K38 Comet, and a few more males and females, approximately 10 whales. They were quite active, breaching, tail slapping, spyhopping, porpoising, some hunting for fish, and generally headed first south and then west. Even though it was cloudy, the water was glass smooth, creating beautiful patterns as the whales surfaced and dove, with their big "whoosh" of breath announcing their presence. What a privilege to see them, as always! ...
Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

A unique image of one of the southern residents off San Juan Island today. Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 31, 2016

Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 31, 2016

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K13s and L55s were on the west side of San Juan Island...they were very active. Photo by Jill Hein, August 31, 2016

 

3:55 p.m. - Just left 4 (maybe 5) orca headed due south in Griffin Bay between San Juan and Lopez Islands toward Cattle Pass. Easy to find as 6 whale watching boats are traveling with them.
Deb Varner
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Encounter with a pod of about 4 Orcas in West sound around 1pm. We were very far away watching thorough binoculars with engine off and they eventually swam past us.
Kimberly Lynn Wickens
Photo
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10:00 a.m. -  - Maia of WSF called to relay a report of 6-8 orcas in San Juan Channel. No directions given.


T34s, T36s, T37s, T65As, T99s - Early morning reports had orcas northbound in Puget Sound. Approx. 10:00 am we first caught sight of three lovely groups spread loosely gliding along in the calm waters of morning. T65As just north of Point No Point and the two larger groups surfaced more inshore.  Their northbound travels continued, mostly just in travel mode, surfacing in regular intervals then longish dives, every once in a while staying down for 6-7 minutes or longer. The T65As most of the time hung to the outside to themselves. At one point a large group surfaced after a very long dive heading for shore in a line...it was breathtaking. This directional change and movement had every look to be pod on the hunt, but that did not happen. That group then cruised well inshore as others stayed  more offshore in the lead. No kill was witnessed in my time on scene. Watching so many fins surface at once so tightly clustered in their home waters pierces ones soul. We left for a time and returned to find them again further north. We left them still northbound off north end of Marrowstone around 12:55 p.m.
A zoom camcorder was used. A minimum required distance of 200 yards was maintained during our time out. A couple of times when idle, a few of them surfaced closer to the boat after directional changes and while passing.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

Bigg's killer whale Admiralty Inlet superpod! T34s, T36s, T37s, T65As, T99s. video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network September 6, 2016

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1:30 pm - the orcas passed Point Wilson Lighthouse as they continued north before disappearing into the fog.
Sandra Pollard
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Another pod behind the Edmonds whale boat making big splashes, porpoising. North of each beach, Marrowstone. heading north - just went past Marrowstone point about 12:55
Heather Lapmeier Cramer

12:55 pm - left superpod of Ts (including T37s, T65As, T99s) in couple of groups powering northbound nearing Fort Flagler, very much Flagler side of Admiralty.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:27 p.m. - Just spotted a fairly large pod of orcas north of East Beach park, Marrowstone island, heading north.  Edmonds whale watch following behind.
Heather Lapmeier Cramer
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10:44 a.m. - viewing from south Mutiny Bay, whales look to be headed straight west, slightly northerly, from my line of sight looks like they're aiming for Foulweather bluff.
Rachel Haight
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10:37 a.m. - Dave Anderson called to say he was seeing orcas across Admiralty Inlet near Foulweather Bluff.
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10:30 a.m. - The commited to Admiralty. First in 3 groups loosley spread with T65As further east. Now in two large groups either side of mid channel northbound out from Double Bluff, Whidbey side and Skunk Bay, Kitsap side.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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9:29 - Just saw 10-15 orcas just southeast of Point No Point, heading north or east.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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8:15 a.m. - 30 feet off shore of Apple Tree Point. So many, I couldn't count. What a wonderful surprise! Photo by Gina James Vigna, September 6, 2016

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Saw them just North of Kingston on the 7:55 a.m ferry. Photo by Doug Hayman, September 6, 2016

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8:00 a.m. - Tony Woelke from WS ferries called from the Puyallup and reports 6-8 orcas (including 1 male, couple of females, and young) first southbound, then northbound 1/2 mile off and south of Apple Cove Point, Kingston. Surface activity and some directional changes, not looking to be going anywhere.
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7:16 a.m. - I just woke up to the sound of whales swimming by! Orcas heading north toward Kingston passing by President Point. Maybe eight or so disappeared in the mist.
Julia Milller

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A great encounter today with Bigg's Killer Whales! T19 and T19C finally caught up with T18 and T19B after being separated for most of the day by two very long islands. T19 and T19C were vocalizing the whole day trying to find T18 and T19B and finally tracked them down in the Georgia Strait after 20 miles of searching and almost a whole day apart. Once they were in acoustic range T19 and T19C high speed porpoised for 8 miles to meet up with T18 and T19B. We could hear both groups calling back and forth on the hydrophone when they were two miles apart. Super cool encounter!
Simon Pidcock, Ocean EcoVentures WW

T19C (born 2001) Photo by Gary Sutton, September 5, 2016 (see encounter report above)

Photo by Gary Sutton, September 5, 2016

9:28 a.m. - Orca - Sighting North of Friday Harbor east of Roche! 48 degrees 37.125
Meris Lehecka


7:54 off of Windmill Heights heading south almost mid channel.
Dennis Allen
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7:45 - Saw them briefly from Vista Road, south of Bush Point, still heading south about a mile from shore.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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7:33 p.m. - Just passing Bush Point. We were with these whales off Eastern Bank earlier today. They get around.
Sandra Pollard
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7:17 p.m. - Watching from Bush Point. They're just south of Lagoon Point, Whidbey side.
Aden Ritter
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7:10 p.m. - T65As are mid-way between Lagoon and Bush Points still heading south, Whidbey side of mid-channel. Lost of porpoise around, but they appear uninterested in hunting.
Bart Rulon
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Two adults and one calf headed south past Lagoon Point Monday, Sept 5 approx. 7 p.m.
Dianne Bratz
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6:40 p.m.  - Stephanie Raymond reports the T65As are in Admiralty Inlet, heading south off Lagoon Point, on the Whidbey Island side.

6:25 p.m. -  Visible from Saltwater State Park (Des Moines). Closer to Vashon/Maury. Trending south towards lighthouse.
Jennifer McKee-Johnson
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5:53 p.m. -  Des Moines Marina. Still southbound
Melody Dimaggio
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5:14 p.m. - Just south of SeaTac control tower - closer to mainland. Saw them in binoculars from KVI beach on Vashon. Headed south.
Carrie Power

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Taken between 4 and 5 p.m. from my deck just a little north of Three Tree Point. One of the boats with a canopy and two men seemed to follow very close and place itself in the path of the Orcas. As I note below in my email to Scott at the Burien Blog, the pictures were very poor as the Orcas were on the west side of the Sound.  And I hoped the boat was researchers. Photo by Elston Hill, September 5, 2016

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4:38 p.m. - he whales are right off of Three tree point Midchannel ....closer to the Vashon side. As of right now they are in a south easterly direction.
4: 20 p.m. - we are out on a boat right in front of the radio towers off of Dilworth. We just spotted some orca in front of us.
Tanya Jackson Esparza
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4:25 p.m. - Still going slowly south. Past three radio towers and headed towards Vashon at Tramp Harbor.
Jennifer J Burton
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Approaching Three Tree Point at 4:14pm. Whoever is in that white boat needs to stop chasing them!!
4:01 p.m. - approaching Dilworth Vashon heading south.
Kelly Burns Keenan
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Orca under Mt Rainier. 3:36 .pm.  - 1/2 way down Vashon still headed south. 1 mile off shore. Photo by Adam Bock, September 5, 2016

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3:26 p.m. - just received this text from a friend out boating:
Whales between Alki and 3 Tree Point, headed south
Robin Mann
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3:15 p.m. - whales passing through Arroyos beach area (West Seattle) closer to Vashon Island.
Chris Frankovisch
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3:10 p.m. - Saw them directly in front of the Vashon/Fauntleroy route heading southwest at a fast pace. So amazing!
Angie Edgmon
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3:02 p.m. - East side of Vashon still. At north end. Milling around.
2:39 p.m. - Just saw them by Vashon ferry headed SW still.
Jennifer J Burton
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2:47 p.m. - Spotted from on deck Vashon ferry. Orcas are next to Blake.
Ari Gerdes
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Here's the first of the photos I was able to catch from Lowman Beach about 2:30 pm. Behind the orcas is the north tip of Blake Island. They were sometimes headed north, more often south. Photo by Trileigh Tucker, September 5, 2016

Another photo from Lowman Beach around 2:30. This boat had been well behaved, simply sitting there for a while - and what a payoff! Photo by Trileigh Tucker, September 5, 2016

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2:05 p.m. -  Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales called and reported the Transient orca pod is just north of Alki, still heading south.

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2:00 p.m. - What a wonderful day, with these beautiful beings...I mean look at them, such purpose and greatness. Watching Transients northwest from Alki Point while on the rocks at the lighthouse. Photo by Kersti E Muul, September 5, 2016

Photo by Kersti E Muul, September 5, 2016

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1:40 p.m. - between Alki Point and Blake Island heading southwest at a rapid pace.
Jill Hadji
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1:38 p.m. - At Alki heading towards Blake island,  turned south again.
1:33 p.m. - Whales spotted. Just north of Alki point. Milling but Trending SW. Looks to be 4 or 5.
Neil Hathi
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1:00 p.m. -  we've been watching orcas from Bainbridge for last hour. Group of 8-10? Traveling steadily south in Elliot Bay. Approaching Alki now.
Susan Marie Andersson
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11:45 a.m. - Just saw them middle of the sound, more than 10 traveling in 2 groups headed south and approaching West Point/Discovery Park.
Mara Barckert
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My wife and I were out crabbing on Monday, Labor Day, right off of President Point just south of Kingston.  At approximately 11am, we had the thrill of observing a pod of Orcas swim by headed south in the south bound shipping lane.  They stopped twice to fish and slap their tails.  The gulls went nuts picking up the leftovers.  There were ~12 whales and they were spread out over ½ mile in the shipping channel.
Regards, Michael Toomey
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9:33 a.m. - maybe 10 or so Orcas in this group - line of sight Apple Cove from North Edmonds.
9:17 a.m. - South east of Eglon now still moving at a good pace south. Few stops for breaching and tail waves and slaps.
8:56 a.m. - They are moving fast nearing north of Eglon
8:41 a.m. very active pod of Orcas just east of Point No Point - breaching, tail slaps etc. look to be heading south near shipping lanes.
Stu Davidson

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Superpod of Transients worked their way south from Lawson Reef (off Deception Pass) late afternoon. It was the T34s, T37s, T36s, and T99s .
Bart Rulon
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5:15 whales continue southbound, viewing from west beach Deception Pass state park.
4:25 p.m. - viewing from Rosario Beach. They are NW from here southbound.
Rachel Haight
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T-37 family grouping taken by Cypress Island, Sunday Sept 4th. Many groups of transient whales were in the area, including T18, T19s, T36s and T99s. Photo by Jill Hein, September 4, 2016

One of many spyhops from the large grouping of Transient killer whales, between Cypress and Burrows Islands. Photo by Jill Hein, September 4, 2016

T36s between Cypress and Burrows Islands. Photo by Jill Hein, September 4, 2016

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1:56 p.m. - Main group is off Anacortes ferry. T18's broke off and headed towards Burrows Island....They were in Guemes Channel. Off the ferry now. Headed back out.
1:35 p.m. - 18's, 36's and 99's. Off Anacortes now.
James Greshman

Members of the T36's, 36B's, 37's and 99's headed into Guemes Channel in Anacortes on Sunday. The T18's were also traveling with this group but had broken off when this was shot. Photo by James Gresham, September 4, 2016 (ID's by Michael Colahan, Island Adventures)

T19B Galiano with his mother T19 in Rosario Strait Sunday. This guy's left leaning dorsal fin and massive size make him easy to identify. Photo by James Gresham, September 4, 2016

T19C in Rosario Straite near Anacortes on Sunday. Photo by James Gresham, September 4, 2016

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Transients passing by Anacortes. Photo by Roger Rickets, September 4, 2016

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1:15 p.m. - Been watching a group of orca mill off SW point of Cypress Island. Since noon. Another pair just came in from the west, heading to meet up with other group I assume. From Washington Park.
Rachel Haight

Transients at Washington Park today! Large group popped up close to shore, giving many people out enjoying the sunny day a thrill. Photo by Rachel Haight, September 4, 2016

Photo by Rachel Haight, September 4, 2016

Photo by Rachel Haight, September 4, 2016

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Visitors to Langley Whale Center reported seeing 4 Orcas from Pt. Townsend Ferry, 11 am this morning.
Wendy Sines, Orca Network
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Orcas at Sucia Island. Saw two orca whales this morning at 8:30 am headed north past Shallow Bay. Saw them again at 9:15 headed south past Echo Bay.
Elizabeth Hartsoch

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Transiet / Biggs Killer Whales right out front of Sooke today.  T46 and T46E. Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 2, 2016

T46D (born 2000) Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 2, 2016

When we headed over to Vancouver Island this morning, we never could have imagined we would be seeing a couple transients so close from shore in Saanich Inlet! Here's T2B off the beach in Mill Bay this afternoon. Photo by Monika Wieland, September 2, 2016

A pod of 3 orca (including 1 male) 1 mile north of Sekiu River, Sekiu, WA 3:00PM heading west, just outside of kelp line, traveling slowly.  Taken from shore. Photo by Paul Blake, September 2, 2016

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We ended up with a gorgeous day of sunny, blue skies and a glass calm sea....Mystic Sea departed Anacortes at 10:45am with reports of transients near Smith Island traveling south. Once we arrived at Lopez Island, we went 15 miles due south to catch up with our first group of transients for today, the T60s. We stayed with this group for about half hour, when we saw in the distance another group of transients who seemed to be having lunch. Captain Monte cruised over just in time to see this group, the T65s, while they finished off a seal. We stayed and watched as they continued to feed on other seals, and even got a mouthful of seagull! This group included a large bull with a 6 foot dorsal fin, and several females and calves...
Amy W., Mystic Sea


Peninusla Daily News shares on their Facebook page a report of A pod of Orcas seen out near Ediz Hook in Port Angeles on Friday. Thanks to local photographer Jay Cline.


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Another Special day just south of Sooke with the T11`s, T37`s & T60`s transient Killer Whales coming together to check out a couple Humpback Whales...Not sure if they were in hunting mode or just checking them out but it was sure an exciting encounter! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 1, 2016

Humpbacks and Transient killer whales. T11A (L) Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 1, 2016

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T037A doing her part for the harbor seal cull in the Sooke Basin on August 31st. Photo by Mark Malleson

...Sheringham Lighthouse this morning! We also had a super "POD" of 60+ Humpback whales just south of the same area... WOW! This might be the most epic total whale sightings we have ever seen around Sooke, BC
Paul Pudwell

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U.S.  Homeland Security crew taking time to enjoy some humpbacks in the Juan de Fuca Strait on the afternoon of September 5th. Photo by Mark Malleson

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Sub adult humpback launches - Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo by Mark Malleson, September 1, 2016

Another Special day just south of Sooke with the T11`s, T37`s & T60`s transient Killer Whales coming together to check out a couple Humpback Whales. Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 1, 2016 (see Bigg's killer whale section for photo with Ts and Humpbacks)

Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 1, 2016

 

Lone gray whale by Kellet Ledge, Rosario Strait. Photo by Bonnie Gretz, August 31, 2016

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A new gray whale in the area, Wednesday August 31st. Seen by Boulder Island, south end of Lopez. (see Gretz photo above)
Jill Hein

1:35 p.m. - A dark grey or black whale just passed the North end of the Bangor Base at the old de-gassing dock. He was going South. Was swimming right into an area with about 30 or more crab pots. He didn't breach high enough so I could see his entire body. Not certain. He didn't breach high enough. Could see that he was dark grey or black. It was a small curved dorsal.  The color wasn't as black and shiny as an orca.  It appeared dark gray.  In fact, it looked more like a pseudorca than any of the other pictures on your site.  It was probably about 1/8 mile away and I looked through my high-powered scope and saw it surface about 4 times, but it was fast and I couldn't see as much as I would have liked.
Carole Baker

11:00 a.m. Watching a couple Harbor porpoise feeding at Johnson Pt.
Joan Ahre