December 2023 Whale Sightings

December 31
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 31 - Haro Strait - 03:07 - Man, they’ve been at it for HOURS! Bad ship noise recently from a bulk carrier but calls go back to 01:15 and get awesome around 01:35. -Megan McGrath [WSSJI]
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02:13 - Just tuned in to Lime Kiln hydrophone - hearing calls. For the record, scrolling back a bit more, I hear first whistles at 00:44:18, then the ship noise gets loud. Link to audio. -Fred Horn [WSSJI]
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Sun, Dec 31 - Rosario Strait (T75Bs, T75Cs, T77s) - Some photos from today’s trip with Puget Sound Express - I’m still learning how to use a camera so apologies that photos are so dark (although to be honest, I like how moody they look). T77s with T75Bs and T75Cs (with a new baby assumed to be T75C’s) somewhere south of Rosario Strait. Link to more photos. -photos by Kelly Dawson, December 31, 2023
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12:10 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 12:42 to report: 1210 hrs: Captain reports, via 800MHz, about 5 orcas SB mid traffic lanes of Rosario Strait.
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sun, Dec 31 - Porlier Pass, BC
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Dec 31 14:16 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.01799,-123.58757
Number Sighted: 8
Submitter Name: Lucas
Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Dec 31 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (Gnarly CRC-14003) - Gnarly/CRC14003 out near Race Rocks. Link to more photos. -photos by Kelly Dawson, December 31, 2023
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Sun, Dec 31 - Central Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - 14:15 - Today was a good day! We saw CRC20899 in the afternoon at Owen Beach. I will say he seems to be lazy doing lots of logging/sleeping. Likes to swim in a big circle taking breaks along the way. He did swim 100 yards from shore. Lots of people running down Owen Beach to follow him, it was. Kind of funny.  -photos by Desiree Sauve, December 31, 2023
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Foggy morning spent watching CRC-20899 from Owen Beach as it made circles between Gig Harbor, Vashon, and Point Defiance. Link to more photos. -photos by Jolena Tagg, December 31, 2023
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CRC-20899 Humpback. Link to more photos. -photo by Kyle Anderson, December 31, 2023
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What a beautiful ending to 2023 seeing so many people out having a good time at Owen Beach today enjoying the amazing weather and the beautiful juvenile humpback CRC-20899. Happy New Year’s to all, we’re definitely blessed in the PNW! Link to videos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 31, 2023
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Was great to see everyone today! Lots of friendly familiar faces! Here is CRC-20899 making a close pass by Owen Beach today. Happy New Year everyone and be safe! Much love to all and lots of whales for the 2024 year!  -photos by Crystal Thompson, December 31, 2023
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Our friend CRC-20899 did a close pass to Owen Beach and also gave us a surprise breach this afternoon. -photos by Alisa Miller, December 31, 2023
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Fun time today chatting with other fans as I pursued this whale up and down the length of Point Defiance Park. I hadn't been to this part before and it is an amazing outdoor destination! If I had a tip to give about this whale right now, just stay at Owen Beach rather than trying to chase along 5 Mile Drive. Here are a few photos all taken from shore. -photos by J.J. Newman, December 31, 2023
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-photos by Mary Perlove, December 31, 2023
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This was my first time seeing a whale in the wild and it was amazing! Can’t wait for many more! Thank you Orca Network for what you do! -photo by Michael Haskins, December 31, 2023
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-photos by Jason Cook, December 31, 2023 - It was so great to see so many families lining the shores around Point Defiance to catch a glimpse of CRC-20899. Link to FB video. -Jason Cook
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15:35 - It just came up close to the blue dot [approx. 47.322742, -122.535173]. -Justin Foster
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14:35 - He’s logging close to Vashon on the south east side of. It breached soon after my post and now is back over by Gig Harbor. -Alisa Miller
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14:33 - He got really close to the ferry. Has anyone seen him since the ferry crossed? -Kim Smith
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14:09 - Got super close to the Owen Beach side. For some awesome views right off the beach. Now in ferry lanes. -Kelly Jo De Alba
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14:07 - Near the ferry lanes off Owen Beach, heading toward marina [approx. 47.315386, -122.520605]. -AJ Mick
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Eve Pugsley
Date of Sighting: December 31, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM
Species seen: Humpback whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Just offshore from Owen Beach at Point Defiance in Tacoma
Direction of travel : Southeast
Behaviors observed: Milled around very close to shore (~50 ft) for a few minutes then slowly traveled
offshore towards the southeast. Saw it dive twice (fluke up) once it moved further offshore
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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13:36 - Just spotted him in between the two boats to the west of ferry landing for my friends at Dalco Passage lookout. -Tiffany Hoskins
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13:25 - Still here. -Brianna Aratin
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13:22 - In front of this house. -Leo Leo
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12:46 - Just southwest of Tahlequah. -Charlene Engelland
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12:55 - Logging right off the southwest tip of Vashon as seen from Owen Beach.
12:30 - Back to milling and logging at the west end of Dalco Passage, mid-channel.
12:20 - Now moving back east in Dalco Passage, mid-channel but closer to Owen Beach than before. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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12:14 - Humpback still off Point Defiance between Owen Beach and Gig Harbor side- several tail shows and frequent logging in mid channel. Circling around, not really heading in a direction right now. -Sandy Hassell
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12:10 - Seen in same space. Seems too like it there. -Da Is
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11:52 - Just saw him! -Leo Leo
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11:46 - Spotted from Owen Beach a few minutes ago. Closer to Gig Harbor side. -photo by Jaime Shields, December 31, 2023
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11:40 - Spotted from Owen Beach, facing Gig Harbor side. -photo by Jessica Croyle, December 31, 2023
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10:35 - Closer to Vashon heading slowly towards the ferry. Missed a breach a few minutes ago.
10:19 - Closer to Vashon on last dive. -Jolena Tagg
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jolena Tagg
Date of Sighting: December 31, 2023
Time: 10:05 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Point Defiance, Tacoma, WA
Direction of travel : Stationary
Behaviors observed: Logging
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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10:00 - Humpback is still out in Dalco! Logging now, has been here logging for a while per people here [approx. 47.325487, -122.528408]. -Jolena Tagg
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09:59 - Humpback sighting off Point Defiance, Vashon Overlook. Logging and blowing last half hour.  -Linda Cohan

December 30
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 30 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T241, T241B, T252) - T252 - T241 - T241B - All three pictured - T252, T241, and T241B. Approximate location just west of Victoria/Port Angeles. In between Sooke/Joyce? First observed T252 traveling west at a high speed; met up with T241 and T241B who appeared to have a kill they were sharing. You can see the birds overhead in several of the photos. We had to turn around to head back to Edmonds, but Canadian whale watching boat confirmed with PSE that the trio continued west and later met up with the rest of T252's clan. This was on Puget Sound Express approximately 16:20. What is fascinating is these whales were observed together last year in approximately the same location and around the same time of year! -photos by Rachel Bernal, December 30, 2023

December 29
HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Dec 29 - Spieden Channel - 13:45 - A humpback came through twice at Spieden Channel and put on quite a show breaching three or four times in a row. We didn’t get those on camera but it was a sight to see! -photo by Sarabeth Levine, December 29, 2023
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Fri, Dec 29 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - 16:11 - Hugging the Gig Harbor side. Fluked towards Gig Harbor shoreline [approx. 47329596, -122.562101]. -Jason Cook
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15:55 - About ten minutes ago he either did a huge slap or breached two times right off the point of Point Defiance and made a HUGE splash each time. He was headed south it seemed. -Angela Walle
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15:45 - This is the closest I've ever come to a whale sighting so far! From Sunrise Beach facing Point Defiance area. -Zanaida Zee
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Erin Schlueter - Date Time: 11:30 am - 3:00 p.m. 12/29/23
Humpback
Between Owen's Beach and Vashon Island
Direction of travel: unknown, moving between Vashon and Tacoma
Speed of Travel: slow  -photos by Erin Schlueter, December 29, 2023
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14:51 - Ditto [also saw fluke]. -Callie Stoker-Graham
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14:50 - Just saw a tail flap in this area [approx. 47.343555, -122.551339]. -Julia Damey Brewer
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14:22 - Still out there. Between Owen Beach and Vashon. Mostly staying west of ferry lane. -Karen Boyle
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Photos taken between 12:30 - 14:00. -photos by Edie Baker, December 29, 2023
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Geoff Jackson
Date of Sighting: December 29, 2023
Time: 1:05 PM
Species seen: Best guess is gray. I've seen orcas and humpbacks. Didn't have an obviously curved dorsal fin [likely
humpback CRC-20899 who was in the area all day].
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Dalco Pass. N 47 19.520 W 122 32.134
Direction of travel : South. Slowly breaking the surface a few times.
Behaviors observed:
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
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13:02 - Surfaced several times before doing a deep dive and showing us its tail. It was north northwest of Point Defiance, perhaps moving more towards mid channel and Gig Harbor. Observed from the Tahlequah-bound ferry. -Glenn E. Johnson
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12:20 - It’s moving west in between Vashon and Tacoma a bit northwest of Owen Beach - just saw it. -photo by Lindsay Morgan Tracy, December 29, 2023
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11:58 - Saw their tail! Viewing from Owen Beach. -Annie Evans
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11:44 - Viewing from Sunrise Beach with binoculars. Just fluked between Owen Beach and Dune. No direction. Been in the same area for thirty minutes. -Brittany Hays
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10:14 - In Dalco milling viewing from Owen Beach. -Cherie StOurs
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09:47 - Humpback eastbound to Owen's [Beach], slow pace. -KitKat Whale

December 28
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Thu, Dec 28 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - We spent the afternoon saying goodbye to J Pod as they exited Puget Sound with their new baby in tow. These calm moments were enjoyed as the kids breached and played amongst themselves. Thank you for this lovely evening, J Pod. Remember, these orcas are critically endangered. Moments like these are incredibly special. We want to make sure we can continue to enjoy these whales for many years to come. Please urge President Biden and other local government officials to breach the dams now! Protect the future of these whales. All shots were taken from shore with a Canon 90D 600mm lens. Link to FB video. -Kat Martin
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From Point No Point Beach. - On the way to airport on 12/28 I took a longer route via the ferry, hoping to see them on the ferry. The ferry was delayed, which was perfect timing. Shortly after departing Kingston, the ferry slowed & made “there’s orcas” announcement. I looked for the new baby J60 (no name yet, that’ll be in a year) & found him! His gender was revealed later that same day when a researcher/photographer saw him roll over. Then I watched for a bit from the beach as the pod made their way northwest. The Southern Resident Orcas are critically endangered (with this baby, the population is now 75), the population’s biggest threats are human caused lack of salmon (their primary food), toxic pollution, noise pollution, change in climate & dams. -photos by Hongming Zheng, December 28, 2023
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There was plenty of great action from a distance at Point No Point. -photos by Jim Pasola, December 28, 2023
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Earlier from Hansville, they were too far from us, but it was nice to see them again today. -photos by Catherine Alvarado Soto, December 28, 2023
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18:52 - I am hearing distant S04 on Port Townsend hydrophone now.  -Jill Irene Freidberg
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18:45 - I agree with Jill Irene Freidberg about faint S04 calls on the Port Townsend Marine Science Center hydrophone. Here is an example clip tagged by an Orcasound - Listen for Whales listener. Link to sound clips. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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18:26 - Hearing a lot on Bush Point. Faint but seems to be getting louder. -Kyla Adams
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17:20 - S04 calls three times on Bush Point hydrophone thru tug boat noise. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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17:18 - Definitely clicks and some distant calls before the current vessel noise started. -Jill Irene Freidberg
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17:16 - Calls starting. -Breanne Denise Ward
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17:03 - The last time I saw them was at Shore Meadow - several had cleared Foulweather Bluff this was around 16:20. They all seemed still steady northbound still mid channel, some Whidbey side of mid. I never saw them from Bush Point. Lost light. No pictures to share. Fair and following, Jpod. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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17:02 - 90% sure I'm starting to hear slow echolocation clicks on the Bush Point hydrophone... Read through the real time annotations and replay 30+ second clips here. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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15:55 - Really far from shore from Robinson Beach in Freeland [approx. 47.9762332, -122.599414]. -Amanda Grace
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15:38 - Straight out from Limpet, steady northbound, midchannel. -Donna George
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15:21 - From Shore Meadow, they are continuing northbound fast Whidbey side of mid. Spread a bit north to south. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:09 - Can only see one male that is approaching Mutiny Bay, still northbound. All the others are out of my sight, even with binoculars./ -Ashley S Whitman
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15:07 - Leaders are getting close to the point of the bluff on the Whidbey side. Still trending northeast. -Kat Martin
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15:07 - I can see them from Shore Meadows. Looks like they are continuing northbound. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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14:58 - Some breaching action from about 20 minutes ago [video in FB comments].
14:55 - Viewing from Point No Point still. Still slowly trending northbound. They’re hugging the Whidbey side now [approx. 47.953471, -122.538350]. Some surface activity but it’s getting hard to see with even my 600mm lens. -Kat Martin
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14:53 - Group still trending north in front of Double Bluff, Whidbey side, barely visible in my binoculars. One or two milling behind the leaders. -Ashley S Whitman
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14:45 - Whales no longer visible with naked eye from Point No Point, trailing northeast. -Kalika CeCe
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14:33 - Viewing from Norwegian Point Park. I’m counting six. Still with research boat heading north. -Laura Rosman
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14:25 - Mid channel viewing from Point No Point, slowly trailing north in front of research boat! -Kalika CeCe
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14:09 - SRKWs = Southern Resident Killer Whales calls faintly audible after ferry noise abates. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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14:08 - Five orcas with the research crew. Across channel east of Point No Point. -Laura Rosman
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14:00 - Slowly rounding Point No Point, likely mid channel. Spread out, however, there's one group in the lead. -Ashley S Whitman
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Ashley S Whitman, just met you at Point No Point. Thanks again SOOOO much again for sharing your binoculars! Hope to see you out there again someday. -Jane Shasky
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13:58 - Viewing many whales northbound - midchannel sight line Point No Point to Maxwelton. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
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13:24 - Just left Eglon Beach, still viewing but they're more northwest now.  -Rubie H Baker
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13:08 - Watching them about where my original map was at 09:00. Looks like research boat with them now. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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12:45 - Well north of Apple Tree now. West side northbound steady travel towards Point No Point. -Sara Frey
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12:00 - Seeing blows and occasional disturbances mid channel between Apple Tree Point and South Edmonds. Whales do appear to be heading north. From long distance away at Kayu Kayu Ac Park. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:48 - Viewing from Marina Park - definitely north bound, saw splashes. -JoAnn Avanceña Wuitschick
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11:46 - North of Kingston at Apple Tree Point. -Brian Livingston
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11:38 - One male and at least three females seen just north west of ferry. They were milling between the lanes but heading south west slowly. -photo by Rubie H Baker, December 28, 2023
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11:33 - This group has flipped here now northwest bound. -Jim Pasola
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Cara Haskey
Date of Sighting: December 28, 2023
Time: 11:23 AM
Species seen: Orca J pod
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Ferry route Kingston
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?: 4
Any unusual markings?: 0
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: That there near Edmonds coming around the shore
Photos available?: No
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11:19 - Viewing from the hill above the Kingston ferry they are right in the path of the Edmonds ferry bound for Kingston west of mid channel but not by a lot southbound. Incoming ferries been stopped right after I said that outgoing slowed and veered around them. -Jim Pasola
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11:07 - Now at the ferry still steady southbound west side of channel. Grouped up.
11:00 - Approaching Edmonds still steady southbound west side. More grouped up now. Some surface activity. -Sara Frey
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10:55 - Spotted from Kingston. -Rebecca Berger
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10:47 - Male dorsal seen twice, south of Eglon, southbound. Viewed through binoculars. -Ashley S Whitman
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10:45 - Fast travel now with some porpoising. Leaders approaching Haines Wharf to Apple Tree Point. Will be to the ferry route soon.
10:40 - Some also Apple Tree to Picnic Point. All west side of channel.
10:35 - Seeing spread out [approx. 47.854263, -122.460393]. Southbound Apple Tree Point to Cultus Bay, then a male much farther west towards Eglon milling maybe. -Sara Frey
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10:17 - From Apple Tree Point multiple individuals southbound sightline to Maxwelton/Double Bluff maybe even with Eglon - breaching a lot! -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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10:21 - They’re definitely headed south at this point.
10:10 - A group of us formed on the Edmonds side by north Brackett's Landing. Can barely see them near the coast of Eglon/Kingston. -Jennifer Marx
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10:03 - At least five or six in the bunch I was viewing. Hard to see if baby was one of them.
09:57 - Passing Eglon, maybe towards Kingston - moving and cartwheeling, spy hopping and breaching all the way.
09:52 - Definitely south bound trending towards Eglon. Still a ways off shore.
09:39 - Breach fest again. Seem to be getting closer to Eglon. Freighter coming in.  -Rebecca Berger
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09:33 - They’re moving fast now. West side of triangle. Still southbound. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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09:31 - J pod calls audible on Sunset Bay hydrophone, faint but getting louder.  -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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09:28 - Breachfest! Just saw six in a row! Looks steady heading south. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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09:22 - I see them splashing closer to shore on Maxwelton side - south-ish but not really moving. One big male for sure (viewing from Eglon). -Rebecca Berger/
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09:15 - Kim Page called to report SOUTHBOUND whales between Pilot Point and Eglon. They first saw them northbound then they flipped. This group had male, female and active little one (not sure if new calf or an older youngster).
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09:08 - Another large male also facing south.
09:06 - Found another who is facing south.  -Alice Thuy Talbot
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09:06 - Listening to them chat on Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Jessica Huie
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09:05 - Faint calls on the Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Joe Dreimiller
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09:01 - Jason aboard Victoria Clipper V reports that Jpod was southbound from Point No Point about 9:05 this morning, mostly in the traffic separation zone.  -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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09:01 - I hear them again since the vessel passed!
08:59 - Their songs make my heart sing. -Christina Grossruck
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08:57 - Found them! Here going north [approx. 47.8812357, -122.456301]. Only one large male and one smaller at the moment. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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08:23 - Was just coming here to report activity on hydro. -Renee Chamberland
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08:23 - Rather chatty right now. -Kat Martin
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08:21 - Much louder calls now! -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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08:20 - Calls have been heard on the Sunset Bay (North Edmonds) hydrophone since at least 07:25 by staff Rachel and Serena. 
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Dec 28 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - The young humpback whale CRC-20899 has been in the Owen Beach area for about two weeks now! CRC 20899, approximately 2 year old, sex unknown, Mother [is] Smiley ID CRC-17358. Link to more photos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 28, 2023
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From today of the humpback (CRC-20899) that's been hanging out in Tacoma. -photos by Alisa Miller, December 28, 2023
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15:19 - [video in comments]. - Brianna Aratin
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15:13 - Penny Bowles called to report the humpback is still milling about between Point Defiance and Vashon near ferry lane, hanging out in that general area mid channel. Viewing from Old Ferry Landing Beach, Gig Harbor.
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14:45 - A humpback has been off Point Defiance for days and is still around. -George Holland
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14:13 - Just off the Dalco Passage viewpoint on 5 Mile [Drive]. Close enough to hear the blows. -Corey Bartlett
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13:40 - Fluke & dive aimed northerly [approx. 47.331825, -122.541448].  -David Bennett
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12:43 - Heading east again from southwest tip of Vashon viewing from point of Point Defiance. -Cherie StOurs
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11:39 - Same spot still [approx. 47.341903, -122.549366]. -Vic Hannah
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10:55 - Just south of Sunrise [approx. 47.338716, -122.554358]. -Alisa Miller
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10:45 - Dalco/Narrows facing north Gig Harbor side south of Sunrise Beach. Viewing from point of Point Defiance.
09:50 - Heading slowly west past ferry lane Vashon side viewing from Owen Beach. -Cherie StOurs
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-photo by Laura Iannacone Casey, December 28, 2023
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09:00 - Full breach right off ferry lane. -Kyle Anderson
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08:39 - [humpback] Logging mid-channel west of the ferry lane.
08:01 - Humpback spotted in Dalco Passage mid channel off of Point Defiance. Just now. Hard to tell what direction he is traveling in at this point. -Stephanie Morris

December 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Wed, Dec 27 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - 20:47 - Hearing nice loud calls on the Sunset Hydrophone. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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20:33 - Call on Sunset. -Breanne Denise Ward
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16:20 - Saw one dorsal not far from (about 10-15 minutes) the Kingston ferry dock from the ferry. -Tristan Van Horn
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16:08 - Seen grouped up just south of Apple Tree Point from the ferry. -Whitney Neugebauer
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16:00 - From Apple Tree Point pass. Not a great shot but… baby! -photo by Sara Frey, December 27, 2023
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15:55 - Just passed Apple Tree Point nearing Kingston ferry lanes spread north/south and east/west, baby still in cuddle puddle west side three males - approaching President Point. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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15:46 - Leaders are now moving south past Apple Tree Point. Midchannel to Kingston side slightly spread. -Candace Gavin
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15:25 - Lead group spread north to south approaching Edmonds ferry line west of midchannel, rear group with baby, line of sight Apple Tree Point to Cultus Bay trending southwest.
15:04 - Coming into view Apple Tree Point. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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14:50 - Some have passed Eglon heading south far west in channel. -Jami Cantrell
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14:40 - On the Edmonds ferry and I'm pretty sure I saw this one and possibly two more, around 14:40 as we were headed back from Edmonds. Appeared headed northeast, but mostly north, in the direction of the Clinton ferry. -Kimberly Fritz
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14:09 - Lost the group with the baby as they trended south/southeast - one male still visible west of midchannel trailing southbound sloooowly, line of sight Point No Point to Picnic Point and to north Edmonds. Spread. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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14:03 - I’m hearing calls on the Sunset Bay hydrophone! Watching from Sunset Ave in Edmonds now hoping to see them. -Brooke Thompson
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13:50 - I see she updated here as well, but the call is too precious! Long time sightings volunteer Donna Van Rensellar called from Point No Point to report: Sub group of J pod at least six to eight (mix of females/males) on the west side of channel between Point No Point and Scatchet Head/Possession Point logging and resting CUDDLED UP TOGETHER WITH THE BABY! What feels like is happening is resting to prepare to move south again when they are ready. They had been trending slowly south after trending north.
13:41 - West side of mid channel headed milling in front of Point No Point. -Jami Cantrell
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13:40 - Point No Point baby! In a bunch of six to eight tightly together off Point No Point sightline to Scatchet/Possession rest mode facing south. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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From Point No Point. -photos by Mollie Segall, December 27, 2023
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13:35 - Viewing from Maxwelton, saw a blow and a fin barely visible from here headed north, closer to west side of shipping channel. -Isaac Gibson
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13:03 - I had left, but returned from Scatchet Head, Whidbey, seeing very distant fins and blows, heading northbound. At least one nearly due west of Scatchet. Couldn't tell you if more are north or not, they're riding the line of just being too far for me to see. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:49 - Viewing from Eglon. Continuing northwest slowly, mid channel. -Mollie Segall
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12:15 - The ones we are seeing right now from Eglon are still northbound. They are closer to Whidbey, like five of them. -Catherine Alvarado Soto
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12:10 - Viewing from a friend’s on Apple Tree Point they’re still north of here midchannel to west of mid seem to be trending southeast but they’re milling so it’s hard to tell. -Jami Cantrell
12:07 - I can see from Eglon Beach some dorsal fins in the middle of the triangle, seems to be heading north and west. -Catherine Alvarado Soto
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11:45 - Seeing west of mid channel line of sight Apple Tree Point to Maxwelton. Milling [approx. 47.862786, -122.469604]. -Sara Frey
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11:27 - Viewed from south Whidbey, no longer seeing so they've gone south I assume.
11:07 - They have moved south but I *think* trended east a little or I don't think I'd be seeing them still, but very much west of midchannel still. Breach, spyhop, don't appear in a hurry.
11:01 - Still seeing them (distant from me) - possibly stalled. Seeing surface activity.
10:57 - The ones I was seeing appear to have gone back south.
10:53 - Spotted fins between Scatchet Head & Eglon. These do not look committed northbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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10:53 - Kim Page called back to report these she is seeing are making directional changes, looks like they are foraging off area between Eglon and Pilot Point.
10:44 - Kim Page called back to report seeing more coming… this group further offshore, but still west of mid channel on Kitsap side. At least three close together, little one tucked in close to an adult. Also northbound.
10:37 - Kim Page called to report orcas close in to Kitsap side half way between Eglon Beach and Pilot Point hauling pretty fast northbound. So far a male and maybe three others.
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09:20 - Male surfacing, east side of the sound, on a line of sight from Edmonds to just south of Eglon. -Clint Jones
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09:12 - Three to four whales spread out closer to Kingston side. Saw them from ferry just now. -Casey Bizelli
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09:10 - Faint calls on Sunset Beach hydrophone.
09:04 - 09:06 - Faint calls on the hydrophone but soon drowned out by vessel/train noise.  -Rubie Baker
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09:06 - Hearing calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone! -Kaitlin Niclas
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09:05 - Sara Frey called to relay report from her neighbor who is on the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston (which is about mid run/channel) and is seeing orcas multi-directional. Not sure who, but presume J pod until confirmed otherwise.
*
09:05 - Same - they’re coming through a bit louder and clearer than even ten to fifteen minutes ago. -Jennifer Hunt
*
09:05 - Hearing faint calls on Sunset Beach right now. -Rubie H Baker
*
09:05 - Faint calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone for the last two minutes. Also heard some around 8:55. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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09:03 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 09:15 to report: 0903hrs: Vessel [SPOKANE] reports via 800MHz they've spotted 10 orcas heading northbound mid-channel in the traffic lanes. 
*
08:56 - Hearing faint calls on beach camp hydrophone. -Linda Aitkins
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04:21 - Calls getting louder.
04:02 - Calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
*
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Wed, Dec 27 - North Puget Sound (T36, T36Bs, T124Ds) - 15:59 - -Westbound now from Possession Point tight to shore. -Trevor Tillman
*
T124D Field - T124D3 -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network - 15:30 - From Possession by the boat dock. -photos by Donna George, December 27, 2023
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15:45 - Rounding the corner from Possession Point State Park, between Whidbey and the green buoy - PSE following far behind.
15:30 - Slowly south bound travel now past Possession.
15:25 - Hunting/directional changes right south of Possession Park boat launch, very much on Whidbey side. Spy hop! -Emily Wandres
*
15:08 - Cindi Crowder Rausch has IDed them as 36/36Bs, southbound past Glendale, Whidbey side of midchannel. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
14:07- We saw four [orcas] from Clinton ferry landing traveling fast northbound. They may have flipped to the south.  -photo by Carsi Staldman, December 27, 2023
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Dec 27 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899)  - As long as this beautiful humpback CRC-20899 stays around the South Sound I’ll be out to see it! The cloud cover held in the sound of his blows making so magical to be on the beach! Yes, we're blessed in the northwest. Link to more photos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 27, 2023
*
16:40 - Old Ferry Landing in Gig Harbor. Seen through binoculars surfacing two times and then showed his fluke. Too far to see with the naked eye, especially in the twilight. It appeared straight across seemingly in front of the three bright lights. -Olivia d'Arezzo
*
16:35 - As viewed from Dune Peninsula, several fluke dives and hanging around closer to Gig Harbor side of Dalco. -Kristofer Nystrom
*
15:12 - At Dalco Passage overlook. -Mark Goddard
*
13:42 - Whale vessel in close proximity, slowly moving south towards Point Defiance. -Charlene Engelland
*
13:26 - Still off Point Defiance. -Steve Fogard
*
12:36 - Humpback seen from Owen Beach! -Ariel Ohashi
*
12:09 - I’m seeing one - just fluked in between Gig Harbor and southwest tip Vashon mid channel viewing from Owen Beach. -Kirstyn Hughes
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11:30 - 11:45 - Taken from our boat. -photo by Marie Bagdanov, December 27, 2023
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11:27 - Mid mouth of Colvos, traveling west toward Gig Harbor shore. -Ashley S Whitman
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10:51 - Crossing southwest tip of Vashon traveling west. Viewing from the point at Owen Beach.
10:07 - East of Sunrise mid channel just fluked viewing from Owen Beach. -Cherie StOurs
*
09:12 - Headed south. 
09:00 - Full body breach Between Point Defiance and western Vashon. -Laura Iannacone Casey
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08:00 - Humpback in west Dalco [approx. 47.326676, -122.537332]. -David Michael

December 26
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 26 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - An incredible surprise seeing J-pod from Fay Bainbridge Park in the afternoon! Link to Tiktok video. -Erin Bryce Greager
*
J60, J40 Suttles, J37 Hy'Shqa - J60 behind J40 Suttles & J37 Hy'Shqa - J47 Notch is male in the middle - From shore as the orcas moved out/off of Fay Bainbridge Park.   -photos & IDs by Sue Larkin, December 26, 2023
*
New baby J60 spotted from Fay Bainbridge - taken from shore. Link to full report, beautiful video, and photos. -photos by Jami Cantrell, December 26, 2023
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J60, J40 Suttles, J37 Hy'shqa - Fortunate to be at Fay Bainbridge for J pod's close pass. And the discovery of the new calf. I wish I had known beforehand and would have been looking for it. Link to more photos. -photos by Jim Pasola, December 26, 2023
*
We had quite a show today from our home above President Point to south of Kingston. A large group of orcas as many as ten or more past for about ten minutes and gave us this… Link to more photos. -photos by Tim Davis, December 26, 2023
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One of the J Pod males lined up perfectly with the rising Full Moon ("Cold Moon" - term for the last full moon of the year) tonight! Taken from the Creosote Park Bench looking northeast at 400mm zoom. -photo by Hongming Zheng, December 26, 2023
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Just a spectacular experience seeing this J pod in Puget Sound this evening! This was just off the Magnolia shoreline. -photos by Alan Amick, December 26, 2023
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23:54 - 23:55 - Orcasound - Listen for Whales listeners tag SRKWs = Southern Resident Killer Whales calls on the Sunset Bay hydrophone! Link to sound clips. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
*
Orcas on the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry, I believe we were in Elliott Bay. -Rachel Biggers
*
16:30 - What was amazing about the sighting I reported around 16:30 was that three of the five orcas (very close to shore rapidly moving south on east side of Bainbridge) surfaced, swimming side by side, in unison, three or four times as they passed. My neighbor stepped outside to witness and said she heard them emitting sounds. Wow! What a treat! Bainbridge Island close to east side of island. Heading south, swimming close to each other. Near Wing Point. -Jane Rein
*
16:05 - At least six spread out continue very slow southbound travels probably a mile or so south of West Point outer northern Elliott Bay. This grouping is east side of the Sound. Includes a male [approx. 47.634439, -122.429773]. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
16:01 - Three spotted just north of sailboat. East/mid channel. Just south of West Point. -Kayla Zabecki
*
16:00 - Spotted at least two or three distant orcas from West Point southbound mid channel-ish. Had to run through Discovery Park to get here in time from the parking lot. -Connor O'Brien
*
15:40 - Slow southbound travel, wide spread, several south of West Point, east side of channel. May be others ahead and west, I've only seen six total.
15:19 - Several on this side just south of West Point are slowing up making directional changes. Inverted rolls etc.
15:09 - Seeing several to the south of West Point, Discovery. Still stead southbound, but my friend Rachel said tide is turning so will be interesting to see what J pod does. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
14:53 - Viewing from Discovery Park Beach - male trending south at mid-channel lining up with yellow channel marker, and a smaller group further back on Bainbridge side. Fast ferry slowed on the way south a couple minutes ago. Six-ish blows so far on either side of channel marker, still making a southward trend at an average clip. -Amanda Marie
*
Anyone know which whales were in the group besides J47? Looked like at least one young calf [at pass by Fay Bainbridge]. -Neil Emery
*
14:52 - Incredible close pass by Fay Bainbridge at 14:45ish… J47 in the group. Research vessel still heading southbound with this group. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
*
14:39 - They flipped and are heading back north unknown if committed or milling. -Jami Cantrell
*
14:35 - Close pass at Fay Bainbridge now heading offshore bit research boat with them. -Jim Pasola
*
From the afternoon Fay Bainbridge pass [video in FB comments]. -Neil Emery
*
14:30 - Maybe leaders? At least one female mid channel out from Shilshole Bay Marina, with small group, including male, due west on Kitsap side slow southbound. Others spread back northwest to Fay Bainbridge, with some still very much hugging Kitsap [approx. 47.694158, -122.443567]. Research skiff back with them. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
14:15 - Lead group is just passing west of mid-channel. -Jim Pasola
*
14:15 - Seeing orcas spread from at least as far south as out from Fay Bainbridge and back to at least outer edge of mid/south Port Madison, all west side of channel some hugging Kitsap. Slow southbound travels in singles to small groups. Wide spread in glassy calm seas. From Ballard above Shilshole. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
13:50 - There's another group more like mid-channel.
13:35 - Viewing from Fay Bainbridge they have rounded Point Jefferson and into Port Madison I don't know how many I've seen just a few and the research boat. -Jim Pasola
*
This afternoon, photo taken from the Indianola Dock, some of the whales in the distance, with the research boat, headed southwest towards Bainbridge! -photo by Deanna Deery-Schmitt, December 26, 2023
*
13:33 - Absolutely freaking beautiful pass at Point Jefferson headed south. Fay Bainbridge should get a good pass.  -Jami Cantrell
*
13:20 - We were treated to quite the display when going from Edmonds to Kingston one of the larger pods were playing in the sound and they all went under the ferry. What a fabulous Christmas gift. -Kelli Newman Hartline
*
13:18 - At least four to five leaders spread to the south of those groups (13:15) mid channel, south end Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
13:15 - At least two groups just cleared Jefferson Head now just to the south of. Each has a male in it. West of mid channel close but short distance apart from one another. Others trailing but coming up on Jefferson Head (research skiff back with them). -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
13:14 - Viewing from Richmond Beach and seeing three small groups south of the research vessel; first group has four to five individuals with one adult male and is just passing south of the pier at Point Jefferson from about midchannel; two smaller groups with no males are at least a mile and a half ahead of them, midchannel trending southwest. Leisurely pace, some splashing but mostly seeing a few blows from this distance. -Amanda Marie
*
13:06 - Still with research boat. Approaching Jefferson Head. -Vanessa Franz
*
13:00 - Leaders behind trees to me, but of trailing groups (at least three to four sub groups) lead group now approaching mid channel buoy President Point/Richmond Beach west of mid to west side of channel. Overall J pod in at least six groups from singles, three’s and one up to about six. Slow steady southbound. Some appear in resting mode.
12:44 - Leaders now south of yellow mid channel buoy (see previous update), male approaching and large trailing group has slowed and loosened up, no longer in tight group. Someone just breached. So lovely. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
12:43 - Seeing fins and splashing here. -Corah Whipple
*
12:38 - All have passed Kingston ferry lanes headed south. Big spread. -Jami Cantrell
*
12:35 - Who think lead whales three to five loosely grouped approaching yellow mid channel buoy President Point/Richmond Beach between mid channel and Kitsap. Male trailing mid channel. Large group of at least dozen trailing them back between mid channel buoy and Kingston, west/Kitsap side of channel (research skiff in close with this group). All steady southbound [approx. 47.759987, -122.454758]. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
12:21 - Mid channel, southbound and closer to Kingston ferry terminal.  -Catherine Alvarado Soto
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12:20 - Sub group now south of Apple Tree Point west side traveling southbound medium/quick pace toward Kingston terminal. Research skiff tailing this group. Think I just spotted another lead group down south off Kingston more mid channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
12:14 - J [pod] has flipped southbound spread west side. -Jaymi Garvett, Text-em-all msg
*
12:11 - Group of three to four approaching ferry lanes midchannel southbound. -Jami Cantrell
*
12:00 - Whales southbound mid to west shipping lanes, straight out from Apple Tree Point! -Sara Frey
*
11:52 - Viewing from Sunset Ave Edmonds. See at least one male flipped direction southbound near orange research boat.
11:32 - From Kingston-Edmonds ferry spotted small group still headed northbound to Point No Point very west of mid. -Vanessa Franz
*
11:32 - They were getting closer to Eglon at one point, but then turned around, went southbound but milling in the ferry lanes, more on the east side. -Catherine Alvarado Soto
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11:20 - At least four orcas off Eglon. No direction. -Per Whale Alert app
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10:50 - Kitsap close-in family group breached and tail slapped their way past Apple Tree Point and now approaching Eglon, periodically milling but trending northbound at least two males two females with young ones. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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10:45 - At least six were very close to the Kitsap side. Approaching Eglon. Lots and lots of youngster breaches. At least one male. Others remain spread out. Seem committed to Admiralty. -Sara Frey
*
10:42 - Hearing calls on the hydrophone. -Jami Cantrell
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From the 10:30 pass by Apple Tree Point. -photo by Sara Frey, December 26, 2023
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photos by Donna Green Van Renselaar, December 26, 2023
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10:15 - 10:20 - Sara Frey called to report the lead whales are well north of ferry line. Lost a bunch of them who maybe headed more east? Sara and Donna now have another group in, or south of, the ferry traffic lanes, in the shipping lanes on Kitsap side. Line of sight from Apple Tree Point to Edmonds marina (so still south of Edmonds ferry terminal from their perspective). This group, includes males and females and youngster. They are foraging with some milling about by tug that’s out there. Entire pod is pretty spread out in all direction.
*
10:05 - Faint calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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10:00 - Lost the large male that was in the lead. Some ahead of the ferry route, others approaching. Steady travel northbound and seem to be trending east as well. Triangle? -Sara Frey
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09:54 - They are north of the ferry line now. On the Kitsap side. -Trish Moylan Davis
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09:50 - Two males so far visible from Apple Tree Point in ferry lanes northbound steady west of midchannel (edit: plus female with leader at south end marina and more blows behind them to the south). -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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09:43 - SPOKANE W/H reports orcas, about 12, are about 1 mile south of the E/K [Edmonds/Kingston] ferry lanes heading NNE [north/northeast].
*
09:39 - Seeing blows. Still south of ferry lanes headed north. -Katie Puckly
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09:21 - Off President Point, Kitsap side, heading north.  -photo by Joanne Graves, December 26, 2023
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09:05 - I believe they are [J Pod, based on] how spread out they are, more going by now, a couple males and a whole bunch more.
09:00 - There are orcas off of Jefferson Beach in Kingston heading north, quite a few of them on the Kingston side but also spread out across the sound. -Corrie
*
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 26 - Admiralty Inlet
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Joanne Weldon
Date of Sighting: December 26, 2023
Time: 11:30 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Point Hudson heading for Fort Worden
Direction of travel : North... diving and coming up but moving along steadily
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
*
09:30 - Orcas (three it looked like) passed close to Marrowstone Island this morning, heading north. -Debbie Maley Williams 
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Dec 26 - Spieden Channel - 14:14 - Humpback whale in the Speiden Channel - going up and down in front of Spieden Island. About 10 minutes now. Seems to be heading towards Davidson Head. -Sarabeth Levine [WSSJI]
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Tue, Dec 26 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - Such a gorgeous day at Owen Beach watching this beautiful humpback CRC-20899. Link to more photos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 26, 2023
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Juvenile humpback whale a few days ago Dune Peninsula Park, close to the beach line, it traveled south to Point Ruston down the whole waterfront to the port of Tacoma cranes came back and danced around Dune Peninsula Park a second time for a bit. Note: it's been hanging out in this area between Dune Peninsula/Point Ruston, Southwest Vashon and the tip of Point Defiance. -photos by Chris Alcantar, December 26, 2023
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16:11 - Just saw from Dune Park! Way out in the passage! -Emma Kelly
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15:30 - Watched from a distance at Dune for half hour, was not far from Owen Beach. So fun! -Nicole Wilcox
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13:30 - 15:30 - The humpback circled not far out Dalco viewpoint. Three to five slow surfaces in a row, not moving very far and almost floating, then a fluke, under for a little while, repeat. -Ashley S Whitman
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15:15 - Been milling out front of Point Defiance mid channel for last 30 minutes. -Jasmine Myers
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14:50 - Saw fluke west of Point Defiance. -Paul Davis
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13:53 - Still milling and making directional changes out from Point Defiance, dove around 13:50 near the sail boat out there. -Brooke Casanova
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13:43 - Another fluke dive off Point Defiance. -Kristofer Nystrom
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13:28 - Saw a fluke dive off of Point Defiance, mid channel-ish in the Narrows. Direction looked north - viewing from Dune Peninsula. -Brooke Casanova
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13:25 - Whale sighted still near Gig Harbor side in the quiet water. Whale watch boat is moving away heading towards the Narrows. -Kristofer Nystrom
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12:54 - Center of Dalco south of vessel. -Charlene Engelland
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12:37 - Watching him dive from Gig Harbor. -Jen Clark
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12:16 - Now mid channel between Point Defiance and Gig Harbor facing southwest. Milling.
11:54 - Crc-20899 slowly heading east off south side of Vashon. Seen from Owen Beach. -Kyle Anderson
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11:15 - Still milling back and forth in front of Sunrise. Viewing from Owen Beach. -Cherie StOurs
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11:07 - Still mid channel between southwest tip of Vashon and Gig Harbor. -Kyle Anderson
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10:51 - Seems to be milling out between Sunrise and Vashon, view from Owens Beach.
10:42 - Viewing from Owen Beach humpback is out by Sunrise, mid channel facing south. -Cherie StOurs
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10:40 - Mid channel between Owen and Sunrise. -Kyle Anderson
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10:27 - Lingering. Could be visible from Sunrise.
10:10 - Headed north off of Point Defiance. Seen from Dune Peninsula. Mid channel. -Ryan Spence
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10:12 - Reports from people on the beach who saw it breach said that it it was heading west around the tip of Point Defiance. -Joli LaBissoniere
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09:57 - Multiple accounts of a breach that I missed near tip of Point Defiance.
09:37 - Humpback closer to Owen Beach than Dune Park. -Ryan Dicks
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08:34 - Humpback in the Point Defiance ferry lanes logging. -Jami Cantrell

UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Tue, Dec 26 - Puget Sound
12:39 - Have been watching looking south past Lisabuela for about an hour now. Earlier had thought possibly orcas with surface activity but couldn’t confirm species as what I was seeing was deep in the mirage line. 
11:37 - Maybe on a hunt, am seeing what I think are breaches. Almost positive I'm seeing surface activity just south of Point Richmond but they are right at the mirage.
11:29 - Possibly spotted some orcas, deep in the mirage line. -Marla Smith, Orca Network 

December 25
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 25 - Puget Sound (J Pod)  - 16:15 - They’ve passed a friends house near Rolling Bay headed south. -Jami Cantrell
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15:40 - Christmas Day about twenty headed south past Fay Bainbridge Park. -Michele Wyzga
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15:39 - HOLY POINT ROBINSON TYPE OF CLOSE PASS AT FAY! They seem to be heading south now quickly. -Jami Cantrell
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12:46 - A pod just passed President Point (south of Kingston) heading south with much tail slapping and breaching. Probably Jefferson Point now. -Joanne Graves
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12:28 - Pod spotted heading south, just off of Kingston.  -Jon S.
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12:19 - Beautiful pass on the ferry. Jpod is tightly grouped circling around not seeming to want to leave the Kingston ferry lanes. Kitsap side. -Jami Cantrell
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12:05 - Headed back to Kingston [video in FB comments]! -Laura Rosman 
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11:55 - Ferry out of Kingston WSF shared over loudspeaker that there were two pods to our north. I saw two whales mid channel and four to the west of mid channel appeared pretty much stationary yet hard to tell from moving vessel. -Cindy Sheff
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Merry Christmas! Rode the jackpot ferry of the day from Edmonds to Kingston [video in FB comments].
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11:35 - They were mid channel heading east, but every time I looked they would change directions. Definitely mid channel between Edmonds and Kingston right now.
11:26 - Visible from ferry! -Laura Rosman
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11:40 - Large group seen from Edmonds - Kingston ferry Christmas day. -Jill Crary
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Ricardo Perez
Date of Sighting: December 25, 2023
Time: 11:20 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Edmonds-Kingston Ferry Route
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Jumping and traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
*
11:06 - Same lack of a sight from Edmonds marina but still hearing distant calls on Sunset Bay - maybe in the triangle? -Ashley Johnson
*
10:30 - Pod(s) just kept making directional changes, it was really cool. They’d surface one way all together, surface few times in one direction, dive then surface facing the other direction. Possibly foraging or a greeting or? Anyhow I had eyes off for a bit doing other tasks and rain squall came in. I don’t see any orcas south of last update (south of Kingston) and visibility at my distance is difficult to the north but ferry went through at full speed so wondering if they may have made progress north.
09:56 - They keep making directional changes but as a tight groups, not making progress anywhere. Now facing south again.
09:54 - Large groups have flipped currently facing northbound south of Apple Tree Point Kingston little more loosely grouped. Is so beautiful!
09:46 - Orcas are southbound.
09:40 - I actually was seeing two groups close together looked to be at least couple dozen orcas if not more southbound but now appears they all swung together and possibly turned northbound closer to Kingston side. South of Apple Tree Point but in that area. Eastbound ferry has slowed to 4.5 knots, now stopped.
09:25 - Large group, at least dozen or more, south of Apple Tree Point, Kingston mid channel to slightly west of heading southbound tightly grouped. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
Shelagh Bundshuh was aboard the ferry that stopped and sent us this stunning video of the residents [video in FB comments].
*
These are a couple videos that my husband took on 12/25. We were on the Kingston ferry and I think it was around 09:45 when we were blessed to see a large pod of whales. It was recommended that I share them with you folks, I hope you find them helpful. -Shala Myhill
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These videos [in FB comments] were taken from the Kingston ferry around 09:45 on Christmas Day. -photo by Molly Jessup, December 25, 2023
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Mon, Dec 25 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - I took these on Christmas morning just outside Kingston. @n.alex.barbery on Instagram. -photos by Alex Barbery, December 25, 2023
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09:35 - On the 9:35 ferry crossing massive pod. -Ashlie Crossfield
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Saw a whole bunch of orcas from the Edmonds-Kingston ferry this morning, looking south. They got quite close to the boat. -Brad Srebnik
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07:45 - Listening, hearing squeaks and grunts. -Sarah Crumb
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07:45 - Singing a carol of echolocations. -Marie Wils
*
07:05 - More calls. Some vessel noise now too.
03:02 - More calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone.
01:13 - Calls starting again after a short pause.
00:50 - Just happened to wake up and check the hydrophone and am hearing beautiful loud calls! -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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00:52 - Nice holiday present from the SRKWs = Southern Resident Killer Whales — some of the clearest orca sounds yet recorded on the Sunset Bay hydrophone! Link to clips. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 25 - Admiralty Inlet (T36, T36Bs, & T124Ds) - T36B Tattertip - T36 and T36Bs just came down Admiralty Inlet. They were moving FAST, and I just made it to Bush Point as they were arriving. Bundle up if you are going out to view today. We have the trifecta, cold, wet and windy! Merry Christmas! I’m amending - the 124Ds were with them. Knew there were more, just not sure who. -photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, December 25, 2023
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Got a lucky pass at Bush Point with my Dad visiting from Maryland and Cindi! Grateful for the initial sighting and Rachel alerting us. Merry Christmas! [video in FB comments shows about seven whales present]. -Emily Wandres
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We saw them at Bush Point [video in FB comments]. -Jen Marquett Mostafavinassab
*
12:57 - Friend reports they are here approx. [48.003045, -122.603527] still southbound. I reviewed some photos & video, unfortunately they pushed out before good ID photos but think 36/36Bs are present (believe T36B Tattertip in photos), however, I also believe there was at least six whales in the video, and friends believe a sprouter male is with then, so maybe two matrilines together. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
12:54 - Seeing them mid-channel south of Bush Point, before Mutiny Bay. But now I’ve lost them. Still southbound at a fast pace. -Heidi Bruns Shank
*
12:40 - Friends report: five to six, including a possible sprouter male, past Bush Point, pushed off more midchannel.
12:34 - Friends report orcas very close to shore approaching Bush Point porpoising. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:12 - Four to six orca southbound close in Lagoon Point 100 yards from shore moving very fast!  -Bill Setter
*
Mon, Dec 25 - Puget Sound - 16:01 - Viewing from just north of KVI, milling mainland side of channel. Too far to get a solid idea of numbers but looks like four to five through binoculars. -Ellen Weir
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13:30 - Three large orcas viewed from Constellation [Park, West Seattle]. Headed south slowly Mid channel. -Patti Waterfall
*
12:01 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 12:02 to report: Captain [of TACOMA] reports 4 Orcas near Elliott Bay and Duwamish Head. 
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A friend saw [orca] pod on Christmas Day in Kingston. She was on 09:00 or so ferry heading to Edmonds. Captain stopped. -Sally James
*
08:55 - Southbound from Point Edwards, milled around a few minutes, then continued south. Very close to the Edmonds shoreline. -Steve Marczewski
*
08:50 - Captain reports 4 Orca traveling SB [southbound] in the North traffic lanes.
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08:30 - [orca] Seen from the Edmonds ferry terminal/Brackett’s Landing traveling south. Two or three? Close enough to see without binoculars. I’m not a great judge of distance. Saw a couple sprays. -Hannah Bailey
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Dec 25 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - 16:07 - Beautiful humpback blows in the rain, watching from promenade near Owen Beach. Milling [approx. 47.325160, -122.551745]. -Jason Cook
*
13:00 - I think this is a humpback? A little far but saw this at Owen Beach. -Julia Krause
*
11:18 - It’s going back and forth I think. Just swam over toward Owen Beach, then turned and headed back toward Dune.
10:20 - Just spotted it from Dune Peninsula looking toward Vashon. Closer to Dune side.  -Pamela Reitsma Knapp
*
09:37 - Just saw it dive. Beautiful tail. Halfway between Dash Point and Owen Beach. -Katryn Wiese
*
09:05 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 09:10 to report: Captain [of CHETZEMOKA] reports one Humpback hanging in the vicinity. 

December 24
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 24 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - 17:53 - The calls are very loud right now. -Catherine Alvarado Soto
*
17:50 - Nice loud vocals on hydrophone.
17:29 - Calls still going, a bit louder now.
17:15 - Just started listening to the Sunset Bay hydrophone again and am now hearing clear calls, still distant. No vessel noise right now. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
*
16:42 - SRKW calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone clearer now. -Jill Irene Freidberg
*
15:57 - I hear some now! -Francie L Dailer
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15:44 - [hearing calls]. -Heather Domenico
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15:39 - Louder calls on the Sunset Bay hydrophone now with less vessel noise. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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15:32 - Can hear faint calls now and then from Sunset Bay. -Joe Dreimiller
*
15:00 - From Apple Tree Point, two males in lead heading northwest sightline to Cultus Bay, others still back quite aways and farther east. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
*
14:55 - Male in the lead is now past the gap and aiming towards Admiralty. Others in the Possession triangle but still trending northwest. Can only see blows from others.
14:50 - Males are here [approx. 47.860393, -122.421087]. Rest of pod seeing some blows east of midchannel. Slow and steady northbound but can’t tell if committed one way or another. -Sara Frey
*
14:30 - Well past ferry slowed down, for sure three possibly four males in proximity, other blows behind them, sightline Apple Tree Point to Haines Wharf leisurely but steady travel northbound with two males west of mid and others farther east. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
*
14:20 - Viewing from Kitsap side, they are very midchannel. One male more west. Steady northbound with breaches. Close to ferry route. -Sara Frey
*
14:01 - Heading north. Just south of Edmonds ferry terminal. -Jan Pierce
*
13:51 - Approaching Kingston ferry terminal.
13:46 - Still northbound, lots of splashing and breaching.
13:24 - Viewing from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, looks like they are heading north back towards Kingston. -Valerie Unger
*
From ferry. Thank you Orca Network! -back of camera photo by Deb Cronheim, December 24, 2023
*
12:11 - John Miller WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 12:20 to report: 1211hrs: Vessel SPOKANE reports 6 orca moving in a southbound direction, 1 mile east off of KING. 
*
12:14 - [J Pod] They are in front of the Kingston ferry terminal now, still southbound.
12:02 - [J Pod] I saw some breaches, north of Kingston ferry terminal, southbound. -Catherine Alvarado Soto
*
11:50 - The large male that was close to the Kitsap side headed south towards the Edmonds/Kingston ferry route.
11:45 - Off Apple Tree Point - large male, southbound or milling? -photo by Sara Frey, December 24, 2023
*
11:30 - Hard to tell, they seemed to be milling. They are still about in the same area, only a few individuals.
11:07 - Some blows and breaching straight out from Edmonds fishing pier close to the Kingston side. -Arial Brewer
*
09:26 - Close to Kitsap side of the water.
09:15 - I just watched four or five orcas pass Pilot Point heading north. -Austin Iles
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Lisa Mahendran
Date of Sighting: December 24, 2023
Time: 8:40 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Picnic Point
Direction of travel : South - leisurely
Behaviors observed: Traveling and milling
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I just want to say thank you. I got the message that they were heard on the under water microphones, and I ran outside to see them!
Photos available?: No
*
07:54 - Hearing them now. Thank you! -Heather Berry
*
07:37 - Vessel noise is quieting down, some louder calls now.
07:21 - Lots of vessel noise but still hearing calls. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
*
07:09 - Nice calls! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network 
*
07:06 - Js on Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network 
*
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 24 - Saratoga Passage/Holmes Harbor (T99s) - T99D Puck & T99 Bella - T99C Barakat -photos by Jill Hein, December 24, 2023
*
16:45 - Passed Coupeville wharf heading east out of Penn Cove. -Caitlyn Blair
*
15:55 - Nearing area of Rolling Hills dock still westbound.
15:47 - Westbound approx [48.233270, -122.694644]. - Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
15:41 - Heading west on north side. Just passed Monroe. -Tiffany Jo Cheyann Waldner
*
15:45 - Heading west still, kind of slow still hugging north side.
15:37 - Seeing at Monroe now! -Caitlyn Blair
*
15:05 - Appear to be just out from Monroe Landing closer to north shore westbound.
15:00 - Viewing from Long Point, they are westbound into Penn Cove, near the yellow buoy.
14:06 - Nearing Race Lagoon moving quickly Whidbey side, northbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
13:49 - Directly across from Camano City Whidbey side. Headed north quickly. -Patricia Phillips
*
13:35 - Northbound quickly past Hidden Beach mid channel. -Ryan Babler
*
12:45 - Northbound now north of Honeymoon Bay.
12:30 - Seemed to have went north out of sight from golf course in Holmes Harbor. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
12:15 - Still south of Honeymoon Bay on the west side of the harbor. A small silver boat is nearby observing and a lot of birds flying overhead.
12:06 - Pod surfaces and splashes for a bit and then seems to be moving slowly north closer to the west side of the harbor. -Cindi Bowen
*
11:50 - Deep in Holmes Harbor. -Kayla Phillips
*
11:50 - Pod is heading deeper into Holmes Harbor. Almost to golf course mid channel. -Cindi Bowen
*
11:20 - Viewing from Rainbow Lane, Holmes Harbor and they are spread out from mid channel to Beverly Beach side, slowly heading deeper into Holmes Harbor. -Emily Wandres
*
10:53 - T99s southbound into Holmes Harbor. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
10:43 - Just north of Baby Island, northbound in Whidbey side. One male, looks good for T99s but too distant to confirm. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
*
10:31 - Passed Bells Beach now, still heading north, on the Whidbey side. -Charvet Drucker
*
10:25 - Hunting just north of the houses by Fox Spit [approx. 48.101980, -122.505179]. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
*
10:15 - Hugging the Whidbey side now, northbound, near Bells Beach. -Charvet Drucker
*
09:00 - Summerland, Pebble Beach [Camano Island], pod of five or six headed your way [northbound].   -Mike Moberly [CWW]
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Dec 24 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - 16:18 - Just resurfaced, seen at Owen. -Erin Watlington
*
16:00 - Off Vashon ferry. -photos by Ryan Dicks, December 24, 2023
*
-photo by Jason Cook, December 24, 2023
*
15:15 - Just made a quick stop at Dune and saw the humpback. Looking towards Gig Harbor he was moving around different directions spending a lot of time at the surface. -Jim Pasola
*
15:13 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 15:22 to report: 1513hrs: Vessel [CHETZEMOKA] reports 1 humpback orbiting to the west, just north of Point Defiance.
*
15:24 - Seems to be swimming laps in that area, was getting closer to Tacoma before we left.
14:57 - Visible from Owen closer to Gig Harbor. -Mary Anne Patton
*
14:43 - Visible with binoculars from Old Ferry Landing in Gig Harbor. -Olivia d'Arezzo
*
14:17 - Still milling west Dalco between point and Sunrise. Viewing from Owen Beach. -Dena Paris
*
11:49 - This whale is so cool! Two hours since I saw it last and still here showing off!  -Melissa Kegler
*
11:52 - Hugging Vashon. Went through a bait ball near last house [approx. 47.331951, -122.520424].
11:34 - Same area between Sunrise & Vashon.
11:01 - Eastbound towards Vashon.
10:45 - Still in front of Sunrise.
10:26 - Slowly passing Sunrise northbound. Porpoises interrupted the nap.
10:14 - Closer to Sunrise now. Head facing north but drifting southbound in the current. Some porpoises have gone over to visit.
10:01 - Still logging [approx. 47.333718, -122.531058]. Head is facing eastbound. But floating backwards westbound.
09:50 - Logging just west of last house along southwest end of Vashon. -Jason Cook
*
09:38 - Just saw the whale south of Colvos, appeared to be heading north. -Melissa Kegler
*
09:26 - Now back west bound towards Sunrise. But appears to be swimming usual laps back & forth.
09:06 - Tacoma humpback was logging in Dalco. West of ferry lanes. Just woke up and fluked [approx. 47.324849, -122.514722]. -Jason Cook

December 23
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 23 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - J27 Blackberry -photos by Jim Pasola, December 23, 2023
*
photos by Donna Green Van Renselaar, December 23, 2023
*
photo by Smith Siromaskul, December 23, 2023
*
Kudos to the awesome gent sharing zoomed views through his tele from the Edmonds marina pier! They were far away but every sighting is amazing! -Alan Gojdics
*
16:45 - Male seems to have slowed down and milling between Hansville and Maxwelton. Still heading very slowly northbound in Admiralty Inlet. My last report for the evening.
16:26 - Viewing from Hansville. Between here and Possession Point on Whidbey. -Mike Maddox
*
16:18 - Seeing a line of spread out dorsals probably due east of Point No Point, heading northwest toward Admiralty. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
*
15:42 - Still at Edmonds Marina Beach and no more visible from here. All headed northwest by/toward Hansville at least 15 minutes ago. -MariAnna Hinojosa
*
15:40 - Saw several from Eglon Beach including a little guy doing a few breaches. -Michael Jeremy Sullivan
*
15:40 - Any of the Js I’ve seen have continued their travels and pushed to the northwest, seemingly aiming more toward Admiralty Inlet. They are getting out of my sight. Beautiful sight with sun settling low. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
15:50 - Several on west side of channel heading north towards Hansville.
15:34 - Multiple off of Kingston. -Dino Reichman-Martini
*
15:20 - Multiple whales spread north to south trending toward Admiralty sightline Apple Tree Point to Possession triangle/Scatchet Head steady northbound. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
*
15:14 - Baby tail slap. -Odessa Stevens
*
15:04 - Lead Js spread mid channel due west of Edmonds ferry terminal. Maintaining slow/medium pace northbound. From Sunset Ave. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
14:50 - Multiple whales approaching Edmonds marina farther east to midchannel still northbound.
14:38 - Large male. Coming into view sightline Apple Tree Point to south of tank farm, west of midchannel northbound. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
*
14:50 - Js have picked up speed. At least six whales in two groups went for burst of proposing. Mid channel north of Point Wells. Likely off south Edmonds or in between.
14:43 - Beautiful spread out J pod in ferry traffic lanes. Westbound ferry from Edmonds slowed with such care, trailing whales slowed their pace, others were ahead and to the west. Some sweet groups mid channel slow northbound with lazy tail lobs. Males flanking the spread on either side and ahead. Hope the views swim the ferry where as lovely as appeared from here at Kayu Kayu.
14:30 - Nice succession of breaches by small group. First an adult, then another then youngster super cute!
14:24 - Now north of that pin [approx. 47.773757, -122.442578].
14:20 - Lead J pod whales here, spread mid channel. Others trailing back at least a mile. Entire pod is spread on both sides of middle channel in singles and small groups. All still northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
14:17 - Jefferson Head seen from Richmond Beach. Moving northbound. -Nick Vikstrom
*
14:14 - Multiple groups heading north. Between Kingston and Port Madison Bay.
14:11 - Two to three sprays spotted south from Edmonds Marine Park. -MariAnna Hinojosa
*
14:12 - Nice group of at least three to four east of just north of the buoy mid channel northbound.
14:05 - J pod leaders now at mid channel buoy between Richmond Beach and President Point, Kingston on west side of mid channel. Others trailing still to the south and southeast. All maintaining steady northbound travel with some tail lobs along the way. From Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline.
13:45 - We just arrived to Richmond Beach Saltwater Park and have eyes on Js. Who think is lead whales approaching Jefferson Head west side of channel. Others spread to the south and east. All steady northbound in groups of ones to several. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
13:45 - Passing Carkeek but mid channel or west. -Larry Benesh
*
13:44 - At Carkeek and they’re west of the mirage from here. Difficult to spot except from beach bridge from parking lot. -Marie Wils
*
13:41 - Barely visible from Shilshole Pier anymore partly due to the mirage. Surface activity seems to have died down a lot but they were both very having quite the party earlier! Still moving steadily northbound. Probably passing Carkeek now. -Brian Hoffman
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13:18 - From Sunset Hill Park seeing Js continue steady northbound spread out mid channel and east of, from Meadow Point, north Golden Gardens and to the north. With my lovely friend Rachel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Lauren Pincus
Date of Sighting: December 23, 2023
Time: 1:10 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: (47.6930645, -122.4410884)
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes, one male
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Male spotted traveling north, joined group of two female
Photos available?:
*
13:00 - Some breaching, pec slapping, large group with research boat, others spread north and to the west. Midchannel. Still northbound. Out from Golden Gardens area. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
12:53 - [approx. 47.679777, -122443201].
12:48 - There’s is a sizable group off Shilshole Bay Marina mid channel, or east of, traveling steadying northbound loosely grouped. Again, due to superior mirage viewing from sea level is limited beyond mid channel even though conditions are sublime. Dorsal and bodies floating above the surface, is ethereal & beautiful. Research boat on scene with this group [approx. 47.686723, -122.449837]. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:42 - Looks like they are near Fay Bainbridge now. Still moving north. -Stephanie Celt
*
12:30 - Spotted one male mid channel out from south end Shilshole Bay Marina. Steady northbound. Gorgeous seas conditions, glassy calm but elevation will be your friend due to superior mirage. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
12:28 - I’m on the pier at Shilshole and I can see multiple orcas jumping completely out of the water. Much closer to Bainbridge, too far too see without binoculars except the splashing. Still seem to be going north. -Stephanie Celt
*
11:57 - From what I can see there is a large male in the lead. From here looks like getting close to West Point and a pretty tight group of six to eight that have slowed down but still all moving north appear to be east of the channel from here.
11:37 - From my location south of Eagle Harbor all the whales I was watching have flipped northbound line of sight Magnolia. -Jim Pasola
*
11:30 - They changed direction. We're engines off and drifting and they are about a half mile north and west of us. We haven't moved since I sent the map. -Smith Siromaskul
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11:24 - Viewing from the hill south of Eagle Harbor there are whales well south of the previous map. They were moving steady southbound, almost cleared Seattle line of sight but now, some at least, have turned northbound. -Jim Pasola
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10:57 - Trailing three at lighthouse right now southbound [approx. 47.650827, -122.438692].
10:51 - They're moving slowly south hugging the mainland shore. Approaching Discovery Park. -Smith Siromaskul
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10:48 - Hearing from friends a large group is just south of West Point Lighthouse headed southbound, spread out. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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10:43 - One male one female. Hunting. They haven't moved much. 
10:37 - One big male [orca] that we stumbled across [approx. 47.672792, -122.429780]. -Smith Siromaskul
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08:45 - Secondhand report of at least three orcas between Jefferson Head & Richmond Beach, no direction given.
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 23 - Admiralty Inlet (T99s) - Thank you to everyone who reported their whereabouts today. It was exciting to see them jumping around. -Tara M. Cromer
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15:54 - Looks like a couple are trying to lead them back south. Vessel Seapos is getting a good show.
15:47 - Lots of jumping and splashing. Group seems to be trending northward now, but slowly. More spread out. -Thomas Buell Jr.
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Hope Smith I just want to say THANK YOU for everything today. For being kind enough to share your binoculars and for helping us jumpstart our vehicle. You truly made our day beautiful. -Tara M. Cromer
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Hope Smith thanks again for sharing your binoculars! -Meagan Parsons
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15:41 - Watching from Paradise Bay boat launch. Breaching! -Hope Smith
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15:28 - Now I see the whole group heading for Hood Canal bridge. Spouts backlit by sun. Midway between Ludlow and Shine Tidelands. Southbound moving pretty fast. Now they’re circling. Maybe feeding?
15:05 - Spotted one big male southbound from Foulweather Bluff. Came up twice and now can’t see him. We’re on the Hood Canal side of the bluff and he looked like he might be heading into Ludlow. -Thomas Buell Jr.
*
15:09 - Saw three to four orcas from Port Ludlow Beach Club about 20 minutes ago. -Hope Smith
*
13:52 - Leaving these whales just off Port Ludlow pointed into the Hood Canal for now.
13:12 - Just found them here. In Oak Bay [approx. 47.986990, -122.679346]. [Southbound] looks like the 99s. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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09:10 - We saw them (fins only) from the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry, closer to Port Townsend. At least one big fin, at least two orcas. A Christmas miracle! -Mary Hand
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Dec 23 9:09 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.10947,-122.74593 [Port Townsend]
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Nate Rooks
Whale Report App 
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Sat, Dec 23 - North Puget Sound (T46s)
15:28 - T46D passed Bush Point Whidbey side and continued northbound. I never saw the rest of the family pass.
15:00 - T46s are coming into view at Bush Point. Mid to other, northbound. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
*
14:51 - The 46s are now two and a half miles south of Bush Point northbound six knots. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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12:15 - Watched at least two from Sunset in Edmonds. They’re now just north of the Edmonds/Kingston ferry lanes heading southwest. White boat still near them. -Kristi Barnes
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Sat, Dec 23 - Puget Sound (J Pod) - We went to Edmonds for lunch on the boat with a guest, so I left my camera at home. We heard about the J-Pod whales between Edmonds and Kingston, so we took a short detour. Taken from a great distance with an iPhone. -photos by Tom Frenock, December 23, 2023
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11:51 - T46s. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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11:43 - Past Haines Wharf heading south, surfaced a couple of times. -Francie L Dailer
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11:37 - Heading south. -Ashley Semanskee
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11:35 - Saw two, mid channel heading south between Meadowdale and Haines Wharf. -Francie L Dailer
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11:34 - Just saw them pass Meadowdale Beach Park. White boat following them. About a mile offshore. I just saw one with a very big fin from the beach. But a neighbor watching from the hill above says she saw six fins including a small one. -Ashley Semanskee
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11:04 - Surprised I can see blows waaaay south of Mukilteo ferry. Definitely mainland side, maybe just north of Picnic Point. Presume still southbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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10:45 - Cindi Crowder Rausch sees blows across from Glendale, mainland side. Southbound.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Dec 23 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899)
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Dec 23 14:23 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.31700,-122.49500
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: Saw humpback between Point Defiance and Vashon Island yesterday [23rd]. Pretty unusual to see humpbacks in Puget Sound this time of year so I thought it worthy of reporting. It was a smaller whale. 
Submitter Name: John Rosendahl
Whale Alert App

Sat, Dec 23 - San Juans
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Michael Ludwig
Date of Sighting: December 23, 2023
Time: 11:00 PM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Near the east shore of Waldron Island in President Channel, north of Mail Bay
Direction of travel : N.
Behaviors observed: Breaching, slapping flukes. Slapping flippers. Making a howling/sighing sound through its blowhole.
Raising one flipper straight up.
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org -photos by Michael Ludwig, December 23, 2023
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Sat, Dec 23 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - He came so close to the beach! -photo by Jennifer Barnswallow, December 23, 2023
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He was pretty active! Loads of sea lions too. Great afternoon! -photo by DM Hill, December 23, 2023
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-photo by Kyle Anderson, December 23, 2023
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We think there may be two out here. Right in front of ferry path at Tacoma side. Can’t confirm two yet, but we think so. -Jasmine Myers
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16:18 - Exiting Dalco heading towards Tacoma Narrows. -Kyle Anderson
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16:02 - At the western end of Owen headed southwest.
15:50 - Putting on a show at Owen. -Rick Stafford
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15:45 - Off Owen Beach. -Kyle Anderson
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15:42 - Spouting off of Owen.
15:36 - Headed west towards Owen.
15:24 - Just saw close to the ferry lane - seemed to be going west. -Rick Stafford
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15:00 - Heading back west towards Dune Park [approx. 47.306695, -122.500110]. -David Michael
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14:45 - He is heading into Commencement Bay. -Tiffany Russell
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14:36 - Viewing from the Dunes Peninsula heading east still close to Dunes. -Cherie StOurs
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14:25 - He’s right off Dune maybe a quarter mile.
13:50 - East bound in Dalco approaching the ferry lane [approx. 47.328873, -122.525373]. -David Michael
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13:15 - Viewing at Dunes Peninsula he’s off the northwest tip of Point Defiance and south of Sunrise. -Cherie StOurs
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12:38 - There’s a humpback traveling northbound in Tacoma Narrows. Watching from our home deck at Salmon Beach. -Zeno Martin
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Dec 23 - San Juans - 17:10 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 17:17 to report: Tillikum Master reports a gray whale in front of the entrance to FHBR. 

December 22
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Fri, Dec 22 - Puget Sound (J Pod)
16:14 - They seem to be grouped up slow southbound travel closer to Kitsap. Trending now southeast. Right near buoy marker.
15:58 - Just spotted one large dorsal mid channel slightly north from Kayu Kayu between here and Kingston ferry. -Kayla Zabecki
*
16:00 - At least three heading south, several still milling near the terminal. -Heather Croteau
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[video in FB comments] Earlier on the ferry ride to Edmonds. -Ricardo Aguayo
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15:28 - On the ferry now heading towards Kingston. They’re spread out from Apple Tree south. -Jennifer Backen Matchem
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15:32 - I was in my car leaving and realized they (actual residents) were right out across from me. Off Kingston terminal now or just south of. -Ashley Johnson
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15:23 - The ones that I was seeing have passed the ferry lanes commuted south spread all across the channel. Some happy orca breaches along the way. Some making directional changes. -Jami Cantrell
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15:20 - Large male southbound close to the Kitsap side. No pics. Off Apple Tree Point, Kingston. -Sara Frey
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15:05 - Viewing from the Kingston ferry. They’re are spread all across the channel north of the ferry. Approaching ferry lanes headed south. -Jami Cantrell
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Fri, Dec 22 - Puget Sound (J Pod)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Tori Main
Date of Sighting: December 22, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: 47.8123476, -122.3838061, Edmonds, midchannel
Direction of travel : South, leisurely, cruising along
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 2 females and a third smaller dorsal fin
Any unusual markings?: Not visible from where we were
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 3 orcas total. At least 2 curved female dorsal fins. One dorsal fin of the trio was much smaller than the other 2 dorsal fins.
Photos available?: No
*
13:27 - SRKW calls, including S01 sequence, audible after noise from Washington State ferries abates. Review annotations and recordings here -- https://live.orcasound.net/reports.
12:47 - 12:51 - Human detections of calls SRKWs = Southern Resident Killer Whales audible over noise from a passing power boat and a train! -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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12:49 - Faint calls on the Orcasound - Listen for Whales Sunset Bay hydrophone. -Orca Network
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12:39 - Just caught sight of one male, maybe two females and a youngster mid channel from the Kingston/Edmonds ferry crossing! What a treat! With direction of travel: hard to say as the ferry didn't slow. Northeast would be my best guess. -Deanne Cano
*
12:23 - SRKW off Edmonds milling. About three nautical miles northwest of [Edmonds]. The only ID we think we had before leaving was Blackberry [J27]. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Fri, Dec 22 - Port Susan (T99s)
16:21 - At the pin, southbound [approx. 48.040578, -122.325749].
16:15 - Viewing from Sandy Point. I’ve seen two of the 99s emerge from Port Susan. No direction yet. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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T99B Holly - T99C Barakat - 15:18 - T99C Barakat surfaced right after last update, southbound on Camano side of midchannel just south of Tillicum.
15:15 - Completely snuck up on us at Tillicum! T99B Holly surfaced a few times close to shore southbound, haven't seen any since.
15:04 - Just saw a blow from Tillicum. Still on the Camano side, probably a few miles north of us. Southbound.
13:58 - Milling with some surface activity just south of Cavalero, Camano side of the channel. Trending south. -photos & IDs by Serena Tierra, December 22, 2023
*
Thomas McKane shared videos in the comments on FB thread.
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13:32 - T99s, prey sharing at the very north end of Port Susan now. -Trevor Tillman
*
13:30 - Successful kill. Five orca. 4000 feet due east of Cavalero Beach. -Smith Siromaskul
*
12:54 - Viewing from Country Club 2 - two males - have seeing at least one female and a young one - mid channel closer to Camano side - northbound. -Linda Aitkins
*
12:09 - May be trending north, we haven't seen them for a while. Very rainy and lots of driftwood in the water.
12:03 - Still milling north of Tillicum, outside the buoys [approx. 48.116349, -122.400582]. -Serena Tierra, Orca Networ
*
11:39 - Just outside the buoys, at least five.
11:37 - Orcas circling north Tillicum Beach close to shore. One male, three or four female. -PSWW chat
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Fri, Dec 22 - Puget Sound - 15:25 - Just past Richmond Beach. Southbound. -Kristine Stevens
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15:05 - They were beautiful. Headed south last [seen] Edmonds Beach Dog Park about fifteen minutes ago. -Joe Foos
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14:45 - I’m wondering if I caught Ts based on your timing. At 14:45-ish I saw three including large male quickly passing southbound on the mid to west of mid side of channel. -Ashley Johnson
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15:05 - We see them mid channel from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, very far out south bound still.
14:25 - Edmonds Pier right now. South. At least three. -Alex Schiller
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13:36 - Three orca milling just south of Haines Wharf - approximately 100 meters from shore. They headed off south shortly after my post. -June Mansfield
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Fri, Dec 22 - Haro Strait - 14:56 - Pod of five to eight orcas at least two males off Westside San Juan Island about a mile off shore. Heading north toward Open Bay. Rough and not on surface enough for IDs. One small (possible baby) present. -M Elise Cannon [WSSJI]
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Dec 22 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) -photos by Mollie Segall, December 22, 2023
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-photos by Jason Cook, December 22, 2023
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I enjoyed the fluke action with the ferry. -photo by Craig Craker, December 22, 2023
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16:30 - 17:15 - Watched him for a good 45 minutes at Owen Beach. It became quite dark but the light of the moon kept him visible and you could definitely hear him when he surfaced and ventured closer to shore. I have never seen so many flukes in one viewing. Thrilling evening! -Jennifer Claire Egenolf
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16:43 - Double backed to come east again to show off to his fans at Owen.
16:38 - Losing light has he heads to the west. Near the opening of Colvos.
16:20 - Kudos to the ferry for stopping for our boy while he takes a close dive! -Mollie Segall
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16:15 - Just turned left away from ferry lane viewing from Owen Beach, very clear view still. -Kalika CeCe
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16:19 - Facing westbound mid channel of ferry lane. Ferry stopped mid channel. -Jason Cook
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16:10 - Trending east towards ferry lane. -Kiana Weinschenk
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16:00 - Owen Beach. -photo by Paul Davis, December 22, 2023
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16:04 - Southeastbound bound towards tip of Dune Peninsula.
15:53 - Mid channel just east of the ferry lane. -Jason Cook
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15:50 - Good view from Owen Beach at tip of Tahlequah!  -Kalika CeCe
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15:33 - He’s making his way back west with some gorgeous flukes. West of the ferry, Mid channel but closer to Owen’s. -Mollie Segall
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15:25 - Beautiful fluke southwest side of Vashon. -Jason Cook
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15:15 - Humpback spotted west Dalco in front of Point Defiance ferry/Owen Beach heading west. -MariAnna Hinojosa
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15:10 - Viewing from Dune Park. Humpback is milling in front of Owen Beach. Can’t tell direction of travel. -Kiana Weinschenk
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14:00 - Humpback in west Dalco. -David Michael 

December 21
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Thu, Dec 21 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (J Pod) - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #78: “They began the encounter at 1107 and confirmed their suspicion when J41 and her youngster J58 broke the surface just west of the J22s. J19 and J51 surfaced with J41 and J58, and J37 and her two offspring were between the two groups, and the four J16s soon arrived from the northeast; all of the whales were making good way toward the south end of Vancouver Island, perhaps anticipating the imminent change to ebb current in Race Passage…” Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #78.
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Thu, Dec 21 - Puget Sound (T46s - briefly met up with the T99s near south Vashon) - T46D Strider - 16:30 - This pod popped up next to my sister's tugboat. Right off Alki Point.  -screen grab from video courtesy of Alexander Simenstad, December 21, 2023
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Paul Freeman
Date of Sighting: December 21, 2023
Time: 1:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: South of Maury Island, Point Robinson
Direction of travel : NNW
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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13:45 - Still trending towards Des Moines/Redondo. Mid channel. At least one male spotted with them.
13:33 - I found them! East of Browns Point continuing northbound. Mid channel. Probably more off of Dash Point right now. -Mollie Segall
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13:42 - Mid-channel milling between Dash Point and Maury - closer to Maury. -Heather Roskelley
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13:29 - Orcas between Vashon and Owen. -Tiffany Russell
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13:15 - Here's what I saw from Browns Point. They were in front of Quartermaster Harbor heading northbound near Maury. Some people thought there were four - there are three in a couple of my photos.  -Heather Roskelley
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13:00 - Browns Point Lighthouse - First time seeing orcas! Link to FB video. -Alan Layton
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nathan Dreesmann
Date of Sighting: December 21, 2023
Time: 8:45 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Saltwater State Park/Poverty Bay
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Travelling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Amazing!
Photos available?: No
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Thu, Dec 21 - Puget Sound (T99s - briefly met up with the T46s) - Happy Winter Solstice! Some days things work out and others… not so much. The T99s have always done a spectacular job of avoiding wherever I am. They initially were hugging Vashon and looked like they were headed northbound. This turned out to be false. I missed them constantly today but I did get to see T99C bellyflop. Taken at Owen Beach. -photos by Kat Martin, December 21, 2023
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-photos by Cherie StOurs December 21, 2023
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16:39 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 19:17 to report: 1639hrs: Vessel CATHLAMET reports two orca NB in the vessel traffic lanes between VASH and FAU. 
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15:49 - MIGHT have some at Dune right now. I just heard two surface breathes over there, but as I turned the ferry was leaving & got in the way. They would be eastbound if it’s them. The humpback is too far west at the moment for it to have been that. -Melissa Bird
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15:30 - Slowly traveling north.
15:29 - They seem to be hanging out right in front of the beach right now. We have been here 20 minutes and they keep coming up in the same area.  
15:19 - At Owen Beach right now and can see at least two. -Kelly Jo De Alba
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14:37 - The group that was off Owen, which appears to be the 99’s, is moving north towards Colvos. -David Michael
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14:25 - Three [orca] between Tahlequah and Gig Harbor, milling. -Steve Fogard
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14:15 - Four orcas sightings off of Owen’s Beach, Tacoma. -Greg Martin
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14:18 - Orcas still out in Dalco and humpback is out near Dune Peninsula mid channel.
13:49 - Orcas in Dalco slowly traveling south and humpback is out here to viewing from Owen Beach. -Cherie StOurs
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13:50 - Just saw from the Point Defiance/Tahlequah ferry. Pointed more towards Gig Harbor from that view. -Kat Martin
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T99C Barakat & T99B Holly -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network - 13:45 - From Owen Beach. -photos by Kyle Anderson, December 21, 2023
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13:42 - Mid-channel milling between Dash Point and Maury - closer to Maury. -Heather Roskelley
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13:29 - Orcas between Vashon and Owen. -Tiffany Russell
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T99C Barakat - T46D Strider & T99C Barakat -IDs by Orca Network
13:15 - Here's what I saw from Browns Point. They were in front of Quartermaster Harbor heading northbound near Maury. Some people thought there were four - there are three in a couple of my photos.  -photos by Heather Roskelley, December 21, 2023
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13:00 - Browns Point Lighthouse - First time seeing orcas! Link to FB videos. -Alan Layton
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12:16 - Breaching and playful behavior, close to Vashon side at the opening of Colvos Passage. Viewing from Old Ferry Landing. -Mollie Segall
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12:15 - Sightings from Owen now. Hugging Vashon Island. -Valerie Hughes
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12:12 - Off Southwest corner of Vashon traveling east. Looks like the male is in the lead. -Ashley S Whitman
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12:12 - They’re headed east between Point Defiance and Vashon mid channel. -Jenna Iams
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11:33 - They are approaching Point Richmond on the Gig Harbor side still slowly southbound. -April Basham
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10:56 - T99s, slow but steady travel southbound with some directional changes, loosely grouped, Barakat trailing, mid channel to island side of [approx. 47.384015, -122.531860]. 
10:36 - Still south of Lisabuela, making directional changes, with slow southbound travel closer to mid channel now. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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T99D Puck, T99C Barakat, T99 Bella, T99B Holly -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network From Olalla. -photo by Jim Pasola, December 21, 2023
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10:26 - Just past Lisabuela now, mainland side of channel, seeing blows headed southbound, lots of gull activity. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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10:07 - Mid channel. They've stopped about half way to put on quite a jumping show. They seem to be back on track headed south again.
10:01 - Viewing from Al's. Four to five with one large male. -Annie Metzger-Snyder
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09:40 - I was kayaking northbound when they steamed past southbound off Olalla. Looked like five to six individuals, at least one bull. -Rob Mosley
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09:11 - Headed southbound in Colvos at a fast pace, mid channel, just past Driftwood Cove. -Kristi King
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08:49 - Sound Action just got a report of orcas headed south into Colvos Passage from Southworth ferry. Three reported. -Amy Carey, Sound Action
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Dec 21 - Haro Strait - 13:15 - First small humpback around Westside San Juan Island headed toward Open Bay. Followed by two additional humpbacks mid-Haro Strait headed north toward Kellett Bluff. The last two still present at 13:51. -M Elise Cannon [WSSJI]/
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Thu, Dec 21 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - [Today] was a pretty spectacular day at Owen Beach watching transient orcas the T99s and a humpback whale CRC20899 that’s been here for over a week now. It seemed the fog had parted in this area just long enough to watch them swim in the same area together! Great to see old friends and make new friends and listen to people’s excitement of seeing these beautiful animals! Now this was a great Christmas gift. Link to more photos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 21, 2023
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photos by Ryan Dicks, December 21, 2023
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photos by Kyle Anderson December 21, 2023
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16:33 - After a long, foggy day it’s nice that at least the humpback said goodbye to me. Still off of Owen facing northbound. -Mollie Segall
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16:02 - Still there. Just saw a tail this time. -Da Is
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15:55 - Humpback off Owens west of ferry. -Bee Lorenzen McVicker
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15:44 - Seeing the humpback milling off Owen Beach, a little on the Tacoma side of mid channel. -Melissa Bird
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15:07 - Out from Point Defiance ferry terminal and now out from shore a bit. West bound still. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:04 - He just passed back going the other way towards Owen Beach passing in the ferry lane. -Da Is
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15:00 - Out from Dunes Peninsula and has now flipped back west and closer to the Dune shore. -photos by Marilyn Armbruster, December 21, 2023
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14:57 - Just some on the Tacoma side of the Vashon ferry.
14:43 - I saw him [humpbacks] too. He went down but didn't come back up. -Da Is
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14:36 - The humpback is out mid channel from Dune Peninsula. -Cherie StOurs
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14:11 - Humpback off the Point Defiance ferry terminal. -David Michael
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13:25 - I just got to Gig Harbor viewpoint on Five Mile Drive. A person here said she just saw the humpback pass by, northbound. I have not seen or heard it yet. Visibility is excellent on this side. -Melissa Bird
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Kirsten Flack
Date of Sighting: December 21, 2023
Time: 11:25 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: The Narrows - in front of Salmon Beach
Direction of travel : slowly traveling east then turned around & circled back toward Narrows bridge on other side of channel
Behaviors observed: circling, milling about
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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07:30 - Humpback in west Dalco, off the Point Defiance clay banks. -David Michael 

December 20
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Wed, Dec 20 - Boundary Pass (J Pod) - 21:24 - More J-Pod calls audible again now after the ship noise has quieted a bit. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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20:45 - J pod vocals can be heard on SIMRES hydrophone. Conditions are noisy but they are there.  -Orca Network
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20:37 - Killer whale vocals on simres.ca hydrophone. Sounds like S4s/J-Pod. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Wed, Dec 20 - Saratoga Passage/Deception Pass/Rosario Strait (T49As) - 13:40 - Swiftsure found them shortly time ago in Rosario Strait, northwest of Sares Head going northbound. Per Trevor Tillman, these were the T49As. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:38 - Someone posted in Puget Sound Whale Sightings they’re by Strawberry Island headed towards Deception Pass Bridge. -Jami Cantrell
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12:23 - Thanks to staff member Serena Tierra for reporting Diane C reports in a MM stranding chat the pod is westbound off Strawberry Island (half mile east of the bridge).
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08:15 - A pod of orcas feeding just south of Harrington Lagoon (Saratoga Passage). Includes mom and baby. -Randy Zimmerman Furnas
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Dec 20 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899)
17:00 - Caught us by surprise.
16:45 - We could hear the blows but could not get a visual tonight. Heard over by the clay fields headed west. -Bee Lorenzen McVicker
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16:51 - I've been walking along the beach with it eastbound towards Owen, sometimes it was only about 50 feet offshore! It's just turned back, westbound.
16:33 - I'm just east of the Dalco Passage viewpoint & can hear it, but not see it. Direction of travel sounds eastbound towards Owen at the moment. -Melissa Bird
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15:06 - Back and forth along the bank.
14:55 - Trolling along the clay banks.
14:30 - Humpback in Dalco off Owen Beach heading west. -David Michael
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14:25 - I can here blows probably the humpback the only problem it’s so foggy here can’t see it. Owens Beach - let you know if I get eyes on it. -Cherie StOurs

December 19
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 19 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (K Pod and members of L Pod) - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #77: “Sure enough, less than 20 minutes after leaving the Bigg's, they spotted several westbound killer whales ~ 3.5 n ssw of Otter Point, quickly confirmed to be members of L pod! As they were on Sunday, the animals were spread over several miles, to the west and southwest from where Mike 1 caught up to them. The guys did their best to document as many of the not only spread but long-diving animals as they could and were pleasantly surprised that L87 was one of the first individuals Mark was able to photograph!…” Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #77.
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 19 - Penn Cove/North Saratoga Passage (T49As)
15:45 - I had to leave them after their last long dive around 15:45. Last known direction east bound Crescent Harbor.
15:28 - T49A1 Noah is further out in the channel.
15:24 - T49As where my red dot east in Crescent Harbor. Close to Whidbey eastbound. -Kevin Phillips
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14:50 - Out of my sight eastbound past Maylor Point. Dang! Last update from me.
14:47 - Committed eastbound again back off Maylor Point now.
14:39 - They made quite a bit of ground west but were then facing east. Haven't seen since!
14:32 - Approx. location west/southwestbound.
14:29 - Just saw fins including male off Maylor Point westbound. Moving quick. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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T49A1 Noah -ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - 10:55 - Just east of Monroe Landing. -screengrab from video by Mel Nasby, December 19, 2023
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Craig Brown
Date of Sighting: December 19, 2023
Time: 10:50 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Penn Cove midway traveling past Coupeville from west to east at high tide
Direction of travel : E
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: I could only tell one had a very tall dorsal and one was much smaller
Any unusual markings?: Too far to see
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I have the video on my ring camera, but they are pretty far away and it's pretty grainy. I can take photo screen shots
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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Tue, Dec 19 - North Puget Sound - 12:36 - Killer whales, three miles south of Possession Point [Whidbey], northbound. Would have guessed headed towards Possession Sound. Saw them once. At least one male and one female. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES
Tue, Dec 19 - Oregon Coast 
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Dec 19 15:30 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 44.82605,-124.06652 [Newport, OR]
Number Sighted: 5
Submitted Comments: 5 moving South less than 1/4 mile off shore 
Photos: Link to one photo - featured below.
Submitter Name: Nancy Rasmussen
Whale Alert App -photo by Nancy Rasmussen, December 19, 2023

December 18
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 18 - Penn Cove/North Saratoga Passage (T49As) - T49A Nan & T49A5 Nebula - T49A4 Neptune, T49A3 Nat, T49A Nan -photos & IDs by Rachel Haight, December 18, 2023
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I caught them [video in FB comments] playing with some sea birds. I was on the north side of the entrance right at the curve. -Kathy LaMee
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16:30 - On the phone with Rachel Haight, the T49As are continuing eastbound approaching Maylor Point as lightness fades.
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16:15 - Just outer edge Oak Harbor, still eastbound.
15:35 - They are eastbound east of Monroe Landing. Leaning towards T49As but unsure, will have to view photos at home [confirmed T49As]. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:36 - Heading out to Saratoga Passage now. Looked like a male, one or two females and one small one. -Whidbey Canine Conditioning & Rehabilitation
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15:30 - Managed to get this little spyhop. -photo by Tami Kannenberg, December 18, 2023
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Charles Niedzialkowski
Date of Sighting: December 18, 2023
Time: 3:30 PM
Species seen: Orcas in Penn Cove, dorsals and tails seem but they were heading East when got a glimpse.
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Penn Cove just East of Monroe Landing Road. They were midway across the Cove so out a good 100 meters.
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?: None seen.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Lots of folks at the beach that’s what tipped us off. This is not far from where Tokitae was captured and so many other whales. Always good to see them come back but us is usually transients and not the pods we see in the San Juan’s.
Photos available?: No
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T49A1 Noah -ID by Rachel Haight, Orca Network - 15:24 - It was the same time I posted and they were right in front of Monroe Landing headed east at a pretty slow pace. -photo by Melissa Gardner, December 18, 2023
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15:21 - At least two and maybe three slowly heading east, almost to Monroe Landing.
15:20 - Saw the group slowly cruising eastbound past Monroe Landing - now trees are in the way. -Bonnie Gretz
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15:15 - They are hunting in the debri field a bit off Monroe Landing shore. Not sure who yet! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:08 - Just saw a male from my deck! Eastbound closer to north side - just west of Monroe Landing. So fun to see from my house! -Bonnie Gretz
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15:00 - Eastbound still closer to north shore.
14:50 - My eyes may have deceived me, maybe only one male. They were in super dark water, but have moved east to lighter water and not so sure on 46s now... thought I saw a fairly small one - will update if I get a better view!
14:45 - About mid cove, west of Rolling Hills dock. Were westbound, then flipped east on last surfacing. Will update if committed. Camera settings were a bit dark so no definite ID but do appear to be four whales, two males, assuming 46s for now. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Stephanie Garlichs
Date of Sighting: December 18, 2023
Time: 2:29 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Penn Cove, off Monroe Landing heading west
Direction of travel : West
Behaviors observed: Traveling, possibly hunting
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Dec 18 - Haro Strait - 08:47 - Humpback in Haro about 200 yards off coast, quarter mile south of Henry Island. Heading down island. -April Van Deventer [WSSJI]
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Mon, Dec 18 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) -Video by Jason Cook - Link to FB video.
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Beautiful fall day watching CRC 20899 from Point Defiance waterfront. Link to more photos. -photos by Cherie StOurs, December 18, 2023
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15:42 - Fluke every few minutes right now. Same place, looks a bit closer to Gig. -Lexi Rozner Kinney
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15:27 - Fluke off of Point Defiance. Between the point & Gig.
14:57 - Moving southerly cost to Point Defiance & Gig. Fluke a few minutes ago. 
14:45 - Moving east towards Gig in the area I'd marked previously. Fluke.
14:34 - In line with the east of Vashon mid-channel. Currently logging.
14:28 - Seems to be milling in this area. Just fluked. Trending west again.
14:07 - Closer to Vashon more mid channel heading easterly. -David Bennett
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13:47 - Up at outlook! -Lisa Connelly Richard

December 17
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 17 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (L Pod) - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #75: “They picked up speed at Ogden Point just before 1100 and soon spotted a spread group of whales just southwest of Constance Bank. The whales travelled southwest, and fins could be seen for over a mile south and east, suggesting that Southern Residents were present! Sure enough, the nearest two animals surfaced to reveal themselves as L83 and L110. L115 was not far away, and all three were making their way southwest. As these animals disappeared on a dive, the guys began assessing the spread and spotted a few loosely associating pairs of whales to their southeast. They maneuvered Mike 1 toward those animals and confirmed the presence of L72 with L105, L91 with L122, L86 with L106, and L86’s youngster L125 nearby with L118. L118 was sporting a unique nick at the very tip of her dorsal fin, new since the last time they saw her in the summer…” Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #75.
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 17 - Lummi Island - Rosario Strait & Hale Passage (T99s & T109A2s) - T109A2A Seekah - T109A2 Fuser -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
16:50 - They circled the ferry a while then slowly went south midchannel in Hale Passage, made a kill then leisurely passed me enjoying themselves. I have an hour of footage but I'm glad these bits helped ID! -screengrab from video by Rose Caitlin, December 17, 2023
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16:28 - Rose and I are suspicious that these ones [T109A2s] and the others that passed her earlier [T99s] were grouped together and then split. When I first had eyes on the area north of the island, I had seen blows in that area along Lummi but I didn’t know where they went because I couldn’t find them again and shortly after is when she saw the first ones head down the other side of the island. -Silver Hubble
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T99B Holly -ID by Serena Tierra, Orca Network
16:18 - South! i can still see them now, just west of Bellingham Bay.
16:13 - WOW! Five orca just passed by in Hale Passage! Two tiny babies a mom, male and one more.
14:52 - There’s more in Hale Passage!
14:28 - About six gorgeous orca just passed me on northwest Lummi Island, they’re headed south in Rosario, midchannel from Clark Island and Lummi, going FAST! Videos to come. Thank you Silver Hubble otherwise I wouldn’t have seen them at all! -screengrab from video by Rose Caitlin, December 17, 2023
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Sun, Dec 17 - Admiralty Inlet - 16:00 - Single male swam very, very close to pier in Fort Worden. Surfaced three times then swam underwater and surfaced three quarter miles south. Surfaced two more times and continued out of sight at Point Hudson. Remained quite close to shoreline.  -Sue Long
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15:45 - This is third hand info, a male orca swam by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at Fort Worden. We didn’t see it, a visitor let us know. No photos.  -Betsy Carlson
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Rachel Smith
Date of Sighting: December 17, 2023
Time: 3:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend WA
Direction of travel : E
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?: No
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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15:30 - I had the honor of spotting an orca while eating lunch facing the Port Townsend Bay, just east of the ferry terminal. He was alone (I'm assuming male based on what appeared to be a very tall dorsal fin). He surfaced several times fairly close in, and then swam out towards Marrowstone Island where we could see him surfacing from afar for several minutes. Every time I think I've had it with PNW winters and I'm ready to move, a sighting like this reminds me of the magic of our part of the world! -Jessica
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Sun, Dec 17 - Saratoga Passage (T46s) - T46D Strider - Spent the sunset with the T46s tonight from Camano State Park. Most of the pod hugged the Whidbey side but one male (Strider?) favored the Camano side. -photos by Charvet Drucker, December 17, 2023
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19:40 - Certainly can’t see anything, but while outside admiring the calm we could HEAR them! North of Hat Island, heading eastward. -Lori Christopher
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T46E Thor - T122 Centeki & T46E Thor
16:15 - Have passed Fox Spit/Mabana Shores southbound. Two closer to Whidbey and one mid channel and another Camano side of mid. I think I had Thor one of the ones closer to Whidbey. -photos by Marilyn Armbruster, December 17, 2023
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16:10 - Passing Camano State Park now still heading south. One male, mid channel. The other part of the group is closer to the Whidbey side. -Charvet Drucker
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T46D Strider - 16:00 - From Camano State Park. -back of camera photo by Krista Paulino, December 17, 2023
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15:50 - Middish channel between high bank Baby Island Heights and Camano State Park. Southbound leisurely. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:38 - Viewing from Camano Island State Park- seen at least two males - mid channel across from the state park. -Linda Aitkins
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15:15 - Have them about at this spot. Southbound. Viewing from high bank Baby Island Heights. Thank you Jill, Aaron and Camano Whale Watch. -Marilyn Armbruster
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T46E Thor - T122 Centeki -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
15:00 - I don’t know if this is the same bunch at least three orcas heading south just off Whidbey shore, one and a half miles north of Hidden Beach. -photos by Aaron Gill, December 17, 2023
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14:40 - I just spotted two of them, one a male, heading south. From my line of sight from Whidbey, looking southeast to Cama Beach State Park. Definitely mid-channel - lots of debris in the water. -Jill Hein [CWW]
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14:20 - Orca pod off Rockaway (south of Madrona) headed south, close to Whidbey. -Whitney Vondergeest Holt [CWW]
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09:08 - We are seeing three orcas, one male in Saratoga Passage approaching Sandy Point heading east. Slow and not easy to see with all the logs in the water. -Luanne Seymour
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Dec 17 - Rosario Strait - 13:49 - Approximately four humpbacks visible in Rosario, just east of Orcas Island and south of Sucia, lots of surface activity and breaching seen. I actually saw the humpbacks before Rose saw those [orcas], and I actually watched one of the humpbacks breaching fairly close to me, and the spout was way too tall, and they were not near each other at all. -Silver Hubble [WSSJI]
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Sun, Dec 17 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - Not bad for a first time seeing a humpback whale from shore. We watched as this little guy (CRC-20899) circled around Point Defiance at Owen Beach for hours. Beautiful moments spent with this whale. Link to more photos. -photos by Kat Martin, December 17, 2023
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Another fun day around Point Defiance playing hide and seek the humpback edition. It was great to see so many people getting a glance at this little one. Link to more photos. -photos by Jason Cook, December 17, 2023
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photo by Kyle Anderson, December 17, 2023
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Taken from Dune Peninsula.  -photos by Alisa Miller, December 17, 2023
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Viewing once again from Dune Peninsula in Tacoma, Humpback CRC 20899. Link to FB videos. photo by Cherie StOurs, December 17, 2023
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16:24 - Moved slightly more west again. Still same vicinity and milling. A couple boats are still around watching. We’re headed back to the marina. 
16:00 - Heading east in front of Owen Beach right now. Milling in this same general area for awhile now.
15:47 - Halfway between Owens Beach and Point Defiance Point. Been floating on the surface and hanging out here for past 20 minutes.  -Jasmine Myers
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15:00 - 16:00 - From Owen Beach with telephoto lens. -Ashley S Whitman
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15:56 - We just saw the whale! Point Defiance - it was staying in the same general area. -Leslie Peif
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15:15 - We are turning into icicles out here, haha. Watching one more fluke and leaving. Just went down. Slow trend east again. Favoring mainland side a bit more. -Kat Martin
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14:53 - Still near Owen Beach right now. -Jarab Daniel
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14:38 - Hanging out in front of the Vashon Island view point. Close-ish to shore going no specific direction.  -Kim Disney
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15:38 - I saw this from my friend’s house using their scope and almost cried it was so beautiful! -Lilly Elston Lutz
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14:38 - Making circles in this general area. A little closer to Point Defiance. 
14:23 - Owen Beach is the place to be! Just went down. Appears to be headed east again. -Kat Martin
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14:11 - Now near tip of Point Defiance. Had turned back toward Owen but was just back near Point Defiance. -photo by April Koller, December 17, 2023
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14:10 - Just flipped facing eastbound. -Jason Cook
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14:04 - Now off the tip of Point Defiance, just fluked, was pointed west/ northwest at last sight. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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14:04 - Beautiful fluke near sail boat between Point Defiance & Sunrise. Facing southwest. -Jason Cook
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13:52 - Moving west slowly, favoring mainland side of mid channel now.
13:32 - Just a bit west of the ferry lanes, mid channel to island side of, can’t tell direction yet though. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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13:17 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: CHETZEMOKA Captain reports 1 Gray Whale near terminal heading in no specific direction. [Presume this was humpback CRC-20899]. 
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13:04 - Right off Vashon ferry. -Dallas Braham -photo by John Braham, December 17, 2023
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13:02 - Still to the east of the ferry lanes and at east end of Vashon. Pointed more towards Owen Beach. We’ve been seeing the top of the flukes with each dive. -Kat Martin
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12:56 - Vashon ferry. -Dallas Braham
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12:53 - He’s awake! Saw a fluke to the east of the white boats that are east of the ferry terminal. He appears to be eastbound. -Mollie Segall
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12:45 - Just went down again. Same area. Not very active.
12:39 - Just saw it go down in this red circle area. We are at Point Defiance Park at the Vashon Island overlook. -Kat Martin
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12:15 - Still off the tip of Point Defiance. -Corey Bartlett
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12:21 - Now east of the ferry lanes, more mid channel. Must be traveling but very stealthily as I haven’t seen a fluke, just glimpses of his back.
12:08 - I’m 99% sure I spotted him just west of the ferry lanes closer to the Vashon side. We seen from Owen Beach. -Mollie Segall
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10:14 - Still in same spot. -Ryan Dicks
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08:27 - Sunday humpback off Point Defiance milling. -David Michael
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GRAY WHALES -
ID NOTE: Dec 17th video by Levi Daniel reviewed ON could match to the whale reported by Trevor Tillman and photographed by Bart Rulon on December 16th. With permission we forwarded Levi’s video to Cascadia Research. Since Levi's sighting made for multiple sightings of this whale, Alie Perez (Cascadia Research) has made this individual CRC2549. As of December 20th these two sightings are the only confirmed sightings by ON and CRC. 
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Sun, Dec 17 - Sinclair Inlet (CRC-2549) - Posted 16:06 - Grey whale breaching in Sinclair inlet. On my way to the Bremerton dock, saw a whale breaching under the Mannette Bridge. Pull out the camera for some photos then boom, 15 feet away! Didn’t mean to be so close, so don’t send me hate [Lat/long: 47.56488, -122.61673]. -screengrabs from video by Levi Daniel, December 17, 2023

December 16
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 16 - Victoria, BC
16:00 - They've been stalled south of Harling Point since my last update. A few breaches just now. May be trending east.
15:40 - Likely not the same group as this morning, but there are orcas westbound south of Victoria. Caught a brief glimpse of them from Trafalgar Park at 15:29, now approaching Clover Point. -Serena Tierra, Orca Network
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Sat, Dec 16 - Haro Strait - 22:17 - Bigg’s calls detected by Orcasound - Listen for Whales listener(s). Bravo for being the first to hear them in real time! -Scott Veirs, Orcasound [WSSJI]
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12:57 - Single male orca seen mid-Haro off Lime Kiln going north. -Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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Sat, Dec 16 - Boundary Pass - 14:30 - Faint Bigg's killer whale vocals on the SIMRES.ca hydrophone. Thanks for the head's up Salish Sea Orca Squad! -Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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Sat, Dec 16 - San Juans - 16:30 - Next to the Shaw Landing. -Bryn Black [WSSJI]
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15:28 - Approx. five at Flat Point Lopez heading east. -Peter Albert [WSSJI]
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14:41 - Spotted several orcas off the coast of Lopez near Bayshore Road. Towards Lopez terminal. -Jeremy Tyler [WSSJI]
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Sat, Dec 16 - North Puget Sound (T46s) - T46E Thor - T46D Strider - T46E Thor - 16:46 - Between Hat Island and Whidbey. Steady northbound - can hear their exhalations in the waning light. -photos by Dori Dace, December 16, 2023
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T46E Thor - T46D Strider - T46E Thor & T122 Centeki - 16:31 - The T46s are approaching the ferry lanes, Whidbey side, continuing northbound. Goodnight from Whidbey! -photos & IDs by Cindi Crowder Rausch, December 16, 2023
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16:31 - Approaching Clinton ferry lanes, still steady northbound. -Dori Dace
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16:20 - Halfway up Columbia Beach neighborhood, slowly northbound. Whidbey side. -Emily Wandres
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16:08 - Three of the 46s loosely grouped with male trailing short distance behind passing Glendale northbound slowly with sun setting in their wake. Gorgeous sunset in gorgeous place we all inhabit. Marvel at it always. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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16:00 - Slowly passing Glendale spread out from Whidbey side to Whidbey side of mid - northbound. -Emily Wandres
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16:00 - Northbound movement getting closer to Glendale with still some directional changes by some. So pretty. General location [approx. 47.934047, -122.353897].
15:54 - T46s have made what appears to be successful kill based on behavior and gull activity. They are stalled circling west of mid channel up in Possession Sound between Possession Park and Glendale feeding.
15:41 - The other three had flipped and came back south, got parallel to the northbound male and now all have slowed making directional changes. Seeing some water disturbance so possibly hunting.
15:38 - Direction change for at least one other who is now southbound west of resting male.
15:35 - Trailing male is between Possession boat launch and Glendale west of mid channel. He is totally in resting. Others ahead. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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15:20 - Leaders passed Possession boat ramp Whidbey side, others are trailing behind slightly more midchannel. Slowly northbound with some directional changes. -Emily Wandres
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15:19 - Viewing from Glendale, looking south - fins and blows mid to Whidbey. Whales are steady towards Glendale. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:00 - Watching from Possession Park, still south of the boat launch but whales are northbound slowly close to Whidbey side. Amazing calm viewing conditions! -Emily Wandres
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14:51 - Just east of buoy now with some directional changes but others lazily still northbound.
14:47 - T46s slightly southeast of the green buoy/marker off Possession Point. They’ve slowed after burst of energy. Some brief logging while continuing northeast seemingly toward Possession Sound.
14:41 - At least some have grouped and are heading northeast angling toward Possession Point [approx. 47.895808, -122.386008].
14:38 - I moved further north and so have the T46s. They are spread out due south of Cultus Bay neighborhood all traveling northbound directly toward Whidbey. Definitely more on the east side but so far haven’t turned toward Possession but possibly trending that way.
14:20 - T46s continue northbound travels, currently about one and a half to two miles due south Scatchet Head. They may be bit further east but map for general location [approx. 47.891392, -122.431970].
14:06 - Thanks to Alice’s spot on mapping I was able first spot T46s loosely grouped at about 13:58 facing northbound. They do appear committed to northbound travel, now north of Alice’s 13:52 map. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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14:02 - Viewing from Sunset Ave, Edmonds straight out. They are headed northbound at the moment. -Vanessa Franz
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13:52 - Directional changes [approx. 47.857194, -122.441439]. The large male is kind of just floating bobbing at the surface for a bit then very very slowly will go under. He’s done it a few times.
13:36 - They’ve slowed down a lot. Still heading south but only slightly more south than the last post. Long down times. 
13:18 - Continuing southbound here [approx. 47.878553, -122.446322].  -Alice Thuy Talbot
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13:03 - Southbound [approx. 47.906687, -122.456838]. We are leaving the scene. -Bart Rulon Wildlife
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12:58 - After long down, they surfaced quite a bit further south and now seemingly more southbound.
12:50 - They are now off tip of southwest Whidbey, and appear to be aiming east/southeast. All grouped up again. Approx. location [47.909902, -122.441836]. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:16 - T46s southeast-bound [approx. 47.922352, -122.483399]. -Bart Rulon Wildlife
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12:12 - Viewing from Point No Point the whales are just approaching the yellow buoy off of Maxwelton, PSE is with them. -Jim Pasola
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11:40 - A little more grouped up still steady southbound maybe approx. here [47.941289, -122.494885]?
10:54 - Thor lead the way, Strider now trailing by quite a bit. All out of my sight to the south of me now. 
10:47 - They've picked up the pace southbound and spread out now.
10:33 - Eight minute down time, still very slow travel south, still grouped, now some logging.
10:24 - T46s. All four grouped up.
10:23 - Approx. location [47.982362, -122.578642]. Currently slow trend south. Will update if committed.
10:19 - Orcas south end of Mutiny Bay. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:11 - He just wrote back to say he is seeing a couple more, so about five animals. 
08:54 - Good morning WSN team! Just heard from Jason aboard the Victoria Clipper V, about three orcas moving slowly northwest in the traffic lanes south of Foulweather Bluff. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sat, Dec 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - 09:13 - Four orcas reported seen from due south of Victoria and due east of Race Rocks (along the Coho ferry route), no direction provided. -Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Dec 16 - Puget Sound - 21:40 - Just heard the (humpback?) whale at Point Dalco, south Vashon. Too dark to see it but the sound is very loud and the same as in the video that Jill posted above! -Lily Moon Ovadya
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16:05 - Humpback (we think?) in Colvos Passage off Lisabeula on Vashon Island. Heading south. -Dylan Lynch
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12:56 - My husband on kayak in Colvos Passage just called to say it is center channel, south of Sylvan Beach, just milling or sleeping but near surface. -Jill Denkmann
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12:22 - Updated report that whale is now just south of Fern Cove area in Colvos off Vashon. Currently northbound.
11:28 - Good morning, humpback reported near Lisabeula area [Vashon]. Milling but could go either direction. -Sound Action 
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Sat, Dec 16 - BC
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Dec 16 7:45 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.79673,-123.00476
Number Sighted: 3
Submitted Comments: Large whales running off the point of Tumbo Island. One in particular is very big. 
Submitter Name: James Michael
Whale Alert App 
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Dec 16 - Admiralty Inlet - 14:25 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Grey whale on the Ferry Traffic lane between PT TOWNSEND and Keystone, North of Marrowstone Island. 
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Sat, Dec 16 - Admiralty Inlet (CRC-2549) - 14:25 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Grey whale on the Ferry Traffic lane between PT TOWNSEND and Keystone, North of Marrowstone Island. 
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14:20 - Update on the small gray whale [approx. 48.106822, -122.665091].
13:50 - A very small gray whale is southbound at my mark [approx. 48.133932, -122.681649].-photo by Bart Rulon Wildlife, December 16, 2023
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13:44 - Grey whale southbound from Keystone in the traffic lanes. Not one we know. It looks like a juvenile [approx. 48.139661, -122.687503]. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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14:20 - Update on the small gray whale [approx. 48.106822, -122.665091].
13:50 - A very small gray whale is southbound at my mark [approx. 48.133932, -122.681649]. -photo by Bart Rulon Wildlife, December 16, 2023
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13:44 - Grey whale southbound from Keystone in the traffic lanes. Not one we know. It looks like a juvenile [approx. 48.139661, -122.687503]. -Trevor Tillman, PSE
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sat, Dec 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca 
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Dec 16 9:13 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.31673,-123.38914 [due S Victoria/due E Race Rocks]
Number Sighted: 4
Submitter Name: Kris Krusemark
Whale Alert App

December 15
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Fri, Dec 15 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T241s, T251, T252, T253, T253A, T254) - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #74: “They began the encounter at 1517 with T251, a regular winter visitor to the Salish Sea who is rarely observed anywhere else along the coast. He typically travels near his presumed mother and sister, T252 and T253, though there were no other whales in view. The crew followed T251 for another breath cycle, before pausing to scan for the others. Mark finally spotted them over a mile astern of the westbound bull and, through his trusty Swarovskis, thought they may be exhibiting predation behaviour. By the time Mike 1 arrived in their vicinity, the large group of females and juveniles was treading water and rolling playfully. It appeared they were finishing off a meal, but the CWR team was unable to confirm this…” Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #74.
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Fri, Dec 15 - Admiralty Inlet (T46s) - 16:15 - The T46s have slowed to a more leisurely pace. They remain mid channel, travels south approaching Foulweather. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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16:00 - Moving fast south Whidbey side midchannel still southbound north end Mutiny Bay. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:47 - The rest of the T46 pod are closer to Whidbey [approx. 48.023534, -122.613155]. -Bart Rulon Wildlife
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15:40 - Male female pair off Bush Point. It's my heart whale - T46E! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:39 - T46 pod southbound. T46D is west of my map spot [approx. 48.039978, -122.618084]. -Bart Rulon Wildlife
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15:31 - Single male mid to Whidbey traveling south. Approaching Bush Point ramp. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:25 - Saw one fin, not adult male, south of Lagoon headed southbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:16 - Three to five orca southbound Lagoon Point. Moving slowly, Lagoon Point side of Admiralty Inlet. One big male, otherwise too far away to see detail. -photo by Bill Setter, December 15, 2023
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15:10 - Roughly about at the red pin [approx. 48.063698, -122.621931].
14:56 - Orcas south bound Admiralty Inlet viewing from Marrowstone Point closer to Whidbey traveling. One bull for sure. I thought I saw more but I keep seeing just the bull right now. Pretty sure there are at least two. -Rebecca Berger
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Wendy Feltham
Date of Sighting: December 15, 2023
Time:
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: approaching Point Wilson in Fort Worden
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling south, then seemed to return back, then south, then disappeared
If orcas, any males?: yes, a male, see photos
Any unusual markings?: yes, two notches near the top of the dorsal fin; possible marking visible in one photo of a squiggle like a "2"
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Exciting!
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org - T46D Strider -ID by Orca Network -photos by Wendy Feltham, December 15, 2023
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Dec 15 - Haro Strait - 03:00 - 04:00 - Humpback vocalization detected by human listeners and the OrcaHello AI this morning in the pre-dawn! Here is the best OrcaHello 60-sec clip without ship noise - link. You can review human reports and replay clips here - link. Would love to know if there is an individual humpback observed today in Haro! We've not yet had a chance to discern if any particular individual is making these non-song vocalizations. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound [WSSJI]
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Fri, Dec 15 - Puget Sound (CRC-20899) - CRC-20899 made a visit to Tacoma. This trip it was swimming laps west of the tip of Point Defiance, mid-channel along Dalco Passage to the edge of Maury Island then back again. See more photos here. -photos by Jason Cook, December 15, 2023
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Was at Dune Peninsula today and saw the humpback that was out near Sunrise Beach for a couple hours. I’ve seen porpoise and orca log but this was the first time seeing a humpback log. Link to video. -Cherie StOurs
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16:03 - Seeing it close to shore from the Vashon view point on Five Mile Drive. Just hanging out. It was still swimming kind of back and forth in front of the view point when we left. -Kim Disney
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15:57 - Just saw flukes north of the little boat (not kayak) appeared to be heading east, viewing from Dune. -Kirsten Vacura
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15:57 - Slowly eastbound towards ferry lane.
15:41 - Facing northeast [approx. 47.327377, -122.556477]. -Jason Cook
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15:00 - Still seeing from the Dune Peninsula still in same area as my last facing north now.
14:26 - Still in same area south of Sunrise. Viewing from Dune. -Cherie StOurs
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14:13 - Currently seeing it from the Dalco view point. -Tyler McCann
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13:59 - Viewing from Dunes, it south of Sunrise and just fluke no direction. -Cherie StOurs
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13:44 - Humpback in west Dalco facing south [approx. 47.327419, -122.541359]. -David Michael
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13:36 - [video of humpback]. -Ashley Lingenfelter
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12:11 - Just saw some type of baleen whale near the Tacoma to Vashon ferry. It was pointed in the direction headed towards Seattle but didn’t see it again after it dove down. -photos by Kellyann Frazer, December 15, 2023

December 14
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Thu, Dec 14 - Boundary Pass - 19:48 - Hearing the Ts under the wave/current sounds, with louder call just now 19:48. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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19:39 - Bigg's transient orcas are back on the SIMRES hydrophone.  -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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11:23 - Just heard them. -Karen Klassen
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11:20 - Another burst of lovely calls!
11:07 - After several minutes of quiet, another burst of some really beautiful transient orca vocals.
10:59 - They are super vocal and loud right now still at 10:59!  -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:52 - Biggs! -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout [WSSJI]
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10:43 - Calls on SIMRES hydrophone. -Fred Horn [WSSJI]
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Dec 14 - Puget Sound - 16:30 - Seeing this humpback (I'm guessing it's the same one) at Point Defiance. I was spying on sea lions when I heard it surface around the corner from me. I walked to Gig Harbor viewpoint & heard it surface again, further east. Kept walking, hearing it surface always just out of sight until I caught up with it at Dalco Passage viewpoint. It's doing long dives & brief surfacing. It was heading towards Owen Beach, but I think it just turned back at Dalco viewpoint. -Melissa Bird

December 14
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Dec 14 - San Juans - 14:28 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 14:39 to report: 1428hrs: Vessel TILLIKUM captain reports via 800MHz they have slowed due to 1 grey whale San Juan Channel near the Reid Rock light, moving SE.  

December 13
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Dec 13 - Puget Sound - 15:45 - Sighted traveling north from Olalla Bay. Close to Olalla side at first, then traveled towards mid-channel lazily, before slowly turning back to Olalla side. Last seen traveling north about 16:00. Link to video. -photos by Jolena Tagg, December 13, 2023
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15:34 - Just surfaced and now heading north of Olalla Bay.
15:23 - Circled back. Closer to Olalla side.
15:09 - Currently at Olalla Bay and looks like whale is slowly moving south. Just surfaced and took a dive. Pretty big tail! -photo by Colleen Henckel, December 13, 2023
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14:07 - Some kind of whale by Olalla Bay. -Greg Hollingsworth [PSWS]
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12:45 - Seeing another humpback (or maybe the same one as this morning?) in Colvos Passage [just to the south of Anderson Point] but it is just laying there, going under the water a bit and then back up and just lays there.  -Jan Cameron Alferness
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12:00 - We were out kayaking between Lisabeula and Olalla. Saw numerous porpoises. Also did see the humpback just south of Anderson Point. -Karen Boyle
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Wed, Dec 13 - BC
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed Dec 13 9:48 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.79673,-123.04476 [Tumbo Isl, BC]
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: James Michael
Whale Alert App 
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09:45 - Humpback milling around in front of Ollala Bay.
09:00 - Humpback is heading southbound in Colvos Passage, mid channel, almost past Ollala Bay. He's been northbound and southbound. [At] 08:00, [humpback was] about Anderson Point, turned and went southbound. -Yvonne Welty
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08:00 - Just saw a humpback in Colvos Passage, going north, just across from Anderson Point on the Vashon side. Clearly saw the dorsal fin and several blows. -Jan Cameron Alferness

December 12
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 12 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (K Pod) - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #73: “At 1450 ~ 3.5 nm southeast of Race Rocks, Mark slowed the boat down when he got within a mile of where Gord figured he saw them last, and George soon spotted a bull on the horizon. Moments later, they saw several spread-out whales moving steadily westbound and confirmed the K pod. The first whale they approached was a young animal that Mark suspected was the newest member of the pod, K45, and a moment later, K20 surfaced alongside to confirm it was her. K20's nineteen-year-old son, K38, was close by, trailing behind them…” Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #73.
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We received a report from earlier this morning of orcas in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca heading northwest; given that the whales were between Admiralty Inlet and San Juan Island and that there haven't been any reports of K-Pod in Puget Sound yet this morning, it's possible it's K-Pod! -Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 12 - Puget Sound  - 12:14 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 12:23 to report: 1214hrs: Vessel SALISH reports via 800MHz they've spotted a single orca heading North, just East of the traffic lanes at the EDM/KING crossing.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Dec 12 - Puget Sound - 14:45 - East side of the channel between Shilshole and Shoreline. Looked like one humpback, but couldn't tell which direction. It just came up briefly! -Christine Geronimo
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Dec 12 - Puget Sound - 12:55 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 13:10 to report: 1255hrs: Vessel SALISH reports they've spotted a single grey whale heading southbound between the KING terminal and Apple Cove.
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Tue, Dec 12 - Puget Sound - 14:15 - Spotted something that looked like a baleen whale in Port Madison just north of Bainbridge Island. Wasn't on the surface long enough to get a good ID. -Audrey Harmon

December 11
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 11 - Swanson Channel (J Pod) - On the morning of December 11th at least J-Pod was heard on the Swanson Channel hydrophone hosted by the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and they later went north through Active Pass into the Strait of Georgia. They were very chatty, so in case you missed it, here is a short clip! Link to clip. -Orca Behavior Institute
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Mon, Dec 11 - Possession Sound & Saratoga Passage (K Pod) - K33 Tika - Getting to watch K Pod today was pretty amazing! Many close passes on Camano throughout the day. All photos taken from shore. See more photos here. -photos by Charvet Drucker, December 11, 2023
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K37 Rainshadow - K12 Sequim - K45 Prosper & K20 Spock -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Holy WOW was this a crazy day. So many things both didn’t and did work out how they should’ve. For starters, I got to see K Pod today! I’ve never really seen these whales before, so this was a rare treat. They traveled up the Camano side and into Saratoga Passage. I also got to listen to these whales on the hydrophone for nearly six hours straight. My day started at 03:00 this morning. I thought I’d catch the 05:00 ferry to Vashon and carry out a hunch I had with K pod. I ended up being wrong so my nearly 300 mile round trip day began. I was always one step behind these whales up until I caught them north of Fox Spit. All photos were taken from shore. Seeing these whales is always special. Especially since they are critically endangered. See more photos here. -photos by Kat Martin, December 11, 2023
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K20 and K45 hanging with the NOAA boat. Passing Langley. -photo & ID by April Basham, December 11, 2023
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It was fun to see and hear the excitement at Boy and Dog in Langley each time someone spotted a black fin at a distance. -Durand Dace
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16:41 - Viewing from just south of Pebble Beach, they’re out of my sight now, steady southbound midchannel.
16:25 - They’re already across from Langley mid channel headed south. -Jami Cantrell
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15:55 - Steady southbound grouped up midchannel approaching Bells Beach area. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:37 - And another nearing Elger Bay at mid channel southbound.
15:33 - I see a few at the marked location [approx. 48.118967, -122.499412] - near Camano State Park. Southbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:32 - They passed Cama about five to ten minutes ago going south towards Camano State Park! -Jami Cantrell
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15:15 - I hear they are near Hidden Beach southbound now. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:00 - Looks like they flipped south from Onamac Point! -Jami Cantrell
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14:34 - Trailer is about a mile and a half north of Cama Beach. Whole group is still heading north.  -Aaron Gill
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14:30 - Seeing quite a few dorsals - way over on Camano side - still northbound. Spread out from (my line of sight) Onamac Point south to the research boat. Good timing, I just got home! -Jill Hein
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K33 Tika -ID by Marla Smith, Orca Network
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14:21 - Close pass by Camano State Park, northbound. -back of camera photo by Krista Paulino, December 11, 2023
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14:15 - Seeing one last male now from Camano State Park, headed north with the leaders! -Rose Caitlin
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14:09 - They are spread out pretty far probably a couple miles that I can see. There’s a big male just south of Cama.
13:53 - Milling about Cama Beach. -photos by Aaron Gill, December 11, 2023
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13:35 - Who I believe is K37 & K12 passed by 200 yards or so off Whidbey, northbound. These look like trailers with rest spread to Camano, East Point/Elger Bay. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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13:27 - Seeing male about where marked on map [approx. 48.115372, -122.508884]. Northbound.
13:15 - I think the trailers have passed Bells Beach? I've been viewing from the north side of Bells. They now appear to be mid to Camano side. Have not seen any on the Whidbey side of mid.  -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:15 - Large spread still. At least a male more midchannel out west of Elger Bay aiming northwest. Research boat south of Elger Bay still closer to Camano.
13:00 - Leaders nearly to Elger Bay, spread midchannel to Camano side. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:21 - Spread out Whidbey to Camano sides of mid channel, and spread by at least a few miles south to north. Viewing from Bells Beach area, northbound, slow moving. -Marilyn Armbruster
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12:17 - Mid channel now just at the southern start of Bells Beach. At least two.
12:04 - The north most orca is very close to eastside of Whidbey, still south of Bells Beach. Still heading north. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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Thinking this is K37 Rainshadow. Definitely an open saddle. -photo & ID by Orca Conservancy, December 11, 2023
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11:48 - Now northbound again.
11:39 - K20s and two others foraging/milling between Langley and Camano. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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K20 Spock - 11:38 - Another grainy back of the camera shot [K20]. -photo by Cindi Crowder Rausch, December 11, 2023
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11:33 - Watching from south west Camano north of Pebble Beach. Watching three orcas close to Whidbey heading north, breaching, south of Bells Beach. At least two more following behind. Definitely a male because the dorsal is SO large and so far away. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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11:25 - These whales are now moving fast north along the west side of Camano.
11:12 - Two to three off the southwest tip of Camano on the Camano side going northwest. And more still south of Camano. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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10:57 - Northbound passing Langley, viewing from Boy and Dog. Midchannel and spread all the way to Camano. At least three. -Durand Dace
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10:40 - More approaching Sandy Point from the south now.
10:32 - At least four spread north of Sandy northbound. One male off Sandy midchannel northbound.
10:28 - Pulled up to Sandy Point and there they are! Appear to be entering Saratoga Passage.
09:50 - Group of five-ish? Near channel marker just south of Hat Island, some breaches, still trend northbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:48 - One breaching! Dreams really come true! I’m viewing from Harborview Park. -Heather Domenico
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09:45 - Seeing one male directly out from Brighton Beach south of Hat Island heading north, and possibly going west of Hat. If looking across from Brighton Beach, to the left of Providence Hospital. -Sandy Pollard
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09:43 - They’re definitely still there! Saw male dorsal fin from Harborview Park. -Heather Domenico
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09:37 - Seems like huge spread. If first ones I saw kept going north they're way north of me now, would’ve went between me and Hat Island. Seeing at least three or so due south of Hat Island. Still going northbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:21 - Finally spotted at least one big male, but looks like others could be slightly east. Here-ish [approx. 47.995102, -122.321813], northbound. There are at least a few there. -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound
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09:19 - Three to four (maybe more) including large male milling in front of Hat Island [approx. 47.995952, -122.306602]. No direction. Seeing from Edgewater Beach. -Orca Conservancy
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09:10 - Lone male spotted here [approx. 47.986325, -122.331217], northbound. Haven't spotted others yet. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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08:42 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Both vessels are slowing/coming to all-stop. Captain on the TOKITAE says they’re “everywhere” on the route. Very cool!
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08:54 - Northbound, five more!
08:28 - Three fins seen mid channel Mukilteo lighthouse. -Wendy Shapiro
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07:05 - Still hearing calls and clicks. -Kat Martin
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06:56 - So many calls. The sun needs to wake up! It’s go time! -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound
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06:35 - K pod calls loud! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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06:30 - Still hearing K pod calls. Some sound rather close to the hydrophone now.
05:50 - Confirming SRKW calls on Sunset Bay hydrophone. Definitely sounding like K pod. They’re very vocal right now. -Kat Martin
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05:50 - Echolocation and calls. -Yanwei Cai
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 11 - Possession Sound - 10:00 - Rachel and Durand got to Glendale later and think they saw fins to the south.
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09:53 - [orcas] Very close to Glendale Possession Point now.
09:46 - Three [orcas] heading south now of Mukilteo ferry. [viewing from]: Mukilteo Beach south of lighthouse. -Wendy Shapiro
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Mon, Dec 11 - Puget Sound
13:26 - I caught another glimpse just as the whale was sounding. Whale is still traveling northeast, now south of Cultus Bay/Possession Point [approx. 47.890232, -122.399680].
13:07 - I just pulled up to Edmonds and miraculously spotted a baleen whale! Approx. one mile due south of Scatchet Head/West Cultus Bay heading northeast. Too far to determine if humpback or possibly early arriving gray whale (ahem, Little Patch) So exciting [approx. 47.878639, -122.411680]! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

December 10
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 10 - Puget Sound (K Pod)
20:05 - SRKW calls on Point Robinson hydrophone (via YouTube).
20:04 - Great S10 "excitement" call! 
19:04 - Playing back on Orca Cam YouTube referencing time stamp: confirming SRKW calls as early as 19:04:40. More at 19:05:35, 19:06:10, 19:08:32. Thanks for archiving this way when the Orcasound stream was down, Sound Action! Here is a 2.5-minute clip from the YouTube stream with amplification and then 24 dB noise reduction and high-pass filtering at 200Hz. Seems like mostly S36 and S37ii calls, maybe a percussive and either a variable+S10 or an S37i - but I'd be curious to hear other opinions. Link to clips. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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19:34 - Hearing calls. -Breanne Denise Ward
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19:13 - Visual confirmation Kpod going south passed Point Robinson.
18:34 - Pretty sure I heard blows going south passed Point Robinson. I didn't get visual confirmation but they sounded big and orca like. I heard about three to four. -Jami Cantrell
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16:25 - Seeing them at the north end of Vashon, hugging the Vashon shore, still headed southbound. -Amy K. Christensen
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16:19 - Seeing several orcas south of the ferry traffic lanes mid channel. Ks are wide spread.
16:15 - These males in the ferry traffic lanes now steady southbound. Presume these trailers but not sure. Whales widely spread.
16:00 - 16:08 - Seeing several males, two still east of mid, one other mid (possibly with others) just north of Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry traffic lanes steady southbound. Viewing from south Lincoln Park.  -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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16:15 - A big male just now crossing the Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry lane, southbound.
16:07 - Just saw a breach in the Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry lane, mid-channel. Still southbound. -Mike Yov
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16:05 - Blows south of Dolphin Point on Vashon Island side of channel southbound, view from Emma Schmitz Park in West Seattle. -Mary Hartmann
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Sun, Dec 10 - Puget Sound (K pod) - 16:03 - See at least two heading towards Lowman beach from the north. -Brian Goldstein
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Posted 15:10 - Thanks to Sam Bartlett for tagging Orca Network in this image from the ferry to Bainbridge as K pod was traveling southbound. -photo by Sam Bartlett, December 10, 2023
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16:00 - Can see blows approaching just a bit north of the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lanes mid channel, to island side of. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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15:59 - Viewing from north side of Vashon - looks like there are at least two (one BIG fin) still up near Constellation Park/Alki area about mid channel. Southbound, favoring east side of the channel. -Jessica Medina
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15:56 - One southbound between Tillicum Village and south end of Blake Island view from Emma Schmitz Park in West Seattle. -Mary Hartmann
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15:48 - Some stragglers still south of Blake, halfway to Vashon. More mid channel.
15:41 - They’ve reached the Vashon ferry. Close to Vashon side. -Mollie Segall
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15:45 - Seeing spread at least here [approx. 47.540066, -122.433311]. Two males at least trailing favoring east side of channel. All powering southbound still. From Emma Schmidt/Mee-Kwa- Mooks. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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15:38 - Lots of blows & breaches west of mid channel, just northeast of Blake Island.
15:28 - Southwest movement towards Blake mid channel from South Beach on Bainbridge Island. -Christine Merritt
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15:30 - I did decide to head to West Seattle. Seeing fins spread out with some this side mid channel off Constellation Park and others spread along Blake from Constellation Park. All traveling steady southbound mid channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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15:23 - Still southbound. Can’t see from Alki anymore but probably from Constellation Point - heading towards Blake Island or Southworth. -Zerelina Mukherjee
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15:15 - Still in view from the bathhouse at Alki, heading south. -Valerie Unger
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14:47 - Approaching Restoration Point, still steadily southbound. -Curtis Tripp
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14:54 - Sighting and listening with portable hydrophone from northwest end of Pier 70, Cora and I saw four breaches near Bainbridge on a sight line with Rockaway Beach Park. Luckily there was a ten minute period with little WSF ferry noise in Elliott Bay; unluckily we did not hear any K pod calls! -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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14:43 - Viewing from Alki Point - one fin seen west (ahead) of ferry in the ferry lane near Bainbridge (next to house with flag). -Zerelina Mukherjee
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14:25 - As viewing from Alki Beach many blows north of the Bainbridge ferry terminal fast southbound, appear to be mid channel or further west. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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14:25 - Three to four (perhaps more) just north of Seattle-Bainbridge ferry path, much closer to Bainbridge side but still visible from Magnolia Boulevard viewpoint. -Curtis Tripp
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14:04 - Several spotted from Magnolia Park, more towards Bainbridge. -Tina Kambil
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K20 Spock -ID by Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout - From West Point Lighthouse. -back of camera photo by Yanwei Cai, December 10, 2023
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13:55 - Confirming SRKW. Mid-channel, charging south. Viewing from Discovery Park. -Orca Conservancy
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13:52 - I saw them too! -Amy K. Christensen
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13:50 - Cartwheeling orcas! Pod more spread but still together. Some southbound others surface active south of West Point. East of mid channel [approx. 47.657761, -122.447959]. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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13:46 - Major breach fest Discovery Point Lighthouse. -Robyn Riley
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13:45 - Can see those splashes from Alki Beach! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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photos by Valerie Unger, December 10, 2023
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15:15 - At least 15+ still trying to confirm saddles sure leans residents. Southbound still right group. Now east of mid channel still of mid/south Shilshole Bay Marina.
13:08 - At least 15 orcas and three males. Still grouped southbound off Shilshole.
13:00 - Thanks to Valerie Unger for spotting them at our new location (Sunset Hill Park) I can confirm at least a dozen tightly grouped mid channel out from Golden Gardens/Shilshole Marina traveling steady southbound. I want to say I lean residents but still too far! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:53 - We saw them from Carkeek heading south, far west side of the sound seemed. They're moving so fast it's hard to catch where they're coming up! -Rubie H Baker
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12:10 - Large group with at least two males, possibly three southbound south of Jefferson Head west side of channel all grouped up. Steady pace southbound. Too far for IDs. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:22 - We just saw a group of them heading west - we’re on the ferry from Kingston to Edmonds! -Paige Wartko
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Peter Lindsay
Date of Sighting: December 10, 2023
Time: 11:19 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Kingston ferry
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Spotted from the ferry to Edmonds from Kingston, they were traveling pretty fast
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T37As, T75, T75A, T77s)  - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #72: “At 1315, they were abeam Pillar Point and quickly approaching a wall of misty rain, so decided to stop and scan before losing visibility and heading north toward Vancouver Island and the northeast. Quickly though, Mark spotted a reason for them to stay west a little longer! A mile or so northwest of the boat, he caught a glimpse of two male killer whales slowly moving into the mist. They approached the area carefully and began the encounter at 1321. The males did not immediately reappear, but the first whales the guys saw were Bigg’s, T077D and T037A4 among them. Those two and several others appeared to be in the early stages of predation; sure enough, a young harbour seal soon appeared in their midst. T037A, T075A and T077 appeared from beneath and appeared to be doing the lion’s share of the work…” -Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #72.
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Sun, Dec 10 - Admiralty Inlet - 14:16 - Just saw three orcas southbound from Port Townsend - Coupeville ferry [video showed about five orcas including one male]. -Jayn Goldsen
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Sun, Dec 10 - Admiralty Inlet (T99s) - 08:46 - Victoria Clipper V reports a group of five orcas in the northbound traffic lanes at Point No Point. No direction given, they appeared to be hunting a seal. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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Sun, Dec 10 - Puget Sound - 15:00 - 16:15 - I was at Carkeek and saw maybe six or so orcas directly across or slightly south from where I was. [K Pod was further south at this time, appear to be Bigg’s]. -Kathy Kaplan

December 9
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 9 - Puget Sound (T99s) - 12:00 - First time seeing the orcas from our house at Gold Beach! Heading north to Point Robinson. Link to video. -Marilyn Oswald
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sat, Dec 9 - Admiralty Inlet
16:15 - Should be viewable from the jetty area in two or three minutes. Maybe a pod of four or five whales.
16:12 - Just passed the north road end. In fairly close. Swimming VERY slowly.
16:02 - Look like mother and two smaller orcas now off Lagoon Point. -Bruce Hildebrand
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Sat, Dec 9 - Admiralty Inlet - 16:18 - Lenore Minstrel called to report on species uncertain. Possibly some whales, but they seemed too small for orcas. Possibly porpoise as there was no white on back, but also seemed bigger than porpoise. There was a group of three to five including a young one in there. Off North Lagoon Point about 30-40 feet offshore. Heading southbound, moving slowly.

December 8
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Fri, Dec 8 - Puget Sound (T99s) - T99B Holly - T99E - Onboard the Swiftsure with Bart. T99E is feeling spunky today! -photos by Amy K. Fowler, December 8, 2023
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15:03 - Heading southwest, should be quite visible off Bainbridge side of the water.
14:55 - Found them again. Far west or midchannel, heading southbound, from the beach at the sandspit still out from Shilshole in my view.
14:40 - Saw three through my telescope (viewing from out here on the Indianola sandspit) heading southbound, looked to be just north of Shilshole. -Deanna Deery-Schmitt
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12:30 - Update on the T99s southbound [approx. 47.813805, -122.424507]. We have departed the scene.
12:00 - T99 pod southbound [approx. 47.859276, -122.424770]. -Bart Rulon Art & Photography
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T99B Holly going after a murre! - 11:55 - T99 pod is southbound due south of Possession Point. Hunting common murres! -photo by Bart Rulon, December 8, 2023
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Fri, Dec 8 - Puget Sound (T99s) - T99E playing with a leaf! - I went out with Puget Sound Express on Friday and got to see the T99s displaying a lot of surface activity, starting with T99B harassing common murres, and then little T99E breaching over a dozen times as the family traveled south in Puget Sound. I didn't realize until I got home to download my photos and saw them on the big computer screen that I’d captured T99E playing with a leaf and tossing it in the air! She was so energetic the whole time we watched them - it reminded me of a puppy with the zoomies! I just love this photo series and thought y’all might too. Also threw in some shots I got of T99B doing a backflip under a bird and T99E breaching into a bird. All photos taken with 300mm lens and cropped. See more photos here. -photos by Amy Fowler, December 8, 2023
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T99B (Holly) really likes hunting common murres! I've probably watched her hunt murres more than any other individual Bigg's killer whale over the years. This sequence was taken on Dec 8 just offshore from Edmonds. You can see that she hits the murre right in front of her eye-patch in the first shot, but the bird bounces off her hood then regains control again. Holly has her mouth slightly open in the beginning but she was a little off on her aim and missed on this attempt. The murre sputtered away on the surface, only to get targeted again by T99B about 30 seconds later! I'll follow up with another post showing that. In this [next] sequence taken less than a minute after the images in my last post, T99B attempted to grab the common murre upside-down, as they often do, but she missed. You cannot see the murre in any of these photos because it dove under the water just in the nick of time to avoid being grabbed. See more photos here. More photos here - part two (T99B hunting murres). -photos by Bart Rulon Wildlife, December 8, 2023

December 7
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Thu, Dec 7 - Puget Sound (Possible T99s) - 09:10 - Thanks to volunteer Sara Frey for also calling in to follow up on the pod of orcas (possibly including male) probably at about Eglon traveling northbound on the Kitsap side west of the shipping lanes. Due to choppy sea conditions visibility is not optimal. 
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09:05 - There are orcas out there! West side shipping lanes headed north, Apple Tree Point. Male… three to four more? -photo by Sara Frey, December 7, 2023

December 6
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Wed, Dec 6 - San Juans (T60D & T60E)
13:55 - Now on the Shaw side of the channel still northbound across from Friday Harbor.
13:25 - Passing Turn Island heading north towards Friday Harbor.
12:28 - T60D and E passing Dinner Island aiming for Pear Point.
12:20 - Approaching Jackson Beach northbound, should have ID shortly.
11:10 - Update has them northbound at the north end of Cattle Pass (going in to San Juan Channel). -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
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10:22 - Two adult male whales at the mouth of Eagle Cove, hanging at the surface, very leisurely moving down island towards Granny’s Cove. -Lodie Laurieanne Gilbert Budwill [WSSJI]
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Wed, Dec 6 - Puget Sound (T49A2, T99s, T109A2s, T124C) - T109A2C, T109A2 Fuser, T109A2A Seekah, T109A2D - T99B Holly, T99D Puck, T99 Bella - T49A2 Jude - T99s, T109A2s, T124C and T49A2 - Wednesday morning dawned with fog clinging to the waterways, flat gray skies, and with a report of orcas Island side near the lighthouse by 8:30am. Threw a sweater over my pajamas, grabbed a pair of jeans, hat pushed over my bed head, and flew out the door to try and catch them before they hit the south end of the Island. Found them just south of Maury Marine Park, but they flipped northbound, which would be the first of many, many flips they would do that day. Made it just in time to grab some IDs, and catch a sweet pass at Point Robinson with some tail slaps, roly poly’s, and steady travel northbound. All together this group made an impressive number of twelve whales, with six of them under the age of eight- a lot of bouncy exuberant kiddos! Right after they were north of the Point they drifted southeast and for the next three hours, did three more big U turns around the Point with one super close pass, allowing me some ample time with these fun and spunky families. There were numerous tailslaps, a tailslap fest, breaches, rolling/cuddling, and the pods were very surface active and social, clearly enjoying each others company. Jude and Cooper kept mostly to themselves about a half mile or so away from the rest, traveling side by side, but still matching all the directional changes. These males that mix and match pairings are so fascinating, especially when there’s such a big age gap, like these two. On their last pass south, T124C/Cooper and T49A2/Jude were approaching the Point from the north, close in to the Island. I could see that about a half of a mile behind them, the rest of the group trailed and could faintly hear a little tail slap that started a chain reaction. All of the sudden, the two boys started simultaneously throwing flukes, making some big waves and splashes while coming towards us with this immense amount of energy. The sound was amazing, SO loud, and could feel the percussive deep in my chest, bringing tears to my eyes to physically feel this massive sound. The group to the north started breaching and communicating with the two boys, who were now in front of us also tail slapping filling the beach with tremendous sound. Tail slapping is one of those orca mysteries which we may never decode the true meaning of, but my guess is it has many meanings and uses,- warnings, hunting tactics, stun prey, excitement, reprimands for being naughty, happiness, anger, among some of the possibilities. In those moments with them it felt excited and social, happy tail slap’s, especially hearing the two groups communicating with one another, but again, just an observation and theory. It was amazing to be witness to their wild nature, and observe these incredibly interesting behaviors. It deepens the mystery and also expands the love and appreciation for their lives and well being. I took over 900 pictures, so here’s just a tiny window into their wonderful and wild lives during these passes. It was a lovely morning with them, these families are the sweetest. Link to more photos. -photos & IDs by Marla Smith, December 6, 2023
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T109A2A Seekah & T124C Cooper - T109A2D - T99D Puck & T99C Barakat - T99B Holly breaching -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Even in the grey mist of a PNW fall/winter day the beauty of the Salish Sea shines through. We had quite the gathering a whales today inland Puget Sound. Whales include the T99 family, T109A2 family and two large males known as T124C Cooper and T49A2 Jude. (Twelve whales in total). Jude is the whale that was trapped for approximately six weeks in Alaska in Barnes Lake with another male orca towards the end of summer. Just to be clear, these are known as transient killer whales which are the mammal eating type not to be confused with the VERY endangered and special Southern Resident Killer Whales which prey on the dying salmon population. We have had an increase in sightings of our transient whales but I want to stress the fact that our Southern Resident Killer Whales are still in dire need of protection and awareness. Link to more photos. -photos by April Basham, December 6, 2023
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T99E - T124C Cooper in the background, T49A2 Jude tail lobbing in foreground - T49A2 Jude & T124C Cooper -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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There seemed to be about twelve in total, two main groups close together then two males further ahead that seemed to have split from the main group! Pictures were taken between Des Moines Marina and Seahurst with long periods very close to the shoreline. So much activity when we first saw them - lots of breaches, spyhops, tail slapping- such a happy active little group! -photos by Jennifer Swenson, December 6, 2023
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T124C Cooper & T49A2 Jude - T109A2D - T99B Holly breaching -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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The T109A2s, T099s, T124C (Cooper) and T049A2 (Jude) transient orcas visited East Passage in central Puget Sound today. Link to more photos. -photos by Mike Maddox, December 6, 2023
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As T99s & T109A2s passed close by Des Moines Pier. Link to video. -Lynsie Jones
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Beautiful experience here at Point Robinson earlier this morning with T49A2 and T124C coming close in with tail slaps making big waves at the beach! Sharing this incredibly beautiful video by friend Jen Salisbury as we watched them in awe, during one of their passes south. Link to video. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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Just wanted to chime in with appreciation - was able to run back and forth with my kids along Alki, following this group as they looped around Alki Point and back out west. Our first encounter with orcas so close to shore. What a memorable one! Thank you for all of the updates! -photo by Emma Cavan, December 6, 2023
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This is all I wanted for Christmas. -photo by Steve Rice, December 6, 2023
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In the lead, T49A2 Jude in the background, T124C Cooper surfacing in foreground -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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From this morning’s passing in Des Moines. -photos by Sue Jarvis, December 6, 2023
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18:10 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 18:17 to report: 1810hrs: CATHLAMET - Vessel reports 9 orca moving northbound, in the traffic lanes between VASH and FAU.
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T109A2 Fuser in the lead
16:08 - Hunting just west of Anchor Park heading southwest, view from Duwamish Head.
16:00 - Rounding Duwamish Head moving southwest towards Alki Beach. -photo by Mary Hartmann, December 6, 2023
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15:46 - Headed back southbound, viewing from Alki Ave.
15:41 - Harbor Ave SW/Alki Ave SW close to shore. -Robyn Riley
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15:37 - Spyhop. Port of Seattle in background. Photo from Anchor Park in West Seattle. - T99B Holly - T109A2A Seekah, T99C Barakat, & one of the youngsters -IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:35 - Magnolia Bridge in background. Photo from Anchor Park in West Seattle.
15:09 - Eastbound toward Elliott Bay Marina view from 64th and Alki. Seem closer to Magnolia. -photos by Mary Hartmann, December 6, 2023
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15:16 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 18:17 to report: 1516hrs: KALEETAN - Vessel reports 12 orca moving to the east off Duwamish Head, into Elliott Bay. 
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15:03 - Must be two pods. Group of four headed north just past Alki Beach. -Julie Wukelic
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14:41 - Viewing from Starbucks at Alki lots of surface activity mid channel. -Robyn Riley
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14:34 - Seen from Alki lighthouse. Three south east of Bainbridge heading north. Long down times. -Patti Waterfall
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14:09 - Watching from Me Kwa Mooks, they are spread out from north end of Vashon, leaders are beginning to pass Blake Island, steady northbound. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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13:54 - Viewing from Lowman Park. Steady northbound on Vashon side. -Robyn Riley
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13:52 - Just spotted two orcas from Vashon ferry to Fauntleroy, saw one fin and two water spouts but couldn't catch anything else. North side of the boat toward Lincoln Park. -Jennifer Giron
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13:49 - They just passed 98th St End. Definitely more island side now. What an amazing day. Thank you to everyone that posts here to make finding them possible today. My heart is so full. -Lynsie Jones
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13:49 - Can see a the pair of stragglers with the naked eye, just southeast of the northern end of Vashon. Appear to be heading slightly east, or it appears that way from Lincoln Park. -Bubba Also Bubba
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13:47 - From Lincoln park in West Seattle. -photo by Robin Sinner, December 6, 2023
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13:30 - And two big stragglers!
13:28 - Just passed us about to pass Brace Point - north bound slow and steady. Swiftsure plus one boat just next to them. -Megan McNally
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13:19 - Jude and Cooper are right about here still heading north so far. Swiftsure is still with them. -Jami Cantrell
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13:22 - Looks like Swiftsure had a change of heart.
13:17 - Slowly moving northwest. Viewing from Shorewood on the Sound has them in front of the Vashon ferry terminal. Swiftsure left scene. -Orca Conservancy
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13:15 - The T109A2s and T99C. -photo by Shari Tarantino, December 6, 2023
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12:55 - Looks like they stalled or at least stalled off Seahurst with still trend northbound? -Orca Network
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13:28 - They hung around, north of us at Seahurst Park for while before heading west.
12:37 - They just went past us in Seahurst. We think there were six of them. What a treat to have them on this side of the pond! Swiftsure and a smaller boat are following them. Heading north. -Susan Plecko
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12:14 - Just rounded the bend at Three Tree. -Lynsie Jones
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12:11 - Playing at Three Tree!!! -Kai Hearn
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12:08 - The orcas are zig zagging across the Sound currently off Three Tree Point area heading northbound.  -Candace Gavin
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11:26 - At Des Moines Marina. They are visible from the pier. Splashing and playing. Amazing. Headed north. -Lynsie Jones
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11:05 - And another flip!! I'm on the phone with Marla. The group just did super close pass by Point Robinson southbound, then came back and now headed east toward mid channel. The boys (49A2 & 124C) were so close against the shore ahead of the larger group tail slapping on southbound pass. Main group came south too, and are being surface active. They are NOW all Vashon side transiting east to mainland side with northeast trend. So we'll see if when they commit to any direction!  -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:55 - ANOTHER FLIP! All whales are now southbound around Point Robinson.
10:41 - Now past Point Robinson all groups headed northbound, two boys much closer to island side now, with others out mid channel.
10:33 - Oh my, now seeing others about a mile behind the two boys headed northbound now, mainland side of mid channel, just passing Point Robinson… again.  -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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10:28 - There’s been a split, T124C and T49A2 (ID per Melissa Pinnow from Marla’s pictures) are now off of Point Robinson, mid channel. Thanks to photos by staff Marla Smith we can also confirm T49A2 Jude and T124C! Marla could confirm the T99s, T109A2s and T124C Cooper. T49A2 confirmed by Melisa Pinnow. These two (T49A2 & T124C) were together up in Blackfish Sound on Nov 23. We are especially pleased to see T49A2 down here after his harrowing ordeal this summer when he and T051 became entrapped in Barnes Lake, B.C. for 6 weeks!  -Orca Network
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10:20 - They’ve come back out and are headed south toward the big yellow buoy.
10:10 - Spotted from the Des Moines Marina looking southeast. They’re close enough to the mainland side that I can see them without binoculars. Look like they’re headed toward Redondo. -Marcie Evans
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09:59 - Another flip! Now have flipped back southbound and passing Point Robinson now way out in mid channel.
09:47 - Just made it!! beautiful pass northbound off of Point Robinson, mostly grouped up, T99s and looks to be T109A2s closer to Island shores PLUS two more males adjacent to travels more mid channel to island side of, working on those IDs. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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09:34 - Northbound at Point Robinson just south of the lighthouse. Midchannel Vashon side. -Ellen Weir
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09:19 - Can see one male in the group and all have now flipped northbound for the moment.
09:14 - Just approaching Gold Beach, out in mid channel, some directional changes but mostly southbound. Too far for numbers yet. -Marla Smith, Orca Network
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08:32 - At least four or five orcas going by Luana Beach (Maury Island) heading (southbound) towards the lighthouse (Point Robinson). -Doug Michael Smith 

December 5
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Tue, Dec 5 - Possession Sound
14:45 - Had a voice mail reporting watching a lone male orca killing and throwing a lion (presuming sea lion) in the air at 14:45 off Mission Beach [Tulalip]. He didn't see any other orcas in the area.  -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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Tue, Dec 5 - Puget Sound (T99s & T109A2s) - 15:31 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 16:06 to report: Log entry 1531hrs: Vessel SPOKANE reports via 800MHz that they've spotted 10 orcas feeding in the vicinity of the Edmonds Marina, located 1/2 mile off the beach, traveling in various directions.
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I was at Edmonds Marina Beach for about an hour today, and I counted at least seven. No real direction and stayed in the same area the whole time.  -Kristine Stevens
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T99C Barakat - 13:35 - They were still milling around outside the Edmonds Marina when I saw them from the 13:35 Kingston ferry. -photos by Paul Mooselips Dudley, December 5, 2023
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13:34 - They were southbound but stopped and milling for about a half hour straight out from Marina Beach.
12:17 - Multiple orcas off Marina Park in Edmonds, steady southbound. I would say six or seven, not spread out, one or two juveniles, I think one adult male. We watched for about a half hour. There were a ton of birds with them. We wondered if they had a kill. Also, it was great visibility but a rain squall came in pretty fast. It was great!  -Julie Harris Martin
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Grant Morrison
Date of Sighting: December 05, 2023
Time: 11:30 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: N 47.795, W 122.408
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Hunting
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They were feeding on a group of sea lions.
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org

December 4
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 4 - Saturna Island (K Pod) -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute, via photos confirmed K Pod off Saturna Island.
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Mon, Dec 4 - Admiralty Inlet (T46s & presume T46B1s)
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon Dec 4 12:20 AND 12:30 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.23177,-122.76699 [Libby Beach, West Whidbey] 
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: Heading north 
Submitter Name: Mandi Haws
Whale Alert App
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10:30 - Off South Lagoon Point now a little more grouped up. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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10:05 - Rachel Haight reports it is the T46 group and they are passing Bush Point right now. Northbound. -Orca Network
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T46D Strider -photo & ID by Rachel Haight, December 4, 2023
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09:48 - Small group milling about two miles south of Bush Point trending north. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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09:44 - Slight spread, two large males, somewhat stealthy, steady northbound, near north end Mutiny Bay.
09:29 - Approaching mid Mutiny Bay, Whidbey side of mid channel, northbound. Too far for numbers still. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:00 - Report of sizeable pod of orcas near Double Bluff, Whidbey Island no clear direction, possibly milling? -Orca Network
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Mon, Dec 4 - Port Susan (T99s) - 11:08 - Viewing from Tillicum beach - four orcas including one male just went by southbound. Camano side. Close to beach. Linda sent a couple of back of camera images [that confirmed] the T99s. -Linda Aitkins
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08:47 - Solitary orca sighted quarter mile west of Tulalip Shores, heading north into Port Susan. -Jim Matteson [PSWW]

December 3
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Dec 3 - Active Pass - 15:45 - Four to six orcas at Active Pass today. They were closer to the Mayne side. They were milling about for a while. Saw some spy hops, tail slaps, and a breach. Viewed from Bellhouse Park on Galiano. We watched them for 30 minutes then three ferries came through heading east & the orcas turned past the Active Pass Lighthouse heading east/southeast. -Jon Scanlon
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Sun, Dec 3 - San Juans
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Rachel Brooks
Date of Sighting: December 03, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: 48.457569,-122.959475 [Cattle Pass]
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Hunting
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I have a distant video but no pictures
Photos available?:
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Sun, Dec 3 - Penn Cove/Saratoga Passage (T99s) - T99E - T99D Puck - T99C Barakat - T99B Holly - T99 Bella - T99s from this morning in Saratoga Passage. It was windy and cold, but it was nice to see Bella and her kiddos. -photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, December 3, 2023
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16:15 - Volunteer Heather Anson just called. In the waning light they are watching a pod of at least three orcas closer to the Whidbey side about 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach. Pod is milling, there's breaching and thrashing going on by one about 100 yards away from the others, appears they are hunting. At least one male, and two smaller whales (young and/or female).
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16:08 - Just had some pass by Hidden Beach heading north. Not very active. Saw them pop up twice, barely. Couldn't tell how many but seemed like three or more. -Nancy Culp Zaretzke
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12:19 - Viewing from Wonn Road. They are a little south of my last pin. Milling. I’m headed home to thaw! Good luck everyone!
11:57 - Milling near my pin [approx. 48.090222, -122.531605].
11:22 - The 99s are grouped up, Whidbey side of mid, moving south fast. Viewing from Hidden.
10:43 - Just caught a glimpse of a male fin passing Race Lagoon. Headed south, hugging Whidbey. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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10:30 - T099s eastbound in Penn Cove - link to video. -Theresa Carr
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10:10 - About 200 yards off Whidbey shore, southbound, past Harrington Lagoon. Did not see either 46E or 46D. Plot twist: per my photos and photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, they're the T99s! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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10:07 - Maybe four. They are now headed south past Harrington Lagoon at about a half mile off shore.
09:49 - Heading southeast still between Snatelum Point and the green buoy. Fighting strong seas and head winds.
09:36 - Looks like they are on a kill. Half way between Snatelum Point and green buoy.
09:34 - Just spotted them headed toward the green buoy. Watching from Harrington Lagoon. -Erik Anderson
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09:40 - We spotted orcas passing Long Point in Coupeville (headed south east) today. Link to video. -photo by Jennifer Lisa, December 3, 2023
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09:14 - Four plus orcas in Penn Cove headed out towards Long Point [eastbound]. Looks like includes one large male, a Mom and a youngster swimming together. [follow up] We saw them on the south side of the cove as they were headed out. A friend saw them inside Penn Cove. She lives a block from the wharf, not sure if she saw them from her house, or where in the Cove she saw them.  -Jaynet Chakin
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Sun, Dec 3 - Port Susan (T46s & T46B1s)
16:14 - Saw two orcas and two to three unidentified whales about three to four minutes later. All heading south.
16:00 - Currently off Mission Bay in Tulalip. -Heather Domenico
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15:40 - They've exited Port Susan - approaching Tulalip area, closer to mainland side. Two large males and a few others. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Don Rosie
Date of Sighting: December 03, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Port Susan
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: traveling 750 yards out from Camano side passed by south end of Tyee Beach
If orcas, any males?: 2 for sure and a possible younger 3rd
Any unusual markings?: largest male with distinctly floppy dorsal fin tip
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: there was a very small youngster as well
Photos available?: No
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14:37 - Orcas mid channel off Tillicum [Camano Island] heading south.  -PS Chat

December 2
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, Dec 2 - Puget Sound (T109A2s) - Thanks to Amanda Aude for sending in this beautiful video of this lovely pod of mammal-eating type orcas (make up looks good for the T109A2s) who swam southbound off Fay Bainbridge park this past Saturday December 2nd at around 14:30. Link to video. 

December 1
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Fri, Dec 1 - Port Susan (T46s & presume T46B1s) - T46E Thor -photos by Charvet Drucker, December 1, 2023
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16:19 - Seven to nine with two males. Headed south to Tillicum. Looks to be a juvenile as well. -Thomas McKane
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16:07 - Reports say four orca, including one male, now generally southbound.
15:32 - Orcas between Country Club Beach 1 and Beach 2 [Port Susan], 300 yards out. -PS Chat
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Dec 1 - Elliot Bay - 09:07 - We were on the ferry and saw this whale! Looked like a smaller humpback. We saw three to four blows and then a tail! Adding an extra note to say that the Suquamish captain did a brilliant job of slowing and maneuvering the vessel safely away and around the whale to give him lots of space. -Charlotte Pyle
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09:07 - Donna Sander, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 09:13 to report: SUQUAMISH Captain reports one small black whale heading east in Elliot Bay
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Fri, Dec 1 - Puget Sound - 14:15 - Humpback approx. one mile north of Edmonds ferry terminal slowly drifting south about 200 yards offshore. [Possible this was rafting sea lions. Came to investigate another report and started down at the Edmonds dive park where I saw pair of sea lions wrestling robustly, then started slowly making their way north. I then moved north to Ocean Ave and there is a pair of steller sea lions (maybe same) hanging out socializing and extending flippers periodically. Thermoregulating sea lions are often reported as orcas or other whales. This pair is very lovely in super calm seas Update: several more sea lions have joined this pair. Sweet to watch. - ALB]. -Report via Whale Alert App