L72 Racer Monday afternoon at Salmon Bank - Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, doing what he does best. Photo by Richard Snowberger, September 19, 2016 (taken with zoom and cropped)

2:45 p.m. - Maybe not (flipped).  Milling.
2:20 p.m. - Some have flipped 1420 off County Park.
Monika Wieland Shields
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2:47 p.m. - still hearing vocals on OS.
2:15 p.m. -  faint S1calls turned into burst of loud S1 calls.
1:37 p.m. - switched over to OrcaSound hearing echolocation and distant calls. then louder including S3 calls.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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A nice afternoon at Lime Kiln with J, K, and L pods passing by. Too many to name until I review photos later but lots of active foraging, a breach or two, and a stellar sea lion making a very close pass by the lighthouse startling us all with his abrupt arrival.
Steve Smith
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1:24 p.m. - lots of underwater movement...quiet calls then louder S38 calls.
1:16 p.m. - J pod calls
12:59 p.m. -  Few loud K calls.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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12:58 p.m. - J & Ks heading north now - Lime Kiln.
12:47 p.m. - J26 and J27 milling offshore of Lime Kiln.
Monika Wieland
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12:47 p.m. - calls getting louder...S1 calls.
12:43 p.m. - Faint calls Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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L88 and a humpback cross paths on the morning of September 20th off the west side of San Juan Island. Photo by Mark Malleson

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10:52 a.m. - The northern whales did come down to join these guys - we've got the rest of J-Pod in our offshore photos. So everyone together potentially!!
10:02 a.m. - All whales south of Hannah Heights  now, slowly southbound.

K21 Cappuccino off the kelp this morning. Photo by Monika Wieland Shields, September 20, 2016

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9:02 a.m. - Calls again at Lime Kiln after silence for a couple of hours.
Ai Barratt
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7:40 a.m. - heard faint calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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7:23 a.m. - Good morning Jpod Orcas on the hydro (Lime Kiln)
Christina Tregoning
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7:22 a.m, - Orcas on Lime Kiln webcam .
7:12 a.m. - Distant calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Jack Collins
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5:48 a.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone behind extremely obnoxious vessel noise. Sometimes I think they are having to yell over the noise, and this is why I suddenly hear them, as there has been no audible vocalisations until now. Either that, or this vessel does a really good impersonation of orca!
Ali Barratt

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J28 and her offspring 7-year-old J46 and 9-month-old J54 near Hein Bank. Photo by Sara-Hysong-Shimazu, September 19, 2016

10-month-old L123 nestled between mom L103 (fore) and L106 Pooka, near Hein Bank. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, September 19, 2016

J17 and her 11-month-old daughter J53 near Hein Bank. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, September 19, 2016

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5:57 p.m. - Lots of whales visible from American Camp heading north, for the moment anyway. Some close to shore
Monika Wieland Shields
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Breathtaking - there's no other word to describe today's encounter with the Southern Resident orcas. Dampness soon gave way to sunshine and sparkling seas after we left the dock, passing Colville Island on our route to the south side of San Juan Island where members of L-pod, including Mega (L-41), the exquisitely marked Racer (L-72) and her son Fluke (L-105) ranged freely with their family, grouping up for a photo-shot as they passed under the watchful eye of Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research. These are the most studied whales in the world, and the Center has been responsible for photo-identification studies on this endangered population since the start of Orca Survey in 1976. In addition, the orcas are currently being monitored by hexagram under NOAA's permit to collect images for health assessment. Chinook salmon is what they need to survive - and plenty of it. Our return route took us past Bird Rocks, which not only provides refuge to our feathered friends but also to Pacific Harbor seals and Steller sea-lions, one of which looked as though it had learned to fly! (see photo of the day and below by R Snowberger)
Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist.

Photo by Richard Snowberger, September 19, 2016

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11:08 a.m. -  Orcas visible on Lime Kiln webcam. One seemed to be going north.
10:23 a.m. - Vocals on San Juan Hydrophone (OrcaSound). A few still on Lime Kiln hydrophone, too.
10:07 a.m. -  Echolocation sounds are gone or overshadowed by a ship going past. Still a few vocals at 10:10am
10:02 a.m. - Hearing Orcas on Lime Kiln, now.
Helen Scamek
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9:30 a.m. - Echolocation and faint calls on Lime Kiln hydro! Some vessel noise.
Amy K Fowler
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L88 during a rain squall on the morning of September 19th at Pile Point, San Juan Island. Photo by Mark Malleson

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We received a message from Arlene Solomon at 5:48 pm, calling from Village Bay, Mayne Island, BC Canada, reporting a pod of 10 orcas with one calf passing by at 4:48 pm, heading toward Active Pass or maybe Trinconelli Channel. Then at 5:48 pm they saw three more adult orcas pass by.
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We spent time with members of all 3 southern resident pods today. Notably L41, K35, L85 and the J17's. I did not see J28 or J54 though. Still have to go through pics but I didn't notice her and was looking for her, although I heard she was sighted today. This is L41 Mega in close to the boat. At 39 he is the oldest and also the largest of the southern resident males. (see photo below)
James Gresham

A magic moment. Today we spent time with members of all 3 SRKW pods at Hein Bank. As we drifted with engines off J47 Notch decided to pay us a visit. He came directly to the boat then turned and passed along the rail just under the water before surfacing right at my feet. Here he is just beginning to lift the surface film as he comes up. Photo by James Gresham, September 18, 2016

L41 Mega coming in close as we drifted with engines off. Sunday at Hein Bank. Photo by James Gresham, September 18, 2016

K35 Sonata with his pal L85 Mystery. Sunday at Hein Bank. Photo by James Gresham, September 18, 2016

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5:41 p.m. - There are still some milling off South Beach and further offshore
4:43 p.m. - We're here with them now, about 7 whales...2 males so must be some Ls? Or I guess K33 and K21 is possible (Via James Gresham at least the J17s, L12 sub-group, and K16s/K21 in southern group)
Monika Wieland
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3:45 p.m. - the overlook above South Beach. There are now 5-6+ whales tightly grouped foraging. Lots of activity. It's pretty cool even though they're not super close.
3:02 p.m. - Whales off South Beach now very slowly northbound. I just see three whales at southbound now. Kind of milling or maybe very slowly northbound.
Cindy Hansen
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K20 Spock and her mom K13 Skagit as they passed Lime Kiln State Park. Photo by Monika Wieland Shields, September 18, 2016

2:09 p.m - The rest of Js and K13s and K14s are north of LK
12:53 p.m. - More approaching now
12:29 p.m. - Only half of Js and some Ks have passed, wonder if that's all that's here
11:40 a.m. -  Some have passed, others approaching Lime Kiln.
Monika Wieland Shields


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Lime Kiln area from 11:30am until about 12:30 I followed this pod up the west side of San Juan Island from Deadmans Bay to Lime Kiln and San Juan Park. Photo by Gary Peterson, September 18, 2016

Southern resident male powering past the kelp beds along the shore of San Juan Island. Photo by Gary Peterson, September 18, 2016

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J22's west bound past Sheringham Lighthouse on the afternoon of September 16th. Photo by Mark Malleson

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Distant calls on Lime kiln behind loud vessel noise. 12:40am PT
Ali Barratt

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Summer is lingering in the Salish Sea, with another beautiful, warm, sunny day as we left the marina a little early...which was good as the reports came in of J pod way north of the coal docks (BC) but heading south. After a 3 hour cruise through Georgia Strait, we caught up with them, slowly heading south. In the group of about 20 orcas, we enjoyed a great visit with J36 Alki and calf J52 Sonic, J16 Slick and calf J50 Scarlet, J42 Echo,big males Mike J26 and Blackberry J27, J47 Notch and his mom J35 Tahlequah, and others in the J17 group. They were foraging, with some breaching, tail slapping, and nice roll overs. At first they were fairly well spread out, but they grouped up tightly, which is such a beautiful sight to see! The water was glass smooth, perfect orca appreciation conditions! With a fond farewell, we head home through the sparkling late afternoon, catching a look at some harbor seals steaming in the sun. Another fabulous day on Mystic Sea!
Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

J42 and her mom J16 - Georgia Strait. Photo by Bonnie Gretz, September 15, 2016 (all photos zoomed and cropped)

Photo by Bonnie Gretz, September 15, 2016

J39 Mako Photo by Bonnie Gretz, September 15, 2016 (Thank you Sara Hysong-Shimazu for ID confirmation)

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..."Orcinus" next encountered K27, J17, J44, and J53 spread out near the south end of Kellett Bluff. J44 and J53 were working together in a slow chase of a salmon. A little farther north up the bluff, K13, K20, and K38 were in a tight group moving south a few hundred yards west of Kellett. Another whale was traveling alone closer to the bluff and this was J28. She was looking thin as she moved slowly south down Kellett Bluff. "Orcinus" only spent a few minutes with J28 before helping the NOAA research boat get on her...
Photos and full summary report at CWR Encounter 99.
Center for Whale Research Staff

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The beginning of an open-mouthed half breach by J53 this afternoon (September 14). The rest of her family was nearby - including her big sister J28 Polaris and her offspring J46 Star and J54! Photo by Monika Wieland Shields, September 14, 2016

Social Js and Ks intermingling in Open Bay on the afternoon of September 14th. Photo by Monika Wieland Shields

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J27 Blackberry as he passed by...J's and K's heading for Salmon Bank. Photo by Janine Harles, September 14, 2016

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We went up to the San Juans and spotted a number of orcas at the mouth of Haro Strait, west of San Juan Island. I didn't keep an accurate count of how many we saw - hard to do if you don't know them apart, and many of them were at a distance, but I'd guess we probably saw between 10 and 15 whales, not counting some transients...
Winston Rockwell

One of the southern residents launching off San Juan Island. Photo by Winston Rockwell, September 14, 2016

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Started my shift as the naturalist at the San Juan Island Land Bank just as members of K and L pods came in close to shore, others were spread out to mid channel. Positive IDs for L55s, L90, L92, K13s, K14s. One lone humpback also got in on the fun. Could actually hear the HB and some Ks vocalizing above water!
Ariel Yseth

K44 Ripple, born 2011, porpoising southbound past Land Bank, San Juan Island. Photo by Ariel Yseth, September 11, 2016

L55 Nugget, born 1977, mother of four, grandmother of two. Southbound Land Bank, San Juan Island. Photo by Ariel Yseth, September 11, 2016

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...Although the resident orca used to come all of the way into the Salish Sea in large groups with complete pods, they now typically spread out over a large expanse of water by the time they pass by Race Rocks. I surmise this spread is due to a spread or low density of prey (Chinook salmon) in recent years as compared to decades ago. After all, there were 1.5 to 1.9 million Chinook salmon caught per year by humans (WDF Technical Report No. 76, 1983) from stocks utilizing the Strait of Juan de Fuca in those early years of Orca Survey, and the average fish was 15-17.5 pounds;...
Photos and entire summary report at CWR Encounter 95
Center for Whale Research staff CWR encounters 95

A few minutes from our docks in Sooke we start seeing Humpback Whale blows towards Otter Point and to our surprise there was at least 60+ a few miles off shore...Just so amazing to see again! On our way to Race Rocks Lighthouse we came across the T11 & T11a Transient / Biggs Killer Whales right out front of Sooke Harbour...but they did not go in this time...Wow September is Great!
Paul Pudwell

T11 (est born 1963) and her son T11A (born 1978) - Sooke Harbor, Juan de Fuca. Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 19, 2016

T11A - a beautiful guy. Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 19, 2016

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6:25 PM - Eating dinner near N. End ferry dock Vashon island saw large male surface twice heading north.
Bob Underwood
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I left Lowman Beach (West Seattle) at 3:30 as they were nearing Vashon Ferry dock, was hard to see at that point with the sun angle
Kersti Muul
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2:33 p.m. - They are now close to the Vashon ferry.
2:15 p.m. - spotted several going southbound near Blake Island.
Jennifer Farley
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1:55 p.m. -  from Magnolia bluff We're seeing splashes to the northeast of Blake island traveling towards west Seattle whales seem to be near a small sailboat
Leslie Goodman
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1:36 p.m. - 3 orcas just seen from Bainbridge ferry. Halfway across headed towards Bainbridge island! One looked pretty small.
Bebeth Schenk Steudel
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12:50 - WS Ferries reports 4 orcas heading east from Bainbridge Is. toward West Point, north of Seattle.

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12:47 p.m. - Just seen off the Bainbridge ferry! Washington State ferries are great for whale watching if you are one of the lucky few, or time it just right.   Photo (s) by Kristina Goetz, September 18, 2016

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12:40 p.m. - The ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle stopped mid way through its voyage to allow a pod of 4-5 Orca (including adult male) to pass in front of us. The time was around 12:40 pm on Sunday, September 18th, 2016. I posted a picture from maps with the location (entrance to Elliot Bay, north of Alki) They were heading towards Bremerton. Feeding.
Jake Reynolds
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11:45 AM - Single orca seen while on ferry. Half way Bremerton to Seattle. Not traveling. Staying in one spot for 10 min.
Thomas Minter
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11:24 a.m. - Got the T100's as well, over by Restoration Point.
Brian McGinn
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11:08 a.m. - Stalled out but heading across the way to the rest that we've spotted and also already reported above.  Look to be milling but trending north.
Renee Beitzell
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11:00 a.m. - Orca northbound off Alki, about the center of the lanes. Couple more off Restoration Point. (Bainbridge Island)
Rick Oppegaard
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10:58 a.m. - 2 male killer whales, T101A and 101B, just west of Alki in West Seattle.
Brian McGinn
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10:00 a.m. - at least 1 orca near Bainbridge-Seattle ferry mid-crossing, traveling- I didn't see a sighting reported yet for the orca(s) we saw from the ferry on the way to Seattle this morning, so we wanted to make sure you knew. We saw a dorsal fin/orca surfacing twice about 30 sec. to 1 minute apart. Not sure if it was more than one orca. Large dorsal fin but unsure if tall enough to be male. (More whales just reported by ferry captain to the south of 11:25 ferry near Bainbridge (Sept. 18 at 11:40).
Haley Lhamon
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9:30 a.m. - Orca sighting. One orca, looked like adult male while walking north at Discovery Park (Seattle). Orca was traveling away from land going past the lighthouse at discovery cove.
Sarah Schoenthal
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7:30 a.m. -  large whale sighting off of Eastern side of Bainbridge Island off of Fay Bainbridge Park. Some whales still remaining at 8:30 am. They were in a line traveling.
Kim Koenig

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We started our trip with wind and rain, not sure what was ahead of us, and no whale reports!! By the time we checked out harbor seals at Colville Island, the weather had greatly improved. We headed to Smith Island where often Minke whales are found, but not today. Then westward towards Salmon Bank and BINGO - a sharp-eyed passenger saw a spout - yes! We were the first boat to find whales again!!! 7 miles south of Salmon Bank, we picked up Transient/Biggs killer whales - T100s, T101s, T102, and T65B's, what a find! We enjoyed watching these amazing mammals as they leisurely traveled SE back towards Smith Island. Homeward bound, we checked out Steller sea lions on Bird Rocks, an unusual haul-out for them. Lots of happy passengers today.
Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

T100C, male, born in 2002. Saturday - Transient/Biggs killer whales traveling/resting between Salmon Bank and Smith Island. ID'd as T100s, 101s, 102 and 65Bs. Photo by Jill Hein, Septmber 17, 2016

T102, male born in 1984. Photo by Jill Hein, September 17, 2016

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One, maybe two orca whales off President Point Kitsap side heading south about 11:30. May have been hunting.seemed to stay on surface longer than usual. Lost sight of them about noon. One adult male. Very large dorsal fin. came up twice.
Joanne Graves

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Every day on the water sharing our spectacular wildlife and scenery is always a treat for the crew at Eagle Wing Tours. But every now and then a day comes along that totally blows our minds. Last Sunday was one of those days. Crew and passengers witnessed a remarkable phenomenon described by scientists in a new study published just this summer-humpback whales interfering with hunting transient killer whales. Doesn't seem to matter what species they're hunting, the humpbacks don't like it. Scientists continue to debate the reason for this "vigilante" behaviour, which has been documented at multiple sites around the world over decades. Now they can add southern Vancouver Island to the list...The T100 and T65B families of transient killer whales. Five whales in total....4 humpbacks we think. Several times, the orcas retreated to regroup as if they were contemplating their next move. Or waiting for the humpbacks to go away. The stand-off ended with the transients swimming off, apparently deciding that four angry humpbacks weren't worth the trouble. Score: Team Humpback 1, Team Orca 0. It's not known whether Team Sea Lion survived its injuries or was attacked again later.

An orca cruises past the humpbacks, trying to get to the sea lion hiding among them. The humpbacks grouped together, blocking access to the sea lion, thrashing their tails and exhaling forcefully in an aggressive or agitated behaviour we call trumpeting. They repeatedly advanced on the orcas. Photo by Valerie Shore, September 11, 2016 (see above report by Eagle Wing)

Members of each team are visible here. Two humpbacks in the foreground, the sea lion floating in the background (probably not feeling so good by this point), and an orca heading toward it. Photo by Valerie Shore, September 11, 2016

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We saw the whales at Three Tree Point at about 3:30-6:30 on Sept. 5. There was 7 of them and the baby was adorable. He kept going on his side and waving his "arm". (See our Whale Sightings Report published September 8th)
Melody Dimaggio

4:00 p.m. -  this afternoon, and group of four Orcas (including possibly on adult male) were playing in Brown's Bay, North of Campbell River. They were on the east side of the bay, which is unusual for this spot; they are usually in the middle of the channel. They stayed mostly at the surface, blowing and even vocalizing! They stayed for about 15 minutes and then continued south.
Laura Grandmont

6:35 p.m. - We spotted a young humpback whale traveling alone northbound off Ebey's Landing, approximately 50 yards from shore. This is the second time we have seen this whale, the first time being Sunday evening, September 18th, traveling in the same manner (steadily northbound, close to the shore, and with many spyhops) and at the same time of evening--around 6:30 pm. The stubby dorsal fin was clearly seen through binoculars verifying a humpback. Spyhopping; traveling
Laura Golden

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Female humpback CS631. A few minutes from our docks in Sooke we start seeing Humpback Whale blows towards Otter Point and to our surprise there was at least 60+ a few miles off shore...Just so amazing to see again! Photo by Paul Pudwell, September 19, 2016

7:00 p.m. - I saw a single Humpback whale off of the north side of Blake Island around 7pm on Monday September 19th. I watched it circle around back and forth diving for short periods for approximately 1 hr. until it got dark.
Paul Ruppert
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2:53 p.m. - Just passed another humpback heading south on Colvos Passage just south of Pt. Richmond. Given path of travel for the first, it's likely two different whales.
Andrea Hennings
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We also came home to find these reports of the first humpback from Mark Mallard of WDFW at 1:20 pm, in front of the Ram Restaurant in Ruston, in Commencement Bay; and a call from Maia of the WA State Ferries, reporting a humpback at 1:40 pm near the Pt. Defiance dock.
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1:33 p.m. - Humpback just off the Ram Restaurant on Ruston Way in Tacoma.
Andrea Hennings

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Humpback in the Juan de Fuca on September 18th. Photo by Mark Malleson

4:09 p.m. - It was just along the shore, north of the mouth of Gig Harbor, heading south.
Michele Riely Campbell
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3:00 p.m. - My wife and 7 year old spotted likely the same humpback near Sunrise Beach in Colvos passage.
Peter Kreishman
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About 1:00 this afternoon humpback spotted from Sunrise beach in Colvos passage... It stayed very close to Vashon side, traveled South into Dalco Passage, then turned, came very close to Sunrise then back over towards Vashon. Was North of Sunrise (closer to Vashon) when we left around 1:30.
Heidi Powers Armstrong
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Beautiful image of humpback and human this morning off Dash Point, Federal Way. Photo by Jay Altman, September 18, 2016

Humpback off Dash Point. Photo by Jay Altman, September 18, 2016

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10:09 a.m. - Spotted! Just dived. South of Brown Point lighthouse. Heading into Commencement Bay and towards Port of Tacoma! Multiple dives. Towards Port of Tacoma.
Ryan rooks
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Whale sighting Dash Point. single whale, moving slowly into Puget Sound. I noticed barnacles on tail. Surfaced 3 or 4 times in the space of 10/15 minutes, saw blow air and seemed to dive straight down. Whale was heading south. Photo by Stephen Willoughby, September 18, 2016

Photo by Stephen Willoughby, September 18, 2016

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9:50 a.m. - Just saw him heading south past Dash Point Pier. Closer to mainland
Linda Tyson
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6:20 a.m. - WS Ferries reports a humpback heading south along the east side of Vashon Island.

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6:25 p.m. - Humpback, just saw it surface twice just south of picnic Point headed north.
John Carroll
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8:55 a.m. - Tony Woelke from WS Ferries just called to report a breaching humpback 1-1/2 miles out from the Edmonds ferry dock. It is now traveling southbound and is currently between the two ferries.

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6:30 p.m. - At least one, possibly 2 humpbacks southbound east off Point No Point off Whidbey Island - Maxwelton area.
Connie Bickerton

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10:43 a.m. - Keystone/Coupeville on Whidbey. It's "BCY 0458, Raptor" and he/she is lunge feeding! Heading toward middle now south of Marrowstone point.
10:26 a.m. - Found one north of Lagoon but still south of ferry terminal. Heading south.
Renee Beitzell
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7:40 a.m. - Two humpback whales off Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island headed south!
Margaret Marshall

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Went on an epic adventure westward exploring the Strait of Juan de Fuca today! We did 151 miles and went all the way out to Sombrio Point on Vancouver Island. Wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery galore out there! I have so many photos to get through but wanted to pick one that summed up our day. Group after group after group of Humpback Whales. Such a beautiful day in the incredible Salish Sea.
Traci Walter

The fluke of a magnificent Humpback Whale! Taken yesterday in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Photo by Traci Walter, September 14, 2016 (taken with 600mm lends and cropped)

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Victory and Split Fin travelling together, just a half mile or so North of the T037's, near Dungeness Spit. Photo by Janine Harles, September 14, 2016

Gray Whale CRCID 30 (left side & blow holes) - Cattle Pass (South end of San Juan Channel), heading south into Straits of Juan De Fuca. Photo by Connie Bickerton, September 20, 2016 (all photos zoomed and cropped)

Gray whale CRCID 30 (left side) - San Juan Channel. Photo by Connie Bickerton, September 20, 2016

Gray whale CRCID 30 (right side) - San Juan Channel. Photo by Connie Bickerton, September 20, 2016

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11:50 a.m. - Adult gray whale CRCID 30 in San Juan Channel. One full breach, otherwise traveling. Photo by Breck Tyler, September 20, 2016 (all photos taken with 300mm lens and cropped)

Gray whale CRCID30 Photo by Breck Tyler, September 20, 2016

Gray whale CRCID 30 (right side) - San Juan Channel. Photo by Breck Tyler, September 20, 2016

 

 Big flocks of sea birds on the water (known as bird piles) usually means food...Today was no exception, and after passing Colville Island, where numerous Pacific Harbor seals were hauled out on the rocks, Mystic Sea headed for Smith & Minor Islands Aquatic Reserve where we spotted a couple of Minke whales (the smallest of the baleen whales) dipping and diving to take advantage of the rich nutritional offerings in the marine ecosystem. A Steller sea-lion showed off his catch when surfacing, and we were treated to a fleeting glimpse of two Pacific White-Sided Dolphins (also known as Lags) as well as Harbor porpoises, the smallest of the cetaceans we see here. The season may be drawing to a close, but every trip offers something different and no two days are ever the same.
Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

Minke - eastern Juan de Fuca (see report above) Photo by Sandra Pollard, September 16, 2016

 

Sandy Dubpernell received a message from Marty Crowley at 10:34 a.m. who was on the ferry to Port Townsend and reports a whale of some sort (not an orca) off the port side of the ferry mid channel between Keystone and Port Townsend.

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4:51p.m. -  Single Whale of some type surfacing North of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, heading towards Salmon Beach. Looked too small to be Humpback too big for Porpoise.
Melissa Burke

3:10 p.m. - Common dolphins in Hammersley Inlet now heading towards Shelton. Photo by Pamela S Burger, September 15, 2016

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2:30 p.m. - Flight of two of these guys  in Hammersley Inlet. Heading west. I have not seen them return so I believe they are still in Oakland Bay. Photo by Pamela S Burger, September 14, 2016

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There have been at least five of the common dolphins in the area over the past many days. The last sighting was of them heading north out of Budd Inlet. That makes a visit to Hammersley Inlet a high possibility.
Kim Meriman
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9:20 a.m. - A report by Diane Nelson of "two juvenile orcas" in Hammersly Inlet at the cove inside Cape Horn for at least 1.5 hours. (Common dolphins -see Burger photo above)

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4 to 5 dolphins played and fished just north of Harstine bridge several times during the day.
Gretchen Stewart

Elephant seal this afternoon around 4:30pm off Browns Bay/Shipwreck.(Edmonds/Lynnwood) Have seen an elephant seal in this location in September for the last 8-10 years... Same one perhaps? Beautiful afternoon!
Toby Black