December 2017 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of December 2017 whale sightings.

December 31
December 31- Haro Strait - Surprise! Yesterday's encounter with the T75s (including two new calves) wasn't our last orca sighting of 2017 after all! This afternoon the T18s turned up in Haro Strait. Here's T19B Galiano, a huge male impressive from any distance, as seen from San Juan County Park. Photo by Monika Wieland Shields, OBI, December 31, 2017 -
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Final trip of the season was a blast! It was freezing, but the sun was out and we had a lot of enthusiastic passengers aboard!! We traveled up to San Juan Island where we caught up with the T18's and 19's, a transient matriline that I have not seen since earlier this season! Always a pleasure spending time with this family that we so rarely ever see. Was nice to close the season out with them. T19B has a fresh/new notch and rake marks. These are some of my faves from today! Renee Beitzel
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I hear the faintest little T whistles on Orcasound lab 8:25 am. -Donna Green van Renselaar
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8:15 a.m. - Listening to very faint calls on orca sound hydrophone, lime kiln doesn't seem to working at the moment. -Terri Barnett
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8:05 am - Bigg's/Transient (mammal eating) orcas can be heard on the Orcasound lab hydrophone right now. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

December 30
T75B3, T75C and T75C1 - Center for Whale Research, December 30, 2017
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December 30 - Puget Sound - 4:36 p.m. - Sightiline: out in front of those brown condos that go out on pilings (Harbor West, Comorant Cove - ALB) still SB
4:29 p.m - Sightline: Milling around in front of Alki Lighthouse.
4:22 p.m. - Just spotted by scope from Manchester they are off Alki nearing lighthouse SB fast. -Noelle Morris
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4:13 p.m. - One male visible from Constellation Park, near Bainbridge side south side of yellow mid channel marker - slow SB towards Blake. -Pia VanHanen
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3:26 p.m. - visible from Magnolia bluff with good binoculars. From our vantage point they appeared to be approaching the Bainbridge ferry lane heading south, nearer to Bainbridge Island. We saw 2 individuals. -Christy Avery
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1508: same individuals as 1503 off mid Murden Cove close to Bainbridge, some directional changes but still progressing south.
1503: 2, pos 3, individuals (inc 1 adult male) passing Skiff Point mid channel, heading south, long down times, difficult to follow. -Paula von Weller
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2:15 p.m. - watched male pass by Carkeek, but against far shore (Bainbridge side) headed steadily south. -Steve Smith
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2:02 p.m - Report is K Pod. -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures
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1:50 p.m. - K20 Spock off Richmond Beach southbound mid channel. -Photo by Bethany Ryals, December 30, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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1:38 p.m. - straight out from Pier at Port Madison. Seeing distant blows between IE and barge. Steady southbound pace. -Susan Marie Andersson
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1:25 p.m. - Male off of Richmond Beach.
1:20 p.m. - Spread across the channel. Male to the east. Others to the west. Concur on open Saddle patch. Got some decent photos will share later.
12:56 p.m. - South bound mid channel past Richmond beach. A couple males farther east. Boats following. -Jack Nolan
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12:53 p.m. - Seeing them from President Point, south of Kingston. Several boats in the area. Direction of travel unclear. Still north of the channel marker. (yellow mid channel marker between Richmond Beach and south Kingston -ALB). -Joanne Graves
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1:04 p.m. - Never mind we have an open saddle patch so looking like.residents.
12:45 p.m. - Ie3 on scene at least 6 individuals. Most likely Biggs. -Scott Jacobson
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12:15 p.m. - spotted 1 male from Kayu Kayu Ac (park in Richmond Beach) just north of ferry lane. People on ferry right now got a great view. -Brandon Anderson
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12:15 p.m. - slowed up a bit. Approaching ferry line. Bit of feeding activity. IE 3 appears to be with them.
12:00 p.m. - K34 Cali (born 2001 to K13) passing Apple Tree Point Kingston. Still SB. West shipping Lane. -Sara Frey
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research from crop below)
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10:38a.m. - off of Point no Point mid channel south bound. -Meegan Reid
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8:59 a.m. - Near buoy south of Marrowstone still heading south. At least one adult male. Possibly one juvenile male as well.
8:45 a.m. - Orcas southbound in Admiralty Inlet, passing Marrowstone and Lagoon Point mid-channel. Fairly spread out and staying down for long periods but did see one substantial breach. Haven't gotten a good view of saddle patches yet to discern if residents or not. Saw at least 4. -Margaret Marshall
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December 30 - San Juans - On the 30th: After hearing from a friend about orcas seen heading north in San Juan Channel, I went to scan from Reuben Tarte County Park and spotted them along the San Juan Island shoreline. They appeared to make a kill south of O'Neal island before continuing north past Reuben Tarte and west through Spieden Channel. It was a group of the T75s: T75B with T75B2 and apparent new calf T75B3, and T75C with apparent new calf T75C1, for a total of five whales....
2017 has been, from start to finish, the year of the transients. There have been more than double the number of sightings of marine mammal eating killer whales in the Salish Sea this year compared to last year, and their occurrences were already trending up. As the year ends, we look forward to beginning to summarize what we documented this year compared to other years. It's thus appropriate we had the chance to see this group of Ts (T75s) today in San Juan Channel, likely our last orca sightings of 2017! -Monika Wieland Shields
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T75B with her brand new calf T75B3 near Spieden Island. -Photo by James Gresham, December 30, 2017
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December 30 - San Juans - (Probably the T49As relayed to and by Monika Wieland Shields who did see them herself). 4 orcas were observed foraging and feeding about 200 yards off of the east side of Reef Island just outside of Deer Harbor. We hopped in a kayak to take a closer look, and the air smelled heavily of fish and there were scraps of food all over the water near the whales, which the seagulls were feasting on. The whales then moved west into the San Juan Channel towards Jones Island. There was 1 male, 2 females, and 1 baby. The picture shows a female surfacing just north of Reef Island...(see below) We saw them first at 3pm and watched them head into SJ channel around 330pm. I'm curious as to what they were eating, as it didn't appear as if they were eating any big mammals like seals but from our kayak it was clear that they were feeding because of all of the food scraps all over the surface. Once we returned to our beach on the southern tip of spring point after the whales were into the channel, we noticed that a seal was hanging out in 3 feet of water like it was hiding from the whales, a place I have never seen a seal before. -Jack Albright
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12:45 p.m. - WSF reports 3 orcas between Shaw and Orcas.
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Coastal killer whales - December 30 - Oregon coast - Then another call came in from another observer (Brita Clothier) who upped the estimate to 20-25, and who took a video which she will share and we'll share it here if possible.
Update: Thanks to the video (below) from Brita Clothier, we were able to share with Melisa Pinnow, CWR, and she thinks they are Residents, possibly some of L pod (this is from a distant video, so not a firm ID - but given the numbers of orcas very likely to be Residents -SB)
Tillamook, Oregon. Possibly Southern Residents. -Video by Brita Clothier, December 30th, 2017
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11:56 a.m. - Coastal sighting report from Jim Border at the tip of Cape Lookout in Tillamook OR, who saw 15-20 orcas a couple of hundred yards from shore, spread out in 2s and 3s, all traveling steadily northward.
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Received a call from Jim Berry about a sighting, 12/30, about 11:30AM, from Ecola State Park, at Tillamook Head, of a single orca, 3-5 miles from shore, heading south.
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Unidentified killer whales - January 3 - Saratoga Passage - 9:30 and 10 am - Orca sighting Saratoga Passage south of Cama Beach Saw two orca traveling north through Saratoga Passage around 9:30 this morning, then I think the same two came back south around 10:00 AM, -Liz Leffler

December 29
December 29 - Haro Strait- hydrophones - 9:00 a.m. - I commented the other day that it seemed the whales liked to vocalize at about 9pm.... well, they changed that up...now 9a.m. 12-29-17 - Ts just began - intermittent over OS...at the moment LK is not streaming.
5:37 a.m. - Another day, another acoustic encounter with Ts! - right now 12-29-17 05:37. over OS and LK. -Jeanne Hyde

December 28
December 28 - Juan de Fuca - From Eagle Wing WW FB: We were approaching Victoria this evening, after an amazing encounter with the T49As - who were predating on a harbor seal - when we stumbled upon 15 or more killer whales (T36As, T36Bs, T137s and likely another group)! Interestingly, two of these matrilines were sighted in Mendocino last week. On this day, they were in pursuit of a large male Steller sea lion seeking refuge near the boat. The hunt continued for close to half an hour, before we slowly motored away and watched as the killer whales closed in on the exposed sea lion. A fascinating display of power! In compliance with whale watching guidelines. -Brendon Bissonette, Eagle Wing Naturalist
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Spotted a group of orcas from the bow of the M V Coho while traveling towards Port Angeles around 4:45 pm. They were moving northwest and I would guess there were at least 6 in the group, though I am not a trained observer. I had binoculars and could see them quite clearly. We were much closer to Vancouver Island than Port Angeles. There was a whale watching boat in the vicinity. One leaped vertically out of the water, others were rolling, slapping tails onto the water. No camera available. Many other people saw them. -Ruth Brede
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December 28 - Spieden Channel - T49As - Matriarch T49A - On a cold, rainy day, the T49As. Spieden Channel, San Juan Islands, WA. T49As new calf T49A5! T49A2 often spends time separately from the T49As, not today. T49A and her son T49A3 (born 2011).
-Photo by Jim Maya, December 28, 2017 (ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research (CWR)
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December 28 - Haro Strait - hydrophones - Those calls from last night continued into today 12-28 and expanded from OS to LK hydrophones in the middle of the night..Also there were a couple additional calls added.. .I think they are Ts. Whoever they are they seem to like to chat at 9 in the evening! - Jeanne Hyde
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December 28 - Juan de Fuca - Sooke, BC - 12:40 p.m.- A group heading West just past 5 minutes ago on the same line the East group was on earlier. The shooting has stopped. -Haley McLean
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10:58 a.m - We saw a group heading east off Otter Point park during the Christmas bird count. -Photo by Britton Jacob-Scram, December 28, 2017
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11:18 a.m. - They were off Sooke Harbour heading west...unless there are others near Shirley heading east...there was more than 3...possibly 6 to 8 heading west bound...
10:50 a.m - Could be heading west now...feeding so hard to tell direction at the moment
10:42 a.m. - Many Orca off Sooke Now! Looks like they are heading east bound...-Paul Pudwell
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10:25 a.m. - 3 Orcas spotted just off Shirley, Sooke. Heading towards Sooke harbour. Unfortunately I don't have my camera. The army is also shooting out in the straight. (We called to alert them to presence of orcas - ALB). -Haley McLean
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December 28 - San Juan Channel - 9:20 a.m. - 6 orcas, males females and one calf. traveling--possible two males one juvenile, females and one calf. 48.563084 -123.032801 -Carolyn Spence
(T49As were in the area & headed westbound Spieden Channel as included in our Whale Report dated January 3 - ALB)

December 27
Bigg's/Transient killer whales - December 27 - 3:17 p.m. - northbound, 8-9knts at Elger. Spread out across Channel. 3:05 p.m. - Can't really tell what they're doing. They've caught up to T46D but are paralleling at a distance. Very slowly moving north. -Renee Beitzel, Chilkat
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3:00 p.m. - 3 Orcas on Saratoga Passage off of East Point / Fox Spit heading north. One is male. There is a whale watching boat following them. -Jim Lovvorn
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2:42 p.m. - T46s; T46D is ahead of the rest a ways. -Renee Beitzel, Chilkat
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2:40 p.m. - whales are in Elger Bay, Camano. Chilkat is there too.
2:04 p.m. - At least three orcas including one large male heading north mid channel between Langley and Camano as seen from just north of the whale bell. Some splashing and apparent milling but generally northbound. -Sandra Pollard
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12:28 p.m. - Pod of orcas off the south end of Camano Island, called in by Melanie Pritt from Kititas ferry after departing Mukilteo.
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12:17 p.m. - 2nd hand report of orcas off the Clinton/Mukilteo noon ferry, south of ferry, milling, at least 3 of them. No further information... -Jill Hein
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December 27 - Haro Strait - hydrophones - starting at 21:24 very faint calls are on the Orca Sound hydrophones. This is the second night in a row that these same type calls have been on OS in the last two nights. They were also there on 12 -24. They have been there for extended time periods but not a single clear SRKW call made on any of the occasions. -Jeanne Hyde
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December 27 - Saratoga Passage - (supplemental on T46s who were included in last report - ALB). They were pretty elusive today and kept their distance. 46D was by himself near Fox Spit then switched sides right before we left. The others were together until mom split and T46E and F were traveling together. -Renee Beitzel
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December 27 - Admiralty Inlet - Yesterday afternoon (12/27) I saw what I believe were 2-3 orcas off Bush Point, Whidbey Island heading north. Can anyone confirm? (we had no other reports but K13s and Bigg's have been coming and going sometimes unnoticed). -Sylvia Kantor

December 26
Unidentified whales - Observed a single whale around 11am in the Saratoga Passage today, it was heading north. Was not very large but definitely a whale. Dorsal fin was rather small and situated towards the back of its body. Had flocks of birds near it. Thinking Minke whale? -Boris Pavlovic
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10:53 a.m. - Just saw a single small whale heading north off of our beach (4 miles north of Greenbank) heading north. Couldn't determine what it was, but we watched it for a few minutes before we lost it. It was black & at least one dorsal was visible...it was moving fast. -Marie Gill
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Porpoise - December 26 - 2:15 p.m. - Fairly certain there is a large pod of porpoise coming into Penn Cove now. -Kelley Neal Myers
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We saw a group of porpoise at the mouth of Penn Cove around 1:00 and they hung around for about an hour. It appears there was a large amount of fish in the water due to birds and seals hanging around also. -Kristi Miller Brown

December 25


December 24
11:30 p.m. - Transients on Lime Kiln for the past hour and a half... still can be heard clearly. -Donna Green van Renselaar
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Unidentified killer whales - December 24 - 2:46 p.m. - Definitely three, almost to the mid channel bouy. Small boat still watching. Still heading north.
2:36 p.m. - Found them again, still heading north. Mid channel off President Point, south of Kingston. At least two. not moving too fast. Small boat watching from a distance.
2:22 p.m. - Off President Point coming north. Clipper has stopped, Kitsap side. -Joanne Graves
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WA State Ferries, reporting 3 orcas off Tyee, Bainbridge Island heading north at 10 am.

December 23
Southern Residents - December 23 - Puget Sound - Ks - 4:15 p.m. - 2 approaching Shilshole, midchannel, continuing southbound. -Sue Larkin
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4:15 p.m. - from Sunset Hill. Leader is south of Fay Bainbridge from my viewpoint straight across the channel. Still heading south. -Jon Scanlon
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3:54 p.m. - larger group mid/west side of channel out from Fay Bainbridge, while at least one or more a mile southeast of them.
3:45 p.m. - seeing whale (s) and gorgeous illuminated blows mid channel Fay Bainbridge and Carkeek transect. Southbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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2:27 p.m. - Passing President Point, south of Kingston, heading south, mid channel. -Joanna Graves
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2:27 p.m. - Watching from Kayu Kayu (Richmond Beach) doing circles around whale watching boats closer to Kingston side. -Brandon Anderson
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2:13 p.m. - Out from Presidents Point, Kingston still meandering southbound as they forage for food.
1:38 p.m. - Orcas are very spread out. So far just seeing K13s engaging in a lot of fishing! Circling, zig zagging, lunging as they go after salmon. K25 and few others, including K27 and son K44 were mostly more towards mid channel with K34 closer to Kitsap. K25 would cruise westward, then head back towards west of mid channel. K25 partaking in much lunging!
On one occasion one of the younger whales was after a fish and K25 came hauling from the east, and lunged after the salmon, then headed back off towards mid channel again. All this going on while trending very slowly southbound out off Edmonds/Kingston, all keeping to west side of the Sound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Members of K pod trending southbound very spread out chasing salmon off Kingston/Edmonds area on this gorgeous frigid winter day. Matriarch K13 died earlier this year so it was especially meaningful to spend time with the K13s surrounded by the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Only individuals we could confirm were from the K13s: K25 Scoter was partaking in a lot of chasing and lunging today along with K38 Comet and his mom K20 Spock. Little K44 Ripple (born 2011, not so little anymore) and his mom K27 Deadhead swimming and foraging together. And a nice peek at K34 Cali every so often. -Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network, December 23, 2017
(IDs confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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1:15 p.m. - passing Apple Tree Point. Steady pace, long down times. -Sara Frey
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12:43 p.m. - The Chilkat Express and the Island Explorer are both off of Eglon and Rose Point. Some blows and splashes but hard to tell any definite direction, though probably south. They are 3/4 of the way across the channel from Edmonds (on the Kingston side). Hard to tell just what or how many because the water is so choppy with whitecaps... -Steve Marczewski
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12:50 p.m. - We have residents!! K25 confirmed so far by Renee Beitzel
12:40 p.m. - Seeing illuminated blows and orca bodies off Apple Cove Point, Kingston making directional changes. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:35 p.m. - At least 3 just north of Edmonds, mid-channel, very slowly meandering southbound. Whale watch boat nearby. -Rebecca French Gerke
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9:15 AM - Report of killer whales off Bush Point - direction unconfirmed. Keep an eye out! -Erin Johns Gless
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Haro Strait - Js - Per Jeanne Hyde - morning of 12-23-17 they (Js) had turned and and come back in (from the west). Heard clearly over the hydrophones, Lime Kiln and Orca Sound as they made their way north - again!
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December 23 - Active Pass - Kind of late reporting but they may still be around. 3 adolescent orcas were spotted near Active Pass in the Gulf Islands here in BC ...around 10:45 am in the bay on Galiano Island side. They were heading towards Open Sea so East bound. I am not sure which pod they are from. I have photos that I will have to post later. -Amaryllis Chang

December 22
Jeanne Hyde reported J pod in Haro Strait offshore in the distance off west side of San Juan Island. Last seen heading west.
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Dave Ellifrit was out on the water with J Pod and L87 off Victoria, BC. Here is a sneak peak. J35, J38 & J47 in photo. - Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, December 22, 2017
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The T049A's skulking through Oak Bay on December 22nd. -Photo by Mark Malleson
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Strait of Georgia - Pod of approx 10+ orcas passed Powell River close inshore about 10 am today. Friday Dec. 22. Heading south. -Ross Hamilton
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December 22 - Admiralty Inlet - Encounter while aboard WS Ferry! - 3:40 p.m. - Orca sighting. (6 total) Saw a cow a baby a male and a couple juveniles following a sailboat as the passed by the ferry. Traveling up bay, right off Port Townsend. 48degrees 6min 30sec lat 122degrees 43min 30sec Long. -Photo by Wolfgang Schlagel, December 22, 2017
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We watched orcas off Port Townsend today! We were at Point Hudson, about 2 and they were heading South and I think there were 4, possibly more. -Diane Duggan Pettis
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December 22 - Puget Sound - West Seattle Blog post: "Thanks for the tips! Orcas have been seen northbound past West Seattle in the past half-hour - Bretnie reported one off Fauntleroy, Amy saw four off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook."
(Time of sighting uncertain, comment by WSB on their link refers to morning tips- ALB)
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Humpback whales - December 22 - Humpback BCX0158 south of Constance Bank on the morning of December 22nd. -Photo by Mark Malleson, 2017

December 21
Sighting on Whidbey Island in Coupeville next to Port Townsend ferry around 4pm today by Lauren Forgas. Two videos by Lauren shared to and by Q13 showing at least 5 orcas (including 2 bulls, female (s) and young) just feet from shore on the north side of ferry and boat launch, just north of the Keystone spit.
IDs from THIS VIDEO: "The males look like T75A and T77B. It was probably the T75s and T77s traveling together", -Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research.
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December 21 - Admiralty Inlet - 4:12 pm - Five orcas including one bull, heading slowly south down Admiralty Inlet past Bush Point Lighthouse. Called in by Anna Sindayo (sp?) and Pip Gordon, with a Happy Solstice!
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December 21- Admiralty Inlet - I assumed there would be a lot of reports since there were a few people out there watching. I happened to stop at the Keystone boat launch on December 21 and noticed a disturbance in the water about 50 yards offshore and soon noticed there were orcas, two large males, four (?) females and a couple of little guys. As they moved closer to shore, about 20 yards, I noticed one of the males was pushing a rather larger pinniped which was wrapped around his nose. The pod was taking turns playing with (beating the crap out of) the pinniped which occasionally rose to the surface for a breath but was soon dragged down. After a half hour or so of this behavior the pod slowly moved offshore and a very tired subadult male Stellers Sea Lion about 2-3 meters long swam slowly to shore but upon noticing me and two others watching, swam back out and parallel to the beach to the east. The sea lion did not have any apparent wounds and was able to swim slowly. The orca pod continued to travel slowly into Admiralty Inlet. They made no further attempt to encounter the sea lion. I have three thirty second iPhone videos which I will share if you want them. Unfortunately, I don't think they show the sea lion. -Happy new year! Dave Parent
(Another report with link to videos were included in our last Whale Sighting Report. ID'd as probably T75s and T77s by Melisa Pinnow, CWR - ALB)

December 20
We had the same grouping in Oak Bay, (Victoria) today, killing seals. This is a rainblow from T75A. Cheers and Merry Christmas! -Photo by Valerie Shore, December 20, 2017

December 19
Wow, walking Tubby (mans best friend) on Whiffin Spit, out of the corner of my eye I spot our somewhat local Transient killer whales T11 & T11A in Sooke Harbour today! Run to the boat to try and share and capture Encounter #14 in two years with this Mother & Son feeding on seals around our docks. -Photo by Paul Pudwell, December 19, 2017
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Unidentified killer whales - December 19 - 10:30 a.m - We just sighted orcas; traveling fast headed towards Marrowstone Point from Point Wilson. -Port Townsend Marine Science Center
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10:00 a.m. - from Walker bunker Fort Worden 1 adult male, 1 juvenile. 3-4 others, may have been a younger male in that group. No binocs or phone. Asked another observer to send video taken at North Beach. Whales traveling 100 yards offshore towards Pt Wilson and moved out toward buoy and we lost them. -Sue Long

December 18
Coastal killer whales - T137s and T36Bs in Mendocino CA! -December 18 - CA coast - T137s & T36Bs - Mike Kitahara captured this VIDEO on December 18th of two families of Bigg's/Transients hunting a harbor seal in Mendocino, California. From multiple videos and still images, Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project, recognized the T137s & thought the T36Bs (T36B1 was later confirmed by Jared Towers, DFO ). These two matrilines are "exotics" to that area since they are usually seen through out the Salish Sea and WA & BC coasts! Alisa say they have no prior known documented sightings of them down there.
Video narrative: " What caught my attention was an orca leaping VERTICALLY over a complete body length completely out of the water. This was followed by a smaller flying object, which I soon discovered, was a harbor seal. The seal had probably been tossed around by the whales. I went closer to investigate and noticed the seal on the surface, apparently stunned. It swam over to my boat and tried several times to climb aboard while the group of orcas circled around it." -Mike Kitahara
5-5:30 p.m - 7 or so orca (1 big male, 3-5 other adults, 2 young) Big River- Bay - just south of Mendocino Headlands, apparently celebrating a kill. They were in the Bay breaching and tail slapping. Blood seen in the water by someone viewing from the north. Seals and sea lions frequent the area. I last saw the group headed north past Mendo Headlands at 5:30. -Sarah Grimes

December 17
10:50 a.m - Orcas passing Kanaka Bay: Just wanted to let you know we sighted around 3 orca whales off Kanaka Bay heading north. One very large male. Traveling and possibly feeding. -Theresa Gerrish

December 16
The T46s & T122 were near Turn Point & we made a slight detour to see them on the way home. (L to R - T46, T46F, T46E, & the tip of T122's dorsal). Right before we left the T30Bs joined up with T75, T75A, and the T77s for a beautiful passby. (In this shot, L to R - T77C, T77E, T75A, T77, T77B, T75, and just surfacing is T77D). - T30B T30B2 -Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, December 16, 2017
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T46s in Haro Strait. -Photo by Jim Maya, December 16, 2017
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1:05 p.m. - Haro Strait Orca sighting. Group traveling west between Pile Point and Point Edwards. 4-6 individuals, 2 males one BIG! Not close in... moving fast. (T46s). -Michelline Halliday
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The T75s and some of the T77s in a resting pattern south of Discovery Island, Dec. 16. Front to back: T75, T77 (baby T77E is just starting to surface in between them), T75A, and T77C. it's believed T75 and T77 are mother-daughter, so this was a family gathering. Perfect for the holiday season! -Photo by Valerie Shore, December 16, 2017

December 15


December 14
Southern Residents - 12-14-17 9pm J Pod is back on the Lime Kiln hydrophones. Their calls are faint and intermittent, but they have stayed in the area for the last several hours. -Jeanne Hyde
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6:15 p.m. - Orca calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Susan Berta
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4pm 12-14-17 J Pod is, in the distance, over the Lime Kiln hydrophones right now. How much closer or not they will be heard is anyone's guess, at the moment. Sweet to hear at least J Pod right now!! -Jeanne Hyde
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Hearing orca at Lime Kiln at a distance at 354pm 12/14. -Terri Barnett

December 13


December 12
1:00 p.m. - Point Jefferson, Kingston a plethora of orcas out front! Heading north. One of them even breached twice for me!! -Photo by Chris Otterson, December 12, 2017
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I saw your post about them nearing Cultus Bay. I ran down there a little before 4:00pm. I knew they were out there as 2 PSE linemen and one linewoman were standing there looking straight out. There were 4 of them. The mountains, the water, the orca, truly serene. Resident orcas at sunset backdropped by Kitsap Peninsula. I was standing at Scatchet Head beach at the end of Driftwood Lane looking over towards maybe Eglon, Kitsap. One of the PSE working at the end of that road was captured by the sunset and the 4orcas. Taken from Scatchet Head, Whidbey Island. -Marilyn Armbruster
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3:25 p.m. - The majority of the pods appeared to have headed NW while at least one family and one of the males headed due north directionally towards Possession Point. The others we could see for the past hour disappearing from sight. The only ones we see currently are south of Possession Point (sightline Sunset Ave, Edmonds to Cultus Bay, Whidbey) At least one adult male northbound with several others closer to shore milling off Whidbey. I think the pods are just spread out between South Whidbey and Admiralty. Viewed from Sunset Ave, north of Edmonds Ferry. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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About 2:45 p.m. - I saw 3 or 4 Orcas pass the Edmonds Marina heading north. Looked like one may have been very young. Traveling. -Photo by Julia Wiese, December 12, 2017
(ID notes by Melisa Pinnow, CWR: maybe J44, J50, and J42)
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A friend of mine Simone Bower said to send you this video. I took it on my boat today just out from the Marina in Edmonds. Thought you might enjoy! There were at least 7 of them around us. -Brent Castano
(Video showed matriarch J19 surfacing northbound, see screen grab below. ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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2:35 p.m. - Arrived just in time at Edmonds Marina Beach to see the two trailing families with youngsters passing northbound approx 200-300 yards offshore. Tail lobs, breaches, accelerated travel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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2:25 p.m. - ferry sailing out of Edmonds: passengers sighted 12-15 Orcas scattered North & South for about a mile, moving North at a fairly slow pace. The captain stopped the ferry and declared it a whale watching boat! One large bull sighted about 50' off bow, large 6' dorsal visible. Numerous smaller females scattered around. Some over by Apple Cove Point too. -Jann Clare
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2:01 p.m. - at least 9 orcas, more appearing from Sunset Ave in Edmonds, still spread out, barely south of the ferry dock. Northbound, some moving faster than others. -Kayli Ann Breitweiser
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2:00 p.m. - Just saw quite a few from Kingston Ferry. Mid-channel. Still heading north at a fast clip. One nice breach. -Tracie Jenkins
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2:09 p.m. - Trailers 1/4 mile offshore from Richmond Beach, 2 females and calf foraging and so slowly moving northbound. So dang cute! Adult male west of and behind them steady NB. And just now 2:11 another female and another calf just off shore Kayu Kayu, Ac Park Richmond Beach! Sweetest day.
1:50 p.m. - Just perfectly stunning and peaceful. Still streaming from the south of Kingston off Richmond Beach. All northbound with so many on the east side of channel. Someone breached earlier off Point Wells Dock. Several foraging, with directional changes, inverted lazy rolls. Sun has come from behind few clouds. Two Research boats, NOAA and Mark. Ferry to Kingston is at a slow mid channel/ Ferry lanes.
1:35 p.m. - so beautiful! Flat calm seas watching orcas spread in all directions in 1-3s slowly progressing northbound. Lead group mid channel between Kingston and Point Wells with male, female and young. Others spread both sides, several 1/4 mile offshore from me at Kayu Kayu Ac Park Richmond Beach. More coming from south about a mile behind. -Alisa Lemire Brooks (& her co-whale watcher Lil the Beagle), Orca Network
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1:25 p.m. - slowly heading north just passed channel marker in shipping lanes, adjacent to Applecove, Kingston. -Darlene Moneypenny
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1:00 p.m. - Point Jefferson, Kingston, a plethora of orcas out front!! Heading north, one of them even breached twice for me!! -Chris Otterson
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12:30 p.m. - I spotted a pod west of the shipping lanes, headed north - north of Skiff Point, south of Point Monroe (Puget Sound). -Tucker Services
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12:35 a.m. - Just north of Shilshole now all over...I was in the south bound lane. But the orcas were on both sides of us far off and in the north bound lane. -Ryan Johnson
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We had J16s close to shore at Rolling Bay today around 12:30. -Susan Marie Andersson
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12:10 p.m. - straight out from the ship canal/Ray's (restaurant at Shilshole), followed by NOAA. Just west or right in mid-channel. Spread out from the spit (north Bainbridge) all the way down, both in front of and behind the skiff. -Sandra Prow
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This is the third time in one week that we've seen Orcas: 2 from our home on Yeomalt Point and 1 from the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry. I have reported 2 so far. Today is the second time from our home on Yeomalt Pt. 4-6 traveling and feeding. -Janet Rein
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Someone slows for a a pec slap mid channel between Alki and Kitsap Peninsula, under the majestic Olympic Mountains. -Photo by Mary Denend, December 12, 2017
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10:50 a.m. - just saw about 10 orcas about 5 min ago off Beach Drive mid channel heading north towards Alki Point. -Athena Bautista
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10:45 a.m. - a big male and 2 more just passed between north end of Blake and south end of Bainbridge. They're very spread out. We were viewing from south of the lighthouse. Needed binoculars to view. -Anu Hastings
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10:30 a.m. - Leaders are passing Alki right now. Northbound mid channel. Others spread out back as far as Blake island.
10:00 a.m. - Looking at orca off north tip of Vashon Mid channel. And others off south tip of Blake. North bound. From 4700 block of beach drive. -Martin Moore
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9:58 a.m. - Whales at NE tip Vashon northbound.
9:48 a.m. - Seeing whales at Vashon Ferry dock, very close to shore moving north. -Buzz Shaw
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J39 Passing Alki Point Lighthouse NB mid channel, around 10:00 AM Taken from shore at Constellation Park. -Photo by Kersti Muul Double tailing' it out of West Seattle. This morning, taken from shore around 9:32 AM from Me Kwa Mooks as they are passing northbound at the tip of Vashon island. Two tails! K16 northbound passing Vashon Ferry terminal around 9:30 AM. -Taken from shore at Me KWa Mooks, West Seattle
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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9:35 a.m. - West Seattle Brace Point. Just watched three groups of orcas slowly headed north, mid channel toward Lincoln Park. Groups had 2-4 animals. Males in each group. At one point the second group flapped flippers and churned in water. Maybe they caught something. -Carolyn Duncan
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Orcas sighted from Alki. Today we were treated to another incredible show from our Orca friends viewed from Alki. The show stretched from Vashon to the North end of Bainbridge from about 9:30am-12pm. Must have been 10-15 total! Seen from Alki-From Vashon to Bainbridge. -Photo by David Haeckel, December 12, 2017
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9:25 - Mike called from WS Ferries Ops to relay a report of 10-12 orcas heading north in the ferry lane between Fauntleroy and Vashon Island.
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9:25 a.m. - seeing approach north end ferry dock of Vashon. 9:02 am. - at least one male, and some others spread mid channel and north of Dilworth. Think maybe all north of Dilworth. Melisa Pinnow identified K22, K37, and K33 in my photos. -Kelly Keenan.
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8:53 a.m. - Just got a report of orcas northbound just a bit north of Dilworth, Vashon. -Report relayed by Amy Carey.
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Resident male northbound Admiralty Inlet under a fiery sky and the majestic Olympic Mountains. Taken from shore at Scatchet Head, Whidbey Island. -Photo by Marilyn Armbruster, December 12, 2017
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Southern Residents - December 12 - Puget Sound -(J19 has been identified amongst spread out orcas in Puget Sound. Reports from today will be included in our next Whale Sighting Report. Alisa, ON)
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Dolphins -December 12 - One of two Bottlenose dolphins heading into Elliot Bay as Southern Residents swim nearby. -Photo by Mary Denend, December 12, 2017
(ID notes by John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research: "Not sure a positive ID is possible but does look like a likely bottlenose dolphin to me.")
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11:35 a.m. - I'm with Mary...two small ones did disappear right in front of the Space Needle headed into Elliot Bay. -Photo by Pia VanHanen, December 12, 2017
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11:31a.m. - Seeing two (bottlenose) right off shore at Alki Bathhouse. They are headed east along and close to shore...they are headed into bay. -Ellen Cole
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I just got home, but wanted to add that yes, 2 bottlenose dolphins were seen off Constellation Park around 11:20, then they turned and were parallel from shore of Alki beach, heading towards Elliott Bay around 11:35, then proceeded to head towards Magnolia. I drove to Jack Block, but they did not come that way - must have continued towards Magnolia. Sorry no photos, but saw them close enough to see that these are the 2 bottlenose we've been seeing lately. -Annika Bowden
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I saw a single dolphin briefly near shore at Constellation Park around 10:15-10:30. -Jason Lee Bell

December 11
December 11 - Puget Sound - Js & Ks - 4:00 p.m. - Passing towards Blake Island, WAY out there west in the channel. Taken from shore at Constellation Park, Alki, West Seattle. Still Southbound when I left around 4:15 they were passing Blake. -Photo by Kersti Muul, December 11, 2017
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On 3:59 Seattle to Bremerton Kitsap Fast Ferry, south of Bainbridge Island. Slowed for orcas before entering Rich Passage. At least one large dorsal, 2-3 smaller. Traveling westbound parallel to shore. Too far for good pictures, but posted what I could catch! -Kelli Reinhardt Gracia
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4:00 p.m. - Seen from 345 to Bainbridge (ferry). Spread out, still moving south. Most were south of Restoration Point toward Blake Island. A few were headed toward Alki. Two were still hanging out around Blakely Rock. -James Rufo Hill
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3:10 p.m. - Barely visible north of Bainbridge Island ferry terminal from Alki. -Buzz Shaw
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3:00 p.m. - 8 or 10, J36 Alki, K21 Cappuccino, headed south past Blakely Rock, Eagle Harbor area. -Gary Peterson
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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2:30 p.m. - pod (s) still spread from east to west with large number of them off West Point, Discovery Park across to Rolling Bay, Bainbridge. Keeping primarily in steady travel mode, with some foraging. Saw some breaches. And so it goes, from me and the beagle Lil on Sunset Ave, Ballard, the Bluff above Shilshole Marina. Beautiful place we live.
1:35 p.m. - got busy passing binoculars and talking orcas, salmon, dams, recovery etc with interested crowd, as we were talking I could still see with naked eye at least a couple east side of channel off Carkeek Park. I arrived at Carkeek about 1 pm and watched them continue southbound spead across and N/S as they have been with few occasionally stopping to forage. Believe it is trailers now who are south now towards Meadow Point, Golden Gardens. From Carkeek. -Alisa (& the beagle Lil), Orca Network
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1:50 p.m. - across from Ray's (southend Shilshole Marina). NOAA with them. East of mid channel, headed south, quite spread out. Magnificent! -Sandra Prow
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Watched many many orca pass Golden Gardens park between 1 pm and 2:30 pm. K20, K21, & K25 surfaced about 3/4 of a mile offshore while others were spread out to mid-channel and beyond. Photos heavily cropped. -Ariel Yseth
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2:05 p.m. - several orcas, including a big male out from West Point lighthouse now, milling about back and forth!
1:10 p.m. - Still seeing some from Richmond beach park, including one male who's a bit closer than most. -Jennifer Hammer
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1:15 p.m. - I live on Pt. Jefferson, Kingston and see several heading south a tad west of mid channel at a good clip. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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12:45 p.m. - orcas now sighted south of Richmond Beach. mid/east of channel southbound. Moving quickly! -Sue Larkin
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12:35 p.m. - several have stalled to chase fish off Richmond Beach while trailing males power southbound.
12:30 p.m. - Leaders just now Mid channel Jefferson Head (or Pt Jefferson), Indianola with trailers still north of them by 1-2 miles. Seen at least 6 males, 15+ whales. From higher vantage point. At Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
12:10 p.m. - there are a lot of whales out here...basically spread mid channel and to east and west of, with some approaching mid channel buoy off Richmond Beach/ Presidents Point and others trailing behind in groups and singles. Males mid, flanking and at least one trailing by about a mile. All powering in steady travel mode southbound in mild chop.
12- Noon- seeing several males, few females and young, mid channel between Point Wells and Kingston Ferry steady southbound in slightly rough seas. from Kayu Kayu Ac Park Richmond Beach. -Alisa (& the beagle Lil), Orca Network
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11:55 a.m. - VERY spread out N to S with trailers just passing Apple Tree Point now. Large male in the rear. Here are some saddle pics. I see open saddles! No, the boat was not encroaching on them. It was a steady stream of Orcas over 30 minutes. The last groups were very close to the Kitsap side. No activity other than steady SB.
11:28 a.m. - Many on the west side, Kingston. J36 Alki powers southbound past a fire rescue boat off Kingston, her older brother J26 Mike off Kingston, J17 Princess Angeline and her son J44 Moby off Kingston.... Spread out into the shipping lane. Steady southbound travel. -Sara Frey
Sara Frey called at 11:20 to report the orcas are at Apple Tree Point, headed south.
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Kingston Orca Sightings 12-11-2017...feeding, with some surface activity. We observed multiple orcas (10-12) while blackmouth fishing between 11 and 3pm. We first observed a large male surfacing near Apple Tree Point, then a few smaller whales nearby. All were headed south toward Jefferson Head, into the tide and wind. Around 1pm, we noticed significant surface whale activity a mile or two from our boat, with the activity just south of the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry Lane, and about two miles east of Kingston. This appeared to be about 8-10 whales all splashing around at the same time, but the 10 knot south wind and waves made observation difficult, and we couldn't see much other than the splashing. While we estimate there were approximately 10-12 whales in the area, most were in smaller groups except for the midchannel group splashing activity. We presume the whales were feeding on the numerous small hatchery chinook salmon around 80 feet down. -Randy Heath
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Dana Lyons reported orcas at Bush Pt. at 8:35 am, headed south in Admiralty Inlet toward Puget Sound!
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Humpback whales - December 11 -11:09 a.m - Single humpback whale south of Sooke about 5 miles. Heading east bound fast. -Deanna Brett, Love Sooke
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Unidentified whales - December 11 - We received a 2nd hand report of a Gray whale (or maybe humpback?) sighting off N. Camano Island this afternoon around 3:30 pm. The observer's sister called in the report, a short video was taken but we have not seen that yet - it was reported to be rolling around and active, so maybe a humpback, or gray whale feeding?

December 10
Haro Strait - 5 a.m. a couple SRKW calls over the Lime Kiln hydrophones. So they were in the area then, but I haven't heard anything since. -Jeanne Hyde
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Porpoise - December 10 - I have been watching 5-6 groups of harbor porpoises between Steilacoom and McNiel island for the past few days. Hard to tell exactly how many in each group but I estimate 6-7. Been fun to watch. -Nick Sue

December 9
Haro Strait - 6:39pm time to start listening to LK...faint calls of the SRKWs. The calls are quite faint. I hear K calls right now. -Jeanne Hyde
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December 9 - Admiralty Inlet - Ks & Ls - 1437 - Confirmed L72, 105 and 82 so far!
1345 - some are now out of the sound and entering the Strait. Looks like we may also have some Ls. Thought I saw L82 and have a photo of L72 but not yet confirmed. -Renee Beitzel
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1:32 p.m. - Marilyn Armbruster and I took 1:15 ferry and got surrounded by orcas midchannel and west. Literally everywhere. Still NW bound, spread out, north of ferry lanes. I headed to Bush Pt to catch a glimpse of the residents as they headed north and met up with Marilyn. Since they were on the other side, we decided to hop the ferry (Keystone to Port Townsend) to try to catch them. Our timing couldn't have been better as the ferry was surrounded by whales everywhere. L92 Crewser cruising upper Admiralty Inlet w/ other members of L and K pods. This is why I live here, the whales, and people still think I'm kidding. I'm not. Thankful for other orca dorks who just get it. -Rachel Haight
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At around noon today orcas were nearing Bush Point, we could see them from afar, they were on the side of Marrowstone Island, met up with my pals Ashley, Kate and Rachel... Rachel and I left to go to Fort Casey and on a whim and trying to time the orcas from where they were, we hopped a 1:15 Port Townsend Ferry. WOW, lucky....so lucky. I have never had this happen before where we were surrounded by orcas on a ferry. Amazing...Rachel and I then turned back around and caught the next ferry back. incredible orca blessed day! -Marilyn Armbruster
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I went up to Marrowstone Point and watched them pass through northbound heading out of Admiralty Inlet between 12:30 and 1:40 ish...Observed foraging, traveling, porpoising, pec slapping, tail lobbing, breaching. Heard a couple of those pec slaps! This is a bit hazy but, still... a joy to see them! -Donna Van Renselaar
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1:30 p.m. - Kind of in the middle. Hope they come closer to one side or the other. Ended up getting a good look at them after all. Were pretty spread out on both sides. Hope the folks at Ft Casey can see them well too. -Michelle Goll
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1:20 p.m. - Now at Ft Casey....boat with them, closer to Port Townsend side. -Bonnie Gretz
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12:44 p.m. - passing Lagoon Point, still NB, boat with them. -Patricia Prochaska
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1158 - still northbound, spread out at Bush Point. -Renee Beitzel
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11:50 a.m. - spotted a male off Whidbey passing Windmill Heights. (Mutiny Bay, Whidbey). -Rachel Haight
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10:25 a.m. - just passed Point No Point still headed north. L82 Kasatka passing Point No Point heading northbound towards Admiralty Inlet. Matriarch L55 Nugget (born 1977) - Point No Point, Kitsap. K21 Cappuccino passing Point No Point backdropped by the sandy bluffs of Whidbey Island. -Photos by Carol Derusha, December 9, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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10:30 a.m. - past Point No Point. Lots of breaches, spy hops, foraging, etc. Many spread across the west channel. Will post some pics soon.
10:00 a.m. - leaders at PNP mid west channel.
9:49 a.m. - There were many more than 4-5. Some were foraging. Spread out Kingston side to mid channel. I moved up to PNP (Point No Point). Waiting for them there. ( ID notes from Dave Ellifrit on several of Sara's photos from both Kingston and Point No Point (not all included in report) I see: L86, a couple of L103, a couple of L82, K21, L55, K34(!), and the right side is L82 again.) K34 Cali (born 2001) looking so big and handsome! L86 Surprise (born 1991) She's a good momma to L106 Pooka. -Photo by Sara Frey, December 9, 2017
(ID by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research)
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They've slowed down (ferry?) because it's 9:38 AM and the pod is outside of Eglon very close to the Kingston side. Still headed north. -Melissa Peterson
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9:15 a.m. - Orca sighting Saturday 12/9/17 morning...I was at a home just north of Pilot Point and saw at a minimum 5 Orcas swimming northeasterly. They were several hundred yards from shore. Traveling. -Terry Burns
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8:38 a.m. - Orca, lots! L103 passing Kingston backdropped by snowcapped Cascade Mountains. L82 Kasatka, she was born in 1990. Northbound off Kingston. Some foraging, West side, very spread out into shipping lane. -Sara Frey
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8:25 a.m - at least 4-5 Orcas off of Apple Tree Point, Kingston. Headed north, close to Kingston side. Moving at a fairly fast pace. -Gina James Vigna
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Unidentified cetaceans - December 9 - 9:23 a.m. - Loud whale noise on Lime Kiln hydrophone a few minutes ago. Someone is out there this morning. -Julie Kimberlin

December 8
Ks & Ls - Finally spotted them 1 mile south of Bush Pt. on the deep dusk, heading south, closer to the Whidbey side, could hear their blows thrpugh the crisp air! Watched/listened from about 4:55 to 5:10, then too dark and cold but they are likely still streaming by....They were heading SE in Admiralty Inlet, at dark they were about at the Hood Canal entrance - so they likely kept going then either went south toward Seattle or north up Possession Sound and Saratoga Passage. Hopefully we'll get reports tomorrow morning! -Susan Berta
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I took a drive up to Ft Flager and finally spotted the orcas travelling south from Marrowtone Point/Bluff...still pretty far away, but it was a lovely "early" sunset. Heavily cropped! Hope they are found in the central sound on Saturday morning! -Sue Larkin
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4:30 p.m. - at least one orca foraging near Bush Point.
4:12 p.m. - Sunset whales. Seeing blows from Bush Point southbound Marrowstone side. -Sandra Pollard
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3:45 p.m. - I now see 7 orca but two are in mid-channel coming to whidbey island side. They are just past lagoon point still going south.
3:30 p.m. - Admiralty Inlet. ORCA Sighting from Whidbey Island. Several Orca near Fort Flagler heading south. Currently staying on Marrowstone Island side. -Paula Ratcliff
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3:44 p.m. - A few nearing mid channel.
3:30 p.m. - a dozen or so passed Ft Flagler southbound more near that side. I'm at Lagoon Pt barely see them thru binocs. -Marilyn
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3:20 p.m. - L92, L90, L115, L83, and L110. K43 (female, born 2010 to K12) southbound off Marrowstone. Southbound, swimming fast! -Photo by Kim Walters, December 8, 2017
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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I was off Diamond Pt in my kayak from 2:00 to 3:00. Saw at least a dozen animals. -David Brande
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2:56 p.m. - I just saw many orcas on the inside of Protection Island! I'm watching from Diamond Point! -Cherie Buckles Sies
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2:51 p.m. - 20 + orca at the entrance to Discovery Bay 5-10 males. They were frolicking near Protection Island. -Luke Schwantes
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Ebey's Landing 4-6 orcas heading south down Admiralty Inlet. Traveling. -Janet Gunn
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2:00 p.m. - at least 20 orcas still between Ebeys Landing and Port Townsend, milling and foraging trending south. -Jack Burchard
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1:55 pm. - About 2 miles east of Protection Island & 2 miles west of Port Townsend. 10-12 whales. They were moving west towards the entrance of Discovery Bay. At least 3 big ones & one calf included in the above numbers. Also, they weren't moving fast. Lots of playing. Also hunting formations noted. Prolonged periods of 4-5 whales abreast only 1-2 meters apart moving 2-4 knots on the surface and then stopping yet remaining unsubmerged. Over a 45 minute period, they only moved about 1-2 miles. Most amazing encounter I have ever had by far. -William Westrem
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1357 - still southbound. Now at Fort Casey. Some already past to the south.
1251 - several animals closer to shore at Ebeys Landing. Still southbound....Justine Buckmaster just IDd K26, so we've also got Ks!
1227 - Orcas, really spread out pointing toward Puget Sound just north of Point Wilson! Definitely residents. So far we have Js near us but there are so many whales all over! -Renee Beitzel
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December 8 - San Juan Channel - 4:00 p.m. - Humpback whale-possibly juvenile-looked smaller surfaced and then deep dived tail up , did not resurface within range. Feeding close to the cliff--surfaced then dove tail up. 48,563084 -123.032801. -Carolyn Spence

December 7
Another Encounter with J's and K's and of course L87! Juan de Fuca.... At 1030, Melisa, Tom, and Jane left Snug Harbor aboard "Morning Star" in search of whales. As "Morning Star" approached Constance Bank in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, reports came in of Js and Ks up ahead. At 1230, the first whales, J22 and J37, were found a few miles south of Race Rocks as they traveled west together... Full summary report & photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 105.
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Unidentified killer whales - December 7 - Saratoga Passage - 12:30-1:30 p.m. - At least 3, one went north two towards Mabana. Nothing that large (male) and I watched them till about 130. 12:27 p.m. - Orcas at Camano State park Elger Bay. -Dena Marie
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December 7 - We just saw 2 at Redondo beach, Des moines at 4:45 Pm. (Two long distant videos shared to Facebook show what could be two bottlnose or 2 orcas). -Lisa Lisa

December 6
December 6 - Puget Sound - Js, L87, & Ks 1630 - Trailers about 1 mile south of Jefferson Head. Midchannel, northbound. -Ariel Yseth
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4:25 p.m. - Jefferson Point seeing a couple breaches...2 small dorsals traveling northbound. -Laurie Arnone
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3:42 p.m. - Just saw big breach way south of Faye Bainbridge where I am waiting. Nb heading this way. (They were elusive after that fabulous breach at 3:40... it was towards Murden Cove hugging Bainbridge. I saw a big splash out of the corner of my eye and then a nice full body breach just a moment later. Carey Kirkland who was there at Fay Bainbridge with me also spotted a male directly east/Richmond Beach E of Mid-Channel (around 4pm'ish?)...-Donna Green Van Renselaar
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J42 Echo. Approx 3:30 p.m - J26 Mike off Bainbridge. K25 Scoter - From the hilltop above Manitou Beach and NE Valley Rd, above Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island. Breacher is part of the lead group. -Photo by Paula von Weller, December 6, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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1531 - Leaders on Bainbridge Island side of midchannel just passing Skiff Point.
1523 - Seeing what appears to be blows possible socializing activity from West Point to mid channel. (watching from Golden Gardens looking toward Discovery Point). -Ariel Yseth
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2:55 pm - about due west of the Ferris Wheel right now, moving north. Looks like an Argosy (I think) boat is getting a great view out there. Much closer to the Bainbridge side. -Donita Gier
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Challenging day for photography out there. But all I wanted was the big boy, under the mighty brothers, and what do you know, it's the only picture that turned out semi-decent. Taken from shore around 2:35 PM at Constellation Point (lighthouse). -Photo by Kersti Muul, December 6, 2017
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2:30 pm - some past Restoration Point close to Kitsap side. Northbound
2:20 pm - Two groups near yellow buoy and crossed Bremerton ferry lane.
2:04 pm - OMG... jumping out of water happy tail slapping orcas. -Kathe Bradly
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2:25 p.m. - Jeff Hogan sees orcas spread out from the eastern tip of Blake Island to about the Seattle/Bremerton ferry lane, all across the Sound, steadily moving north, some foraging but not much.
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1:48 p.m. - I'm on the west Seattle side, watching a group pass Blake Island. They're on the west side of channel. -Kevin Crosby
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1:23 p.m. - Seeing some on SE side of Blake Island, very active. Also on Vashon side near ferry lane south of north end of Vashon. Looking from Constellation park, West Seattle. -Buzz Shaw
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1:08 a.m. - Many, Horizontally spread across channel, split by Vashon ferry watching from Lowman. Northbound still. -Kersti Muul
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12:53 p.m. - watching half a dozen or so pass North end of Vashon coming up to ferry dock. -Laurie Arnone
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12:50 p.m. - Few hundred yards East of Vashon Ferry terminal several individuals, at least 2 males, traveling north. -Jake Carter
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12:21 p.m. - Saw 3 porpoising fast travel splashes near the west side
12:19 p.m. - All 11 or so were medium travel N bound steady they're all N of Dilworth now. Still S of Vashon ferry lane
12:17 p.m. - From Dilworth saw 3 close to Vashon, 3 midchannel, and 3 or more east of channel. Clearly saw a deep open saddle patch on one large male. -Bethany Ryals
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11:48 a.m. - They are at 3 Tree Point, just north of the yellow buoy. I've seen 6 so far. A little closer to Vashon. Northbound but not fast...Just watched 4 gorgeous breaches!! Day is made. -Heidi Armstrong
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Saw a couple breaches around 11:45 south and across near yellow channel buoy..pretty far over even thru binoculars. South of Seahurst Park and across near Vashon could barely see thru the binocs. This was around 11:45. Definitely were on the vashon side. -Marilyn Armbruster
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approx 11:00 a.m. - I live in Burien on SW 169th Street. We have a beautiful view of Puget Sound from our back yard. I look out at the lighthouse on Maury Island. Since about 10:15 this morning, I've been watching a pod of Orcas between me and the island. They have been spouting and jumping in this same area for about 45 mins now. At one point I was able to count about 8 spews. I moved here from Connecticut in April and have been watching the water for months hoping to see this! So excellent! -Micki Maynard
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11:00 a.m. - East side of the channel, just south of Three Tree Point moving north. Several mini-pods ...They're moving quite slowly. -Mat Hahn
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10:32 a.m. - can see a couple south of KVI (approx 1 mile north of Pt Robinson) Still heading north. (L87 and other photos contain the J16s, primarily J26, J42, J36, and J5, caught up with the J16s (J26, J42, J36, J50) - per Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research) -Kelly Keenan
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10:15 a.m. - Just passed Point Robinson heading north. Middle channel.
9:40 a.m. - Maury Marine Park heading north. -reports relayed by Kelly Keenan
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9:30 a.m. - just saw a friend post on fb that they saw a pod of orcas passing lower Gold Beach (Vashon) headed north. -Marla Smith
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7:30 a.m. - I got a report of an Orca sighting on the Vashon ferry crossing. (several orcas surfaced from the east of the Tahlequah ferry) No other details yet. She said they were east of the boat but could not tell the direction of travel. -Kelly Keenan December 6 - 3:08 p.m. - Dena Marie reports watching an unknown type of whale off Cama Beach in Saratoga Passage: North of Center for Wooden Boats it looks like there's just one of them. And slowly moving north but not very fast I think there's a bunch of birds hanging out with the whale just one.

December 5
L87 Onyx, Puget Sound, & Mount Rainier. It was such an epic, beautiful day to see SRKW's from our shores of Vashon Island. Members of Jpod, Kpod and L87 were present. -Photo by Kelly BurnsKeenan, December 5, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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December 5 - Puget Sound - Js, L87 & Ks - About 415 pm as the sun was setting. For about 10 minutes, the light was amazing. From Pt. Defiance Marina. -Photo by Jennifer McKee-Johnson, December 5, 2017
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4:35 p.m. - Looks like a few are headed toward Ruston, seen from Owen Beach. -Morgan Dale
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4:33 p.m. - I've counted at least 15 headed back east. From Tahlequah... At first it looked like they were foraging in the rip, but not one of them that I saw turned back towards the Narrows or Colvos. -Holly Bailey
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4:29 p.m. - Seeing foraging behavior in the Pt. Defiance Channel.
3:45 p.m. - still spread out crossing/Milling Quartermaster Harbor towards Pt. Defiance. Can't tell if there's anything in front of them or not. NOAA is still with them.
3:27 p.m. - Some breaching their way across entrance to Quartermaster Harbor heading for Pt. Defiance, they are spread out all along southern end of Maury Island. -Melissa Burke
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A breaching orca and a WS ferry. I headed to Dash Point around 2:30 then over to Browns Point...from high bank at Browns Point could see many orcas pretty much spread out across the sound. I couldn't get any closer but it was nice to see them from afar. 3-4:30 pm -Photo by Marilyn Armbruster, December 5, 2017
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3:13 p.m. - heading southwest towards Point Defiance, just south of Maury Island, 3 or 4 of them anyway.
3:07 p.m. - now at Piner Point, thats off the south end of Maury Island. -John Troup
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2:02 p.m. - J's and K's and L87 (ID's on scene by Jeff Hogan) passed Point Robinson. A few still hanging around the point. Lots of foraging. -Kelly Keenan
(From many of Kelly's photos (not all included here) Melisa Pinnow ID'd: J17, J44 J51, J47, L87, K26, K35, K38, K42, and most likely K16)
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1:52 p.m. - I am seeing whales heading south. Some are right off of. Robinson And they stretch all the way across the channel towards what I would guess would be Dash point or saltwater state park? There is a research boat out there. They seem to be meandering in an easterly direction.
1:48 p.m. - I am seeing another group right off Point Robinson. Maybe half a dozen?
1:41 p.m. - I also just spotted a male heading south, but farther behind the first group so it looks to me as if there are two groups? I am viewing this from Normandy Park 219th St., on the bluff at the end of the road.
1:39 p.m. - So, I think I'm seeing maybe around five? It's hard to tell maybe one male? It appears that there might be a research boat out there with him right in the midst of it all they are spread out between the Point Robinson marker and the yellow channel marker off of Des Moines's area. They are kind of just milling around, but maybe with a more easterly direction.
1:26 p.m. - I am watching them from Des Moines. It looks to me as if they have turned around and are heading in a north direction, but maybe more towards the Des Moines's marina area. -Tanya Esparza
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12:35 - Leaders are approaching Pt. Robinson still heading south.
11:25 p.m. - With leaders south of Dilworth still heading south.
11:15 a.m. - See orcas spread out between Dilworth and Brace Pt. -Jeff Hogan
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11:47 a.m. - Still a couple of blows at Dilworth - headed southbound. Mid Channel. -Aimee Demarest
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11:40 a.m. - One of the males powering southbound as research boat heads towards others. -Photo by Mary Denend, December 5, 2017
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11:15 a.m. - 2 - 3 more slowly moving SB, slightly south of Brace Point close to Vashon/west side of channel. -Pia VanHanen
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11:06 a.m. - Leaders passing Dilworth, Vashon. -Kelly Burns Keenan
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10:51 a.m. - And more further north, followed by research boat, just near Vashon dock.
10:44 a.m. - group traveling south, visible mid-channel between east side of Vashon and West Beach, south of Fauntleroy dock. Lots of spouts and fins, but too far for any ID. -Ellen Cole
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10:29 a.m. - 3 southbound a bout a mile south and west of Vashon terminal. -John Troup
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10:15 a.m - A group of 3 - 5 slightly north of Vashon ferry dock west of channel, slow SB. At least one adult male....And a couple of gorgeous breaches just south of Vashon ferry dock! They are very spread out. -Pia VanHanen
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10:15 a.m. - Two breaches just south of Vashon ferry terminal far west side viewed from south Lincoln Park....male east side of midchannel appears to be heading southeast approaching Fauntleroy ferry terminal.
9:46 a.m. - At least several are south of Vashon ferry terminal west side steady southbound.
9:30 a.m. - At least one male line of sight to Tillicum Village viewed from Constellation, others now south of Blake. -Jason Lee Bell
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9:45 a.m. - Eyes on the pod of whales now, passing in front of Vashon right in front of ferry (from) 4500 block of beach drive , west Seattle. -Martin Moore
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9:32 a.m. - large male in lead south tip of Blake Island. West of channel, southbound. -Photo by Kersti Muul, December 5, 2017
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Distant photo showing adult male with open saddle. Taken at about 9:35 am from a rooftop in the Alaska Junction, West Seattle, looking south of Blake. -Photo by Steve Rink, December 5, 2017
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9:46 a.m. - Kathe reports seeing 8 closer to east side of Blake Island.
9:30 a.m - Volunteer Kathe Bradley called, she is viewing from Manchester and reports at least 5 spread out heading southbound between the anchored tanker "Atlas" (off northend Blake) and northeast end of Blake Island. Adult male in lead.
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9:20 a.m. - Orcas off of Bremerton Ferry, headed to Vashon. 9.20am. I saw at least 8. -Randall Kimball
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Departed Bainbridge on 8:45 am ferry. 6-7 orcas spotted to the south shortly after passing Blakely Island; thus about 9 am. Group seemed spread out and breaching. They were headed north, moving (it seemed) quickly. -Janet Rein
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8:35 a.m - saw several blows closer to Bainbridge side. Past Yeomalt heading South. -Anne Duggan Smith
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8:21 a.m. - We (WSF) are currently shut down for a pod moving through central channel east of Bainbridge Island, mostly west of Elliot Bay. Moving south, at least six, with several males. -Glenn Johnson, WS Ferry project monitor
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8:21 a.m - Backlit but trying to get pics, standby! A couple more in view so at least 11 ind now, a couple making directional changes, possibly foraging mid channel east of Yaquina Ave, most of group steady south, SE All backlit photos, can't make out saddles, one adult male has quite rippled dorsal fin.
8:13 a.m. - At least 8 ind reported now from our observer on the ferry just coming in the bainbridge
0812 - 3 more visible inc 1 adult male east of Yaquina heading south, so at least 9 individuals spread out mid channel
0757 Tues am: 6-8 min orcas sighted from Yaquina Ave (Bainbridge Island) inc 2 adult makes, heading south at moderate pace, mid channel. -Paula von Weller, WSF ferry project monitor
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8:06 a.m. - I think there is actually more than 3.....and they look to be heading towards the Port Madison area. They were a ways out and with the bright morning sun I couldn't see anything but black. The male has a huge dorsal...it was way out of the water before he even spouted.
8:00 a.m. - see three orcas meandering south off Point Jefferson, Kingston. One very large male. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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December 5 - Strait of Georgia - 2:12 p.m. - Approximately 5 orcas Northbound 2 miles west of Roberts Creek Straight of Georgia. -Scott MacLeod
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Humpback whales - December 5 - Lone humpback Mouat Pt Pender Island - 0900 Dec 5 2017 small humpback spotted off Mouat Pt Pender Island heading south. Saw 2 brief sightings; whale approx. 10 metres in length. Diving, maybe feeding. -Kathy Gilbert
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December 5 - Today's trip was a beauty, despite the cold temps. We had playful Dall's porpoise, river otters rolling in the sand, and a beautiful humpback whale known as "Two Spot"! (CS631/CRC16017 - off Open Bay off the west side of San Juan Island). -Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, Maya's Legacy WW, December 5, 2017
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December 5 - About 5 Dall's porpoises heading north of San Juan Channel from Friday Harbor Tuesday December 5th at about 11:40 a.m. -Mariann Carrasco (Mariann's husband reported seeing orcas at 11:00 am in front of Friday Harbor, but after further discussion concluded maybe was these Dall's who were hanging around San Juan channel - ALB)

December 4
Haro Strait - Well, folks. I don't know what else to say but... J Pod is being faintly heard over the Lime Kiln hydrophones - now! 4:47pm 12-4-17 Now they might not get much louder, or maybe they will. But they are in the area and that is oh, so, dear to my heart! -Jeanne Hyde
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4:32 p.m. - Definitely orcas. I think i've heard J pod calls, but they are not close so it's hard to tell. Whoever, they are quite talkative...this was a great night for J and I think L pod calls in Haro...After all the boats (2 bulk carriers and 6 Canadian Military ships) had passed, I could still hear our pod(s) in the distance...so I hope that good eats was the reason they stuck around. -EJ Evans
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4:06 p.m. - Picking up calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophone. Infrequent & far away. -Julie Kimberlin
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December 4 - Then around 6:45 I switched to the Orcasound Lab Hydro and heard something that sounded much more like the humpback from the other night...some squeaks, but A LOT of "grumbling" and "burping" mixed with it, a tail or fin slap and even something that sounded like someone blowing on a microphone... Very cool, can't wait to hear who/what I was listening to. -EJ Evans
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6:35 p.m. - There is a Humpback making really interesting vocals on the orcasound hydrophone right now! Plus intermittent Jpod vocals on Lime Kiln! -Traci Walter
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6:16 p.m. - Now there is an HB on Lime Kiln and something on OS...!!! Wild times on the HPs tonight! adding: on LK HPs it sounded like trumpeting sounds and on OS some of those squeaks an HB makes. of course it lasted only seconds. The HB is on OS and still going on and on. Today there was a young HB between OS and LK Hps from morning, when Ken Balcomb saw it and this afternoon when it came down to the lighthouse and then turned and went back up. Don't know it that's the one who is making all that noise. -Jeanne Hyde

December 3
Southern Residents - 4:35 p.m. - Marilyn Armbruster and I watched 5-6 heading north between Maxwelton and Point No Point in the almost dark. (Looking at some video I shot - 2 male and 3 female/young. Not sure if there were more. It was pretty dark by the time they got that far...Yes, NW out of Admiralty. We watched them north of PNP, passing Maxwelton, but it was too dark too see them before they got as far as the west end of Useless Bay.) -Connie Bickerton
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Posted 4:18 p.m. - I was with them with the IE3. I have several ID'd as K pod. I did not see any J's or L's, but starting to go through pictures on the computer here shortly. Definitely K pod. -Angela Nicholson
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3:50 p.m. - Three Orcas off Pilot Point heading north. Mid channel. Two females and a male. While riding the clipper South. Passed them at about 1550. Amazing creatures. -Chris Brown
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3:47 p.m. - the group is aimed Admiralty passing in front of Cultus Bay. Traveling northwest. They're closer to Whidbey. -Melinda Barajas
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3:39 p.m. - We're just seeing them swimming slowly north, no tail slaps or anything exciting. What am I talking about! It's always exciting to see Orcas, even if they're "just" swimming!
3:27 p.m. - The Orcas are by Pilot Point, about 2/3 of the way north between Kingston and Point No Point. There is a small green hulled boat that has been following them, that has a standup seat in the bow. They are still slowly heading north, but it appears that the group has shrunk dramatically, so I'm not sure where the bulk of them went. The green hulled boat meandered around a little like they had lost them, until 4 cropped back up now still proceeding north, still on the west side of the channel, heading north. (Research boat is on scene - ALB) -Steve Marczewski
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3:00 p.m. - mostly past Apple Tree Point Kingston, spread out west side of shipping channel and north/south as well. More steady NB towards PNP with some foraging, occasional breach, tail lob....They were really spread out (all directions) when they were north of Kingston. Some were stopping to forage. K21 passing Apple Cove Point, Kingston with NOAA researchers further out in the channel. They definitely seemed committed to Admiralty. -Sara Frey
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2:55 p.m. - Starting to see blows just south of Eglon-Kitsap side. -Laurie Arnone
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2:58 p.m. - still heading northbound, Kingston side...Due west of the Edmonds Marina.
2:47 p.m. - due west of the Edmonds waterfront park (just south of the marina) still on the far side of the channel. If you're looking right now, the distance is the tug on the Kingston side, and south 1/2 to 3/4 mile.
2:21 p.m. - They are north of the ferry lanes now, on the Kingston side. -Steve Marczewski
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2:16 p.m. - orcas just passing Point Wells heading towards Apple Point closer to Kitsap side - research boats still with them. -Darlene Monepenny
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1:57 p.m. - We are watching from Kingston a group of at least 5 slowly traveling north. A bit east of mid channel. -Melinda Barajas
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1:45 p.m. - 5-6+ Orcas seen from Richmond Beach trending north along east side (Kitsap) of channel. Traveling, foraging. Two research skiffs following. -Joan Poor
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1:10 p.m. - see about 4 to 5 orcas still off Jefferson Point slowly moving north bound ... very close to kitsap side. -Darlene Moneypenny
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1:05 p.m. - on 12:50 ferry to Edmonds. see blows still south of ferry lanes with IE3 and other boats on scene. -Sue Larkin
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1:13 p.m. - Back to north bound.
1:00 p.m. - Can see several from Jefferson beach. Very slow south bound...going in a slow circle. Mostly stalled... -Rebecca Ridzon Gaulin
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1:00 p.m. - A half dozen or so orcas (incl. Two teen K pod males: K35 Sonata (born 2002) & K38 Comet (born 2004), K33 and K21) heading north between Point Jefferson and President Point, Kingston. Couple of very good sized ones. -Photo by Chris Beamer Otterson, December 3, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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12:38 p.m. - They are clearly in no hurry. At least some appear to have pretty much stalled out still around south Port Madison. That's where I leave them. Bundle up & Good luck. Looks like 1, maybe 2, research boats.
12:12 p.m. - Ever so slow northbound progression while skirting south end of Port Madison. They are west of southbound shipping lanes. Nice to see so many blows from across the Sound which is pretty calm. Viewing From Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Clipper left, IA remains with them. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:57 a.m. - Confirm K's. K21 so far. Just getting on scene. -James Gresham
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11:56 a.m. - We saw K pod from the Clipper ferry off Edmonds on the way to Langley! It was amazing, so many of them!!!! -Viola Gh
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11:56 a.m. - Looks like at least a dozen w/ several males, stalled perhaps, milling, lazy pec slap. Maybe foraging as trend slowly northbound loosely grouped
11:50 a.m. - Sizable group off Fay Bainbridge northbound in southbound shipping lanes. At least one male. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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December 3 - Puget Sound - Ks - Orcas in central Sound, Probably. 9 or more I spotted a large group of Orcas feeding casually and moving slowly south mid sound between Suquamish and Shilshole Bay on 12/3 at about 11:00am. A large one and some smaller ones. Feeding and traveling very slowly 2 mph. I was able to get photos with my telephoto. K33 and K25 Puget Sound. -Ernest Seevers
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10:27 a.m. - at least 2, seem to be closer to Suquamish.
10:12 a.m. - watching from Richmond Beach and see blows between here and Suquamish. -Michelle Goll
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10:34 a.m. - watching from Fay Bainbridge... lots of breaching, tail lobbing, foraging, north end of Golden Gardens... seem to be grouping up a bit, still heading north. mid channel trending east.
10:07 a.m. - 5-6 orcas spread out approaching Fay Bainbridge west side of mid channel. -Sue Larkin
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10:20 a.m. - Just drove north to Rolling Bay and saw them again, more in pod formation and moving more quickly and directly north.
9-9:30 a.m. - Orca Pod Sighting. This morning off Yeomalt Point Drive. (Bainbridge Island) Perhaps 5-6 whales. Woohoo! Feeding and traveling north. Sailboat traveled to area of activity and they disappeared. -Jane Rein
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Coastal killer whales - December 3 - California - 1:20 p.m. - Just got a call from Irene Longcrier as she watched about 3-4 orcas off Chapman Point, inside the buoy (?), about a mile south of Mendocino. She says they are black with some white, and there are one or two very large dorsal fins. She says they come in in the morning from the south and leave toward the south.
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Humpback whales - December 3 - 9:01am - Haro Strait, 2 humpbacks traveling west between Pile Pt and Edwards. One very close in but traveling out to round Edwards. Seen from shore. -Michelline
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Minke whales - December 3 - 3:15 pm - we spotted a Minke whale mid-Admiralty Inlet, 1 mile south of Bush Pt, Whidbey Island. First headed NW then SE. Have not been able to spot the orcas yet, so they must be stalled out, lost in the "Possession Triangle" or headed up Possession Sound. -Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network

December 2
A beautiful look at a mother & her young daughter & their saddle patches: Princess Angeline (J17) and Kiki (J53) in San Juan Channel. -Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, December 2, 2017
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It was almost dark when Onyx (L87) ventured past Friday Harbor. What a cold, lovely afternoon. -Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, December 2, 2017
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An unexpected encounter with J-Pod is a perfect reason to update the blog with photos from today and other recent wildlife encounters. "...We thought we needed to go a ways to catch up with them when I spotted a whale right near Point Caution just north of Friday Harbor. I zoomed in on the first photo I took and spotted a large "finger" on the saddle patch - something you don't see on transients! It was J17 Princess Angeline and her youngest J53 Kiki..." 4:15 p.m. - L87 past Friday Harbor still going south, J16s still trailing somewhere to the north. -Monika Wieland Shields
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J16s were there too...J26 and J50 were together. They were off on their own. Others were nearby, but spread out. -Renee Beitzel
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2:54 p.m. - Sounds like the J17s are in San Juan Channel! -John Boyd
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2:50 p.m. - They keep zig zagging back and forth, very slow. More still spread well north heading south
2:40 p.m. - J17 44 and 53.
2:23 p.m. - Ones near Friday Harbor labs are crossing Channel. -Monika Wieland Shields
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1:50 p.m. - 2 humpbacks near Flatop. And Male, Female and Juvie Orca near Jones heading towards Friday Harbor way off shore from Reuben Tarte Park vantage point, and water is pretty choppy. -Peggy Mauro
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1:00 p.m. - Saw 3 Orca in San Juan Channel Saturday afternoon from around 1300 hours to 1600 hours -- appeared to be one male and 2 females -- saw one breach, but whales didn't seem to be headed in any particular direction -- back and forth in mid channel. Feeding? Possibly feeding owing to back and forth nature of travel. -Mark Aberle
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December 2 - 1:50 p.m. - 2 humpbacks near Flatop Island...from Reuben Tarte Park vantage point, and water is pretty choppy. -Peggy Mauro
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Unidentified baleen whale - December 2 - (unconfirmed gray or humpback in Port Ludlow marina) Posted 11:27 a.m. - Thar she blows! WOW! We just had a grey whale IN the marina. First saw it while putting up Christmas lights about 75-feet off the port beam, then even further into the marina towards shore. Got a few seconds on video on its way out. Exciting! -Pacific NW Boater FB page

December 1
01:04a.m. - take your pick Lime Kiln or Orca Sound HPs...right now...SRKWs...-Jeanne Hyde
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Bigg's/Transient killer whales - December 1 - 11:45 a.m. - Orcas seen at East Point Saturna Island. This morning we had a treat to see a group of orcas swim by East Point. They swam south bound from the Georgia Strait and into Boundary Pass right along Boiling Reef and the shore line. There were at least three: two adults and a juvenile. Not sure if they were resident or Biggs. The seals and sea lions seemed to be behaving strangely while they were there. -Jason Garratt
"These are Ts...They may be the T123s but I am not 100% sure." Photo by Jason Garratt, December 1, 2017 (ID notes by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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December 1 - As of 7pm they can now be heard faintly on Orcasound.
6:20 p.m. - Hearing calls on Lime Kiln Hydro, can anyone verify please? Hard to tell who though, I've heard a couple blows, and some clicking and something that sounded more like a humpback than orca, but also squeals that sound like orca. -EJ Evans