August 2016 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of August 2016 whale sightings.

August 31
Our evening trip. Star, J46. I'm giving her a 10 on her forward lunge breach! -Capt Jim Maya

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Even though it's still summer, this felt like a fall day! But captains Monte and Eric steered us through the raindrops to first get a good look at a lone gray whale by Kellet Ledge in Rosario Strait, then headed up toward San Juan Island to catch up with some of K pod and L pod. We got great looks at the young male K25 Scoter, lovely female K20 Spock and her son K38 Comet, and a few more males and females, approximately 10 whales. They were quite active, breaching, tail slapping, spyhopping, porpoising, some hunting for fish, and generally headed first south and then west. Even though it was cloudy, the water was glass smooth, creating beautiful patterns as the whales surfaced and dove, with their big "whoosh" of breath announcing their presence. What a privilege to see them, as always! ...-Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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K13s and L55s were on the west side of San Juan Island...they were very active. -Jill Hein

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2:08 p.m. - Haro Strait - Calls and echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Melissa Bakke

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1:00 p.m. - Hearing faint intermittent calls over ship noise. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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12:35 pm. - The north group seems to be crossing the strait- mid channel now.
12:25 p.m. - Doesn't look like they all came down- at least only about 15 here with no more in sight Seeing some more boats way north now K13s and L4s only so far I think
12:07 p.m. - K13s in lead. Crazy spread! 5 whales only so far. L118 Jade and the nearly ten month-old L123 this afternoon at Lime Kiln State Park. -Monika Wieland

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What another Killer Day off Sooke, B.C. We headed on reports of incoming Transients coming west from Race Rocks...but 6 minutes from our docks we find some of J, K & L going west. L72 Racer - Juan de Fuca. -Paul Pudwell

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WOW! Transient Killer Whales (T11`s & T37`s) in Sooke Harbour & Basin for almost 3 hours TODAY! At least 3 seal kills and some great energy and playful action. -Paul Pudwell

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The T-60's made several trips around Race Rocks this afternoon. -Jim Cosgrove

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10:45 - 4 orcas - 2 small and 2 larger, swimming west along the coastline Enterprise Channel/Trial Island/McNeil Bay South tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria, BC. -Lehna Pickledbeats

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Three orcas passed through Ross Bay heading west towards Victoria approx. 10:30 this morning. Appeared to be two adults and a smaller one. There were three whale watching groups nearby. Didn't see them again after they had passed Clover Point. -Jeanette Jeffrey

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T037A doing her part for the harbor seal cull in the Sooke Basin on August 31st. -Mark Malleson

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10:15 a.m. - watching a humpback at Point no Point now. -Elyse Sollito

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Lone gray whale by Kellet Ledge, Rosario Strait. -Bonnie Gretz, August 31, 2016

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A new gray whale in the area, Wednesday August 31st. Seen by Boulder Island, south end of Lopez. The "new" gray whale in the area is known to Cascadia Research, it's CRC#37, first spotted in 1988, but not seen in Puget Sound before...this whale was seen as far east as Dungeness Spit in 2008. -Jill Hein

August 30
In the afternoon, we saw a pod of about a dozen orcas of lighthouse Park in Point Roberts. They where traveling south. -Stieny Klomp

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2:21 p.m. - They're now offshore of Land Bank facing south not really going anywhere.
2:00 p.m. - They're just approaching Land Bank. Seem spread...Milling, some offshore some in shore, but still trending north at the moment. -Monika Wieland

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It was the L-121 Windsong show Tuesday morning from the shores of Grandmas Cove (American Camp, San Juan Island). He was quite energetic with multiple breaches, rolls, pec/dorsal/tail slaps. L94 Calypso and her son L121 Windsong off south San Juan Island. Whales came within 100' of shore. -Ariel Yseth

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3:29 a.m. - Very faint calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone behind the vessel noise! -Ali Barratt

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T11A skulking around east of the mouth of the Elwah River. -Mark Malleson

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2:00 p.m. - Whale Sighting. 4 orcas traveling. My Son-inlaw sent this picture to me off the spit in Port Angeles today. He said there were 4 of them 2 babies and 2 adults. The dorsal fin of one of them was about 5 feet high. He also heard from someone that they traveled into the Port Angeles bay by the coast guard station. -Doris Williamson

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At one point about 50 yards off shore at Point No Point. We watched from about 7:50 until 8:20 as it was feeding between Norwegian Point and Point No Point, just meandering. -Marilyn DeRoy

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7:06 p.m. - Seeing a humpback off of Norwegian Point Park in Hansville. Surfaced several time. Spectacular with the sun reflecting off its body and dorsal fin. -Mike and Jenn Szerlog

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14:37 - Common dolphins off Meadow Point (Golden Gardens, north Seattle), 400 yards out: I'm either looking at harbor porpoises on crack, or those are (un)common dolphins tearing it up! Slowly undulating south, jumping completely out of the water and making my task of doing the dishes slightly less mundane. -Ben Blankenship

August 29
The J22s at sunset this evening - J22 Oreo with her sons J34 Doublestuf and J38 Cookie. All three pods headed back in towards San Juan Island this evening, and word on the street is J28 was seen. -Monika Wieland

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J31 and a couple L's came really close to the rocks at Lime Kiln, It was such a pleasant evening and beautiful. -Peggy Mauro (ID's Melisa Pinnow)

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8:06 p.m. - Yay! I would figure about 40 passed LK, including members of all 3 pods. I saw J11s, J19s, J22s, K13s, K14s, L4s. There are some Southbound from Eagle. -Monika Wieland

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7:35 p.m. - J Pod on Lime Kiln hydrophone! -Connie Bickerton

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6:30 p.m. - Pod of approx 20 orcas sighted 6:30-7:30 off Lime Kiln State Park. Feeding & traveling. -Susan Gunning

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6:10 p.m. - Nearing San Juan and potentially angling north, still many miles off Lime Kiln, but much closer than before. -Monika Wieland

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Afternoon with J2 Granny's Js south of Victoria. Elwha Valley, Olympic Mountains, Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Capt. Jim Maya

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11:30 a.m. - Orca inside Port Angeles, WA. Harbor. 5 total (2 small and 1 large juvenile, a female and possible male). They were here late morning today. Feeding at first, then casually left the harbor. There was one on the outside of the harbor all by itself. Wonderful morning watching the Orca in our harbor in Port Angeles, WA . I know it happens, but I have lived here 36 years and never seen them in our harbor before. So exciting! -Merri McDonald

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Monday evening while out with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching. The group of passengers was awesome, the weather perfect, and the whales stunning! Plus I was finally able to "meet" the T18s, T36, T19, and T18, near Patos Island. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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...we resumed course towards Patos Island in search of Bigg's Killer Whales (Transient Orcas)! We had quite the encounter today, with upwards of 30 whales displaying feeding behavior. Whale groups identified included the T- 18s, 19s, 34s, 36s, 37s, 65As, and 99s! This extraordinary meetup of whales gave a great insight onto how they feed -- slapping their tails and spyhopping...-Amy W., Mystic Sea

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11:00 a.m. - Coastal & Unidentified killer whales - Several (5) orca seen today about 5 miles off Cox Bay, west coast BC. Moving southbound. -Amy Schneider McElfresh

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8:00 p.m. - Humpback at Point No Point. -Mimi Bleeker

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7:10 p.m. - Humpback right off the beach in front of a point No Point lighthouse right now. -Janine Harles

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This afternoon between approximately 1:45 pm and 2:15 pm we sighted a whale just north of Point No Point heading south towards Seattle. While it did not breach, we could see it surface and breathe several times and also saw the whale's flukes as it dove. -Bob Williams

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1:40 p.m. - Humpback by Point No Point. Going north. Spouts and flukes. -Benjamin Obee

August 28
T011 and T011A this afternoon south east bound off of Pillar Point, Clallam Bay, WA - Juan de Fuca Strait. -Mark Malleson

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7:00 p.m. - San Juans - Orca Sighting - Wasp Passage and Harney Channel. Saw a group of at least 4 orca whales heading east past Crane and Bell Island toward the Orcas Ferry Terminal from my deck on the east side of Crane Island. -Bethany Shimasaki

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15:00 - Bigg's killer whales. I saw three killer whales head south, pass Brown Island (San Juan Channel). I was watching from Observation Park. Thank you to the Whale Museum letting me know they got notice that Transients will passing in front of Friday Harbor. -Page Smith

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We found two groups of 6-7 transients between Spieden and Sentinel Islands. One group was lunching on a seal when we arrived on scene. Mystic Sea stayed with this group as they traveled towards Green Point, stopping for food several times along the way. While feeding, passengers were able to watch as these orcas spyhopped, breached, and slapped their tails - preparing their prey for consumption. -Amy W., Mystic Sea

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Playful Transients off Spieden Island this morning. -Monika Wieland

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10:40 a.m. - Transients in Spieden Channel hugging the south side of Spieden shoreline-westbound north of Sentinel. Looks like 2 groups total of 8-10 orcas, surfacing and long dives. Several boats including a huge yacht that thought they were a whale watching boat. -Peggy Mauro

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6:19 p.m. - Humpback at Point No Point harassing boater? The humpback is following a boat, going under, tail slapping and seemingly pushing the boat. Boater appears to be trying to back away but whale is staying with them. Seems like the boat either pissed the whale off or it is in love :). Looks like the whale has moved on. Wish these boaters would keep their distance better. -Patty Michak
(some "friendly" humpbacks are curious enough to approach boaters and interact, we call this a mugging, it is benign - ALB)

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5:41 p.m. - One or two whales going north in front of Point No Point right now. Probably humpbacks. At one point we saw a tail coming straight out of the water. -Judy Anderson Soupe

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Humpback in Skunk Bay around 10am. 1 milling around a boat and kayaks, then headed south. -Lisa Cheever

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Another great day on the water ...20+ Humpbacks just west of Sooke, BC. - Juan de Fuca -Paul Pudwell

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Spotted four harbour porpoise swimming past East Point, Saturna island around 8.00pm today plus plenty of seals. -Sandra Arthur

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12:00 Noon - I saw at least 3 harbour porpoises while I was surfing at Hobuck Beach in Neah Bay. They were swimming together close to the surfers, for at least an hour. Closest the came to me was about 20 feet. It was about high tide, around 12 pm. -Jeanne Cavenaugh

August 27
Juan de Fuca - We had a great group today that braved the excitement of nautical seas and had the pleasure of visiting 4 Humpbacks and some regular Transient / Biggs Whales T011 & T011A arund Sooke waters today...Good Times! -Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal WW

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Patos Island area - We found a humpback whale at at Patos Island and watched closely for around 45 minutes as it swam and showed us its fluke. We then continued on to East Point where we observed a group of transient orcas for a bit before starting our return venture home. -Amy W.. Mystic Sea

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2:35 p.m. - Puget Sound - I think the group may have split while we were watching them from Mutiny Sands at 11:15 am. After spotting 'the tight group of 8-10 powering north', it looked as though some pulled off west while 2-3 slowed up and seemed to be moving towards Whidbey Island, but then headed north again. We went on to Bush Point and continued to watch this group as they approached Marrowstone. Now sounds as if the group that may have pulled off west have made a later appearance off Bush Point and have become 'the trailers'. -Sandra Pollard

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Now nodule Pt Marrowstone side still north bound but only 4 animals, 2 males and 2 females, T18 and T19s. -Christopher Hanke

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12:45 p.m. - Orca sighting just off Marrowstone Island. my girlfriend and I were sailing in the Admiralty inlet heading south east toward Port Ludlow and we happened upon two Male orcas that were travelling northwest toward port Townsend. We were just off Liplip Point Marrowstone island. We captured a short video which is attached to this email. We suppose they were two males because the fins were extremely large! We first noticed them due to the breathing and then saw the fins. We turned north and could see them surfacing for another 20 min or so. -Chris Rosenthal and Casey Herron

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2:36 p.m. - Watching them right now from Fort Casey. They're pretty close to shore on the Whidbey side headed North. We could see them from Frank Robinson beach, but they were pretty far out from the bay. -Melissa Gail Banks

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At 2 pm, Greg Davis called to report four or more orcas off the north end of Marrowstone, continuing NW out of Admiralty Inlet. This is probably the first group...

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Pat Scott called at 1:50 pm to report a pod of 6 orcas, no males, passing Bush Pt. heading NW.

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12:57 p.m. - Just now, seeing blows and fins from Lagoon Point but far on other side. Still a little south of Lagoon Point. -Patricia Prochaska

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12:14 p.m. - Just now approaching Bush Pt, watched them pass here, south of Bush Pt, close to the Whidbey side. Saw 2 males, a female and juvenile for sure. Traveling NW up Admiralty Inlet at a pretty good pace, looked like maybe a stop for a kill or hunt. -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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11:42 a.m. - Off Mutiny Bay. Going North. Slowly. -Helen Shamek

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11:12 a.m. - Tight group of 8-10 powering north off Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Island. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network

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10:00 a.m. - About ten orcas were reported by Gary Stubbs from Maxwelton Beach, Whidbey Island, heading north roughly mid-channel but more on the Whidbey side.

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It was a tough day today with no orcas in the general area and weather and high seas prohibiting access to other areas. While searching for transient orcas around seal haul-outs, we found a 10-year-old humpback whale known as "Split Fin" BCZ0298, born in 2006 to "Big Mama" BCY0324, near Patos Island. Split Fin was on 7-8 minute dive intervals searching for krill and small fish. -Brendon Bissonnette

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We found a humpback whale at at Patos Island and watched closely for around 45 minutes as it swam and showed us its fluke. We then continued on to East Point where we observed a group of transient orcas for a bit before starting our return venture home. -Amy W., Mystic Sea

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9:26 p.m. - Puget Sound - Just heard whale blows at Point No Point, 4 distinct blows so maybe a small group traveling past. (Humpbacks seen next morning). -Patty Michak

August 26
J28 Polaris - Haro Strait - Got to watch J28, J46, and J54 from shore for hours. We did see J46 actively lunging and chasing salmon, so I am hopeful she shared some with her mother. I have to remain hopeful that whatever is going on with J28, she can overcome it. For her sake and the sake of the Southern Resident Killer Whale community, I have to keep up the hope. -Traci Walter

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It was pretty bonkers today up north! Big beautiful resting group all the way along the bank travelling about 1.5 knots. They hit the coal port - Georgia Strait - and then I've never seen anything like it......It looked like the majority of Group A just started launching!! Caught a few, J19 Shachi breach, J37 Hy'Shqa launches too, but missed a lot of them....no idea where to point the camera. -Gary Sutton

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Later this afternoon we saw another J-Pod group (with J2, L87, and J16s among them) way up north (south of Point Roberts). L87 Onyx was traveling with J2 Granny and another J pod whale in Georgia Strait.Lots of social behaviors, spyhops, tail and pec slaps, rolling around, cuddle puddles, you name it, they did it). -Astrid Heinisch

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I've been thinking about J28 "Polaris" and her family ever since I heard the news that she wasn't doing well. When I heard whales were sighted I had to go and watch from shore. It was nice and cool by the water compared to inland near town. As bittersweet as it was, I am glad I went and spent the time at Lime Kiln. Got to watch J28, J46, and J54 from shore for hours. We did see J46 actively lunging and chasing salmon, so I am hopeful she shared some with her mother. I have to remain hopeful that whatever is going on with J28, she can overcome it. For her sake and the sake of the Southern Resident Killer Whale community, I have to keep up the hope. -Traci Walter

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When I left at 3:30 the J17s were still off Land Bank, but may have been actually moving south after hanging there for the last 4 hours. J22s looked to be off False Bay based on boat locations.
2:05 p.m. - J17s & J22s very spread and foraging from Lime Kiln to False Bay, facing south but not really moving. Shore-based encounter with the J17 matriline off Sand Juan County Land Bank's Westside Preserve. Everyone was there - including J28 Polaris - but she's still looking really underweight. Notice the depressions around her blowhole and eyepatches. She's clearly a fighter! Hoping by some miracle she finds a way to pull through. -Monika Wieland

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With soaring temperatures, out on the water was the best place to be... Just beyond San Juan Channel we spotted a Minke whale surfacing, before continuing along the west side of San Juan where the J22's, Oreo (J22), mother of Doublestuf (J34) and Cookie (J38) were moving in a southerly direction with evidence of feeding patterns (milling) along the way. It's always a delight to see these closely bonded whales in their family groups. Our return journey took us past Whale Rocks, where a number of magnificent Steller sea-lions were holding court among the cormorants and oyster-catchers we were fortunate to get a glimpse of today. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist. Photos Richard Snowberger, Crew

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Sprouter male J38 Cookie breaking the surface on the west side of San Juan Island. -Richard Snowberger

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Southern Residents did the West side shuffle today. Present were the Cookie clan (J22s), J28 Polaris, J17s and this little one catching some air. -Astrid Heinisch

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11:06 a.m. - Distant calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Jack Collins

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Juan de Fuca - The afternoon brought reports of T11 & T11a off Port Angeles...so off we went on glass calm waters to visit these regulars to the Sooke Harbour. On our way back to -SURPRISE- We found the incoming Resident Killer Whales coming east from Sooke! -Paul Pudwell

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Puget Sound - Spotted at least 8 Orcas this evening at dusk in South Sound just off Three Tree Point. Might have been more. -JoAnn Carlson Crow

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Transient Orcas out in front of our house in Burien across from northern end of Vashon from 7 p.m. in the middle of the Sound until sunset tonight. -Elston Hill

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6:20 p.m. - About 4 orca headed south between Vashon and Fauntleroy in West Seattle. -Burt Miller, WSF

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5:23 p.m. - Currently due west of Alki, west side of the channel. -Matthew Powell

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4:59 p.m. - Pod of orcas (8+) mid sound. Spotted from Bainbridge Ferry headed south. -Ben Evans

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3:40 p.m. - orca appear to be off Shilshole Marina, still heading south, east side of channel. -Connie Bickerton

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2:00 p.m. - YAY! My husband & I saw at least 4 Orcas from the ferry coming back from Kingston about 2:00 heading South! So exciting and so beautiful! I am so grateful to see them in my own backyard! and theirs! -Joni Barnes Pollino

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1:42 p.m. - pod of whales headed south across from Edmonds on other side. -AnaLisa Gerbig

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12:43 p.m. - Very much on a kill. Lots of tail waving, breaching, rolls etc. Staying inplace. South of green buoy east of yellow in useless bay.
12:25 p.m. - orcas just east of yellow buoy south of Useless Bay, beaching etc... very active. Seem to be trending north more into Useless Bay. As seen from north Edmonds shoreline. -Stu Davidson

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Pod of about ten Orcas came into Puget Sound today. The video starts where the group was just south of Useless Bay (South Whidbey) hunting. After a successful hunt the Orcas started heading southerly passing Edmonds and continuing further into central south. Long distance videoing from North Edmonds waterfront. -Stu Davidson

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11:05 a.m. - 10 to 12 orcas mid channel southbound between Point No Point and Indian head (Whidbey Island, south end). -Christopher Lewman

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At 8:15 a.m. on the west shore of Whidbey Island we counted at least six orcas (with two young?) tight into the Lagoon Point beach and headed south - fantastic! -Dianne Dianne Brätz

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At least 4 orca seen going south at Lagoon Point about 8:15 a.m. Traveling slowly, very close to inshore. -Kit Turner

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7:38 a.m. - 4+ Orca heading south now at southern edge of Marrowstone Island. I'm across at Hancock Lake for Pigeon Guillemot survey watching them. They are close to Marrowstone bluffs. -Mary Hulbert

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Juan de Fuca...off Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew the day before...found 10+ humpback whales... -Paul Pudwell

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8:00 p.m. - 3-4 Dall's Porpoises feeding off of Whidbey Island Fox Spit in Saratoga Passage throughout the evening. They were black and white and looked like a smaller version of Orcas. They could possibly have been Orcas, and I might have been confused by the distance between us. We've had them pass through here before.N 48 degrees 5'30.1632 W 122 degrees 29'34.044 Fox Spit Whidbey Island. -Jim Lovvorn

August 25
Followed a group of whales from mosquito pass to Turn point where a couple waved at the people at the Lighthouse!!! It was about 5:00 pm. J42 northbound heading towards the Fraser River with her family the J16s. J41 Eclipse, her son J51 Nova, and J40 Suttles heading north with other J pod members. J19 Shachi draped in kelp. J16 Slick. (Thanks to Sara Hysong-Shimazu for help/confirmation with ID's) -Noelle Morris

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7:45 - 8:10p.m. - Down to South Beach around sunset. Approx 6 orcas spread out in 2's off Salmon Bank and just to the west. Calf breach but otherwise very lazy and long dives. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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...I definitely saw J28. We didn't' know it was her until we looked at photos. She was logging and J54 was rubbing on her. -Cindy Hansen

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4:22 p.m. - Group of 7+ one ahead of them, then tight northbound group close in shore who would have goneright on rocks at Lime Kiln, but some boat right off shore off the lighthouse, so they turned out as they went past the park. 2 flipped, showed up off Land Bank heading south now. Others are coming from south. All spread
About 3:00 p.m. - 2 group meet-up middle Land Bank coming from north and south. Just before contact SB group porpoised towards NB group, both groups went down for 4-5 minute dive. Surfaced in two groups again in same general area, now all southbound, lead in a line side by side...beautiful.
2:35 p.m. - So many babes! Many have flipped and are now southbound. Currently spread off south Land Bank and Hannah Heights. Shortly after 1:00 pm went out to the rocks to see leaders coming from the south. In the hour or so following watched lots o milling & foraging. Middle Offshore Land Bank. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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2:00 p.m. - foraging as they still slowly go north. I only positively identified Js but didn't see all of them, some were maybe still south and there may have been more than Js present, tough lighting.
1:40 p.m. - I know J2, J19s, J14s, J16s were in lead group that went north, but wasn't sure who all was in that next big group with all the babies from the initial pass. J28 was in that big foraging group of moms and juveniles off Land Bank at 1:40. Lots of lunging, rolling, surface activity, and vocalizing at that time from the whole tight group.
12:50 p.m. - leaders at Edwards Pt, west side San Juan Island. -Monika Wieland

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8:50 p.m. - heard them before I saw them, a group of 4 Orca (including 1 adult male) coming up from Discovery Bay, north along the shores of Cape George. They were blowing loudly and slapping their tails on the water...playing as they traveled lazily along the shore. What a sight to behold! ... I lost sight of them in the darkness as they head north to the straits. Feeding, playing, traveling, avoiding whale watching boats, breaching, slapping tails on the surface, flapping fins on the surface. -Terri Brown

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8:20 p.m. - A small pod of orcas (4-7) swam into Discovery Bay twice on Thursday August 25th - once in the morning, and then again in the early evening. On the second visit they were followed by some whale watching boats and then disappeared - but after the boats left, on their way back out, they gave an amazing show breaching multiple times out of the water! -Lisa Chick

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I am 7, and we saw about 6 orcas (including adult male) in Discovery Bay about 7:30 tonight. That was cool and amazing. Feeding and traveling. -Braedon Bibb

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6:06 p.m. - They headed south past Smith island to the channel marker thing then they went west. Three boats were with them. -Melinda Killian

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3:24 p.m. - Orcas heading south along Whidbey. Seen from West Beach RD. -Hazel Foster

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3:08 p.m. - Orcas just passed Rocky Point Beach at Whidbey heading south. Maybe 4. Just by Smith Island. -Mary Janowiecki

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2:00 p.m. - live on the west side of Whidbey Island, a little north of Ft. Bey State Park. This afternoon I saw three Orca whales, one large and two smaller (one adult male I think), about two miles offshore, heading south. There were three whale watching boats in the vicinity in no time! I watched them for about 45 minutes. It's my first sighting since moving to the island in May!! -Shirlie White

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2:00 p.m. - Anna Stevens reported a Big pod near Deception Pass.

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Today, we were greeted by 12 to 15 transient orcas right there near Blakely island! We stayed with this bunch as they headed towards Bird Rocks. Upon arrival at Bird Rocks we were also able to see harbor seals and steller sea lions as we continued watching the black and whites. ...we ventured back towards the transients who were now at Lawson's Reef. During this 30-45 minute stint with them we watched closely as they ate, porpoised, slapped their tails and even did a couple of breaches!...-Amy W., Mystic Sea

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This morning from Cpt. Dan with The T60's off Sooke, BC. -Paul Pudwell

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Very early aug 25 (about 2 am) I was awakened by a solo whale (presumably orca) heading west towards Monarch Head (property is near E Point, Saturna). About 20 min later this same orca (?) came by again now heading east in opposite direction. Behavior is rare since it seemed it was a single whale and reversing direction in the middle of the night. -James McLarnon

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Just west of Chito Beach Resort, near Shipwreck point - Juan de Fuca. Gray whales hung around for 4 evenings and one morning in one week. They quite often will show up for days, leave and return. -Amy Harmon Cramer

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I went out to Washington Park - Rosario Strait, overlooking Burrows Pass (SW Anacortes), to do a Harbor Porpoise survey. Only saw 4 Harbor Porpoise but at 4:30 pm I heard blows that were not from any porpoise. A Gray Whale had just entered the east end of the pass, blew a couple times, dove and resurfaced at the west end of the pass. Love field work, you just never know what you'll see. -Pattie Hutchins

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Took a comp day and spent several hour scoping from various West beach locations. While looking at some harbor porpoises, a shape appeared behind them, disturbing some gulls and auklets on the water. I continued watching and saw a form rise and clearly saw the scimitar shape dorsal fin come up a couple more times. It scattered seabirds each time it rose. This was just south and a bit west of Smith Island at about 3:15 pm. This is my 2nd ever Minke sighting with the 1st being years ago when one crossed the bow of the ferry coming from Port Townsend. Not long after a pod of at least 4 orcas came through between the island and the beach- very close with lots of splashing! Whales rock!! -Steve Ellis

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I went out to Washington Park, overlooking Burrows Pass (SW Anacortes), to do a Harbor Porpoise survey. Only saw 4 Harbor Porpoise but at 4:30 pm I heard blows that were not from any porpoise... (see Gray whale report). -Pattie Hutchins

August 24
J28 Polaris and her 7-month-old son J54, Juan de Fuca - Southern Residents Killer Whales were feeding well off Jordan River in the "Traffic Lanes" with 20+ Humpbacks in the area. -Paul Pudwell

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In the night the whales continued going out the Strait of Juan de Fuca and by the afternoon of the 24th August they were off Clallam Bay, Olympic Peninsula on the US side of the border, still heading toward the Pacific Ocean. We were concerned about J28's physical condition as she appeared emaciated three days ago when seen by Melissa Pinnow from shore, and since we did not see her yesterday we asked Mark Malleson to report if he saw her. Off Clallam Bay he did see her still alive in the group, but we still have concerns that she has apparently lost weight.

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8:20 p.m. - Orcas in Yukon harbor. We just saw 4 orcas in front of our place on Yukon harbor. -Dennis Grahn

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8:19 p.m. - A pod of orcas with baby are headed toward Port Orchard. They just passed Manchester. -Jacy Newcomer

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8:00 p.m. - Saw a pod of orcas in front of the Manchester fuel depot going towards Port Orchard. They had at least one baby. Maybe two. -Dawn Banks

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6:25 p.m. - These are the T46b's, we just left them at Restoration Point, the southeast corner of Bainbridge island, trending southwest.
3:22 p.m. - Got them again, West Point midchannel slowly southeast towards Seattle...outskirts of Elliot Bay, aiming at West Seattle. -Brian McGinn

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6:00 p.m. - Passing Blakley rock heading south quickly. -Charles Vendley

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4:55 p.m. - They're hanging out just north of the Bainbridge Island/Seattle ferry route, south of Magnolia. Visible from the ferry. -Jeff Jirse

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2:17 p.m. - We were with them just north of Eagle Harbor. Lots of freighter traffic so I think they dove. Still southbound. Though we have continued sailing South and seem to have lost them. No sightings in the last 20 minutes. -Dylan McCoy

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T46B and likely T46B2 (based on the notch) perusing Puget Sound. -Stu Davidson, August 24, 2016
(ID's by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

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11:45 a.m. - now on a line from President Point to Carkeek Park. mid channel. -Joanne Graves

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11:00 a.m. - Chilkat just picked up those orca between Kingston and Point Wells. Midchannel, slowly southbound. -Brian McGinn

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9:21 a.m. - I see them mid channel, sightline from Eglon to Cultus Bay. Heading south approximately 5 or six Long dives. Got a call...Orcas off Point No Point 8:37 heading south! -Elyse Solitto

August 23
In the early morning there were reports of many southern resident killer whales up near the Coal Docks at Tsawassen, and they gradually moved down toward Point Roberts as the morning progressed. Ken was in Port Angeles arranging for a boat house for keeping a vessel on the Olympic Peninsula for autumn encounters with the whales when they typically shift to a diet that includes Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) headed for spawning in Puget Sound rivers. There do not seem to be enough King salmon (O. tshawytscha) this year headed for spawning in Salish Sea rivers, particularly the Fraser, to entice all of the SRKWs to come into the region or stay very long, so maybe we will get a chance to get a comprehensive Orca Survey later this year. Readers of our encounter summaries should also keep up with status of eastern pacific stocks of salmon and fishery management in this classic predator/prey drama. We will refer to this subject in special reports, news articles and blogs as time goes on...-Center for Whale Research Encounter 88

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Watched Ks & Ls pass Lime Kiln State park just before and after sunset and then watched a few of the trailers including L82 and L116 foraging out from Land Bank into near darkness. Turned on the hydrophones and listened Js who were trailing and approaching the lighthouse...then wandered down to the rocks at Land Bank to listen to them pass in the darkness. Listened to their blows in the dark until approx 9:20pm from the rocks as they steadily moved southbound down island. -Alisa, Orca Network

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8:56 p.m. - LOTS of echolocation and clicks and squeals on Lime Kiln hydro. VERY active and no distractions. Gorgeous sounds. -Kim Merriman

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8:48 p.m. - calls and lots of clicks on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Peggy Mauro

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8:15 p.m. - Js approaching.
8:00 p.m. - L82 and L116 finally moving on after foraging off all for the last half hour. Rest of Ks and Ls south, I think Js still trailing to the north.
6:55 p.m. - They slowed down but first whales approaching LK, several spread groups this looks like just the leaders. And porpoising! -Monika Wieland

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6:50 pm - Orca calls on LK hydro ~~ anyone know which pod? -Anne Hazen

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A STUNNING afternoon encounter. Orcas surfing a huge freighter wake and Onyx doing multiple breaches?! Yes, please! After a huge freighter wake rolled by, this big fellow became quite spunky. He cartwheeled, breached three times, and ended things with a slow spyhop for good measure. I've known Onyx for 16 years and over that time I have had many amazing, incredible, and at times heartbreaking encounters with him. He is truly an amazing character. What a privilege to share space with such a special creature...-Katie Jones

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The guy on the beach says, "you're welcome!" There was a second humpback traveling North not too long after which we saw from a higher point just up the trail from Deadman's Bay, San Juan Is., a bit further out. Also, loved seeing those blackfish heading South at sunset! Wow! -Joel Brazle

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Surprised by a Humpback norhtbound in Haro Strait! From 3:45-4:05 pm watched the humpback from Deadman's Bay (south Lime Kiln Park, San Juan Island) make her/his way northbound at a steady pace. Regular surfacing and fluking pattern with 2-5 minutes dives. Drove up to County Park a while later just as s/he was passing the park. We watched from about 4:45- 5:00pm in glassy seas as whale continued northbound 50-100 yards out from the Wildlife Reserve rocks just off the park. Gorgeous! Big thanks to the guy on the beach for alerting us all! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Approx 1:15 p.m. - Minke whale off Fort Casey, Whidbey Island 1/4 mile out headed south! -Toby Black

August 22
7:15 p.m. - Leaving trailers (Ks and Ls) 1 mi south of Turn northbound, leaders (Js) well past Turn Point. -Monika Wieland.

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We spent the afternoon with a beautiful, tight group of Southern Residents as they headed north in Haro Strait. We were with the K13's, L4's, L26's, and L47's. They traveled up the west side in such a large group - this isn't something we've seen very much of this year. It was such a joy to see, it used to be common, these days it is rare due to scarcity of Chinook salmon. We left them at Battleship Island as they continued up Haro Strait beside two huge bulk carriers. -Barbara and David

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Approx 5:20 p.m. I caught up to them at County Park, eventually most all 35+ whales grouped together. Gorgeous! It was so beautiful and heartwarming to finally see them all together like that, dorsal after dorsal surfacing as they passed the park continuing north towards Open Bay as I left. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON

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Finn L116 (member of the L4 matriline). Cali K34 (son of K13) cartwheeling off the shores of San Juan Island today. -Melisa Pinnow

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L92 Crewser in closest as residents passed Lime Kiln State Park this afternoon. -Astrid Heinisch

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5:04 p.m. - still northbound, slowed up at Lime Kiln. Not bad pass at Land Bank, They had angled towards shore, but hen at the big kelp patch they chose to go outside of it! Some big breaches North once they passed!
1:55 p.m. - Milling a little but staying off shore... Maybe 75 yards or more? Maybe some are even flipping back South?
1:38 p.m. - From Land Bank. See them at north Hannah Heights.. Almost to that point before Land Bank. Leaders are porpoising. -Cher Renke

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4:30 p.m. - See SRKWs coming north again. This time 5-6 whales in lead in 1-2s. Few more to outside. Last to pass was a group of 9-10 bunched up pretty tight as they passed Land Bank at a steady pace.
Approx 1:30 -2:00 p.m. - from Land Bank watched residents approaching from the south. Lead orca made it to WW cabin between north and middle Land Bank, with others trailing in a line single file. Long dive then they flipped and all turned back south. Some veered more offshore, eventually they continued south and out of sight. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Sunshine and whale reports, a great start to our adventure today! As we motored into Rosario Strait, we had a report of transient (Biggs Orcas, meat-eating type) coming in in an easterly direction. However, we then heard there were residents right along Hein Bank, much closer. After a quick stop at Colville Island to see harbor seals, we caught up with big male L92 Crewser and more of L pod as they headed straight for San Juan Island. After some nice time with them, we moved further out toward Hein Bank and enjoyed watching L72 Racer, as well as part of J pod. Overall, we saw an estimated 20 whales from all three pods, though very spread out and mostly traveling. Very nice smooth water, warm temperatures, and great views of our resident orcas! -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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7:55 a.m. - Suzy McNabb spotted a minke whale 300 yards off Land Bank, west side San Juan Island foraging. Now (8:00 am) heading steadily north.

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Just before sunset tonight two Orca's cruised by Echo Bay on Sucia Island, while we were anchored at Ewing Cove, Matia. We followed them around as they swam by Fossil bay then it got too dark too follow them. -Noelle Morris

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I watched a small group of orcas approach from the east end of Bullman Beach; they moved steadily westward near the edge of the kelp beds then lost them as they neared Sail and Seal Rock. Soon, one of three gray whales I had been watching for quite some time and closely after seeing the orcas, who was feeding between those rocks and the shore, suddenly leapt far out of the water. The orcas appeared, leaping and diving about in the same place. They continued for a half of an hour according to my camera footage clock before I had to leave home. I could not see thru my video viewer well enough and later found I kept panning back and forth past them. Ohh *%*# heartbreaking. I did not see any of the grays for some hours, they were immediately silent and unseen for the rest of the evening. I went out on the water early this afternoon (August 23), seeing three grays about. I was able to view two closely but not the third, who is staying very close to shore west of Sail and Seal Rock and Sail River. I will try again Wednesday to view her. I know there were a number of people watching from a viewpoint above Snow Creek so we may find some good video if someone mentions it on line...our location is just east of Neah Bay. Been here for >35 years. -Maureen

August 21
We had a call from Loren Goldman in Vancouver tonight, he was reporting a pod of ~ 10 orcas off Pt. Roberts, 7 pm, breaching, tail lobbing, and more for 40 minutes, then traveling from west to east toward the San Juans. He said he this summer has been the worst for seeing whales (this was one of his first times this summer), and that he had heard that it was the worst season for Chinook salmon in BC in over 100 years.

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5:20 p.m. - Orca off Clover Point, Victoria, but such crazy winds we lost them. One large male with one other. Very close to shore mixed in with kiteboarders.... A mother and baby ended up corralling a seal right up to the rocks of the Oak Bay marina! (We were parked off beach drive) We followed them up till 8pm when they turned back to Trial Island...All together there were 6 transients. Markus says two females, one baby and three males. But at first we saw only two males and one female but then three more appeared in Oak Bay. -Maria Peronino

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Report from Victoria: We also saw 5 orcas about 4:00 pm just south of Oak Bay Marina heading towards Clover Pt. and Trial Island. -Barb Floyd

August 20
Members of all three pods (J, K, & L) mostly traveling & foraging (with some sweet surface activity & calf activity at the end) while making their way through Haro Strait. Filmed from shore at Land Bank, west side San Juan Island. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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A hot summer's day into a warm summers night on Haro Strait. Whales from 6:40 in the morning until 9:40 in the evening! Early morning Minke followed by a steady daylong presence of combinations of Js, Ks, and Ls streaming by in Haro Strait foraging very spread out, up and down San Juan Island all day. Such a gift to watch little J52 (among all the among all the others) engaged in some excellent breaches, tail lobs, spyhops, and more. Their presence traveling up and down island continued into the dark of night where we sat, under a blanket of stars (& planets), listening to above water exhalations while listening to live underwater vocals of the same Southern Resident orcas as they drift southbound....dreamy. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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K37 Rainshadow, J34 Doublestuf this evening near False Bay, San Juan Island. -James Gresham

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6:24 p.m. - We're off county park and there's a few more than the J16s here southbound. L84?! It was a whale of a day out there today! First whales seen at8 this morning, last whales seen at 8 tonight. I'm exhausted (and not complaining one bit!) Members of all three pods present - perhaps even all the Southern Residents - but basically spread from the Fraser River to the Strait of Juan de Fuca when all was said and done! J16s were in shore and we left some of the L54s about 1-2 miles off county park foraging. We saw L84, L54, and L108.
3:13 p.m. - Other 3 passing now.
3:05 p.m. - J16s here - half passed Lime Kiln, half milling just south of LK
2:20 p.m. - whales approaching Lime Kiln.
10:45 a.m. - The rest of the L47s, L72s, and L26s - that seems to be it as of 1045! Another weird combo. Last 2 were L92 and L110. Two open saddles were L72 and L105. K13s, L47s, L26s, L72s in total Lots of active foraging! Not super close but some nice surface activity in the morning light. -Monika Wieland

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J36 Alki at Lime Kiln this evening. Wonderful evening with Alki & Sonic at Lime Kiln this evening, such a treat to have been able to see them playing and having fun. -Jacqueline Slaughter

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8:23 p.m. - Calls and echolocation on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. -Jack O'Brien

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7:47 p.m. - Just heard them on the hydrophone! So amazing. Hopefully one day I can see them in person. -Connor O'Brien

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7:35 p.m. - calls and clicks on Lime Kiln. -Laurie Arnone

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5:45 p.m. - Orca chatter on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Ann Hazen

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5:45 p.m. - the whales off Land Bank drifted way offshore. 5:33 p.m. - My sister just spotted at least two in the rip tide off south Land Bank. Trending north. -Alisa, ON

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2:39 p.m. - Echolocation and calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone.
9:43 a.m. - Whales on Lime Kiln hydro right now. -Jack Collins

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2:18 p.m. - just got surprised by ora off Land Bank! -Alisa, ON

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1:43 p.m. - Orcas at False Bay heading north. -Jane Kakaley

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J27 doing a back flip - incredible to see! Offshore of American Camp, south San Juan Island. -Barbara Bender,

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12:08 p.m. - Solitary orca heading north along South Beach right now. Lots of fishing boats but only one tour boat following it. -Carinale T. Frank

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K13s were the first. K25 Scoter spent a lot of time foraging back and forth out from Land Bank. Another group arrived grouped up, maybe that was L47s? Then a few more. Looking south I did not see anymore coming so came up to house. Happily surprised short time later when more showed up, at lease 4 probably more like 6. Two open saddle individuals (L72 and L105), then looked like L92 Crewser at rear with an adolescent (L110). I look forward to expert ID's, but I'd say approx 20+ whales? (Thanks to Monika Wieland for ID help/confirmation)
8:20 a.m. - from south pullout at Land Bank could see the lead whales powering northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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10:20 a.m. - Orcas visible on Lime Kiln webcam now. -Jason Lee Bell

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10:26 a.m. - Vocals have been amazing. Just started again.
9:33 a.m. - Hearing them (southern residents) on hydrophone. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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9:30 a.m. - some orca calls on Lime Kiln. Is it K's? -Stacy Boddy

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10:00 a.m. - Just K13s and L47s so far, now booked it north.
9:08 a.m. - low spread out active trending north at LK, Just 4 whales have passed here I think including K25. -Monika Wieland

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Gray whales off Chito Beach, out near Sekiu on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Chito Beach Resort staff

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7:30 a.m. - Minke whale seen again further offshore out from Land Bank, San Juan Island, circling feeding. -Annie Kondra

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6:40 a.m- My sister Suzy McNabb spotted a Minke few hundred yards off middle Land Bank, west side San Juan Island. First northbound, then southbound and now 7:05 a.m. zig-zagging further offshore. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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6:40 a.m. - First watched Minke 'Nick Jagger' surface and forage off middle Land Bank, San Juan Island. After several minutes he continued northbound out of sight. He returned within view southbound around 7:00 a.m., stalled and continued to zig-zag further and further off shore. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

August 19
9:30 a.m. - A large, very active group of orcas went east through Active Pass this morning. -Video by Gary Cullen
(These were our early northbound whales that day: J2, the J14s, J19's, L4's, and the male is L87. At the 33 second mark, a female grabs something right at the rocks. -Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research)

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A large, very active group of orcas went east through Active Pass this morning around 9:30 am. They were preceded by a small group of orcas travelling west around 7:30 am. Transients? From the shore of Galiano Island. -Karoline & Gary Cullen, Galiano Island
(Looks like the T18s, T34s, T37Bs, and the T99s. Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research)

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A breaching humpback! On yet another glorious summer's day, Mystic Sea cut through clear, calm seas towards Port Angeles where we encountered juvenile humpback 'Split Fin' (BCZ0298), calf of 'Big Mama' (BCY0324), another of our well-known visiting humpbacks. No-one knows how 'Split Fin' sustained the original injury, but it was good to see this playful and curious young whale exhibiting an explosive breach followed by some exuberant tail-slapping with those mighty flukes. Humpbacks, the most acrobatic of the great whales, have made a welcome return to our local waters, impressing whale watchers with their sheer size and power and providing everlasting memories. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist.

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Unidentified whales - Saw a spout mid-channel just south of Narrows Bridge at 3:00pm from Titlow Beach. Not sure what type but definitely not Orca. Heading south. Only saw one blow. -Tracie Jenkins

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Received a message from Paul DeBruyn reporting Common Dolphins in Bellingham Bay Aug. 19th & 21st: Had a group of 6-8 common dolphin near Portage Island in Bellingham Bay on Friday 19 August, 11 am; and a larger group tonight 21 August near Vendovi Island.

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I'm not sure if any of you are interested in these two sightings of common dolphins near Bellingham, but here they are just in case. Attached is a photo from the first sighting. Below is the information for each one. WDFW personnel (Fenner Yarborough, Paul DeBruyn) spotted 8-10 common dolphins on 8/19 at 48.728988 -122.594725 while doing surf scoter surveys. Species was confirmed by Whale Museum. We have more pictures if need. There was 1 possible juvenile in the group, we noticed this by its continual jumping out of the water. WDFW personnel spotted 10-12 common dolphins on 8/21 just south of Vendovi Island. No GPS point was taken. -Gary J. Wiles, WDFW

August 18


August 17
A friend messaged me early this morning to tell me their were orcas in front of her house and they were heading north up the shoreline! I sprang out of bed, grabbed my gear, and off to the lighthouse we went. We waited eagerly for the whales and as they passed by us, they left us in awe. Just feet from the shore, you could see them underwater as they rolled through the kelp. Understandably, waking up in this manner is a very good way to begin the day. -Katie Jones

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Great Way to Start the Day!! Epic pass at Lime Kiln this morning. Yes, that is the kelp and shoreline. Several whales passed just a few feet from shore. Look carefully and you will see them just under the surface. Many members of J and K pods passed. Life is good! J16 & J26 passed very close to the rocks at Lime Kiln State Park. -Alison Engle

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9:07 a.m - several orcas seen on webcam closer to shore just south of lighthouse. Start hearing echolocation again, increase in volume at 9:11.
9:02 a.m. seeing several more orcas passing lighthouse northbound.
8:37 a.m. - start hearing faint echolocation.
8:30 a.m. - see one orca surfacing northbound on Lime Kiln webcam. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Around 8 AM the first whales came into sight south of Lime Kiln, moving slowly north against the ebb tide. From about 8:15-8:45 J2 Granny took her time cruising by, followed by some of the K14s. Then we had the J11s, J14s, J16s, and J19s pass right off the rocks in two tight groups - always an amazing sight to witness but even more so in the gorgeous early morning light when you could see them underwater! Next, further offshore, came the K16s and K21 in a tight group, and bringing up the rear were L87 Onyx and J45 Se-Yi-Chn. By 10 they were all north of the lighthouse and continuing on their way up Haro Strait. -Monika Wieland, Orca Behavior Institute

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South of Constance Bank Strait of Juan de Fuca. Still no ID on this humpback. It was travelling at a fast pace with a companion. T046's were nearby at Constance Bank. -Janine Harles

August 16
It was so nice to spend some time with whales this evening in the Strait of Georgia, and some whales I haven't seen in a long, long while too. It continues to amaze me how quickly some of these young males grow up---Tika and Rainshadow. K37 Rainshadow - K20 Spock and K38 Comet - K33 Tika - -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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J2 passed by Lime Kiln State Park. -Ariel Yseth, August 16, 2016

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In THICK FOG we were lucky to be the first boats to find J Pod 15 minutes from our docks! (Sooke, BC) Thanks Cpt. Dan for keeping a keen eye on the sea! -Paul Pudwell, sooke Coastal WW

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Ribbon Seal Sighted on Washington Outer Coast. On the morning of August 16th a ribbon seal hauled out approximately 1 mile north of Oysterville Road on the Long Beach Peninsula. The ribbon seal appeared to be in good condition and went back into the water. This information and attached photos was shared with WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations and Portland State University last night by William Ritchie a Refuge Biologist with the USFWS in Ilwaco, Washington.

August 15
Approximately 4:30 pm - K12s and K13s northbound at Hannah Heights and Land Bank. Some foraging, some shuffling but general northward direction, slow and spread. Too far away at that point to get individual IDs. Once they got to Lime Kiln they flipped and headed south, grouped up into family groups, came in close to shore and began porpoising south. Passed Hannah Heights southbound at approximately 6:15. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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1:23 p.m. - Saw some Orcas passing Lime Kiln state Park. Someone there said it was K pod. -Sarah Ehle

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...With reports of some of the Southern Residents (fish eaters) inbound we left the transients searching for lunch, and soon encountered K-pod leaders off Discovery Island, B.C. heading at a fast clip towards the west side of San Juan, one of their traditional foraging areas. Passengers had their breath taken away by the sheer magnificence, beauty and grace of the whales as the rest of K-pod powered past, their dorsal fins slicing through the waves and the sound of their exhalations carrying on the wind. Our return journey took us past Whale Rocks where Steller sea-lions ('wildlife with attitude') basked in the warmth of the afternoon sun - thanks to Captain Eric for yet another memorable day at sea. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist, Mystic Sea

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A fair swell greeted us as we headed out through Rosario Strait and past Lopez towards Victoria, B.C., where the T65A's (five transient orcas, a female, sprouter male and three youngsters) hunted for prey among the kelp off Trial Island, B.C. With reports of some of the Southern Residents (fish eaters) inbound we left the transients searching for lunch, and soon encountered K-pod leaders off Discovery Island, B.C. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist, Mystic Sea

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Humpback whales - central/south Puget Sound - We received a call at about 8:20 pm tonight from Rosemary Teforo who was calling from Vashon Island, at the end of Manzanita Rd. They were watching a whale 500 ft. away from shore, going back and forth, headed toward Portage, had been there at least 10 - 15 minutes. They thought it was in trouble, seemed to be very close to shore. They confirmed it had a dorsal fin, so not a gray whale feeding. At 9:30 Rosemary's sister Elizabeth called, saying it was still there, 100 yards from shore, breathing a lot and they were afraid it was stranding. While I was on the phone with them I got a message from Amy Carey - she couldn't get there before dark, but called a friend who lives near there, and her friend had been watching it for the last 45 minutes. It was at the mouth of Quartermaster Harbor, a place they don't usually go, but it seemed to be doing deep dives and breathing and acting normal, and they saw it breach and species was confirmed as humpback. -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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3:15 p.m. - Group of whales headed south in commencement bay. I believe 2 humpbacks. -Patricia Peachy Reagan

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7:07 p.m. - Just saw him [humpback] off of Bainbridge near Murden Cove as we were crossing from Shilshole!! -Erin Graf

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2:50 p.m. - Just spotted a single humpback just south of Point No Point, Kitsap. Heading south, mid channel. -Max French

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3:30 to 4ish - Gray Whale #723 far north in Haro Strait in front of the Turn Point Lighthouse, - ....Estimated to be somewhere around 50 feet long, this was one BIG animal! -Chris Teren

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8:06 a.m. - 2 common dolphins just spotted off the west side of Vashon, headed north! -Aimee Nemeyer

August 14
Deadhead K27 breaching, Cali K34 off playing with kelp and Spock K20 spy hopping this evening in Haro Strait - taken from shore from the west side of San Juan Island. -Melisa Pinnow, August 14, 2016

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K34 making quite a splash just offshore from Landbank. -Ariel Yseth

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Sunday we started with heavy fog, so Capt. Monte took us through the San Juan Islands, to the north end where we had whale reports of K-pod whales "in thick fog". A good choice - by the time we arrived with the whales the fog had lifted and the sun was shining!! We identified members of the K12 and K13 matrilines, very spread out along the shoreline, traveling southbound past the Center for Whale Research and San Juan Island's the West Side Reserve. Many many breaches, what a thrill for us all to witness. It's such a privilege to see our Resident whales in the Salish Sea again, let's hope they'll find enough chinook salmon to keep them here. Homeward bound we found seal moms with pups, harbor porpoise, turkey vultures and a bald eagle. A foggy day turned into a truly beautiful day. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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This morning we got out to Lime Kiln at 11:45 AM just at the K12s and K13s were flying past heading north in the fog, barely visible from shore. Luckily the fog lifted before the same group came back south between 2:00 and 2:30, fighting against the strong flood tide. -Monika Wieland

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Orcas at Point Hudson, Port Townsend. We saw 4 or 5 of them heading slowly north at about 11:00 a.m. 8/14/2016. Possibly one male. They were close to shore, about 200 yards from the beach. Closer than R2 navigational buoy. -Jeff McLean

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10:00 a.m. - from cliffside near East Point, Saturna Island: only 3 orca in transient (?) group with 2 whales motoring very close to rocks. -James McLarnon

August 13
L103 pushed around a lifeless neonate porpoise after tormenting it for 15 minutes and drowning it on the morning of August 13th in Race Passage. -Mark Malleson

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12-year-old sprouter T065A2 briefly visiting before rejoining the rest of his family. T065A and 5-year-old T065A4 in a choppy Juan de Fuca Saturday evening southwest of Whale Rocks. -James Gresham

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The T65As swam down San Juan Channel. They were hugging the shoreline. -Monika Wieland

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We headed through the San Juan Islands and found whales hugging the shores south of O'Neal Island, and heading towards Friday Harbor! We traveled with these whales - the T65As - into the Harbor on a very busy Saturday afternoon, sharing the water with ferries, whale watch boats, private boats AND float planes, wow, what a sight! After a brief visit the whales continued towards San Juan channel, stopping for an active meal en route. What a treat to spend time with this family group....-Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist Mystic Sea

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2:30 p.m. - We live on Sutherland Rd, off Turn Point Rd (San Juan Is.) and today at about 2:30pm, we saw from our living room windows, a pod swim East of Turn Island going South. There may have been 3 or 4 of them. (including 1 adult male) Lots of whale boats following them and even a few boats from Fisherman's cove on Lopez came across to see them. It's the second time we've seen them here. Always the biggest thrill! We love it!! -Nancy Larsen

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1:58 p.m. - Just saw a pod of orcas North of point caution and mirror pass right outside of Friday Harbor! -Jenn Whitsett

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I came down San Juan Dr. (San Juan Is.) and saw them (Transients) from the road turned around and went to Rueben Tarte. I had the closest encounter from the rocks. it was awesome. Tight knit group just like I love. -Peggy Mauro

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3:50 p.m. - We are with him (Gray whale #723) now. Pointed toward Rosario. Moving northwest still.
Approx 11:30 a.m. - 3rd hand report of a large whale, only spout seen off Foul Weather Bluff. No direction given. -Renee Beitzel

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2:14 p.m. - Just encountered a baleen whale at the mouth of Admiralty Inlet, headed at a fast clip out in the Strait. Will try to confirm with photos once I get home but it appeared to be a GRAY, not a humpback! Preliminary look at photos confirms, gray whale! Will work on specific ID as well...Confirmed Saratoga Gray #723. -Steve Smith

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4:05 p.m. - Headed back North now. Off Port Townsend.
3:45 p.m. - Unidentified whale headed south off Lagoon Pt. 3/4 way out in channel. Big blow, small black hump. Too far to tell species but seems like a single baleen whale. -Tedd Webber

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Approx 11:30 a.m. - 3rd hand report of a large whale, only spout seen off Foul Weather Bluff. No direction given. -Renee Beitzell

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11:19 a.m. - I just saw Common Dolphins off Chambers Bay where the bridge is, they were pretty close the same spot we saw orcas a few months ago. -Soun Nonthaveth-Moffett

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7:15 a.m. - Tony Woelke of WS ferries called to report a few Harbor porpoise about a 1/2 mile off Point Edwards, Edmonds.

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7:00 p.m. - likely humpback -based on the blow and seeing the back - heading north towards Pt. Partridge. (Gray whale 723 was in this area at the time as noted in our August 13th Whale Sightings Report - ALB) -Al Luneman

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7:40 p.m. - The common dolphins are in the Ruston way waterfront area right now! -Desiree Brake

August 12
4:00 p.m. - East Point, Saturna Island: K20, part of a relatively large resident pod heading east. -James McLarnon

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WOW! AN AMAZING afternoon with our Southern Resident Killer Whales passing Sooke! J, K & L Pods were present, but the action packed excitement was off the charts! K16s and K21 (ID's by Alisa Lemire Brooks & Sara Hysong-Shimazu) heading east past Race Rocks Ecological Preserve. I am happy to get one breach shot on a good day, but this was extra SPECIAL! -Paul Pudwell

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Nice evening with L Pod, and some Js and Ks - Juan de Fuca Strait. And the Olympic Mountains! And a nice sunset! -Capt. Jim Maya

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K25 off Saturn Island this afternoon. -Sara Baldwin

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With the welcome return of K pod (the endangered Southern Resident orca population is made up of three pods, J, K and L, totaling 83 in number) to our local waters, Mystic Sea headed past Lopez Island and along the west side of San Juan Island and Lime Kiln State Park (also known as Whale Watch Park) towards Stuart Island, where we encountered K pod whales, including K22 (Sekiu) and her son K33 (Tika), a 'sprouter' male born in 2001, passing Turnpoint Lighthouse. With the whales in traveling mode, we witnessed a number of energetic breaches and tail-slaps as they hunted for salmon, though a mature bald eagle deprived them of one tasty morsel and enjoyed a substantial lunch on the nearby rocks. We left the whales heading towards Saturna Island, B.C., and continued on our scenic trip back to Anacortes passing between Shaw and Orcas Islands on yet another truly glorious Pacific Northwest day. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist.

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After being gone for nearly two months (!!), it's been awesome to have members of K-Pod around again over the last week, and very interesting to see how they're splitting up and mixing and matching with J-Pod in ways that are different from last summer. K12 Sequim and K43 Saturna were off Spieden Island this afternoon. We had K12s and K13s from Open Bay to Boundary Pass heading north from 12:30 til 2:15. -Monika Wieland

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Calls at Lime Kiln. Slowly getting louder. Started 3:15 am PST. -Ali Barratt

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T10`s - Juan de Fuca - 4 minutes from our docks in Sooke Harbor this afternoon. Then we heard of INBOUND Southern Resident killer whales! -Paul Pudwell

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Transient pod T069 4 miles offshore Cleland Island (Tofino) slowly heading south east. Beat up a sea otter and killed something (presumed harbour porpoise) and celebrated afterward. Looks like one of the females had a new calf. Not the matriarch's calf. -Shaun Parniak

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Humpback whale surfaces in south Puget Sound near Day Island. -Danyell Laughlin

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Saw whale in Puget Sound on west side of Fox Island. (confirmed now as humpback via video not shared here. -Janet Roethier

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9:19 p.m. - Sounding again close to the Southworth Dock. 9:10 p.m. - Humpback whale between Peter Point and Southworth right now, sounding 5 times so far, on Kitsap side. -Fiona Hope

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8:30 p.m. - We are on Vashon island, just across from Ollala. We just watched a humpback whale pass from the south to the north over the course of the last 15 minutes. It would come up and blow its spout every 1 - 2 minutes and cover about 100 yards before surfacing again. -Jeff Sayre

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8:25 p.m. - humpback is mid channel still northbound up Colvos at a steady pace, passing Fragaria road now. Heading towards Southworth. -Brittany Gordon

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7:30 p.m. - humpback whale heading north in Colvos Passage. South of Lisabuela. -Roxane Jackson Johnson

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7:16 p.m. - Just saw several sprays and what could be two whales heading north up the Gig Harbor side off Point Defiance. they were heading north between Gig Harbor and Vashon. Too far away to tell what type of whale. -Kelli Barker

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6:30 p.m. - We just saw what we believe is a [humpback] whale heading north under the Narrows Bridge and currently at Salmon Beach. It was too far away to know for sure but there were no showings of fluke so I think it's a gray. Traveling fast. (was a humpback- ALB), -Susan Dynes

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(Humpback probably?) whale at Chambers Bay at around 5:45 pm or so on Friday. -Carrie Gelegonya

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We were at the Beach at Chambers Bay again today. At about 5:30 pm we saw something blow out at the channel marker towards McNeil Island. We watched the whale steadily move directly towards us and then head North towards the narrows. Sadly there were two (asshats) idiots in boats following very closely. We watched it until it was so far North we could no longer see it. What a beauty. We assumed it was a humpback... Wonderful way to end our day...-Cindy Faker

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Humpback diving near Chambers Bay - Puget Sound. -Danyell Laughlin

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4:05 p.m. - Just spotted a Minke Whale at the mouth of San Juan channel (west side). Seems to have been a juvenile and an adult! We will send a photo as soon as we can. We know for sure they weren't humpback. We sat there and observed them for 45 minutes while referencing whale guides. -Jess Whitsett

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8:05 p.m. - Just saw them heading south, towards the harstine island bridge! -Nick Wenzel

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6:55 p.m. - Common Dolphins seen heading south off the Northeast side of Harstine Island. These are definitely dolphins this time as they were jumping. -Connor O'Brien

August 11
Male & female off Westside preserve at 7:35 AM heading down island. =Jack Collins

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1:27 a.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln now! Really loud! -Ali Barratt

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We caught up with the closer group of T46 transients about 6 miles south of Lopez and spent a lovely time with five of them, most traveling fairly fast south west. Included in this group were the female T46, who is estimated to be 52 years old, and was the last orca captured in Budd Inlet, in Puget Sound, in 1976, and released. She is now a great-grandmother! Also seen were T46E, a young male who was born in 2003, and T46D, another young male, born in 2000. Both of these bulls have already "sprouted" (dorsal fin growing) to impressive size... -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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0820 - three orcas in San Juan Channel headed south along Shaw Island shoreline. -Breck Tyler

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7:40 a.m. - Transients passing off the west side of Yellow Island in San Juan channel. -Julia Wallace

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7:30 p.m. - Unidentified killer whales - Orcas, 2-3. Only saw backs and dorsal fins briefly from our deck on shore. It is very unusual to see them so close to shore. They were being followed by Orca Spirit II and another smaller boat. Very calm seas and no wind. The sighting was just offshore in Ross Bay, Victoria, BC. Between Clover Point and Gonzales Bay. They were much closer to shore than we have ever seen them. Headed East towards Gonzales. -Jeanette Jeffery

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11:52 a.m. - Puget Sound - Gray or humpback south side of Fox island. -Jill Goodman

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...We then headed a bit more south toward Dungeness Spit, and found a humpback off the southwest corner of Eastern Bank - Juan de Fuca. We got great looks at this beautiful baleen whale with a 100% black underside of the tail fluke. It's always amazing when we can hear their big exhalations and see their gnarly heads! -Bonnie Gretz

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10:15a.m. - We had a gray whale feeding just north of Spee-Bi-Dah in Port Susan Bay. First noticed about 10:15 am and continued to feed until 11:00. Definitely feeding. -Malcolm Lindquist, August 11, 2016 (possibly Gray #723- see August 13th Steve Smith sighting- ALB)

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8 or so Common Dolphins played in Pickering Passage 1/4 mile from Harstine Island bridge today. Stayed for a few hours. Very active, spouting and jumping. -Gretchen Stewart

August 10
I don't think I've ever seen so many transient (mammal-hunting) orcas together at one time. T065As, T018/T019s and others with Vancouver city in the background. Usually these orcas rely on smaller numbers and stealth to exploit their intelligent prey. However, this massive grouping of matrilines stayed in the same spot in the Strait of Georgia doing circles for HOURS in the same spot, predating on harbor porpoise occasionally and interacting with one another. Lot's of vocalizations, social behavior, and breeding ... others even joined in the ceremony later in the evening, probably hearing their vocals some miles away. It was simply an incredible thing to observe. -Heather MacIntyre

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...we sailed on up to East Point to see a large group of T's socializing between East Point and Pt Roberts. I recalled seeing the T65A's, T18/19's, T46's - I think some members of the 36's were there as well. The vocalizations were incredible and T19B aka 'Mr Floppy Fin' breached multiple times. Mind = Blown! -Barbara & David, All Aboard Sailing

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6:00 p.m. - South Puget Sound. 20+ common dolphins traveling back and forth (north and south) north of Boston Harbor/Budd Inlet. A freighter just came in (7:30) and they are following its wake further south into Budd Inlet. VERY active. -Kim Merriman

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Looks like 10-13 harbor porpoise (?) visiting Case Inlet about 10:00 this morning. As of 10:30 they are heading South....They were smaller and played with a passing boat. Jumping and "porpoising". (reported as porpoise but behavior and size of pod sounds more like the dolphins - ALB) -Bev McCallum

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Saw a sweet porpoise family while out SUPing on Wednesday. They were feeding and stayed in the area between Shilshole and West Point, Seattle. The baby was so tiny! -Brittany Lynn

August 9
They all flipped and went back south as of 8:30 PM, angling offshore again. I'm still wondering who was off the south end yesterday and this morning. J2, J14s, J16s, J19s, K12s, K13s, and K14s are whales that went north yesterday and came back south today. Not sure if the rest of Js have been down there or if some Ls are mixed in or what. I've heard a couple people say some Ls are here but no one who has actually seen them. I should add L87 was in that group that went up and back too.
7:17 p.m. - still milling but getting farther offshore. Trending south if anything
6:50 p.m. - Milling off Land Bank.
As of 3 PM they were all south of Hannah Heights southbound. I was surprised to see the J16s come down from the north! -Monika Wieland

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K14s and some of the J17s off the west side of San Juan Island in the the evening. It's been SO nice to see K pod again, and such a relief to see they're all doing alright. J34 Doublestuf northbound and the K14s were moving up the west side of San Juan Island. -Heather MacIntyre

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2:40 p.m. - At least 20 orcas are spread out near Eagle Point, San Juan Island! We saw a group coming up from the south, about 4-5 individuals, at least 2 males. And a group of 15 or so coming down from the North, in small groups of 2-3! They met just south of Lime Kiln and are slowly west, headed out to mid channel, but still very visible from land. Lots of large males. -Kayli Ann Breitweiser

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2:34 p.m - I just left Lime Kiln not long ago and there were still more coming from the north. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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Upon arriving at Eagle Point on San Juan Island, we met up with a group of our southern resident orcas, several of which we were able to identify. Among those IDed were J27 (Blackberry), J44 (Moby), and K21 (Cappuccino) .... -Amy W., Mystic Sea

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11:00 a.m. - Spotted at least 2 orcas from shore at American Camp. Looked like a mother with a juvenile. Traveling. -Colleen Boye

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Three Orcas, likely a bull, cow, and older juvenile sighted 200 to 300 feet from shore yesterday at Dungeness Spit. They breached multiple times moving west until out of sight. Seals had been seen in the area earlier. -Ryan Maddock

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Two adult and one young Humpback whales swam past us at Thieves Bay, Pender Island, BC - so exciting. -Pat Crossley

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7:00 a.m. Common Dolphins still in deep south Puget Sound. Near Dana Passage. 20+ of them again. -Kim Merriman

August 8
We celebrated the return of K pod who had been MIA from the inland waters for months. We've never seen all of K pod MIA from the Salish Sea for so long and were incredibly happy to see their familiar fins again. Hopefully there's enough salmon here for them now that they will stay. -Heather Macintyre

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9:30 a.m. - More Southern Residents down south. -John Boyd

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6:35AM - 4-5 Orcas heading up island off Westside Preserve. -Jack Collins

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Large pod of Common dolphins this morning in Dan Passage - Puget Sound. -Chris Hamilton, August 8, 2016

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9:30a.m. - South Puget Sound. Olympia. Large pod of common dolphins (20+) mid-channel between Budd and Eld inlets. Very active/feeding along the tide rip. Even squealing! -Kim Merriman

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...we had a brief visit with the T18/19's in Upright Channel as they were headed east before we ventured off to see the T99's, T36, T36B's (?) and the T38's outside of Fisherman's Harbor, Lopez. I am still sorting through photos but I believe the 36B's were there as well. They ended up hunting/milling for quite some time near Big Rock and also in Griffin Bay before making a brief visit to the Port of Friday Harbor. I heard they continued north and took Spieden Channel. -Barbara & David, All Aboard Sailing

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Prof Fujita is visiting the Whiteley Center from Japan this August and snapped a photo of Bigg's in Friday Harbor. -Masahisa Fujita

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...Rosario Strait where we immediately found two groups of transient orcas -- the T36s and the T99s off of James Island. We stayed with these groups as they made their way through Thatcher Pass and on to Upright Head. After leaving these two groups, Mystic Sea continued on towards Blakeley Island where we found another group of transients, the T18s. We stayed with this group for a while as well. In total, we saw approximately 16 whales today -- which did tail slaps and spyhops while in our midst....~Amy W., Mystic Sea

August 7
12:30 p.m. - Fin whale in Colvos Passage, seen from Gig Harbor: I Heard this whale blow about 12:30 and just happened be standing there with my camera and a 100-400 lens. (see photo below) It was diving when I got the first pictures and it stayed down 2-3 minutes then blew again. I saw no tail. I didn't see it again after the second dive. -Archelle Reynolds

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2:00 p.m. - I saw it (fin whale) pass Olalla headed north around 2:00PM. It was close to shore and, like you, I heard it blow before I saw it. It looked just like your picture. -Steve Henderson

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9:06 a.m. - Either a humpback or fin whale in Mukilteo just south of the ferry dock slowly heading south right now. -Lee Anne Tobin

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Puget Sound (live strand) - She was moving around Fauntleroy Cove at day break when WS Ferry staff first took notice. They called it in as a sighting and then a stranding once it was clear she was in distress. As the tide receded, she beached and lovely devoted humans did their best to keep her comfortable. I arrived about 15 minutes before she took her last breath just before 11:00 a.m. As the tide continued to ebb, her beautiful young body lay more exposed. From her appearance it was clear she was emaciated. Her long graceful white pec fins stood out. Researchers and staff from all entities, NOAA, Cascadia Research, DFW, Seattle Aquarium, Stranding Networks, Seal Sitters, and probably others were present. Much gratitude to all responders. A prelimiary exam was conducted telling us she was a 1-1/2-3 year-old juvenile and she is 39 feet long. Many of us naturalists lined along the ferry dock answered questions through out the day. She was towed in the evening at high tide to a private location for full necropsy. This is nature's cycle, and maybe humans somehow played a role in her death, we will not know until results of a full necropsy are shared, either way it is sad such a young being lost her life. Looking in the eye of a giant creature who has just passed is a moment etched in my being forever. I am relieved she did not have to suffer too long under her own weight. Rest little one. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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9:15 a.m. - Two Humpbacks and a Minke off Westside preserve heading up Haro Strait. -Jack Collins

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Transients interacting with a Humpback whale on the morning of August 7th off Jordan River, Vancouver Island. -Mark Malleson

August 6
What a KILLER morning! With an early tip from Mark Price of Foot Loose Charters we knew of some Orca heading west past Sooke, BC. We were fortunate enough to be the first to catch up to the Southern Resident Killer Whales J & L pod, Beautiful big guy J27 Blackberry, J50, J42, and J36 with J16 diving in front.minutes from our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottage. -Paul Pudwell

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We enjoyed seeing a group of Orca's off of Waldron Island - San Juans...They were the most active of any we've seen this year. -Mari Latimer

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2:29 p.m. - Puget Sound - Orcas area out 1 mile south of Restoration Point off of Bainbdridge Island, still heading southwest towards Blake Island. Lots of breaching and tail flapping! -Norah Kates

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7:20 p.m. - Puget Sound - Still visible from Bainbridge, but closer to the Seattle side. Looks like they're starting to head north again. -Isaac Olson

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7:10 pm. - Been watching the Transients (5 total, including one adult male and 1 young juvenile) from Faye Bainbridge since 5:45. Lots of surface activity and hunting behavior. Slowly moving north, east side of mid-channel. -Susan Marie Andersson

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6:20 p.m. - I just spotted them from Sunset Hill Park. Way across the channel from Shilshole, hard to see, even with binoculars, but lots of splashing. Slowly headed north I think but they've been milling around in the same area for a few minutes. -Danielle Carter

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3:50 p.m. - Orca whales in the sound have turned and are northbound again. Just passing the south end of Bainbridge island. -Brian McGinn

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3:40 p.m. - just west of marker buoy off Alki Point, heading north. -Jason Lee Bell

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3:35pm - WS Ferries reports ten orcas heading north between Alki and the south tip of Bainbridge Is.

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On the 3:00 p.m. Bremerton-Seattle ferry the captain came on the loudspeaker and announced orcas were on the starboard side! I jumped out of my car and raced to the front of the boat where I saw three frolicking! I didn't capture that on my camera, but got this picture. What a thrill for me as my husband and I have been "orca chasing" all year without any luck until this sighting of orcas splishin' and splashing'! -Deb Otterby

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2:21 p.m - Several orcas right now, about 1 mile due south of Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island. Lots of breaching and tail flapping. Very cool! Boats are getting way too close though. -Norah Kates

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2:20 p.m. - Orca sighting with baby, south side of Bainbridge - while on the Bremerton Seattle ferry. -Lana Myers

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1:30 p.m. - Sighting off Decatur Reef (Bainbridge Island) 5-6 whales total - 3 young were swimming around and spy hopping - approached our boat within 30 feet while we were stationary. -Carrie Culp

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1:17 p.m. - 4 or 5 orcas at Blakely Rock - 1 big male. -Kim McCormick Osmond

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12:45 p.m. - A groups of 6-10 Orcas (including adult male) was see moving southbound just West off the shipping lane in Puget Sound along Bainbridge Island. They darted around for over an hour just east of the #1 Port entry marker to Eagle Harbor, where dozens of recreational boaters, one whale watching boat and presumably Bainbridge ferry passengers saw them. We will are editing the film we made and post it in the next few days. -Jelle Kylstra

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12:30 p.m. - currently watching them from the ferry just outside of Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island, swimming in circles right now. -Ti Cuddy

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11:35 a.m. - I can see pod across (sightline) southend Rolling Bay Bainbridge...probably still mid channel or west of. Steady southbound. Viewed from Elliot Bay marina, Magnolia. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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11:40 a.m. - The T65As are heading south in the direction toward Blake Island. -Stu Davidson, August 6, 2016

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10:50 - watching from Shilshole Marina, lost the lone male for a time, then he surfaced to the north, back off Meadow Point and grouped up with his family. They circled, went on long dive and resurfaced to the west, more towards mid channel, currently due west of marina. Moving generally steady southbound with some long down times. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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10:29 a.m. - Chilkat Express is on scene with the T65A's near Shilshole, headed south. -Brian McGinn

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10:00 a.m. - orcas are just north of Meadow Point at Golden Gardens. Just seeing a lone male who surfaces a few times then goes on long dives. He is still southbound and is very much on the east side of channel. Viewed from Shilshole Marina/Golden Gardens
9:20 a.m. - Pod of 5 (with large male ) is south of Jefferson Head/ Indianola southbound at good clip. West of mid channel. Viewed from Richmond Beach. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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8:10 a.m. - 4-5 Orcas spotted, off Apple Tree Point, moving south slowly, closer to Kingston side. Beautiful! -Gina James Vigna

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Fin whale sighting this evening about 1800, 1 mile NNW of Golden Gardens. Feeding I guess, headed N, then spotted farther S just off the Meadow Pt bouy. LONG body, little scimitar fin, way way back. -Eric E. Jolley

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We saw the fin whale just north of Golden Gardens (north Seattle) around 1730 while doing a memorial. Just before the service the whale changed direction and came right past our bow. Phenomenal. -Adelia Mae Boyar

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7:30 p.m. - Just saw a humpback off constellation park in West Seattle. Slowly headed south. -Katy Coffey

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The attached pictures were from a Humpback whale sighting on Saturday, August 6th. The location is just North of Shilshole marina out at mid channel: Starting Coordinates at approximately 11:30am: N47043'.84 W122o24'.84. Moving in a southerly direction over the next 30 minutes that we watched. The cow put on a continuous show for as long as we watched. We believe there was also a calf at her side but was hard to confirm from our distance. N47o43'.67 W122o25'.03. -Michael Spruch
(This report and beautiful breach sequence are of (and a nice tribute to) the female juvenile humpback the night before she live stranded in Fauntleroy Cove, West Seattle the morning of August 7th. Sadly she eventually died while being cared for by a team of researchers and stranding network staff and volunteers as reported on in our August 13th Whale Sightings Report - ALB)

August 5
The evening of August 5th at from approximately 1800-2000 a group of us at Lime Kiln State Park witnessed a pod of 16 orcas heading south...We saw males, females and babies over the course of 2 hours...they were very close! I could hear the air being expelled from the blowhole. -Nicole Pierce

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4:14 p.m. - 75Bs with 75C and possibly a few more. At least 5-6 animals. No males. (Partridge Bank pod). -Renee Beitzell

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3:18 p.m. - 3.5 mile WNW of Libbey Beach now. -Mike Swanton

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West side of Partridge Bank, pointed Northwest at 1535. -Christopher Hanke

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1:30 p.m. - 4 - 5 orcas 1.25 miles east of Partridge Bank (off NW Whidbey Island), feeding, at least 1 calf. No direction of travel given. Report from Gary and Marcy Lagerloef, relayed by Susan Marie Anderson.

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11:23 a.m. - Eight to a dozen dolphins have flipped, flopped, fished and played "follow the boats" in Pickering Passage for over 2 hours this morning. They came from the north but stayed in the passage about 1/4 mile from the Harstine Island Bridge for the full 2 hours. They have been leaping and swimming in circles in multiple places to fish. Last seen following a boat wake under the Harstine Island Bridge. I do hope they return as they were so entertaining. -Gretchen Stewart

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9:35 a.m. - Large group of common Dolphins arcing and eating in Pickering passage. They headed south nearly to Harstine bridge and are now returning north near Harstine maybe 1/4 miles north of bridge. -Jill Streart

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9:05 a.m. - About 5 small gray [Harbor porpoise] just off Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Appear to be heading south. (after seeing examples of the Common dolphins and Harbor porpoise Anne thinks probably porpoise). -Ann Ventic

August 4
Orcas headed east off the coast of Point Roberts today. -Justin Schultz

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Another beautiful sunny day and an early whale report took us north along Bellingham Channel on a search - Resident Killer Whales far far up north in Canada, but another whale watch boat saved the day by finding Transient/Biggs killer whales north of Patos Island! The whales were heading away from us at a fast clip, and spread out, we had some great looks at the T65s and T34s, with possibly some T37s in the distance. A nearby harbor seal avoided detection by these mammal eating whales - it was his lucky day! After some quality time watching these magnificent mammals, we reluctantly left them, finding seals with new pups on several rocky haulouts, harbor porpoise and many bald eagles en route back to port. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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Traveling out of Everett heading towards Mukilteo Thursday morning, August 4th, spotted a whale breaching (surfacing?) that had a blow hole or nostral visible, and then as it breached, approx. 25-30 feet back came up a small curved fin, approx. 18"-24" tall. Never had seen anything like this before, so researched when we got home and looks like it was a fin whale. -Wayne Jensen

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Humpback MMZ0004 (Malleson/CWR catalogue) dorsal and fluke compilation photo. One of the few humpbacks encountered in Juan de Fuca Strait. So when a humpback heads directly towards your boat, most would zoom their lens out, but I was intriged enough to just leave it. Juan de Fuca Strait. -Connie Bickerton

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About 1:30 p.m. - a single humpback heading north about three miles out from Port Angeles. -Jack Tindall

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Saw dolphins this morning at 10:30 off Seacrest Park in West Seattle. From kayak.-Deborah Neisuler

August 3
Matriarch J14 Samish. CWR staff member Melisa Pinnow last photographed J14 from shore on August 3rd.

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L92 Crewser with little L122, to be named this month! The dorsal fin of L47 Marina reflects the colors of the orange sunset as she swims north off Henry Island, Haro Strait. -Monika Wieland

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7:20 p.m. - Jpod was at Smugglers Cove, San Juan Island. -Jill Shackelford Statham

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This afternoon was quite magical. Js and Ls in a few different groups being super social and playful as they made their way towards San Juan Island. Glassy water and massive clumps of whales. Hope they are finding enough to eat. -Traci Walter

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Hi Susan and Howard, we been out today close to 3-4 miles west of race rocks, L pod slowly came into direction of San Juans. -Peter Pijpelink

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Southern Resident killer whales jumping for joy, 10 minutes from our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottages this afternoon. Great photo by Captain Dan on "Sonar" right out from of Sooke and Whiffin Spit. J45 Se-Yi'-Chin (born 2009)and L55 Nugget, what a killer morning west of Sooke with L pod of the Southern Residents coming east past Sheringham Light House! Then, a quick visit with humpback whales. -Paul Pudwell

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6:40 - Jack Burchard reports 4 orcas heading south into Admiralty Inlet near Port Townsend, about mid-channel.

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Another beautiful day on the Salish Sea! We left the marina with news of resident orcas west but quite far and not moving much, but headed south west to find humpbacks. Which we did! With reports of multiple sightings, we were watching one, when Captain Eric spotted a big breach back toward the north east. We caught up with Split Fin BCZ0298 (2006 offspring of BCY0324 Big Mama) and Heather BCY0160 about 5 miles north of Dungeness Spit, and watched them fluke up tail dive, skim along the surface, and even have a close encounter (with engines shut down!). Thrilling to see these big, majestic whales feeding along the current lines and one huge breach that we're hoping a passenger captured on film! Also spotted some adorable harbor seals, harbor porpoises and bald eagles. -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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7:15 p.m. - Spotted Common dolphins at Chambers Bay they were closer to the Fox Island side around 6:00 heading South then came back up again heading north just now. -Soun Nonthaveth-Moffett

August 2
10:45 am - reports and sent short video of Fin in Case Inlet, way north near Victor, circling then last seen heading south. -Beverly McCallum

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We left port with no whale reports so headed around the south side of Lopez Island via Colville Island to see the seals hauled out and - aha - minke whale reports at Hein Bank, and humpbacks a little further to the west! So off we headed in that direction. The trip was a little bumpy at times but Capt Eric kept us on a steady course - we found a humpback a few miles west of Hein Bank and had quality time viewing this gentle giant as (s)he fed in the area. There were a few good fluke (tail) shots, and a few "almost" fluke shots. Homeward bound we encountered two (or three) minke whales, still near Hein Bank. No orca today, but two of our favorite baleen whales were well worth watching! A long but enjoyable day aboard Mystic Sea! -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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We left port with no whale reports so headed around the south side of Lopez Island via Colville Island to see the seals hauled out and - aha - minke whale reports at Hein Bank, and humpbacks a little further to the west! So off we headed in that direction...Homeward bound we encountered two (or three) minke whales, still near Hein Bank. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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

August 1
8:20ish - I just met someone who saw the whale go by North point of Harstine Island. Just missed it! -Connor O'Brien

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06:50 PM - My folks just saw a whale heading north in Pickering Passage north of Harstine Island bridge. They heard it twice, thought there were two, then saw a big grey back roll out. No clear id but thought someone around the way might get one if they know to look out. No photos. We heard 1 breathing noise and then a 2d and we saw a whale body but could not identify it. It did not look like an orca or a pilot whale. We watched for a 3d breaching but did not see one. We heard what might have been a 3d breathing breech but did not see it. -Carl and Carol Hauge

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4:00 p.m. -Fin whale headed south passing Boston Harbor into Budd Inlet. Turned around and headed north toward Squaxin. Turned around again and headed south down Eld Inlet. It zig zagged from one side of the shoreline to the other. 5:00 it headed north out of Eld Inlet where I lost sight. -Kim Merriman

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Here's the whale I saw off Steilacoom. Unfortunately, temperature distortion and my shaking from excitement makes this not the greatest pic, but it was incredible to see! -JJ Davern

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10:23 a.m. - Cathy Baker reports seeing the Fin whale (Long back. Small fin way back. Not a hump) surface near Point Ruston, Tacoma. Surfaced headed towards the big area into the ferry lane area going towards Point Defiance/Dalco Pass.

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8:40 a.m. - Puget Sound - Stephanie Raymond on the San Juan Clipper, reports one or possibly two Humpbacks, 1 mile south of the Clinton ferry dock (South Whidbey Island) southbound at a fast pace.

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Juan de Fuca - It was a long slog through the islands in fog today, but as gray skies gave way to blue intrepid whale watchers were rewarded for their patience by an engaging encounter with a humpback whale near Port Angeles. This whale was intrigued by our presence, so with engines cut we rolled around in the swell inhaling the 'sweet' smell of whale breath as the whale surfaced nearby, surprising passengers by exhaling a plume of rainbow colored vapor from two blowholes (the humpback is a baleen/rorqual whale). Not too many good photos on this trip due to boat movement, and sometimes it's fun to simply enjoy the moment in the presence of these magnificent creatures. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

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Today, the morning tour out of Anacortes with Island Adventures was lucky enough to encounter a very curious female humpback. We spent about 30 minutes with her and she gave us 3 encounters where she explored the boat, rolled over and gave us belly, sprayed us, and really checked us out. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had! Also hilarious because I had to abandon my 600mm lens fitter my iPhone to get the shots. -Belen Bilgic Schneider

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Gray Whale this morning just off the coast of Point Roberts. Turned and headed back out toward White Rock. -Justin Schultz

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My boyfriend and I were sitting on the shore near the Des Moines Marina looking into the Puget Sound, we both saw a whale's tail in the water. We kept an eye out to see it again and then to our surprise it surfaced and breached. We aren't completely sure whether it was an orca or other whale but it was shocking to see it so close to the shore an in an enclosed area of the Sound. Very awesome experience! -Natasha Polupan

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I saw the them (Common dolphins) at Narrows Viewpoint on Point Defiance Five Mile Loop at 8:30 pm. They were travelling south towards the bridge. At least 8 of them. -Meghan Davis-Van Horn

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I got to see the common Dolphins in Steilacoom. We saw them around 2pm traveling north towards the Tacoma Narrows. I've read a lot that says there are only 2 or 3 of them but there were more than that. There were at least four. -Jennifer Concoby

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Common dolphins today off Steilacoom while looking for the fin whale. -JJ Davern