K44 Ripple , born 2011 and the last surviving calf of K pod, pops out to say hello as he and his family pass Point Robinson, Vashon on their southbound leg of their travels through Puget Sound. Photo by Kelly Burns Keenan, October 20, 2016 (ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)

J34 and J22 north west bound past Port Townsend as  J's and K's exit  Admiralty Inlet this afternoon. Photo by Mark Malleson, October 21, 2016

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1:11 p.m. - They are passing Fort Casey/Port Townsend, they were mid channel. Heading towards Ebey.
Mary Janowiecki
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12:30 p.m. -  in Admiralty Bay just at the northern end of Marrowstone Island.
Kim Gilliam

Around 12:15 p.m. - Chilkat powered off and J2 Granny came over to say hello! Northeast of Fort Flagler, closer to Olympic side than Whidbey side of Admiralty. She, Onyx, and an unidentified juvenile swam off toward Point Wilson around 12:30. Photo by Amy K Fowler, October 21, 2016

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J and K pod seen from Schooner Adventuress off of Bush Point around 11:30am! Pods were fairly spread out and looked to be fishing as we saw a handful of porpoising behaviors. We were able to get some decent ID pictures, will post as soon as we can.
Jennifer Smith
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11:13 a.m. -  starting to see blows South from Lagoon Point.
Patricia Prochaska
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11:00 a.m. -  The leaders are passing Bush Point, Whidbey Islandmid channel spread out, and with J2 Granny. Photo by Marilyn Armbruster, October 21, 2016

Photo by Marilyn Armbruster, October 21, 2016

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Dashed out to Bush Point to catch the tail end of J and K pod passing by as they blasted through some rough water. Took a ton of pictures but they were so far out, it was super hard to get good shots of them. I was just thankful for the experience and the chance to hang out with friends, and meet a few new ones.
Durand Dace

K33 Tika passing Bush Point, Whidbey Island. Photo by Durand Dace, October 21, 2016 (ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

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Fortunate to catch the SRKW's battling strong currents and whitecaps as they passed by Bush Point today, along with a hardy crew of orca fans cheering them on! Photo by Steve Smith, October 21, 2016 ("Looks LIke J36 to me" - Sara Hysong Shimazu)

Crop of above photo by Steve Smith, October 21, 2016

J2 Granny passing Bush Point, Whidbey - We marvel her long-lived life and all she has seen and experienced while leading her clan through out the Salish Sea and Pacific Ocean for so many decades Photo by Steve Smith, October 21, 2016

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Seeing blows near Foulweather Bluff at 10:26am from Bush Point.
Sandra Pollard
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10:00 a.m. - They are still south of Bush Pt. mid channel. White boat with them...I am at Bush Pointt. A little too far for photos but hoping that will change
9:45 a.m. - They are passing Windmill Pt and near Bush Pt.
Marilyn Armbruster
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9:20 a.m. - A group of Orca spread between Useless Bay and Mutiny Bay. Headed North.
James Greenway
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8:08 a.m. - Mike Moore reported 10 - 15 or more orcas seen from Double Bluff Whidbey Island, headed N between Double Bluff and green buoy and more mid channel.

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6:11 p.m. -  from Dash Point looks like they are at Maury Island Marine Park. Still southbound.
Melissa Burke

Southern Resident Orcas visited Vashon today. My favorites are the bunched up, cuddling pics. Here is K38, J42, K44, and J45 all in what Melisa calls a "cuddle puddle". Photo by Kelly Keenan, October 20, 2016 (IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)

Cappucino K21 - Point Robinson. Photo by Kelly Burns Keenan, October 20, 2016

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6:05 p.m. - Absolutely stunning pass at Point Robinson. Just ended and still headed south.
Amy Carey
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6:00 p.m. -  leaders have rounded Pt. Robinson very close to Vashon still southbound. Lots of splashing and blows.
5:55 p.m. -  From Dash Pt. starting to see blows and splashes with my binoculars at Pt. Robinson.
Melissa Burke

Here's one of the many breachers today - it kind of looks like this whale is imitating the jet overhead. Photo by Meg McDonald, October 20, 2016

And one more, showing that fall color is always better with orcas! This looks like J42 and family. Photo by Meg McDonald, October 20, 2016

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Thursday evening's visit  - taken around 5:45pm from the shores of Point Robinson beach on Vashon Island. Photo by Marla Smith, October 20, 2016

Little one surfaces while passing Point Robinson this evening. Photo by Marla Smith, October 20, 2016

J26 Mike cruising past the shores of Point Robinson this beautiful October evening. Photo by Marla Smith, October 20, 2016

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5:37 p.m. - orca approaching point Robinson still southbound.
Brittany Gordon
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4:30 p.m. - they are just off of Normandy Park beach heading south
Tanya Esparza
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4:27 p.m. -  Huge breach midchannel perhaps a bit south of 3 Tree yellow buoy.
Meg McDonald

4:22 p.m. - Quite a few Orcas came by....Off Three Tree Point at mid afternoon . Not very visible. I assume they were constantly under fishing. Finally got a few pictures as they became backlit by the sun. Came down the middle of the Sound between Vashon and Burien. Lots. Very spread out. In my uneducated view, feeding. Large commercial fishing boats had been fishing most of the morning and early afternoon until less than an hour before they arrived.
Elston Hill

Big boys coming by Three Tree Point, Burien. Photo by Elston Hill, October 20, 2016

This Sea Lion resting on the buoy at Three Tree Point can relax and just enjoy the view of this fish-eating resident orca. A good day for all. Photo by Elston Hill, October 20, 2016

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3:46 p.m. - Seeing two right around the channel buoy at Three Tree Point! (Burien)
Kim Rouse Baumgartner
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3:27 p.m. - Orcas off south side of Fauntleroy - Vashon ferry, seem to be heading south.
Michelle Casad
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2:57 p.m. -  leaders finally at Dilworth, Vashon.
Amy Carey
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3:00 p.m. -  watching from South Beach & Toe Jam HIll on Bainbridge Island with Aviva. Orca were south of Alki, heading toward Vashon ferry lanes. 2 groups of 2-3. One lone male seemed to be farther south. Lots of foraging. A couple of breaches. Mid channel, from our perspective. Nice light for easy viewing. Recommend going out to see them. It is a gorgeous fall day out there!
2:43 p.m. - 6 - 8 or more orcas including 1 large male, she is watching from South Beach, Bainbridge Island and the whales are down by Alki, approaching the Vashon ferry lanes heading south.
Kimberly Sylvester- Malzahn
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2:40 p.m. - two small groups bunched up and were foraging in & south of ferry lanes, mid channel. I could see others further west and south. Few more north of ferry lanes. All generally still heading south.
2:24 p.m. -  several crossing through Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry lanes now. Nice steady pass past Lincoln Park by family of three ( female, male, younger) east side of channel.
Other males west of channel and further south. Others spread across having passed by last 20 minutes...mid channel and still some on each side of.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

Peaceful video (on the longer side) of Js, Ks, and L87 during their southbound journey through Puget Sound. The rich saturated colors of Autumn made such a gorgeous backdrop once the rain squalls ceased and the sunlight found it's way through the cracks in the clouds. Filmed from several shorelines along the way from North Seattle to West Seattle. Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network October 20, 2016

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2:15 p.m. - Quite a few visible from the bluff south of Brace Pt/Fauntleroy. Still headed south, on Vashon side of shipping lanes. Lucky us!
Ellen Cole
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2:00 p.m. - Here at Lowman (West Seattle), watching two swim south toward Blake. Not sure which side of Blake they'll pass, probably east.
Trileigh Tucker
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2:00 p.m. - 2 pm Just spotted a pretty big dorsal from Fauntleroy, headed south.
Pat Johnson
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1:39 p.m. -  leaders just crossing Vashon ferry lane.
Amy Carey
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1:35 p.m.  - call from WA State ferry, from the east bound Bainbridge to Seattle ferry, at least 3 orcas, including 1 large male and several females breaching, southbound, spread out.

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One of the big boys heart-shaped exhaltion - south of Alki Point. Photo by Kirsti E Muul, October 20, 2016

Any day we see J2 Granny is a good day and a blessing. Photo by Kirsti E Muul, October 20, 2016

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1:50 p.m. -  several have stalled to forage ( many directional changes, lunges) between Alki and Vashon, mid channel and both sides of.  Others have continued southbound.
1:30 p.m. -  Trailers between Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, West Seattle and Blake Island. Whales still spread across channel all directions, many In 1s and 2s. Still southbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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1325 larger group passing Alki now. Spread out east to west.
1311 at least one foraging off Alki Point. The leader looked to be about mid channel. Seeing a few within a couple hundred yards from shore reaching Alki Point now.
1302 -  whales passing Alki Point appear to be east of mid channel Lone male out in front has passed north end of Vashon as viewed from Constellation Park in West Seattle.
Jason Lee Bell
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12:50 p.m. - Jeff Hogan called reporting orcas spread out slowly heading south from So. Bainbridge Island down to the Vashon ferry lanes.
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12:24 p.m. - See at least one orca, I believe a male, southbound off Manchester as viewed from south Alki Point.
Jason Lee Bell
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Watched from northside until just around 1:00 p.m. with last few whales foraging 1/2 - 1 mile N of Alki point for about 15-20 minutes. Resumed southbound rounding point.
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Noon- J pod is here too and appears to be the leaders at south end of Bainbridge.
Bart Rulon
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11:55 p.m. - Js are farther south, now south of Restoration Point (Bainbridge)
Christopher Hanke
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11:15 a.m. - From West Point/Discovery Park...seeing  spread out whales across and N/S. Many south of West Point by now. Saw one breach, more foraging, chasing behavior, though steady southbound by all.
10:50 a.m. -  I see a male, and others engaged in foraging behavior off West Point...mid channel. Purse Seiners other fishing vessels are out up and down Puget Sound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:55 a.m. -  they are still heading south slowly spread out quite a bit across the channel.
10:27 a.m. -  So far I've identified K-pod and L87 down here in Puget Sound.
Bart Rulon
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Today the Southern Residents came by Bainbridge Island and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them from shore, (Skiff Point, which is mid-island and directly across from West Point Lighthouse) - Behaviors: VERY spread out from north to south end of Bainbridge and West to East (Bainbridge to West Point Lighthouse in Seattle) The weather was wet and dark and gray. Two or three females past first followed by the male in the photos. His direction was mostly south with a brief directional change, so got both sides. I was standing on shore at ground level, orca was probably 300 yards + from shore.
Susan Marie Andersson

Sequence of 14- year-old male K35 Sonata off Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island. See above report. Photo by Susan Marie Andersson, October 20, 2016 (ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

Same lovely guy. Photo by Susan Marie Andersson, October 20, 2016

Making a directional change, perhaps chasing a salmon. Photo by Susan Marie Andersson, October 20, 2016

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10:23 a.m. - Big male just passed. Reversed direction briefly then continued south. Close to shore, BI side. Same location as previous post.
10:15 a.m. -  2 or 3 orcas southbound steady track. Possibly SRs. Close to Bainbridge Island side.
Susan Marie Andersson
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10:15 a.m. - at least another 2 east of mid channel due west Shilshole marina, steady pace southbound.
10:00 a.m. - glimpse of large male southbound west side of channel approaching/at Faye Bainbridge park. And breaching whale a bit further to the NE.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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8:30 a.m. - Saw at least two mid channel heading south between president point and point wells? ( The tanks) . West of the channel marker. Pretty much mid channel approaching the channel mark South of Kingston
Joanne Graves
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8:10 a.m. - Tony Woelke, WS Ferries. called to report orcas about 1-1/2 mile off shore between Pt Edwards (south Edmonds) and Point Wells (tank farm). First just a few heading south, but he started seeing more as we spoke, some milling. Good chance these could be residents.

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6:22 p.m. - Three just past Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island northbound.
Margaret Marshall
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12:32 p.m. - Seemed to have stalled a bit north of Edmonds. Saw on breach. Fairly spread out now with one group far ahead.
12:22 p.m. - Northbound, past Edmonds -Apple Tree Point (Kingston) Large male and others mid channel ...traveling north at steady pace.
Sara Frey
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12:26 p.m. - Heading towards Admiralty, really spread. J27 & J19's, J16's only positive ID's so far. Adding J34 to that.
Renee Beitzel
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11:52 a.m. - Orcas between Edmonds and Kingston in the middle of the Sound going North.
Chris Hanke

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6:26 p.m. -  Just saw 2-3 orcas heading west by Fort Ward. On the Bremerton ferry towards Seattle.
Jenessa Zaragoza

6:00 p.m. - Saw one orca heading west in Rich Passage one half mile off Bainbridge.
Hugh Merriman
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4:50 p.m. -  Orcas off of Alki heading West.
Jill Hadji
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4:15 p.m. - Saw at least two orcas heading south, mid channel, while on the Bainbridge ferry.
Bryan McNeil

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Haro Strait. Js and Ks. What's interesting to me is the phenomenon of Dall's Porpoise playing, or taunting, an Orca, in this case, J26. How do they know, or do they know, that J26 is a Resident, fish eating Orca, and not a Transient, of mammal eating Orca? Photo by Jim Maya, October 13, 2016

Photo by Jim Maya, October 13, 2016

Photo by Jim Maya, October 13, 2016

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6:20 p.m. - Some calls on Lime Kiln.
Tony Bahnick
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5:17 p.m. - Some really loud talking going on right now
Andrew Bergstrom
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4:15 p.m. - Still hearing them.
Susan Berta
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3:24 p.m. - I am hearing a single Orca on Lime Kiln Hydro.
Kara E Clayton 

Here are some pictures from a photo tour I led up to Telegraph Cove recently. On the very first day of the adventure we saw about 10 humpback whales, 150 Pacific white-sided dolphins, a black bear, 7 brown bears (including 3 cubs), and Northern Resident killer whales!!!  Incredible!
Bart Rulon

Northern resident's from i pod.  In the picture you see i12 and her 31 year old son, i47, in Johnstone Strait.  We also saw i78, i105, and i138 during this encounter. Photo by Bart Rulon, September 30, 2016

 

We had the T046B's with the 4 CA/U gang again on the afternoon of October 19th
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

T046B1, CA173, and U052 east bound south of Becher Bay. Photo by Mark Malleson, October 19, 2016

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CA173, CA166, U052 and U081 off of Bechey Head on the afternoon of October 18th. Photo by Mark Malleson

October 23 - South Puget Sound 

October 22 - North Puget Sound 

October 22 - South Puget Sound (Min. 3 whales. 1 lone further south, 2 together to the north) 

October 22 - San Juan Islands 

October 21 - South Puget Sound 

5:31 p.m. - both humpbacks just passed Dalco passage on 5 mile still southbound
5:22 p.m. -  both humpbacks just passed Owens Beach still southbound.
5:00 p.m. -  watching from Ruston way...They are getting closer to point Ruston and traveling south towards the ferry.
4:32 p.m. -  watching 2 humpbacks from Ruston way. They are in Commencement Bay by a few sailboats and are headed back out.
Brittany Gordon
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3:30 p.m. - Humpbacks spotted off Point Ruston Headed towards the Port.
Brennan Carmody
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1:45 p.m. - Two Humpbacks near Vashon's Sanford Pt (south of Lisabeula) moving slowly south. Majestic!
Dorothy Hanson Harris
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1:10 p.m. - Two whales traveling south Colvos Passage. Spouting. Saw Whale tail as they dove.
Pat Churchill
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12:20 p.m -  2 humpbacks traveling north up Colvos they are a few miles south from the Southworth ferry terminal. Little while boat traveling with them. They are mid channel and seem to be traveling a little slow..
Brittany Gordon
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10:11 a.m. - At least 2 humpbacks hugging Gig Harbor shore heading north to Sunrise Beach.
Michele Riely Campbell


(Reported to NOAA as well)
I'd like to report a sighting of an entangled humpback whale I noticed yesterday while on board the Chilkat Express. We spotted the whale circling and apparently feeding about 3-4 miles NW of the Edmonds Waterfront. The whale continued to circle the same area during our entire encounter with it, which lasted around 20 minutes between 1:15 pm and 1:36 pm. The whale took deeper dives that lasted around 4 minutes after 3-4 shallower surfacings. Every time the whale attempted a deeper dive, it did not show it's flukes and it appeared the tail was being weighed down by something. You'll find attached a sequence of photos (see one below) I took of one of the whale's dives that seem to show a line of some kind wrapped around the lower part of the whale's peduncle. The photos have been cropped and resized to fit in the email, but are otherwise unaltered. The photos were taken yesterday, October 21st 2016 at 1:19 pm and we last saw the whale trending in a southerly direction though still apparently feeding....
Justine Buckmaster

Humpback in Puget Sound with what appears to be a line of sorts cutting into her/his peduncle. See report above. Photo by Justine Buckmaster, October 21, 2016

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10:15 a.m. -  a humpback ~3 miles NW of Edmonds, line of sight the leftmost edge of Double Bluff.
Sherman Page

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5:25 p.m. - We just saw two whales, very close to shore...We're in Mukilteo, just north of the shipwreck. And yes, one of them looked small!
Tori Shemesh
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4:27 p.m. - it's TWO whales! Saw two distinct blows side by side viewing from behind. Still trending south close to shore and very close together - mother and calf?
4:22 p.m. - Just spotted a humpback just south of Mukilteo ferry terminal. Very close to shore and moving south... Some walk-ons spotted him from line and I'm sitting on passenger deck of Tokitae and saw it blow and small dorsal three times and then fluke.
Debbie Stewart

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3:15 p.m. - third whale even further northwest of those two now.
3:12 p.m. - two in tandem are heading back north. Still southeast of PNP and Probably south of Scatchet or even Cultus Bay by couple miles.
2:58 p.m. - The 2 northerly whales moved south in tandem, currently much further south of PNP than the 1st whale. Not sure where that 1st whale is, I've been watching #2 & #3.
1:45 p.m. - confirmed at least 3 total in area. 1 SE of PNP now northbound further east of shipping lanes and at least 2 further NW currently northbound. All just circling around out here.
1:40 p.m. - at least 2 whales out there. The one SE of Point No Point (PNP),  currently moving southbound and at least one further north and west.
1:30 p.m. - humpback in same general area as 1p.m.. Shipping lanes southeast of Point No Point basically circling out there. Shallow surfacing...no fluke when diving.
1:00 p.m. - from Ocean Ave, Edmonds saw at least one humpback surface a few times before diving...no fluke. Line of sight, Point No Point approx 2-3 miles south of Scatchet Head, Whidbey.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:26 a.m. - I can see two humpbacks out at the south end of Whidbey.
Tia Scarce
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8:40 a.m.  - Two humpbacks 1/2 mile east of Point No Point, tall blows in the morning sun then arched backs, fluked up and dove, headed toward Double Bluff.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network

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2:12 p.m. - whale is now more southwest, moving westbound. Mid channel.
1:50 p.m. -  one whale for the past 20 minutes had been on a southwesterly course, good clip. Regular surfacing/dives, shows fluke each time. 6-9 minute down times.
1:30 p.m. - One breach, and now traveling in a southwesterly direction.
1:25 p.m. - Either made good distance or another whales much closer to Edmonds, south of Possession Point sightline Useless Bay. Several surfaces then fluke, sounded. Traveling northeast.
1:17 p.m. - Just spotted two whales moving northbound 1-2 miles south of Scatchet Head, Whidbey (sightline from Ocean Ave just left of left end of Double Bluff). Fluke...deep dive.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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1:06 p.m. - Multiple whale blow sightings from Sunset Ave Edmonds looking towards Double Bluff and approx 1/2 way between Double Bluff and Point No Point line of sight. Earlier I saw slight movement in both directions but now staying steady.
Whales viewed multiple times between 11:57am and 12:55pm ...Backs, flukes and double blows seen.
Gloria Faircloth Conrad
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11:20 am, one humpback 3 or 4 miles NW of Edmonds, line of sight slightly to the left of Double Bluff. It is going down on long 20 minute dives.
Sherman Page


3:40 p.m. - Two humpback whales heading north from Fay bainbridge heading towards Indianola. Backs and flukes visible but no pictures.
Scott Weaver
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1:25 p.m. - We, Chilkat, are with 2 Humpbacks, southbound in the middle between Shilshole and Rolling Bay.
Christoper Hanke
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At 9:50 am I saw two whale spouts (I am assuming it was two spouts from the same whale)  in outer Elliott Bay and the saw the back of a while then the full tail fluke as it dove, appeared to be pointed toward Seattle downtown. Suspect because of the tail it was a humpback but can not be sure. Was traveling on BI ferry (Bainbridge/Seattle). Did not see it again for rest of trip.
Betsy Cooper

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5:30 p.m. - Douglas Devaney reports two humpback whales traveling together mid channel west of Alki (now south of) heading southbound at a good pace.

5:15 p.m. -  Humpbacks passing by Alki Point heading south. Photo by Gary Jones, October 17, 2016

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We saw these (humpbacks) NW of Alki Point from the sundeck of the Walla Walla just [after] 5pm.
Rufo Hill
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10:45 am - two humpbacks a couple of miles NW of Edmonds, line of sight with Double Bluff on Whidbey Island.
Sherman Page

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10:32 a.m. - Still 4 Humpbacks spread out south of Whidbey Possession Point/Scatchet Head area.
Christopher Hanke

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I am about 90% sure I saw a spout between N Mutiny Bay on Whidbey and Hansville on the Kitsap side, at about 1:30 pm. have been trying to re-sight but visibility getting worse.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
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1:00 a.m. - Many humpbacks off the south end of Whidbey. Off Possession Point/Scatchet Head area just going back and forth.
Christopher Hanke

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Lunge feeding, or in this case trap feeding, humpback whale in Blackfish Sound, BC.  We saw many other actively feeding humpback whales scattered all over the place during our visit to Telegraph Cove, BC. Photo by Bart Rulon, September 30, 2016

 

Pacific white-sided dolphins - Knight Inlet, BC.  It was a pod of about 150 dolphins! Photo by Bart Rulon, September 30, 2016

  

From Edmonds watched at least a dozen spread out Harbor porpoise (including a few calves) for the two hours I was watching humpbacks in the distance. Porpoise were sometimes 300 hundred yards off shore but mostly up to 1/2 mile or so off.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network