April 2020 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of April 2020 whale sightings.

April 30
Thu, Apr 30 - Puget Sound - 17:58 - Transient orcas on a kill out from Constellation Park (south of Alki Point)...Photos are crappy. Water was very choppy and they were beyond midchannel, and backlit. They were definitely on a kill for some time. I watched them at least an hour from Constellation. At least one male, but not full grown, fin seems sprouting still. A small one and one of the females had a very wide dorsal. They seemed to split up after eating. Male was well beyond Blakely Rock and others seemed to head west...Had a grey whale here Tuesday [28th] as well. -Kersti Muul - April 30, 2020
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Thur, Apr 30 - Haro Strait - Center for Whale Research Encounter #25: "... The five whales were the T75Bs and T75Cs in a tight group traveling slowly north about fifty yards or so off the bluff. ..." See CWR Encounter #25 for photos and full encounter summary.
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Thur, Apr 30 - Haro Strait - Hi! We spotted orcas today, 3 pm, Haro Strait, just south of D'Arcy Island. Probably about 4 of them. It was a shock! We were just cruising along and there they were! We saw a sea lion flipper in the midst too. My boyfriend was wondering if they were teaching a juvenile whale. He said he's never seen anything like that. We slowed down and kept our distance; they were very active. It was crazy to see them so active and playful, and possibly with that sea lion? Hunting? They were heading more north towards D'Arcy Island. We were heading back towards Sidney. Thanks! -Chelsea Kork
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Thur, Apr 30 - Puget Sound - 18:15-19:45 - Saw about 3 to 5 orcas from south of Bainbridge Island to north of Yeomalt, from 6:15 pm - 7:45pm, April 30, 2020. Mostly west of mid channel, viewing from West Seattle. Some tail slaps, but mostly moving north. Not visible without binoculars. -Thank you, Robin Sinner
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16:07 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Master reports 4 or more Orca North bound of FAU Cove [Fauntleroy].
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Thur, Apr 30 - Northern Saratoga Passage - We had three Gray Whales this evening at Polnell Point in Oak Harbor, WA! Simply amazing! -Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA.
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Thu, Apr 30 - Mid Saratoga Passage - ~11:00-13:00 and 18:00 - Watched 2 grays, mid-day, too far out for really any good photos. They were out about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from here, traveling to Greenbank side of Baby Island and kind of hanging out mid triangle. This was around 11-1 or so. Then later, around 6 pm, Dubknuck ${"["}#44] decided to visit across the street. He may have been one of the 2 earlier. He was booking. He did not hang out but kept going south at a rapid pace, but not far out from shore. Once I lost sight across the street I hurriedly headed to Fox Spit and he was there right away! 18:00 - Gray whale below bluff, Baby Island Hts. Followed him to Fox Spit along the shore. He is now heading towards Langley at a fast clip. I think it's #44 Dubknuck. [confirmed -alb]
13:30 - Grays now look like heading more northeast, Whidbey side, mid channel, across from Camano State Park.
11:00 - 2 grays outside of Baby Island headed south a bit into Holmes Harbor. CRCID #44 "Dubknuck" -photos by Marilyn Armbruster
ID confirmed by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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MINKE WHALES - Thur, Apr 30 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - 12:30 - Minke whale approaching Pt. Partridge, heading NW. -Al Lunemann

April 29
Wed, Apr 29 - Puget Sound - 19:05 - Orca Sighting - Sighting Time: Wed Apr 29 19:05:27 PDT 2020 - Sighting Location (Lat/Lon): 47.76460,-122.42460 [between Presidents Point, Kingston and Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline] - Number Sighted: 5 - Submitted Comments: Approximately 4 adults moving south. -William Gurley
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18:37 - Neighbor just reported 3-4 orca SB...she was on the Edmonds/Kingston ferry...Sara Frey
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13:30 - Looks like 2 Bigg's whales in shipping lane near Whidbey, across from Skunk Bay and Kitsap Peninsula....active diving looks like hunting lessons for littler whale, home schooling for everyone. [Asked for direction of travel]... I saw them near the shipping lanes mostly on the east side, on the outside of the ship lanes toward the center of Admiralty, going east then reversing and going west, obviously hunting, mostly staying on the surface with shallow dives. They could have been in pursuit of a harbour seal. There were only two, one about half the size of the larger one. Bigger one had a nice tall dorsal... the side white patterns (saddle) were smaller and not as distinct. I caught a double blow in my binocs or I would have missed them entirely... very active. It looked like they were having fun. There have been a few harbour seals hanging around but that was closer to Point No Point. I lost track after the wind started causing a lot more surface waves. They avoided being too close to the traffic... smart, aware whales. I was impressed. The distance from my house near Foulweather Bluff and my sighting was about 2 - 3 miles (to Mutiny Bay)...long distance, but enough for me to assume Bigg's not [Southern Resident] orcas by markings. When they went farther east to Useless Bay, I lost them. Wind and waves began to make it hard to keep a good location after about a half an hour. -Kathleen Higgins
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13:03 - They motored by northbound towards PNP. There was one male, and at least one female and juvenile. I got a couple of photos but they are not very good. Will look at them when I can.
12:00 - Orca NB at Apple Tree Point, midchannel. Trying to get numbers, etc. -Sara Frey
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08:40 - Brad Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: SPOKANE Master reports six orca in the South Bound traffic lanes heading South near the EDM>KING route area.
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Wed, Apr 29 - Hood Canal - 08:52 - Whale in Hood Canal. Hi, sorry don't know what kind but looks like a small light-colored whale on the south shore of Hood Canal this morning. It's heading toward Belfair so hoping to see it when it turns around to head out to sea. -Susan Hooper
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Wed, Apr 29 - Northern Saratoga Passage - We had 2 Gray whales this morning @ Polnell Point, in Oak Harbor. They fed for 1.5 hours and left. The neighborhood was ecstatic! Any idea who these two might have been? Thank you! CRCID #2259 -photos by Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Wed, Apr 29 - Port Susan - 10:07 - We are watching a grey whale go by. He is on the east side of Camano Island in Port Susan sound. We are on the southern tip of the Island. He is going north to south so he is leaving the sound. We have only seen the one so far. -Terri Smith

April 28
Tue, Apr 28 - N Saratoga Passage - ~11:30 - Randy Betcher? called to report whales in Crescent Harbor by the sea plane base, Whidbey Island. Believes gray whales (thought 4-5) in a group. Reports seeing them surface and appeared to be chasing something like feeding. Playing around having a good time in the harbor then headed off towards Polnell Point.
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Tue, Apr 28 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 14:30 - If this is Earhart, she is becoming a regular! Today at 2:30 this whale approached Pebble Beach from the north. She swam slowly, coming up to blow often, swimming right under the surface of the water. She continued this behavior southward, till she was out of sight. I think it is Earhart (?), who yesterday breached half her length out of the water! -photos by Peg Boley - April 28, 2020 [ID confirmed as #22 "Earhart" by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective]
ID confirmed by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research
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Tue, Apr 28 - Possession Sound - 09:33 - Brad Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: C/M reports one gray whale one half mile off MUK loitering in Possession Sound.
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07:30 - #22 Earhart came for breakfast this morning, yes I could watch this all day! Her belly didn't used to surface that much. Hopefully they are all eating well with an abundance of shrimp. [2nd gray surfaces in one of Lori's videos -alb]. -Lori Christopher
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Tue, Apr 28 - Central Puget Sound - 13:39 - Solo gray whale slowly moving north very close to shore at Arroyo Beach, West Seattle. -Scott Bean

April 27
Mon, Apr 27 - Puget Sound - 13:54 - I have at least three whales headed NB at Alki, west of mid channel, with Navy sub headed south passing Blakey Rocks. -Brittany Noelle Philbin
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12:20 - Few orcas, center channel, northbound, approaching Southworth ferry terminal at 1220 on 4.27 .20. Sighting thanks to my dog Moby. -Cheers, Tim Ferris
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~10:45 - Hi guys, a pod of orcas was reported about an hour ago on the Vashon Nature Center FB page, heading south thru Colvos, approaching Lisabuela Beach. Just wanted you to know! -Cheryl Richmond
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10:00 - Colvos Passage MON 27 APR 2020 - Just a quick note to report an Orca sighting this morning around 10:00am. Here are the details: -Spotted 2-3 Orcas (saw dorsal fin and spouting) -Headed in southerly direction -Located between Vashon Island and Kitsap Peninsula, 3 miles south of Southworth Ferry Terminal in Colvos Passage. -Best Regards, Scott Bradbury
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09:30 - We have reports of small group of orcas headed south in Colvos Passage around 09:30. -Amy Carey
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April 27 - Saratoga Passage - 13:03 - We had a Gray Whale visitor this morning @ Polnell Point, in Oak Harbor. It fed for about an hour and left. Any idea who this might be? These are the best photos we could get. I hope you are well. CRCID #22 "Earhart" -photos by Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Gray Whale Sighting - Mon Apr 27 06:53:01 (Lat/Lon): 48.21670,-122.53600. Sighted: 2 gray whales swimming close to shore (maybe 25 yards from the beach). Swimming really slowly, the further away it got, the further out in the water. Watched it blow and dive about 7 times. Beautiful! -Victoria Blythe
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Mon Apr 27 - Possession Sound - 11:34 - Denise Rodriguez, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Master on the SUQUAMISH reports 1 gray whale, possibly 2, heading ? 4 miles south of the Clinton dock.
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Mon Apr 27 - Port Susan - 11:00 - We have just been watching two grey whales out in Port Susan sound. Down on the south end of Camano on the Eastern side of the island. It is 11 Am and they just went through heading south. They are not feeding, just making their way south. They are moseying along, not fast or slow. -Terri and Tom Smith

April 26
Sun, Apr 26 - Puget Sound - 20:05 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Master reports 3 Orca near Jefferson Point in the EDM.KING traffic lanes.
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16:05 - About 5-6 orcas headed south between the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry crossing. One bull seen. Closer to Clinton, Whidbey Island side of the water. They are also moving really fast. -Melissa Simmons, WSF
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13:19 Orcas off Tyee! Headed south. I think there were 4. They were moving fast. -Katie Howard
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08:40 - Denise, WSF Marine Ops called to report at least 2 orcas northbound 1/2 way between Mukilteo and Clinton.
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Sun, Apr 26 - Puget Sound - 17:05 - Humpback whale just off Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 17:05. Swimming leisurely south, about 150 yards from shore. Looks like a smaller whale? It was definitely a humpback. Very sleek, dark back with a little dorsal fin, no spotting. Blow was also tall and straight. Sorry I couldn't snap a picture! -Anastasia Nicolov
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Sun, Apr 26 - Hood Canal - Has anyone seen a gray hanging around Hood Canal? We've seen it twice last week between Bangor and Seabeck. It went north last Thursday [April 23rd] near Bangor and then my dad saw it heading South Sunday [April 26th], though he wasn't 100 % sure. I hope it makes it. We've been wondering what it would be feeding on out here and a bit concerned with it going near the Bangor Sub base. -Hannah Klabo
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Sun, Apr 26 - Northern Saratoga Passage - ~18:00 - Paula Brock called to report seeing 2 gray whales in Crescent Harbor yesterday evening at high tide. Saw two whale blows and watched them on their sides, saw pec fins.
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Sun, Apr 26 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 17:00 - Happy Hour and the whale returned today at 5:00pm, just north of us on Pebble Beach. We didn't see which direction he/she came from, probably north, but feeding went on for at least ten minutes before it continued back north towards Mabana. CRCID #22 "Earhart" -photos by Peg Boley
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

April 25
Sat, Apr 25 - Admiralty Inlet - 19:51 - Brad Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: KENNEWICK C/M reports 4-5 orca near Point Wilson traveling South close to the traffic lanes.
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CRCID #383 (fluke) from Hat/Gedney Island - ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photo by Alice Moyal - April 25, 2020
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GRAY WHALES -Sat, Apr 25 - Southern Saratoga Passage to Possession Sound - ~18:00 - Another Grey feeding same location [seen from near Langley] at about 6 pm about 100ft off the beach. Traveled south then out to southern Hat Island/Everett tonight. -Craig Weiner
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Sat, Apr 25 - Hood Canal - Jane McKees? called in a whale sighting. She lives in Potlatch at southern end of Hood Canal. They heard the whale last night (24th) and again this morning neighbors heard the whale, and then many of them, herself included, saw the whale, a gray or humpback. First saw the whale coming out of the water and could see it's long back and blowhole, just 2 feet off their dock. Whale was first traveling south into Anna's Bay then eventually turned around and traveled north.
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06:45 - Terry Allen, Belfair, WA, called to report a gray whale this morning at 06:45 staying close to the south shore at Forest Beach (east of Twanoh SP). Whale was moving at quick pace from north to south, coming up for air a number of times.
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Sat Apr 25 - Possession Sound - Just wanted to let you know that I saw 3 gray whales including #49 and #383 were definitely present. ID on 3rd whale not confirmed. SE of Gedney Island today. They were spy hopping like crazy! ...the whales I saw never fluked and only Patch showed his dorsal ridge enough to make a good field ID. The 3rd whale was noticeably larger than 49 and 383 so I assumed it was a female but I couldn't make a positive ID. CRCID #49 "Patch" -photos by Justine Buckmaster
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Alice Moyal encounter with gray whales, midafternoon, mid-way up the east side of Hat Island. -photos by Alice Moyal - April 25, 2020
[IDs: at least CRCID #44 and CRCID #383 present from her photos - Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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Sat, Apr 25 - Southern Saratoga Passage - Hello, we've had the same gray whale feeding out front for several hours Friday and Saturday. We're in Langley, on the water between the ferry and Sandy Point, across from Hat [Island]. I have a pretty good, short video if you'd like it. Thanks! -video by Lara Nolan [CRCID #531 pec. fin ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Sat, Apr 25 - Northern Saratoga Passage - [We] live on Whidbey Island and saw 3 whales very active off coast at seaplane base on Friday evening and yesterday evening they were there but not active. By their sounds I think they may be humpbacks. They have a small dorsal fin, water spray often and stayed just below surface and when they sprayed you could only see from the blow hole to the dorsal fin. It'd be interesting to know what type of whale they are. They are in Crescent Harbor off seaplane base. I'm looking at a map and I guess they are heading southeast. Friday, they were just off shore of the old flight line, and yesterday they were heading toward Skagit Bay. -Mary Waters

April 24
Wed, Apr 24 - Haro Strait (T097, T124C) - Center for Whale Research Encounter #24: "a mile north west of Seabird Point, Discovery Island... He immediately recognized T124C as the smaller bull and upon getting a closer look at them could see that his sidekick was T097, a bull that he had seen last December 16 without T093 who was previously inseparable with. ..." See CWR Encounter #24 for full encounter summary and more photos. T097 photo by Center for Whale Research - April 24, 2020
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Fri, Apr 24 - WA Coast - 13:48 - Just saw a pod of orcas off Moclips, Washington coast! Big male dorsal. Looked like one or two others. Northbound. Too far to get pics. Really took me awhile of staring at them but it looks like they were in close proximity to gray whales. But tall black dorsal fin and several small other smaller black dorsal fins. -Alexander Simenstad
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Fri, Apr 24 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T49As) - 16:00 - At least 3 orcas off Gordan Beach, around 4pm yesterday. April 24th, 2020. They were pretty close to shore! (video from my boyfriend's family who live at Otter Point.) -Clairey Moze
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Orca hunting seals off Possession Point, 5 minutes from our docks. I headed out to sea who we had...The T049As (minus a couple) were heading east past East Sooke, with long dives very close to shore then pop up almost anywhere...it was great to document these Transient Killer whales in these uncertain times....Stay Well! -Paul Pudwell
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Fri, Apr 24 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 18:00 - Two grays in front of Fred's house near Sandy Point, Whidbey Island, at 6pm. -Fred Lundahl photo by Fred Lundahl - April 24, 2020
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18:00 - Two grays feeding and blowing in Langley off Wilkinson Road between the mainland and the southern tip of Camino... Amazing it's 6 PM and they don't seem to be going anywhere. Amazing rolling and feeding, and one went towards Camano and the other right off our beach. -Craig Weiner
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This happy hour gray was really happy. He breached a short distance up the beach from us, shooting his body out of the water, then a pectoral, then turned and flopped into the water on his belly. Such a sight! He/she looked like an ancient tree stump rising out of the water. By the time I retrieved my camera, he had traveled around the south side of the beach, so my photos are blurry. But a little guillemot shared the lens with him. Exciting! -Peg Boley, Pebble Beach
[underside fluke is of gray #356 -alb]
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Fri, Apr 24 - Northern Saratoga Passage - ~16:00-16:15 - Two gray whales in Crescent Harbor at around 4 or 4:15. #2258 -Mary Jo Adams, photo by Mary Jo Adams - April 24, 2020
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Fri, Apr 24 - Hood Canal - Hello! I'm writing to report a whale sighting in Hood Canal- medium sized whale, mid channel in front of Hoodsport, traveling South alone. Looked like a grey whale but was only surfacing to breathe so didn't get a great look at it. Hope this can help with the whale tracking! -Audrey Lambert
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14:30-14:45 - Location: Hood Canal. Mid-Channel. Between Glen Ayre Resort and Hoodsport WA. While standing on our beach, my family (in self isolation) observed a whale that we believe was a medium sized Grey Whale. A positive ID was not confirmed (but we don't believe it was a humpback and I used to work on whale watching boats in Southern California and I am about 90% sure this was a Grey). It was about 3/4 of a mile distant and not rising very high when it surfaced. It was not an orca, porpoise or dolphin. It was mid Channel heading fairly slowly South towards Annas Bay (the Great Bend of Hood Canal). It was surfacing to breathe about every three minutes and not diving deeply. It was surfacing about 100 yards from its previously sighted locations as it headed south when it was surfacing. Last seen headed south at 2:45 pm directly off Hoodsport WA, mid channel. -Brad Lambert, Cougar Spit, Hood Canal
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Fri, Apr 24 - Possession Sound - 07:00-08:00 - #531. We watched her yesterday morning off of south Whidbey. She appeared to be feeding, rolling on her side in the shallows, and thrashing with her tail. This lasted for over an hour 7-8am yesterday off of Brighton Beach. Thanks for confirming!! photo by Armour - April 24, 2020 -Bill Armour
[ID confirmed by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]

April 23
"T124A2 creating a rooster tail!" -photo by Gary Sutton - April 23, 2020
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Thur, Apr 23 - ~13:50 - T124A2s and T087 hunting harbour seal! Here are some shots that bring you a little closer to the action from today. Thank god for telephoto lenses! "T124A2B on the hunt as T087 watches" "Synchronized tail lobs from the brother and sister, T124A2A and T124A2B" T124A2 "The oldest bull killer whale on record, T087" [~1962] -Gary Sutton
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thur, Apr 23 - Near Active Pass - Humpback MMZ0007 "Anvil" was documented and IDd by Tasli Shaw.
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Thur, Apr 23 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 18:30 - This gray came by Pebble Beach about 6:30pm, southbound. -Peg Boley
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Thur, Apr 23 - Possession Sound - 15:45 - We saw four whales between the south end of Hat and the barge at 3:45, milling, moving south and east. Too far for pics. -Lori Christopher
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12:28 - Three grays reported off the southeast side of Hat Island. Today looks like a nice day to sit in a boat and watch them feed. They are in the "usual spot" [west of Jetty Island, near Everett]. We are fortunate enough to be able to watch them from our dinner table with a good set of binoculars. -Greg Heiss
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09:30 - Wendy Wilson called to report a whale yesterday Apr 23, 2020 09:30 am right off of Hat Island, on the east shore of Hat Island in Possession Sound, think just one whale. He showed his tail at least 10 times. Assuming a gray. Never seen a gray show his tail that much. All within 10 minutes. #383 (left), #22 "Earhart" -photos by Wendy Wilson - April 23, 2020
[Alisa ID'd, #22 and #383 present]

April 22
Wed, Apr 22 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 18:45 - Tuesday and Wednesday, our Happy Hour Gray cruised by at a relaxed but purposeful pace. Because of weather the photos are blurry, but hopefully the ID can be made. This whale was traveling north at about 6:45 pm. #531 -Peg Boley, Pebble Beach -photos by Peg Boley - April 22, 2020
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Wed, Apr 22 - Possession Sound - 09:45 - My husband just went across via boat to Everett, reported 3-4 grays near the barge by the port, saw a couple of spyhops. -Lori Christopher

April 21
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Tue, Apr 21 - San Juan Islands - 19:00 (time of msg.) - 2 whales seen from East Point fog house. Appear to be mature orcas? Rogue? Diving off the seal rock quite far out. We had neither camera or glasses! Saturna Island, where we have been hiding from the virus for 5 weeks. Have not seen a whale until last evening and we walk at least twice a day. These 2 were quite far out in Boundary Channel, heading north toward Boundary Bay, or Cherry Point in your country. They have no regard for the crossing restrictions between Canada and US. Keep up the good work. Cheers. -William Thomas
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Tue, Apr 21 - Haro Strait - 11:56 - From the north edge of Hannah Hts., I observed a single humpback traveling to the N/W away from the island, surfacing and diving many times. It had a white mark or patch on the trailing edge of its dorsal fin. BCX1057 "Divot" -Thank you, Michelline Halliday, SJI
ID'd by Erin Gless, confirmed by Tasli Shaw, photos by Michelline Halliday - April 21, 2020
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Tue, Apr 21 - Eastern Strait of Georgia - 19:04 - 1 grey whale spotted in Birch Bay. Not fluking, ~3-minute dive. Heading east into the bay. -Rayne Billings
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Tue, Apr 21 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 07:30-07:45 - Hello, I live on Strawberry Point on Whidbey Island and I saw a grey whale headed south/southwest past the opening of Mariner's Cover Marina at 07:30 - 07:45 this morning. The whale was moving pretty quick and only surfaced 3 times in the length of more than a football field or so. It was cruising parallel to shore maybe less than 50 meters from the beach. It was pretty long (40 feet or something?) and was very blotchy and possibly covered in barnacles. It wasn't smooth and just one color. It had ridges along its back toward the tail. The front of its head was quite a prominent, round point, similar to other grey whales I've seen, so that's why I'm guessing it was a grey whale. It was darker greyish brown toward the tail. I hope this helps. -Ty Tuin
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Tue, Apr 21 - Port Susan - 13:45 - Today this Gray came by for lunch. We are on the east side of Camano and have been visited by Grays, usually two, in the last three days. Last evening it was right at our dinner time. Best dinner entertainment in the world! -Mary Pelland
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Apr 21 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 15:54 - Sighting from Onamac Point, Camano Island: One gray whale going north at medium(?) speed. Saw him come to surface 4 times over 10 minutes or so. -screenshot from video by Matt Henning
[Beginning at 1:55, that is CRC723 Lucyfer, a known male. ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]

April 20
Mon, Apr 20 - Possession Sound - 17:30 - 1 Grey whale between Hat Island and Priest Point, Everett, Washington. -Tuan Nguyen
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A couple of visitors cruise south to north along the west side of Hat Island late morning today, also heard of spyhops from the same group a little earlier from another islander. -Lori Christopher
[video by Valentina Gokun shows gray #22 Earhart and ?]
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Mon, Apr 20 - Port Susan - 07:30 - I'm across the Bay from farm land northwest of Warm Beach area. Two grays, based on spout sightings, are there feeding just off shore. I noticed them at 7:30 am. -Melanie S
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SPECIES UNCONFIRMED - Tue, Apr 20 - Port Susan - WE live on Camano Island. We live on the east side on the southern end. Today we saw our first ever sperm whale. So cool. Sorry no picture. But it was definitely a sperm whale. WE live on a bluff 350 up from the beach. The whale was down in front. Going from the north to the south. Rather slowly. So far this year we have seen more whales than normal. We have seen greys, Orcas (transients) and now a sperm whale. WE watch the greys every year also at least once a year the transient orcas come in. the greys come in with the tide and go out of the bay with the tide. We watch them feed on the other side. Can't see them feed below us. My husband first saw the other whale so I popped up and grabbed my binoculars. It was right in front of our place. I would have thought it was a grey whale by its colour but it took its head right out of the water. That is what floored me. Its head was rectangular in the forehead. IT came up more than once and I got a really good look at it. It had a big square nose. Not at all like a grey. Not even a sick one. It did look like a younger whale but that is just what we think. But definitely not a grey or an orca. I even looked it up on the internet to see if I was right and it was just what we saw. I also looked up videos of them swimming to make sure it is what we saw. It was. But that nose is pretty hard to mix up with other whales. Tom and I have noted that we have more whales this year. We had one go through yesterday. Probably a grey. WE could not see it well as it was too close so the trees get in the way. But with this pandemic we have noted that there are hardly any boats on the bay... WE have been watching the grey whales now for 13 years from our place and I can tell you for sure it was NOT a grey whale. You know we had 3 grey in here a few weeks ago one about 45 feet long one a bit smaller and what we thought was a baby as it was much smaller. They hung out front long enough for us to go out to our point and look over the edge. You could see the barnacles on it and I could see its eye with no binoculars. So we do know what a grey whale looks like. It was not a grey whale. I know it is hard to believe but it is what it is. I am just really pleased that I was privileged to see it. BTW we are almost at the southern tip of Camano. So this whale was not very far into Port Susan sound. He was also going south out of the sound. Our side of the sound is deeper than the other side. I hope this helps. -Terri and Tom Smith

April 19
Sun, Apr 19 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 13:00 - Allie Hudec called to report a gray whale feeding in Crescent off Navy exchange. No ID and no photos (without camera).
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Sighting of either a large Orca or a Gray Whale in Crescent Harbor this afternoon about 3:30. -Heather Parsley [confirmed as a gray whale, per ALB]
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Sun, Apr 19 - Possession Sound - 15:45 - I'm on Snohomish Ave in Everett looking N to the water between Tulalip, Hat, and Jetty Islands, with at least 5, likely 6 gray whales scattered about. -Cheers, Amy Willoughby
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Sun, Apr 19 - Possession Sound - Gray Whale Sighting 11:11 - (Lat/Lon): 48.00598,-122.28732 - Sighted: 4 Feeding off East end of Gedney (Hat) Island. -Eric Barnes
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Sun, April 19 - Mayne Island, B.C.- Beautiful humpbacks on April 19, 2020. All photos taken from Mayne Island - deck, Strait of Georgia. There seems to be more whales this year in the Strait!! And there is, of course, much less boat traffic due to Covid-19. -Yves Tiberghien

April 18
Sat, Apr 18 - Boundary Pass - Ken Balcomb called in a report: Mark Malleson had T19s off S. Pender Saturday. *See Center for Whale Research Encounter #23 for photos and full encounter summary.* "The oldest unmistakable bull T019B was slightly inshore of T019C, and the matriarch, T018, was paralleling them a half-mile offshore, but there was no sign of T019." ... "They were now grouped up, and T019 appeared out of nowhere." ...
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Sun, Apr 18 - North Puget Sound - 15:30 - Four orcas off Mats Mats [Bay] being chased by a white boat going south towards Hood Canal Bridge. We saw this from our kitchen room. -Katie J
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Sun, Apr 18 - Strait of Georgia - 10:45 - North of Schooner Cove in Nanoose, BC. A small humpback transiting SE to NW, approximately 150 ft. from shore. It's been in the area for 3 or 4 days. 49.17.538N. 124.8.480W. -Linda
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Sat, Apr 18 - Possession Sound - 23:30 - Eugene Elfrank called to reports seeing 2 gray whales Saturday night (4/18) at 11:30 pm from their home (between Sandy Point & Clinton, Whidbey) facing the center of Hat Island. They also saw a single gray whale yesterday (4/17) at about 4:20pm. Both days the whales were breaching, rolling, spouting heading towards ferry (southbound), then around directionally towards Possession Point .
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11:35am - Whale spotted moving close to shore and mouth of the marina before diving deep with a tail flip. Probably grey whale. -Kelly Dukes, Hat Island
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Sat, Apr 18 - Port Susan - 09:05 - Looked like a gray whale, between Country Club District and Cavalero boat launch on Camano Island. Located 300-400 meters off shore. I'm viewing it from my living room. Traveling north at moderate speed in direction of Driftwood Shores. -Will Maschmeier
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Sun, Apr 18 - Possession Sound - 14:45 - 15:00 - We were walking to downtown from our home and spotted some water spouts in the Possession Sound when we were walking past the westside of the Rosehill Community Center, looking at the water. Type of whale: unsure, Direction of whale travel: North, When seen: April 18th, 2020 at 2:45-3pm, Only saw one (could have been more but seemed like one). No noticeable markings or distinguishing fins. First time seeing a whale in this area. We didn't take any photos since we were up behind Arnie's parking lot in downtown Mukilteo. The whale (we assume) came up maybe 6 times over 30 minutes and we saw the water spouting up. It was heading north and went right between the ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey. Hope this helps! We were very excited! We would love any insight or info about how/when/where to track them as we are new to the area. -Thanks, Cindy Auxier

April 17
Fri, Apr 17 - Port Susan - 12:55 - Hi! We just saw this whale off McKees Beach in Stanwood. He came from the south traveling north. Very close to shore. He came up multiple times and showed us his tail! He was alone. We have seen the whales almost daily, but this was so close! I hope you can see these videos. -Thanks! Gena Schirer
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11:14 - Hello, just saw 2 grey whales at north side of Tillicum Beach heading south!! -Elizabeth Kang
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Fri, Apr 17 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 09:14 - Just saw two [grays] right off the shore on the East side of Whidbey - between Harrington and Race Lagoons. They fed for about 25 minutes in the same spot, occasionally breaching. They have now headed south towards Greenbank. -Leroy Rothe
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~09:00 - This morning shortly after 9AM we became aware of 2-3 grays off our beach. Around 930 they started heading south. The estuary from Race Lagoon is in front of our place and we are thinking that it is rich with food for the whales. -Brenda Kidd
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08:30 - I heard one in front of my house about 8:30 and managed to get a few pics (very few worthwhile for ID) but will try to ID who it was - there may have been 2 but hard to say. And 'they' did feed between our house and Race Lagoon for about 25 minutes, never seen any feeding up in this area before so that's very cool. When 'they' left I went to Shangri-La and spotted one whale passing to the south, and next time I saw it was heading towards Camano in the direction of Onamac - at least half a mile east. A sweet breakfast treat. I've gone through my limited "new whale" pics and don't find this one - there "may" have been 2 whales but I see no evidence of 2 in the photos. -Jill Hein - photos by Jill Hein - April 17, 2020
gray whale newly-designated by Cascadia Research Collective as CRCID #2259
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Fri, Apr 17 - South Whidbey Island - 18:33 - I live on Whales Tail Lane, Clinton, WA. I can see a gray whale (heart shaped spout) off Scatchet Head right now. -Jill Lapoti
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Fri, Apr 17 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 18:30 - Single Grey whale breach at about 6:30 p.m., heading north about 1-200 yards off Wilkinson Rd., Langley, tonight. -Sincerely, Craig Weiner, DC
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07:00 - We saw whales this morning near Langley from a distance. All we really saw was the back and the water shoot from the spout. Hope to see more soon...! -David (dad) and Elliott (4.5 years old)
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Fri, Apr 17 - Possession Sound to Saratoga Passage - Fred Lundahl called to report one gray whale coming up between Hat Island and Whidbey Island in Saratoga Passage, moving up the passage heading northwest. He said there was a kayaker out there so hoping some photos might surface. He also reports the whale actually breached. He did not see the breach but many of his neighbors are talking about it.
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Fri, April 17 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 10:36 - Sighting from Onamac Point, Camano Island: One gray whale that surfaced about 100 yards off shore twice (that I saw) and then not sure where he went. Maybe 4 minutes between surfacing. CRCID #2259 -photo by Matt Henning
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

April 16
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Thur, Apr 16 - Strait of Georgia/Active Pass - 19:45 - 21:00 - We spotted J pod (J38) just offshore of Galiano Island at 7:45pm last night. We heard them pass Active Pass and continue down the Strait of Georgia at 9pm in the dark. -Rachelle Hayden
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Fri, Apr 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - See Center for Whale Research Encounter #22 with the T075Bs and T075Cs for full encounter summary and more photos.
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Fri, Apr 16 - NW Strait of Georgia - 12:30 - I was in a boat in the Georgia Strait, across from what is known as Stories Beach (Campbell River). A pod of no less than 10 Orcas swam past us; the largest in the front followed by several smaller and baby whales. I also saw a white/grey whale in that pod. We turned off the boat engines and watched as they headed north, probably to Port Hardy area. It was a breathtaking sight. Beautiful to see a healthy pod and babies. -Heather Bojsza
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Thur, Apr 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Thank you, nature, for allowing us to share the amazing beauty of marine life off Sooke, B.C. - West Coast Vancouver Island. These hungry whales were happily feeding on seals and harbour porpoise...(T075Bs) [& T075Cs] Having some lunch! T75Bs and T75Cs near Sooke, B.C., T75C, T75C, T75B2 -Paul Pudwell
IDs confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research
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Thur, Apr 16 - NW Strait of Georgia - T046Bs, T049As, T049Bs past Campbell River northbound and through Seymour Narrows. T46B1B "Tl'uk", T46B1B and T46D. -Nick Templeman
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thur, Apr 16 - Haro Strait - I went out early this evening for a short ride on the water. Beautiful water. I then got a message from April Ryan two humpbacks were out there. I found them. BCY0324 "Big Mama", BCX1193 "Zig Zag" -James Mead Maya
[ID'd by Alison Engle, confirmed by Erin Johns Gless]
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14:30 - 2 HBs mid Haro, abeam County Park. Slow moving NB, but out a mile and a half. -April Ryan
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GRAY WHALES - Thur, Apr 16 - Port Susan - 08:00 - Lynn Andrew called to report 3 gray whales together in Port Susan, off Camano Island, heading southbound about 3 miles north of the south end of the Island. One came inside the buoys. Two weeks ago, they saw two pods of orcas in the bay. 1 day a pod heading north. Next day pod heading south; that group included 1 good-size dorsal, 2 medium, and couple smaller. Maybe different pods. -Lynn Andrew
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~07:00 - This morning around 7:00am, 4 Gray whales were spotted in Port Susan a few hundred feet off the East facing shore of Camano Island (Tyee Beach). They were heading south toward the southern tip of Camano at medium speed while surfacing and water spouting. -Brian McNeil
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07:00 - We had another sighting this morning at 7am in front of our house. 3 gray whales traveling together, heading south, and spent quite a bit of time just inside the buoy line as they slowly moved down the beach. It appeared one of the 3 whales was smaller than the other two when it rolled up to breathe, and when its tail was exposed during a dive. Beautiful! -Dan Barrett
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Thur, Apr 16 - Penn Cove - ~08:15 this morning, apparently leaving Penn Cove and heading towards Camano - he was near the green channel marker (closer to Whidbey). -Jill Hein
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08:02 - At mouth of Cove now and might be two. Blows are close together.
07:11 - Gray whale Penn Cove. Currently heading East south side by Coupeville Wharf. -CeCe Celia Aguda
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07:00 - I saw a grey whale in Penn Cove this morning at 7AM. -Tori Cox
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Thur, Apr 16 - Mid-Southern Saratoga Passage - 15:14 - Karen Graham called to report gray whale starting at Hidden Beach heading south toward Holmes Harbor. First hanging around Hidden Beach started heading south slowly then more rapidly. Whale moved down as far as Wonn Road looped left then down to Dines Point. Viewed over two-hour period. Started out mid channel but by Holmes Harbor gray was closer to shore.
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About 4:30, I stepped out onto the deck, and again heard blows. Here came 2 gray whales back south. I made a quick decision not to grab the camera or [binoculars] as I had a sandwich in hand. Bad decision! Just as the 2 grays came in front of the house, one of them did 3 breaches in a row!! [I've] never had a chance to see them breach before. You could hear the .......... of several different folks along the bluff, and on the beach. The whales then continued heading south, stopping to feed just north of Summerland. Went out onto the deck again about 7 PM. Could hear whale blows to the south, but never spotted them. The exposed tideflats show lots of activity!
14:00 - Today was a Whale of a day. About 2 PM I was paddling my kayak down to Summerland, staying very close to shore in just a foot or so of water. I started hearing, and seeing the blows from 2 gray whales feed out off the drop off. Unfortunately, no camera as I had both hands on the paddle, so no ID, but the resonant sounds of their blows at water level were lovely, as was the sun glinting off the huge bodies as they rolled along, slowly heading north. One big blow, and one smaller blow. (Similar to Earhart? and Shackleton? a few days before.) I followed back north along the shore until they rounded the point at Mabana. -Barbara Brock
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Thur, Apr 16 - Hood Canal - 10:17 - We just saw one on Hood Canal at Ayock Point. Only saw the spray. It was heading south. -Mitch Bogrand
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Thur, Apr 16 - Penn Cove - ~19:00 - Hi! Just got a second hand report of a gray whale in Penn Cove by the mussel docks about 45 minutes ago. -Bonnie Gretz
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Thur, Apr 16 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 15:14 - Karen Graham called to report gray whale starting at Hidden Beach heading south toward Holmes Harbor. First hanging around Hidden Beach started heading south slowly then more rapidly. Whale moved down as far as Wonn Road looped left then down to Dines Point. Viewed over two-hour period. Started out mid channel but by Holmes Harbor gray was closer to shore. #44 "Dubknuck" - photo by Karen Graham - April 16, 2020
ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Thu, Apr 16 - Southern Saratoga Passage - Two grays loitering, mid channel, between Pebble Beach and Langley, then moving north together and turning around twice. They were in the area all day, from noon-ish until sunset. #383, #22 "Earhart", #21 "Shackleton" -Peg Boley, Pebble Beach - photos by Peg Boley - April 16, 2020 IDs by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Fri, Apr 16 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 16:30-17:00 - Hello. We were so excited to have our first Gray Whale encounter yesterday! We went to Polnell Point to have lunch. After we dropped anchor, we heard a giant blow from off in the bay. The Gray we observed was at Polnell Point Between 430-5 pm. They were feeding near shore and at one point came over to our boat to check us out! We had our motor off the entire time and were at the proper distance (until the whale came to visit us). Some folks on shore did hear and come to see the whale, and every time the whale breathed/blew, the dog on the beach started barking excitedly. We felt grateful for the wonderful nature experience. Thank you for your work and dedication to this wonderful species! -Erica Montgomery & Andrew Power

April 15
Wed, Apr 15 - NW Strait of Georgia (south of Cape Mudge/Quadra Island) - I went out to confirm the presence of J Pod in the upper Salish Sea. The lighting was magical and for the few of us that managed to get out on the water last night, it was a real treat to see. -Nick Templeman, Campbell River
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Wed, Apr 15 - Haro Strait (T128 and T125A) - 09:38 - Just been watching 2 orca off Sidney BC. About midway in the channel, heading northbound. One bull with a nick in the trailing edge of dorsal, about 1/3 of the way down. Second whale is smaller. Watching from land so can't give better descriptions than that. -Mari Wood
[IDs by Tasli Shaw and Gary Sutton]
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Wed, Apr 15 - Eastern Strait of Georgia - 16:30-17:00 - Wow, what a surprise. Just on my way back from a brief hike at Sucia, nearly home, and I heard the sound of the whale spout above my boat engine. I stayed watching for about 30 minutes between 4:30-5. I was in about 50 feet of water. See my map. I'm the X. The arrows are approximately where I saw the whale and what direction. As I'm not familiar enough with terms or behavior so that's about all the info I can pass on. [Eric's map indicates location just of Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve, south of Birch Bay. -gs] -Eric Ellingson
["That is not a known whale for the Sound. I will let you know if it is found once it goes through a full catalog search. Thanks for the photos and sighting info." -Alie (Perez), Cascadia Research Collective]
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Wed, Apr 15 - Port Susan - 15:39 - Darrell Martin called to report tracking 2 adult gray whales, south side of Country Club on Camano Island in northern end of Port Susan Bay. When he first saw them, whales were feeding, then they moved further offshore and started traveling. Tracked them to Driftwood Shores, they ended up very close to shore. Kayakers came out to greet them, then the whales disappeared. He caught sight of the grays again just off the Country Club, very close to shore, initially 1/2 mile then went as far as 1 mile all the way to Driftwood.
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Wed, Apr 15 - Possession Sound - 7:15 - A solo gray, #44 "Dubknuck" passed near shore, north to south, deep dives. Research boat was monitoring. Too far for a good iPhone pic, Alice has been alerted. Hopefully pics to follow! -Lori Christopher
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Wed, Apr 15 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 12:40 - Hello, we spotted whales spouting off the Wonn Road beach access in Greenbank at 12:40 pm today, the 15th. We did not observe any large dorsal fins and they were likely grey whales. My guess is that there were three, but they did not all surface at the same time, so hard to say. They were slowly moving north - northeast, moving out of Holmes Harbor towards Saratoga Passage. They were near mid-channel between us and Baby Island. We observed them looking east - southeast. They were coming up for air and may have been feeding at the time, as they were down for several minutes. -Regards, John Heal
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07:48 - There may be 2 grays. I had been sitting here for about an hr. just getting ready to leave. Anyway, pretty sure there are 2 of them, and now in line with Mabana Shores and further out, mid channel heading southbound.
07:40 - Good morning, a gray whale a bit out from Fox Spit appears to be traveling southbound. I will keep my eye on her/him. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Wed, Apr 15 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 11:00 - 2 grays feeding in Crescent Harbor. -Suzanne Sewester

April 14
Tue, Apr 14 - Central Puget Sound (T46Bs and T46D) - ~09:00 - Hi, I'm emailing to give you some information on an Orca sighting my friend and I had this morning. We were birding at West Point in Discovery Park this morning, when we picked up a pod of Orcas fairly distant in the channel at about 9am, directly West, straight off the point. I think they were closer to Discovery than Bainbridge, but not far from mid channel. We watched them for around 15 minutes, and I got poor quality iPhone videos through the scope, which I can send you, but unfortunately even a single video exceeds the storage allowed in email. We were particularly amazed to find a white whale! It was a smaller sized Orca among the others. I looked it up and I think it may have been seen last year, perhaps named Tl'uk? Or this could be a different whale. Hopefully you can ID it from the bad videos. I have heard of white orcas before, but I understand they are quite rare. I believe the pod was transients, because I didn't see any saddle patches, but I'm not sure and I'd be curious to hear any information you may have of the white whale and its pod. The distance made it hard to see the patches well enough. The adult male had quite a tall dorsal fin, and I'm not entirely sure if this indicates resident or transient. It was bent slightly towards the tail at the top. There was one adult male, at least one younger male, and I believe seven female or youngsters, though I'm not certain about that number. I was sure that the pod had at least seven individuals. There was lots of partial breaching and tail/dorsal fin slapping, and a few times they raised their tail vertically in the air, as seen on one of the videos. I'd never heard they did that. They didn't move very much while we watched, but when I left them, they were slowly heading North. I'd like to get the videos to you so I hope there's a way to do that. Please let me know if you have any questions or info on the pod. I hope this helps! -Louis Kreemer, Seattle
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Tue, Apr 14 - Admiralty Inlet - 08:11 - We just saw two orcas a couple hundred yards off the east side of Marrowstone Island, north of Nodule Point, heading north through Admiralty Inlet. -Eric Nagle
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Tue, Apr 14 - San Juan Islands - ~18:30 - Orca pod of 6-8 with 2 males passed in front of Clark Island and Barnes Island, headed west about 6:30pm Tuesday. [NE side of Orcas Island] -Will Miller
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Tue, Apr 14 - Oregon Coast - ~09:15 - Hello-We sighted a pod of orcas this morning (4.14.20) from our home in Oceanside, Oregon at approximately 9:15am. Unfortunately, we were unable to get any quality photos or videos. Using binoculars, I was able to spot approximately 4-5 Orcas in the pod. I could be wrong but I thought I saw a calf. They were very close to shore. 100 yards west of the surf zone. They were moving southward but at times doubled back. The video of the splashes was a long way off. Were they feeding? -Todd Schwartz
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Tue, Apr 14 - Hood Canal - 12:00 - My girlfriend and I saw a humpback, possibly a pair, 100 yards off the mouth of the Dosewallips River in Dabob Bay. They were heading southeast down the bay toward Pleasant Harbor. We saw them on 04/14/2020 around 1200 hours. For sure there was one. We saw the back come out of the water with its distinct dorsal fin. They were moving very quickly. After that all we saw was just the mist from the blows until it disappeared into the distance. -Walter Olson
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Tue, Apr 14 - Haro Strait - 15:35 - Photographed from shore. Observed near the north edge of Hannah Hts. at 3:45 pm, 2 Humpbacks very far out. The pair was traveling slowly to the west, away from the island. The pair, one with a blunted fin and one with a pointed, curved fin, surfaced many times. I saw the curved fin's tail once, but it was so far out it just looked dark. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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Gray whale in Skagit Bay - photo by Todd Cowles - April 14, 2020
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Tue, Apr 14 - Skagit Bay - "Spouting News" BLUE RIBBON AWARDS go out yesterday off Mariners' Cove in banner year for grays. One gray slowly meandered and fed for nearly 3 hours near shoreline on high tide. Saw mid channel spouts then huge whale fluke out of the water dive with next resurfacing; close in steaming to join the feeding gray. Feeding side by side for a bit. Another whale spouting mid channel, totaling 3 grays in area. Doesn't get much better in diamond clad waters on gorgeous sunny warm spring day morning. -Robert Stonefelt, Oak Harbor, WA
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15:00-17:00 - Skagit Bay, in front of Skagit Island. Pictures taken from the shore. 2020-04-14 between 3 and 5pm. Thanks! -Kee Hinckley
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They're back! Gray whales in Skagit Bay. They (two I believe now) were here close last night [14th], hanging out in the current, pinched between Hope Island and the reef off of Lone Tree Point. Right now, they're circling from there down between the fish farm, Hope Island and Skagit Island. Pictures and videos of the whales in our bay between April 6th and today (the 15th). There was only one day we didn't see them (Monday the 13th). We're catching them on my "big lens" from a distance, but here and there, they'll pop up close and startle/amaze us. Luckily there aren't many boats on the water here, so it's been a pretty mellow scene with people out there getting some views and pictures from a safe distance. -Todd Cowles
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Tue, Apr 14 - Saratoga Passage - 18:20 - 1 Gray whale heading south on Camano Side. Traveling fast @ 6:20 pm. I live on Camano Island just south of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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10:30-11:45 - Hello we spotted these whales from 10:30-11:45. Looked like they were feeding. They started close to Camano and worked their way over toward Hidden Beach side. There were 2 whales. They headed north. -Merri Gunderson
[Merri's distant photo shows a gray whale. -gs]
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10:00-11:00 - Two gray whales heading north in Saratoga Passage. From my vantage point south of Greenbank Beach, I first spotted two blows coming into view near Baby Island Heights around 10:00 a.m. They passed just east of Baby Island and continued north. I lost sight of them as they were headed towards Hidden Beach, around 11:00 a.m. -Martha Sinclair
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~10:00 - Sheila Gardner who lives in the Fox Spit community called at 10:30 to report at least two gray whales close in off Fox Spit, Whidbey, traveling northbound about 30 minutes ago.
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Tue, Apr 14 - Port Susan - 13:00 & 16:30 - We have a beach cabin on the east side of Camano Island in Port Susan Bay about 2/3 of the way down the island. Today, 4/14, we had two sightings. 1:00 sighting traveling north about 500 yards off shore. Gray whale moving slowly and spotted as it came up for air. We spotted another gray whale, perhaps the same, heading south about 100 yards off shore at 4:30pm traveling slowly. Over the last three days we have also seen various pods of 4 dolphins travelling past our cabin. -Thanks! Dan Barrett
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Tue, Apr 14 - Possession Sound - 11:56 - Small red boat approaching to the whale but slow down and stay 10 to 20 boat length near by the whales.
11:22 - 2 Grey whales. Location, between hat island and priest point, Everett Washington. -Tuan Nguyen
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09:44 - There are at least 3, maybe 4, gray whales west of Jetty Island, near Everett, this morning. They are about 200 yards off of the north shoreline, northwest of the green navigational marker west of the barge. We can see blows and occasional fins with a good set of binoculars from the south shore. Two whales have been exposing fins above the water imitating orca. They were there last evening as well. -Greg Heiss
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Tue, Apr 14 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 18:09 - Sightings from Onamac Point, Camano Island: Two gray whales going south at medium(?) speed. Saw them come to the surface 4 times over 12 minutes or so. [See Matt's VIDEO] -Matt Henning
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MINKE WHALES - Tue, Apr 14 - 13:40 - Spotted a minke headed east to west, just off Iceberg Point, Lopez Island. -Tom Reeve

April 13
Mon, Apr 13 - Case Inlet (T46Bs and T46D) - Transients in Allyn, WA. I observed them during a real low tide sometimes I think they were in 6' of water working the shoreline then they would circle back quietly into a little deeper water I assume this I when they consume the seals? The numerous seals I saw would stay more towards the other shore and would look to see what was happening. We tried to stay a reasonable distance away from them but sometimes they go under and suddenly appear. T46D and T46Bs near Allyn, WA. T46Bs and T46D in Case Inlet -photos by Phil Wolff - April 13, 2020
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Hi! We live in Victor and have been watching the orcas the last 3 hours on our balcony and on the beach. Browniela. T46Bs in Case Inlet. -photo by Browniela - April 13, 2020
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Mon, Apr 13 - South Puget Sound/Case Inlet (T46Bs & T46D) - Last night [13th] the transients were in Case Inlet. I have word someone spotted them this morning [14th] in Purdy. -Jamie Cantrell
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19:53 - My husband said that there was an albino orca in the pod! Such a treat to see them. They've been here for the last 2 hours. We moved to Washington partly because we love the orcas so much. They are a gift!
19:36 - There are at least 4 and are staying in the Allyn pier area. I live atop a hill on Grapeview Loop Rd.
19:33 - They are still here in the Case Inlet.
19:09 - Orcas are in my backyard in Allyn Case Inlet!! -Anna Mariano-Morris
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A pod of 8 orcas - 4 calves of varied ages (one white)- and 4 adults (2 very large one of which had a bent dorsal fin) were sighted in the morning of April 13 and stayed most of the day. The pod was north of Heron Island, centered in waters off Stretch Island. Humans were social distancing and no boats were seen. -Kathryn Dierck
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16:24 - Case Inlet, Monday, April 13th, hunting. Four Orca, looks like one male, couple female and a juvenile.
15:00 - Reporting four orca Northbound in Case Inlet near Allyn, Monday at 3:00. One male, three female. -Beverly Lynch McCallum
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15:00-19:00 (approx.) - Time: for about three hours, somewhere between 3-6 or 7pm Species: Not sure, didn't see white on them, but others were saying they were orcas Adults: 2 or 3?... 3 to 4 babies or smaller ones. Location: Case Inlet, viewing from Victor side along Highway E302. Our house is right along there on the beach. I took the video from the water's edge, approximately 3/4 to 1 mile from North end of Canal... video is facing West toward Allyn. They had traveled down to end of canal, North.... and had turned around and came back heading South.... Thats when I took the video. They went back and forth from South to North, about a 2-mile range?? -Rebecca Colello
[video clips Rebecca sent show orcas. -gs]
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13:50 - 5 orca. Case Inlet. Traveling slowly. -Ed Lucas
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10:30-14:30 - There is currently a pod of orca, presumably, Bigg's in north Case Inlet off of Treasure Island and Allyn. I haven't seen them personally - I'm south of there on Harstine Island - but friends on Treasure Island are currently watching them. Seem to be mingling there, so may be feeding. Lots of harbor porpoise in my area. Apparently, there is at least one baby/juvenile in the pod, been there since at least 10:30am; it's now 2:30pm on 4/13. -Dave Berliner
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Mon, Apr 13 - Haro Strait - 14:45 - Single HB headed up island, half mile out from Smallpox Bay. -April Ryan
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Mon, Apr 13 - Possession Sound - Hi! For your record keeping, 5-6 grays around the south end of Hat [Island] this afternoon, spread out and in pairs, feeding most likely. Seen from a boat so no pics for IDs but counting spouts. -Lori Christopher
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12:17 - Denise, WSF Marine Ops called to report single gray whale 1/2 way between Mukilteo and Clinton heading westbound.
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Mon, Apr 13 - Hood Canal - I saw a Gray whale surface just off Tekiu Point on Hood Canal at 8:45 am, 4/13, heading south. Amazing! Coming to our cabin for 46 years and this is the first time I have seen one over here. -Thanks, Bryan Weathers
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07:15 - At 7:15 am we had a gray whale off Hood Point on Hood Canal. My neighbor took this photo. She was spotted both Sunday April 12 and 13 both about 7:15-7:30am. Directly off of Hood Point. Didn't see her this morning [4/14]. -Jennifer Nehr
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Sun, Apr 12 and Mon, Apr 13 - West Side of Whidbey - I saw a solo gray whale on the evening of 4/12 around 7pm and on 4/13 around noon just off the West side of Whidbey, mid channel. I was watching it on West Beach Rd just South of Hastie Lake Rd. It looked like it was just milling around. Saw the fluke a few times. Was in the same place over those two days I observed it. Thanks for your research! -Bonnie Chang

April 12
Sun, Apr 12 - San Juan Islands - 11:50 - Hi Orca Network, I saw three whales from the shore at Friday Harbor Labs today around 11:50 am. They disappeared SE between Turn Island and San Juan Island through the boat channel around 12:15 pm. I think they were transients based on their movement style. They were originally very close to the shore heading north, so I could hear them breathing, but they went under and resurfaced after several minutes much further out toward Turn Island. I think they may have been hunting because they stayed in their far location (shown in the video) for some time, and I could see them arching their backs and some splashing at the surface from time to time. Their breathing was more steady by the time they headed SE through the boat channel. -Best regards, Holly Shelton
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Sun, Apr 12 - South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet (T46Bs & T46D). 16:56 - Large pod of orcas in the middle of Henderson Bay right now, including what looks to be small albino... is there such a thing?? -Chris Reed
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14:38 - Orcas out again now! Oh, and the white one has been with the pod each time. Just north of Joe's Bay. -Maggie Walters
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14:33 - They were north, heading a little west towards the Town of Home. I've lost sight of them now though. There were about 8 boats milling about, and they are now heading north towards Henderson Bay so I imagine that's where the whales have gone.
13:58 - Orcas, including the white one, visible from Penrose Point State Park. Going back and forth, scaring the seals. Watching with binoculars from shore, too far away to get a picture. -Valerie Dansey Aspee
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14:00 - Easter sighting! Just outside Joe's Bay. 4-12-20 at 2pm. I was surprised by how many boats were near them. -Neil Bender
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13:00 (approx.) - There are two mammals in the Inlet - T46B1 and T46B1B "Tl'uk" - a little further away so not great quality I'm afraid. One grey, one black. Is it possible the black mammal is an Orca separated from the main group? It looks so different to the other but I'm not experienced enough to know! The first picture looks like the grey one is just resting its head on the other's back; I swear it was smiling! They were the only ones I saw all day and seemed to be on their own. Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide! -Best wishes, Jennifer Swenson
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11:19 - [orca] Still here, off Minter. [Henderson Bay] -David Paly
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11:00 (approx.) - Hello, we live in Wauna, WA (near Gig Harbor), off the Purdy Spit (Hwy 302) and have a southern view of Henderson Bay. At approx. 11am this morning (April 12, 2020), we spotted at least 3 Orcas (1 large and 2 or 3 small ones) mid-channel, close to our beach. They circled and came up for air many times during about 15 minutes. They then began moving southward in the Bay. There was a small boat with three people in it and a kayak with one person observing them from the water. -Marie Tjernlund
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10:33 - Saw these today - T46Bs. I was parked on the Purdy spit. They were about 800 yards south from the spit. -Annie Poston
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10:30 - Orcas swimming near Purdy boat launch in Henderson Bay. At least 4 seen. 10:30am. -Dennis Karjala
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10:00-10:30 - [orca] I saw them myself around 10-10:30 am today leaving Purdy. I live there and walked down to the beach with morning coffee. Saw 6-7 of them, included the white. -Martin Loyche
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10:22 - We keep seeing one that was much lighter than the others.
10:20 - They've been in the bay a few times this week. They head in eastward, milled about, rolled, and did some tail slaps and one spy hop. Now they're heading back out of bay going west.
10:08 - Still watching them, I think five. Will send some pics.
9:54 - Four orcas in Henderson Bay by Purdy Spit. Looks like one is a baby? -Jennifer Burton Stolz
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07:30 - These orcas were in front of our house Easter morning, 4/12/20 @ 7:30 am. This is Carr Inlet. We live on the Key Peninsula, very close to Maple Hollow Park. They were very close to shore. They were moving slowly north. We have seen a lot of seal action the last few days. It is unusual for us to see orcas in this part of the sound. -Arleigh Lievense
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06:00 - The transient pod with the white orca is in Henderson Bay this morning. Heading south, between the spit and Camp Seymour at 6am. -CJ Clawson
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Sun, Apr 12 - Skagit Bay - Hi Folks! I saw something about you guys on the KOMO4 site and thought I'd drop the note. I live in La Conner, and I look out at Hope Island State Park and the northern tip of Whidbey Island. We've enjoyed some gray whales (2, maybe 3?) in our bay here this past week. They showed up Monday morning the 6th, and we last saw them Easter Sunday the 12th. I got some great photographs from a few hundred yards away, then Easter Sunday, they surprised me when our paths crossed and I ended up very close to them. Happy to share the pictures and/or video I got. By the way, also in the bay here on Monday the 6th were a couple of dolphins (porpoises? - sorry, not an expert!), plus some "extra activity" with our usual/resident seals "rounding up minnows" by circling around them and the water pretty much exploding with the minnows/herring(?) jumping out of the water. At one point, there were whales, dolphins and seals all on different sides of the kayak. -Cheers! Todd Cowles
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Sun, Apr 12 - Port Susan - We hear feedings on our beach almost daily. Low tide today brought the evidence [gray whale feeding pits revealed at low tide]. -Linda Thomson
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Sun, Apr 12 - Penn Cove - We saw on the news that you would like reports of whale sightings. 08:00 - Easter Sunday, we saw a gray whale at about 8 AM entering Penn Cove on the east side of Whidbey Island. It swam in almost to the wharf, then turned and went back out. It looked as if it were looking for food; would go under for several minutes, then we would see and hear the air coming from the blowhole. It was moving relatively quickly. It was in the cove for only 20-30 minutes. -Pat and Lily Stanwood
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Sun, Apr 12 - Saratoga Passage - 18:30 - 19:00 - A gray whale feeding below the bluffs of Baby Island Heights neighborhood, headed to Fox Spit at 7pm. -Marilyn Armbruster
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18:30 - 2 Grays Heading north from Whidbey side then crossed to Camano side @ 6:30 pm. Traveling close together. I live on Camano Island just south of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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17:35 - Karen Graham, volunteer called: she's right off Hidden Beach seeing 1 gray whale heading north about mid channel. The whale is just past were you drive up to Hidden Beach, about 1/4 mile ahead now, but she could still see him blow. Apparently, he came from around Hidden Beach, he was seen around there. Happy Easter and stay well.
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16:24 - Two grays heading north now, close to Baby Island.
15:53 - Two gray whales within 75 feet of shore, along east shore of Whidbey Island, south of Greenbank Farm. Heading south towards Holmes Harbor. -Martha Sinclair
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10:38 - There is a speedboat following a gray whale at Sandy Point. They have been following it very closely and interrupted its feeding. -Luanne Seymour
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09:15 - 3 beautiful grays feeding along Fox Spit shores heading southbound towards Bells Beach. #22 "Earhart" and #383, along with a third gray feeding along Fox Spit. -Marilyn Armbruster
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07:10-09:00 - We saw two gray whales on Easter morning, 12 April 2020. We watched them from 7:10 am to 9:00 am. They were in front of the seawall at Langley, WA. 48°02'30.3"N 122°24'38.0"W. It was high tide at the time. At low tide, the area they were working is exposed mud flats. They were feeding in water about 10 feet deep. They stayed in about the same spot the whole time. They were not traveling through. One was large and the other about half the size. We think it was a mother and baby. The baby had a distinctive orange spot on its tail fluke. A friend took many excellent photos with his high-end camera and enormous lens. I encouraged him to send you his photos. -Regards, Peter Oakley, Langley
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Sun, Apr 12 - Possession Sound - Sherrie Brown called, she and her husband Steve observed one gray whale south of Gedney, maneuvering from S to N off Gedney, on their way out of the Everett marina around 13:00. On their way back (~14:00) to marina, they saw one whale who was more SE side of Gedney towards south entrance of Everett Marina.
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Sun, Apr 12 - Central Puget Sound - Hello, I saw on komo's website that you're taking whale sightings by email, so I wanted to report a single baleen whale that I saw on Sunday around 3pm. It was travelling north at a moderate pace, and was west of mid-channel outside the mouth of Eagle harbor. I caught 3 blows that all looked heart-shaped which made me think humpback, but I was observing from quite far away with binoculars. I was on Alki Point, just East of the lighthouse. The whale dove with a low arching motion and then was out of sight. Thanks for continuing to do all the great monitoring and cataloging! -Best Regards, Patrick Hutchins
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HARBOR PORPOISE - Wed, Apr 15 - Northern Puget Sound (Edmonds) - Hello, between 7:00 and 7:15 this AM we observed 2-3 Harbor Porpoise just North of the Dive Park. This is not a usual sighting for us. What a delight. We tried to get pictures but only had cell phones. I'll send any if they turn out. On the same walk there were 3-4 California Sea Lions quite active, closer to the Ferry in close at Brackett's Landing. We've been hearing their barks for the past few days 1-2 blocks away so it was nice to see them this morning. Stay Safe and Well, Kendall and Brian Berry

April 11
Sat, Apr 11 - 08:00 - J16's went northbound in Active Pass this morning around 8:00am. They popped up less than 20 feet from us on shore, so we saw the open saddles. -Rachelle Hayden
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Apr 11 - South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet (T46Bs & T46D). Orcas 4/11 in Henderson Bay, Gig Harbor. -Carry Lee McAllister
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16:40 - Shore sighting of albino orca today in Henderson Bay in pod of 6-8 whales. -Brian Hunter
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16:30 - [orca] Henderson Bay, out in front of Minter creek, headed toward Purdy. 5 or 6 individuals, including the white baby. -Gary Furuheim
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14:30 - T46Bs, White Orca "TI'uk" back in Henderson Bay, April 11 about 2:30. They were heading south, but not very playful today. -Ingrid Shumway
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12:00 - At Fox Island Bridge. A gentleman confirmed he and his wife saw orcas off of Greenpoint. She said they were milling just now. I also saw the whale research boat go under Fox Island Bridge, and it looks like it stopped right off the point of Raft Island, mid-channel, between Raft Island and Fox Island. The gentleman said he saw three to five orcas, but did not see the white one. -Ashley Whitman
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12:36 - Four of them including the grey calf. Now NW of Cutts heading N towards Glen Cove. Trailed respectfully by a red dinghy with two guys wearing orange...My pleasure. It's a joy to watch them. The seals will be relieved when they move on.
12:17 - Still here, 1 mile S of Cutts, a third of the way to Penrose. Looks like an official small boat (DNR?) is observing them. [was Mark & Maya Sears, under NOAA permit -alb]
11:57 - As of 11am they were here. Haven't seen them since. Out walking. Will look when I get back. I have a 210-degree view.
08:27 - [Bigg's] Pod. Still here between Minter and Glen Cove [Henderson Bay]. Saw the calf [Tl'uk] yesterday as did others. Not today. The calf was hanging with the bull mostly. -David Paly
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Sat, April 11 - Similk Bay/N Skagit Bay - Email received from Kevin Anderson at 19:20: I spotted a whale in very shallow waters in Similk Bay, the whale was seen north of Kiket Island...A colleague said it looked distressed and was swimming slowly. I don't know who to contact but thought this was a good start. I don't know what type, but it was active today.
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Sat, April 11 - Port Susan - We have another gray whale sighting to report. Last evening, Saturday, April 11th, after sunset two grays were feeding close in, off the beach at Port Susan Terrace. -Mary Pelland
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Sat, April 11 - Northern Saratoga Passage - Believe it or not, but we had two gray whales feeding @ Polnell Pt - #356 in Oak Harbor this morning! We also saw a third whale spouting to our east, close to Mariner's Cove. It was an amazing morning on Whidbey Island! -Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA
ID by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective
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07:45-08:15 - Gray at Long Point. He has headed east. -Marilyn Armbruster
[was #56, back of cam image. -alb]
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Sat, Apr 11 - Port Susan - We have enjoyed seeing and hearing whales from our home here on the shores of Port Susan for almost 20 years now. I have not reported any of our sightings this year as it was happening on a daily occurrence (almost an entire month worth from late March to late April. I feel as if they are semi-native to the area regarding their annual pilgrimage. Mostly solo travelers but occasionally 3 or 4 and once we noted a momma and her calf. Such majestic sentient beings. The image is from my beach walk on April 11th when 3 or 4 appeared to be feeding in the shallows between Kayak Point and McKee's Beach. I will keep an eye out and report any further sightings on the network. Stay well and all the best. -photo by Douglas Barlow - April 11, 2020

April 10
Fri, Apr 10 - South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet (T46Bs & T46D) - [orca] We saw them from our deck yesterday [4/10], we face south toward Fox Island in Arletta. Amazing! However, there was a boat following very close which I understand is illegal. -Pamela Ann Ziobro
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17:10 - [Bigg's] pod. Still hanging around--lollygagging around Glen Cove [Henderson Bay]. -David Paly
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The orcas were back this afternoon in Carr Inlet! -Ingrid Shumway
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16:45-17:20 - Hello! I would like to report an Orca sighting: On Friday April 10, 2020 we spotted about 5 orcas breaching in Carr Inlet between Glencove and Cutts Island State Park, WA while out kayaking. One of the orcas appeared to be albino. We first noticed the orcas around 4:45 pm near Glencove, and we watched them slowly move north up Henderson Bay until about 5:20 pm. -Emily Brown
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15:51 - I did end up seeing more as they turned around and started heading SW towards the inlet... one large orca w/3 smaller ones.
13:33 - There's a small orca in the far end of Henderson Bay right now. Almost to Purdy Spit area. Looks like it's all by him/herself. -Chris Reed
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13:28 - We live on Forest Beach Dr NW, Gig Harbor. We face west and Henderson Bay is out front. The orcas were out front yesterday and again today - heading north towards Purdy. They also were here about a week ago. Same drill. Sadly, several boats were waaaaaay too close to them - looked practically right next to them. Very disappointing. Must be decent feeding right now. -Maggie Walter
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13:24 - [orca] They just passed by again heading toward Purdy Spit. -Terry Shovlowsky
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11:00 - Just wanted you to know, it happened again!!! T46Bs, T46B2, T46D. It looks like a second pod just went by in the last couple of hours (around 11am), southbound again. -Jennifer Swenson
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08:30 - The orcas are back. There were 8-10 of them, including Tl'uk and the male with the bent dorsal fin. They were heading leisurely toward Purdy when I left them at about 08:30. There were two males and a larger group yesterday but today, only one male and he was always with (closely with) a female. Yesterday, I noticed that one of the males was also always closely with a female and I got a video of him holding completely still near the surface for maybe a minute. -Tim Hoffnagle
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09:10 - Heading south now past Raft Island. Moving quickly.
07:00 - [orca] Pod of 5-6, one bull, grey/ albino juvenile. 7Am, feeding along shore. [viewing from Minter/north Key Peninsula.] -David Paly
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Fri, Apr 10 - Port Susan - Hi, yesterday, Friday, April 10th, several gray whales were feeding off the shore at Port Susan Terrace, east side of Camano. It was late afternoon. Always exciting! Watching from our window for sea life is a great antidote for these stressful times we all find ourselves in. -Mary Pelland
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Fri, April 10th - Possession Sound - Sherrie Brown called, she and her husband Steve were out and encountered one gray whale (possibly 2) off Port of Everett by Gedney, sometime between 15:00-16:00.
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Fri, Apr 10 - Southern Saratoga Passage - Hi folks. Scarlett the red plane is back in action whale spotting and saw two grays feeding off Langley today! Whoopee! Cheers, -Fred Lundahl
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Fri, Apr 10 - Central Puget Sound - 17:00 - Jeremy Rubingh, Shilshole, called on April 11th to report seeing a large whale while out sailing the evening before (10th). The whale was 1/2 way out in the channel and just north of Golden Gardens. He first heard a blow, then saw the exhalation of large whale. Dark in color, no white coloring, but no obvious dorsal either so unsure if gray or humpback. The whale was heading southbound.

April 9
Thur, Apr 9 - 16:00 - J Pod was picked up in the mid Strait of Georgia abeam of Active Pass heading south. -Monika Wieland Shields
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Thur, Apr 9 - South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet (T46Bs & T46D) - 15:30 - We located whales near Penrose State Park/Purdy last Thursday 4/9/20 at 3:30pm. We saw one breach. And couldn't tell for certain how many there were, but we estimate 5. There appeared to be 3 that were swimming together, followed by a larger whale. And a very large whale further behind them. I hope this is helpful! -Beccy Scheuffele
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14:30 - They [T46Bs] came by, heading out of the bay - it looked like all of the orcas that I had seen this morning. They must have found some good hunting around Purdy to have stayed up there for 6 hours! Also, we did see a couple of harbor seals along the shore, which also surprised me, given that the orcas were around. -Tim Hoffnagle
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Thur, Apr 9 - North Puget Sound - 09:45 - Three or more orcas with at least one male, northbound, off of the Edmonds ferry terminal. They were staying down a long time and I lost track of them after they passed the Edmonds ferry terminal, but if they maintained their heading, it would be [toward] Mukilteo. -Sherman Page
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09:49 - Brad Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: SPOKANE Master reports three orca traveling northbound, one mile off of EDM [Edmonds]. Heading northwest. May be making a dash for Possession Sound.
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Thur, Apr 9 - South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet - 18:30 - Wow! This must be my day for seeing wildlife. Earlier this evening, I saw a river otter swimming along the shore and then, at 18:30, that same group of orcas passed my house on Henderson Bay, this time slowly heading south. I saw at least one adult male and a total of maybe 6-10 orcas, including Tl'uk. -Timothy Hoffnagle
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18:30 - Spotted blows of multiple orcas around 6:30pm this evening on the Kitsap side. At the time, they appeared heading into Henderson Bay near Lakebay area as viewed from Gig Harbor side. But then I believe they turned back & I lost sight of them. -Anika Blake
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16:40 - Between Cutts Island and Home...they were headed north toward Purdy. Out of sight now.
16:21 - A white orca with about 7 other orcas in Carr Inlet right now. -Samuel Hilbert
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10:25 - Just had what I believe were a pod of Orcas, including possibly a white young Orca, swim by my home in the Carr Inlet about an hour and half ago. I live on 115th Ave Nw, Gig Harbor for reference. I was so excited I'm afraid the quality isn't amazing but got a few pretty decent ones to share! ...Thank you so much for getting back so quickly- and with all that info, so exciting!! It was 10:25am to be exact (that's when I called my husband to run out to see them!!) and they were going southbound as you guessed! Best wishes, Jennifer Swenson
[From Jennifer's photos: "I just see the T46Bs and T46D." -Melisa Pinnow]
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10:00 - Getting neighbors calling saying a pod of orcas are in Henderson Bay as of 10am, unfortunately I wasn't home to get the message until now. -Sarah Feagin Anderson
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17:32 - FYI the orca are still in in Henderson Bay hunting, the same group as this morning. Unfortunately too far out to get pictures. Staying in one place hunting. There is a small boat out there so far being respectful. One big guy a distance away.
09:10 - Spoke with Terry, the orcas in Henderson Bay do include the pale/white whale (so T46B1s present at least) and are still in the middle of the bay in same general area as last reported. Some added observations to earlier reports: she did see a lot of surface activity, some spyhops.
09:05 - Yes, we saw the white whale. They were all spread out. Last I saw them there were at least 5 and a bigger fin showed up way in the distance where I sent the location. We have a lot of harbor porpoise in the bay right now.
07:56 - Orca still in Henderson Bay, seem to be feeding. Right about here: (47.3255096, -122.7060990). I am looking thru binoculars from my house.
07:00 - Saw orcas in Henderson Bay around 7:00 am. Looks like same pod from yesterday. Looked to be hunting in this area (47.3613563, -122.6719800) Kayaker was right in the middle of them. They started moving toward Cutts Island. Kayaker still with them at 7:30 am. If Kayaker has a camera on him he will have very close pictures. They seem to be circling in one place now. They are not leaving the area as of right now. -Terry Shovlowsky
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08:30-09:15 - I live in Carr Inlet. This morning between 8:30 -9:15, there was a group of orcas, perhaps 6 or seven playing towards the east shore of Henderson Bay. We are on the west shore, but with my Sigma 600mm lens I was still able to capture some images--surely you might be able to identify the whales - T46Bs. Thanks much for the great work you do! I will keep a lookout this afternoon. Best regards, Ingrid Shumway
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06:30-07:30 - I was out kayaking on Henderson Bay this morning and saw that group of transient orcas again. There were maybe 10-15 of them, including the white juvenile, but it was hard to estimate the numbers, as they were pretty well spread out. At times, they appeared to be hunting (some fast swimming and quick turns) and I thought that maybe they were chasing some harbor porpoises up the bay. I first saw them at about 06:30, as they were moving up the bay and I followed them (from a distance) until they turned around about halfway between Minter Creek and Purdy Spit. They were leaving the bay when I left them at about 07:30. One other note is that the tip of the dorsal fin of one of the adult males (I think that there were two) was bent (to the right, I believe). photos (T46B1B and T46B2+). -Timothy Hoffnagle
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GRAY WHALES - Thur, Apr 9 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 16:59 - [gray] 3 or 4 just passed by Elger Bay, headed toward state park. One still lingering here. -Dave Davenport - CWW
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16:51 - Headed south from Elger Bay right now, really close to shore.
16:13 - Gray whale directly off Lowell Point right now. -Dean Alan Nelson - CWW
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Thur, Apr 9 - Northern Saratoga Passage/Skagit Bay - 11:28 - A Gray whale spotted at Rocky Point heading south now. -Taral Patel - CWW
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07:00-07:45 - Mike Haschak (sp?) called at 10 am to report watching a gray whale today, April 9th between 7-7:45, just off the salmon farm east of Skagit Island or Hope Island in Skagit Bay/Similk Bay. Whale seemed to be lingering, possibly feeding and wasn't going in any particular direction. There was a gray whale there yesterday (8th), north of Skagit Island, a single whale. Also 2 days before that (6th) a gray whale. Possibly same whale all 3 days?
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07:38 - They are moving west into deeper water as the tide goes out now.
07:20 - They are North of Brown Point, in line with the mountain from the boat launch on Utsalady. They're way out there.
07:10 - At least three morning synchronized spouters out in Skagit Bay off Brown Point this morning. Very active. Gray whales. -Dean Kayler - CWW
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Thu, Apr 9 - Penn Cove - 18:16 - Mary Jo (Adams) called with 2nd hand report from a friend who lives on Penn Cove. He called her to report seeing grays in Penn Cove, going in clockwise circles. No more information other than that.
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Thu, Apr 9 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - ~12:50 - Unidentified Gray whale seen from Rt. 112 on the Olympic Peninsula, east of Sail Rock near mile marker 3. He was heading due east, rapidly, with incoming flood tide. Surfaced for two breaths, then popped up behind outcropping. Couldn't get pics and then never saw him resurface. Traveling right along the shore on April 9 2020 around 12:50 pm. Sent pics to Cascadia. -Lee Leddy

April 8
19:30 - Hello, orcas in Henderson Bay, 4/8/2020, 7:30pm. Saw mom and maybe two young, the white/light color one with them. They were heading toward Purdy. I heard there were about 5 when they were at the opening of Wollochet around 6:30 ish, so maybe more are here in Henderson Bay. -Terry Shovlowsky
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Wed, Apr 8 - Puget Sound (T46Bs & T46D, T65As) - 19:00 - About 5-6 Orcas in Carr Inlet. Heading North past Kopachuck State Park around 7:00, so probably in Henderson Bay now at 7:45pm. Haven't seen them head back south. FYI, we live on Carr Inlet so we are maintaining social distancing. -Sarah Richey Guenther
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18:52 - Orcas off West Point of Fox Island. Came through Hale Pass. Second pass in the last hour. Headed west. -Cari Black
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18:45 - There are orca whales that just passed under the Fox Island Bridge and about eight boats that are following way too close. The pod with the white calf passed under about thirty minutes ago (about 7 whales) and then just now 4 whales passed under. Boaters are cutting off the whales and trying to get ahead of them to get a good view. -Carly Hanson
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18:30 - Orcas sighted in Carr Inlet at 6:30pm. Many boats following. -Dale Wilkins
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18:00 (approx.) - On Tuesday, on north bluff around 6pm, a pod of orcas was in front of our place. Looked like they were fishing. 5 to 6 orcas. Two huge orcas, two smaller, and two juvenile orcas. Then headed up north bluff a mile north, circling in close to shore. -Carolyn Mercer
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22:15 - They were back at our address at 10:15pm, and we don't know where they are now.
17:05 - Tl'uk (and company) were at our address at 5:05pm on April 8, and at 5:20pm. They headed west and under Fox Island bridge around 5:32pm, at which time we lost track of them. --We have optimistically hoped a day would come that we would see orcas from our house looking south to Fox Island across Hale Passage, never really expecting the day would come. (Our neighbors had never seen them in 26 years.) April 8, 2020 was the day! We saw this orca pod (and a white orca -- Tl'uk??) off our balcony this afternoon. As they traveled in front of our house, we went down to the Cromwell Road below and followed them to the Fox Island bridge. The best thing that has happened so far as we shelter in place! -Linda & Patrick McMullen
[ID note: There were two different families down there. T65As were in the area, as well. They came through in late afternoon/early evening about 90 minutes after T46Bs (Tl'uk's family). So it is possible, unless you saw the white whale, the group who passed by in the dark (10:15) was T65As. -alb]
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They were in Wollochet Bay [4/8] and went under the Fox Island bridge near Gig Harbor! -Kimberly Wenner
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17:00-18:30 - Orcas in Hale Passage 4/8 between 5:00-6:30pm or so. Two separate groups! -Karen Nixon Hale
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18:00 - The same group came by again at 1800 west of Point Fosdick (Gig Harbor) about 100 meters off shore heading west towards the Fox Island bridge. More boats transiting the area. I will send a photo of the group later today. photo - [T65As]
16:30 - Group of 4 orca--1 male with big dorsal, 1? adult female and 2 juveniles? at Point Fosdick near shore, heading towards the Fox Island bridge at 1630 on 8 April. Heavy boat traffic including 2 jet skis in the area. Thanks for getting back to me - great to know who we saw, and that you can recognize both individuals and groups! We've lived here for 5 years and never seen orcas from here before, although our neighbors have seen them rarely in the past. We usually see harbor porpoises, but haven't for several months. Harbor seals are still regularly seen, but no sea lions for a few months. I assume that both groups went on through Hale Passage and under the Fox Island bridge to get into Carr Inlet as we didn't see them come back in our direction. We are about 300 feet from the beach up the hill- these [photos] were taken with a 500mm lens from the deck.T46B4, T46D and T46Bs, T65As. -David Estroff
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15:55 - Colvos Passage, Point Richmond area, 3:55pm. They were headed in the direction of Commencement Bay. -Katrina Flowers-Piercy
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15:40 - Hello! Just wanted to let you know I spotted some orca - saw dorsals and spouts. Just now - around 3:40. Milling/ hunting. Viewed from the Dunes area by Point Defiance. They appear to be over around Dalco Passage - I think I'm looking at Sunrise Beach on the Kitsap side as the closest landmark. Spotted with binoculars & I'm way too far away to be able to get more specifics. -Heidi Armstrong
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12:44 - In sight again. About a mile south of the traffic lane buoy off Three Tree Point.
12:29 - Almost to Three Tree. Seem to be averaging 5-6 knots. And we have been well outside the Whale Wise distance and using our binoculars.
11:51 - Mid channel between Vashon and Fauntleroy ferry docks. Brand New baby with them. Very light grey color, almost white.
11:21 - 4-5 orca between Blake island and Alki Mid channel heading south 4/8. Male has a few large gouges in top of dorsal fin. Sorry for the poor cell phone photo. He approached us while we were sailing. T46D, T46B1B. -Kenny Matthews
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09:28 - About 3 to 4 Orcas appeared to be feeding at about 9:28 this morning in Port Madison Bay. The small pod is now moving slowly east past Jefferson Point and Puget Sound. This report from the bluffs at Indianola...Russell S. Greenlaw
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[orca] Albino spotted off Vashon this morning! -Carmen Crosier
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08:16 - Bradley Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed with report: PUYALLUP Master [Edmonds/Kingston run] reports three to five orca in the southbound traffic lanes, slow moving with unknown direction.
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Wed, Apr 8 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 19:00-20:00 - Sunset gray whales (two) feeding at Fox Spit. Southeast bound, angling towards mid channel and Camano Island. -Marilyn Armbruster
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08:01 - 3 grays were in Elger Bay, now moving north near State Park. -Tami Fifield - CWW
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Wed, Apr 8 - Northern Saratoga Passage - Grays near shore all day, yesterday, off of the navy base in Oak Harbor. -Charissa Eaves
[phone video sent by Charissa appears to show 2 gray whales. -gs]
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17:00 - 2 gray whales close in, west of Polnell Point, feeding! 5:00pm. -Suzanne Sewester
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15:36 - Spouts heading north across from Sunset Beach from my view in, looking at Penn Cove inlet. At least three whales. Water is too rough to tell but I'm guessing grays. -James Shasky - CWW
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11:00 - 2 or 3 gray whales by Eagle Cove, looks like northbound. -Jill Hein
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08:30 - This AM report. There is a grey whale in the shallows of Snatelum Pt. rolling around feeding at 8:30am!!! SO COOL!!!! -Erik Anderson
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Wed, Apr 8 - Skagit Bay - ~14:00 - We live on Deception Road off Dewey Beach (technically the waters are Skagit Bay) and saw a gray whale on April 8 around 2pm feeding close to shore... very shallow as tides were low. We watched him/her surface and spout air several times... I finally was able to get a photo (sorry a long shot with my android phone) as it was cruising west towards Deception Pass. I was actually concerned it might be a whale in distress so called NOAA hotline for stranded/distressed marine animals. They were non-plussed but noted my sighting and said several other neighbors had also called in sightings. No other info or recommends were provided. I notified my neighbors via Nextdoor App of a whale sighting in the hood and discovered several other neighbors had been observing two or more grays in Skagit Bay that week including an observed breach! I now understand they are likely one of the "Sounders" that pass thru on their migration north and are feeding (and fattening up) on ghost shrimp. This is all very exciting and cool to observe and many neighbors have now established a text group to share whale sightings. Best Regards, -Lynne Wenberg-Davidson
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Wed, Apr 8 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 18:00 - Please see a couple of videos of a mom and baby gray whale taken from the western shore of Elger Bay on Wednesday April 8, 2020 at around 6 PM. It is my understanding that they are essentially foraging for ghost shrimp in the sandy bottom of Elger Bay. I also heard them in the bay the following two evenings about the same time but did not go down to the waterfront. I hope this is helpful! Regards, -Ed Perkins
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Wed, Apr 8 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 17:00 - We had a gray whale visit us this afternoon, @ 5:00pm, at Polnell Point, in Oak Harbor, WA. He/she made the usual rounds and then headed out. -Greg and Terra Parham

April 7
Mon, Apr 6 and Tue, Apr 7 - Saratoga Passage (T46Bs) -We saw the 7-member pod including the white one headed toward Coupeville. On 4/6- we saw them through our binoculars from our beach house deck. On Whidbey east side in Shangri-la neighborhood. On 4/7 we saw the same pod swim south right past our beach and dock at Shangri-la, and all the neighbors were out on the pier watching. -Ulla Tausen
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T46B6 (b. 2019) and T46B1B (b. 2018). -photo by Howard Garrett - April 7, 2020
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Tue, Apr 7 - Possession Sound/Port Susan (T65As) - 12:10 - 4-7 orca straight out, 1.5 miles from beach two country club, heading south. Just one. -Darrell Martin, CWW
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10:25 - They are headed up Port Susan.
09:23 - Orcas in the morning! 4-5 including at least one male. Between Hat and Tulalip, mid channel leisurely moving north. Thanks for the heads-up Alice (Moyal) hope you can grab some pics!! T65A2 -Lori Christopher
T65s present, confirmed by Melisa Pinnow from Alice's photos
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Tue, Apr 7 - 19:45 - Saratoga Passage/Penn Cove/Holmes Harbor (T46Bs, T46D, T65As) 7 or so orcas! Hidden Beach on the Whidbey side. The closest I have EVER had them come to shore! Headed north. -Nancy Culp Zaretzke - CWW
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18:32 - Orcas out at Onamac. Headed North towards Madrona! -Meagan Roberts McGrath - CWW
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18:10 - Heading North. Not quite to Pratts Bluff.
18:06 - #s 5+, followed at proper distance by 3 kayaks.
18:00 - Orca pod just north off Baby Island in opening of Holmes Harbor to Saratoga Passage. Heading north out of Holmes, closer to Greenbank side than Camano Is. West of green buoy. -Jane Alexander
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17:50 - 4 or more orcas spouting north of Baby Island. Moving north, fast. -Janet Heine - CWW
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I think I counted 8! At least one juvenile, including "the grey/white" Tl'uk. Transient pod. [comment on Kristen Coombe's post, below]. -Kayla Phillips
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17:30 (approx.) - Watched a pod of orcas in Holmes Harbor, Whidbey Island, near Greenbank. There appeared to be a juvenile, as well. At least six in the pod? -Kristen Coombe
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17:30 - Large pod of orcas today (about a dozen) sited while Kayaking in Saratoga passage. Saw them at 5:30 pm between Baby Island and Greenbank at the mouth of Holmes Harbor. Amazing. -Randy Geller
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17:20 - Hello! Just spotted a pod of at least four orcas off our porch in Holmes Harbor, Greenbank, WA. -Emily Cheung
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Bob Miller of Freeland, Whidbey called to report seeing pod of orcas on April 7, deep in Holmes Harbor. Larger one was further off, other 3 together, little white whale was between. Their neighbors were on the dock when the whales came close in to the dock. They watched from their perch (down by the golf course) with binoculars. They were outside prepping to BBQ when they heard the woosh sound of their exhalations.
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17:15-18:00 - Two groups of orcas in Holmes Harbor. One group off Dines Pt. The other off Saratoga Beach, mid harbor. At approx. 5:30 the two mostly joined up. Looked like seven, with two large males, two females and three youngsters. Were a number of small boats that came on scene, and one cut the group off twice and was way too close. Three kayakers came and got quite a show. At 6:00pm they were off Greenbank headed north. Lots of surface action and they changed direction multiple times. Breaching, tail slaps, you name it. Water was extremely calm. What a treat. -Dan Gulden
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17:06 - We've been watching 6-7 Orcas from the east side. They were on the west side, golf club going north. Near Honeymoon Bay when we came in. [Holmes Harbor]. -Jennifer Abermanis
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19:00 - I've counted about 8 orcas now, looking like committed to northbound from my vantage point. They appear to be north of Hidden Beach, but most likely out from Hidden Beach. Dorsal fins aiming due north and closer to Greenback side. Beautiful evening.
17:25 - The south group is nearing Dines Point now (northbound), and this group is stalled out mid channel. They may have split off earlier. Just a guess. Beautiful back lit blows right now.
17:15 - This group of orcas has slowed down and just about 1/2 mile south of Baby Island into Holmes Harbor.
17:05 - My neighbor just texted me, and group of orcas heading into Holmes Harbor (from Baby Island area), booking it. I see them, they are heading southbound, mid channel. This has to be another group. T46B1B Tl'uk-Marilyn Armbruster
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17:00-18:00 - (approx.) At least 5, maybe up to 8 orcas, including a small grey/white one, headed south into Holmes Harbor, and then back out of the harbor north into Saratoga Passage. -Martha Sinclair
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A few of my photos from yesterday's incredible moments with the T46Bs, including Tl'uk, the juvenile white whale, and others not yet ID'd. T46B1B "Tl'uk" and family, T46B2 and responsible, physically-distanced humans.-Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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So happy to meet the little white Transient orca Tl'uk when the T46Bs, T46B1B "Tl'uk" doing a headstand were in Holmes Harbor on April 7th - what a treat! -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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16:30 -T46Bs in Holmes Harbor I just can't even!!!!! There were at least 8 orcas including the albino baby and they were swimming under the dock! -Darci Shultz
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16:27 - Had such a special day (social distancing was practiced) and saw some behaviors I've never seen before. At one point, they made a huge wave underwater while going after a sea lion. It was so cool, the people that lived up on the bluff were all cheering. It was fun to hear the cheers among the whales breathing. T65A2 "This was taken sometime between 6:30 and 7 pm, from Hidden Beach." -Dori Dace
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16:00 (approx.) - T46Bs in Holmes Harbor. The T46Bs hunting under and near the dock where she and others were standing: T46B1B "Tl'uk", T46B2, T46B2 -Rachel Haight
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Life does still have some pleasant surprises, with a visit from T46B1B, or Tl'uk, a Coast Salish word for 'moon', and family. It's not too often that we see orcas from the bottom of our garden, so to speak, but we were indeed blessed today. There was also the added bonus of 'socially distanced' friends enjoying the view too. Taking no prisoners... Jaw-dropping moments as April 7 visiting transient orcas, including the little white orca T046B1B (Tl'uk), exhibit their wild, raw lifestyle as the ocean's top predators, leaving no doubt as to their unrivaled agility and power. Before hitting the dock in Holmes Harbor, where they were attempting to flush out seals, the orcas took a large raft of seabirds by surprise just off Hidden Beach, Whidbey, scattering them to the skies. Food was aplenty, with many sea-lions, seals and harbor porpoise clustered together - safety in numbers maybe. -Sandra Pollard
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10:30 - Definitely T46Bs - still southbound, but milling off Race Lagoon now. Tl'uk seen. Ok so I started off to find a gray whale in Penn Cove this morning - didn't quite get that far as orcas were seen east of Penn Cove, in Saratoga Passage. I headed to Long Point instead. Followed them to Harrington where they were fairly close, to my house, again probably about 500 yards out, and they continued south. Off to Shangri-La Shores and got there just in time (Clarence was directing me from home, saying they were INSIDE the mooring buoys as they headed south), and there they were - mostly inside the mooring buoys. A few people were out on the pier, well distanced, and the whales came right to us. Just sending 3 pics for now but have many many more - later? Tl'uk was in the close group of about 4 or 5, others were further out, including T46D. Then headed to Hidden Beach but after waiting a long time, they were still a good way to the north on the Camano side. So I came home. Couldn't beat that close pass-by. T46B1B "Tl'uk" with mom T46B1, T46B3, T46B1B and T46B1, --Jill Hein
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09:11 - Lots of activity in East Penn Cove. Looks like orcas breaching, maybe 4 or 5. Too far for ID but definitely not grays. -Elicia Klein Fritsch
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16:00 - Orcas are nearing Freeland Park, near the golf course and Beachside Grill, with some still out from there.
14:10 - Orcas are into Holmes Harbor...I see them directly across (from my neighborhood on east side Holmes Harbor) due west and on Greenback side of mid channel. They are nearing Dines Point southbound.
12:30 - Viewing from Hidden Beach. Orcas are mid channel across from Indian Beach, Camano. They've been pokey. A few closer to Whidbey side.
11:00 - At least 8 orcas out here, now south of Shangri-La. (back of cam image Little Moon (T46B1B) at Shangri-La dock)
10:00 - Marilyn' updates they are past Harrington Lagoon, still heading southbound.
09:35 - 3-4 orcas (least one male) out from Long Point and Snatelum Point out near green channel marker. They are kind of milling but heading slowly southbound. "T46D with Rocky Point/Camano Island in background, photo taken from Harrington Lagoon 10 am" -Marilyn Armbruster
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10:30 - They headed south around 10:30am.
09:33 - I'm still seeing them. They are just SE of the green buoy that marks Snakelum Pt. It looks like they may have a second kill judging by the birds in the air.
09:23 - Update, approximate location and it looks like they are on a kill. [Erik's map indicates that they are in Saratoga, parallel to Penn Cove -gs]
09:05 - Update. They are now just off, north of the Green Buoy milling around.
09:00 - Update (3) orcas now heading NE toward Oak Harbor. One of them is WHITE!!!
08:45 - At least one orca heading west into Penn Cove just north of Snakelum Pt. Viewed from Harrington Lagoon. -Erik Anderson
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Tue, Apr 7 - Saratoga Passage - 13:37 - Gray whale in Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano. Heading north towards Cama Beach Park. -Anna Terranova Bonadies - CWW
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07:25 - The two grays are slowly heading southbound towards Bells Beach, feeding along the shore.
06:30 - There are 2 grays feeding at Fox Spit, Whidbey. They are right along the south shore aimed at Bells Beach. Morning coffee with 2 beautiful grays 6:30-7ish am... Amazing sweet tranquil morning sounds. The swishing and blows and swirlings of the waters. There is nothing like it. -Marilyn Armbruster

April 6
Mon, Apr 6 - East Point, Saturna Island - "T049B4, T049B, and T049B3 near Boiling Reef on the afternoon of April 6th" -photo by Mark Malleson - April 6, 2020
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Mon, Apr 6 - South Puget Sound - 09:09 - Orcas by the Point Defiance dock this morning on the 8:25. [secondhand report] -John Troup
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Mon, Apr 6 - Port Susan to Northern Saratoga Passage ID note included in email from Jill Hein: ...heard there was a light-colored orca, so it was the T46Bs again. When I finally spotted them, they were too far away.
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19:26 - Marilyn Armbruster texted, she has been seeing orcas from 18:30 until now from Fox Spit up north. She had been alerted by a friend that grays were in the area too, and she could see both. Some Whidbey residents reported seeing orcas off Shangri La.
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17:17 - Mid channel definitely orca. Half dozen? Feeding and slowly headed south.
17:16 - Seeing spouts headed towards Indian Beach going south. -Sue Serio - CWW
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15:13 - [orcas] Big group, across from Sunset Beach, Camano, heading south. -James Shasky, CWW
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15:12 - Orcas between Whidbey and Camano Islands, 10 minutes ago. Traveling north, just two miles south of Penn Cove. -Gisela Braje
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12:30 - Allyson Kuntz called to report at least 2 orcas heading northbound in middle Saratoga Passage between Lowell Point (S end Camano Island State Park) and Baby Island Heights, Whidbey. Viewed from their home on Elger Bay, Camano.
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07:51 - Watching about 8 or 9 Orcas heading south about midway between Camano Island and Tulalip. -Rosie
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Mon, Apr 6 - Saratoga Passage - 17:00 - 4 Orca, at least one male headed south on Whidbey side at 5:00 pm. All grouped together taking a leisurely evening stroll. I live on Camano Island just south of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Mon, Apr 6 - 10:53 - Hello, we just saw a group of 9 or so orcas heading SE from South Pender through Boundary Pass. Didn't look like there were any large males - though potentially a few sprouters. Travelling in a very tight group so hard to know exact numbers. Lovely start to the week..! Sorry I didn't get any pictures! From my perspective, it looked like they were heading mostly east ish towards Skipjack Island or East Point on Saturna, maybe? -Madison Duffin
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Mon, Apr 6 - Mid-Southern Saratoga Passage - 19:04 - Two grays moving south towards Pebble Beach, can hear and see their spouts easily tonight. -LJ Ringstad - CWW
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17:37 - Two Grey's feeding around Mabana. -Jill Mulrooney - CWW
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16:55 - Still hanging around as of 4:55
16:37 - Two greys feeding off Mabana right now. -Cheryl Palmquist - CWW
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I had just started to fix dinner the other night, when my friend Barbara calls: "Come quick, she says, I have 2 grays feeding below my house". WOW! Tom and I jumped into the car and headed down there. She lives in the southern part on Camano. We went straight to the beach and practiced social distancing. We were very close to home and we stayed safe. Just as we got there, my neighbor calls to report orcas in front of our house! Oh well, .... How lucky can one get! ....I'm glad we stayed with the grays. It was awesome to watch them feed from the beach. I have never seen that before. My husband [Thomas Trowbridge] shot this amazing video of #21 Shackleton and #22 Earhart feeding together just off the Mabana beach. (Id'd by Jill Hein). -Kristina Trowbridge
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14:28 - He's (44) back. He's been going back and forth from west side to east side, Fox Spit, from 13:00 to current.
13:10 - Single gray whale off Fox Spit SE bound. [photos ID'd by Alisa as 44 Dubknuck] -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:05 - Two grays hanging out between Mabana and Pebble Beach, switching between north and south directions, just playing around. -LJ Ringstad - CWW
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12:50 - Christi Schaffer called to report one big gray whale feeding off Whidbey Shores (East Point). Feeding and diving, feeding and diving. They've been watching her/him for a bit.
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11:00 - I only saw two, but other folks on the beach say there were three. It was a very, amazingly exciting day! I'm sorry to send you so many, I'm wanting to get enough identifying marks to ID them. They were taken on the 6th around 11 am and the sunset shots the same day at 7:30. (Pebble Beach, Camano). Thank you! #22 "Earhart", #22 "Earhart", #723 "Lucyfer", #356 and #21 "Shackleton" -Peg Boley
IDs by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:29 - Fred Lundahl called to report a gray whale off Langley feeding, then heading NW up the channel.
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09:05 - 3 gray whales were off of Bells Beach 20 minutes ago and were heading south. -Robin Reich
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07:00 - 3 Grey whales. Whidbey Shores/Fox Spit. Slowly traveling north along the shore, milling and rolling. -Marissa Karras Duerr
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Mon, Apr 6 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 16:05 - [gray] Still there [Utsalady Point] at 4:00. Just saw them. -Erika Lauritsen Callies
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14:00 -2 grays off Utsalady Point right now. -Leslie Hester Zech - CWW
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13:25 - 2 whales at Bayshore heading north towards Maple grove. 2 gray whales. -Taral Patel - CWW
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08:22 - It seems to be milling around out there quite a ways out. I'm sure it'll head west as the tide goes out.
08:03 - Our morning spouter. Gray whale off Utsalady Point on a calm and sunny day. -Dean Kayler - CWW
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Mon, Apr 6 - Deception Pass - 19:08 - I just saw a gray whale in the inside of Deception Pass. I saw him yesterday a few times too. Didn't get a picture but saw part of the body and the spray. The first day I saw him (Sunday) he was hanging out inside the pass but kind of near Strawberry Island. I think he went out the pass after like 20 minutes. It was the middle of the day. Yesterday (Monday) he was hanging out in the same spot for a while, maybe half an hour. I think he went out the pass again, too, yesterday evening. There's been significantly less boat traffic so we've seen way more animal activity than usual. A couple of boats looked at him for a while with their motors off on Sunday. I will try to get a picture next time! -Emily Gilbert
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Mon, Apr 6 - Port Susan - 15:40-16:20 - I observed a grey whale feeding in the shallows about a mile north of Kayak Pt between 3:40 and 4:20 today, 4/6. -Linda Thomson
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Mon, Apr 6 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 19:00 - 2 Grays headed north on Whidbey side. Traveling close together. Slow route north. I live on Camano Island just south of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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DOLPHINS - Mon Apr 6 - South Puget Sound/Case Inlet - Good morning, I got much better dolphin pictures 2 days after the first ones I sent. They seem to be on an every-other-day route through here, just north of Harstine Island. -Cammy LaRiviere

April 5
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - April 5 - Strait of Georgia - Enjoy these as the #chiefwhalespotter and I did, as it was a much needed encounter and a breather from days that have felt like weeks. There was some foraging at the Hump and as they crossed the Willaby Shoals area of Cape Mudge. Then back south they went, next stop Kitty Coleman, I thought, then a friend from that way messaged earlier......she was listening to blows in the dark off her beach house, awesome. a J pod orca tail slapping, J16, J38, J40, J36, J31, and J56 -Nick Templeman
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Sun, Apr 5 - North Puget Sound/Saratoga Passage - I got to see T46B1B Tl'uk, the little white calf today! In the sun, he looked so white. They completely disappeared somewhere in Saratoga Passage this afternoon unfortunately. -Rachel Haight
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17:28 - Hi! We just sighted an orca, mid-Holmes Harbor. -Jennifer Schiavone-Ruthensteiner
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14:45 - In front of Onamac by now and way over on the Whidbey side.
14:20-14:30 - All 5 orcas passing Eagle Crest, southbound at great speed over on Whidbey side of mid-channel. I believe them to be the T46's. -Kristina Trowbridge - CWW
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13:49 - At least three Orca heading south along Whidbey shoreline across from Sunset Beach, small boat following way to -James Shasky - CWW
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13:44 - Two or three Orcas out mid channel from Madrona right now, heading south. -Carl Case - CWW
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13:35 - The Orcas are north of Penn Cove, headed south. A small boat is following them, and all in the rough waters. I can only see from Madrona with my telescope. -Carol J. Griffin
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12:30-13:30 - At least 8 animals and also definitely saw T46D. (We were in our boat). Stayed quite distant from them so unclear on exact numbers. We found them off Polnell around 12:30 pm, they briefly went into Crescent Harbor and then headed back south again. (I heard later that they'd been between Polnell and N Camano for about 90 minutes before we'd found them, don't know if they hunted successfully though.). Last I heard the whales were in the vicinity of Fox Spit. This group definitely knows how to "disappear" - even on dead calm days! They were definitely in traveling/hunting mode - zig-zagging a bit southbound - we left them approx. by Harrington Lagoon and they were closer to Whidbey. We left them at 1:30 and tried to find some gray whales, but unsuccessful. T46B1B and T46B1, T46Bs, T46B6 and T46B2, T46Bs, T46D. -Jill Hein
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12:25 - Now they're closer to the Whidbey side, looks like they're feeding cuz they're taking a long time under water, just southeast of the big orange buoy outside of Oak Harbor.
12:18 - Two orcas milling around, mid-channel, in front of Madrona right now. -Wendy Nelson - CWW
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11:20 - Passing Race Lagoon at a good pace, northbound.
11:15 - I think there are 5 orcas heading north right in front of Shangri-La Shores, at a good pace now.
10:57 - There are 4 orcas spread out, still there. -Kristina Trowbridge - CWW
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10:22 - Orcas at Onamac Point headed north. -Katie Arneson - CWW
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Sun, Apr 5 - Central Puget Sound & Rich Passage - 16:10 - Two headed back out of Port Madison now in front of Faye Bainbridge.
16:00 - Male milling/hunting at Suquamish Dock still, others may have headed to bridge.
15:40 - My niece has eyes on at least 3 orcas coming into Port Madison towards Agate Pass, crossing in front of Indianola Pier. I'm relating These reports from my niece Tonya Floria. -Donna Van Renselaar
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12:32 - A mother and two young Orcas are going east around the SW end of Bainbridge Island. Restoration Point. -Steve Romein
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Sun, Apr 5 - Central Puget Sound/Rich Passage - The orcas were heading east from Restoration Point and disappeared around some trees so not sure which way after that. Appeared 4th one bigger than other, not sure if 5ft dorsal, maybe a mom. Only other thing, 2 younger ones would surface close together and adults came up separately.
Original Report: 12:30 - Ty Kramer called to report at least 3 orcas who surfaced together, and possibly 4th (male?) who surfaced separately and looked bigger, heading along Restoration Point. heading west not very far off shore.
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10:30-10:45 - Orcas were heading east past Lytle beach this morning. (Sunday). Clearly one male. I am guessing about 5 in the pod +\- seemed to be moving slowly with some long dives. Unfortunately, they were too far off for pictures from shore. Noticed them leaving Pleasant Bay heading east at about 10:45am. -David Berg
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Sun, Apr 5 - Haro Strait - Center for Whale Research Encounter #20: "... Mark was able to confirm the large bull as T069C and could see it was the rest of the T069's, four individuals. ..." See CWR Encounter #20 for full encounter summary and more photos.
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Sun, Apr 5 - Admiralty Inlet - 16:47 - Gray whale headed north ( ~1 mile S of Bush Point), saw out kitchen window! First seen at 4:30, saw it surface and spout twice, we went to bluff, but haven't re-spotted it to get photos yet, but definitely a gray, seen by us both. I didn't even have my glasses on when saw first spout, but was unmistakable. Finally got to see a gray!... We both looked from different points on the bluff, as did 2 neighbors, but did not see the whale again. -Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Sun, Apr 5 - Northern Saratoga Passage & Penn Cove - 18:45-19:45 - Pair of gray whales deep in Penn Cove at sunset tonight. CRC #56 -Rachel Haight
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14:45 - Looks like s/he is just milling around. Headed right now towards Madrona Dr.
13:20 - Looks like a gray whale? in Penn Cove @ 1:20. -Kathy Newberry
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11:02 - They appear to be heading towards Polnell Point (Whidbey), west of Rocky Point (Camano) area...
10:44 - Four grays in front of Madrona Community Beach right now (10:44 am). -Vicki Anderson - CWW
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09:56 - Heading north, mid-channel, right at Onamac Beach right now (2 of them).
09:53 - Two gray whales between Camano Island Inn and Onomac Beach, mid channel. They are spouting if you look out! -John Barry - CWW
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15:00 (approx.) - We saw a grey whale near Hwy 20 and near Capt. Whidbey yesterday. it was Sunday around 3:00pm. He or she was fairly close to shore and milling around. He was near the Penn Cove pottery shop. -Sarah Ferguson
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Sun, Apr 5 - Mid-Southern Saratoga Passage - 14:32 - Just saw grey whales feeding off the shore at Bells Beach. At least 2. They've moved on toward Camano. -Mary Ann Vachher Elbert
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12:44 - Sighting at least 3 gray whales off Fox Spit about halfway between Whidbey and Camano, heading up (West at this specific locale) Passage. -Christine Kelly
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12:41 - Moving closer to Whidbey.
12:25 - 1 or 2 grays directly out from Elger Bay. Mid channel just hanging out. -Janet Heine - CWW
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11:07 - [gray] 4 are traveling north, mid channel Saratoga Passage, passed Camano Island State Park. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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09:40 - Three whales came by Pebble Beach at 9:40, we watched them come up the Passage. They continued north towards mid-passage at a leisurely pace. One of them was smaller than the other two. Another had a sizeable bite mark on its right side. #22 "Earhart", #383 -Peg Boley
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09:35 - 3 gray whales quickly northbound, passing Pebble Beach close to Camano shore. -Rachel Haight
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07:20 - I can report 2 whales feeding in Elger Bay (Camano Island). -Frederic Francois
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Sun, Apr 5 - Possession Sound - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: 11:38 - MV SUQUAMISH Master reports two gray whales just North of the mid channel between MUK and CLIN headed NB.
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10:48 - Nancy Boyle called to report 1 Gray whale off Glendale Beach, Whidbey heading northbound. -Nancy Boyle
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07:46 - Maija, WSF Marin Ops, called to report 2 gray whales southbound, mid channel between Mukilteo and Clinton.
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Sun, Apr, 5 - Penn Cove - These photos were published in an earlier ON Whale Sighting Report, but we are including again to add the new Cascadia Research ID designation (CRCID 2259). CRCID #2259 (right side). CRCID #2259 (left side) -photos by Rachel Haight - April 5, 2020

April 4
Sat, Apr 4 - Admiralty Inlet - 19:05-19:35 - See first fin heading slowly south, mid channel, east of south tip of Marrowstone at 19:05. Eventually, see two females and a calf, then one male. By 7:35 they were east of Foulweather Bluff, still mid channel, angling toward Point No Point. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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16:48 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed: The ferry KENNEWICK reports 4-5 orca SB off Marrowstone Pt.
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14:49 - Now heading south. On the Whidbey side. There was at least one male. They were so far away I didn't get any good images.
14:44 - At least 4 orcas heading west from Fort Ebey State Park (about 1/2 mile south of gun battery). -Kris Holley
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Sat, Apr 4 - Saratoga Passage (T46Bs) - 19:32 - [orca] Yes, they just passed my view into the direct sunset from where I am on Eagle Crest, southbound towards Onamac at 7:30pm. Definitively hunting. Way, way over on the Whidbey side. Not sure if any of my photos are worth it. -Kristina Trowbridg - CWW
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19:47 - Orcas feeding, Whidbey side across from Onomac Point area!
19:29 - I am watching them feed light crazy right now. Look on Whidbey side near Penn Cove if you want to see a show! We could see Salmon jumping in Front of them! Truly amazing!!!
19:13 - We see them too with our scope! Heading towards Whidbey, going in to Penn Cove. -John Barry - CWW
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19:02 - They are very close to Whidbey and moving fast. From our vantage point, way south of the sun.
18:46 - Orcas at entrance to Penn Cove, heading south. Seeing from Sunset/Madrona with binoculars. -Nedra Wilson - CWW
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16:01 - [orca] They headed north, closer to Whidbey but possibly more out from Madrona Beach by now. -Quinn Johnson - CWW
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15:38 - Just watched a group of Orcas from Hidden Beach this afternoon. We watched them from the shore for about 30 min. Think there was 4-5 of them. Lots of seals, porpoises, and bird activity too. Beautiful day. -Tammy Evans
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16:03 - They went north towards Oak Harbor.
14:57 - Orcas playing in front of Onamac Beach right now. Heading toward Whidbey. -Tricia Camp Barry - CWW
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12:40-13:25 (approx.) - Today, a group of at least 6 Orcas, including one that seemed to be completely white. Feeding off the point at Fox Spit (also called Eastpoint). My neighbor took a short video from down on the beach (whereas I was watching from up above for a good 40+ minutes). She wasn't able to make out the white one from her angle, but through binoculars, it was very clear to me. She sent me her video. Though she hadn't seen the white Orca with her eyes, I was able to point it out to her in her video. So we have video of the white one right here off Fox Spit. They stayed feeding right here at the point for over 40 minutes. Then they slowly started moving "up" Saratoga Passage, but that's actually kind of west where I saw them heading. So they could have turned north to continue along Saratoga Passage or they could have gone further west and then turned south into Holmes Harbor. I don't know which, as I lost sight of them soon after they started moving away. -Christine Kelly
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11:00 (approx.) - Five orcas headed north between Langley and south Camano around 11 this morning, breaching and splashing. The white juvenile was with them. They picked up speed and continued north. -Peg Boley - CWW
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Sat, Apr 4 - 11:00 - Bill Watson called from Yachats, OR to report 3 killer whales (one male) presumes probably more he didn't see. Orcas were couple hundred yards offshore heading south. No breaching. There are a lot of other whales in the area right now. Sighting was at about 11am.
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Sat, Apr 4 - Northern Saratoga Passage & Penn Cove - 19:24 - 2 Greys off of Shangri-la Shores on Whidbey Island heading South. -Cindy Williams - CWW
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17:45 - Two grey whales just off Harrington Lagoon, headed south. -video- -Erik Anderson
["The whale in these photos is #723 Lucyfer." -alb]
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17:10 - Looks to be going west, slowly.
16:59 - Active Gray whale off Utsalady Point. -Dean Kayler - CWW
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12:17 - Grey whale off Maple Grove going towards Utsalady. -Jennifer House Heidari - CWW
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07:50 - Spout sighted east Penn Cove near Camano Island. Heading toward Saratoga Passage. Too far. And only one spout so assuming it's a gray. -Elicia Klein Fritsch
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Sat, Apr 4 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 17:41 - There were also three grays feeding at the SW beach this afternoon, too. No IDs or decent pics though. -Lori Christopher
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17:26 - Solo, presumably a gray, mid channel, now headed toward Baby Island.
17:07 - Heading west away from Elger Bay/state park.
17:03 - Whale spout near entrance to Elger Bay. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton - CWW
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15:30 - Today 3:30 a visitor came to feed! -Lori Christopher
["She is beautiful and she is #22 Earhart." -alb]
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Sat, Apr 4 - Possession Sound - 14:58 - Between Everett and Hat Island at 2:58 PM. [sent video clip of a gray whale spotted from a plane] -Gisela Braje
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13:33 - Hi! Just saw a group of at least 2-3 whales moving north right off our house in Mukilteo. I saw 3 spouts, my husband thought he saw more. Grays, maybe? Def not orcas; no dorsal sighted. They've moved behind trees now and are under water, so I can't get any pix, but hope that is useful info! -Hilary Exon Hager
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Fri, Apr 3 and Sat, Apr 4 - Port Susan - My daughter sent me an email that you were interested in the whales that people are seeing. We have been watching the whales. We had the transient orcas in on April 4th at about 9:30 am. First they were seen coming south towards us fairly rapidly, then they stopped and hunted seals in front of our place. They were here the day before that too, so April 3rd. BTW, we live on Camano Island, east side on the south end. WE are on a 350' bluff with a 180-degree view of the water. -Terri Smith
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Sun, March 29 to Fri, Apr 3 - Port Susan - ...the day before that [April 2nd], we saw grey whales. WE have seen several greys this year. They came in much later than normal. I do not know the days. If I had known someone was interested, I would have written it down, but the first sighting was of 3 greys. One about 45' long, one medium sized one, and one that I felt looked like a baby. They went up Port Susan Sound on the East side and then came back along the Camano side. They were so close you could see the barnacles on them without binoculars. Sorry no pictures of them. WE ran out to our point and looked over the edge and watch and listened to them go by. The next grey to come along a day or two later was not as big as the really large one we saw. I remembered I sent an email to an out-of-town neighbor so I checked the date. The greys came in the first time on March 29th. BTW, we live on Camano Island, east side on the south end. WE are on a 350' bluff with a 180-degree view of the water. -Terri Smith
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Sat, Apr 4 - South Puget Sound/Case Inlet - 11:00-14:45 - I live in Grapeview on the water, facing southeast. Yesterday, there were large groups of sea lions and what I think were harbor porpoises out front all day. The porpoises were leaping out of the water, which is odd behavior for them. This went on for at least 5 hours. I have several decent photos if you would like me to get them to you. I am wondering if I have mis-identified the porpoises. -Cammy LaRivier
[These appear to be the common dolphins reported below by Conor O'Brien and photo-documented by Mikel O'Brien]
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15:00 - My mother, Mikel O'Brien, was kayaking in Pickering Passage today at around 3:00 P.M. when she took these photos of 2 common dolphins swimming and playing around a raft of California sea lions west of the northern point of Harstine Island. -Conor O'Brien

April 3
Fri, Apr 3 - Saratoga Passage - 15:29 - More mid channel now.
15:28 - Got to see that group north of Langley just now since I was working down at the Whale Center! They're still heading north probably will be coming on bells Beach before too long. Could see a large male. All I can add is that they did seem to be moving pretty quickly North, mid channel. -Katie Watkins, Orca Network
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15:16 - A group of 6+ Orcas just passed by Langley heading north closer to Whidbey side. I am on the Camano side. -Heidi Vogl
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Fri, Apr 3 - Orcas traveling north into 36 mph winds and big seas off the Point Arena Peninsula in Mendocino County, Northern California, Thursday afternoon. One very large male, a younger male, and two females. Because of the ocean conditions we could not get an accurate count. But there were at least four. Two males and two females. Their heading at our final sighting was 295 degrees. No photos were possible. -Scott Mercer, Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, Gualala, California.
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Fri, Apr 3 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 17:00 - At @ 5:00 pm today, this Gray Whale was feeding @ Polnell Point in Oak Harbor. There were a total of 3, but this one hung around a little longer. Any idea who it might be? Thank you! -Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA
[From photos (fluke tip) and (left dorsal ridge) can confirm #44 Dubknuck. -alb]
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16:00 - Grey pretty close in, heading toward Maple Grove. -Regan Montano - CWW
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12:43 - Whale is passing Sunset Beach, heading north still.
12:36 - Right now gray heading north middle of channel south of sunset Beach. -James Shaskey - CWW
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11:40 - Single gray heading south very very close to shoreline, just passed us at Sunset Beach! It spouted! Saw the entire whale. I was sitting eating breakfast and my wife was commenting on how we didn't see them yesterday, and boom, there it was right next to the neighbors mooring buoy! About 100' offshore. -James Shaskey - CWW
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09:35 - Grey whale between Polnell Pt. and Mariner's Cove, Whidbey Island, heading east. Glassing from Harrington Lagoon but definitely can see blows! -Erik Anderson
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Fri, Apr 3 - Mid/Southern Saratoga Passage - 07:57 - [gray] 2 in Elger Bay feeding this morning. -Dave Davenport - CWW
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Fri, Apr 3 - Port Susan - 13:46 - They are moving slowly and feeding. If you have access to Country Club Beach 2, they may be there a while. 13:45 - They are close in, heading south slowly towards beach 2 from beach 1. There are 2 or 3.
13:30 - 2 Gray Whales off Beach 2 Country Club. -John C. Storbeck - CWW

April 2
Thu, Apr 2 - Discovery Bay - Ashley Walcott called from Discovery Bay to report seeing 1 orca on Thursday April 2nd in early afternoon (bay had a lot of fish and seal activity and recent shrimp spawn). Only saw one orca going around the bay for about 45 minutes, spouting and could see dorsal fin.
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GRAY WHALES - Thur, Apr 2 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 11:00 (approx.) - Lone Gray heading north in front of house about 11 AM. Stopped to feed for some time on flats just south of Mabana Rd., then continued feeding northward. Barbara Brock - CWW
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10:00 (approx.) - [gray #531] - Just off the port of Mabana about 10 am this morning. -Ronda Miller - CWW
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09:39 - Grey in Mabana, heading towards Pebble Beach. -Lucinda Brezak - CWW
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Thur, Apr 2 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 15:12 - Grey heading North toward Utsalady Point~fairly close to shore. -Lorie Talbott - CWW
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10:06 - Possibly two gray whales spotted just off the coast of the northern tip of Camano Island from the air off of Firewood 75, Navy MH-60s. -Andrew Soberman
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08:31 - It has moved west since I first saw it.
07:54 - Gray in Utsalady Bay this morning. -Dean Kayler - CWW
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Thur, Apr 2 - 18:00 (approx.) - Snatelum Point. April 2, about 6:00 pm. [Christina's video clip shows 3 grays. -gs] -Christina Queeno

April 1
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Wed, Apr 1 - North Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet - 19:27 - Sighting off PNP: "I followed the group with my binoculars as they headed N. Based on counting blows, I believe there were 10+ orcas. One adult male for sure but possibly 2-3. Hard to see with the glare. We are staying at a house on the beach and just barely spotted their blows as they swam by. I can still barely see them, must be off N. Mutiny Bay or near Bush Point."
18:54 - Lindsey Goheen called: "Reporting a group of orcas. They are between Point No Point and Norwegian Point, heading north about mid channel. I believe I see at least one adult male, couldn't tell exact number, at least 6-8 individuals. Sort of in resting pattern. I spotted blows then got binoculars and could see there was a bunch of fins grouped up together. Hopefully someone at your headquarters can hear this and get to see them if they are passing by; they are heading that way right now." -Lindsey Goheen
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Wed, Apr 1 - North Puget Sound/Saratoga Passage. 19:13 - Been watching an Orca pod in the middle of Saratoga, between Madrona and just north of Penn Cove. -Carolyn J. Griffin
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17:45 - Seeing T46Bs and Tl'UK - been looking for them all day! They're still off Rocky Point about a mile or so, appear to be eating, lots of gulls around them. Watching from my deck with spotting scope on highest power. -Jill Hein
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17:16 - [orca] I was able to see them over by Polnell Shores, saw a huge splash with my naked eye and then got the binoculars out, super cool. -James Shasky
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16:05 - Got a pretty sizable group out front, just south of Rocky Point and one of the orcas is grey ...Murray Langille
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15:56 - Orcas off Rocky Pt. heading south. -Janet Wright
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12:53 - Seen from Hidden Beach, Whidbey Island, around 12:55 pm on April 1, 2020. The whales (3-4 orcas) were some distance away (they know their place), milling closer to the Camano side before heading north. -Sandra Pollard
T46Bs (per Dave Ellifrit) in Saratoga Passage. -photos by Richard Snowberger - April 1, 2020
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12:46 - A pair of orcas were about half a mile north of Edmonds near the mainland side at 1 pm yesterday. Medium sized. Maybe juveniles. -Vern Francissen
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Wed, Apr 1 - 10:30 - Fred Lundahl called to report 5-6 orcas northbound between Hat Island and Whidbey about 1/2 mile offshore. Not sure who but, having a good time as they moved further up.
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08:42 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed report: From MV Tokitae, 8-9 orcas off Mukilteo heading northbound.
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08:37 - [orca] Saw a pod of 3-4 or so passing by just a few minutes ago, maybe 1/4 mi offshore of the Mukilteo terminal. A lone straggler caused the ferry to stop and wait. They were headed towards Everett, but may have made a turn northward! -Adam Clark
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Wed, Apr 1 - Central Puget Sound/Bremerton Area. 12:40 - Brad Hanson, NOAA, texted: Mark Sears has this pod off Restoration Point, Bainbridge.
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11:07 - Orcas in Illahee. -Diana Espinoza Vargas
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12:38 - Sounds like they may have headed into Bremerton. Possibly a kill off Illahee from what friends described.
10:25 - Orcas reported northbound in Port Orchard Channel off Bainbridge at 10:25. This is my neighborhood, will try and see if I can catch a glimpse. -Susan Marie Andersson
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11:00 (approx.) - Port Orchard Channel near Illahee town dock just before 11am. I think that there were 5 animals. There were at least 4 travelling very close together with one large male. T137A (T137s and T65As in Port Orchard Channel). The largest male (137a?) was following behind the group and doing his own thing. -Trip Paul McConkey
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09:45 - Hi there. We had 4-6 Orcas pass by in Rich Passage at 9:45am today. T137D & T65A3, T137B, T65A2 & T137, T137A. They were heading south and turned right at Point White on Bainbridge Island and headed towards Brownsville. -Doug Miller
photos by Doug Miller - April 1, 2020. IDs confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research
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09:17 - Bradley Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: 0917hrs, Master reports four orca heading east in Rich Passage.
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08:42 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed report: 2nd group of 4 orcas (3 adults, 1 juvie) off Southworth heading NNE.
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Wed, Apr 1 - Central Puget Sound T65B1 and T137A (T65As and T137s) - 11:30 - A bit late, but just read about the request from shoreline residents to report sightings.....A pod of 5 were headed north by Crystal Springs, Bainbridge Island, the morning of April 1, 2020. I missed that group. But about 11:30, three returned, headed south more or less, going along the shoreline of East Bremerton and Illahee State Park. Soon after passing Illahee State Park, two split off and headed towards Rich Passage. I lost track of the third whale, but according to neighbors they apparently joined up in Rich Passage heading south. The two together appeared to be a juvenile and a mother. They were just frolicking and enjoying the day, moving at moderate speed. They were mostly on the surface, no deep soundings. All photos were from the Point White Pier looking west and then south as they disappeared into Rich Passage. Apologize for the lack of focus on the photos as the whales were no less than ¾ mile distant at best. -Bob Jaynes
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Wed, Apr 1 - Strait of Juan de Fuca. Center for Whale Research Encounter #19: "... As T049C approached the southern tip of Trial Island he did 3 cartwheels and then a breach. T065A5 made his way towards him and they appeared to prey share as they made their way into the shoreline of Trial Island. After a minute or two of milling against the rocks below the lighthouse they continued west across Victoria's waterfront. ..." See CWR Encounter #19 for full encounter summary and more photos.
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#44 "Dubknuck" in Penn Cove at sunset. -photo by Marilyn Armbruster - April 1, 2020
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Wed, Apr 1 - Penn Cove - 18:45-20:00 - While sitting at the boat launch, a gray appeared across the cove on other side, east of Monroe Landing. After 10 min. or so, I could see it angling over and somewhat south towards Long Point. This was around 6:45 pm. I then headed to Long Point, best place for sundown too. I walk the beach towards the gray, and then walked with the gray to Long Point. my heart... If only my friends could be with me. That's all I was missing. :-( Anyway, was with [CRC #44] Dubknuck from 6:45 until 8 pm, and then he headed off towards Kineth Point. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Wed, Apr 1 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 18:34 - At least 2 Greys out in front of Buena Vista, mid channel. Headed towards Skagit Bay. -Barb Wilson - CWW
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16:38 - Watching a gray blowing from Utsalady boat launch, closer to Camano, mid-channel. -Shelly Greybeck - CWW
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15:12 - At least two greys off Rocky Point. -Dan Eagel - CWW
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14:14 - 2 Greys coming, north, past Sunset beach right now! Close to shore! -Spencer Fekete - CWW
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11:55 - [gray] I can see from Madrona right now. Heading north. They are quite a bit out, almost center of passage. I live above Grandview and could see them from my house. -Cheryl Palmquist - CWW
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11:43 - There's two for sure, looks like they're about at the inlet to Penn Cove.
11:32 - At least two grays heading north middle of Saratoga. -James Shasky - CWW
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Wed, Apr 1 - Port Susan - 16:43 - Shackleton blowing, out from Warm Beach. -Scott Wilson - CWW
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12:35 - [gray] Just watched whales travel across Port Susan Bay going west toward Camano Country Club. -Patty Clemans-Lawrence - CWW
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Wed, Apr 1 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 08:55 - Grey by Irenella Point. -Lucinda Brezak - CWW
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Wed, Apr 1 - We just had a humpback go by our place on south Pender. Slowly heading east through Boundary Pass. -Madison Duffin
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Wed, Apr 1 - 09:01 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed report: Just had a report of 1 grey or humpback, breaching, just off Mukilteo, travelling SB.
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SPECIES UNCONFIRMED - Wed, Apr 1 - 10:30 - My wife and I were going for our walk on the Brownsville breakwater dock, when, at 1030am, we saw a solo whale about 40 yards away. It was not an orca. It wasn't a seal or a sea lion either. It was on the small side but bigger than a sea lion. No obvious dorsal fin. Maybe a small humpback or a Minke? > Brownsville is on the East side of the Kitsap Peninsula, facing Fletcher Bay on Bainbridge Island. Maybe we just missed the fin. It was pretty dark/black, heading south toward University Point. Didn't see or hear it blow. Initially, it was only 30-40 yards away. But by the time we figured out what it was and got my phone out, it sounded. When we saw it again, it was about a quarter mile out and south, too far for a phone photo. -DSours