December 2012 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of December 2012 whale sightings.

December 31, 2012

Marc Myrsell of the Westport Aquarium called in a report from a visitor of 2 orcas ¼ to 1 mile off Washaway Beach, south of Grayland WA.
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We saw a huge pod of Residents heading east just past Race Rocks around noon while heading there in our kayaks. Too far away to get any good pictures but one had a huge dorsal fin. Our first Orca sighting while in a kayak too!
Mark Byrne
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A pod headed north past Yellow Island in San Juan Channel around 9:30 this morning.
Phil Green
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Two orcas at about noon headed south between Orcas and Sucia toward Parker's Reef. One larger fin and one medium.
Richard Boone

December 30, 2012

Spectacular Day on the Salish Sea - Captaining the Peregrine for James Mead Maya's Westside Charters. Members of both J & K Pods were out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca foraging! With views of the beautiful Olympic Mountains in the Background!
Justin Time Davis
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Jpod coming South in Andrews bay 1402.
Ron Bates
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I think I heard faint Orca calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones now at 2 p.m Sunday. I am listening for more...
Peggy Mauro
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Ken Balcomb was on the Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles this morning at 11 am when he saw a pod of orcas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, heading eastward.
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K pod seems to be coming north out of Admiralty Inlet according to hydrophone reports and a call from Mike Waitt, who saw two orcas approaching Lagoon Point, heading north at 8:33 this morning (Could these be the Transients still following K pod?).
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8:32am - I just heard a call.
Rachel Haight
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8:36 - clearly K calls now that seas are quiet.
8:13 - Hard to definitively hear over the boat noise but sounds like K pod!
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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8 am - Can anyone tell me what I'm hearing on port Townsend hydrophone? Heard them from about 7:55 when I turned it on to 8:23. Great way to start the day!
Valorie Clausen
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Bryan Owens heard what sounded like a blow at pt. defiance before sunrise today. Too dark to see anything.

December 29, 2012

4:40 - K pod continuing north near Country Club (Restoration Point) off Bainbridge Island.
Susan Marie Andersson
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4:39 - Transients just crossed southworth ferry dock.
Michael Nelson
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4:32 - Alisa and I left Manchester with K pod heading north, line of sight they appeared to be north of Alki lighthouse trending north east. A great afternoon chasing whales with Pam Wood & Alisa Brooks.
Connie Bickerton
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4:27 - Just watched 2 orcas travel quickly up north Colvos, appeared to be heading up east side of Blake.
Roxane Jackson Johnson
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4:24 - Due north of Blake island, by about 2k yds.
4:19 - It looks like they turned back south on west side of Blake.
4:17 - We see them to by the white boat.
Chelsea Freniere
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3:45 - Rick Down, a ferry worker on the Vashon run, reports a small gray whale off Alki, traveling north.
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Watched 10-14 orcas off of Yukon Harbor and Colby this afternoon from about 3:45 until 4:15 when it got too dark to see them. They were headed north toward Bainbridge Island. Stayed a respectful 400 yards to a half a mile away with the engine off, but managed to take a few pictures. These were the first orcas I've ever seen and the second group my husband has seen. It was quite a humbling, amazing experience.
Sierra Lynn Fisher
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3:38 - They are on the southwest side of Blake island now.
Valorie Clausen
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3:25 - Cathryn Rice at Prospect Point, near Olalla, middle of Colvos Passage, sees a small group of orcas heading north, just east of mid-channel.
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3:17 - Graham Dewitt on the ferry called with a sighting of 8-10 orcas heading slowly north across the ferry lane.
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4:13 - K pod just surface directly out from Manchester, north of Blake still northbound.
4:00 - Residents are rounding northwest end of Blake Island.
3:28 - they went around the west side of Blake Island, still northbound. sweet!
3:15 - just passed in front of Southworth dock, 3:10 eastbound ferry.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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3:09 - We are at Sylvan Beach and are just now seeing them south of us.
Valorie Clausen
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3:04 - just south of the Southworth ferry dock on the Kitsap side, heading north.
Roxane Jackson Johnson
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1500 - Pod northbound at north end Colvos passage. Several large males being closely followed by a NOAA vessel with a guy on the bow pointing a rifle at them. Are they attempting to tag?
Tim Ferris
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2:44 - Orcas just north of driftwood cove, will be near Southworth ferry soon.
Pam Woods
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2:31 - We are at the cove area on Vashon. They are north of us moving slowly on the Kitsap side. Should be to north end of vashon and blake island around 4 pm or later.
Amy Carey
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1400 - Group B of Jpod and the J16's just E. of Race Rocks going slow E.
Ron Bates
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2:29 - they are approaching us from the south at our location post above.
1:30 - they were just past Prospect Point. They and I are heading north.
1:11 - I am seeing lead group with research boat at Ollala heading north. woo hoo!
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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2:18 - Transient right I front of my house!! Wow!(to the west of south end (Tahlequah) ferry! The Orcas were traveling VERY fast. Boat traveling WAY to close to them.
Holly Bailey
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1:30 - Cathryn Rice at Prospect Point, middle of Colvos Passage, sees a group of orcas heading north.
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1:23 - They just went by our place in Olalla. Looked like six. Coast Guard escorting them. :)
Gregg Olsen
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We just saw a whole Orca pod go through Colvos Passage at 1:20 pm! We are on Prospect Point in Olalla facing Vashon Island! There was a Coast Guard boat and a research boat with the orcas as well! We are not sure how many there were but at least 10 and possibly more! There was definitely a large male in the group and some babies as well!
Noelle Summit
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1:09 - Orcas just so. of Olalla.
Pam Woods
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12:47 - Seeing them now, off Sandy Shores (south Maury Island). Far out in the middle of the sound. They are heading south. Spending a lot of time underwater, unfortunately. Not too many of them from what I saw, but it's hard to say, as they have not been surfacing much. An occasional three or four spouts, then down. They appear much closer to the east side of the sound than the first group that came through.
Jon Ehret
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12:45 - Brad Hanson, NOAA researcher, reports that the second group of orcas, now probably off the south end of Maury Island, are the T30s and the T124s, mammal-eating Transients (Bigg's Killer Whales), considered by some scientists to be a different species from the Resident, fish-eating type.
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12:40 - 20 ish heading north in Colvos passage by point Richmond beach near vashon side. Also spotted a NOAA(?) inflatable monitoring.
Steve Rees
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11:55 - orcas at owen beach (Pt. Defiance) now. Lotsa watchers too.
Bryan Owens
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11:45 - Several right by the Tahlequah ferry dock on Vashon!
Laura Edgar
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11:39 - Right in front of Anthony's (at Pt. Defiance) right now.
Holly Bailey
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11:33 - Moving slow, now just west of ferry lane.
11:26 - Watching at least 6 off Tahlequah ferry now.
Saul Fortunoff
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11:18 - Seeing them from Ruston Way, Tacoma. Heading west toward Pt Defiance.
Laura Edgar
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10:57 - At the Maury Island viewpoint now. Three seen mid channel nearing Dash Point.
Rick Oppegaard
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10:48 - Just saw the 6-10 orcas pass us, off Sandy Shores on Maury. They are moving pretty quickly, spread out from the middle of the sound to the east side. They're almost to Dash Point now.
Jon Ehret
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10:18 - Amy Carey found about ten orcas just off Dilworth, Vashon Is., heading south.
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10:14 - Just watched a group of approx 12 to 14 orcas swim past Pt Robinson on Vashon heading south, moving pretty fast and very spread out.
Amy Broomhall
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9:50 - I saw them at Pt Robinson, heading south. 12 to 14...very spread out and moving pretty fast
Amy Broomhall
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9:48 - John Miller of WS Ferries called to relay a report of orcas in Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lane. No direction given.
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8:45 am - Just got word of an anonymous report of orcas off Three Tree Point on the east side of Vashon Island this morning.
Orca Network
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We saw them as they passed Alki Point headed toward Vashon around 8:30am. Beautiful! We counted five.
Caitlin Bast
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3:45 - Richard Down, a ferry worker, reports a small gray whale off Alki, travelling north.

December 28, 2012

Today we saw two possibly three killer whales heading south entering Discovery Bay (west of Port Townsend) past Diamond Point. They stopped briefly to make a few long dives and then headed south around the corner. Miss Judy said earlier in the day she wanted to see some whales and Bam... they showed. What a treat. Lat.48° 5'47.35"N Long.122°55'25.59"W.
Rich Kiepke
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We saw one male Orca pass by Hughes Bay, Lopez Island about 3:30pm today. He was swimming from the west to the east.
Cj Wilson
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In the morning I spotted probable transients east bound off of Victoria traveling close to shore. There were 4 or 5 individuals including one bull. I tracked them from shore until 1130 to south of Beaumont Shoals.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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A group of Transients were reported to Ken Balcomb off Discovery Island (west of Port Townsend) this morning, headed up Haro Strait.
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Humpback BCY0160 was near Race Rocks.
Mark Malleson
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We saw a Gray Whale feeding very close to shore this afternoon around 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Appeared to be feeding, cruised back and forth between the Navy ships and the pier at the Northern Fish shop. On the southwest edge of the bay within 100 feet of shore at the Chinese Reconciliation Park (off Ruston Way, Tacoma). There was pile driving, pier work being done behind Northern Fish shop and the Whale came within 50 feet of those pilings.
David Valleau
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Orca's orca's everywhere. Near the Whidbey Island bluff. Wow! Between 1:30 and it got too dark to see. I was at Point No Point watching, cartwheels, wild breaching they were having a great time.
Cindee Still
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4:45 - at Double Bluff, there for around 2 hrs watching them hanging straight across at Pt No Pt, they hung out there for a long time, playful as can be, breaching, tail slapping, cartwheels, just having a grand ole time! They somewhat started moving slowly north of the lighthouse at Pt. No Pt and north of the housing community there and kind of just hanging too! I really don't know what they were doing? all I know is there was something they liked over there! There were many of us at Double Bluff Point watching.
Marilyn Armbruster
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A group of us saw a pod of Orcas north of Point-No-Point lighthouse about 3:30 PM. The whales were near the southern end of Whidbey Island. They were breaching just south of Mutiny Bay, where Admiralty Inlet meets Puget Sound. We watched through spotting scopes from about 3.5 miles away. One watcher reported seeing six or seven orcas.
James D. DeRoy
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3:25 - Since 2:50 or so Marilyn Armbruster has them just north of Pt No Pt, stalled and hanging out, breaching, tail slappin. She can't tell which way they are gonna go. I finally just saw two breaches from very far away. looked to be due north of Pt No Pt, mid channel west end of Useless Bay...probably out from Double Bluff. They may have turned.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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3:54 - Patty Michak says they're headed back north now, still breaching and cartwheeling in a fairly tight bunch. She estimates about ten of them.
3:36 - Patty Michak at Pt. no Pt. sees orcas cartwheeling and splashing around Double Bluff, not really going anywhere for the past half hour or so.
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Just got back from watching half of J pod as they made their way south down Haro Strait from Kelp Reef, across from Henry Island. We saw the J16s, J22s, J11s and J17s.
Melisa Pinnow
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I saw three Orcas swimming in a northerly direction at approximately Lat 47.917323. Long 122.320573 in Possession Sound along the Mukilteo shoreline.
Janet Carroll, Mukilteo WA
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3:30 - got to see them off Lime Kiln, a male and female led the way, and then a group of 3 (including a small one) brought up the rear. There were more way out into the channel near Vancouver Island.
Peggy Mauro
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3:25 - I finally just saw two breaches from very far away. Looked to be due north of Pt No Pt, mid channel west end of Useless Bay...probably out from Double Bluff. They may have turned.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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3:37 - She says she isn't sure what they are doing, started south, then kind of stalling out, then sort of trending back north a bit, then stalling again.
2:35 - Marilyn Armbruster is reporting seeing blows and fins off Point No Pointnow....And LOTS of activity.
Pam Ren
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I ended up coming across J pod south bound spread out from Kelp Reef to Andrew's Bay at 1330hrs after receiving a report of killer whale spotted in north Haro Strait from the Sidney/Annacortes ferry.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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1402 - J pod coming South in Andrews bay.
Ron Bates
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1:45 - Jason on the Victoria Clipper sees several orcas in mid-channel Admiralty Inlet, off Mutiny Bay, still headed south.
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1:44 - Victoria Clipper reports a group of at least 3 orcas, still southbound and moving quickly, in the shipping lanes 2 miles W of Double Bluff and they just found a second group of at least 5, including 1 adult male.
Stephanie Raymond
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2:50 - hearing them on Lime Kiln now.
1:43 - many more calls. Hearing some S4's.
1:38 - listen to those sweet sounds! Just heard a single call. Been a while, so nice to hear them..
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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1:32 - Orcas off the NW side of Henry Island.
Traci Walter
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Ken Balcomb was on the Port Townsend ferry at about 10:40 this morning and saw a tight group of orcas coming south into Admiralty Inlet off Pt. Wilson, north of Port Townsend. They might be to Bush Point or beyond by now.
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Gray whale in Commencement Bay - We saw a Gray Whale feeding very close to shore this afternoon around 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Appeared to be feeding, cruised back and forth between the Navy ships and the pier at the Northern Fish shop. On the southwest edge of the bay within 100 feet of shore at the Chinese Reconciliation Park. There was pile driving pier work being done behind Northern Fish shop and the Whale came within 50 feet of those pilings.
David Valleau
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We just got a call from Brandon Befosse reporting an incident from last Friday, at around 5:30 or 6 pm at the Ruston Fishing Pier. Brandon and about 20 others were jigging for squid off the short pier, with lights on & their lines in the water, when a 30' gray whale came by the pier. It came right through their lines and snapped at least 5 of the lines, went under the pier and back out again. It was swimming just under the surface of the water, and when it left it was headed toward the Port of Tacoma.

December 27, 2012

We saw members of K pod south west of Race Rocks. They were tracking south west. An earlier report from a fisherman indicates they were in the same area for several hours.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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11:30 pm - They (So. Residents) are on Lime Kiln Hydrophone.
Traci Walter
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I did my first watch for Orcas today and saw two whales at approximately Lat 47.917323. Long 122.320573 in Possession Sound along the Mukilteo shoreline. The time of this sighting was 2:45 p.m. They were in Possession Sound swimming along the Mukilteo shoreline - not that far out. What I saw was this. First I just saw a fin and back going in and out of the water. Then another fin and back and then the two jumped almost straight up out of the water together. Then they were both swimming along and my view was blocked by a tree. I could see no markings at all. Just some white when they jumped out of the water. I am making an assumption that they were Orcas but really would not have recognized them specifically as Orcas since I was so far away and didn't see any markings. I was on a bluff about 1000 feet away from the water maybe 300 feet elevation and about two miles south of the Mukilteo Clinton Ferry on 92nd Street just past Sunset Lane. The spot was a good one, but I need to get closer to the water. I could see into Saratoga Passage and Port Susan on the other side of Gedney Island and then behind to Puget Sound.
Janet Carroll, Mukilteo WA

December 26, 2012

At around 7:30am, I sighted at least 6 (possibly more) orcas just off Sandy Point, Whidbey Island, heading east southeast. Unfortunately, I was up on Clyde Road above the main bluff without binoculars so could not get a better look.
Jeff Rice, Langley WA
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1:07 - 2 orcas near Pt. Defiance, going west towards Gig Harbor!
Jason Cook
(Note: these could be transient orcas.)
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11:05 - I am now just north of Edmonds, they appear to be continuing south. Rain coming in making visibilty a little poor but they are out in the triangle mid channel.
10:50 - they are out from Cultus Bay between the two green buoys directionally south west but still no definitive direction as far as Admiralty or south.
10:33 - they are at the green buoy off Possession Point. At least ten w/at least 2 adult males still moving south. still close to Whidbey.
10:25 - have spotted them nearing Possession Point still southbound, very close to Whidbey side.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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10:30 - Timothy Furey saw 2 or 3 orcas from Whidbey, about 3 miles south of Clinton, heading south.
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9:50 - John Crawford sees them about 1/2 mile off Glendale, foraging and moving south.
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9:40 - Lynne Malescki called, they were about to Glendale, still heading south.
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John Rogstad of the WSF called at 9:20 am with a report of about ten orcas heading south from the Clinton ferry dock.
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Justin Burnett called at 9:15 to report seeing orcas from the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry.
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9:05 - I just spotted at least three Orcas outside my home on Brighton Beach (just north of the Clinton ferry dock). I estimate that they were half-way between Whidbey and Hat Island (I look directly at Hat). They were traveling West, and there appeared to be at least one male (very large fin). Unfortunately I did not get photos.
Susan Hanson

December 25, 2012

A caller reported orcas in the Mukilteo Clinton ferry lanes from about 2:15-3:15, including several large males, heading north towards Hat Island or Saratoga Psg.
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A caller reported 3 orcas off Dupont, WA at 3:30 pm.
(Note: these could actually be transient orcas.)
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3 pm - Rick Rasmussen Just saw at least 6 orcas from the Mulilteo-Clinton run. They are in front of Clinton terminal right now, headed north slowly.
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Returning to Clinton on 3:00 PM ferry we saw 3-4 orcas heading north in front of the ferry and we passed them on the starboard side. After landing they were still visible from the dock, one appeared smaller.
Ann Jacobson
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We saw a pod of Orcas today, Christmas Day, around 3pm right off of Whidbey Island south of the Clinton ferry terminal. The pod actually crossed right in front of the ferry as it headed into the Clinton terminal.
Zach Wehner
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2:15 - Stephanie Raymond reports orcas in the Mukilteo Clinton ferry lanes, heading south! Will they continue south or head out Admiralty Inlet?
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9:00am - 6-12 Orcas were reported by Heather Glude at 48d7.119'n 122d21.4328'w, which converts to Port Susan in Saratoga Passage. They were traveling North. 1-2 males were seen.
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Wa. State Ferries called in a juvenile gray whale off Vashon head at 12:22.

December 24, 2012

4:05 - mostly seem to be bunching up outside Eagle Harbor (Bainbridge Island) in ferry lanes. Both eastbound and westbound ferrries slowed and stopped. Some still trending north and some south. No big meet up party that we could see...maybe still to come. Merry Christmas all.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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3:50 - They are hanging about a half mile from each other on either side of the ferry channel, it looks like from Magnolia.
Denise Joines
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3:33 - Seeing them from a distance from Rockaway, Bainbridge.
Susan Marie Andersson
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3:32 - The Orcas are passing in front of Seattle now..ferry boat is slowing down for a nice look. I am scoping them out from Manchester. They are going North.
Noelle Morris, Manchester Wa
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3:31 - I just saw a bunch of orcas on the Seattle Bremerton ferry route! Looks like they are heading north.
Mitch Carpenter
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3:40 - we are more to the east end of Bluff. Seeing orca off Restoration point (south Bainbridge) and group of 8 passing Eagle Harbor now southbound. Also northbound blows next to blue/white small craft out from same point.
3:15 - Yes, seeing both pods from Magnolia Bluff. Northbounder pod blows and research boat visible sightline to us, mid Blake. Southbounders approaching and at Eagle Harbor with some still a 1/2 mile to mile north of them. Meet up could be south Bainbridge? Sweetness!
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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3:18 - Merry Christmas. We have a mother, 2 large males and a young Orca out front of the house south bound at Yeomalt Point on Bainbridge Island. They are about a 1/4 mile to 1 mile off shore and traveling slowly south.
Chris slye
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Orcas went past North Admiral (West Seattle), mid-channel about 3:30 PM, Christmas Eve.
Dan Ciske
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3:12 - Both pods now visible from Magnolia blvd park.
2:58 - Southbounders now at magnolia blvd park, midchannel.
Denise Joines
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3:10 - they were still filing in from the north when we left to go to Alki 15min ago.
3:05 - Shilshole group was spread out n visible from up high at sunset hill park. Slowly moving south.
Susan Vennerholm
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3:10 - Northbound group now nearing restoration point on s end of bainbridge.
2:47 - Vashon Whales now just at Blake island northbound. Small research boat with them. West seattle folks... Time to hit the beach!
Amy Carey
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2:45 - Southbound group tailenders passing Rolling Bay.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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2:40 - Southbound orcas (2) just south of lighthouse on Magnolia. Close-ish to shore.
Denise Rodriguez
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2:35 - Ken Balcomb reports the northbounders, about 20 of them, are spread out and foraging between Southworth and Vashon Island at the north end of Colvos Passage.
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2:30 - The group heading north was seen from the Southworth ferry dock at around 2:30, spread out, heading north and east out of Colvos. Fun sight for the folks delayed at Southworth. No ferry in sight, but lots of dorsal fins.
Pam Woods
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2:32 - third group off Shilshole on west side. moving slow
Susan Vennerholm
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2:30 - Several heading North towards Southworth ferry dock.
Bob Bussman
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2:28 - David called from the Victoria Clipper from off West Point, just north of Elliot Bay, with a group of orca traveling so. in mid-channel.
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A Christmas Eve visit from whales. Filmed at Prospect Point, which is on Colvos Passage in Puget Sound. This is on the South Kitsap side looking across to Vashon Island.
Pam Woods
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2:24 - Group of orcas heading south mid channel just north of Golden Gardens. Kevin Green
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2:03 - The southbounders are passing Carkeek now, midchannel.
Denise Joines
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2:22 - 5-7 stalled and foraging just out from Shilshole Marina. Long dives.
2 pm - group 2 coming from the north: they are still southbound tailenders passing Faye Bainbridge Park.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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1:54 - just passed the Cove Hotel (heading north), have moved to Vashon side....(the first group sighted)
Brian Smith
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1:52 - Heading north at Buelah park, Vashon.
Kelly Keenan
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1:52 - Ken Balcomb just called from Sylvan Beach, Vashon Island, seeing orcas coming up from the south in mid-channel.
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1:36 - Just saw them with binos from my house above Golden Gardens! Cruising down the hill now!
Susan Vennerholm
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One pod came from the south and one from the north. They met in the passage and frolicked around until it became too dark to watch. We had seen the south bound pod at Carkeek Park at 1:30. Then heard about the other pod. So we randomly drove to Magnolia Blvd Park. Sure enough there they were for over 3 hours!
Kenny Hamm
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1:23 - Lots of breaching and active behavior out there! Still making their way south. Bainbridge / Golden Gardens folks: get ready!
Dave Haas
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1:15 - Ed & I see them from Saltwater Park/Richmond Beach. So far at least 8-10 spread out Pt Jefferson with lead adult male a mile ahead. many mid channel with more on the west of shipping lanes, generally southbound with some lunge feeding behavior.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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About a dozen orca were sighted in Colvos Passage off Prospect Point about 1:00PM today. They were headed North and there was at least one baby in the group. I would estimate they were around ¼ mile from the shore.
Phillip Wilson
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1 pm - about 8 orcas heading north slowly off Prospect Point at red marker #4, less than a mile north of Olalla Creek. They were bunched up in a tight group, with about 4-5 male dorsals among them.
Cathryn Rice, Olalla (Kitsap Peninsula)
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1 pm - My cousin just saw some off the Kingston Ferry, she thought they were headed south.
Connie Bickerton
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12:44 - Headed North, they just pased us in Olalla.
Donna Green
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Randall Bass called at 12:43 - about 8 orcas are off Olalla Creek, heading north slowly.
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12:18 - Crossing to Kingston- several fins spotted from ferry just now!
KToo Acree
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Noon - We received an early Christmas present when a pod of orca passed by our home at point Richmond Beach near gig harbor on Colvos passage. I'm guessing that this must have been J or K pod due to the number (20ish). They were traveling north tightly grouped, angling away, at about 1/4 mile off shore and surfacing 3-4 times before they apparently dove.
Steve Rees
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11:25 am - orcas heading north up Colvos Passage.
Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales
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11:25 - Whales heading north up Colvos.
Amy Carey
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11:07 - Amy Carey called, about 15 orcas are rounding the south end of Vashon Island, looking like they're heading north up Colvos Passage.
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11:09 - We watched them swim past the Vashon ferry dock headed toward the Colvos passage. But they went under. Haven't seen them for about 10 minutes.
Sarah Jones Whalen
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10:58 - Now west side of the ferry lane just off Vashon. I think they're going to head up Colvos.
10:52 - Looks like they've turned westbound now
10:43 - I'm on the east side of Gig Harbor so hard for me to judge, but they are still heading south on the east side of the ferry lane.
Jana Olson Swan
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10:16 - Nearing the point defiance vashon ferry run. Closer to vashon just off neill point.
Amy Carey
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10 am - group off of south end of Maury Island.
David W. Lund
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9:20 - Seeing about five orcas, out in the middle of the sound, just toward the end of Maury Island, and slowly heading south. I counted six, still heading south and getting closer to Dash Point.
Jon Ehret
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9:30 - 5 or 6 orcas, slowly moving south on the east side of Vashon Island, mid-channel. Passed Gold Beach about half an hour ago. Great early Christmas present!!
Marlena Davis
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9:10 am - Whales in South Puget Sound! Just got a call with orcas off of Gold Beach - which is Vashon Maury Island - headed south. This is also near Brown's point on the mainland site for anyone looking on a map. I am gearing up now and will head out to find them asap.
Amy Carey

December 23, 2012

J pod seems to have split again, today's whales were Group B and the J16's, no reports of Granny and group A. Group B came S. but went back N.
Ron Bates
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9:30 a.m. - J pod whales passing Lime Kiln lighthouse going down island. At 10:40 a.m. the same J pod whales going north passing Lime Kiln lighthouse. I saw members of the J11s, J22s, J17s and J16s. I last saw them at about noon going up island. More of the story, images and video on my blog: Whale of A Purpose. At 6:25 pm. whales are audible on the Orca Sound hydrophones.
Jeanne Hyde
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10 am - [Orcas] heading south on the west side of San Juan Is. Ron Bates confirming it is J pod.
Sandy Buckley
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Saw a report of J pod moving down west side of San Juan Island about 10 am. No specific location.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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1:30 - I was sitting at Point Holmes (north end of Georgia Strait, opposite Powell River BC) looking out at the ocean and all of a sudden a pod of orcas passed by (coming from the direction of Comox Harbour). Not sure how many. One adult (quite a long upright dorsal fin), maybe 2 adolescent and 3 babies. They were in fairly close to shore and the young ones were playing around a bit. Then they headed out deeper and couldn't really see where they went - possibly toward Powell River or down channel by Hornby Island. What a treat - would they have been residents?
Marla
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I found T103 skulking along the coast of East Sooke Park traveling east. I left him milling around the mouth of Becher Bay at 1530.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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And from Ron Bates in Victoria, BC: T103 (Transient orca) between Race Rocks and Sooke.
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The Condor Express found a group of eight killer whales in the Santa Barbara Channel. They killed at least one California sea lion and one long-beaked common dolphin near the boat. These animals are as of yet unidentified.
Bernardo Alps
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Humpback BCY0160 is still here. I found her near Sooke.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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From Ron Bates in Victoria, BC: 1 Humpback between Race Rocks and Sooke.
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3 pm - Meg McDonald saw what looked like a gray whale blow at the south end of Colvos Passage.

December 22, 2012

3:45 - Orcas right now at Turn Is. headed toward Friday Harbor. Seen from Ferry.
James Mead Maya
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The Vanguard and the Condor Express encountered the CA51s near Anacapa Island in the Santa Barbara Channel. Alisa Schulman-Janiger identified them as CA51 and her offspring, CA51B, CA51C, and CA51D. As expected, the four showed up off Point Vicente the next morning.
Bernardo Alps

December 21, 2012

My husband and I are members of your network and live on the water on the Saratoga Passage. We are located on the northern tip of Camano Island. We had a large pod (we counted at least 13) of whales directly off Rocky Point, Camano Island for several hours this afternoon. They spent the afternoon hunting and fishing. Wonderful to watch! We have included a bit of our footage for you to enjoy.
Pamela and Douglas Carter
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I'm a commercial crabber and I was out by Smith Island on Friday 12/21 and saw a pod of four Orcas. They were about a 1/2 mile northeast of Smith island. They were traveling west-southwest and all periodically breaching clear out of the water. Didn't notice any particular markings. There were definitely 4 of them though.
Sam Smith
(Note: these could have been transient orcas.)
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I came across the L12's and 22's west bound late afternoon on December 21st near Race Rocks. They were traveling between 8 and 10 knots with a big ebb current.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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Lpod off Race Rocks, L41 also, 1600 going W.
Ron Bates
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4:43 pm - They're definitely heading south! I lost them for a while, but now in the waning light, saw a breach and tail lob .... all the way down near Cama Beach. Don't know if these are the leaders or stragglers ...
3:30 pm - We watched the whales from Kineth Point for well over an hour, and they stayed pretty much in the same area, between Utsalady on Camano and Strawberry Point on Whidbey. Now I'm back at my house and can still see blows off Utsalady, which is to the north east. IF i see them heading back south, will let you know. What a treat for for Solstice!!!
Jill Hein
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1:53 pm - Orcas observed off Madrona Beach on Camano Island feeding and traveling North. At least 1 male sighted possibly 2. Some in close to shore, most out in middle of passage, too far to identify. So exciting!!!
Pat and Michele Sarver
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12:58 - They're still heading very slowly north, I'm heading to Penn Cove to see if they make that left hand turn into the Cove.
12:03 - They're just north of Cama Beach right not, slightly closer to Camano side. 4 positive sightings, just north of Cama beach.
Jill Hein
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12:25 - Looks like enough to be residents, about 15-20, and I think I saw an open saddle on the left side. They should be coming up to Penn Cove by now.
From about 11:10 - 11:50, watched a pod of orcas swim up Saratoga Passage, passing our home and Orca Network office just north of Greenbank on Whidbey Island - what a nice way to begin the Solstice! Several adult males, mid-channel, all of them seeming to be in travel mode and moving rather quickly toward the Oak Harbor/Penn Cove area.
Orca Network
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Michael Patching called at 11:04 to say he had just seen two orcas heading north up Saratoga Passage past Baby Island (at the head of Holmes Harbor), toward Greenbank! He said one was a very large male.

December 20, 2012

4:48 - Group of Kws heading north out of Colvos. Possible group 2 hours ahead of them. I am looking off Alki, but darkness is falling.
Jeff Hogan
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Orcas, two small groups, about ½ dozen in each group heading north in Colvos passage about the Southworth ferry terminal at 1600.
Tim Ferris
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4:30 - One group now near cove on Vashon. Northbound. BUT just had report that a large group moved through about 2 hours ago which would put the leaders in the Alki/West Seattle zone.
Amy Carey
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4:20 - Just got another report from Cathryn Rice in Prospect Pt., on the Kitsap Peninsula side of Colvos Passage between Gig Harbor and Port Orchard, of 8-10 orcas headed up Colvos, mostly on the Vashon Island side.
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4 pm - Amy Carey called with a report of 15-20 at least south of a line between Lisabuela and Olalla, heading slowly north in a resting line.
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4 pm - off the Southworth ferry dock.
Donna Sibbers
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3:27 pm - orcas off south end of Vashon Island.
Jeff Hogan
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315 pm - Small pod, 3 to 4, one large dorsal, presuming male, 2 or 3 smaller ones, 50 yrds off the front of the Southworth ferry terminal headed towards Seattle, came thru between Vashon island and Port Orchard/southworth...delayed the ferry salish ...ferry allowed them time and distance before docking.
Wayne McFarland
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Holly Baily called at 2:35 pm from the south end of Vashon Island to report two groups of orcas passing the ferry dock headed SE past Pt. Defiance. One group of about 12 went by about an hour ago and the second group of maybe 8 went by a few minutes ago.
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2:30 - 4-6 orcas heading west, then north, at the south end of Vashon.
Donna Sibbers
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A pod of orcas sighted from the Tacoma ferry 1:40 boat, unknown direction of travel.
Rick Oppegaard

December 19, 2012

December 18, 2012

2:38 - Jeff Lamarche of Eagle Wing Tours called at to say he's with all three pods spread out 6.5 miles NW of Pt. Wilson (north end of Admiralty Inlet) and heading west toward Victoria.
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Starting from Bush Pt., Whidbey Island about 10:10 this morning orcas were spread out to the south, coming north. They slowly passed us, so about 11:25 we went to Lagoon Point and found them again, still heading north, now accompanied by Ken Balcomb, who came down from San Juan Island to meet them. Ken had ID'd several K and J pod members, and L87, and was escorting them north out of Admiralty Inlet as we left them at 12:25. Ken called at 1 pm to report seeing all three pods, lots of L pod orcas along with Js and Ks. He'll have to go over the photos to have a complete list.
Howard Garrett
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10:20 AM - A pod of Orca's were spotted off the north tip of Marrowstone island heading east. There seemed to be 4-5 individuals.
Lucas Hart
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9:06 AM - Christine on Victoria Clipper reports J and K pods north of Point No Point, between Foulweather Bluff and Useless Bay, spread out, foraging, slowly moving north. The sun's out, the wind is down, but large dark clouds are looming.
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9:00 AM - I'm watching Orcas right now just outside of Useless Bay. It appears they are going north. The are in front of the Victoria Clipper which is barely moving and that is what first caught our attention.
Ellen Molbak Welsch

December 17, 2012

5:47 pm - SRKW calls began on the Orca Sound hydrophones. They were distant with noise from the rough seas. The calls lasted seven minutes.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
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The Captain on the 2:20 PM ferry out of Fauntleroy announced Orcas off the port side..they were traveling quite fast between Vashon Island and Southworth heading up Colvos passage. One had a very big dorsal, appeared to be at least 8 of them. Sure made for a fun commute!!
Noelle Morris, Manchester Wa.
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12:42 PM - Seattle Blog Orca update from Donna @ The Whale Trail - they're parallel with Tillicum Village on Blake Island right now, tough to see w/whitecaps
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11:29 - Kws are just north of the Alki Bathhouse still heading south in the Bremerton ferry lane.
11:09 - Orcas heading south off Alki.
Jeff Hogan
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11 am - Amongst all the floating logs there are a group of orcas in between Bainbridge and Seattle right now. Mid channel off Rockaway, just approaching the ferry lanes. Looks like a good number, guessing maybe 10 at least. Heading south. 2 males, 4 females and what looks like maybe baby J49. It's pretty choppy and wind swept out there. Log, log, fin... Should be visible from west Seattle now, but closer to BI at this moment. Who knows how many more are hiding in the white caps!
Heather Polverino
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7:11 am - Orcas! Just got a text of some southbound off Alki Point.
by West Seattle Blog via twitter
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At about 2:15 this morning I think I heard orca's on the Port Townsend Hydrophone. The calls were strong and loud, considering I had the volume turned down.
Connie Bickerton

December 16, 2012

December 15, 2012

Watched 2 Risso's Dolphins off Sunset Beach north of Steilacoom on Saturday at 115 PM during the Tahoma Audubon Christmas Bird Count. It looks like there were 2 in the south Sound about the same time last year. Also 4 Harbor Porpoises just north of Pitt Island by McNeil.
Peter Wimberger

December 14, 2012

Received this report from Susan MacKay of Whales and Dolphins BC at about 3:30 pm: Thought you'd like to know that we just had the Southern Residents up our way.... Malaspina Strait passing Powell River then angling towards Vivian Rocks by Harwood Island. I knew they would come as they do every December. Lost sight of them now as they turned and headed towards Vancouver Island and the West side of Texada.
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2:47 - J Pod off Powell River right now.
Simon Pidcock
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I saw about 8 orcas heading east past East Point on Saturna Island at 9:00 am this morning. They were moving slowly but deliberately with a full flood tide. Saw one spy hop. I couldn't get good photos for ID, but here's a shot of 2 orcas surfacing by the very crowded Boiling Reef haul out. Bellingham is in the background.
Maureen Welton

December 13, 2012

John Boyd called about 3:30 from the ferry, a few miles east of the Lopez ferry dock, with a report of 4 transient orcas heading west toward Orcas Island. He said there was a female and three juveniles.
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10:43 am - I just got back (from Cattle Point, San Juan Island)... saw them from a distance, not sure who. 4-5 animals with one adult male. Last saw them south of Iceberg point headed east.
Traci Walter
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A report from around 9 am reports orcas near Cattle Pass, where the T49As were found yesterday.
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Jim Maya relayed a report from 8:15 this morning of 4 orcas at Eagle Cove. No IDs or direction of travel yet.

December 12, 2012

From Whales and Dolphins BC: Orca - Probably Transients (Bigg's) near Powell River BC.
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From Carkeek Park (North Seattle) I watched an unidentified pod of 6-10 orca traveling north through Puget Sound from 10:30-11:30am. This lovely individual continued northward at a steady pace east of mid channel, while the others were traveling west of mid channel.
Alisa Lemire Broooks
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1:43 - About 3 orcas, mid channel just north of Edmonds ferry now. They were moving slowly, north, northeast. So nice to spot them! I think there was a third one with them too.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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12:46 - still south of Edmonds ferry. And closer to the Edmonds side than the Kingston side.
12:30 - they're not far from the Edmonds-Kingston ferry now. Closer to the Edmonds side for sure.
11:34 - seeing them in the same area. Their behavior is pretty low-key and cryptic. They seem to be working that same area, slowly meandering to the north.
11.20am - seeing them from Richmond Beach now. First dorsal fin spotted.
Dave Haas
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11:00 am - my wife is watching them from Sunset Park about 2/3 of the way between Fay Bainbridge and Indianola.
Nathan Ahlgren
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11:46 - hard to get a handle on numbers. I've seen at least 6 individuals surface at same time spread out. Got some video in hope of determining if Ts or Rs. Hope you or someone get better look.
11:40 - passing Point Jefferson. Heading towards Kingston/Edmonds.
11:22 - just found one female well east of mid channel, sightline Carkeek and Suqaumish.
11:00 - a male was approaching Port Madison (sightline from Carkeek). See a skiff with folks in red/orange, wondering if research but does not look like usual NOAA boat, they are north Carkeek/Pt. Jefferson, east of mid channel.
10:50 - from Carkeek park (north Seattle) see them mid channel, approaching Fay Bainbridge. moving north. they had stalled for a moment circling, now conntinuing on. 1 adult male, couple of females, calf so far.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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10:14 am - they're passing me now - Skiff Pt on Bainbridge. Mid channel - just saw a few so far.
Lynn Batson
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9:11 am - a few minutes ago spotted a small group of orcas straight out from the Alki bath house, north of ferry lane, headed north.
Bill Rogers
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Pod of Orca sighted this morning passing Alki heading north about 9:00am. Thanks Pam Ren for the heads up...heading out soon.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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Transient killer whales T49As off Cattle point near San Juan Channel. As we arrived on scene this small group were hunting a sea lion. The two hours spent watching them they held and shared the prey carcass. There was a lot of fat and oil on the surface and plenty of sea birds. I recorded about 10 minutes of vocals. T49A, T49A1 and T493 were present.
Josh McInnes
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1310-1414 - T49A's in San Juan Ch. taking a sealion.
1212 - Whales going N.E. in Active Pass.
Ron Bates
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Ivan Reiff found some Ts off Cattle Point around 1:15 according to Josh McInnes.

December 11, 2012

Oy it was a nasty cold whale tracking day. After finding them at Dilworth (on Vashon) they continued to move southbound and were about half way to Point Robinson when they stalled out and moved back and forth from Vashon, mid channel and ultimately closer to 3 Tree Point. Seemed like they were going all directions but our way. With more squalls kicking in, and fog coming across the water we lost track of them just North of Three Tree point. Jeff Hogan reported looking farther North from the Seattle side but didn't see them. Could be they turned and went fully South after I had to abandon the watch or they could have been lost in rain and fog as they went North again. Kelly Burns Keenan posted some of the photos she took today at the Preserve Our Islands facebook page. Pretty far for ID's but we did have some photos and ID's were at least some K pod whales so residents are at hand. Really don't think we had all of K pod though - just didn't see that many. Maybe 10 with lots of back and forth action.
Amy Carey
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12:39 - right off the point. They must be going deep. I only see the spray when they surface briefly and then nothing.
James Branson
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11:12 - maybe 10 orcas? Hard to tell very spread out. Some near channel marker at 3 tree point.
10 am - just found em at Dilworth. Southbound.
Amy Carey
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8:42 am - Maya of WA State Ferries reports 3-4 orcas southbound in mid-channel of the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane. Amy Carey reports the passenger ferry from Vashon to Seattle also reports a group of orcas at about the same time, headed south.

December 10, 2012

December 9, 2012

December 8, 2012

All 3 pods made their way north in Haro Strait. Love these guys so much. So important to make sure we provide them the best habitat we can. Also, it's important that people stop supporting marine parks, it's tortuous for orcas. This is the wild, this is the real sea world.
Traci Walter
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56 Orcas on West Side, San Juan Island today, headed north!!!
Jim Maya
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6:25 - hearing some squeaks now - yippee - keep coming SOUTH!!
Orca Network
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6:07 - Listening live to Lime Kiln as I write. Distant calls. S16/17 S1, a couple of giggles too.
6:03 - Hearing calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone.
Jeff Hogan
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Oh my my!!! 56+ Southern Resident Killer Whales off the West Side of San Juan Island today, heading north.
Justin Davis
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We had all of L pod minus the L2's, the greater L9's, and the L12's.
Katie Jones
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4:55 - J Pod, K Pod, and a lot of L Pod heading north in Haro passing Turn Point by now.
John Boyd
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4:47 - I think I hear something on Lime Kiln's hydrophone....
Michele Alcaraz Dodson
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I was looking out from Beechyhead in East Sooke park today and saw 4 orcas about 5 miles off Sooke. From 2:00PM to 4:00PM the four killer whales slowly traveled east (inbound).
Vincenz Eberl
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1:25 pm - Killer whales sighted near Trial Island BC today.
Josh McInnes
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1:15pm - Looking through my telescope from my house on the west side of San Juan Island, I just spotted at least 7 or 8 Orcas on the Canadian side of Haro Strait very close to the US/Canadian boundary bouy.
Laura Goode, Friday Harbor, WA

December 7, 2012

December 6, 2012

Karl Menard of the UC Davis Marine Lab in Bodega Bay, called to report seeing at least 12 females (or juvenile males) and at least one male orca five miles south of Sea Ranch, north of Bodega Bay CA. He said there were many sea lions on rock and the orcas were in water about 20' deep all around the rocks. They were too far away for photos.

December 5, 2012

At Ft. Casey about 12:25 - blows to the south, coming up from Lagoon Pt., accompanied by a submarine and two CG tenders. They moved steadily north past Port Townsend and Pt. Wilson over the next 45 min. in mid-channel, so no IDs. I was at Admiralty Head while Ken Balcomb was at Pt. Wilson, but they were too far from both shores to get IDs. The ferry went way off course, apparently to go whale watching while stopped off the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. No clear direction of travel out of Admiralty, but Ken saw a breach between Ft. Casey and Partridge Point about 1:45.
Howard Garrett
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John Rogstad of WA State Ferries called at 1:30 to say the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry was among "countless orcas" in mid-channel and had to stop.
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Kit Turner called from Lagoon Point at 12:40 to say she was seeing orcas across Admiralty Inlet near Marrowstone Island.
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12:07 - Mike Waitt called from Lagoon Point to say he's watching whales between Lagoon Pt. and Bush Pt.

December 4, 2012

4:51 pm - Lots of breaching and other acrobatics north of the mid-channel buoy. Getting too dark to see dorsal fins. Splashes are about all that's visible now...
4:44 pm - I just spotted the first breach, south of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry line. They're still north and east of the mid-channel buoy to the west of Richmond Beach. Choppy water, no estimates of numbers or direction yet.
Dave Haas
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About 1:30 saw a bunch due north of Point No Point. [Orcas] came straight at the point, rounded the point and headed south and angled out into the Sound. Last I saw, they were still southbound. Once out in the middle of the Sound, saw one breach several times. I don't know how many--there seemed to be two groups each having several Orcas. One was a male--biggest dorsal fin I've ever seen. They were traveling fairly fast--seemed to be "on a mission." Amazing, amazing sight from Pt. No Point! I put my camera on continuous shooting mode and probably got 300 photos. I'll post some pics soon.
1:33 - I'm starting to see something due north of Pt No Point. Lots. Southbound.
Joseph Elliott
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1:25 pm - Orcas spotted at Point No Point five minutes ago, Frolicking, breaching - at least ten, heading south.
Elyse Sollitto

December 3, 2012

The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales visited Vashon and Maury Islands, searching for salmon. As they passed Point Robinson, they burst into playful antics that have to be seen to be believed: cartwheels, breaches, tail slaps, spyhops, and beautiful synchronized swimming in their tightly knit family groups.
Meg McDonald
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3:17 - They're moving north fast - seeing about 4-5 so far.
3:12 - Moving past the lighthouse now but they're on the Bainbridge side and visibility might make them difficult to see.
Lynn Batson
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2:24 - Seem to me making a pretty good pace. Front of group is just passing Eagle Harbor. I am counting at least 8, but I'm sure there are more. My guess is 15 minutes maybe until they come into view at Fay Bainbridge park.
Heather Polverino
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Noon - I saw a huge pod that hung out in front of Lincoln park after noon today! Nervous seal lion bull swimming back and forth 15 feet from shore. So COOL!!! There were definitely more than 10 and the guy next to me thought 20. The one that brought up the rear, kind of hanging to the east of a tug boat and its ship it towed had a very tall dorsal fin and BIG. They took their time going by, about a 30 minute chance to view them I'd say.
Jennifer Whittall
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2:20 - Marie of WA State Ferries got a report of up to 40 orcas beginning to group up in mid-channel just north of Restoration Point, Bainbridge Isl.
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2:14 - Keep your eyes out - the whales are not traveling as a group. They are clearly feeding and slowly moving north. Just left Alki 5 minutes ago, and there were still stragglers going past Bainbridge.
2:13 - [Orcas] heading north past Bainbridge Island just a few moments ago.
Annika Bowden
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At 2:02pm, my husband was taking the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton and saw a pod of whales that were heading north near the west side of the Sound.
Kim Abel
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2:13 - Just north of the Bainbridge ferry lane, mid channel.
1:55 - Mid channel between Bainbridge and Alki.
Susan Marie Andersson
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1:50 - Maya of WA State Ferries called to relay a report of about 15 orcas in mid-channel between Alki and Restoration Point (so. end of Bainbridge Is.), heading north.
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1:34 - Donna Sandstrom called to say orcas are spread out across the channel from Alki Pt. to Blake Isl., seen from Richey viewpoint.
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1:34 - From above Mee Kwa Mooks, just passed.
Terri Mitchell
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1:26 - I see them between Beach Drive and Blake Island now!!
Maria Kjeldgaard Cheha
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1:26 - seeing some about 1/2 mile off Alki/Rocky Beach between us and Blake Island!
1:21 - They're pretty far out from Rocky Beach/Alki...seeing some dorsals with naked eye...that Southworth Ferry is headed toward them, but the pod may be north of the Ferry line.
Steve Wharton
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1:21 - Just passing near NW point of Alki.
Jeremie Yoder
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1:13 - Seeing them at Alki.
Dori Johnson
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1:10 - Trina McDonald called from the ferry to say there were 10-30 orcas off Lincoln Park.
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1:28 - Several are still south of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge side. They've been there for a while - must be lots of tasty fish.
1:05 - I can see them easily w naked eye from n bluff, Lincoln Park! Meandering gradually north, no hurry, some milling around.
Trileigh Tucker
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1:04 - Just left the orcas, heading North just passed the Fauntleroy ferry lanes...midchannel.
Kelly Burns Keenan
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Fantastic show visible off the southern tip of Alki in West Seattle at around 1pm today. At least 10-15 orca, breaching, spy hopping, tail lobbing, moving north at a leisurely pace. And I think I saw baby J-49 with mama!
Carolyn Graye
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12:54 pm - Lincoln Park folks, look south and slightly west of what I think is a tug boat.
Valorie Clausen
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12:53 pm - Maya from WA State Ferries called to report a pod of 5 - 6 orcas between Fauntleroy and Vashon Island, heading north.
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12:57 - Now closer to Lincoln park side.
12:52 pm - Seeing them from bluff at Lincoln park. Mid channel. About 2 thirds of the way from Lincoln park to tip of vashon.
Nathan Ahlgren
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12:51 - Graham DeWitt, a worker on the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry, called to say he was seeing "hordes" of orcas in mid-channel, about 2 miles from land, in the ferry lane, very active and heading north.
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12:54 - From Lowman, spread out from Blake back to Vashon. Still mid channel. At least 10, maybe? (probably more?)
12:44 - From Lowman, just passing north point of Vashon, mid-channel.
12:31 - I'm at Lowman beach. Could see them with binocs. Still south of ferry, I think.
Mike Russell
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12:14 - Just saw one, a big male! Still quite a bit south of the ferry crossing, heading north. I'd say at least 2 miles S of Vashon dock, though it's hard to gauge distance from here.
Trileigh Tucker
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12:35 - Breaching for the ferry!
12:30 - Some on east side now!
12:15 - I am about half a mile south of Brace point. They are straight out mid channel and Vashon side, northbound.
11:55 - Across from Vashon, watching. Northbound, about a mile south of Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lane.
11:46 - About 1-2 miles south of ferry dock, Vashon side.
11:40 - Mid channel closer to Vashon side.
Roxane Jackson Johnson
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10:02 - Point Robinson! 5 or so tight group. Sorry. Much more than 5.
Valorie Clausen
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10:35 - Just past Point robinson steadily north.
10:17 - Oh my holy! It is a breach and cartwheel extravaganza!
9:37 am - Yay... Got em. Gold beach off Vashon - Maury Is. headed North. Should be nearing Point Robinson soon.
Amy Carey
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6:16 am - WA State Ferries reports seeing three orcas in the Pt. Defiance/Tahlequah ferry lane. No direction of travel given.

December 2, 2012

Ann Linnea and Christina Baldwin saw orcas from just south of Bush Point, heading south at 12:52.
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Unknown whales off Victoria at 1430 were coming N. to Vic. but turned and went back out. Bad water and light so no ID.
Ron Bates
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3 pm - What a day with whales traveling south down Admiralty Inlet and an array of devoted 'orcaholics' on the shore. Lots of big splashy breaches and cart-wheels among the white-caps, and shimmering vapor blowing on the wind from the whales' exhalations. Such an energizing sight on this wild day on Whidbey.
Sandy Pollard
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Ed & I boarded a ferry, wound our way to Point No Point to spend a day wandering the shores along the orca path. On the beach & in the company of many excited people (many names we recognize from Orca Network FB page) we shared the excitement of seeing these beautiful whales. The pods were spread across the inlet, north/south, east/west. The wind whipping fierce, waves rolling sometimes 5-6 feet in height just out where the tide rip rumbles off the point. The orca passed in groups of 2-5 heading southbound stalling to lunge, breach, spyhop..humbling & thrilling their human bystanders quite wildly. The baby J49 surfaced very close to shore in & amongst these bonded families of orca. They & we continued this journey southward, past Eglon. At last sight we saw one female nearing Kingston (could it be J2 Granny?). Another exhilarating day spent exploring this magnificent place we all share & call home.
4:10 - From bluff above Kingston ferry saw one female still southbound past Apple Tree point. Heavy rain has moved over the area.
3:25 - Eglon. Many passing so very spread out across and up and down. Hard to see in these high waves.
2:30 - Leaders south of Pt No Pt. Very high seas south of lighthouse. Spread out southbound.
2:06 - update that they are mid channel still southbound passing Double Bluff.
2:02 - they appear to be closer to Whidbey side off north end of Double Bluff, south, Mutiny Bay. breaches and blow.
1:45 - within sight now from Pt No Pt. Breaching out middle channel directionally looking at Bush Pt from our position.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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Beverly and I saw our first Orcas today at Bush Point! We are newby's to the PNW and have been looking forward to finally seeing them. We also enjoyed meeting Howard, Susan and Sandra from Orca Network and sharing their joy in seeing this beautiful creatures!
Wayne Sedgwick
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2:56 - Just saw one big dorsal way out just northeast from Eglon.
2:09 - Due east of Norwegian point heading south, seem to be moving faster. I'm only seeing big males in the rough water.
1:46 - Just north of the point at the northside of Useless Bay. One big dorsal and a blow.
Connie Bickerton
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2:47 - I am up on Gust Halvor Rd. I can see five.
Elyse Sollitto
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2:32 - saw them with the gang, first off Sandpiper Rd (Bush Pt.) at the beach and then met up with the gang at the lighthouse :) so nice! have a few photos altho I have a dinky camera.
11:39 - Mid channel at Bush Pt now.
Marilyn Armbruster
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Orcas close in, right off Lagoon Pt at 11 am heading south!
Susan Berta
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10:40 am - Kit Turner called in a report of orcas in Admiralty Inlet, circling, opposite Lagoon Pt.
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10:22 am - Marilyn Armbruster is seeing them at Bush Pt now.
Pam Ren
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9:45 - I heard Js and Pam heard Ks.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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9:25 - Orcas southbound mid channel at Port Townsend. Very spread out. Maybe a dozen or so.
Kaarin Jacobson
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9:20 - WA State Ferries reported about 15 orcas southbound in the Pt. Townsend ferry lanes.
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8:35 - Js and Ks on the pt hydrophone.
Connie Bickerton

December 1, 2012

December 1 Minke Whale is still out in front -- on the Northeast side of San Juan Island. This time headed Northwest, but seems to be feeding.
Mark Aberle