April 2005 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of April 2005 whale sightings.

April 30, 2005

Hood Canal Orcas were sighted across the Canal from Hama Hama Oyster Company. They were headed South at 6:40 p.m. At times they appeared to be feeding.
Mina Kyle
Hood Canal
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Went scuba diving in Hood Canal, at a place called elephant Wall, south of Pleasant Harbor Marina. On the way back into the Marina we saw the Slippery Six!!!! (Hood Canal Transients) close in to shore, spyhopping, etc. ALOT of movement in one area...circling, diving, jumping (the little ones) etc. We think they were feeding but if so, then their prey was already under water by then. Watched for about 40 minutes until 2:30 p.m. when they left. Pleasant harbor is north of Ayock point where they were seen yesterday in the evening.
Jeanette Dalton
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Tom Berry called to report he had sighted the Hood Canal Transients at 7:40 pm, across from Eagle creek heading south. One of the whales appeared to have an orange buoy caught on its fin at one point, but when he saw the whale later, it looked like the buoy was gone.
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I spotted a pod of Orcas on Saturday at 6pm. They were heading slowly West, just south of Rum and Gooch Islands (just west of Haro Strait) before they turned and slowly made their way north. I was on Rum Island so I was too far away to get any good photos for ID's. They were quite spread out, but there were at least 10-15 of them I'd guess. A few tail slaps but otherwise they were having a relaxing swim at an easy pace.
Mark Schilling

April 29, 2005

Janet Rogers reported seeing what sounded like a gray off her house, north of Golden Gardens Park in Seattle at 7:30Am. Beth has since heard reports of a gray off Carkeek Park the next couple of days.
Fred Felleman
Seattle
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8:15 PM, Three gray whales (one of them is "Patch") are feeding in front of Langley. At one point they were all right next to each other and all had their fins and half a fluke up and then they rolled and breathed together- what a show!
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
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JPod south of Victoria most of the afternoon.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria
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Tom McMillen of Salish Sea Charters called to report 2 grays, one of them "Patch", between Camano Head & Hat Island, heading toward Hat Island at 3 pm. There were also 2 other grays on the other side of Hat Island going toward Clinton.
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Gail Fleming of Langley reported 2 grays, mid-channel in south Saratoga Passage heading south between 1:30 and 2 pm.
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John Herman reported 1 adult & 1 juvenile gray whale 1/2 mile south of Possession Pt, S. Whidbey at 12:45 pm.
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Debbie Larsen called to report seeing what appeared to be 2 orca fins in Hales Passage, north of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at approx. noon.
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1 mile North of Hama Hama Oyster Company at Hyw. mile marker 319, I spotted the "Slippery Six" (Hood Canal Orcas) at 11:50 a.m. Only have seen 3 Orcas. They were headed south.
Mina Kyle
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My husband and I were out in our boat today on the Hood Canal and had quite a show with the Slippery Six (HC Transients). We entered the Hood Canal at Triton Public launch at 10:15 a.m. and started heading south toward the great bend. We hadn't been out 5 minutes and spotted the Orcas. They were heading south down the Canal, playing and jumping and flapping their tales. We stayed with them for an hour and 45 minutes. They stayed close to the west side of the canal and then about 12:00 p.m. (noon) they started to head towards the middle and also started moving quickly towards the Potlach area.
Stephen & Emmie Miller
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there was a young (sub adult?) gray whale that I haven't seen before feeding in front of Langley this morning around 6:15 AM. It headed back northwest at about 6:30.
Veronica von Allworden
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About 12:30 am, I hear our 6 coming back this way, along the west side of the Canal this time, almost below us. Tide was low, so they couldn't have been in too close...I listened for about 45 minutes as they slowly made their way toward Hoodsport.
Lindon Sheldon
Potlatch, Hood Canal, WA

April 28, 2005

J Pod was cruising leisurely westbound in the Strait of Juan de Fuca at about 1500 hrs. J2 & J1 were in the lead, then the rest of the pod paraded by singly or in mother/calf pairs. J14 (Samish) came right over to our parked boat with J40 right beside her. The calf rolled on its back and gave several of our passengers an excellent view of "her" belly. From photos of male/female belly patches, they picked the female form. We'll see if the Centre for Marine Mammal Research can confirm this in the future. In any case, it appears to be a spunky, healthy little calf.
Joan Lopez
Vancouver Whale Watch
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About 7:20 pm, 1.5 miles South of Hoodsport, about 100' above the Milepost 333 on Hwy. 101, west side of the Canal, when I caught the gilmmer of the fading sun bouncing off the fins of our 6 Hood Canal Transients slippery gals as they transited in tight formation along the east side of the Canal, heading south. They disappeared, then reappeared, still in formation, just off Bald Point. Looked like they were making a beeline for the Skok River flats where all the seals hang out.
Lindon Sheldon
Potlatch, Hood Canal, WA
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Watched a gray last night in Sinclair Inlet. It was out in front of the marinas.
Bill Van Fleet
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We left Js headed away from shore, south of Lime Kiln, going southeast, toward Hein Bank, 1900 hrs. Very playful, after a lot of foraging.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters
San Juan Island
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J's on the west side (San Juan Is.) this afternoon going North.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
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Derick Whitmarsh called at 5:40 pm to report one gray whale close in to Pebble Beach, SW Camano Island (across from Langley) heading north.
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Capt. Hollywood called with an update of 1 gray whale on the north side of Hat Island at 2:38 pm, headed toward Tulalip Bay.
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Capt. Hollywood reported gray whales in mid-Possession Sound, 2 miles south of Hat Island headed toward Sandy Pt. at 12:54 pm.
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The Hood Canal transients passed by the Point Whitney Shellfish Lab today about ½ mile offshore heading south @ 10:11 am.
Brian McLaughlin, Fisheries Biologist
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
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We had 3 and a possible 4 Grays feeding in front of Spee-Bi-Dah at 9:00 am. They continued to feed for about 20-25 minutes. One was "Trim Tail". One of the others was "Patch". We have not seen any for at least 2/3 weeks.
Malcolm & Tarry Lindquist
Spee-Bi-Dah
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At 8:30 AM I was treated to another sighting of the grey that has been hanging around South Sound. This morning he seems to be staying between Stretch and Reach Islands (47. 20. 072 N 122.49.385 W) which is fairly shallow, running at about 8 - 9 fathoms. He blows every few minutes and seems to be circling within the area. He has also (I have been told) passed behind Reach Island, through the shallows of Fair Harbor. When the grays do visit here, they seem to always spend time in Fair Harbor during the upper end of the incoming tide.
Pamela Benson
Vaughn, WA
s/v Spirit of Freedom

April 27, 2005

I had the pleasure of spending time watching a grey with lots of white barnacles on fluke roll and feed amazingly close to shore between 6:30 and 7 pm, right off the langley shore north of town by the spit. So shallow that breathing was from above water with just a few deeper dives and blows. I was worried about stranding, but the whale was fine and swam off diving and blowing, going south at about 7.
Heather Ogilvy
Langley
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Just wanted to pass on that a Grey Whale (with white patches on the flukes and tail) swam slowly passed Langley and very close to shore, heading south from about 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm.
Joe Alicea
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During high tide, at 7:20 PM one gray whale was feeding very close to shore (less than 25 feet out), in downtown Langley. The whale was slowly making his/her way eastward through Saratoga Passage, headed for Sandy Point.
Deborah Houseworth
Clinton
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Joe Alicea called to report one gray whale in mid-Saratoga Passage at 6:45 pm, heading south toward Langley.
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Jim Maya of Maya's charters reported J pod at Henry Island, headed north at a fast pace at 6:30 pm. They had been seen as far south as Cattle Pass earlier in the day.
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Early morning reports of J Pod down at Cattle Point, and then around 6:00 PM, orcas (J-Pod again?) were heading North past Sunset Point towards Henry Island. One breach as the sun was turning the water orange was a nice ending to my day.
John Boyd (JB)
Naturalist
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Jpod came together this afternoon off the South End of San Juan Island, some breeches, cartwheels, spyhops and just playing. The last few days J1 and J2 have been as much as 3+ miles away from the rest. Whales going North off Kellet Bluff this evening.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria
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At 3:00 PM we spotted a (gray) whale traveling mid channel, Saratoga Passage heading north. Also included a whale was feeding in front of Langley at about 7:30 PM this evening and heading south.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
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Didn't see them, but at 2:00 PM, I heard that J-Pod was at Cattle Point heading Southwest.
John Boyd
San Juan Island
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We watched a lone Gray for about 20 min off the North end Hat (Gedney) Is. headed toward Camano Head on the 27th at about noon. He/she was moving at about 3-4 kts blowing about every 15-20 seconds. The whale was raising length of body out of water every 5-7 blows and showing tail then diving for 2-3 min before surfacing and starting cycle again. Feeding?
Bill & Cathie Barnes

April 26, 2005

From approx 5:15 PM to 5:45 PM I followed 2 gray whales along the beach south of Mabana, heading NW. The 2 grays fed on the flats about 100 ft off shore on an incoming tide. A third Gray could be seen further out in the Passage.
Barbara Brock
Camano Island
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At 8:20 pm I was on my deck on Cougar Spit (East side of Hood Canal, across from Hoodsport). I could hear the Orcas breathing. I spotted one big black fin. I can't say what direction they were headed as our visuals were brief.
Brad Lambert
Cougar Spit, Hood Canal
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Just saw what we believe to be a grey whale traveling past our home on Zangle cove, ~5:30 pm. It continued North on Dana passage (heading toward) Tacoma. We heard it before we saw it. Loud sound of blow hole then watched it surface and go back under. Surfaced four times over a period of about 15-20 minutes. We could still hear it long after we could see it. It was too far away to catch any marked characteristics.
Caroline Bell
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Pam Trojanoski reported 3 grays feeding off the south end of Camano Island at 4 pm, heading NW.
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Capt. Jim Maya of Maya's Charters reported J pod in the middle of the Straits of Georgia at 3:15 pm, about 5 miles out from Active Pass, headed toward the Fraser River. Lots of jumping & activity.
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A gray whale in Olympia harbor, 1300, headed southbound.
Jim Hanson, Harbor Patrol Volunteer
Olympia
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The Hood Canal transients were across Dabob Bay from the Point Whitney Shellfish Lab today @ 1210. There was lots of breaching, spy hopping, and tail slapping. Many gulls were present. They were over there for about 45 minutes. Then they moved to the center of the bay where I saw them toss a harbor seal into the air twice. Then they continued south and out of sight around the point.
Brian McLaughlin
Fisheries Biologist
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
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Two grays at 6:30 am until 7:45 feeding at Mabana on Camano (W. side) They remained close together the entire time. One slightly larger than the other. One heavily barnacled. They do find these tide flats a great place for food.
Dodie Markey
Camano Island
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David Defriest called to report a pod of orcas off Poplar Beach, in Halfmoon Bay, CA.

April 25, 2005

Was sitting in my living room (above HWY 101, south of the old Rayonier Lab, on the west side of Hood Canal across from Mesquiti Point), when I heard VERY distinct blows, large and small, from right below us. The popping noise turned out to be tail slapping. The Slippery Six (Hood Canal Transients) were back! Grabbed my husband and dog and we went out on the lawn, where we heard a great amount of activity between 10:10 and 1020 pm - INCLUDING DISTINCT ORCA CALLS (no mistaking gulls for them this time -- no gulls at all anywhere near). We listened till about 10:35 pm, when we had to get back, regretfully leaving them within earshot, but traveling north toward Lilliwaup.
Linda Sheldon
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Jim Maya of Maya's Charters reported J pod spread out 1/2 - 3 miles offshore the Lime Kiln Lighthouse, west San Juan Island, heading south toward False Bay at 6 pm.
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Gail Fleming reported 1 gray whale (the white finned-waver) just north of Sandy Pt, south Saratoga Passage, feeding close to shore at 5 pm.
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We were on Maple Beach (south of Scenic Beach State Park) and saw the Transients, just North of Pleasant Harbor, about mid channel at about 4:30 P.M. They were heading north. We saw 3 come up and then two. They headed toward Toandos peninsula and then turned East and appeared to continue north towards Bangor.
Mike Montgomery
Seabeck Shores
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We had a good day with the Hood Canal transients. Found them before 9 AM mid-channel north of Dewatto Bay, heading south. They proceeded south along the east shoreline and around the great bend. One probable kill (presumably a harbor seal) just at the bend, then a chase of a harbor seal that got away by moving quickly into shallow water just to the east. At that point the whales turned and re-traced their path northbound. Just north of Lilliwaup Bay they encountered a male California sea lion, and began an extended period trying to kill it. While being battered, the sea lion slowly made its way towards the western shoreline, and made it to a shallow water refuge right offshore. At that stage the whales turned south and we left them southbound around 3 PM about half a mile north of Musqueti Point.
Robin Baird
Cascadia Research
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Finally got a chance to see the J pod this year. They were moving slowly, spread out, and offshore between Pile Point and Lime Kiln around 1400 today. Had a nice spyhop from J34!
Jodi Smith
San Juan Island
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Gray whale, NW corner of Gedney (Hat) Island at 2 PM. (from photo sent, looks like "Patch" - sb)
Rudy & Barbara Deck
Coupeville
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Just got a call, 1230, from my brother, who has spotted Orcas, probably J Pod near Eagle Pt., southwest side, San Juan Is., headed up island. There were at least six.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters
San Juan Island
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It was about 12:30 pm just south of Dewatto that I saw Hood Canal Transients.
Carol & Wayne Fassett
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Joyce Bettingfield reported the Hood Canal Transients at Hoodsport, straight out from the Winery at 11:05 am.
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Robin Baird of Cascadia Research called at 8:50 am to report they'd found the Hood Canal Transients, southbound mid-channel off Dewatto. He will send a report after their day of observation.
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There were at least two gray whales feeding in front of Langley last night at 3 AM.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley

April 24, 2005

Case Inlet, South Puget Sound was visited by a mature grey whale, who stayed through the late night...the whale was alone, and feeding. He fed between Stretch Island and Key Peninsula (Vaughn Bay). My friend told me that he spotted a grey (presumably the same one) just west of Hope Island, heading north up Pickering Passage late yesterday morning. I am assuming it is the same one.
Pamela Benson
s/v Spirit of Freedom
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1915, (Saratoga Psg) Bells Beach - 2 grays feeding near shore. One looks like Patch. They're headed SE toward Langley.
Peggy Sullivan
Langley
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J's nearing Mouat Pt. Swanson Ch. at 1745 going to Active Pass. Whales far apart but all seemed to be there.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
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At 5:00 PM the slippery six (Hood Canal Transients) are slowly working their way north just NE of Misery Point. They have been playing there for about 15 minutes.
Bill Juneau
Seabeck
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The Hood Canal Transients made a rare visit to Seabeck today. Around 4pm they passed by Maple Beach and Scenic Beach State Park headed north, close to the Kitsap County side. They stopped to make a kill at Oak Head, the tip of the Toanados Peninsula. The Slippery Six put on a show spyhopping, tail slapping and lots of rolling. Instead of their usual route back up into Dabob Bay, we watched them continue their course north. We lost sight of them rounding the corner of Toanados towards Bangor at around 5pm.
Kathy Cole
Seabeck, Maple Beach
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Five orcas were seen off Misery Point (Hood Canal), heading North. They were about midway between Misery Pt. and the end of the Toandos peninsula. There appeared to be 5 in the pod, and variously appeared to be feeding, playing, and traveling at a leisurely pace. We saw some breeching, and slapping the water with their tails.
Paul Voorhees
Seabeck, WA
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Two gray whales feeding mid channel between East Pt. and Mabana, Saratoga Psg, 4:50 pm.
Barbara Brock
Camano Island
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Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research reported J pod passing by west San Juan Island heading north at 3:30 pm.
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Spotted at least two orcas on the Nanaimo to Tsawwassen ferry in Canada Sunday. One large male and one other. Was on the 3:15 sailing about a half an hour into the voyage.
Paul Riggs
Seattle
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J-Pod passed Balcomb Reef (west side San Juan Island near Sunset Point) ~3pm, one Orca even gave me a nice long-distance spy hop!
John Boyd (JB)
Naturalist
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1pm Orcas off the washington state coastline, within sight of land: 47.19 x 124.21 (aprox Cape Elizabeth) Sighted by charter fishing boat heading north to seabass fish. Whale pod size count: roughly sixty whales. Direction: headed southward at a good speed. Notes: this report provided to our charter office by the skipper of the vessel which sighted the whales; therefore this information from me is second-hand.
Ocean Charters Inc.
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12:15 P.M. Orcas several miles east of Eagle Cove.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Whale Watch Charters
San Juan Island
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Elaine Wiley of Gypsy Cove, Hood Canal called to report the Hood Canal Transients in mid-channel, just south of Ayok Pt, closer to the east side at 11:45 am, headed north slowly. All present, & active. One boat there, not approaching too close......and more emailed in later: The Hood Canal Slippery Six spent a good 1/2 hour just south of Ayock Point - they started out in the middle and then went more to the east side. The water was really calm so it was amazing to see what they were doing. They were tail flipping - rolling and jumping out of the water have a great time. Did not look like they made any kills - just having fun.
Elaine M. Wiley
Gypsy Cove
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It was approx. 10:30 am today 4/24 that I spotted the slippery six (Hood Canal Transients) just north of Dewatto Bay. VERY playful today. All were breaching, tail slapping, and rolling. I lost site from my viewing sight at approx. 11:30 and they were still heading north. They did slack off on the playfulness when a boat came speeding up on them but did not halt all together.
Carol & Wayne Fassett
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Found them, J-Pod again at 7:15 this morning at Lime kiln heading towards Pile Point,a truly religious expierence on a Sunday morning!
Jimmy Roe and friend,
Anacortes.

April 23, 2005

Lone gray whale came close to shore on the incoming tide Saturday, at about 3:15 pm. Was observed rolling sideways and blowing several times. Went under Purdy bridge (between Henderson Bay and Burley Lagoon, S. Puget Sound) and was observed by another person way up into the bay. Fly fisherman had the whale blow right in front of him and startle him.
Heather Pancho
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While halibut fishing I'm almost certain our boat saw a female Orca, or juvenile, in Admiralty bay surface twice not far from the boat I was in. There were porpoise in the area too, but this was much bigger and a more deliberate surface. It approximately 11:00 a.m. Also saw Gray's feeding just south of Sandy Pt. around 5:00 PM.
Jeff Dodd
Langley
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Left J-Pod Saturday night at 8:15 pm trying to decide whether to go south through Rosario or Bellingham Channel. Ruffles came out of the water to our delight and we left them for a late dinner at Roche Harbor.
Jimmy Roe and friend,
Anacortes.
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The first orca sighting off Lummi Island of the spring that i know of - J pod traveling south not far off the shoreline at 7 pm - it's been a long time and they are a SO welcome sight for sore eyes!!
Penny Stone
Lummi Island
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website orca report: Number of animals seen? A lot, possibly 10, one was particularly large and it looked like at least one juvenile. Where did you see them (latitude and longitude if possible)? What direction were they traveling? We saw them off of Cherry point headed south toward Lummi or maybe out toward Orcas. When did you see them (date and time of day)? April 23, 2005 around 3:45 - 4:00pm What were they doing? Playing? Feeding (on what)? Playing?? Were there any males (very large fin on their back)? At least one??
Jim Guglielmo
Bellingham
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Mosquito Fleet saw 2-3 gray whales on north side of Hat at 8:15 am. Stayed close to surface, slow traveling, no deep diving. Then 2 more by 8:30 am further up Saratoga Channel moving north at a good clip and diving with fluke action. Caught up with Canadian whalewatchers off Darcy Island at 12:00 pm and the transients. (I did not get a chance to count them). Interesting behavior to note: very huddled together like residents, but longer dive times and surfacing in sync. They traveled in the middle of channel instead of along the shore. There was one mature male who stayed in the middle of the group and several younger individuals. A couple of times the group splintered off into smaller groups that formed tight diving circles, but then the group resumed their moderate traveling pace.
Jamie Bails
Naturalist
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Windwalker Taibi called to report gray whales to the NW of East Pt at 8:05 pm, & he again is observing the same whale he watched last Saturday lying on its side in deeper water, with pectoral fin & part of the fluke above the surface, its fluke looks damaged, (see Veronica's report from last night, below - a whale with notched fluke - same one?) & it has been in the same position for 20 minutes, except to slightly lift its head out of the water to breathe.
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A large number of Transients going North in Haro St. this morning, T100's T124's and a few more. My last report was they were about to enter Trincomali Ch. about 1700. Just before 1800 T14 was found in Haro St. going N. on a line between 10 mile PT. (North of Oak Bay) and Henry Is. JPod last reported off the Top end of Rosario (Cherry Pt. area) going slowly South, late afternoon.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
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Captain Peter just phoned as he was leaving 14 transients west of Moresby Island (3:20 pm)
Colleen
San Juan Safaris
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Tom McMillen of Salish Sea Charters reported 2 grays in the Clinton ferry lane, then about 1 mile off the south tip of Hat/Gedney Island, heading north at 2:20 pm. He'd heard reports of Transients off Beaumont Shoals & J pod off Pt. Roberts.
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Today while out on our sailing boat from 1:00 Pm to 1:20 my wife Marina and I observed 2 grey whales just East and south of Gedney (Hat) Island. We watched them for 20 minutes and got several good video shots of them surfacing. I would say we were about 1.5 off Gedney to the South and East.
Rod and Marina Swendener
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We had J Pod up north today. They were south of Point Roberts at about noon, and we last saw them headed generally south east, but in no particular hurry. They were very spread out, and it appeared some were resting in their matrilineal groups, rather than the whole pod together. J1 & J2 were on the perimeter. We didn't see the baby today, but we did see it on Wednesday ... very active, even trying some little baby breaches.
Joan Lopez
Vancouver Whale Watch
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10:30 AM Orcas in Haro Strait! In the middle of Haro Strait slowly heading North. Spread out, with some porpoising going on with one group.
John Boyd(JB)
Naturalist
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Saw some more gray whales today from downtown Langley. It looked like 3 whales and they were pretty close to Camano island. Very awesome!
Bruce Brereton
Langley

April 22, 2005

Twilight (8-9pm), almost a full moon... and another gray whale feeding along the shoreline of First St, Langley.
- Sharen Heath
Langley
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We saw our first gray whale feeding this evening about 8:00 pm off Langley under The Dog House. Several people were watching and enjoying the whale and the sunset, two kayakers and a sailboat....all kept a respectful distance. It was feeding and stayed around for a long time showing a side flipper (?) and perhaps the smaller dorsal fin.
Beth Ann Daye
Clinton, WA
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One gray whale showed up at the Dog House at 8 PM for a long and liesurely feeding. The whale was still out there as night fell. There will be lots of feeding pits at low tide!!
Deborah Houseworth,
Clinton
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7:40 PM - 8:30 PM there was a single gray whale feeding off of Langley. This one has the real noticeable "notch" off the left tip of it's fluke. It was heading southeast. It's now 9:40 and we can hear a whale feeding close to shore- not sure if it's the same one or not.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
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We left J-Pod at around 7.30pm, they were all spread out along Eagle Point of San Juan Island heading east. J1 was way ahead of the group. Saw active feeding behaviour, one individual flung a fish backwards in the air! We had a female swim directly under the zodiac flashing her white flanks, very cool.
Claire. Naturalist,
Victoria
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Watched Jpod pass Victoria's waterfront - Watched them from King George Terrace. Saw multiple breaches. Watched them for approximately 45 mins as they passed Trial Island and then on to Oak Bay. I am assuming it was Jpod, as there were quite a few of them and saw a large male (possibly ruffles).
chantelle tucker
Victoria, BC
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Jim Maya of Maya's Charters, reported J pod off Lime Kiln Lighthouse at 6:20 pm, heading north - calm seas, beautiful weather....
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Elaine Wiley of Gypsy Cove called at 5:20 pm to report 4-6 of the Hood Canal Transients just south of Ayok Pt, headed north, mid-channel.
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A whale was reported about 4:05P off Mariners Cove, North Whidbey, closer to the Whidbey side rather than Camano.
Jack Jouett
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Carol Fassett called at ~3:15 pm to report the Hood Canal Transients heading north at Potlatch State Park.
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Tom McMillen of Salish Sea Charters called to report 3 gray whales between Langley & Camano Head, going toward Hat/Gedney Island at 2:45 pm. One of the whales was "Patch".
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2PM There are three gray whales just northwest of Langley a ways off shore.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
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Shane Aggergaard of Island Adventures shared a report of two orcas at Hein Bank at 1 pm, observed & photographed by his brother. Also, reports of J pod in Race Passage, heading in -
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KOMO TV news showed live video of one or two gray whales in Elliott Bay, near the Edgewater Hotel at around 11:30 am.
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Whale researcher Josh London called to report they found the Hood Canal Transients at 11:15 am just off Twanoh State Park, headed west toward Sisters.
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One lone blow off East Point; 6:15 AM
David Day
Fox Spit Rd, Whidbey Island

April 21, 2005

J Pod today! We caught them southeast of Discovery island where they hung out for a little bit and and then moved southwest with them a little ways. They played around a little for us. There was quite a bit of tail lobbing and spyhopping and the babies even did a little breaching!
Ellen
Island Adventures Naturalist
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The gray whales were out there again... and again! At about 8:00pm, two, including "Patch," fed close to shore along the west end of First Street. Now it's 9:20pm and we can hear, but cannot see, another one, perhaps two, feeding off the end of nearby Park Avenue.
Sharen Heath
Langley
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Jpod was South of Victoria go S.W. at 1600. Waiting for a update, mom and calf looked great, J1 and J2 way to the south.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
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At about 2:30 my wife and I saw a minke or gray whale southbound at Lagoon Point canal outlet. We first observed bubble pools at 2 locations in the current off the point. A moment later the whale blew. We saw the whale 2 more times as it headed south. A couple of days ago we saw 5 or 6 orcas go by southbound during midday. The bull was close to shore and others scattered out as far as mid channel.
Gene & Merilyn Ohlson
Greenbank
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Most of J pod out in the Strait of Juan De Fuca near Discovery Island headed west.
Colleen, San Juan Safaris
San Juan Island
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Carol Fassett reported the Hood Canal Transients in Dewatto Bay, Milepost 323, at 2:30 pm for 45 minutes. She observed swirling water & sea gulls, a likely kill.
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Union Marina @ 10:00 AM and she said we had missed them (HC transients) by about 10-20 minutes and that they appeared to be heading north up the west side of the Kitsap peninsula towards Dewatto. We had our first sighting of probably 3 of them, 1 large female and 2 younger ones heading north up the Kitsap shore of the canal. We continued following them as they worked their way north up the shore until they were just about opposite the Cushman Generators. We lost them just north of Dose mouth. They had turned back south and we spotted them across from Hoodsport Marina. Continued south with them until they stopped traveling and spent about a half hour just off Dewatto. At that point we are fairly sure we counted 6 of them together, 2 large females with young. They then started traveling south again (about 2:00 PM) and appeared to be heading toward Bald Point when they went under and we did not see them again.
Bill Juneau
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Salish Sea Expeditions reported a gray whale in Port Madison, just outside of Miller Bay at 10:25 am. At 6:30 pm they reported 1 gray whale inside Kingston Harbor, in the boat lanes.

April 20, 2005

Judy Dicksion called in to relay several reports of the Hood Canal Transients - they were reported by Hannah near Union at 4 pm, going north around Bald Pt. At 4:30 pm they were off the Holiday Beach area still going north.
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Gail Fleming of Langley called to report 2 grays off Langley between 7 & 7:30 am, and a 3rd further south by Sandy Pt. They were traveling slowly south, first feeding, then traveling mid-channel. The white fin waver was one of them.
*
It was an early morning wake-up call from a pair of large gray whales. 7:00-7:25am we were visited by two of them feeding in the shallow waters below the west end of First Street in Langley. They seemed to be drifting toward the west in no particular hurry.
Sharen Heath
Langley
*
There were at least two gray whales feeding on the beach at 2:30 AM and 4:30 AM both times for over 30 minutes. At 6:10 AM two whales (maybe the same two whales?) fed on the beach for over an hour.... one is definately "Patch".
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
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1 grey whale was sighted heading south 100 yards off of Point Richmond Beach (Colvos Passage) at 4:10pm today.
Steve Rees
*
The six Orcas are still in the lower Hood Canal near Sisters Point where I live. We saw six heading SW at 2:50.
Larry Morgan
Hood Canal
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The (transient) Orca pod was at Sisters Point headed toward Union, WA at 1430. They were spending a lot of time traveling underwater.
Howard Wilson
Union, WA
*
A lone gray whale in the middle of Saratoga Passage between Langley and Mabana (SW Camano), feeding and moving leisurely north, 1-2 PM.
Barbara Brock
from Camano
*
I met a couple that were on the 1100 ferry from Tswassen on Wednesday morning and saw a pod of orca north bound 10 minutes from departing (south of the coal docks). They showed me some pictures they took from the side of the ferry and I can confirm that it was Jpod.
Mark Malleson
*
Jpod North bound 10 minutes out of Tsawwassen, BC (south of Vancouver) at 1110 this am. Report from Mark Malleson
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

April 19, 2005

4/19 - 11:30 Langley waterfront - lone grey whale heading south 100 yds off shore. 5 - 6:30 Lone grey whale - same one from am? feeding off sandy point, Langley. It was submerged for awhile then spy hopped just off the point, not 20 yds from where i stood and I swear we made eye contact!!!. It resumed feeding.
John L. Pyrtek/Head Coach
South Whidbey High School
Women's Basketball
*
Two orcas, apparently female (short fin), in Hood Canal (north of Port Gamble reservation, south of Driftwood Keys) along east side of canal approximately 6 pm - 8 pm. Travelling north, lolling about, lingering. Only the fin could be seen. Large, loud breaths.
Nancy Slick
Hood Canal
*
I live about a mile south of Hoodsport on the west shore of Hood Canal, a long (15'?) shadowy shape passing below him, headed north at a leisurely pace...almost like a small torpedo. The gull stayed put, but the shape moved north (towards Hoodsport) until it was lost behind some trees. There was no fin showing the entire time.
Linda Sheldon
Potlatch, WA
*
Orca spotted on the Mukilteo Clinton ferry, seemed to be an only, did not see any other blows,
Kathy habel
*
T14 appeared off Victoria this afternoon, the same time as J's were going up and down the Strait in the Lime Kiln area. J14 and baby J40 in company with J8, rest of the whales well spread out with J1 and J2 way off shore for the most part. Jpod milling in the area of Kellet Bluff at 1730 with T14 heading towards Protection Island from Discovery Island.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
*
Windwalker Taibi called to report 2 big gray whales feeding off East Pt. near the entrance to Holmes Harbor at 6:30 pm.
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Gail Fleming called to report the fin-waving gray whale at 4 pm north of Sandy Pt, near Langley.
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4pm. A solitary gray whale 200 yards off of Langley apparently feeding. Swimming in a tight circle, often with 1 fluke in the air, splashing and blowing every 30 to 45 seconds. Lots of birds overhead interested in whatever the whale was stirring up.
Jerry Valade
Langley
*
Jim Adamson of Camano Island called to report a gray whale in Port Susan, near the Country Club area of Camano Island from 3:30 - 3:45 pm, traveling south.
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Judy Dicksion called to report that Carol at Glen Ayr spotted the Hood Canal Transients going north toward Dewatto at 2 pm.
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We spotted the Hood Canal Transients (I didnt get a count of them) off of Hoodsport near mid-channel at about 1:30pm. They moved slowly North and came closer to shore in the bay above Glen Ayre resort, near Sund Rock. The bigger ones spy hopped occasionally and the little ones rolled around a bit, but no jumping.
-Brad and Jennifer Lambert
*
Around 1 PM, while shopping for groceries a rumor of J-Pod on the West Side (San Juan Island) was floating around. Mrs. JB looked out the window and said "yep, there are Orcas heading North past Low Island!" Several members of J-Pod were spread out and heading south very slowly.
John Boyd (JB)
Naturalist
*
Saw at least 4 maybe 6 of the Hood Canal Slippery Six just a little south of Ayock (live at milepost 323). They looked like they were have a great time playing - rolling over - tail flips for about 3-4 minutes. Moved off slow to the north.
Elaine M. Wiley
Gypsy Cove
*
2:00 P.M. J Pod near County Beach (w. San Juan Island) traveling north.
Capt. Jim Maya
Maya's Whale Watch Charters
*
J pod northbound Belleview Pt. 1:25 pm.
Liz Madro, Seaquest Adventures
Sidney, BC
*
Tom McMillen of Salish Sea Charters called at about 12:30 pm to report a pod of orcas going north past Lime Kiln park, San Juan Island - likely J pod.
*
Pod near Sisters Point headed toward Union, WA at around noon (Hood Canal Transients).
Howard Wilson
Union, WA
*
Sue Murphy of Pilchuck Wildlife Ctr. from Camano called a little before noon to report two gray whales between Camano Island State Park & Greenbank, heading toward Whidbey Island.
*
Jack Husband called to report watching a gray whale go south past Langley, heading to Sandy Pt. at 12:05 pm.
*
Sandy Dubpernell & I were at Sandy Pt, south of Langley to watch the dead gray whale being towed away, & watched a gray whale feeding close to shore from noon to 1:30 pm. We could see the two whales reported by Sue further to the north as they moved across Saratoga Passage, it looked like they eventually headed north.
*
11:35 AM. A single Gray whale just passed by Langley, feeding at the edge of the drop off and heading southeast.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
*
At 6:00am I heard, still can (@6:50), at least 2-3 Grays just off the beach here at East Point. They are blowing and splashing up a storm and sound like they're having a fabulous breakfast. I've also gotten the same observation from one of my neighbors.
Windwalker Taibi
Langley

April 18, 2005

Windwalker Taibi called to report 2 grays off East Pt, just south of Holmes Harbor, from 7:30 - 8:30 pm. They approached from north of Camano Island State Park, passed close by East Pt, then continued SE, mid-channel toward Bells Beach, not stopping to feed.
*
Checked out Freshwater Bay no results, carried on to Crescent Bay 2 Grays.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Harry got the word out early on the Slippery Six trying to sneak by his place almost at dawn traveling slowly north. At Dabob Bay there they were! Sort of nosing about Tskutsko Pt. the SW corner of the Toanados Penin at approx 1.40pm. The Six moved slowly in all directions with occasional tail slaps from the younger ones along with two huge spy-hops from one or one from each of the adult females! When the whales were under for some time the birds started diving down... presumably a kill had been made and there was free food! They were heading up towards Pt. Whitney.
Judy Dicksion,
Bremerton
*
Wayne of Greenbank called to report seeing several (gray whale) spouts between Baby Island & North Bluff/Greenbank, near the mouth to Holmes Harbor at 2:20 pm.
*
Judy Dicksion of Bremerton called to report she was watching the Hood Canal Transients from Brinnon - they were off the Toandos Peninsula heading north toward Zelatched Pt. between 1:45 & 2:15 pm. They were milling & looked like they made a kill.
*
Elliott Menashe of Clinton called to report 2 grays going south past Randall Pt, Clinton, heading toward the Clinton Ferry dock at 10:15 am.
*
Gail Fleming of Langley called to report 3 or 4 grays off LAngley at 8:15/8:30 am and at 9 am 2 grays going south past Sandy Pt. south of Langley. She reported one was rolling on its side with its pectoral fin in the air.
*
Around 8 AM two gray whales came by feeding on the beach in front of Langley. They were heading southeast.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley
*
At 8am two grays were feeding at the bottom of our yard on the West end of First St, Langley. They traveled east toward Langley at a leisurely pace, circling and feeding as they went along. Very still waters today. When the tide's out, the mudflats are pocked with dozens of divit holes left by this season's gray whale visits. And more than a few folks have seen a seal following along... perhaps oportunistically munching loose ghost shrimp stirred up by the whales!
Sharen Heath
Langley
*
Looked out my window at 6:00 a.m. to see the HCT Orcas on the West side (Hwy. 101 side), of the canal just below my house (Hoodsport). They were spread out moving fairly slow. At 7:00 a.m. found them again on the East side of the canal across from the Octopus Hole moving North. They are moving North at about 3.5 road mile per hour. Up on surface breathing for about 2 mins. Then under for at least 10 minutes. The canal surface is like a mirror.
Harry,
Hoodsport

April 17, 2005

A gray whale was picked up by by Mark Malleson on his first trip just after 1000. A assortment of boats had it until just after 1330 and left it at William Head. My 1400 found it coming up on Beacher Bay, we lost it, 1530. Boats from 5Star, Prince of Whales, and Seafun found it near Beechey Head going West 1600. Last seen nearing Sooke. This whale has been "hit" along the left side of the spine towards the peduncle. The wound seems to be more of a scrape with scar tissue.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
*
A gray whale was reported in Freshwater Bay, west of the Elwha & Port Angeles at 5:30 pm, by Cynthia Spawn.
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A gray whale in Hood Canal. We're pretty sure that's what it was, towards the east side of the canal about 1 mile south of the bridge. It came up to the surface twice that we saw, at about 4:30PM.
Scott Boston
Kim Boston
*
Gray Whale off Beacon Hill Park, Victoria at 11.30am. SW bound heading towards Williams Head. We left him/her at 12.15.
Claire Mosley,
SpringTide Charters, Victoria
*
One grey whale with frequent spy hops moving south from Pt. Partridge ~10:45am.
Al Lunemann,
Coupeville
*
Warren Brown of Polnell Pt, near Oak Harbor, called to report a gray whale at 7:50 am 1/2 mile east of Polnell Pt.

April 16, 2005

Saw a lone gray heading north in Rosario Strait between Cypress Is. and Blakely Is. about noon. Later, around 8 PM, saw two blows (grays) in Guemes Channel heading east just east of Anacortes.
John Davidson on Haley's Comet
*
Windwalker Taibi reported 2 grays off East Pt. (Saratoga Psg, south of Holmes Harbor) at around 7:30 - 8 pm. One of the whales was 200 - 300 yards offshore, mid-channel, & rolled on its side with its pectoral fin & part of its flukes in the air, also part of its head/mouth was above the surface of the water. It stayed in the same place for awhile, then it went under & they didn't see it again. They also noticed the flukes seemed to have some shreds in it (we did have one gray whale with missing parts of its flukes reported earlier in the season), but no fresh wounds or blood was seen. They were concerned about the behavior of the whales (they do lay on their sides often while feeding in shallow water, but this one seemed to be in deeper water, lying on the surface). Interestingly, another report from earlier in the day (see below report from Mosquito Fleet) includes observations of similar behavior in one of the grays.
*
Brad Hanson of NOAA's Fisheries & Science Ctr. called to report a small gray whale feeding 1/4 mile offshore, off the Hood Canal Floating bridge, 200 meters south of East Highrise at 7:30 pm.
*
Capt. Hollywood of PrivateWhaleWatching.com reported 2 gray whales just south of East Pt, heading toward North Bluff, Saratoga Passage at 7:05 pm.
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2 adult grey whales slowly moving NW from Ebey's Landing (central-west Whidbey Isl) heading out toward the setting sun ~6:30PM.
Al Lunemann
Coupeville
*
Saw a young (15-20 ft long) gray whale, alone, just off the salsbury st. park, 20 feet off shore, which is just north of the hood canal bridge. Between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m....watched the whale swimming in very shallow water along the water's edge north and then turn and go back toward the bridge. It was clearly a baby, according to a more knowledgeable spectator. We are very worried about the young baby, fearing the momma might have been the whale sighted in Quilcene bay and there is a pod of transient Orcas in the hood canal. No other whale was anywhere...just the little baby.
Jeanette and Ken Arnold,
Kingston, WA
*
T20 and T21 inbound from Race Rocks last seen going east across the Victoria waterfront at 1730. "Mallard" (Mark Malleson) and I left Vic. at 1400 he went to Race I went to Haro.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
*
Saw a gray whale yesterday in Langley. About 4pm.
Bruce Brereton
Langley
*
Came across 2 transients just off Williams Head, Vancouver Island at 3:35 pm. Possibly T13 and T14, I have seen T14 before up in Johnstone Strait. They were zig zagging all over the place, and taking long dives up to 10 minutes.
Claire Mosley.
Springtide Whale Watching, Victoria
*
Saw single grey whale very close to shore. About 30 Foot long seemed to be rubbing or scratching on pebble rock bottom for over 30 minutes. We were on the Beach in front of Salisbury point county park. At the North East side of Hood Canal Bridge.
The Spitzer's
Tim, Donna and Keith.
*
Nancy Nolan called at 1:35 pm to report 2, possibly 3, gray whales off Baby Island Heights, heading south toward Bells Beach, Saratoga Passage. They were right on the shore, feeding, so close she could clearly see their barnacles! Two large whale watch boats on the scene - one arrived a little too fast & close, but later turned the engines off & watched from a distance.
*
Richard Bryan of North Bluff (no. of Greenbank) reported seeing at least 2 gray whales heading south at 11:20 am.
*
We heard reports of a gray whale sighting off Race Rd. or Race Lagoon (se of Penn Cove) at approx. 10 am, heading south.
*
Looked like one gray whale feeding in the Port Washington Narrows @ N47.57536 W-122.623858. We saw him surface 5 times in about 30 minutes around 0845. We didn't see him go but he looked like he was headed towards the Manette Bridge (SSW).
Ben Flaning
*
2 grays traveling/feeding in the shallows on the northeast side of Hat Island, even through the heavy rain. 2 other gray whales were cruising south to East Pt. One was rolling in the surf with the pectoral fin out of water! Heading home, we sailed alongside Patch who swam just under the surface as watched his shadow through the water!
Jamie Bails
Naturalist, Mosquito Fleet

April 15, 2005

I had an early morning call from my friend Trixanne Greenlow about the transients probably being in the Upper Dabob Bay last night. Trixie lives on the east side of Upper Dabob Bay and had been awakened in the night by a lot of noise. Apparently there were quite a number of seals making a big racket..... growling and trying to get close in shore or on boat docks etc.
Judy Dicksion
Bremerton

April 14, 2005

I got Harry's call about the 10.30 am traveling transients near Hoodsport going north.
Judy Dicksion
Bremerton
*
It's 8:45 pm, dark, and there's heavy breathing on the water. We know the Grays are out there -- such a sound. 3 miles north of Langley on Saratoga Passage.
Fran Abel
Langley
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Windwalker Taibi called in a wonderful report of 3 gray whales right off East Pt, very close in, feeding actively from around 7:30 - 8 pm. One of the whales was Patch.
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Phil Litrenta called in a report of a gray whale 100 yards off Blowers Bluff, near the entrance to Oak Harbor, N. Whidbey Island at 6:40 pm.
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Reporting three Greys moving south down Saratoga Passage off East Point at 4:30pm. This huge grey back surfaced out of the water not 20ft off shore, next to the seal! YIKES!! Whale backs and the seal head. Double yikes!! Just as I began to wonder if I'd imagined the whole thing, the whales popped up, mid-channel, heading South down Saratoga Passage.
Mary Jo Oxrieder
*
2 grays in morning traveling near shore on west side of Camano. They fed near and in Elger Bay. Then we observed grays in the middle of the passage, and again at evening. All these sightings may be the same whales.
Dodie Markey
Camano Island
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A single gray whale swimming by the mussel rafts and down to Good Beach (Penn Cove) where it hung out for awhile and then left.
Ian Jefferds
Penn Cove Shellfish, Coupeville
*
11 AM. A lone gray feeding mid channel between Langley and Mabana, almost exactly where it was yesterday.
Barbara Brock
Camano Island
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At 10:30 a.m. the HCT Orcas were moving North past the Hoodsport Winery. Moving at their non-hunting, casual speed.
Harry Louch
Hoodsport

April 13, 2005

We saw a grey whale pass by at about 1pm (Colvos passage, Gig Harbor area). We spotted another at about 6pm both heading southward.
Steve Rees
Point Richmond Beach
*
April 7 - 13 - We received a report from Philip on Heron Island, south Puget Sound - he reports seeing a gray whale feeding off Hartstene Island (just north of Olympia) for 7 days, but said it wasn't there the 14th or 15th.
*
I just got in from walking my dog in the backyard and heard at least one, maybe two, Grays blowing below our house on East Point (just so. of entrance to Holmes Harbor). They seem to be staying right on the point moving back and forth northwest to southeast toward Bells Beach. It's 10:05 pm.
Windwalker Taibi
East Pt, Whidbey Island
*
Gray whales to report off of Langley's first street waterfront. First sighted at about 8:15 PM one adult and one youngster (of course, I do not know how old--but a much smaller whale) feeding right in front of my office--no more than twenty-five yards from shore. They are rolling frequently onto their sides to stir up the sand with their pectoral fins. The evidence that this has been occurring regularly was revealed with the low tide when I arrived this morning--you could see over a dozen feeding pits in the sand. Also, as these two whales were feeding, another whale appeared, traveling in a easterly direction through the passage (from the same direction as the the other whales). This whale did not stop to feast in Langley, but cruised on by. The adult and youngster are still out there--I can hear them--I just can't see them anymore!!
Deborah Houseworth
*
I observed the Hood Canal Transients from the North Shore, at the Great Bend (Annas Bay) of Hood Canal at 7pm. They were just beyond the Skokomish River mud flats. Not a lot of action that I could see but they were far off and I didn't have binoculars.
Brad Lambert
Cougar Spit
Hood Canal
*
1815 Bells Beach 2 grays feeding near the buoy line, going south.
Peggy Sullivan
*
3:00 PM. 2 Grays feeding midchannel between Langley (S. Whidbey) and Mabana (S. Camano).
Barbara Brock
Camano Island
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I managed to stick to the Slippery Six (Hood Canal Transients) from when I picked them up opposite Twanoh State Park at approx 1.15pm until I left them about 5.30pm at the S. end of the Skoke Delta. Eddy Green of the Skokomish tribe had been crabbing near Belfair about an hour or so earlier and the whales were near him! At Twanoh the fins surfaced! Moving at a rather slow but steady pace westward while hugging that shoreline we watched them taking about 4/5 blows at the mirrored surface and then under for about 5 mins. When the whales appeared to be going round Bald (Ayres) Pt at 2.15pm So. of Hoodsport Eddy joined me and we got to witness at least two probable kills... several leaping dives, tail slaps galore, lunging and milling like a football "pile-on", side breaches and "head stands" and a host of seagulls all diving and swooping down and presumably picking up food scaps. At 3.50pm they started actually traveling towards Hoodsport and to the north but close to the Kitsap Penin opposite our viewing spot. Giving one last look at the Skoke area before leaving the water on the west wide I saw the whales way in the delta and nearer Hwy 106 working on another possible kill at 5.10pm.
Judy Dicksion,
Bremerton
*
After receiving the report below, we rushed over to Bush Pt - W Whidbey Island, to see J1 & what looked like the rest of J pod as they passed Bush Pt. at 5 pm, heading southeast toward the peninsula, later spreading out between Ft. Flagler & Pt. no Point, looking like they were continuing toward south Puget Sound when we left them at 5:30 pm.
*
Deb Heg called to report a male & female orca between Lagoon Pt & Bush Pt, W. Whidbey Island, a little closer to Bush Pt. & the Whidbey side, & heading south at 4:40 pm.
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Judy Dicksion called to report she & Harry Louch had found the Hood Canal Transients at Twanoh State Park, 1:10 pm, traveling west on the Kitsap side.
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This morning at about 7:15 AM we sighted a lone gray whale about 150 to 200 yards off shore of Manchester (47.56 N 122.54 W). The whale was heading leisurely north towards Rich Passage. I could not tell if the whale made the turn west to go into the passage, or turned east to follow the southern Bainbridge Island shore back towards the Sound.
Dave Pabst
*
At 8:00 a.m. the three HC Transients were in front of the Hoodsport Winery heading South. A little later I saw two more pass through. Apparently they had spread out. Now they are about mid-canal hunting. I would estimate that they are about half way between the winery and the Union Marina.
Harry Louch
Hoodsport
*
3 Gray whales just west of Polnell Pt, near the mouth of Crescent Harbor, Oak Harbor at 8 am, reported by Philip Litrenta.

April 12, 2005

In Hood Canal (north of Port Gamble reservation, south of Driftwood Keys) along east side of canal, 2 gray whales.
Nancy Slick
Hood Canal
*
9:15 am spotted two Gray Whales off of Whidbey shores about half way between baby island and east point. They were feeding within 20ft of the shoreline as they traveled toward east point in a easterly direction. Once they got to near eastpoint they headed across the channel towards Camano Island.
Stan Deal
*
2150 Bells Beach (No. of Langley, Saratoga Passage) Gray feeding right below, very close to the beach! I could hear the blows, then someone on the beach had a spotlight on the whale and I could see the blows, the bubbles! He/she was feeding in one area for a good 15 min.
Peggy Sullivan
Langley
*
Saw 1 Grey Whale just off the south end of the lower parking area at Camano Island State Park at 2:45 this afternoon. The whale moved west and out toward the center of the strait. Shortly after I lost sight of this one I spotted 2 spouts a little farther north of the boat ramp at the park. Don't know if this was the first one that I saw with a companion or two completely different whales. Lost sight of their spouts in the wind and rain about 3:10 still headed north about 100 yards off the west side of Camano.
Steve Mishler
Camano Island
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Two gray whales playing off Fox Spit this morning, 9:00 a.m. till 9:30 just off our deck, then they headed off towards Langley!
Teresa and Tom Atkins
*
7:30 am Elger Bay - Sighted Several spouts and back of single gray whale close to shore on West side of Camano.
Ann Griffth-
Camano Island
*
I saw a gray whale in Saratoga Passage just off Lowell Pt, near Camano Island State Park at 6:45 am this morning.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
Greenbank

April 11, 2005

We saw the T21's in Cowichan Bay at 3pm. They left Cowichan Bay heading north. All three were present, we followed them thru Sansum Narrows and witnessed a Harbour Seal kill at Burial Island. We left them at about 5pm and they were still heading north in Sansum Narrows.
Simon Pidcock
Ocean Ecoventures
*
One of our guests saw 3 orca going north in Sansum Narrows at 5:20 PM.
Tamar Griggs
Bold Bluff Retreat, Salt Spring Island BC
*
There was 1 gray feeding in front of Spee-Bi-Dah, Port Susan, at 7:30 am for about 15 Minutes. We were unable to tell which one it was.
Tarry & Malcolm Lindquist
*
Martin of the Hood Canal Marina - His wife about 6.30am saw a seal in very close to shore and there..... just a few yards out by the end of the pier.... was at least one orca.... waiting! About 5.30pm James Branaman, the Bremerton Sun photographer had gone out to Union and reported he had found the transients were in a somewhat playful mood near the opposite shoreline across from the Cafe.
Judy Dicksion,
Bremerton
*
Approximately 6:50 PM off Rocky Point about 200 yards off the shoreline. We spotted what we think were 5 Gray whales feeding in the rip tide.
Arnie & Ione Hawkins
*
Hood Canal Transients called in by the Union Bay Cafe in Union at 5:50 pm.
*
The orca pod in Hood Canal was off of Sister's Point headed toward Union, WA at 0910 hrs. I saw them in the same spot yesterday evening.
Howard Wilson
Hood Canal
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Warren Brown called at 8:55 am to report 1 gray whale just east of Polnell Pt, near Oak Harbor, off the Polnell Shores/Heights area.
*
2:30 a.m. - Close to shore, north end of Holmes Harbor, Greenbank, could hear very loud whale spouts as reported to me by my neighbor.
Karen Eaton
Greenbank

April 10, 2005

8:15p. Just came back from watching large gray feeding from just north of Inn at Langley to the Langley Boat Harbor. Probably the same one Susan saw at 6:30p at Camano Island State Park. Very close to shore -- no more than 100 meters, with two harbor seals and lots of birds following to clean up.
Marty Behr,
Freeland
*
I saw one, possibly two, gray whales off Camano Island State Park, heading south from 6:30 - 6:45 pm.
Susan, Orca Network
Greenbank
*
The orca pod in Hood Canal was off of Sister's Point headed toward Union, WA at 1740 hrs. They were about 1 1/4 miles away so I didn't get a good look at what they were doing.
Howard Wilson
*
The Grays are regular visitors of late. This evening @ 5:00, one Gray gracing our shoreline. At about the same time my neighbors reported whales (don't know the count).
Fran Abel
Langley
*
We received a call reporting 1 gray whale at Pillar Pt, near Half Moon Bay, CA at 2:45 pm.

April 9, 2005

At approximately 7pm we saw two orca whales off Washington Park overlook, in Anacortes, Washington. It appeared to be a mother and calf. We watched them for about an hour. They moved from west to east, from Decatur Island all the way to Bellingham Channel, where they turned around and went back the same way they came.
Rob and Johnna Rose, Anacortes, Washington.
*
A report of T14 off William Head area south of Victoria going North East just after 1500. Up to 8 Transients attacking a Steller sea lion off Kelp Reef mid Haro St. at 1517. I hope Dave or Ken at the center will give more details but my understanding was some of T100's, T124's and T90 but I was on the beach.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC
*
Dave and I had T90, T100's and T124's today in Haro Strait preying upon a Steller Sea Lion in the afternoon. Mallard also saw T14 near Race Rocks in the late afternoon. It seems like there is an influx of T's lately!
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research
San Juan Island
*
This afternoon, on the west side of Haro St. off of Henry Is., on two trips, we got to see six Transient Orcas kill and feed on a Steller Sea Lion. It was a primal display of raw nature. We saw the sea lion tossed into the air several times, as the Orcas wore out the animal. A mature Sea Lion is a formidable animal in a death struggle, and the strategy seemed to be to tire the animal to the point that it was defenseless, and then the kill. We left them at 6:45 near Gooch Is. Also we got a report of Orcas off of south Lopez Is. about 4:30, perhaps J Pod.
Capt. Jim Maya
Maya's Whale Watch Charters
San juan Island
*
Saw Glacier Spirit with a Minke whale between Jones and Flattop Island. I saw him/her about a mile away then he/she did the "slinky Minke" trip. Lots of Harbor Porpoise in the area as well. We moved on out Spieden Channel and heard a report of seven Transients killing a Stellar Sea Lion near Kelp Reef. We got there about a half hour after the report and the Stellar was still alive. In fact, he decided the the Squito might be the place to ask for gastromical asylum and started swimming towards us with the seven behind him. I had to back away until he got too tired to keep up. It was a bit hard to do, but his number was up. We watched another 45 minutes and left while he was still alive.
Azuriel Mayo
Deer Harbor Charters
Orcas Island
*
From 6-7 pm from our house just west of Langley. Two or three grays spouting, stirring up shrimp, for almost an hour. Lots of birds above and around them.
The Ullmans
Langley
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1530 Bells Beach (N of Langley) 2 Grays headed north, slowly beyond the buoy line a bit.
Peggy Sullivan
*
9.00 am I got a call from Kathy Danworth of MAKINPICZ telling me the transients were in front of her house traveling south from the Rest-A-While RV area north of Hoodsport. I managed to get out to the south end and ran into Harry & family watching them from the Union Boat Ramp as they traveled east approx 11.30 am I believe. I retraced my steps and stopped along the way to Twanoh at the property of some new orca fans and Nan and I watched from her deck - the Slippery Six kept slipping away to the east with little top-side viewing! Moving on to Twanoh State Park I was able to spend several hours watching them split into 3 a-side groups with serious chasing/ foraging activity. (Several seals were in very close to the south shore as the transients were nearer the opposite shoreline) Interestingly - this was all just around the low tide! They did tail slaps, breaches, half breaches, "head stands," lunging and one of the juveniles kept throwing herself on her back almost level with the water... not a real "in the air" breach! They did this several times in close to the far shore as they moved gradually west. I left them as they rounded Bald Point, opposite the Union Boat Ramp about 2.30pm.
Judy Dicksion,
Bremerton.
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6 PM. A lone gray whale feeding just south of Mabana and slowly working north.
Barbara Brock
from Camano
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Shane Aggergaard of Island Adventures reported 2 gray whales north of Camano Head, as well as Dall's porpoise.
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Charles Peterson of Neah Bay reported one orca between Tatoosh & Duncan, heading west about 1/2 mile offshore.
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three grays slowly moving northwestward --first sigted about a mile south of the Scatchet Head Community Club at 11:30. Out of our field of vision at about 2:00PM. Appeared to be feeding, since often rolled onto their sides to stir up sediments with their fins (must be a shallow area out there).
Deborah Houseworth,
Clinton
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10:20 am - Minke whales between Ebey's Landing and Pt. Partridege ~ 2 miles out slowly moving south and seeming to feed in the tide line with several tail up-in-the-air dives.....
Al Lunemann
Coupeville
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We had three Grays between Hat Island and Tulalip on our morning trip, around 10:15. After traveling NE slowly feeding in deep water we left them near the Tulalip shore. On the afternoon trip we searched Port Susan and found two Grays off Kayak point at mid channel, then found our three from the morning trip off Camano Head. After getting a good look at their right sides I was able to Id our good friend Patch.
Kraig Hansen
Mosquito Fleet Naturalist
*
9:15 am Naomi Maasberg of Kingston reported a gray whale south of the mouth of Hood Canal, near Hansville.

April 8, 2005

Received a call from Claude Corbeille, who reports seeing 5 orcas off Pacific Beach, WA about 3/4 mile offshore from the Navy Recreational facility there at 12:55 pm. He said he watched them for 15 minutes as they headed north - no large, male fins were observed.
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Two Grays feeding. Location, three miles north of Langley on Saratoga Passage.
Fran Abel
Langley
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Update on J pod. We found J pod at about 1000 this morning heading north in Swanson Channel and followed them through Active Pass. We left them at about 1230 as they fanned out into the Strait of Georgia. Everybody was present and documented.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research
San Juan Island
*
We saw 2 or 3 gray whales at about 6:30-7:00 pm. They were surfacing and spouting, and rolling about. They were in front of the Inn at Langley then moving slowing while feeding until they were below the Dog House Restaurant where we and other excited patrons watched.
Rebecca and Jim Sundberg
*
The gray whales did return about 6:30 pm in the shallow waters below upper First St in Langley. Two large adults fed for a good 20 minutes. Both Veronica and my husband Simon took pics.
Sharen Heath
*
It is about 7:40 pm and we are watching the blows from what looks like 2 grays just a little east of double bluff. Looks like they are moving back and forth, maybe feeding.
-Paul & Laurie in Edmonds
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We just saw at least two (gray) whales spouting just southwest of the Scatchet Head buoy, 7:15 pm. Looked like they were just milling around, but could now be headed north. Could not see fins or backs, but the spray is shining in the sun.
Sharri Schmitz
Sandy Hook
*
This evening around 6:00pm, two (maybe three) grays happily fed first 50 feet, then 100 feet from our deck. The closest we've ever seen them here. The other amazing thing was that there were about 20 seagulls fluttering wildly above and around them taking advantage of the ghost shrimp frenzy. The whales moved on leisurely to Langley.
The Ullmans

3:45 to 4:30PM: Two Grays off Whidbey Island north of Langley. They were traveling south going out to deep water and then back near shore. They were rolling and feeding. Watched them for 45 minutes as they slowly passed by Saratoga Woods Parking Lot.
*
think we saw the greys that Marie saw as they headed south. I'm working high up on Possesion Ridge. We actually saw what I took to be two different pairs. One was about a third of the way out in the channel, and one closer. Later in the day we saw greys(2) headed north. That was closer to 2 PM.
*
I saw the HCT Orcas heading North in front of Hoodsport at 12:30 today. They were in their normal swimming mode - no interruptions.
Harry Louch, Hoodsport
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I was at the beach today 1230 and heard what sounded like a whale exhale. Sure enough feeding along the shoreline of Discovery Bay was one lone small Gray. From the top of the sand bluff it was clearly visible thru the clear water. Location: 48 03' x 122 50' the East side of the bay where it turns about half way up the shoreline. At 1530 I checked again and it was still there cruising slowly up and down the shore about 200' out.
Neil.
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Judy Dicksion relayed a report from Harry Louch of the Hood Canal Transients at Hoodsport at 12:12 pm. Judy was doing a Duckabush seal count - no seals around, then she saw splashing & fins down by Canal Tracts, they were making a kill, then moved south around 5:30 pm.
*
11:30 AM: Two grays, about one mile off shore--due south of the Scatchet Head Community Center--very active, surfacing often--too far out to get much detail.
Deborah Houseworth,
Clinton
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Debbie called to report 2 gray whales feeding near Langley, mid-Saratoga Passage at 10:30 am, heading slowly NW.
*
My neighbor, Harry Louch, called me with a heads-up about the slippery six orcas being north of Hoodsport, heading south,at about 1:30.
Linda Sheldon
Potlatch
*
I finally caught up with the transients at the south end of the Duckabush Delta mid-channel about 4.45pm. They were doing lots of various in/out of water activity which appeared to be serious foraging! They went under at one point for about 10 mins and a few birds gathered. The gulls kept diving down so I think a possible kill occurred. They either were playing with another seal or purposely chasing it with another flurry of activity and gradually moved south out of my view at Canal Tracts. I returned to Canal Tracts about 6.30pm. Though getting darker we all could see plenty of breaches, tail slaps, lunging etc. and sea birds around so possibly another kill around 7.10pm very close to the Kitsap Penin opposite the South end of the Duckabush Delta. It was about 8.00 pm when I finally left.
Judy Dicksion, Bremerton
*
1100 Jpod in Swanson Channel going north towards Active Pass. First reported off Turn Pt. just after 0800.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria
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Two grays off Gedney Island's (also known as Hat Isl.) west side at 9:45am today. They milled across to Whidbey heading south. Left them just north of Clinton ferry dock at 10:30am.
Marie Piper
Whidbey Island
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At 11:00 AM they appeared, a dozen or so black and white behemoths (J pod), spread out broadly at the southwest entrance to Active Pass. Soon they coalesced at Helen Point, and began their journey through Georgeson Bay, hugging the Maine Island shoreline. As they entered Active Pass proper, the Queen of Nanaimo came through (politely moving to the center of the channel to give the Orcas a wide berth), and it seemed that everyone on board moved to the port side to catch a glimpse of the whales as they breached, rolled, and, well, just behaved like whales.
Peter Reiner
Galiano Island
*
We met up with J pod 1 mile east of Active Pass and east bound at 12:15pm.
Cedric
Vancouver Whale Watch

Dodie Markey of Camano Island called around 11:30 am to report a gray whale close in to Mabana on S. Camano, during low tide.
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One gray whale was seen around 7:45 am about 200 yards off the Langley waterfront park moving slowly to the south while feeding. Two or more were seen later further north of Langley probably moving south.
Mark Wahl
Langley
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7:20 AM A single gray whale just passed by feeding on the beach. It's headed southwest.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley

April 7, 2005

But this evening - post dusk, my bride and I are walking the queen-schnauzer on a magic slack-tide beach - full of considerable splendor - when one lone distant blow is heard - making its way towards Bells Beach. We watched, listened as he faded-away - then we walked towards the point. Standing at the very tip of Fox's Spit (East Point), transformed by the deep colors of a storm-laden northwestern sky and the quiet confusion of a combined current as it softly flows towards you - then behind and beyond each ocular periphery. It's sensory-overload! But secretly - masked by the sound of the wavelets until they were right at our feet, three adults (grays) - fifty feet away - like great ringing bells - blow twenty feet of sulfur and rot - and like dark mountains, silently roll half their massive bodies above the surface, flip their great flukes and then rake the night time shallows - just out of sight - until, again - the ringing of the bells! We stayed for an hour until 9:30 pm while they fed just off East Point. Then, while walking back home - we heard two more, coming-up from Baby Island to join the fun! - That's six! Wow!
David Day
Fox Spit Road, Whidbey Island
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Shane Aggergaard of Island Adventures called at 2:10 pm to report 3 gray whales, including "Patch" 1 mile north of Baby Island (that's about right in front of our neighborhood - of course I was in Everett!). He said they appeared to be staying in the same area. He said Tom McMillen had reported 2 grays at Possession Pt. as well.
*
We found 3 gray whales sleeping 1 1/2 miles off Baby Island. Patch was one of the whales. We also found a lively group of Dall's porpoise at the North end of Camano.
Jami Rouse, Naturalist
Island Adventures
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Harry Louch called around 2 pm to report the Hood Canal Transients at Hoodsport, Fish & Wildlife researchers were with them.
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Two (maybe a third) gray whales milling about off Camano Island State Park at 11:50am this morning and still there at 12:30 pm, slowly moving north.
Marie Piper
Whidbey Island

April 6, 2005

I saw the gray off Langley around 6PM.
Deborah Houseworth,
Clinton
*
While enjoying a perfectly still evening (10:55 PM) and enjoying the twinkling lights across the water, we were treated to the sound of a lone whale surfacing every 4-6 minutes, slowly heading North past Low Island (west side San Juan Island). My first whale report of the year! Yippee!!!
John Boyd (JB)
Naturalist
*
Today we encountered two gray whales in Haro Strait west of Battleship Island traveling north towards Turn Point. Both whales were traveling closely together making about 5 knots.
Tom Averna
Deer Harbor Charters
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Two gray whales very close to shore off Seawall park in Langley, 5:00 p.m. Heading east.
Brian Lowey
Langley
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I heard a couple of grays at 7a.m. this morning down at the bottom of Park Ave in Langley (see report below). Just now, 10 hours later at 5:00, I saw the pair (perhaps a return visit?) feeding near the shoreline at the bottom of my property on upper First St, Langley. One large, one smaller. The large one is the critter with the white-speckled fluke fin that is blunted at the end. We've seen a lot of it this year.
Sharen Heath
*
Mary Jo Oxrider called to report 4 gray whales going south just off Fox Spit, so. Saratoga Passage at 3 pm.
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Capt. Jim Maya of Maya's Charters called to report 2 grays between Stuart Island & Gooch Island (San juans) heading north from 2:30 - 3 pm.
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Tom McMillen of Salish Sea Charters called at 1 pm to report 2 grays off Possession Pt, 1/4 mile offshore at the Possession buoy, going south. One of the whales was "Patch".
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7a.m. and a coupla grays at the bottom of Park Avenue, close to shore in Langley. I can hear them, but can't see them yet. This seems to be a favorite feeding spot, as they have returned repeatedly.
Sharen Heath
Langley
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With Judy's help we found the transients in Hood Canal today, just after 1 PM north of Whitney Point headed south along the west side of the channel, leaving them about 4:30 PM southbound off Duckabush. One positive and two probable kills, presumably all harbor seals.
Robin Baird, Cascadia Research
Olympia
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With some obviously well honed motoring skills (like doing a 360 deg turn on a dime!) Robin was able to pretty well stick with the Six from about 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm. They found the transients on their "last chance" search... almost up to Pt. Whitney towards Quilcene Bay. Their milling around; going off in all directions and then turning to pile on with some "head stands", a few leaps and tail slaps would indicate several possible kills.
Judy Dicksion, Bremerton

April 5, 2005

We saw another gray whale in Saratoga Passage, across from Greenbank, swimming north along Camano Island State Park at little after 7 pm.
Susan & Howie
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We spotted a single gray whale off North Bluff Road in Greenbank at 6:30 PM. Two were seen in Penn Cove around 3:15 PM this afternoon.
Carolyn Mercer
Greenbank
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2 gray whales again just North of Holmes Harbor.
Jami Rouse, Naturlist
Island Adventure, Anacortes
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Camano island, Saratoga passage, rocky point/maple grove boatramp/poinell pt on Whidbey Island. Sighting (5 blows) about 9:00am, looked to be gray or minke whales feeding. Large blows and porpoise dive with tail in the air at the end of the roll.
arnie hawkins
Camano Island
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We live on Lower Hood Canal WA at Sisters Point. Althought we have had several sightings of Orcas in the past few weeks & haven't reported them, we did see six at approximately two PM heading North toward Belfair, approximately 150 yards offshore. There were none with large dorsal fins and it appeared that three of the six we spotted were smaller.
Larry Morgan
Hood Canal
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I happened to look out our window & catch a bit of gray whale fluke over near Camano Island at 4:10 this afternoon. We watched for 20 minutes at least one, possibly two grays feeding & traveling in Elger Bay. I first saw one traveling south, then it disappeared behind trees, but soon either the same whale or another appeared traveling north. It fed & dove in Elger bay, then seemed to be traveling north toward the State Park. At 5 pm we saw another in the same area, heading north.
Susan & Howie, Orca Network
Greenbank
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Carol Havens of Camano Island called to report 2 gray whales off North Camano Island today.

April 4, 2005

The first sighting report I got was that The Six (Hood Canal Transients) were traveling west from Alderbrook Resort to Union at about 11:00 a.m. The transients had been in the Skoke delta area then moved nearer to Potlatch State Park, eventually starting traveling towards Hoodsport at around 1.09 a.m I understand. Nancy, of Beacon Point Oyster Farm had received a call from her friend that the whales had just passed Jorsted Creek going north at 4.45pm. I settled in at Triton Tides, scope, binocs and even camcorder! Everything all set ready for their Grand Entrance!....as soon as they appeared..... which they DID almost 30 minutes later at 6.00 p.m. just southeast of the rock formation on the south side of Triton Cove...but fortunately stayed in the same area but very close to the Kitsap shoreline.
Judy Dicksion, Bremerton
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Ellen Dodge of Camano Island reported seeing 2 gray whales at 6 pm, one in the south end of Saratoga Passage closer to the Whidbey side with lots of feeding activity, & the other blowing & swimming just off the Camano side.
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Judy Dicksion reported the Hood Canal Transients at 4:45 pm going north at Jorsted Creek, then at Triton heading north to Duckabush between 6 & 7 pm.
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Found the Hood Canal Transients Orcas today at Potlatch State Park thanks to a tip from Judy. She had called to let me know that they were seen between Alderbrook and the Blue Heron Golf Course this morning between 10:30 - 11:00. I was heading to Seattle on business so stopped at the park around 12:30. The ranger was out watching them. He pointed out where to look. I was surprised to see them in front of the Skokomish River delta. This is pretty shallow water. They seemed to be hunting. The river water entering the canal made it pretty murky. The ranger said that he thought that they had made a kill prior to my arrival. They didn't come in near the park as they had in at least two previous tours. Instead they headed out into the center of the canal in their slow travel mode heading North. At 7:00 p.m. found Judy just South of the Duckabush River delta. Although her complexion was blue she was in good spirits. When the HCTs came around the point, Judy came back to her normal animation.
Harry Louch,
Hoodsport
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Susie Williams called at 6:55 pm to report watching gray whales going south, approx. 1 mile north of Langley. She reported two pleasure boats circling the whales, 1 boat left after awhile, the other stayed close to the whales.
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Capt. Hollywood reported 2 gray whales off Langley heading north at 6:40 pm.
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About 6 PM, at least 5 gray whales in Saratoga Passage on a beautiful glassy calm evening: at least 2 north of Langley, at least 1 by Bell's Beach, and at least 2 in the middle of Saratoga Passage closer to Camano. And we finally have whale "divits" all along the beach south of Mabana(Camano); we didn't get to see them, but they must have come through in the dark or during a stormy period.
Barbara Brock
from Camano
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3 gray whales at Mabana on S. Camano at 5:30 pm, feeding moved off as the tide was going out. There are now (finally) whale feeding pits to observe. One long string has 2l pits, from one whale.
Dodie Markey
Camano Island
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2:15 pm - a gray whale at Oak Harbor Marina.... A gray whale came into Oak Harbor Marina Monday afternoon. When we saw the whale, it was between marina proper and Maylor Point on the east end. Saw spout three times. We watched it from D slip. Then saw spout closer out toward E. Watched there and whale was headed out of Oak Harbor. People at Marina said whale had come in actually in Marina between slips and near boats. One man estimated it at 30 feet. We only saw its back briefly and from distance. Couldn't spot any marks. Was in close for about an hour but looked as if it would be rounding Maylor Point soon.
Susan Mador
Oak Harbor
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At 1230 pm a large Gray was INSIDE the Oak Harbor marina. Tide was high and about 20' deep where it was feeding between F dock and E dock. Surfaced several times in the fairway between the docks. Often was within 8' of the docks and moored boats.
Bill & Cathie Barnes
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At 12:45 today an adult gray whale surfaced numerous times 50 ft. offshore of the Point Whitney Shellfish Lab (N. Hood Canal) and then was gone.
Brian McLaughlin
Fisheries Biologist
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
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At about noon today I was on the beach in front of the Point Whitney Shellfish Lab (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), near the mouth of Quilcene Bay (a part of Dabob Bay). I heard a distinctive whale-blow sound and looked up to see an adult gray beginning a terminal dive, not more than 70-100 feet off shore. The tide was high and the whale was just beyond the limits of the public shellfish beds in maybe 30 or 40 feet of water. It surfaced shortly and lolled at the surface, breathing. It appeared to be an adult animal, head well-covered with barnacles and lots of white scarring on the part of the back that was exposed. I could clearly differentiate the head from the rest of the body as it sort of rose and sank while lolling at the surface. It dove shallowly two more times and then disappeared for about 20 minutes. It then re-appeared quite a ways off shore, heading toward the top of Quilcene Bay. I got a good peek at the underside of the fluke during the first terminal dive and it was very light colored and outlined with black. The fluke edge was also quite frilled.
Camille Speck
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Point Whitney Shellfish Laboratory
*
Judy Dicksion called to report the Hood Canal transients were on the east end of the canal this morning near the Great Bend, then reported at Potlatch State Park around 1 pm, headed north toward Hoodsport.
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About 11:45 am saw what looked like two grays from the ferry, just south of the Clinton dock. They looked to be headed south or across channel, couldn't tell which.
David Freed
Whidbey Island
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0815 Bells Beach, N of Langley. One or two grays going south slowly, just beyond buoys.
Peggy Sullivan
Bells Beach/Langley

April 3, 2005

Camano island, Saratoga passage, rocky point/maple grove boatramp/poinell pt on Whidbey Island. Sighting, (7 blows) mid day, looked to be gray or minke whales feeding.
arnie hawkins
Camano Island
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Windwalker Taibi called to report porpoises coming out of Holmes Harbor around 4 pm or so, & again at 4:30 pm to report seeing two gray whales in Saratoga Passage between East Pt. & Camano Island State Park, closer to the Camano side.
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We saw two gray whales traveling together just North of Holmes Harbor again. One of them gave us an exciting show by breaching. There was much fluking going on also. We also saw two other grays just off Strawberry point. Then a lone Stellar sealion fishing around Lawson Reef.
Jami Rouse, Naturalist
Island Adventures, Anacortes

April 2, 2005

2 grays seen just south of Clinton ferry. I was waiting in line for 0730 and PA came on notifying us of whales. Saw one whale blow twice, at end of second blow, another whale spouted a few feet away. They were about mid channel, perhaps a bit closer to Whidbey and heading south.
Susan Mador
Oak Harbor
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We saw a gray just north of Cypress Island at about 5:30pm. Seemed to staying in the area doing some grazing.
Cheryl Conner
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1000. Bells Beach (North of Langley). Finally saw my first two (Gray whales) of the season! (Heard one, Sat eve Mar. 25th.) Heading south slowly, along the line of the buoy markers.
Peggy Sullivan
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We followed a lone adult gray whale traveling south from Kayak Point in Port Susan. On the second trip it rounded Camano Head yesterday. It was moving at a good clip (6-8 knots) and fluking after every 3rd breath much to the enjoyment of the passengers! Also a flock of 20-25 pacific loons near Camano Head and 2 flocks of 25 plus western grebes.
Jamie Bails
Naturalist, Mosquito Fleet
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Shane Aggergaard of Island Adventures reported seeing 2 gray whales about 2 miles north of Camano Head around 2:30 pm, circling & feeding with no read direction of travel.
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Windwalker Taibi reported seeing at least 3, possibly 4 gray whales near Camano Island State Park at around 5 pm, heading north. He said 2 of them were traveling together the entire time, diving & spouting together.
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At approx. 8:30am-9 there was at least one that we could see of the "slippery 6" in Hood Canal. It was at about mile post 324 and it just did a roll over in the water. Did not see any others.
Wayne & Carol Fassett
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2 Gray whales Spotted in Saratoga Pass between East Pt and Elger Bay 1:40 PM headed south.
Roger Clark
Whidbey Shores

April 1, 2005

Mary Pacher called at 8:55 pm to report hearing 1 gray whale blowing in Saratoga Passage, close to shore just north of Hidden Beach, north Greenbank.
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We had 4 gray whales in Saratoga Passage just North of Holmes Harbor, 2 of them were traveling together.
Jami Rouse, Naturalist
Island Adventures, Anacortes
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1:40 PM. Just spotted a gray whale traveling south between Langley and Camano.
Veronica von Allworden
Langley, Whidbey Island
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5:40 PM. There is a gray whale heading north mid channel between Langley and Camano.
Veronica von Allworden
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6:10 PM The gray whale, that I had just emailed, was headed north mid channel between Langley and Camano, changed direction and headed for Langley. It's now very close to shore NW Langley starting to feed and still moving northward.
Veronica von Allworden
*
Just spent an hour with our slippery friends (Hood Canal Transients). My husband called me from Potlatch State Park at about 1:15pm - they were in very close to shore (lots of yummy seals in the Great Bend and at Enetai). By the time I got there at 1:30, they had moved towards the middle of the Canal opposite Bald Point, but still very visible -- lots of gulls to pin them down. Lots of tail slaps(especially the young one(s); headstands,and, is there such a thing as a tailstand (or maybe it was a half-completed backflip)? After eating, they came together and moved toward the Tahuya side, where they milled around as if trying to decide where to go next -- then another kill, I believe, because the gulls went nuts and there was lots of diving and surfacing in circles. Play time ensued -- one happy camper did FOUR backflips in a row.
Linda Sheldon
Potlatch
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On Friday about 10:30 we observed a lone gray whale around Camano head. We first encountered it one mile north of Camano Head in Port Susan close to shore. The whale traveled south to the Camano Head bouy then milled about south of the bouy. Lots of tail fluke - almost every dive.
Louis D'Andrea, Mosquito Fleet
Everett
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Shane, Island Adventures called with a report of the same four gray whales north of Greenbank quite a ways and rapidly moving south. We got with two of them just north of Langley and they were still rapidly moving south at 3pm Friday. The other two were north of us by Baby Island and appeared to be going to stay up that way. The Gray Whales are very interesting to watch and they seem to be hanging out together rather than solitary this year. I hope this means there is plenty of food and they are able to stay together more and forage.
Tom McMillen, Salish Sea Charters