J26 (R) and other members of the southern resident clan in the early morning calm. Near Washington Park, Anacortes - off Burrows Bay, Rosario Strait.  Photo by Neal Wychock, September 11, 2016 (7:00 a.m. report in SRKW section below)

We set out to find whales - first via Colville Island to see seals hauled out - then continued on and we were the FIRST boat to find whales today!! Surprising us all, members of J-pod were found off-shore of Lopez Island, very spread out. First whale we spotted was J-27 Blackberry, born in 1991. We stopped to watch and found there were whales spread on both sides of us, close to shore and way out west. Others we found were the J17s, some J16s, J-27, and towards the end of our viewing a few L-pod whales! What a great day we had with these amazing mammals, such a privilege to see them! Homeward bound we checked out the Steller sea lions hauled out at Whale Rocks - truly a wonderful day.
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

J-28 Polaris and her son J-54 - near Lopez Island. Photo by Jill Hein, September 11, 2016 (all photos zoomed and cropped)

Interesting to see size comparison between J-26 Mike (25 yrs old) & J-47 Notch (6 yrs old). Near Lopez Island. Photo by Jill Hein, September 11, 2016

1:40 p.m. - They were spread across Haro. Trailers off Land Bank Southbound  now
Monika Wieland
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12:30 p.m. -  SRKWs on Lime Kiln Hydrophone
Connie Bickerton
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I saw them again Sunday Sept 11 as they traveled south past the park between 11:45 - 12:15, then I went down to the Land Bank Westside Preserve, and finally American Camp, where they headed out southwesterly into open water. Took a few photos, will share later if any of them came out at all! Donna Green Van Renselaar
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My husband and I were on our private vessel and saw whales. ...This was about noon Sept. 11, a little north of Lime Kiln, a little south of Mosquito Pass. We killed our engine and drifted for over an hour while whales swam by on all sides. We heard blows, turned to see one whale, heard another blow, turned to see another, like whirling dervishes trying to see them all. Somewhere between one and two dozen. Also had our hydrophone in the water an hour earlier and heard them in the vicinity. Magical experience! These photos taken by my daughter Adrienne Domingus. (see photos below)
Cathryn Rice, Olalla, WA

Photo by Adrienne Dominugs, September 11, 2016

Photo by Adrienne Dominugs, September 11, 2016

Photo by Adrienne Domingus, September 11, 2016

12:10 p.m. - Moving very slowly very spread none have passed the light yet. From Lime Kiln I only saw the K12s, K13s, K14s, and L91s I think
11:43 a.m. - First whales in sight from Lime Kiln.
11:08 a.m. - Just started hearing faint vocals on the OrcaSound hydrophone. Assuming southbound.
Monika Wieland
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7:00 a.m. - Spotted several Orcas at approximately 7 am on both ends of Burrows Bay along the Rosario Strait (near Washington Park). They were very active. Could not count all of the whales, but there seemed to be upwards of 20 throughout the Strait and Bay. Playing and feeding. 1 total breach. (Including J26, see photo of the day- ALB)
Neal Wychock

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Headed out from Snug Harbor at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 10 hoping to see southern residents. We knew some were down south and started to head that way but then got a report of whales up north which was closer and probably calmer conditions. We caught up with the J16's on the south side of Saturna Island, leisurely, and I mean leisurely (about 1.5 knots), traveling along. Also present were J27 and his sister J31 of the J11's and I believe J28, J35 and J47 of the J17's. I didn't have any images of the J17's until the end and I presume J54 was tucked down in as there were calves present. They were grouped in two very tight groups for the most part interchanging groupings periodically. They seemed very relaxed and unphased by a large container ship directly in their path. We were hoping the kiddos would get rambunctious but even they were perfectly content with their leisurely weekend swim through the beautiful Salish Sea. Here is the big guy J26 and little sister J36 swimming in perfect unison and harmony. (see photo below)
Debbie Stewart

...Here is the big guy J26 and little sister J36 swimming in perfect unison and harmony. Photo by Debbie Stewart, September 10, 2016

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5:39 p.m. - L12s and L54s flipped at Land Bank...L12s in a resting line! L12s are now southbound off American Camp.
Monika Wieland

Tight group of L12's - Haro Strait. Photo by Barbara Bender, September 10, 2016

What can we say about today. Lots of wind which called for a double reefed main sail and a small jib. We're sailing now.... and with whales (the L12's to be specific). Tight family group, lots of big boys in the mix, exhales blowing in the breeze. Magic. Today was definitely different - and worth the swells, spray, and salty decks.
Barbara Bender/David Howitt, All Aboard Sailing

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The infrequently seen L54 matriline with I think L84 Nyssa in this shot. This afternoon as they crossed Haro Strait inbound towards San Juan Island. Photo by James Gresham, September 10, 2016

L88 Wave Walker. My favorite male SRKW put on an awesome power display this afternoon with several huge cartwheels and this breach off San Juan Island. Photo by James Gresham, September 10, 2016

The cuteness moment of the day. The L54's came in early this afternoon and we (Island Adventures) caught up with them off Victoria and came across Haro with them. As they crossed in resting pattern, little L117 Keta was swimming with big, L88 Wave Walker. Photo by James Gresham, September 9, 2016

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September 10: Left the marina with a mild breeze and sunshine, but with a definite fall feeling in the air! With reports of many resident orcas heading southwest down Haro Strait, we eagerly headed out to Salmon Bank to catch up with the leaders, who were moving pretty fast, with pauses to fish and play. We had a great visit with males L89 Solstice (23 yrs old) and L85 Mystery (25 yrs old), females L77 Matia (29 yrs old) and her young daughter L-119 Joy (4 yrs old), as well as female L-22 Spirit (est. 45 yrs old). There were some big breaches, spy hopping, rolling around, tail slaps, and pec slapping, though overall they seemed pretty intent on heading southwest. On the way home, the wind died down as we got some great looks at the magnificent Stellar Sea Lions on Whale rocks, and enjoyed the beauty of the small islands around Lopez. All photos taken with a 300 zoom lens and cropped.
Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

Little L pod member backflippin... Photo by Bonnie Gretz, September 10, 2016

L89 Solstice and L85 Mystery cruising southwest bound in Haro Strait. Photo by Bonnie Gretz, September 10, 2016

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J16s were also there so they weren't alone. Sounds like whales basically spread from offshore of Salmon Bank to Swanson Channel and across both sides of Haro. We saw lots of active foraging. J46 was babysitting J54 which was nice to see, and they were splashing around together so he had energy
12:45 p.m. - Just found all the J28s off Kellett
11:58 a.m. - We're alone with some Ks and Ls off Battleship, all Js plus more Turn Pt and further north.
Monika Wieland

J42 Echo off Henry Island this afternoon. Photo by Monika Wieland, September 10, 2016

K26 Lobo heads north up Haro Strait. Photo by Monika Wieland, September 10, 2016

I was out of cell range this weekend but wanted to share an amazing experience! Saturday ( Sept 10) between 9:30 am and 12:00 I watched approx 40 SRKWs traveling Northbound past San Juan County Park. They were spread out over several miles and all across the channel in small family groups, pairs and singles. Single male was on the trailing end.
Donna Green Van Renselaar

9:00 a.m. - I want to report seeing about 10-15 orcas between 9 and 10 am Saturday morning on the west side of San Juan Island by County Park... they were in that area for a bit then continued Northward.
Shawn Hendricks
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8:35 a.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln, just started!
Ali Barratt

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It might have been a true Super Pod, cuz right at the end of the trip, along comes the L11s (L12s) and Mega, L41. Sunsetting at Race Rocks, BC. Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, September 8, 2016

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L41 on the evening of September 8th as the Clan head west out the Juan de Fuca. Photo by Mark Malleson

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Sure was beautiful out there today with orcas everywhere! This is L91 "Muncher" who was in a breaching fit today! Photo by Traci Walter, September 8, 2016

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Orca vocals and echo on Lime Kiln (hydrophone)...listening from Loveland, Colorado 10:00 am Mountain time.
Christina Tegoning

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Consecutive images of two resident pod members taken around 11 am. Orcas heading westerly direction off Saturna island. Photo by James McLarnon, September 4, 2016

 

Photo by James McLarnon, September 4, 2016

 

T011A on the afternoon of September 13th off Victoria's waterfront. Photo by Mark Malleson

T011A in Becher Bay on the morning of September 13th. Photo by Mark Malleson

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- T11A and mom T11 - Another great morning to be the first to find Transient / Biggs Killer Whales (T11's) minutes from our docks...This Mom and Son are the ones that like to come into Sooke Harbour and Basin...Today they went deep into Becher Bay...Wow! And still Humpback Whales everywhere! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 13, 2016

- T11 & T11A - Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 13, 2016

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123A Stanley - We had the pleasure with Transient Killer Whales and 50+ Humpbacks around Sooke! It amazes us every day! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 9, 2016 (ID by Alethea Leddy)

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Saw 2 orcas (including 1 adult male) chasing seals at Chin Beach, BC (west Juan de Fuca between Port Renfrew and Jordan River) at 8am Wednesday September 7.
Chris Hoban

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Orca Pod , 5-6 (including 2 males, appeared to have one calf) Sighted just north east of Guemes Island Sunday Sept 4th around 4:30 pm. Just traveling.
Loran Davis

Received a report from Don Bower from Sept. 7, about 1:30, of 8-10 orcas just outside Makah Bay, about a 1/2 mile off Cape Flattery. He said there were two adult males and three juveniles, splashing as they headed NE toward Vancouver Island.

3:00 p.m. - EDT pod of orcas playing seen from shore at Assateague, VA
Yesterday at the beach in Assateague Park, VA was standing on a small berm and saw what I first thought were surfers in black wetsuits UNTIL I saw their black dorsal fins! Then they began breaching the surface and I clearly saw the white ventral surfaces...OMG it was breathtaking. There were approximately six fins (that I could see from shore) lots of blowhole activity and after about ten minutes they swam away. They were a majestic sight and I felt privileged to see this. Few beachgoers were paying attention as it was right after Tropical Storm Hermine. No photos - they looked like orcas. I saw black fins on all of them. feeding and playing.
Liz Omps

With over 50 Humpback Whales around Sooke today, Cpt. Dan found these two very active ones breaching like CRAZY! Courtesy of Paul Pudwell, September 13, 2016

Solo humpback sighting headed north between San Juan County Park and Snug Harbor at 8:00 pm.
Charyn Pfeuffer
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Lone Humpback Northbound in Haro Strait, county park 1935. Either male or juvenile based on smaller size.
Ariel Yseth

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Also an interesting thing we observed today at Lime Kiln: a humpback whale came north into the southbound residents and started trumpeting with every surfacing as it came within a few hundred yards of the whales. It was fluking on every surface and then turned west and wasn't seen again....Just ID'd the HB as BCY0409 - Yogi.
Monika Wieland
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...and definite humpback traveling North in front of Land Bank West Side Preserve on Sunday between 1:00-2:00 pm... it was maybe 150 yards yards off shore. Photo by Donna Green Van Renselaar, September 11, 2016

Photo by Donna Green Van Renselaar, September 11, 2016

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Humpback whales feeding west Juan de Fuca Strait near Neah Bay. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, September 10, 2016

Pleats, balleen, and pec fin...humpback lunge feeding western Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, September 10, 2016

4:50 p.m. - Observed numerous breaches by large whales, presumed to be humpbacks. Observed from W Beach Rd bluff a half mile north of Hastie Lake.
Kevin Knight
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8:00 a.m. - Humpback at Useless Bay (Whidbey). We spotted a humpback in front of our house at 8:00 am this morning at Double Bluff, Useless Bay, Freeland, WA. Rolling, maybe feeding, then headed out to the inlet.
Terry Smith

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BCYuk2015#1 (Smiley) - in MERS catalogue (first recorded sighting 2015). 50+ Humpbacks around Sooke! It amazes us everyday! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 9, 2016 (ID by Alethea Leddy)

CS121 off Sooke, BC. First recorded sighting of CS121 was in Clayoquot Sound 2006. Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 9, 2016 (ID by Alethead Leddy)

Yep, we saw one (humpback) in Skunk Bay traveling East around 7:00pm.
Lora Davis
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Just received a message from a woman reporting one, possibly two whales, in Skunk Bay at 6:50 pm, heading SE toward Point No Point, Kitsap Peninsula, WA. Possibly the humpback(s) reported earlier today in this area
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1:39pm My brother in law just let me know that he spotted a humpback diving 300 yards off shore at Point No Point today. Heading northerly but could be hanging around the area.
Sue Surowiec Larkin


The crispness of fall soon replaced the early morning fog as Mystic Sea navigated between the scenic San Juan islands towards Kelp Reef, Haro Strait, where two humpbacks (which we identified as BCZ0219 and BCY0523) were traveling sedately south in calm seas towards Victoria, B.C. Several of the exotic animals on Spieden Island were visible, including a group of Moufflon sheep resting in the warm September sunshine. Posing Steller sea-lions perched on Whale Rocks growled a greeting as we passed en route to Shark Reef, Lopez, where a number of Pacific Harbor seals basked on the rocks. Even though summer is drawing to a close, today gave delighted passengers yet another opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the landscape and wealth of marine life in our local waters.
Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

BCZ0219, off Kelp Reef, Haro Strait. Photo by Sandra Pollard, Septmber 9, 2016 (photos zoomed and cropped)

BCY0523 heading towards Victoria, B.C Photo by Sandra Pollard, September 9, 2013

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Received a message from WA State Ferries, from 10:46 am, the ferry Chelan reports a sighting of two whales, not orcas - one adult and one juvenile, westbound in Spieden Channel. (turned out to be humpbacks)
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3 humpbacks went thru Spieden Channel heading NW between 9:30-10 a.m. .Past Sentinal. What a way to start my day!
Peggy Mauro

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Looks like the Humpback Whales that were out west are moving east...10 minutes from our docks we found 20+ just off Sooke Bluffs to Otter Point this morning! WOW!
Paul Pudwell


11:26 a.m. - lots more pec and tail slaps before a long dive, popping up now south of Port Townsend ferry lanes traveling southbound. I've got to head home now, good luck!
11:05 a.m. - just drifting south active! Lots of tail and pec slapping.
10:52 a.m. -  viewing from Ft Casey lighthouse, traveling, several breaths then deep dive.
10:39 a.m. -  still southbound along Whidbey shore about 1/2 mile out. It's fluked a few times and a slight tail throw. 8 minute down times at one point. But, when it's up, easy to spot from shore. I'm headed to Ft Casey.
10:25 a.m. - humpback whale southbound along Ebeys Landing, 1/2 mile offshore.
Rachel Haight

Female Humpback 'Two Spot' CS631 spotted from Ebey's Landing traveling south. She became very active at one point, just non stop tail and pec slapping. I didn't expect to see anything this morning, so what a nice surprise! Photo by Rachel Haight, September 8, 2016

 

Female Humpback CS631. Crop from above photo by Rachel Haight, September 8, 2016

 
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Humpback fluking, Juan de Fuca. Photo by Ian-Laura Coyle, September 3 2016

The "new" gray whale in the area is known to Cascadia Research, it's CRC#37, first spotted in 1988, but not seen in Puget Sound before...this whale was seen as far east as Dungeness Spit in 2008. Photo by Jill Hein, August 31, 2016

Dorsal ridge of gray whale CRC#37. Photo by Jill Hein, August 31, 2016

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Gray whale off Bullman Beach, east of Neah Bay.
Maureen & Peter

9:10 a.m. - Harbor porpoises feeding off of Blake Island just east of Manchester at 9:10. They can be seen from the Bremerton ferry.
Dianne Dee Iverson

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10:14 a.m. - pod of 5 to 10 porpoises heading north in Admiralty Inlet, possibly some infants or young. Spotted originally near Lagoon Point, Whidbey.
Rachael Alyson  

9:00 a.m. - Spotted an Elephant seal near Edmonds Marina (north of) today while on a bird watching tour as part of Bird Fest. Looks like a juvenile or female- not sure.
Terry Nightingale

September 12