January 2019 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of January 2019 whale sightings.

January 31
...I came across the T046's with T122 at 1252 between Albert Head and William Head (48 21.1/123 28.1) traveling north...Full summary report & photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 8.
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Thu Jan 31 - ...I spotted a group of killer whales near the Chain Islands from the living room window traveling north through Oak Bay at ~0820...We started the encounter at 0926 (48 29.6/123 16.4) with T060 and T010C who were traveling a few hundred hards behind the rest of the group...Full summary report & photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 7.
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - 16:35 - orcas aimed more northerly now, up Saratoga.
16:25 - Orcas on this side are now north of Baby Island aiming generally west towards Greenbank but still south of Hidden Beach.
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16:05 - Orcas. Close pass at Fox Spit took us by surprise. T137A closer to Camano. -Sandra Pollard
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16:00 - 3-4 orcas heading towards Baby Island towards Greenbank same time I saw T137A further out towards Camano State Park. Viewing from Fox Spit. T36Bs in Saratoga Passage off Fox Spit, Whidbey Island. Matriarch T137 Saratoga Passage. -Marilyn Armbruster
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~16:30 - T36Bs Saratoga Passage off East Point, Fox Spit. -Photos by Brian Nygren, Jan 31, 2019
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16:06 - Orcas. Right in front of Camano Island State Park. -Screen grab from video by Shelly Greybeck, Jan 31, 2019
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14:45 - 2-3 orcas heading north by Pebble Beach Point about 2:45, Thursday, 1/31/2019. Also a gray Saturday and Tuesday mornings. -Don Sandnes
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14:40 - 4 orcas passing Langley at 2:40pm close in at Dog and Boy park then moving faster toward mid channel northward. 4 individuals, could be 3 females and a youth. -Harley Clark
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14:30 - orcas heading toward Langley Marina mid channel. -Sandra Pollard
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Spyhop in between Sandy Point and Langley. -Photo by Marilyn Armbruser, Jan 31, 2019
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14:14 - Close to shore headed for Langley. Just made the turn around Sandy Point. -Kat Johnson
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14:13 - Off Sandy Point as seen from Langley marina. At least 5 including male. -Donna George
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13:59 - I'm at Sandy Point Beach seeing the orcas still to the south between Whidbey and Hat but further from shore now. Hoping they do come closer again once they get here. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:44 - Orcas. Mid way up Hat Island close to shore, milling around still traveling north. -Lori Christopher
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13:35 - Orcas passed Brighton Beach cruising the shoreline still headed north. Four or five with adult male (Pretty sure adult male is T137A).
13:20 - Orcas are looking for lunch circling and milling.
13:10 - Whales heading to Brighton Beach now. -Sandra Pollard
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13:21 - Transients are out from Brighton Beach not far at all...my heart's racing. (back of camera image shared confirms T137A)
13:10 - Orcas in Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lanes mid channel northbound. T137A taken from Brighton Beach looking over towards Cascade Mt Range and city of Everett. -Marilyn Armbruster
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12:55 - A couple mid channel have moved on, I did see possibly 2 heading towards Hat island.
12:45 - 3 orcas spotted off Mukilteo lighthouse...yes I'm seeing more now. 3 milling around Mukilteo ferry lanes not far, couple hundred yards. Orcas more towards Mukilteo and a few in between. -Axel Cruz
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11:57 - 5-7 Orcas at Possession Point heading North (directionaly towards Mukilteo/Clinton) -Terica Ginther
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10:30 - Orcas just north of Edmonds Kingston ferry, mid channel. Northbound steady travel. -Sara Frey
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10:05 - Orcas are going on longish dives, avg. 6-7 minutes (unless I'm missing a surface interval). Group is keeping line west of mid channel ( but east of SB shipping lanes) steady northbound loosely grouped. Too soon to know if they'll stay inland or head Admiralty Inlet. I am losing them in the distance, I'm heading home.
09:38 - Found the orcas off Presidents Point steady northbound towards Kingston. West side of mid channel. At least 7-8 including adult male and little one (looking good for same Ts as yesterday: 36, 36Bs, 137s) but, too distant to confirm IDs from across the Sound, I am at Kayu Kayu Ac Park in Richmond Beach. -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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08:47 - Orcas right off North Bainbridge Island passing Hedley Sandspit north of Fay Bainbridge. Headed North. Four adults and tiny baby! -Melissa Oliver
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Thu Jan 31 - That is so exciting! Luv It! The humpback off Edmonds. was around 3:45 p.m. I am so surprised she came so close and inside of the scuba diving park and disappeared just before the ferry landing. -Ginger McMillian
(Video reviewed confirmed humpback off Edmonds waterfront, presumabley same whale reported in Possession Sound in our last Whale Report - alb)
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Thu Jan 31 - 14:00 - I spotted a humpback next to shore(!) at Mukilteo Lighthouse, heading south and away from shore, away from Lighthouse. I'm so glad it graced me, I was looking northbound for orcas and would've missed it had it not spouted directly behind me! -Alex Ho
(Video sent to us by Alex shows humpback very close to dock pilings, diving, did not present fluke. Frame grab below - alb)
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12:43 - Humpack in Everett. While conducting sediment research with ORCA students and Gravity Marine, a humpback surfaced off our starboard side and swam under the boat at 12:43, surfacing on the port side and headed towards the Naval base. Though we all have mental pictures (since our hands were full of equipment) you'll have to trust me that it was a juvenile humpback (and not a gray). -Ardi Kveven, Executive Director, ORCA
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Humpback in Possession Sound off Everett. -Photo (and crop of) by Ryan McEliece, Jan 31, 2019

January 30
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - L pod - Canadian side of Haro Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait:...All the whales we could see were heading southerly toward Beaumont Shoal and Seabird Point on Discovery Island. The first whale we saw was L115 before we moved to a distant small group that included L72, L105, L90, and L103. So, we had at least the group of 18 L pod whales that included the L4, L47, and L72 matrilines plus L90. Since the other whales were so sparse and hard to find, plus the lack of any males larger than L105, it made us suspect that these 18 Ls were the only residents here...Full summary with photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 6.L90 and L105 - Part of L pod came down from the north through Haro Strait and headed west. Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, Jan 30, 2019
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The T85s were travelling east several miles off the Victoria waterfront, where part of L-pod was heading west! Pictured here are l-r T85D, T85 and T85A. -Photo by Val Shore, Jan 30, 2019
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BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed Jan 30 - 16:50 - Husband just walked down to Kopachuck and he said they (orcas) are headed towards Purdy (northbound).
16:37 - I'm not at home now, but my neighbor just texted me and told me they (orcas) are out front of our neighborhood! (off Kopachuck State Park, Carr Inlet). -Cora Reuter Foster
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14:12 - I have first hand reports of 3 orcas headed north past Anderson Island from a waterfront resident. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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12:45 - Orcas passed between Ketron and Anderson, still tracking south at a quick clip. -Danielle Vance
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12:30 - Orcas. Headed south bound between Ketron and Anderson Islands. -Dylan Beene
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12:27 - Orcas on SE side of Mc Neil Island heading South 12:27 p.m. Jan 30th. -JA Barbo
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11:52 - I was in the right place at the right time to see these beauties yesterday! This VIDEO (is beautiful, have a listen to their exhalations - alb) was taken at 11:52am Wednesday from Chambers Bay Park in University Place. I think there were 4 adults and 1 baby. It was magical! -Paula White Young
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11:03 - Saw the orcas briskly headed south along the West side of the channel toward Fox Island. Lost them in the fog. T137, T36B2, and T36B1, T36, T36B, T36B's calf, T137, and T36B1 -Karen Caldwell
(ID'd by Melisa, CWR as T36, T36Bs, T137s)
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10:32 - orcas well past Salmon Beach. Around from Point Fosdick now, but still east side/midchannel. Headed towards Narrows bridge.
10:24 orcas spotted at the north end of Salmon Beach, close to east side. I'm viewing from old Ferry Landing in Gig Harbor. Came to scout for the humpback and spotted 3-4 quick blows & dorsals instead. Not great visibility with the fog but can see across the sound well enough. They are heading south, at least 3. -Heidi Armstrong
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed Jan 30 - 14:55 - Pier 70; Large whale unsure of what type, blows RIGHT UNDER PIER. Headed north. Our guess was Humpback. -Theresa Rivkin
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Here are some very poor photos (below and not so poor -alb) of yesterday's humpback encounter in Seattle just in case you want them as a record. Around 14:30, happened to see him/her cruise by quite close to shore along Alki Ave heading towards Elliott Bay just below the surface. Was traveling quite fast all the way across Elliott Bay towards the ferry terminal, those in West Seattle lost sight. Noticed the Argosy boat headed straight towards it and they both appeared to go down one if the port channels. Never saw it after that. Waited about an hour & saw the boat head back to the dock but did not see the whale head back into the bay. Hope this is helpful for your records. Thanks for the work that you do to support our whale populations! -Sharon Wada
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14:27 - whale sighted in Elliott Bay right off of Pier 56 and Ferris wheel...Small dorsal. Kept heading north...My colleague took this from Pier 56. -Christian Runge
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Humpback whale off downtown Seattle waterfront, north of Pier 56. -Photo by Maren McBride, Jan 30, 2019
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13:32 - Humpack off north side of Alki heading into Elliott Bay. -Photo by Andrea Stickel, Jan 30, 2019
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11:43 - Spotted single whale close to shore. South side of Three Tree Point (near 2600 block SW 172nd, Burien) heading north....Amazing!!! S/he was super close to shore though. Between buoys and shoreline, so have no doubt it was a whale....Didn't see dorsal fin clearly. Color grayish. Not an orca. Also moved like other humpbacks I've seen up north. -Sandhya Ballai
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08:15 - Humpback spotted off Ruston Way in Tacoma head towards Point Ruston. (Westbound). -Julie Martin
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DOLPHINS - Wed Jan 30 - 17:35 - Heading slowly back toward Alki Point after sunset.
17:00 - Just spotted 2 dolphins heading south from Emma Schmitz Viewpoint, looks like they are angling toward Lowman Beach. I wonder if the bottlenose that has been seen around lately has been joined by a friend? (Light conditions prevent positive species ID, though, so I'm not sure they were bottlenose.) -Stephanie Raymond
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Wed Jan 30 - There were a bunch of porpoises on Wednesday in Saratoga Passage between Penn Cove and Madrona on Camano, closer to the Camano side. Do you guys want to know when I see them? I see them a lot out here. -Wendy Nelson

January 29
What a sight! Thanks Rachelle Hayden for sending along this Paul Ash photo of what sure looks like Southern Residents heading east through Active Pass this morning. -Monika Wieland Shields
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08:30 - Darrel Silo of Pender Island called in a report of 30+ orcas headed up Swanson Channel toward Active Pass. No photos or videos.
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BIGGS/TRANSIENTS - Tue Jan 29 - A large pod of orcas, 7 or so, passed our sail boat. The sighting happened at 3:30 pm heading south bound in Rosario Strait just west of Burrows island. There was definitely a juvenile among them. -Elena Sera Jones
(ID notes by Dave Ellifrit, CWR: "best I can say is that they are transients. I don't know that left whale off the top of my head and it wasn't who I thought it might be." Melisa Pinnow, CWR wasn't sure who they were either.)
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Tue Jan 29 - 16:00 - A couple transient orca reported hunting in Bellingham Bay. -Matt Stolmeier
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Tue Jan 29 - Guemes Channel - (I think the Guemes Channel whales could have been the T101s and maybe the T124As. -Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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~16:30 - While crossing on the Guemes ferry Ben Starner captured this VIDEO of Transients traveling the channel westbound.
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Tue Jan 29 - ~15:00 - Humpback. Very near shore in Pickering. (reviewed beautiful short Facebook video confirms humpback - alb). -Mary R Larson
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Humpback. Thanks to Lisa Wiksten for reporting it in Steilacoom this morning. Kim Merriman for spotting it off Copper Pt this afternoon. And Skipper John for the Fine Water Taxi service. - Photos by Chris Hamilton, Jan 29, 2019
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13:30. Whale turned around in Gull Harbor and then traveled up the eastern shore - very close to shore - passing Boston Harbor Marina. It then crossed across the bay heading west toward Hunter Point. I have lost sight - but not sound - of its blows. Slow, rolling surfacing series. Some longer dives than others. I never saw a fluke. Very robust blows.
12:40. Humpback is still in Budd Inlet. It is now on the eastern shore in Gull Harbor. Gull Harbor is in the distance (behind the blow/whale) in the above photo.
11:15 - Humpback heading south into Budd Inlet - passing the tip of Cooper Point and on the western shore. Traveling at a slow, surfacing series, pace. This is the last image I have of it (taken from my deck) as it crossed the bay into Eld Inlet heading west toward Hunter Point. That is the southern end of Harstine Island in the background. -Kim Merriman
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08:17 - Large whale in front of Sunny Side Beach, Steilacoom heading south...He was very close to shore. Dorsal was pointed back and he was huge. -Lisa Wiksten
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GRAY WHALES - Tue Jan 29 - 10:00 - Mary Packer in Greenbank reports two gray whales just north of Pebble Beach Camano Is., close to the Whidbey shore, heading north.
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08:14 - GRAY WHALE, Camano Island, north of Pebble Beach. -Rand and Gail Nilsson
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Don Sandnes reports seeing a gray whale off Pebble Beach, Camano Island again Tuesday morning.
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Tue Jan 29 - Possession Sound gray whale feeding pits.
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17:15 - Amazing. Gray whale feeding pits in January in front of my house! (between Sandy Point and Clinton). -Photos by Fred Lundahl, Jan 29, 2019

January 28
12:39 - Humpback (reported as Gray whale) westbound between the Silver Cloud and Harbor Lights on Ruston Way. Swimming quite close to shore. -Diane Frick
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12:30 - Whale Sighting! I was on the pier at Marine Park on Ruston Way and about 8 feet in front of me a whale comes out of the water! It looks like a humpback whale. I didn't have time to get a picture or video when it was right in front of me, but I did get a video of it coming out of the water the second time from afar! -Julianne Nielsen
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11:45 - Humpback was close to Point Ruston heading west. -Lisa Durbin Charbonneau
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Mon Jan 28 - 16:32 - Just had at least one Gray Whale south of Hat Island. Seen from Mukilteo. Too far to get any visual details beyond that, -Josh Adams
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PORPOISE - Mon Jan 28 - 09:00 - flat calm waters, and 5-6 porpoise traveling rapidly north on the Camano side of Saratoga Passage, then they stopped to feed just south of Mabana. -Barbara Brock

January 27
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Noon - A neighbor reported two Orcas off Alki. I saw the seals hiding along the shore but never saw them. (direction of travel unknown, presumed northbound - alb). -Justin Allen David Jones
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Jan 27 - WA Coast - 13:30 - Gray whale spyhops at Cape Flattery today! -Photo by Jann Pulfer Ledbetter, Jan 27
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13:20 - Gray Whale off of the Cape Flattery lookout. On the smaller size. Spyhopped...sadly it happened so fast I didn't get a pic. -Kevin H Doar
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Sun Jan 27 - North Puget Sound - ~13:00 - Gray whale. My friends and I saw it about 1:00 while eating pizza on first street...we were eating lunch at the pizza parlor, it seemed to be heading towards the Langley dock. The whale would dive down where we couldn't see it, then come back up. A little 5 year old girl was the first one to spot it. -Carolyn Ellsworth Wallace
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12:45 - 1 gray in front of the Inn at Langley, was feeding for about 30 minutes then moved along the shore toward downtown for 10 minutes or so, then vanished and I left the area. -Laurie Arnone
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12:20 - Moving North along coastline, just about to go around the point north of the Inn.
11:51 - Grey feeding off Langley, visible from Whale Bell Park. Just north of the Inn at Langley. -Margaret Marshall
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11:15 - We were visiting Whidbey Island and saw two grey whales from the Inn at Langley today at 11:15 am. Here is a video for your information. Bob King will also send you a video from the same siting. Good luck with your research. -All the best, Deborah Jones
(Videos by Deborah Jones and Bob King show gray whale (unidentifiable) feeding close inshore. - alb)
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Sun Jan 27 - Central Puget Sound - 10:47 - On the Seattle Bremerton ferry, just saw a gray whale off Point White (S Bainbridge). -Ben Patinkin

January 26
16:20 - about 8 orca passed through the Guemes Channel in front of the Secret Cove Restaurant, headed west. -Photos by Jennifer Barrett, Jan 26, 2019
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Seen these transients today, January 26, 2019 Hornby Island. Would love to know who they are. They were around the same area all day. Maybe 10 Orcas, a new baby with them. 101's and 102 maybe, don't know who the others might be. T101B, T102, T101, and T101A, T124A1 and T124A, A calf? (seems to small to be T124A2B or T124A6?) and T124A3, T124A4. -Photos by Louis Jobidon, Jan 26, 2019 -Louis Jobidon
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Sat Jan 26 - 15:25 - ...a whale surfaced just off Alki Point. Just got a quick look at the back and dorsal fin before he/she submerged heading south. Surfaced a couple more times further to the south. -Buzz Shaw
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15:00 - Saw a humpback whale at 3pm at the boat launch just north of the West Seattle water taxi. It was heading north and very close to shore. -Frolicking Farm
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Sat Jan 26 - 16:00-16:30 - Gray observed this afternoon between 4 and 4:30 north of Pebble Beach mid channel. Stayed in the area for about half hour before it moved norh. -Peg Boley
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~13:00 - Roughly between Jetty Island and Hat Island off of Everett. This was the only photo worth sharing. All the rest show less of the back. I never saw the tail. Not traveling, hanging out in the area. Did a complete circle of my drifting boat surfacing every few minutes. NPS Gray CRCID-2246 in Possession Sound. -Brice Howard
(ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, confirmed by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research)
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Don Sandnes reports seeing a gray whale off Pebble Beach, Camano Island Saturday morning.
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Sat Jan 26 - Central Puget Sound - 11:00 - Gray whale sighted 1-26-2019 @11:00 AM. 1/4 mile north of Golden Gardens / Meadow Point buoy. 150 yards offshore. Heading south...I assumed Gray whale but honestly cannot be certain. We have seen humpback whales in the past but they were in groups and they were jumping which made them easy to identify as we have seen them in Hawaii. This was a solitary whale with not much coming out of the water as it moved its way along which is more similar to what I have seen of gray whales in the past.Thanks for your work with all the whales! -Walt Spady
(Either gray or humpback are possible. A humpback showed up in Elliott Bay 4 hours later - alb)
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Sat Jan 26 - South Puget Sound - ~14:00 - I seen a whale off Anderson Point (just north of Prospect Point, Colvos Passage) headed north 50 to 75 feet off shore. Spouted, then tail. Looked like a smaller whale. Baby gray maybe. Ferry stopped soon after assuming the captain seen it. Ferry was stopped for about 20 min in the middle of the passage and lots of birds....I'm as confused as you are about that (ferry in Colvos Passage - alb). My mom and I were wondering what ferry it was and what it was doing. -Bryan Kelly
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10:15 - Small whale went past Owen Beach in Tacoma about 10:15 this morning. It was going south. Not sure if it was a gray or humpback. Some who saw it better said it did not appear to be well. -Melissa Malott
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~ 10:15 - Gray whale in Dalco Passage. -Photos by Dean Burke, Jan 26, 2019
(Note: Dean was w/family & friends out on a paddle when the gray whale, we believe by surprise, surfaced near one of the members of their group - alb)
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10:14 - Possible gray whale between Anthony's restaurant and ferry lane, Pt Defiance. Headed towards Gig Harbor 15 mins ago. (10:00) Only one sighting, blow and roll . Moving slow...Wayne McFarland, WSF
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09:58 - WSFerries reports the captain of the Chetzomoka saw a gray whale heading west towards Tacoma Narrows.

January 25
T085s - South of Constance Bank - Full summary and images at Center for Whale Research Encounter 5.
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Fri Jan 25 - 15:01 - Whale milling about between the Cap Sante overlook and the refinery dock. Island Adventure posted yesterday that there was a juvenile Humpback in the area but I'm not sure of this one. -Brenda Spjut

January 24
HUMPBACK WHALES - 14:15 - Humpback whale seen from shore off Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes near the refinery! -Erin Johns Gless
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GRAY WHALES - Thu Jan 24 - 15:50 - Allie Hudec called from the ferry docked at Clinton. She saw a small gray whale heading north past Hat Island up Saratoga Passage. DOLPHINS - Thu Jan 24 - Of note; reply by Dave Anderson, Cascadia Research in response to report of dolphins (probably porpoise due to numbers) near Anderson Island: "The common dolphins are still down here, but they are down to three animals from the original 8. As for bottlenose, there are reports of Stump being joined by two others at times, though they don't like the shallows the way that she does, so we never get pictures of them..."
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12:30 - Dolphin. Seen now off Constellation Park (Alki) heading north. Reliable source. No longer visible from the lighthouse, was visible without binoculars and heading north quickly. -Kersti Muul
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10:17 - Since about 9:30 a.m., my neighbors and I have watched what we believe is a bottlenose dolphin off shore of West Seattle one mile south of Fauntleroy ferry dock. It surfaces multiple times and then is underwater for longer periods and then resurfaces. Haven't seen it since about 10:05 a.m. can't give you direction of travel. -Carolyn Duncan
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Thu Jan 24 - ~15:50 - I took a video of the whale we saw on the Mukilteo ferry crossing. It won't let me send the video but here are some screenshots I took of the video. -Alex Jones
(markings/notches look possible match for NPS 53 -alb)

January 23
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - ~14:00 - This afternoon around 2 PM, we noticed about 5 to 10 Orcas, at Davis Bay, Sechelt BC Canada. Amazing! We are sure at least one male, with large dorsal. They where heading up the Strait, towards Powell River. -Cornelia van Berkel
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Wed Jan 23 - ~17:00 - Spotted 2 orcas this evening (Wednesday January 23) around 5 PM at Holland Point Park, Dallas Rd. Victoria BC. The orcas were less than 25 feet from the shoreline. Sadly no pics. -Tricia Wilson
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15:30 -16:00 - We saw a pod of approximately 4-6 orcas 400-500 m off Royal Bay Beach. They were traveling towards Victoria (eastbound -alb) at a decent pace, making a few short dives then traveling under in a longer dive. No breaching or spy hopping, just travelling. Unfortunately not (photos), they weren't close enough and we didn't have binoculars. ... From what we could tell, they're weren't any distinctive individuals, judging by size. -Jasmine R
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Wed Jan 23 - Mike from WA State ferries called at 12:38 to report one orca, 1 mile north of Alki Pt, heading north.
(We had no other reports of this or any orcas in Puget Sound. Another possibility is a lone Bottlenose dolphin who sometimes shows up in that area and spent most of Monday (21st) around there. - alb)
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Wed Jan 23 - Spotted off Ft Ebey at around 1230 today. Seems to be a humpback...definitely a dorsal fin versus the knuckle now that I look back at my own gray whale encounters. It hugged the shoreline and was cruising out West! -Christine Hawkins
(video shared did appear to be a humpback - alb)
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Wed Jan 23 - 08:16 - A gray whale feeding in Elger Bay this morning. -Photo by Tami Fifield, Jan 23, 2019
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MINKE WHALES - Sat Jan 23 - A Minke Whale visited Elger Bay the morning of January 23, about two hundred yards from our house. The house is high bank waterfront, up 80 some feet, always good for Whale Watching. It was here from 6 am to about 9 or ten.... I knew right away that it was not a Grey Whale. We see them every year. I looked in my Marine Wildlife book by Steve Yates. Orca, Grey and Minke. The Minke is very distinctive, very streamlined, certainly beautiful....Occasionally it rested on the surface, looking rather like a log. And that's what Sally thought it was until it started to swim. The tide may have something do all this. A 13 foot tide floats the logs off the beach.I must say this is one my favorite naturalist experiences. I was once a Park Ranger/Naturalist for City of Bellevue,WA. I personally know that this sighting is true. Behavior definitely not Grey Whale. We see them every year. It was in front of house for hours, generally about no more than 200 to 300 yards away. Definitely a Minke Whale. -Jared Robinson

January 22


January 21
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - 17:00 now between the lighthouse and PT Ferry dock. Loosing light quickly. 1
6:47 - - group seems to be heading steadily north now. Still south of Fort Casey closer to the port Townsend side.
16:16 they're really spread out. A large male and one female in the lead heading north. Still south of the ferry lane
15:56 - Group I'm watching south of Fort Casey is just milling about. Still a long way south of the ferry lane. Lots of spy hops! Water is very calm. -Dan Gulden
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4:11 - Fort Flagler mid channel. Young one and about 4 adults. -Wally KeeKee BoBo
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16:00 pm - they are headed north past Fort Flagler. -Teresa Lang
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15:39 - Orcas. Male and others going past Lagoon Pt spread out. They were in really small groups, first one about 4, then two or three groups of 2 at least, mid channel so no good looks at dorsals. Lovely though distant looks at orcas (Js) from Lagoon Point. About 7+ though in small groups, spread out. Beautiful to see their backlit blows! -Bonnie Gretz
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15:30 -16:00 - I travelled up to Fort Flagler today to hopefully spot the orcas trending northbound this afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon and the whales finally started moving north from Bush Point around 3:30-4pm. They were mid channel to ft Flagler...seemed way to far away for decent photos. Those images were all heavily cropped. I do have some wider angle shots to give more perspective if you would like to see. So glad I impulsively decided to drive up there...lots of people stopped by to ask what I was seeing. Happy Day! J26 Mike and mom J16 Slick. J37 Hy'Shqa. -Sue Larkin
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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15:58 - group of two fairly close to Whidbey at the southern end of Lagoon Point. 15:01 - Orcas. lots of activity (breaches, spy hops, fin slaps) visible from Lagoon Point. Mid channel, but closer to Marrowstone. I'm on a bluff at the very southern tip of Lagoon point. I am high enough that I can see far across the channel. They are much closer to Marrowstone. -Margaret Marshall
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J17 Princess Angeline w/Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry in the background and her daughter J53 Kiki, the youngest living member of J pod, born Oct 2015. Js heading out Admiralty late afternoon ~ hope they come back soon! -Photos taken at Bush Point by Susan Berta, Orca Network, Jan 21, 2019
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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15:30 - J27 came closest to us at Bush Pt. as J pod moved slowly north out Admiralty Inlet. -Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Jan 21, 2109
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It's always a beautiful day when you see whales, but considering it's only January today was exceptional with calm seas and warm sunshine prevailing as members of the Southern Resident community edged north in Admiralty Inlet after an early start bringing the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry to a halt earlier this morning, a welcome diversion for commuters. Although many of the whales had already passed Possession boat ramp when we arrived, the trailers were closer to the Whidbey side giving us early birds a breakfast boost as they streamed by in singles, doubles and more. It was over all too soon, so those of us who can never get enough of orca encounters kept track of the whales as they entered Admiralty Inlet, waiting patiently at Bush Point for their arrival. Although we cannot be sure who exactly was there, J27 (Blackberry) was recognized and there were rumors of a calf, so perhaps some L pod whales were also present (no new calf or Ls were documented, presumably calf seen was J53 Kiki - alb). One thing's for sure, yet again we were privileged to see these charismatic creatures, the sight of which serves only to increase our determination that we do all we can to ensure they survive. -Sandra Pollard
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15:04 - 3 orcas at Bush Point right now. -Daisy Polack
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14:56 - Calls on the Bush Point hydrophone...they weren't very loud either. I've been listening to the hydrophone off and on since about 2pm waiting to hear them. Posted that as soon as I heard calls and almost right after I could hear a boat accelerating & no more calls. -Meg Sellers
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14:50 - Js still slowly passing Bush Point, very spread out mid channel. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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14:45 - Orcas. I am just starting to see 3-5 blows and dorsal fins (males included) from East Beach Park facing Bush Point. -Brittany Noelle
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13:37 - J47 Notch off south side of Double Bluff heading northbound. -Photo by Clarence Gilbert, Jan 21, 2109
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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13:11 - Orcas. Two or three heading north off of Mutiny Bay. -Adrianna Lambert
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13:05 - Several orcas milling about in Mutiny Bay including a little one. -Dorian Garson
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12:58 - Viewing from Shore Meadows. Seeing spread out whales from Point No Point to Foulweather Bluff. They're distant so rough estimate of location. Likely mid channel or just west of. Steady northbound. -Rachel Haight
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12:15 - Sean Kaier called from a fishing boat off Useless Bay that he's with Residents, moving steadily north.
12:01 - Orcas. Now two females and one male headed north (off Norwegian Point).
11:57 - Orcas. Single male seen closer to Whidbey side from Norwegian Point (Hansville, Kitsap). -Shannan Van Houten
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12:16 - Orcas still headed north mid channel and almost beyond what I can see with binoculars
11:54 - At Point No Point for a few minutes and have seen at least 3 orcas, 1 male and 2 females. Trending north between here and Useless Bay just beyond fishing boats. -Michelle Goll
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11:29 - Three orcas heading up Admiralty Inlet, past Point No Point heading north. Another large orca trailing. -Stephanie Hansen Hogenson
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11:24 - Orcas. From Point No Point, a few passing northbound Whidbey side. -Chelsea Freniere
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11:12 - Spotted one large male mid channel off of Pilot Point (Kitsap), heading north bound. -Austin Iles
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10:05 - Getting more difficult to see the orcas as they've spread out and drifted further towards mid channel. I did just spot a small group, including large male, still east of mid channel southbound, sightline between Eglon, Kitsap and north of Edmonds ferry dock.
09:50 - At least some of the orcas have stalled, drifted further west offshore from Edmonds. Now more south of Cultus Bay, spread out along all the fishing boats. Several breaches by more NW group, while others trending southbound, not in a hurry.
09:25 - Orcas. Pod is traveling in two larger groups approx 2 miles south of Possession Point heading steady southbound. Appear to be keeping inland (vs. heading Admiralty). Males visible in trailing group. As viewed from high bluff, Stamm Overlook Park, Edmonds. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON
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09:15 - Orcas. Seeing breaches from Possession Shores. Whales west bound. -Sandra Pollard
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09:00 - Orcas. At least 12-15 passed Possession Beach, all southbound and moving very fast but grouped up close to Whidbey.
08:40 - Orcas. 2 males are the trailers and have passed Glendale, close to shore. Viewing conditions are dreamy. -Durand Dace
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08:32 - Nancy Boyle called in a report of at least six orcas including one male off Glendale Beach, heading south.
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08:26 - Approximately 8 orcas (at least 2 males) just north of Glendale (Whidbey - midway between Clinton & Possession Pt) southbound near Whidbey side. J37 Hy'Shqa L87 Onyx. They are moving fast and are active too. I am leaving Glendale to move further south. -Marilyn Armbruster
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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08:37 - Orcas. seeing 2 males from Possession Point.
08:05 - Orcas. Still more coming by. Ferry is stopped.
07:46 - Orcas (at least 7, inc couple males) in Clinton again this morning heading south. Spread out. J16 Slick J22 Oreo-Danielle Pennington
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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Mon Jan 21 - 16:45 - Howe Sound opposite Furry Creek swimming north, 3 orcas. Based on size it looked like papa, mama and a young one. -Sheila Dixon
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Mon Jan 21 - ~11:00-11:20 - Saw a humpback moving north off Discovery Park near the lighthouse. Lost sight of it in the bay next to Ballard Marina. I believe it's a humpback because of the shape of the dorsal fin, spouting, and how large the animal was when it surfaced. -Kayla Graham
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Mon Jan 21 - 15:00 - Christine Baldwin reports grays off Langley.
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14:30 - Shari Devlin, Langley Whale Center, reports 2 grays right off shore in Langley. They closed the Whale Center and moved on down the block to Whale Bell Park off Anthes Ave to watch the grays who were in the area for 2 hours. No binoculars needed.
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Mon Jan 21 - 17:13 - It has been going up and down the beach for over an hour so far...Close to Luna Park and it was too dark to tell after sunset, but was swimming between Luna Park and the volley ball section of the beach 3-4 times times while we watched.
17:01 - Just seen this off of Alki. -Jayce Lemmer
(Jayce's video, not included here, was reviewed by Dave Anderson, Cascadia Research: "The behavior and shape of the dorsal fin is what I would expect from a bottlenose.")
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Something going on in Elliot Bay. I can't confirm, but looked like an orca. Sadly, someone from a group of 6 kayakers looks to be taking the opportunity to pursue it for a better view. -Dan Tierny
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Mon Jan 21 - 13:20 - Common dolphins near Herron Island, highlighting info from your video- falcate dorsal fin, jumping out of the water, and always approaching boats to bowride or wake jump. -Nick Wenzel
(ID & notes by Dave Anderson, Cascadia Research Collective: "That is the one we call Big Back Notch, for obvious reasons, The notch is not a new injury, he has had that since he arrived. We assume it is a old male due to it's prominent ventral keel. He is one of the original group of animals from June 2016.")

January 20
15:05 - Orcas. At least 4 north of Kayu Kay Ac (park Richmond Beach) heading toward Kingston ferry.
14:43 - Orcas approaching Kayu Kayu Ac, Kitsap side. At least five tightly together. Pretty sure at least one male. Good clip Northbound.
14:13 - Orcas. Mid channel just south of Richmond Beach northbound. -Corinnna Sullivan
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~14:00 - Orcas. Just saw about 6, mid channel, looking across north of Jefferson Point from North Beach (N Seattle neighborhood) and they were heading north at a good clip. Now an air craft carrier blocking view. -Sir Winston
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13:45 - Orcas off Jefferson Head middle channel milling. Difficult to see without good binoculars. -Lance King
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13:47 - Orcas turned around and are heading North now, still mid-channel. A little hard to spot though because of the choppy water. Viewing from a little South of Carkeek.
13:36 - Orcas mid-channel between Carkeek Park and Port Madison. -Kevin Green
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13:30-14:00 - Orcas. Saw 6-10 individuals from a sailboat in the middle of the channel just south of Point Jefferson. They are crisscrossing east and west in that area, generally heading south. Such a wonderful sight!! -Jonah Zimmerman
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13:10 - Orcas across at Kitsap Side near President Point heading south at a steady pace. Viewing from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. -Monica Carr
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13:05 - At least 3 orcas spotted from Kingston ferry landing. One great male lunge! Mid channel traveling southbound. -Melinda Barajas
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12:50 - Orcas. Saw 3 large dorsal fins and a small one. I saw off Kingston ferry headed quickly southbound. (The captain did not announce the sighting on the Kingston ferry.) -Heather Kearsley
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I'm back home after watching J's traveling SB from Kingston Bluff between 12:30ish and 1:15ish pm - they were widespread with male +2 in lead traveling slowly w/ long down times mid channel to Kitsap side in ferry lane. 2-3 small groups. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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12:16 - Saw (Js) from edmonds Marina Park approaching Kingston ferry southbound. Kitsap side. -Whitney Neugebauer
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12:15 - At least 8 passed Apple Tree Pt. - J42 Echo (born 2007) , Kingston on far west (Kitsap) side of channel. Steady southbound and approaching the Kingston/Edmonds ferry line now. -Sara Frey
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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Friend and neighbor Danielle posts on Orca Network this morning that orcas at the ferry around 7:45 AM. Put on boots and coat and head out. Pick up Danielle to get to Glendale Beach. Took a while for them to get down there and they had crossed Possession Sound and were much closer to the mainland side of the channel than the Whidbey side but an hour later orcas were STILL passing by. Expecting to head out and spend a few moments seeing a small family of Bigg's orcas, it became obvious as we started getting better looks at sheer number, behavior and dorsals that we had Southern Residents even though I didn't see any open saddles. I'm pretty sure I saw Blackberry, Princess Angeline and Kiki for sure. I think all of J Pod present because we probably saw 20 whales. Then we headed down to Possession where we caught up with Dori, Rachel and Durand and saw the trailers foraging. Finally a quick stop at Scatchet Head where I saw one very, very distant breach. Wow - J Pod not even on my radar when I woke up this morning even though it did feel like an orca day.
10:11 - viewing trailers from Scatchet Head waaayyy in the distance still heading south. Saw one breach.
09:39 - still have some midchannel Possession heading south but also foraging. J Pod!
~09:00 - L87 Onyx (born 1992) this morning from Glendale viewing toward Clinton-Muk ferry. -Debbie Stewart
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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09:39 - At Possession Point Park, confirmed J27 here. Most of them passed further away on the other side, but my boy J27 Blackberry and a few others Matriarch J17 Princess Angeline (born 1977) passed by closer to Whidbey. -Rachel Haight
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10:10 - orcas still heading south, I counted at least 8 or 9, may be more. I'm heading down to Edmonds.
09:29 - Orcas. Getting a great view from Picnic Point in Lynnwood. Haven't gotten a good count yet but there are many! Looking NW between here and south Whidbey mid channel. -Michelle Goll
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09:27 - Orcas. Leaders have passed Possession Point Park southbound, still midchannel. Viewing conditions are decent.
09:03 - Orcas. Have them in view through binoculars as they mill north of Possession, midchannel. At least 2 males. -Durand Dace
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09:18 - Another 6-7 orcas passing Glendale heading south. Close in to whidbey.
09:02 - even more males now. Up to 5.
08:58 - Orcas still passing Glendale. We have many more than originally thought. We are up to 10 or more with 3 large males.
08:51 - Orcas. some have passed Glendale continuing south. Mid channel to east of mid channel.
08:18 - Positioned at Glendale now. Seeing 5 at least. Maybe more. 2 males...mostly east (side of channel) but a little south (of last report 07:56). Still by the ferry lanes. J44 Moby (born 2009) passing Glendale, Whidbey Island. -Danielle Pennington
(J44 ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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Orcas were announced by the Ferry captain as we waited to depart the Clinton terminal this morning at 8am. I couldn't count them because there were several and they were spread far apart. Initially they were between us at the terminal and Camano Island, but as we departed and turned right for Mukilteo they crossed ahead of us and some could be seen to the port and others to the starboard between us and the Clinton-bound ferry. -Steven Pearson
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07:56 - Just passing the ferry dock now. Saw 3 with one male.
07:46 - Orcas off Clinton ferry dock heading south. -Danielle Pennington
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Sun Jan 20 - 15:06 - Gray whale just passed Pebble Beach heading north. Close to shore. With all the wave chop today it was hard to spot the gray as it swam by. It passed by Pebble Beach close to shore just after 3, and moved north. We only spotted it because the spray was backlit by the sun when it first blew. Was nearly out of sight by the time we had the camera ready. -Peg Boley

January 19
17:00 - at least one large male orca. Continuing north mid channel in line with the northern tip of hat island. Out of my view now so good luck everyone.
16:40 - two orcas off the Clinton ferry dock now heading north. -Danielle Pennington
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15:57 - Orcas seen on the Clinton ferry just now! -Darci Schultz
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16:04 - At least 3 orcas right off the stern of the Clinton ferry, headed toward Hat Island.
15:52 - Allie Hudec briefly saw orcas crossing the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry lane, headed north into Saratoga Passage, closer to the Whidbey side
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12:15 - Large group (6 or more) heading north west side of channel between Point Jefferson and President Point, Kingston. J16s (at least) now northbound: Matriarch J16 Slick (born est. 1972), her daughter J36 Alki (born 1999), & her son J26 Mike (born 1991). -Chris Beamer Otterson
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10:50 - J26 Mike and mom J16 Slick and others...6 whales passing Rolling Bay bluff, southbound. -Photo by Sue Larkin, Jan 19, 2019
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10:20: 5-6 orcas visible from Fay Bainbridge park, looking straight across toward Shilshole marina. Mid channel, heading steadily south. They were pretty far away from Bainbridge side - even with telephoto lens. -Jim Reitz
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10:15 - 6-8 orcas spotted southbound between Bainbridge and Golden Gardens, J38 Cookie (b. 2003), his mom J22 Oreo (b. 1985), & J37 Hy'Shqa (b. 2001), J51 Nova (b. 2015) and his mom J41 Eclipse (b. 2005), small groups moving together. Close to Kitsap side! (southbound Js -alb) -Sue Larkin
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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10:15 - Lone male just off Point Jefferson, Kingston heading south in the direction of Port Madison/Fay Bainbridge at a good clip. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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08:41 - I just saw a couple (orcas) headed south. Kingston off Apple Tree Point. -Andrew Dempsey
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Sat Jan 19 - K pod - posted 17:37 - Thanks Orca Network and enthusiastic fans for the great Point Robinson experience a few moments ago! Off the K pod goes toward Commencement Bay. -Scott Simms
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16:50 - Orcas. milling and breaching off gold beach south of Pt Robinson and now headed off lost into the growing dusk headed south. -Janna Ignatow
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16:40 - Orcas. southbound towards Dash Point after giving everyone at Robinson Point a show to remember.
16:26 - Point Robinson milling around with one big spy hop. -Scott Medlin
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16:30 - OMG they were 40 FEET off the beach at Point Robinson. It was INCREDIBLE! -Amy Bliss-Miller
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Photos from 1/19 as K pod swam past Point Robinson, Vashon in the fading daylight. K20 Spock (born 1986), K16 Sonata (born 1985), K35 Opus (Sonata's son, born 2002), K22 Sekiu (born 1987) alongside her mother K12 Sequim (born est. 1972), K37 Rainshadow (K12's son, born 2003), K21 Cappuccino (maybe) & K33 Tika (born 2001) alongside his mom K22 Sekiu. Such an awesome close pass by the shore! -Marla Smith
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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...I haven't seen the SRKW's in several months! We made new friends and enjoyed freezing in the pouring rain and making magical memories at Pt. Robinson on Vashon Island. K35 Sonata (born 2002), K22 Sekiu (born 1987), K27 Deadhead (born 1994), and K12 (born est. 1972), K33 Tika (born 2001), K38 Comet (born 2004), and K36 Yoda (born 2003). -Dori Dace
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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K Pod (as you are already aware I am sure from reportings) visited Vashon Island on Saturday January 19. They came across Dilworth to Port Robinson after spending what seemed like an eternity feeding and romping off Dilworth as evidenced by all the very cold bystanders waiting for a glimpse of the Orca. Then zoom they moved at high speed around and past Point Robinson headed south. These photos are taken from Point Robinson...There were 50-60 people at Point Robinson viewing the Orca in all their splendor. K16 surfaces and spyhops off Point Robinsons, Vashon. -Thank you. Alice Burns
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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Kpod male passes close to shore and female spyhops. -Photos by Carolyn Martin Matter, Jan 19, 2019
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K pod member breaches off Point Robinson. -Photo by Jake Conroy, Jan 19, 2019
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16:45 - Passed Pt Robinson quickly southbound still. Tons of activities at the point...so much activity and dark it was near impossible to get a picture. Rounding the point breach after breach as well as lunging with fish. Crazy beautiful
16:22 - Logging, milling. Haven't moved much. Spyhop. But still slowly southbound.
16:09 - Lining up for a good pass at pt Robinson. All spread across under radio towers steady southbound. -Kersti Muul
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16:02 - Orcas approaching Pt. Robinson, reported by Jeff Hogan
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15:19 - Orcas. Moving south fast. Headed towards Point Robinson.
15:04 - Orcas. I just spotted them, KVI Beach (Point Heyer)...they are closer to West Seattle side. -Shelby Middling
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14:40 - K25 Scoter ( and Friends ) Looking good, traveling with group, not behind. Southbound off Dilworth 800 yards out.
14:31 - Passing through dilworth southbound K pod present. Extra long down times all day 7min plus.
14:09 - Approaching Dilworth Several large males. Lots of tail lobbing. -Kersti Muul
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13:55 - Taken from Arroyos facing Vashon. -Photo by Monica Zaborac, Jan 19, 2019
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13:52 - Viewing from The wild mermaid on the Vashon ferry terminal dock, large pod grouped up in at least two groups, steady pace southbound, much closer to Vashon shore. -Marla Smith
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13:24 - Jeff and I see them from Fauntleroy ferry dock. Southern end of Blake. Still southbound. Will look from boat as soon as we depart, -Kersti Muul
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13:09 - Jeff Hogan sees 15-20 orcas between Blake Isl. and Lincoln Park, West Seattle. Moving south. Possibly five adult males.
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12:53 - Orcas. Seeing them almost to the marina on Blake Island, closer to Blake. -Brian-Nicole Jenkins
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12:23 - Orcas passing yellow channel marker 6-10 at least. 4-5 males included. West side of channel, heading west. -Kersti Muul
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We were out sailing today (Jan. 19) and saw a large pod of Orcas off Restoration Point of Bainbridge Island. They were heading south. We sailed along with them (they were about 400 yds away) for 20+minutes. It was as good sized group - there appeared to be at least 20 Orcas (or more) in the pod. -Nor Coquillard, Seattle
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12:12 - Orcas. The group is heading south near Restoration Point right now. We saw three large males in probably about eight whales. -Stefanie Hawks-Johnson
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11:48 - Orcas. Pod of 6-7 moving southbound mid-channel, viewable from Pritchard Park (Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge) looking east towards Elliott Bay. -Heather Houser
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11:47 - On Bainbridge to Seattle ferry. Pod of 6+. No large dorsal fins. Headed south, mid channel. -Shannan Van Houten
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11:45 - Orcas. They are moving southbound, mid channel, moving towards Seattle-Bainbridge ferry lane and perhaps Alki. Getting a few seconds of viewing before they go down again for a good period of time. -Tedra Hett
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10:53 - Saw several dorsal fins and one breaching orca, viewing from Fay Bainbridge looking towards West Seattle. Looked like they're wouthbound. -Heather Houser
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Sat Jan 19 - 07:35 - WS Ferries reports a small pod of 4-5 orcas were heading north this morning past the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry lane.
(Possibly the T137s, Monika Wieland Shields relayed T137s were seen westbound off Port Angeles in the afternoon. - alb)
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Sat Jan 19 - 17:03 - Humpback off the Port of Everett south terminal...small dorsal fin. Nearly black in color. It came very close to the wharf, so I got a good look. -Jean Olson
(Of note: Grays have been in this area, though Jean is confident she saw humpback. Possibly the humpback see in Tacoma/S Vashon on 18th - alb)
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Sat Jan 19 - Gray whale CRC 53 (Little Patch) left dorsal ridge. Gray CRC 53, spent several hours this morning feeding between Whidbey and Hat Islands. -Photos by Lara Nola, Jan 19, 2019
(ID confirmed by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research)

January 18
5:08 - Currently by Vashon Ferry, Tacoma side. 2 or 3 big orcas!! -Dawn Marvin
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17:05 - Orcas. Group (looked like about 4 of them) just west of the tango buoy.
16:38 - Orcas. traffic just said members of J pod, about 4 were off Blakely Rock northbound. -Ryan Johnson
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16:55 - At least 4 orcas were seen off the south end of Bainbridge Island, between Restoration Point and the mid-channel buoy, about 5 minutes ago. We are on the eastbound Bremerton-Seattle ferry. The whales were heading west. Dorsal fins and spouts were visible, but no other behaviors. It's dusk and light levels are low. -Allison Reak
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16:15 - Susan Marie Anderson and Sue Larkin report seeing a group of possible residents looking relaxed (a male upside down for long periods), very leisurely pace, not really traveling, Bainbridge side of channel off Old Creosote and Blakely Rocks. Possible youngster in the mix.
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16:13 - Jeff Hogan reporting from Me-Kwa-Mooks park (about a mile south of the Alki Lighthouse, West Seattle), sees a group of orcas (too far to ID) traveling south at a leisurely pace, accompanied by a humpback in amongst the orcas. Also in view is a bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoises.
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16:14 - All past the ferry lanes, continued SB.
16:00 - So far passed Blake and headed towards Vashon, at least in groups of;2 males, 2 females/juves, a group of 4-5 with one male and females/juves, and yes one small one with either mom or male (looks large). -Pia VanHanen
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16:03 - Orcas, Several passing Vashon north ferry now, still southbound. One looks small! Watching from Brace Point.
15:59 - Watching from Brace Point (Fauntleroy area). Whales still southbound, spread out between Blake and Vashon north ferry terminal (to east of both). -Darcey Miller
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15:44 - Watching from Fauntleroy - three leaders at southern tip of Blake now, many more following. All southbound travel with slow milling and some directional changes. One very large male in the lead, two others behind. At least 8-10 across mid-channel, very spread out. -Pia VanHanen
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15:02-15:50 - a large group, spread out across the sound, near Rolling Bay off of the East shore of Bainbridge. Looks like a calf and mother? Breaching, large males. At least 10 orcas, potentially more. Moving south. -Shmara Smith
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15:06 - two Orca headed south on east side of Sound just south of Constellation Park near Alki Point. More Orca further out in channel. -Douglas B. Greenswag
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14:50 - Saw maybe 4 orcas while on the fast ferry from Seattle to Bremerton. Orcas heading toward Vashon I think. Not so great with my internal GPS but there were 2 ferries in the background behind them. -Vanessa Acierto
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14:39 - I am sure your email and phone are exploding. Just had an encounter at Eagle Harbor...My first guess though is possibly residents. Young male, closed saddle. Another male, curved fin. Females spread out, at least 3. -Stefanie Hawks-Johnson
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14:33 - 3-4 orcas J26 Mike, J39 Mako off Bainbridge Island just north of Shilshole, moving quickly southbound, midchannel. -Sue Larkin
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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14:30 - Orca Network Indeed! (orcas) About 11 individuals south bound and spread out from the mouth of Eagle Harbor to the mouth of Elliott Bay. At least two males and I saw open saddle patches. -Erin Stehr
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14:20 - WA State ferries called to relay a report from the Ferry Wenatchee of a pod of orcas headed south off Bainbridge Island.
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~14:20 - ORCA!!!!! From the ferry to Bainbridge. Approximately 2:20 SB off Restoration Point. One, possibly 2 male and 2 female or subadult. Disappeared and couldn't tell if they stayed south bound or turned towards Rich Passage. -Connie Bickerton
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1:25 - Orcas (Approximately 8 SB) seen near Jefferson Point, about ten minutes ago, as per North Kitsap Community Page. -Elyse Margaret
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1:07 - Couple orcas off Edmonds mid channel (closer to Edmonds) headed south. -Toby Black
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~13:00 - Hello you probably heard already, but today (Jan. 18) we saw a Pod from the Ferry between Edmonds and Kingston about 1 pm. They were about a mile south of the ferry lanes, looked like heading east. Pretty much about half way across. The ferry crew made an announcement to the passengers letting people know they were visible. Hopefully you have the ferry crews trained to report these sightings too. Anyway good luck in your endeavors to protect and save the southern resident pods. -David Kutz
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11:27 - Orca pod off the Kingston ferry right now. -Diane Patnode
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Fri Jan 18 - 17:40 - Listened & watched them hunt off Pt. Defiance proper for about 10 minutes, lots of alarm snorts from Seals, & the sound of the orcas surfacing & diving, & could faintly see them right off the lagoon at Pt. Defiance proper. Seems they have discovered the smorgasbord there. Then they went silent & I got the boot by security. -Melissa Burke
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17:04 - Passing in front of Anthony's heading West. Looks like 3 or 4 and baby. -Sharon Myers Andersen
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16:47 - Point Ruston by the construction heading towards Point Defiance. -Cylina Rivero photo
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16:45 - 4 orcas swam by Tacoma Les Davis Pier. Looked like a younger one with them as well. -Kelly Davis
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16:41 - Orcas traveling close to shore along Ruston Way by Dukes! Westbound. -Melissa Burke
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~15:50 - Orcas. There were several south east Brown's Point headed in towards the Port of Tacoma area. -Brandi Nicholson
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T137B, T36B calf, T36B1. 14:00 - Orcas just passed by Point Robinson heading south. -Photo by Jake Conroy
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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T36B1, T36B2, calf, and T36B just passed Point Robinson. Still heading south. I think there are two groups. Only one group passed Point Robinson. Saw 2 at Dilworth. -Kelly Keenan
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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13:46 - Orcas. Just north of Point Robinson. Pod of 5 (maybe a youngster in there) headed south. -Matt Hahn
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12:49 - Orcas. Heading towards KVI Beach close to Vashon side. -Shelby Middling
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12:02 - Jeff Hogan reports 5-7 orcas in two groups, including a very small calf, are headed south down the east side of Vashon Isl. in two groups of 2 and 5.
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12:01 - Orcas. Two miles south of the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lanes. Moving south. Close to Vashon. -Matt Hahn
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11:55 - Orcas. Just passing Dolphin Point (Vashon) southbound. I am in Fauntlee Hills at least 4 miles away looking down on them from 39th and Henderson in west Seattle. Male in lead. -Kersti Muul
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11:48 - Orcas. Just passed them on the Fauntleroy to Vashon ferry heading south along the east side of Vashon island. -Mark Lemon
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12:08 - Orcas. Two miles south of ferry lanes. Possible kill? Stalled and lots of movement staying in one place slightly beneath the surface. Then disappeared.
11:40 - Orcas. A group of 5+ is SB between Vashon and Blake, mid-channel, slightly north of the ferry currently crossing. -Pia VanHanen
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~11:45 - I want to report an Orca sighting on Friday 1/18 at about 11:45 am in front of the Vashon Island ferry terminal. There were at least 2 that were headed southeast towards Burien at a pretty good pace. -Kelsey Wagner
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11:33 - Onboard the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry, Jeff Hogan sees 5-7 orcas, including a very young one, near the so. end of Blake Isl.
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10:55 - Two Orca's headed South, south of Bainbridge Island and just north of Blake Island. -Michael Yaguchi
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Fri Jan 18 - 11:08 - WS Ferries reports a single orca (was humpback - alb) seen between Pt. Defiance and Talequah ferry landings, heading west toward Gig Harbor. No further details.
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10:44 - Whale near point Ruston Tacoma. I was told by a consultant doing marine mammal monitoring for a port project it was a humpback. It is heading west towards Gig Harbor. -Bill Rehe
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This dolphin photo taken 1-18-19, 4pm from Constellation Park in West Seattle. -Photo by Mary Hartman
(ID notes by Dave Anderson, Cascadia Research: "Yes, that looks like it is probably Stump, but not quite clear enough to say for certain. If one of the unidentified dolphins also has a bent dorsal fin, it would be easy to confuse them.")

January 17
South Puget Sound - Seen on Gig Harbor Town talk at 1pm: "A small pod of orcas just came out of the burley lagoon head out here in Purdy! Just a heads up if any of you are around the area. Keep a look out! Catch some pictures if ya can. I was too slow to shoot some pictures" We look out on Henderson Bay from high up, so I will look now with binoculars, though it's super choppy, so wish me luck! -Cora Reuter Foster
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2nd hand report of orcas in southern Puget Sound in Henderson Bay in the Purdy area, probably heading southbound sometime around noon. -Heidi Armstrong.
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Thu Jan 17 - North Puget Sound - I was starting to get seriously concerned about my whale karma after failing to see any whales so far in 2019, despite a number of visits by both residents and transients to Puget Sound. It can start to get to you... After staking out Brighton Beach, Sandy Point and Langley following reports of whales heading into Saratoga Passage earlier (and along with Marilyn Armbruster seeing nothing) we made a last ditch attempt to spot them from Fox Spit at around 3:30 pm. Success! Initially it was a fleeting glimpse of a disappearing dorsal fin, but soon a tight group of four/five orcas surfaced mid-channel, including a calf (who I'm calling Dinky). With both wind and waves increasing, two of the whales turned southwards, milling briefly for a while, before the group picked up the pace and resumed their travels north in the company of an adult male. I feel much better now. Members of the T137s, T36, T36Bs in Saratoga Passage. -Sandra Pollard. Photos Richard Snowberger.
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15:54 - One adult male with the group. We reckon five Orcas. Still slowly northbound mid channel. Sea and wind both picking up now.
15:45 - Look like transients. At least four including dinky calf. Grouped up and slowly northbound. Appear to be in hunting mode.
15.30 - Orcas passing Fox Spit mid channel northbound. Not sure how many yet. Brief sighting. -Sandra Pollard
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14:40 - A pod of Orcas are heading north towards Langley from Sandy Point. I spotted them off my house. -Debra Rack
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13:15 - Orcas seen from port side of Clinton to Mukilteo ferry crossing, seem to be heading west toward Whidbey. They were between the ferry lanes and Hat Island. -Sharon Harper-Peck
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13:12 - Orcas. Got them! Mid channel between the WSF lane and Hat (Island). Heading toward Saratoga. Looked like the baby was with them. Too far to get ID. -Allie Hudec
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1:10 pm - Nancy Boyle reports a pod of 5-6 orcas off Glendale Beach, S.Whidbey/Possession Sound, headed north toward the Clinton ferry dock. At least one adult male, several smaller orcas.
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09:08 - Orcas at Double Bluff. Stopped via the clipper possible L pod. Few people seen a little one in the group. Pretty spread out. Seen one turn. Wanted to show me its belly. They were just playing in a circle looks like they were bumping into each other. -Nikky Benn aboard the Victoria Clipper
(most likely T36s,36Bs, 137s - alb)

January 16
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - 18:00 - Husband just saw them between Anderson Island and long branch. -Sarah Shaw
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17:10 - from the Anderson Island FB page "Orcas just passed through Balch Passage again heading east." -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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16:00 - Orcas, 8 or more... heading south toward Anderson Island, long dives. calf, T137D, T36B2, T36B1, T137B, T137, and T36. -Photos by Chris Hamilton
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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Our neighbors on Harstine Island reported a pod of about eight orcas Wednesday 16th afternoon before sunset in Dana Passage. Approx location: 47°09'49.4"N 122°52'25.9"W. -Andrew Leister
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15:15 - My last visual was of them around 3:15 passing the southern tip of Harstine Island heading north in Dana Passage. Photo confirmation. Then I lost sight of them. Long dives.
14:30 - I could hear them from my deck as they were slightly south of me in Eld Inlet. They headed quickly north out of Eld Inlet. At least 6. Maybe 8. I missed them heading south into the inlet. They did a short surfacing series right at Cooper Point and then a long dive across to the eastern shore near Boston Harbor (Budd Inlet). Surfaced again three times north of Zangle Cove. I lost sight of them as they passed the southern tip of Harstine Island going north into Dana Passage. 3:15 last visual. Taken from my deck as they passed Cooper Point heading north ouf ot Edl Inlet. 7 fins in last photo. -Photos by Kim Merriman
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR: T137A, T36, T36B2, T36B, calf, and T36B1)
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13:35 - I just saw a report on Nextdoor that a pod of "about 8" orcas passed the southern tip of Harstine Island, headed west in Dana Passage towards Boston Harbor. This is second-hand; I cannot confirm. -Dave Berliner
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~ 11:40 - Orcas in Case Inlet this morning (near Taylor Bay). -Photos by Amanda Olmos, Jan 16, 2019
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10:15 - from the Anderson Island FB page, a resident at the south tip of the island overlooking Nisqually reported that they had just passed his house. No direction of travel listed, but south seems likely.
10:06 - orcas southbound past Oro Bay on Anderson Island. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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8:24 - My husband is on the Anderson Island Ferry heading to Steilacoom. He says there are at least 4 orca heading toward Anderson Island Marina, on the Ketron side of the island. Heading southbound. He said he couldn't get a picture, but he said there were 4 that he saw, and one had a really tall fin (male). -Rachel Wade
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Bigg's Transients T36, T36Bs, & T137s traveled throughout southern Puget Sound today, here is a lovely sequence of 3 surfacing in tandem. -Photos by Chris Hamilton, Jan 16, 2019
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GRAY WHALES - Wed Jan 16 - 16:35 - Headed north east towards mariners cove feeding very slowly. -Marcie Goldberg
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14:00-15:00 - Gray feeding in Polnell Shores. -Terra Parham/ Photo by Greg Parham, Jan 16, 2019
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Wed Jan 16 - Gray whale CRC185...It was getting pretty dark when it came by our place but this is the grey that was over here in Polnell Shores, thought someone might know who it was maybe! Been really interesting seeing them so much? -Photo by Marcie Goldberg, Jan 16, 2019 (Gray whale ID image received after publishing our last Whale Sighitng Report which included Marcie's and Terra's reports on this individual - ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)

January 15
I was told by a construction worker on site here, that "about three orcas" passed by close to shore during the late afternoon, heading south. This location is about .75 miles south of the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock. The number and proximity of the orcas is consistent with transients. -Jim Nunn
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15:21 - I saw the same group of three (or more) nearing bainbridge, closer to the island side about 10 minutes ago (~ 15:10) . About 15 minutes prior to that (14:55) I saw one orca around Blue Ridge area, east side of mid channel much closer to the Blue Ridge side. -Sir Winston
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14:55 - Group of 3 traveling south slowly mid channel between north end of golden gardens and Fay bainbridge park
14:41 - Near yellow buoy just south of Edmonds ferry lane (frequent direction change). -Mike Ferdinandi
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14:10 - looks like they're slowly moving south, and definitely west toward Bainbridge. -Elizabeth Burstad Morgan
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13:37 - pod is spread out. Currently making slow moving directional changes two north of and 2 north west of weather buoy off Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
13:00 pm. The pod has passed Edmonds, nearing north End Richmond Beach about now. They moved offshore some. But still East of mid channel. Steady southbound with some directional changes. RB Saltwater Park would be good viewing. T36, T137D, T137A
12:30. Pod resumed southbound. Just now passing in front of Edmonds Ferry dock. Pretty close in. So sweet and lovely. Edmonds Marina Beach/dog park would be good place
12:11 -looks like at least the T137s, about 1.5 miles off shore north Edmonds where Lila spotted them. Quietly Milling/circling slowly in glassy calm seas. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
(ID notes: I thought we had just the T137s trailing off Edmonds but Melisa Pinnow ID'd T36 present in Julia Wiese images above so presume she is in my video below and believe the T36Bs to be ahead many miles)
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12:45 - Two possibly 3 orcas just passed Point Edwards (Edmonds Beach) heading south. -Photos by Julia Wiese, Jan 15, 2019
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow Center for Whale Research)
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12:03 - One orca heading mid channel maybe a mile or few north of the ferry? 11:54 - Fin/spout spotted just north of Edmonds ferry !! Browns Bay I think? T137s off Edmonds. -Lila Burns
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10:15 - Orcas crossing the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lanes, a few in the first group and 3 in the second group (including the male) about a mile behind them headed south. -Melissa SImmons, WSF
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10:08 - Just saw two orcas from the Clinton - Mukilteo ferry! -Luanne Seymour
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0915 - 3 orcas in Saratoga Passage, south of Sandy Point, north of Witter Beach! A wonderful and heartening show! -Larry Nichols
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08:45 - Spotted 3 Orca Whales foraging for fish in Saratoga Passage and swimming south south east toward Langley. I thought that I heard other Whale Blows downstream from where I spotted the whales, not confirmed...When I first spotted the Whales they were out towards the middle of Saratoga Passage, in front of Bells Beach. The Whales spent sometime swimming, zigzagging and coming around like they were chasing fish; before swimming south. -Paul Joseph (Joe) Wolcott

January 14
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - We spotted J pod at San Juan National Park next to south beach heading south west towards open water. -Maya Celine
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14:00 - Five T's (turned out to be Js) southbound in Griffin Bay, San Juan Channel at 2pm. Report from Hobbes Buchanan. -Tom Averna
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Mon Jan 14 - Haro & Boundary - We had the T18s go by earlier this afternoon at around 3:45. Eastbound through Boundary Pass, watching from Tilly Point on South Pender Island. -Madison Tilly
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Dave and Melisa were at the Center for Whale Research when a small group of killer whales appeared out front at 1120. Binoculars revealed that they were the T18s so Dave and Melisa quickly headed to Snug Harbor and left the dock at 1136 aboard "Orcinus". Full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 4.
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Mon Jan 14 - Saratoga Passage - 16:30 - Just had the pleasure of watching at least 4 female orca pass close to the Camano shore just south of Mabana. They were traveling rapidly north. Possible smaller dorsal with the adults. -Barbara Brock, Camano Island
(2nd pod, probably T36 &T36Bs - alb)
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Mon Jan 14 - Saratoga Passage - 17:26 - Just spotted 2 or 3 orcas crossing Elger Bay headed north toward Camano island State Park. Moving slowly through kelp beds. Too dark for a picture. -Janet Heine
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17:20 - Watching them at Camano Island State Park...Still heading north. -Sharon Szekely
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17:18 - They were on the Camano side by the state park now straight across heading north and seemingly playing. -Tami Fifiield
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Last hour of the daylight spent at Fox Spit after spending all day searching for them, was headed to our destination sunset on west side when had heard the orcas were finally spotted on east side mid Saratoga Passage headed north. rushed back to the Passage and spent an incredible late afternoon/early evening last hour of daylight with the T137s from Fox Spit...waters, colors, glassy,calm, reflective, patterns, lines, textures, snowcaps...amazing! Grateful. Youngest family member, T137D, Matriarch T137, T137 and T137D off Fox Spit, Eldest sone T137A, Camano Island, and Cascade Mountains.-Marilyn Armbruster
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At 16:00 we pulled up to bluff at Bell's Beach and see orcas strait out heading northbound passing Whidbey side mid channel. We immediately headed over to Fox Spit and by 16:20 relocated the females/young to the south making directional changes in beautiful calm glassy seas. A few minutes later, approx. 16:25, we found T137A north and east of the others out toward mid channel ever so slowly wending his way towards us while the females/young were still further south milling around and disappearing on longer dives. We (Marilyn, I and group of hardy folks having a picnic in the freezing cold) were watching T137A when suddenly the rest of the T137s surfaced right off the spit at 16:30. T137 w/T137D by her side surfaced very close inshore and T137B was few hundred feet out from them. T137A maintained his slow steady course further out and now trailing his family. AS they passed T137, T137D veered towards Baby Island, as T137 cleared the spit few minutes behind at 16:35. By 16:40 all were to the NW of us so we relocated to the Baby Island area and watched them briefly stalled out between Fox Spit and Baby Island before grouping up now more mid channel where they continued northbound very slowly. Sublime setting, perfectly Glassy calm seas, gorgeous sundown colors & lighting, vivid white snow-capped mountains. Perfect ending to a day of searching for orcas and taking in all the wonders including the two most excellent adorable sweet donkeys. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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15:10-16:00 - Watched three orcas (one male) feeding north of Pebble Beach for 45 minutes. Tail slapping with blows...Couldn't tell if they were feeding on seals (we had a group of 6 yesterday) or fish, but there was a group of seagulls feeding on leftovers. They were first spotted at 3:10 just south of us, did their feeding north till about 4:00. -Peg Boley
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One or more orcas passed north of Pebble Beach point about 3:10 PM. -Don Sandnes
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13:59 - Well this made my day! Three adult orcas and a baby went by my house at Tyee Beach, Port Susan, just now! Super cool! -Carole Ann Swan-Swenson, Jan 14, 2019
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10:15 - Shari Devlin saw orcas out from the Langley Marina right along the fog line. They surfaced once, went on a dive and she never saw them again.
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9:16 - Orcas at Clinton/Mukilteo ferry crossing headed north. Mid channel headed towards Saratoga. Group is spread out, about 5 in first group and 2-3 in second. Hard to see in the fog, hopefully boats are careful. -Melissa Simmons, WSF
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9:11 - At least two Orcas south of the Clinton ferry, one large dorsal fin, one smaller just now. -Mary Fell Cheston

January 13
3pm ish - Malaspina Straight, between Powell River and Harwood Island - Orcas spotted - looked like 6, one looked like a baby. I dont have a great camera, but here is what I have. I was very excited to see them. There were also a huge number of transient Stellar and California sea lions in the area and a school of dolphins went by Blubber Bay yesterday as well. -Photos by Shann Carmichael, Powell River, BC (ID notes by Melisa Pinnow, CWR after reviewing Shanns's 4 images: "See the T46s and T101s for sure. Perhaps the T124As as well")
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Sun Jan 13 - Puget Sound - 17:58 - I'm down at Al's market in Olalla, we can hear them passing! So cool! -Marissa Fischer
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17:31 - Two spotted (by west Vashon friend) in Colvos Passage on Vashon side just now. Heading north. 1/4 way up the island before Lisabuela but just north of Camp Sealth. -Caroline Martin Matter
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17:30 - If I had not heard their exhales, I would not have seen them in the late dusk, dim light at 5:30 PM on Sunday, January 13, 2019. About 50 yards offshore, in shallow low-tide water, West side of Vashon Island, a mile north of Camp Sealth, in Colvos Passage, Paradise Cove. The two Orca Whales then headed west into deeper water, then north. After 43 years in Seattle, what a thrill to have my first experience with Orca whales. The low dusk light created a most magical moment. -Rex Gentry
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17:08 - From Sunrise beach. At least 2 large heading north on the Gig Harbor side. -Scott Murchy
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16:45 - Orcas, at least 6 spread out and traveling north, closer to Gig Harbor side. Viewed from The Point. -Ranell Nystrom
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16:49 - from Gig Harbor viewpoint they seem to be in front of Sunrise Beach heading quickly north. -Luca Dambergs
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16:40 - Orcas off Point Defiance today. -Photos by Gill Chard, Jan 13, 2019
(T137A plus)
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16:21 - at least 5+ one huge male (estimated 5 ft skinny dorsal fin) close to Gig Harbor. -Jacquie Boginski Was Pearce
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16:24 - we last saw them headed north from the Gig Harbor side across from Salmon Beach. -Mike Boginski
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15:59 - Orcas. Headed back towards Pt. Defiance, mid channel. -Katy Anderson
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15:58 - Just drove over Narrows Bridge towards Gig Harbor and saw them heading north towards Salmon Beach. -Photo by Cora Reuter Foster, Jan 12, 2019
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15:55 - Orcas under the Tacoma Narrows, seem to be milling near the Tacoma side. Now Traveling north along Tacoma side. -Mike Boginski
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15:48 - Just saw at least 2 orcas. Right under the Narrows bridge, heading south. We are heading to the narrows park to see if we can see them. -Deann Sparks Kjorlien
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15:22 - viewing from Narrows view point in Pt Defiance. Some mid channel, some clustered closer to Gig Harbor side. All heading south toward bridge. -Andy Francis
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15:20 - see them from Gig Harbor right by Salmon beach in the center of the narrows passage. Possibly heading south towards bridge. -Jacquie Boginski Was Pearce
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15:19 - Orcas rounded the corner heading SW towards the bridge. Just left my sight at Dalco Viewpoint. -Jennifer Schweizer Johnson
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15:05 - Orcas. group is in front of Salmon Beach heading south. -Gaby Kinner
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15:05 - Orcas. Just passed Gig Harbor view point headed south, mid channel towards Narrows Bridge. -Sarah Cardinal
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14:40 - Seeing at least 6 orca just going past Talequah towards Gig Harbor. Separated into 3 pairs. -Susie Middling Wilks
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14:25 - 4 orcas between Vashon and Point Defiance! Viewing from Vashon Ferry dock. -JuJu Julie
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T137 and T36B, T36B1 -Photos taken ~ 14:30. Courtesy of Gay McCray, Jan 13, 2019
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Orcas Tacoma Narrows - Off Point Defiance. My uncle captured this awesome video Sunday near Point Defiance. -Ashleigh Brown, Video by Jamie Jorgensen, Jan 13, 2019
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~14:30 - Saw them from Dalco Passage viewpoint on the 5 mile drive about 2:30 pm and then at the 1st Narrows Bridge viewpoint. It was amazing they had the seals huddled together in two groups but were unable to reach them. They were so close to shore I could hear them blowing.They moved on into the fog towards the Narrows Bridge. Took several pics and footage. It was an amazing site!! -Cherie StOurs
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14:24 - Two just rounded the bend of Maury Island. The Tahlequah ferry line should be a good view point! Correction: viewing from Maury, rounded the bend of Vashon on the east side. -Shannan Van Houten
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~ 14:20 - Past the mouth of quartermaster harbor as seen from south end ferry dock Vashon. -Caroline Martin Matter (video FB)
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14:06 - Looks like two groups, male and female moving at a good clip west in front of quartermaster harbor. Larger group of 5-6 milling and spyhopping close to Maury but following other two. Clarify: in front of Quarter master harbor outlet. Viewing from north Tacoma/ruston. -Jen Burke
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14:00 - 2 on the move SW hugging Maury. Seemed to have found a kayaker that sparked their interest. Came up right behind them.
13:45 - Spotted one large dorsal fin close to Maury Island side of channel. Viewing with binoculars from Point Ruston. Very far out still! -Jennifer Schweizer Johnson
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13:59 - 4 orcas off the south end of Maury Island, close in. -John Troup
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13:30 - Orcas heading south between Sandy Shores (Maury) and Dumas Bay. One seemed much smaller. Beautiful! -Teri Home/photo by Mike Barnett, Jan 12, 2019
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13:25 - Orcas. We are just leaving Dash Point. Saw 3 at 1:25, heading south closer to Vashon. We are going to Brown's Point. -Beth Seltholfer
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12:32 - Orcas, watching about 3-4, passing by Point Robinson. -Photo by Jake Conroy, Jan 13, 2019
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12:35 - Orcas. Seeing blows close to Vashon south of the lighthouse. They are traveling south. 4 boats in the area. -Robin Mann
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12:15 - Orcas. 1/4mile NW of Pt Robinson. Headed south. -Matt Hahn
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~11:00 - I was viewing from the north end ferry boat as it was headed away from Vashon towards Fauntleroy. Saw one male leader quickly headed south down the east end of the island, then a pod of 5-6 or so bunched up, about a mile or so behind headed south as well. They were being a bit scattered on their direction but lost sight of them as they were headed more towards Dilworth Vashon.
10:50 - larger pod southbound, hard to say but counted possibly 5-6 or so, headed south, east side of Vashon, but closer to the mainland.
10:34 - viewing from North end Vashon ferry terminal, one adult male orca headed south on the east side of the Island mid channel, haven't seen any other fins yet. -Marla Smith
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10:35 - Orcas. sighting from the ferry heading over to Vashon! They were swimming toward Fauntleroy. -Tanya Kuhr Marshall
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10:31 - Two Orcas just passed Southworth heading South, one looked a lot smaller than the other, perhaps the baby orca? -Michael J Yaguchi
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10:00-10:40 - We saw orcas this morning at 10 AM between Blake Island and Seattle mid channel traveling south. It may have been two groups, several large dorsals traveling quickly, and a slower group of about 6-8 individuals with smaller profiles. The group was last spotted south of the Fauntleroy ferry closer to the east side of the Sound around 10:40ish. -Thanks, Brenna Sowder
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09:30 - At least 3 orcas (one male & two females) spotted north of Blake Island. T137A, T137B. -Photos by Sam Rutledge, Jan 13, 2019
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Sun Jan 13 - Good morning. Spotted blows across the sound this morning. Too far away to be able to confirm what type, but I can only assume it's a grey that has been hanging around over winter (map shows mouth of Snohomish Delta). -Danielle Pennington
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DALL'S PORPOISE - Sun Jan 13 - 2 Dall's porpoises near Rich Passage this morning around 8:20. -Michael (no last name provided)

January 12
K pod - Ken called Dave at home in the early afternoon to report that he was seeing whales heading south a little north of Beaumont Shoal. Since the whales were reported to be K pod, Dave grabbed his gear, headed for Snug Harbor, and left in "Orcinus" at 1455. Dave arrived on scene about a half mile south of Trial Island at 1530. The whales were very spread out and traveling slowly west. K21 and the K20s were the first whales encountered...While K25 did not look 100% healthy, neither did it look like his health worsened much since we last received really good photos of him from October 12th. It is too early to say whether he will survive this latest health scare but it is encouraging that he has not deteriorated further since looking pretty bad back in September and may have actually improved some. Full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 3.
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Just Left K pod off of Victoria mid channel. Making deep dives and spread out (outbound). -Joel Fletcher
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Sat Jan 12 - J pod - Ken says Js rounded East Pt. into Georgia St. this afternoon and Ks were aiming west out Juan de Fuca. J17 and K25 both accounted for, but but both still looking bad. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Sorry, I was unable to get any pictures. We ended up watching them for about 1.5 hours because they were so spread out, probably about 16 of them in total. 2 were moving quite slowly and were fairly far off from the rest of the pod, we watched them resting at the surface for some time so I wondered if that was J17.
11:16 - looks like a few more still coming through. I'll try to get pictures!
11:11 - We just had 7-8 orcas heading east by Tilly point on South Pender. Too far to ID. Could this have been residents? -Madison Duffin
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sat Jan 12 - ~17:00 - Hello! I wanted to share an orca sighting from today: 2 orcas seen from the Coho ferry (between Victoria and Port Angeles). They were traveling northwest. Unable to identify the individuals. Quiet and calm evening on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Kelsey Kuhn (Not sure where during the run these orcas were seen, but K pod was off Victoria around this time - alb).
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Sat Jan 12 - 16:40-17:00 - Orca whales in President's Channel heading south. Looks like five or six orca. Spread out traveling south. Nice sunset view. -Tom Averna, Deer Harbor Charters
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Jan 12 - 16:00-17:00 - Saratoga Passage 4 or more Orcas off Rocky Point, Camano headed south (T137s). We watched them moving slowly south for about an hour. Yes, one very big dorsal. -Nancy Fryhling Sinnett
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16:35 - Two unidentifiable orcas, several hundred yards off Rocky Point (north end of Camano Island), headed west. -Jeff and Judy Coddington
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15:16 - My family and I spotted at least three orcas near the beach where we live off Camano north of Cama Beach. The continued to head north. -Hannah Lindenau
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~14:30 - Around South Cove Beach Way, Camano Island. (T137s) -Photos by Nani Zyuzin, Jan 12, 2019
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14:30 - Orcas Northbound, on Camano side - way too far distant for any ID's from me.
14:24 - I've been watching 3-4 orcas also, but they're very close to Camano shoreline, just north of Cama Beach. Looks like they're having lunch, lots of birds around. Been there for about 15 mins, so not sure if northbound or southbound. Will update when possible. -Jill Hein
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14:20 - Orcas. North of Cama Beach. Looks like they are heading north. -Nancy Culp Zaretzke
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14:12 - Connie Barrett is watching at least 3-4 orcas breaching and splashing off the bluff just north of Cama Beach, heading south as they frolic.
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13:30 - We sited 2 adult Orcas and a baby Orca today at 130 pm in front of Cama Beach they where feeding..., breaching and splashing, we watched them head north Saratoga Passage. -Lisa Wise
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13:00 - T137A off of Camano Island State Park. -Photo by Edward Greybeck Jan 12, 2019
(ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)
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~ 13:00 - (FB video not including) Taken from Camano Island State Park around 1:00. At least 5 of them with a big male grouped with a female and a baby. Headed north. It looked like 5 or 6, but 3 in one group and 2-3 in another about 50-100 yards from each other. -Shelly Greybeck
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T137A and someone else passing Camano State Park. -Photo by Cara Ernst, Jan 12, 2019
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13:00 - Orcas mid Elger Bay approaching Camano State Park, northbound. Camano side of mid channel.
12:30 - Orcas are just approaching southend of Elger Bay and closer to Camano side nortbound. Viewing from Fox Spit (Whidbey Island). T36B and calf in Saratoga Passage. -Marilyn Armbruster
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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Noon - Neighbors reported a half dozen Orcas heading north from the southern end of Camano Island towards Pebble Beach point around noon. Close in. -Don Sandnes
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11:30 - Orcas are heading north in Saratoga Passage...across from Langley Marina. 4 of them one male.
11:21 - Watching orcas feeding and surface active at Camano Head. Looks like T137s. -Marilyn Armbruster
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11:25 - Camano side directly across from Langley. 6 + baby. Camano Island Pebble Beach area. They were headed toward Elger Bay. There were more than 6 Orcas. -Heidi Vogl
(Facebook video posted by Heidi was reviewed and showed at least 8 orcas surfacing, including calf -alb)
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09:27 - Orcas have moved closer to shore, north of Tulalip Bay, milling around (hunting maybe).
09:00 - Three orcas northbound, mid channel. Northeast of Hat Island, heading towards Camano. -Lori Christopher
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat Jan 12 - BCX0767 Flint Great to sea humpback whales are still hanging out west of Sooke today! -Photos by Paul Pudwell, January 12, 2019
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Sat Jan 12 - Two grays traveling together southbound between Hat and Whidbey at sunset. -Photo by Lori Christopher, Jan 12, 2019
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10:00 - We live on he bluff at Tulalip and have been watching a single small gray whale feeding in the shallow water beyond Jetty Island on a daily basis all fall and winter. While I haven't been able to get a picture to identify it, I assume it is a stray juvenile. A few minutes ago we were watching a spout and a second larger spout appeared, then a third. I can't identify any of them yet, but the timing suggests the return of the sounders....They were near our house in shallow water showing their backs - no dorsal fins. Everything is weird as far as whales are concerned. I spent last week participating in whale week on the Oregon coast. I haven't seen the numbers, but the southern migration was the smallest at that point that I have seen in decades. I would see a half dozen a day. In other years we would see up to 40 or so. I did see a juvenile humpback from a boat (we were looking for grays) in close to shore north of Newport. The frequency of seeing humpbacks, both in the sound and offshore, is a relatively new phenomenon. The regular appearance of grays is also somewhat new, 25 years or so. I first encountered whales as a teenager in 1960; a pod of orca surrounded the rowboat I was in. I have been on the watch for them since then. -Curt Johnson
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10:00 - Morning! I've got 2 baleen whale blows in my view. There's a bunch of activity associated with a bait ball bringing in a bunch of birds and a few pinnipeds. For the baleens I'm sure one is a gray based on the v shaped blow, but the other isn't at the right angle to tell much more then baleen whale. Both are visible at the same time through my binoculars but they're not together. 1/12/2019. -Amy Willoughby

January 11
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - ..."Morning Star" spotted blows at the northern end of Admiralty Inlet at 0930, about a mile northeast of Point Wilson. It was all of K pod sleepily traveling northwest in a tight group. Everyone was accounted for, including K25. K25 remains thin, but it appears that his condition has not worsened. It wasn't long until more blows were seen a few hundred yards behind K pod. It was all of L pod grouped up and also slowly heading northwest. "Morning Star" moved from K pod to L pod to find the new calf. All of L pod was accounted for and L77's new calf, L124, was confirmed at 0950. The calf appeared to be about 3 weeks old and was bouncing around between L25, L41, L77 L85, and L119. A gender was not revealed during the encounter but there will hopefully be more opportunities in the future....Full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 2.
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Here is a baby picture of L124, the youngest living SRKW friskily following L25, the oldest living SRKW. -Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, Senior photo-identification analyst
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Brand new little one L124 with mom L77 in Juan de Fuca Strait. K25 center...he was in the middle of big cuddle puddle. Active and keeping with the others from what I saw. J19 "Shachi," L89 "Solsitce" and Mt. Baker. J16 "Slick" launching skyward. -Photos by Sara Hysong-Shimazu and Jeff Friedman,, Maya's Legacy, Jan 11,2019
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Fri Jan 11 - Juan de Fuca Strait - There's not a whole lot we can say about days like today because words really don't do them justice. Watching all of the Southern Resident killer whales come together to socialize and play was a beautiful thing to witness, even more so because we couldn't help but feel like they were celebrating the arrival of the newest member of their community---L124. Days like these inspire us to carry on in our fight to protect these whales and remind us to cherish every, single moment. -Maya's Legacy WW
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Fri Jan 11 - Haro Strait - ~9:30 - J vocals still faintly audible on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
07:54 - Orcas still echolocating on Lime Kiln. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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08:37 - For 45 minutes J17 was the only whale I could see from lime kiln. Just now spotted another. Way off shore maybe three miles. I can hear them too. They are coming down. I was /am worried fro Princess Angeline because she is really far off from the others. At the moment anyway.
07:01 - Hearing lots of echolocation clicks. And I am hearing lots of cavitation sounds. And I think there are Ts in the area too. Echo clicks and Ts are not common to hear, so maybe both Js and Ts are in the area
06:20 - J Pod on the Limekiln hydrophones. They are passing by getting quiet. I don't know direction. -Jeanne Hyde
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Fri Jan 11 - Admiralty Inlet - 07:07 - I just heard what sounded like few distant vocals, but not sure who. On Bush Point hps. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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06:28 - Hearing faint - maybe L pod calls on Bush Point hydro. I first heard then around 5:05, but then we're drowned out for close to an hour by tug traffic. -Connie Bickerton
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Fri Jan 11 - T124D with her 2nd offspring T124D2 off Fort Casey, Whidbey Island as they exit Puget Sound. T124D, her offspring, and her niece T124A2 along with her offspring travel together and have spent much time in Puget Sound over the past month. -Photo by Rachel Haight, Jan 11, 2019
(ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
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T124D - Beautiful orca sighting at Ft. Casey in the silvery winter sunshine. About 6 in two groups, heading northbound. -Photos by Bonnie Gretz, Jan 11, 2019
(IDs by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
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The T124A2s and T124Ds, T124D and T124D1 (group of 6+ whales) were seen from Fort Casey this afternoon - close to Fort Casey - what a thrill. These whales were heading NW towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca, out past Pt. Wilson, around 2:15 pm. The T137s were on the east side of Whidbey this morning, surrounded by T's today!! -Jill Hein
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13:37 - Close to Whidbey, Ft Casey, NB.... south of Lighthouse. -Bonnie Gretz
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13:25 - Orcas. A couple females and a calf south of Port Townsend ferry, Keystone side headed north. Too far away to see (IDs), I was on the ferry. -Christopher Hanke
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13:09 - Ok - at least 4 orcas approaching Port Townsend ferry!
13:02 - There's at least one orca way out from the Port Townsend ferry. So maybe heading this way! -Donna George
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~ 12:30 - We saw two pods of Orca off of Whidbey Island today (1/11/19) - one pod of 4 including a larger male out in the channel between Keystone and Fort Flagler. This group appeared to be heading north at about 12:30....S. Thomas & S. Flaherty, Port Townsend, WA
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12:15 - Paula Ratcliffe called from Lagoon Pt - she was watching the pod of orcas, heading N, mid channel. She counted 7 or 8, with one male with a huge fin, several females and juveniles. She said there were seals in the water not fleeing or acting nervous.
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11:38 - Counted five in a tight group, no adult males. Looks like three juveniles.
11:25 - several orcas heading out Admiralty Inlet, about a mile south of Bush Pt., Whidbey side. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Fri Jan 11 - Saratoga Passage - T137s
(ID notes by Jill Hein: I first spotted them through my scope, they were about 5+ miles away, and thought there were 5. When closer, only saw 4. Didn't get a photo of 137A, but saw his 'nicks' through the scope. My pics are very distant.)
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...And another (pod) in Penn Cove consisting of a large male and two females or immature males @ around 1:30. This group stayed in the cove area for about an hour. The large male in Penn Cove appeared to have an oblong triangular patch of white on his dorsal fin, but it was at a distance and we did not have binoculars. May have been a reflection, but we consistently saw it in the same location on the fin each time he surfaced. Do you know if the individual id guide can be found online? I've seen the app, but don't have space to download it...Thanks so much for all you do for Orca! -S. Thomas & S. Flaherty, Port Townsend, WA
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11:37 - Just passed Madrona beach! Heading North. One has a very tall, skinny dorsal fin. -Tracy Stevens
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Photos taken from my deck this morning on Eagle Crest on Camano, across from Shangri-La on Whidbey. They were heading north on the Whidbey side, I saw a spyhop among 3 orcas, then suddenly a tugboat passed and a big male headed over to check it out and passed closer to Camano. I got a few pics of him before he turned and headed back north towards Penn Cove. Is it T137A? So sorry, the photos are so poor. 11:47 - Got a photo of the big male, I think it's Jack, T137A
11:31 - Orcas. Marcie Goldberg has them now, a group of 2 and a group of 3.
11:29 - 3-5 orcas just past Eagle Crest on Camano across from Shangri-La on Whidbey heading north. -Kristina Trowbridge
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11:16 - Just seen at Camano island Yacht Club boat launch. Headed NW. -Tasha Fisher
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11:03 - orcas have been on a kill for awhile at Shangri la. Many gulls flew in afterwards. Looks like they're just resuming travel northbound.
10:35 - orcas slowly northbound midchannel at Shangri La Shores...all I can say is I think 5... I admit, I've been super distracted by all the cute harbor seals swimming at my feet that have taken refuge while the transients hunted. -Rachel Haight
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10:02 - Orcas. From my view they're just approaching Cama Beach, northbound, mid-channel. 4 or 5 of them, one male. Too far to confirm any ID's. -Jill Hein
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09:52 - Orcas. Lots of splashing near Cama Beach. Now appear to be heading northbound again, past Cama Beach. Closer to Camano side. -Rachel Haight
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09:36 - Orcas (3-4 incl. 1 male) have passed Camano State Park and are heading northbound towards Cama Beach. It is so beautiful out. -Marilyn Armbruster
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09:17 - At least 2 Orcas in Elger Bay...I guess you would say milling. They were heading north, then south, then finally headed north. -Tami Fifield
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On January 11th staff and students of Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) encountered North Puget Sound gray whale CRC 53 off Hat Island. Photos taken by students courtesy of Ardi Kveven, Executive Director.
(ID confirmed by John Calambokidis & Alie Perez, Cascadia Research)
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About 9:15 this morning, arrived at the Camano Island SP beach area to walk dogs. Walked SE through parking area and as we got to the beach trail, heard some blows by the kelp beds that wrap around into Elger Bay. Thought it might be porpoise but then saw a very tall dorsal fin and several other smaller ones, but definitely bigger than porpoise. The pod was swimming NW along the beach, so we walked on the beach trail a bit behind them to observe. Looked like one big healthy male and 2 very small ones and about 5 or so others of varying sizes in between. The 2 babies were staying close to their moms. Now and then the male turned perpendicular to the group and did some shallow dives. They moved as either a bunched group or fanned out until their noses lined up. They moved rapidly NW in the middle of Saratoga Passage using long dives interspersed with shallow surface dives. It all took about 10 minutes before they were out of sight. No one else was at the beach, although one small boat launched and headed right over the top of where they had just gone down for a long dive. Don't think that boater saw them. -Jeanne Johnson
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UNCONFIRMED SPECIES - Fri Jan 11 - Not sure what I saw, but two whales, in Hood Canal. On the east side of the canal. Very odd because Killer Whales used to go up and down on the other side of the canal, near Shine (I used to watch them all the time!), but this was odd because they were on this side (the east side) AND, they were a light muddy brown colour, kinda like if you had a light tan. Just a couple of undulating humps. No big dorsal fin, so I'm sure these weren't Killer Whales, but what were they? I was thinking Sea Lions, which is also a bit unusual, because we have Harbour Seals out here, but not many Sea Lions, but thinking back, they were very large for Sea Lions. This was in the late morning, a couple of days ago. Heading north, about a 1/2 mile from the bridge... thanks for the chart. That pic of the Sea Lion is exactly the colour of what I saw, but all I saw were slow moving "lumps" in the water, so, hard to judge size. Its weird because I'm used to seeing them 2 miles away, on the other side of the canal. The feeling I have is that they were larger than a Killer Whale (based mostly on how slow they were moving. I remember Killer Whales were a bit more energetic in their movements)...maybe that Minke Whale?...but tan coloured, like the pic of the Sea Lion. Sorry I can't be of more help. -Dean Seaman
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Fri Jan 11th - (supplement to Penn Cove Sues' encounter include in our January 12th Whale Sighting Report). We first saw [orcas] from the shoreline along Coopville. They were ~ 1/4 mile off shore, about half way in to the cove heading west, then east and back out to roughly the half way point. We had 4 good sightings over about 45 minutes. -Sue Thomas
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Fri Jan 11 - Gray whale #53 off Hat Island. "...The students took these photos for confirmation. This is the first time I've seen grays in January..." -Ardi Kveven, ED, Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA)
(Confirmed by John Calambokidis & Alie Perez, Cascadia Research. See summary for John's statement and photo of the day for more images)

January 10
J Pod: - Juan de Fuca - What a special surprise to encounter some of J Pod of our endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales today heading west off Sooke, J27 Blackberry, J38 Cookie, J40 Suttles! Spread out and normal long winter dives with no apparent foraging that we could tell...Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal
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K Pod: Puget Sound - Thu Jan 10 - 16:45 - WS Ferries reported at least six orcas heading west off south Vashon.
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16:14 - Looks like they are moving north now from south easy end of Maury.
16:03 - The southern most pod is still heading east from south end of Maury Island. Container ship come in. They are west and a bit south of the ship at this point. Viewing from PT Ruston.
15:42 - At least 8 southeast end of Maury Island. -Kimberly Arentzen Rau
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15:29 - K pod. Now they're south of Maury and steaming east. 6 that I could see, including 1-2 males and a smaller one. Could it be a juvenile?
15:10 - Right in front of Vashon tahlequah ferry on the vashon side! At least 4-5 orcas! -Lissa Brod Anderson
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15:28 - K pod. I hopped the ferry to Vashon side, they went to Tacoma side. On return trip to Tacoma, they went to Vashon side. Lol. Saw some breaching & Pec slaps on their way Northbound in their resting line, up the channel back towards Pt. Robinson.
15:05 - K pod. beautiful resting line right off Anthonys/Tacoma ferry terminal. Close to shore. -Melissa Burke
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K pod viewed from Owen Beach ~ 15:00. -Photo by Lucas Dambergs, Jan 10, 2019
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15:00 - K pod. Lots of pec slaps, breaching, tail slaps, they were having a great time out there. Viewing from Owen Beach. -Photos by Amber Stanfill, Jan 10, 2019
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14:50 - Watching from up above Pt. Ruston...orcas near the ferry lane, between Vashon and Ruston. -Kala Escobar
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14:58 - Ks are hanging out off The Yacht Club, milling, trending west towards Owen. Closer to Tacoma shore
14:49 - K pod - I hopped on the ferry & had them around us. They are westbound, closer to Tacoma shore, off ferry lines. -Melissa Burke
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15:17 - Orcas. Saw from Owen Beach. Trending north - maybe 6 or so. Nearly out of sight.
14:39 - I'm at Tacoma waterfront just east of pt Ruston. 2 trending west close to Vashon. Big male. -Dawn Dewhirst
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14:34 - Orcas. At least one now just east of Browns Point in Commencement bay.
14:20 - Orcas. Several in front of the marina in Commencement Bay. -Kimberly Rau
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14:33 - Orcas. Three between Vashon and Ruston, milling around
14:10 - Orcas. Two males mid channel, spotted from Talhaquah ferry dock. -Steve Fogard
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13:57 - Orcas. Bull+ 1-2 more heading into Commencement heading SE, on a mission. Watching w/ binoculars on Owen Beach. -Jennifer Schweizer Johnson
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13:53 - Orca. K pod Male. I saw one large male through camera at Anthony's of Point Defiance right about here (between Dash Point and S tip Maury). -Jami Cantrell
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Happy Friday - We viewed a pod of Orcas from Ruston Point in Tacoma yesterday, Jan 10. We were looking towards Vashon. They were traveling from the direction of the point toward the port. And then turned back the other direction. This was mid-day between 2 and 3pm. Not sure of total, but more than 5 for sure. My guess would be 8 or 9. Only able to capture a cell phone video of one group. They were quite a ways out. -Thank you, Stefanie Holland
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14:09 - a couple milling, eastbound, off Pt. Ruston. (Moviedo theatre end). They are pretty much everywhere.
14:04 - looks like K25 in the lead of this group, just crossed Quartermaster, up close to Vashon shore, heading for Pt. Defiance ferry terminal, Vashon side.
13:56 - Have a group milling, trending towards Pt. Defiance, between the SE tip of Maury Island & Pt. Ruston. 3 adult males one of which looks like K25. Some breaching & playful activities in this group. Also adult male crossing Quartermaster Harbor entrance, westbound.
13:26 - Leaders have rounded southern tip of Maury Island...spread out from shore to buoy westboundish, towards Pt.Defiance /Ruston. -Melissa Burke
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13:13 - today orca off Dash Point. Slowly heading south. Much more spread apart than last time. Maybe 6 individuals. -Eric Elgar
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13:01 - Moving fast now and hunting behaviors. Pushing something towards the shoreline almost beaching itself.
12:55 - Directly in front of Dash Pt Pier, hugging the coast of Maury, South of Pt Robinson- lots of breaches and blow spouts. At least 3 Orcas. Viewing from Dash Pt Pier
12:10 - Seeing one orca right off of Pt Robinson. Viewing from Dash Pt Pier with binoculars. -Emily Scannell Mruk
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12:02 - I'm at Brown Point lighthouse and saw a breach through my binocs up near Pt Robinson, but can't see them otherwise. -Steph Parke
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11:54 - K pod. K21 Cappucino - Point Robinson. K37 Rainshadow..There were a lot of whales. They were so spread out. There were a lot on Des Moines side. I think I saw at least 6 males all together. -Kelly Keenan
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K21 tail slap sequence as he passed by Point Robinson,Vashon Island. -Photos by Marla Smith, Jan 10, 2019
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11:43 - K pod - some past Point Robinson and some still coming at 11:43 am. -Amy Carey
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11:17 - Orcas. K21 tail lobs off Point Robinson. Starting to pass Point Robinson. Closer to center/ east side right now. -Jake Conroy
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10:45 - Two Orca off 3 Tree Point. Passed in front of our boat and disappeared!!! -Kelle Fitzpatrick
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10:35 - Orcas just off Three Tree Point. -Jessica Brase
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10:27 - Orcas. Spotted lead group off Three Tree Point just now, closer to Vashon side and nearing Tramp Harbor. -Kim Baumgartner
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09:35 - Orcas. L Pod - Jan 10 - Puget Sound - L pod Eyes on them from Fauntleroy! Past the Fauntleroy ferry lanes, southbound. Saw two big males, one group of five together, more spread out. Mostly mid channel to east but some trailers more mid channel to west. Past Brace Point by now. Maybe 10+ whales were in my view. Tough to ID but at least the dorsal shapes very much like residents. Traveling quite fast.
16:45 - A resident group of 12-15 in resting formation NB north of Blake. 5:00 A big male and 4-5 others north of Tillicum village. Leaders passed yellow mid channel marker already at 16:15. -Pia VanHanen
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~16:30 - A pod of what appeared as 6-7 whales spotted moving north near the Lincoln Park - Lowman Beach Park. -Carlos Marentes
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16:10 - Approximatley 10+ Orca traveling north just east of Alki. Watching from Rockaway Beach on Bainbridge Island. -Kimberly Sylvester Mahlzan
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15:56 - 7-8 orcas mid channel between Fauntleroy and Vashon ferry terminals. Moving northbound. -Jim Reitz
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15:55 - Orcas. North of Blake island heading north. -Monica Zaborac
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15:34 - 2 moving quickly north past south tip of Blake Island. Westside of channel. -Trileigh Tucker
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15:15 - Moving towards Vashon ferry lanes North bound at surface Vashon side. -Martin Moore
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15:04 - Watching from Mee Kwa Mooks Park in West Seattle, just starting blows, maybe 6-10. Spectacular!...headed north, more on Vashon side but still visible. -Brittany Noelle
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~15:00 King 5 News went live from the air over L pod (again Ts in beginning). -KING 5 FACEBOOK VIDEO.
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~14:47 - Komo 4 News went live from the air over L pod (Transients T36Bs & T137s in beginning). KOMO 4 FACEBOOK VIDEO.
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14:12 pm - There is a group of 6-10 orcas north of Three Tree, close to the Seattle side, trending north right now. Lots of breaching and tail slaps. It is pretty cool. I can barely see them, but hear the tail slaps and breaches so clearly across the channel. -Kelly Keenan
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~13:50 - Orcas, right off east Vashon viewed from Three Tree Point. Headed north a whole bunch of them. 20+. -Alexander Simenstad
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13:17 - Large group stalled out just a bit south of Three Tree Point...May have a turned north. -Amy Carey
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13:15 - I am viewing from the end of 218th St. in Normandy Park. I am looking straight out to the single radio tower on Vashon. I am watching a group that appears to be slowly heading north, mid channel. So far I have seen one large dorsal fin and several smaller. ...There is a tugboat that was heading straight for the second group. He totally altered his course and is heading west towards Vashon to avoid the whales. -Tanya Esparza
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Taken from Point Robinson Lighthouse on Maury Island about 12:55pm this afternoon...telephoto breach shot, shortly after I arrived at Point Robinson. This group I photographed was heading south toward us at Point Robinson - but turned around just after I shot this, and headed back north toward 3 Tree Point. I can't confirm, but before I arrived there was apparently an earlier group (K Pod?) that went past Point Robinson and continued on toward the Ruston/Pt. Defiance area. I assumed the group that turned around was the same group I saw later from the Vashon Ferry. L110 Midnight breaches north of Point Robinson, Vashon shortly before L pod flipped and headed back north.-Jim Reitz
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12:55 - At least 6-10 now nearing point Robinson headed south. -Amy Carey
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12:15 - Group passing 3 Tree headed southbound. -Christina Van Wolbeck Fenerty
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11:24 - Large group well spaced apart slowly moving southbound off east side of Vashon Island. Been watching for half hour. Earlier they crossed from West Seattle to Blake island north of ferry lane before crossing just south of Vashon ferry dock. No idea how many. -Carolyn Duncan
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10:06 - Saw 2 about 5 minutes ago north of Alki Beach headed south. Before that there were a tleast 6 or 7 but the fog rolled in. -Arial Evans
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09:12 - I didn't have eyes on them myself; sounds like a large group, spread out, favoring the east side of the sound between the traffic lanes and the shore. I just took a good look up that way from Alki Point but couldn't see anything yet.
08:15 - Victoria Clipper V reports orcas southbound at West Point at 8:15 am. (Discovery Park, Magnolia, N Seattle). -Stephanie Raymond
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Thu Jan 10 - (Both King 5 and Komo 4 News copters were in the air at some point when L pod and Bigg's were in the same area. Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research has ID'd the T36Bs and T137s in the Komo News video at same time Ls were heading northbound opposite side of the Sound. See Kersti Muul's observations - alb)
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14:39 pm - I was on shore under the chopper. King 5 helicopter footage that says it's just residents has several minutes of the transients going southbound in the very beginning of the video. This was the same time as the residents were heading northbound. The transients at no point turned around and went North in their travels into the same relative area as the residents. Ts were occupying the Seattle shore while the residents were occupying Kitsap directly adjacent to each other. T137 passed by Coleman pool no more than 50 yards off shore. I believe there were more than just the T137 matriline present. -Kersti Muul
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14:24 - 3 traveling southbound just north on Lincoln Park. -Photo by Dartanyon Race, Jan 10, 2019
(ID notes by Melisa Pinnow, CWR: "appears to have T137 on the right")
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11:29 - after much surface activity and many directional changes orcas look to be trending southbound Kitsap side of channel NE of Fay Bainbridge park.
11:18 - Orcas breaching out from southern end of Port Madison, more on Kitsap side. Maybe on a kill?
10:55 - orca blows of this north group visible mid channel south of Jefferson Head and S Richmond Beach. Clear visibility in mild choppy seas. Believe orcas still southbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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9:30 - 4-6 southbound off Apple Tree Point Kingston, SB at a a good pace. T137A. Believe at least 2 large males and several others. Perhaps T137B but it's hard to tell. -Sara Frey
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow)
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALE - Thu Jan 10 - Just had a orca sighting (only 1) headed at 4:25 PM. It was just off shore headed north. I live on the water just at milepost 323. Just a little south of Ayock Point. (Hood Canal). -Elaine Wiley
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GRAY WHALE - Thu Jan 10 - 16:00 - Gray came back around 4:00 and fed for quite awhile north of Hat Isl. Doesn't show a lot out of the water. Fluke looks like possible match to PCFG CRC185.
1:34 - Whale has turned, making a straight shot towards delta and jetty isl.
1:15 - Solo gray whale 100yds east side of Hat Island, mid-island southbound, lots of dives and flukes. -Lori Christopher (ID note by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)
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DOLPHINS - Thu Jan 10 - 11:35 - North Cove Three Tree Point approx. 150' off shore. Large, gray dolphin. Much larger than a Harbor Porpoise, smaller than Killer Whale. Bottlenose?? As soon as I got my phone out it started to move away. It was alone and would surface for 2-3 breaths then be under for a minute or 2 before resurfacing. -Christina Van Wolbeck Fenerty
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Photos by Christina Van Wolbeck Fenerty, Jan 10, 2019
("That looks like it's probably a bottlenose, but there isn't enough detail to be certain." Dave Anderson, Cascadia Research)

January 9


January 8
Tue Jan 8 - Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research reviewed Karen Caldwell's images and Zeno Martins video: "The T137s have joined the T124Ds at least. The T124A2s may still be in there as well."
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16:48 - Orcas just passed Salmon Beach heading north. -Zeno Martin
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16:08 - Orcas, Narrows Bridge heading North. There was a pod on each side of the channel. Gig Harbor and Tacoma. -Andrea Reubel Walker
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16:04 - Orcas. They're actually on the East side of the channel approaching Pt.Defiance now, heading North. -Amy Bliss-Miller
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15:50 - 2-3 + whales between Pt Fosdick and the Narrows Bridge, heading north. Too far away for any details. -Candy Burden Hughes
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15:58 - Orcas near Salmon Beach now.
15:55 - Orcas just went North under the bridge still on the West side of the channel.
15:35 - Orcas headed North towards Narrows Bridge on West side of channel. T124D. Likely T124D1 -Karen Caldwell
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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13:55 - Orcas heading south now between Fox Island and McNeil Island. We saw the super tall dorsal fin that I see so many pictures of. I have pictures of him too. There seemed to be at least 6 total.
12:57 - Orcas. Just off Green Point at the entrance to Henderson Bay now. -Lance Lloyd
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~ 10:20 - Spotted a few Orcas swimming in Henderson Bay. -Mary Catherine Lanson Stubbs

January 7
16:45 - Saw what I suppose were these same orcas going by my position approximately 3/4 mile south of Fauntleroy Ferry dock and about 1/2 mile out. T36, T137 and T137D, T137 and T137D, T36B's dorsal tip, T36B, T137, and T36B1 -Jim Nunn
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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16:35 - WS Ferries reported a small pod of two to three orcas off Vashon Head, no direction given.
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~15:45 - Spotted several orcas south of Bainbridge, Restoration Point, in between here and Blake Island. Large male and one other. Just crossed Bremerton ferry lane. Heading west toward Rich Passage....South of Fort Ward. -Becca Tiger Musser
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14:45 - There was a pod of orcas spotted off Shilshole Bay around 2:45 today! I believe they were traveling South. Mid channel. I work at Argosy Cruises and one of my captains reported they saw them on our Locks sightseeing cruises....(per video look like at least 3). -Mallory Walker, Argosy Cruises
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13:59 - Biggs Transient Orcas - close to the Kayak. Puget Sound Orcas off of the Ballard Locks today. Thought to be the Biggs Transient Pod that "Eats Mammals". -FB Video by Brad Hole, Kayak Fishing Washington
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13:30 - Orcas off Shoreline. Just got a call from WSF saying the ferry capt. saw "3+ juvenile orcas" playing around near the Sierra/Foxtrot buoy.
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Mon Jan 7 - About 10 Orcas passed Turn Point Light Station on Stuart Island at 11:15 am. They were traveling northbound. Once past the point they dove and didn't resurface until they were about a quarter mile north. -Jim Bergquist
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UNCONFIRMED WHALES - Mon Jan 7 - There was a single humpback whale, seemed small maybe a juvenile, traveling from mid channel between Hat Island and Whidbey Island. It headed towards the east side of Whidbey. It took about a half hour to cross the channel from 10:30am to 11:00am this morning 1-7-10....I was pretty high up on a cliff but had binoculars. In the lighting it looked dark almost black with a bump at the top of the head and another bump farther down on the top of the spine. I looked it up and it seemed to be a humpback, but I am not experienced so maybe it was a gray. I had seen a gray last spring going to the same feeding area. -Jennifer Wetmore (could be either, but grays have been confirmed in the area - alb)

January 6
16:17 - Heading south past Day Island. Full breach! No pics - mid channel. -Dawn Dewhirst
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15:45 - Four Orcas near the West shore of Narrows, just North of old TOA club house (in front of our house!) at 3:45 today, Sunday, Jan 6. Stayed a while. Looked like one was young. No good photos, sorry. T124A2 and T124A2B, T124D and T124A2B. -Stacey Silver Ogle
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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Took these photos from Hidden Beach at Titlow today around 3:45 pm. There were at least three orcas and they were doing tons of tail slapping the whole time and I caught one good spy hop too! -Photos by Sally Milligan, Jan 6, 2019
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15:40 - Orcas. 3 seen at Titlow Beach heading southwest. -Emma Lavold
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15:57 - Orcas have passed Narrows Marina & look to be in front of Day Island. Moving more mid-channel. Fox Island fishing pier might be the next place to try. They seem to be trending South not too fast but steadily moving that way. I'm still viewing from Narrows, but they'll be out of sight soon.
15:27 - Orcas are steadily heading towards Titlow now. Look to be close to East side too. -Heidi Armstrong
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15:20 - orcas heading south under bridge, Tacoma side
14:57 - lots of action under Narrows Bridge. Seen from Narrows Park, orcas just north of bridge on Tacoma side. -Sarah Cardinal
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14:46 - Orcas. Can see several from Narrows Bridge Viewpoint in Pt Defiance. Milling. Closer to Salmon Beach. -Dawn Dewhirst
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14:34 - Pod of orcas (5?) North of Narrows Bridge...hanging out just bobbing along East side of Narrows half way between Salmon beach n bridge. -Marlatt Michael N Colleen
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14:24 - At least 4 headed south towards Narrows bridge.
14:10 - 2 orcas headed towards Narrows Bridge from Bridges Viewpoint (Pt Defiance, 5 Mile Drive). -Kourtnee Marr Lindgren
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13:54 - Orcas. The group is headed into Commencement Bay.
13:42 - 4 orca milling between Gig Harbor and Vashon Island. -Gaby Kinner
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13:04 - Orcas. There is more activity now at the opening of the inlet east of the ferry (Quartermaster Harbor)...
12:36 - Watching orcas at the bottom of Vashon. Much closer to Vashon side...from Marine Park in Tacoma. -Allison Stewart Bishins
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~ 13:00 - Took this from Ruston Way. Making up for my tiny orca picture from Friday. -Photo by Amber Stanfill, Jan 6, 2019
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12:22 - Orcas In front of Maury Island now, headed east. -Lissa Brod Anderson
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12:21 - Orcas are currently in Commencement Bay almost at Point Ruston headed towards Point Defiance. -Meredith Neal
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12:16 - Orcas are heading NE into Commencement Bay past Point Ruston! -Cody Alberts
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~ 09:30 - Saw 4 orcas this morning at Chambers Bay/Sunset Beach around 9:30 a.m! Heading towards Tacoma Narrows bridge. -Robert da Silva
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~ 08:30 - I was on the 501 Amtrak train this morning passing just north of Steilacoom around 8:30 am. There was at least 1 orca and 1 harbor porpoise less than 200 feet off the shore. The porpoise jumped once and the orca surfaced twice. 1st time ever seeing an orca in Puget Sound...James Van Eddy
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Sun Jan 6 - 3:49 Pod of orcas (not sure how many) north of Decatur Island headed East seen from Washington State Ferry. -Nathaniel Cornille, WSF

January 5
Haro Strait - At 1435, an update came in that the whales were in line between Ten Mile Point and Henry Island. "Morning Star" was right in the zone and spotted the whales about a mile away at 1510...It was T93 and T97 and they were a few miles east of Cordova Bay/Gordon Head area. The two males were milling about on an apparent kill...Full report and images at Center for Whale Research Encounter 1.
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Sat Jan 5 - Haro Strait - I saw a group of four or five heading north just south of Lime Kiln at around 11:30 am. Milling with an occasional spy hop. Just had my phone but here's what I got. -Nadine Smith Cook
(2nd hand: it was the T49As - Monika Wieland Shields)
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Sat Jan 5 - Puget Sound - Posted 15:00 - 21 minute ago Orca pod right off McNeil island headed north towards Narrows according to the witness. -Deanna Sparks Kjorlien
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~1:30pm - I have reports with pictures (see Greg Williamson photo below) from the Anderson Island FB group of orcas westbound through Balch Passage between Anderson and McNeil islands. I'm headed to see if I can get eyes on where they went. We also had reports of whales heard heading the opposite direction last night at twilight, so it may be the group from Commencement Bay yesterday. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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13:07 - We saw them on our down south in the boat today...we were between Key Peninsula and Anderson Island. They were headed north, but once they passed us it looked like they turned around. Then we lost sight of them. This video was taken at 1:07pm today. Maybe this helps. Cheers! -Kathryn Boender
(video shared on Facebook shows at least 8 in two groups, 5 & 3 - alb)
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat Jan 5 - MMX0036 Elf, MMY0148 - This one was regularly turning sideways on dives...A few quick shots of the pair of humpbacks right out front of Sooke today. -Photos by Paul Pudwell, Jan 5, 2018
(IDs by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)

January 4
16:18 - Orcas are in front of Point Ruston now. -Patricia Reynolds
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~16:00 - I saw 4-5 orcas at about 4 PM at the mouth of commencement bay. They were between point Ruston and the browns head lighthouse milling more towards the lighthouse. They appeared to be slowly moving north north west. My coworker in the area saw them earlier in the day (first spotted 2:30 or 3) along the northern edge of commencement bay. We both saw tail lobbing and some breaching. We don't know if they were residents or transients and they were too far to see saddle patches. -Cheers, Erin Stehr
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15:50 - Orcas right off Browns Point lighthouse. Heading North quick. -Photo by Amber Stanfill, Jan 4, 2019
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15:45 - Group of Orcas killing a porpoise in front of Browns point lighthouse, I think it's a porpoise anyways. -Patricia Reynolds
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13:30 - Orca in East Passage approaching from the north about 500m off Dash Point Pier. The would come up as a group for a few seconds and the moving fast resurface further south. They had rounded Dash Point heading towards the Browns Point light by 1:45. I completely failed on pictures. Estimate about 6 animals. Looked like at least 2 calfs and 1 tall male dorsal. Moving fast. -Eric Elgar

January 3
Haro Strait - 1-3-19 at about 11 pm and again at almost midnight, distant SRKW calls. Sounded like it might be J pod whales. Don't give up on them! -Jeanne Hyde
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Thu Jan 3 - A gray whale spent a short time feeding near shore at Port Susan Terrace, east side of Camano Island, yesterday (3rd) around 9 a.m. So far he's not come by today but we are watching and hoping. -Cheers, Mary Pelland

January 2
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Wed Jan 2 - I saw two orcas this morning at about 7:45 slightly south of Richmond Beach in Shoreline. They were hanging out pretty close to the shore, not heading in any particular direction....I was only a hundred or so feet away and had clear view of the dorsals which I'd say were closer to 3 feet in height, but I didn't see their backs at all so it's possible they were partially submerged. It looked like the dorsals were about the same size, though I believe one was slightly smaller than the other....What I saw were smooth and black without any ridges along the edge. They were moving around kind of back and forth, just not on a mission to get anywhere. -Thank you, Katie Wilson
(after discussion of possibly sea lions Katie still think she saw orcas - alb)
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GRAY WHALES - Wed Jan 2 - Had a visitor at 4:00, NE corner of Hat Island. One of the overwintering grays, doing a little foraging before heading off to the north. -Lori Christopher

January 1
Gray whale (reported as: Humpback (we think) off Possession Point, heading north towards Mukilteo/Clinton crossing. Currently mid-channel. Has small white patch on right side tip of tail. -Michelle Barnes