July 2016 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of July 2016 whale sightings.

July 31
We had a fun visit from 1-1/2 year-old J50, Scarlet, today. She came over to check out our hydrophone that was dangling by the boat which we were using to listen to her family vocalizing! Eye contact once again. Magic. -Barbara Bender

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Nothing but whales and water - L47 Marina and her son L115 Mystic off Land Bank this afternoon.nd 4:30 p.m. - Some of L47s and L26s just came back southbound past Land Bank, didn't know they were north of us.
3:34 p.m. - Boats are spread from Hannah to Salmon Bank up to 2 mi offshore trending west.
1:48 p.m. - Whales did flip before Lime Kiln, went west then south presumably to join up with others who look northbound off American Camp now. -Monika Wiela

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12:30 p.m. - L Pod is at Salmon Bank (L-92, L-83, L-110) spread out and apparently foraging with some success. All boats doing a great job of observing from a respectful distance, happy to report. -Steve Smith

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J-19 "Shachi" breaching in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Carrie Sapp

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It's been an incredible past couple of weeks on the water. Yesterday, July 31st, we saw members of the L4 and L47 matrilines socializing with J pod. They were engaging in tactile behavior all day with periods of forging in between. In the evening the Ls were heading west out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, seemingly heading for the Pacific. We shall see who's around today! It was definitely nice to see some of L pod again. Now if only K pod would come back ...-Heather MacIntyre

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0902 a.m. - 6-7 orcas (including 1 adult male - 6 foot dorsal) in Rosario Strait, seen west side of Deception Pass, close to Whidbey side. Traveling southbound directionally towards Port Townsend. Some breaching. -Eric Adams

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0849 - Orcas west of Rosario Beach, Anacortes. While visiting Rosario beach today my family and friends spotted multiple Orcas. One in particular with a baby. They were very active for about 30 minutes before heading towards Oak Harbor. -Shannon Conley

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8:30 p.m. - 6+ orcas (Bigg's killer whales (Transients)) off Pender. Tonight just before sunset we sighted a small group of orcas,maybe approximately 6 individuals (including1-2males) off Theives Bay. They were pretty far offshore traveling but then they backtracked. Then they appeared to stop and go into a resting pattern, with a few forming a resting line at times. That was very cool to see, a behaviour I have not had the privilege to see before! Beautiful orca sunset! -Jana Johnson

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The first time I saw it I could've sworn I also saw a bigger orca - like dorsal surfacing with the Fin whale. I only saw it once... (observing from south of Bush Point when whales in Admiralty Inlet prior to Stus's sighting) -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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Fin whale - I had / have the exact same experience / reaction to believing there was an Orca too... I've seen enough orcas now to know it had to be one, versus a humpback or the Fin! And the behavior of the sea lion was classic of when a transient is nearby! My little video is posting now.
8:10 p.m. - reason I saw the Fin whale.. Was cause I believed I saw a single huge dorsal of an Orca. I watched the Fin go by, now I see the huge dorsal again seemingly paralleling the Fin whale - both now south of Edmonds ferry terminal and slowly south bound.
7:58 p.m. - looks to have turned more toward a easterly (towards Edmonds Waterfront dog park)
7:54 p.m. - the "fin" whale is just north of Edmonds Kingston ferry route -- more on the Edmonds side heading south. Huge rounded arches and dives.. No fluke. -Stu Davidson

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The first time I saw it I could've sworn I also saw a bigger orca - like dorsal surfacing with the Fin whale. I only saw it once, then wondered if it may have been the tip of its fluke, but it had just surfaced so don't see how that could be (unless it has a calf traveling with it which would be way too much to hope for!). But that is what made me look twice, and when I saw the dorsal on the whale again it was larger than a humpback, but not the larger triangular shaped thing I saw the first time. Maybe it was an orca chasing it, and that's why it was moving so fast?!
5:38 p.m. - We just saw it south of Bush Pt, approaching Hansville. We are looking through our "big eyes" (thanks to Center for Whale Research), and after repeated observations by both of us, we believe this isn't a humpback and is possibly/most likely a Fin whale! We have not seen it fluke, the fin does not look like a humpback, but the blow is more visible than a Minke's blow, and the fin is way back on this whale. It is traveling quite quickly continuing SE. Don't think we can get a photo from this distance, it is quite far south now - but if anyone is at Point no Point or can get there soon, we would LOVE a photo to confirm species on this whale! -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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4:47 p.m. - Just passed Bush Point headed south. -Gregory Roeben

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2:00 p.m. - humpback (turned out to be a fin whale) SE bound into Admiralty Inlet. Viewing from Fort Ebey - been watching for awhile travel in from the west. Appears to be mid channel and traveling steadily. -Rachel Haight

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We saw what we took to be a humpback, but what could have easily be a fin whale in Admiralty Inlet evening of July 31st probably around 5 pm, maybe earlier. We were fishing and not paying a lot of attention to time. It was moving south toward Bush Point about mid-channel. (Was the fin whale- see our August 1st Sightings Report). -Glenn Barnett

July 30
5:30 p.m. - Leaving Transients at Bush Pt slowly northbound. -Rob Sanderson

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5:05 p.m. - They are just SW of Bush Pt northbound. -Rachel Haight

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3:50 p.m. - Brad reports the T65As and the T37s are rounding Double Bluff heading north close to the shore.

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2:30ish between Point No Point and Whidbey. Closer to Whidbey. -Jean Causbie

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1:35 p.m. - Brad Hanson of NW Fisheries Science Center reports possibly 5 orcas heading north between Kingston and Point No Point, in 2 groups about 1/2 mile apart.

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1:15 p.m. - past mid channel between Edmonds ferry and apple tree point. Closer to west side. Steady northbound. -Sara Frey

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12:41 p.m. - Kingston ferry now.
11:07 a.m. - We are with them north of skiff pt headed for Fay Bainbridge park. -Rob Sanderson

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10:00 a.m. - John Miller at WSFerries reports 4 orcas at Blakely Rock, off Bainbridge, headed north.

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Pod seen east side of Blake island for over an hour!! Not close enough to ID. -Laura Lippman

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Voicemail from 8:42AM - Caller reports 5 orcas off Vashon Head, at 42 31 7N by 122 28 7W, slapping water and jumping.

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We had 4 orcas in Useless Bay about 9am this morning. Not common for us. What a treat. -Anne Proffitt

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The fin whale. East of Sequim. It has been staying within an approx. 1 square mile area lately, indicating a solid food supply there. -James Gresham, July 30, 2016

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8:30 p.m. - We saw several whales (no dorsal fin, so not Orcas) on the crossing of the Coho between Victoria, BC & Port Angeles, WA in US waters. They appeared to be feeding, and heading west on Strait of Juan de Fuca. We did see the tail flukes of 2, one very close and distinct. One of our group got a video of them blowing and the tail of one, though it's fuzzy. We dont know if Grays or Humpbacks have been seen in the area, but that's best guess. -Elizabeth Blake

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Jess Payton took this picture of the fin whale on Saturday about 4pm South of San Juan Island, from the Blackfish San Juan Island Whale and Wildlife tour. Captain Tom did a great job getting us close -- but not too close -- to see several surfaces. -Sheryl Geuder Payton

July 29
Humpbacks in the morning and then WOW, J & L Pod off Sooke in the afternoon! -Paul Pudwell

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8:07 p.m. - orcas at Dilworth (northern end east side of Vashon) mid channel slowly moving south. -Amy Carey

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6:53 p.m. - WA State Ferries reports 3 orcas between Fauntleroy and Vashon, headed south.

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6:33 p.m. - We left them a little bit ago east of Blake Island heading south still. They made a kill, had a celebration and then continued on. -Renee Beitzel

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6:15 p.m. - Amy Carey relayed a report of orcas at north end of Vashon, east of Blake Island.

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First in a breach sequence of one of the T037A's or T065A's after they made a kill. From a surprise close encounter (no joke) to breaching, spyhopping, and tail lobbing to above (and below) water VOCALIZING T65A's and T37A's!! This has certainly been a season of firsts. Gotta love those T's. -Renee Beitzel, July 29, 2016

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Members of the T65As or T37As southbound passing Faye Bainbridge State Park. -EB Photos

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3:30 p.m. - One group stayed east of mid channel and has now drifted back to mid or west of mid channel due west of Shilshole. Also blows to nortwest of that group. Connie Bickerton and her niece Elisabeth found small group bit ago on Kitsap side off Faye Bainbridge also heading south. Maybe pods meeting up again.
2:35 p.m. - some have drifted back east of mid channel. Just watched them pass by out from Carkeek Park, north Seattle. Shilshole Marina/Golden Gardens would be next.
1:50 p.m. - orcas have moved way over towards Kitsap side. Currently mid way between mid channel and Kitsap, south of yellow middle buoy between Kingston and Jefferson Head/Indianola. Steady southbound tight resting group.
1:15 p.m. - they've moved off shore more mid channel now between Edmonds Marina beach and Kingston ferry dock. Still steady slow-med southbound travel.
12:30 p.m. - still north of Edmonds ferry dock about 1-1.5 miles from shore now grouped moving steady southbound after period of grouping, long dives, then surfacing near idle WW boat.
11:50 a.m. - they've drifted south maybe 1/2mile with some directional changes, circling. And still surface active with tail lobs & thrashing. Viewing from Sunset Ave Edmonds.
11:15 a.m. - pod is still on same general area...south of Possession Point and approx 1.5 - 2 miles west of north Edmonds thrashing about. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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11:14 a.m. - still lots of back n forth'ing - further south now and closer to North Edmonds .. Definitely hunting. -Stu Davidson

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10:26 a.m. - They seem to be spreading out and heading towards Saratoga now, but still kind of milling. Possibly on a kill.
10:16 a.m. - T065As and friends southwest of Possession Point. -Renee Beitzel

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Saw a group of 3-5 transients feeding on a harbor porpoise between 750am and 8am in west-central Useless Bay (Whidbey). Batting the porpoise through the air. They appeared to depart the area pretty quickly after finishing with the porpoise. I couldn't get a good sense of which way they headed, unfortunately! -Nick Horton

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Message from WA State Ferries 5:30 am this morning, reporting a whale in the middle of the traffic lanes outside Elliott Bay, 1/2 nautical mile north of the Tango Buoy. (No species or direction of travel given, but our guess is that it likely was one of the humpbacks that has been hanging around)

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1:53 p.m. - San Juan Channel - Spotted 2 Minke whales in San Juan channel. Got lucky enough to see them breech. Heading south. (reporting party believes Minke, Humpbacks were reported and confirmed by several others- ALB) -Amy Ferron

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...two humpbacks ...from the Victoria Clipper about noon-2:30pm Friday. Just outside of Friday Harbor. -Sheryl Geuder Payton

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Humpbacks in the morning tour and then, J & L Pod off Sooke (Juan de Fuca) in the afternoon! Been a few days around here for our SRKW... GREAT TO SEA!..we are EXCITED! -Paul Pudwell

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I am writing to report sighting a pod of about 12 bottle nose dolphins (probably the Common dolphins) near Devils Head at about 5 PM July 29th they appeared to be feeding and very active, we were traveling by boat to Narrows Marina for dinner at the time, later on our return to Olympia we sited them again near Toliva Shoal about the same number 12 seemed to be actively feeding. I know what Harbor and Dall's porpoise look like these were clearly different gray with a bottle nose and the first I have ever observed in Puget Sound. -Larry Cowan

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Saw a pod of about 12 Common dolphins off the South side of McNeil island Friday afternoon. -Eric Devereaux, July 29, 2016

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7:30 a.m. - Beautiful video of one of the pods of Common dolphins riding the wake. -Colvos Passage, Puget Sound. -Paul Mooselips Dudley, July 29, 2016

July 28
T65A2 - Lovely day with some T65As and T37As south east of Dungeness Spit. -Bonnie Gretz

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8:13 p.m. - Seeing blows NW of Ebeys Landing. -Rachel Haight

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Just spotted this Gray (or Humpback) whale in Admiralty Inlet heading south, just above Lagoon Point, about 8pm. Figured it was a Gray since it was only the one and because of the spout, but I can't say for sure. (reported as Gray, but humpbacks have been consistently present). -James L. Bogart

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Pod of Common dolphins - Olympia, WA -Laurie O'Brien, July 28, 2016

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5:50 p.m. - Common Dolphins are "screaming" south down Eld Inlet. What a lovely (and fast) sight of them porpoising just below the surface, throwing a wake, with every single animal. Throw in the total breaches once in a while and it's a grand night on the water. -Kim Merriman

July 27
Most of J pod had been spread out down San Juan Island all morning while J2, L87, the J16s, and the J19s had been found in Boundary Pass and were heading south around Turn Point. Dave headed down to Snug Harbor in the early afternoon and left aboard Orcinus to go and pick up Ken over in Oak Bay on Vancouver Island. By the time Ken and Dave came back across Haro Strait, the southbound J pod whales were in Andrews Bay....Photos and full encounter report at CWR Encounter 75. -Center for Whale Research

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Sailed to False Bay where members of J pod group B were foraging close to shore while group A was coming down from the north a little offshore. J27 Blackberry breached multiple times leading a track to Salmon Bank. Granny was in the mix of the group B whales. Between the two groups was a pair of humpback whales. We sailed together to Salmon Bank and then all whales headed to Hein Bank and continued west into the sunset. -Barbara Bender

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I'm still reliving the amazing encounters. We watched the J11s (J27, J31, and J39) traveling with J2 and adopted son, L87. They sure seemed to be in high spirits ... J2 Granny (oldest southern resident orca) looking gorgeous. She and J27 spent more time out of the water than in it! And then there was that humpback that popped up surprisingly in the distance breaching over and over and over ...-Heather MacIntyre

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2:40 p.m. - West side. They just passed quickly - L87 still offshore. J16s and J19s plus J2 with J26! -Monika Wieland

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J42 and I are on a roll! Here she is breaching by Monarch head this morning! -Gary Sutton, July 27,2016

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7:20 p.m. - 3 to 4 orcas in St of Juan de Fuca between Dungeness Spit and Ediz Hook. Viewed at 7:20 PM from bluff at private residence on Osborn Rd mid-way between Dungeness Spit and Ediz Hook. 3 to 4 individuals only 1 male seen. Heading west towards Port Angeles. -Michael Scuderi

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Wednesday morning started out foggy, but the skies cleared and the sun came out just as our cruise was getting underway. We found the T65s near Peapod Rocks. We sat and watched them for quite some time as they fed and slapped their tails. As these 5 transients began to travel northbound, so did we. Just a bit further on we found this group of transients again near Sister Islands as they continued to feed and slap their tails! We spend an additional 45 minutes watching them before our return to port. - Amy W.

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While watching the J11s....this humpback breached in the distance, and continued breaching over and over and over. -Heather MacIntyre, July 27, 2016

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8:30 p.m. - Puget Sound - I watched the humpback swim through the Bainbridge ferry lane. Probably pretty close to Discovery Park point by now.
8:20 p.m. - Humpback spotted from the bluff above Alki. Whale is north bound on the west side of the channel. Moving pretty fast. Taking 2-3 breaths and then doing a deep dive. -Charles Vendley

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7:12 p.m. - Humpback heading north in Colvos Passage. Just south of the Southworth ferry. -Noreen Ferris

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3:00 p.m. - Humpback fluke - Dalco Passeage - Vashon/Point Defiance ferry lanes. -James Lewis, July 27, 2016

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2:40 p.m. - possible blows sighted between Vashon and Dash Point, from the MaST Center at Redondo. -Lindsey Magill

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2:31 p.m. - Just saw it surface, looking from Gig Harbor, closer to S. Vashon and near a bunch of lucky kayakers! -Michele Riely Campbell

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1:45 p.m. - Now closer to Vashon side just west of ferry.
1:35 pm - Found it- just off Point Defiance.
12:56 pm - Just got a report that there is a Humpback at south end of Vashon near Dalco Point. West of the ferry. -Amy Carey

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12:47 p.m. - He appears to be feeding and swimming in tight circles in the open water between Point Dalco and Gig Harbor. The breaching and pec slapping has ceased, but he's still surfacing and diving. Last saw him just now - Point Dalco. I'm on Owen Beach.
12:28 p.m. - Humpback traveling by Point Defiance. Possibly headed north up Dalco passage. Kind of circling by Gig Harbor/ Point Defiance. -Vanessa VanGilder

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12:24 p.m. - Viewed from beach house outside of Gig Harbor. Humpback traveling and breaching several times from Point Defiance to Kent/Des Moines. Very large in size in comparison to past sightings. -Darin Edwards

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5:57 a.m. - I'm sure I just saw a whale off Alki. Looked just in time to see a big hump then a tail come out of the water then it was so gone. Anyone else see this guy? Was heading west towards Southworth/Manchester. As viewed from just off 54th place and Alki.-Rusty Garner

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9:40 a.m. - central Puget Sound - Dolphins off Ballard buoy just now. The north buoy by Golden Gardens. And it was hard to tell which way, but I would say north. (direction of travel) It was pretty foggy. -Ryan Johnson

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7:00 a.m. - south Puget Sound - Common dolphins very active heading north out of Budd Inlet. Flat calm and foggy is making a great backdrop. -Kim Merrman

July 26
Orca passing by Mayne Island through Active Pass in front of Laura Point heading north. -Stephen Peers

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J17s foraging at False Bay, Doublestuf J34 and his Mum Oreo J22 foraging Pile Point. J31 breaching, J14s slow North, Blackberry J27 and his brother Mako J39 foraging near Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. Group B of the Js plus the J14s all fishing in loose groups on the West side as we sailed around the island. We're hoping they're finding enough Chinook salmon to sustain their families. A summers day family sail returning by way of Spieden and Flattop draped in evening light with sunset in San Juan Channel. -Barbara & David

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One just never knows what wildlife we may see out on one of our excursions. We received word that some resident orcas trickled back into the area Sunday night, but they proved to be elusive on Monday. Today, however, they were back in good force! Captain Eric started this sunny, blustery day cruising towards Salmon Bank, where we caught up with several small groups of orcas spread out near there, Eagle Point, and False Bay. In total we estimate seeing between 10 and 12 members of J-pod near these points. While we haven't made a positive ID yet, we believe one of the residents may have been bull J34, also known as Doublestuf. There were also a couple calves and several females. Passengers watched in awe as 2 breaches were done nearby. -Amy W

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11:23 a.m. - and now a male with her, they both flipped at Land Bank and are heading southbound. Definitely Residents, but too far out for ID's just yet....there was some awesome salmon chasing.
11:12 a.m. - One female passing Land Bank, San Juan Island northbound...I can see more headed this way. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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8:38 p.m. - north group - July 26 - orcas about to pass Bush Pt mid channel. -Rachel Haight

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7:00 p.m. - Michael Waitt reports seeing four orcas about 100 yards from shore in water 30-40 feet deep, on the north side of Useless Bay, off Double Bluff, heading NW.

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6:20 p.m. - They were heading north and went under and haven't seen them since.
5:40 p.m. - We are at Maxwelton on beach and got them. They seem to be heading into Useless Bay. -Danielle Pennington

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4:20 pm - from north Edmonds been watching northern group since 4pm, mid shipping lanes approx. 3 miles south of Scatchet Head. First northerly but appear to have stalled out. And now possibly aiming towards Admiralty. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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3:25 Orcas seen from Edmonds Kingston Ferry. We saw them from Edmonds Marina Beach. Going between ferries headed North. -Melinda Barajas

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3:15 p.m. - Excellent whale watching viewing perches aboard Washington State ferries. Transients, northern group - midway between Kingston and Edmonds. -Mark Saran

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8:37 p.m. - July 26 - south group (T65As +?, there was an earlier split) - They are in the ferry lane pretty close to Bainbridge. 5-6 orcas
8:25 p.m. - Spotted from Alki. Northbound orcas right off Blakely rock. -Charles Vendley

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7:00 p.m. - another report from the ferry Tilikum, of 5-6 orcas heading north, mid-channel, SE of Dolphin Point, Vashon Is.

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7:00 p.m. - mid channel Fauntleroy I saw blows but that's it. -Aimee Demarest

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2:56PM - Report of 7+ orcas in tight formation, heading south between Williams Pt. (Fauntleroy) and the north end Vashon ferry terminal. Called in by Edward Furst, crew on the ferry Tilikum.

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T65As (+T37A - southbound Puget Sound) heading southbound Elliot Bay - Seattle skyline in background. -Stu Davidson, July 26, 2016

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1:30 - Pod of T's off Rolling Bay BI., west of channel. Slowly moving north now. Not much surface activity. Counted 5 in this group including one adult male and juvenile. -Susan Marie Andersson

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10:48 a.m. - Nice breach just south of Faye Bainbridge park.. -Sue Larkin, July 26, 2016

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11:00 a.m. - Puget Sound - 5-6 Orca hunting, milling, tail slaps, breaching. Watching from Fay Bainbrisge Park, south end. Still milling now but maybe trending south a little... Kitsap side. -Kimberly Sylvester-Malsahn

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10:45 am - feeding mid channel. Lots of tail slapping and blows. Clearly visible from Indianola. -Cher Greenlaw

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10:20am - looks to be on a kill east of north Bainbridge. -Stu Davidson

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10:11 a.m. - We found some...they are making a kill of a Harbor seal. -Renee Beitzel, Chilkat

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9:50 a.m. - pod has stalled and moved more west of the channel. Sightline Richmond Beach and Faye Bainbridge parks.
9:33 am - they are actually more mid channel, sightline south of Richmond Beach. Together, but thinly spread in 2-4s. Steady southbound. A. Small blue and white boat is now on scene to north of them so you can look for that. As seen from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
9:23 a.m. - I spotted large pod west of mid channel approaching Jefferson Head/Indianola steady southbound. As seen from From Kayu Kayu Ac park, north Richmond Beach. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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Victoria Clipper 3 watched them briefly at about 9:30 south of Kingston mid channel in pursuit of a harbor seal trending south. Appeared to be the T65As. -Justine Buckmaster

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9:02 a.m. - South of Point Wells, Woodway heading south east of the traffic lanes. -Ryan Johnson

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9:00 a.m. - At least 4-5 whales, including one male, traveling south toward Richmond Beach. -Kate Stovel

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8:13 a.m. - we have Orcas in the North Sound! -Stu Davidson, Edmonds

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8:10 p.m. - The pod of common dolphin just cruised through Alki north bound. No orcas yet. -Charles Vendley

July 25
7:50 p.m. - Juan de Fuca - Ts are headed south into Admiralty it looks like. It was rough out there! Five to six footers. I haven't looked up at a wave since Monterey Bay! I'd say more than fifteen. At least 20 and I wouldn't be surprised it it was pushing 25 individuals. Aiming that way definitely, they were zigging and zagging and was hard to keep track of all of them! T65As were in there. Pretty sure T37s and T37As. Plus many more. -Sara Hysong- Shimazu

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WOW...what an AMAZING DAY! Capt. Dan on Sonar this morning was the first to find Transient Killer Whales in the FOG just SW of Race Rocks! We also visited a few Humpbacks. Then on our afternoon adventure we caught up to the same Transients/Biggs (T065 & T037) maybe others...with an acrobatic show of 12-20 Humpbacks interacting or responding to the presence of a dozen Orca! Seas were rough but everyone had a BLAST! -Paul Pudwell

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7:58 p.m. - Puget Sound - 2 humpback whales Camano side of the passenger ferry lane traveling north Mabana and State Park at present. -Sally Olin

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Juan de Fuca - A humpback riled up after the T065A's and T037's swim past on the afternoon of July 25th south west of Race Rocks. Notice the killer whale teeth rake marks on its pectoral fin from a previous encounter. -Mark Malleson

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6:18 p.m. - 2 Grays, cow/calf pair, off South Beach, San Juan Island now. They seemed to be heading away from shore when we left 20 minutes ago. Taking long dives. One surfacing every 3 to 5 minutes. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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5:50 a.m. - Tony Woelke, WS ferries reports 8 Harbor porpoise just out from the ferry dock at Kingston.

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A special visit of two Gray Whales - a rare thing, and especially out of the ordinary for the time of year. We met the pair South of Iceberg Point after exploring the remote cliffs, islands and hidden Bays South of Lopez. The Greys passed Whale Rocks and looked to be going through Cattle Pass, but turned and fought the flood current at the lighthouse to continue North on the San Juan shoreline. -Barbara & David, All Aboard Sailing

July 24
Admiralty Inlet - Al Lunemann reports at 4:45 pm: "a small group of orcas between Ebey's Landing and Pt.Partridge ~ mile or two out heading west. Pt. Townsend whale watching boat is there and can ID them...Also, small 2 person sport boat following them very closely."

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3:00 p.m. - Pod of 3 or 4 orcas, one juvenile. Seen from Keystone-Port Townsend ferry...south of Keystone.... Orcas traveling toward Whidbey island. I would say traveling northbound towards the straight. -Cathy Cannon

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8:37p.m. - just passed point Robinson headed southbound. Got an amazing video will share later. Red/white boat following them.
8:10 p.m. - seeing sprays from Point Robinson Lighthouse. Appear to be on a kill. Not sure direction of travel. -Brittany Gordon

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6:21 p.m. - Just spotted them near the Vashon ferry line following a barge still headed south. -Wendy Bradley

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Last watch they were headed south off Alki lighthouse mid channel at 530pm. Appears the female was showing a couple young ones the feeding procedure, diving deep in short distances.
4:15 p.m. - We had some great sightings off Bainbridge Islands Rolling Bay when a pod of about 10 Orcas milled around feeding. There were what appeared to be a couple of young orcas being instructed on hunting for food, many long dives for short distances and you never knew where they would show up next giving a couple tour boat riders a treat, here's a few of the shots I took. Milling in Rolling bay and feeding then they split with some heading towards mid channel and 3-4 staying on the Bainbridge side heading south when we finally went back to sailing. Last count was around 8-10 in the pod. -Gary Peterson

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5:31 p.m. - Just watched them from Bainbridge Ferry. Longjsh dives. Trending south. -Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn

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Renee Beitzel reports the pod in Elliot Bay as the T65As.

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3:19 p.m. - Southbound just north of Fay Bainbridge. -Max French

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12: 55 p.m. - From Kayu Kayu Ac park Richmond Beach I can see pod is stalled same place as 12:10 report. North of Kingston ferry terminal. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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12:10 p.m. - Tony Woelke, WS ferries call to report 5 orcas (1 male, 2 female, 2 young) just south of Apple Cove Point, Kingston, in the southbound shipping lanes about 3/4 miles out. Kind of hanging out.

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12:00 p.m.- At least 4 Orcas, now just south of Apple Tree Point, Kingston, heading south slowly. So good to see them. Lots of fishing boats, but they are happily keeping their distance. -Gina James Vigna

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10:20 a.m. - Second hand report about 2 orcas heading south at Useless Bay. We are looking south of that but so far nothing. -Renee Beitzel

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2:00 p.m. - Rosario Strait - Just one of the humpbacks remains in the area.
11:45 a.m. - 5 Humpbacks in Rosario Strait. We were heading towards Decatur Island. -Emily White

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8:39 p.m. - Puget Sound - Definitely 2 whales. High blows. Very tall blows. Possibly a 3rd whale. Still by Elger Bay close to passenger ferry channel. 8:30 p.m. - No idea what kind yet but definitely a whale between Elger Bay and Mabana Heights. Will wait for it to come closer south and try and determine what kind. -Sally Olin

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6:00 p.m. - Observed about 2 humpbacks between East Point on Whidbey and South Camano State Park at 6 PM on Sunday, July 24. Seemed to be staying on the surface out in the middle. I've never seen one up here before. -Roger Clark, Camano Island

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12:50 p.m. - Humpback is just northeast of Possession Point, shallow dives with single blows. -Steve Smith

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9:07am just off shore from North Edmonds - blows (humpback) heading slowly south. Video'ing to try and ID better. -Stu Davidson

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10:20 a.m. - Large pod (10-15) of harbor porpoise in Carr Inlet feeding at north end of Pitt Pass. -James Lewis

July 23
10:00 a.m. - some of L & J Pod feeding off Sooke, L55 Nugget slowly heading west towards the Pacific after spending time inland with other J and L pod members. Allen from Pizzability was fishing and helped us to be first on scene 12 min. from our dock! -Paul Pudwell

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The fin whale was hanging out with about 20 humpbacks off Port Angeles all day today. Here it is surfacing right at our stern this afternoon. The white counter shading on the right side of the lower jaw is visible. I was able to see it's entire length as it cruised by just under the surface. It's at least 60 feet long and maybe a bit more than that. -James Grehsam

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8:20 p.m. - Puget Sound - Pretty confident it's a Humpback. Last saw it mid channel off West Point still heading North.
7:45 p.m. - Alki beach. Spotted either a humpback or gray whale not too far off the beach. Huge spouts!! north bound. -Charle Vendley

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Late report--at 3:30pm there was a single humpback just north of the mouth of Gig Harbor that breached very close to shore and then travelled quickly north up Colvos Passage. -Michele Riley Campbell

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Whales Port Ludlow/south Marrowstone Island area - We have a summer home on Whidbey Island--North Mutiny Bay, just south of the Condos off Shore Meadows Rd. Saturday evening, maybe around 6:00...my husband came to inform me he was seeing numerous whale blowings, one after the other. Approx 10 minutes later they were still in the bay heading north, but clear across from us. I saw very high blows from two whale--probably about a minute apart. These were not killer whales, we have seen them up close and personal, but something much larger! The Victoria Clipper heading back to Seattle had slowed to let their passengers observe them. -Sherri Hedman

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Single humpback seen just after 2:00pm off the ferry in Admiralty Bay. -Elizabeth Zwanborn

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Smoke on the water. Aboard the Peregrine we encountered a gray whale in Boundary Pass on the evening trip so this was approximately 5:30 PM. The encounter was amazing but left us wondering why is it here now? We coined it Lazy Fluke because even though the pattern of several blows followed by a deep dive was normal we were unable to get a really good fluke shot. Hopefully someone from another vantage point on another boat can get an ID shot to Cascadia - I won't know for sure until pics are on laptop but don't believe I got anything useful. -Debbie Stewart

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6:00 p.m. - Common dolphins off North Harstine Island again. (They could have been porpoises, it was hard to tell.) Last seen heading south. -Connor O'Brien

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5:30 p.m. - Watching what we believe are common dolphins off Sunnyside Beach near Steilacoom. Appear to be a little closer to McNeill. Moving south, but currently milling about and appear to be feeding. Too far from shore for a picture. -Tari Poe Norris

July 22
When we reached the south side of the island (San Juan) we found parts of our resident J and L pods. First spotted where L41 (Mega) and L85 (Mystery), both large males. After spending some time with this group, we turned our eyes closer inshore where members of J-pod were swimming. Some of these identified whales include J28 (Polaris) and a calf known as Notch (J47) for a notch in his fin....- Amy W., Mystic Sea

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3:38 p.m. - intermittent calls still coming in over the hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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3:07 p.m. - Some just passed Lime Kiln headed south and north. Going both directions. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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2:57 p.m. - WW boats hanging off Land bank, but just a few whales here....may head to Lime kiln. -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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While out around 2:30 p.m. - J17's were spread approaching Lime Kiln. J22 and 34 were south of them and J31. -Barbara Bender

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2:30 p.m. - They are back vocalizing and echolocating. Js and Ls sounds like. -Alisa

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11:00 a.m. - 2- large scattered group in Boundary Pass extending from south end of Saturna to south end of the Penders (Bedwell Harbour). 15 to 20 individuals, one large male breached at least 7 times (lots of whale watching boats). sorry no pictures of any value.
10:30 a.m. - 1- one large male, two females, one young of year diving and slowly advancing east with the tidal current at 1030 along the south side of Tumbo Island in Tumbo Channel (towards East Point). Two spy hopping events. no other boats. 4 in first group / 15-20 in second group. 1 male with group of 4 / 1 male with large group. Group one: feeding (frequent dives) and slowly travelling. Group two: travelling and a bit of play. I work for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and was viewing from a government vessel. -Frank Gee

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8:20 a.m. - from County, Js Group B southbound. J17s are still barely visible to the north. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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8:14 a.m. - Heard a few S4 calls at 8:00 a.m. and echolocation since on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Alisa

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5:37 a.m. - Orcas on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Althea Leddy

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Orcas were seen off the Friday Harbour - Anacortes 6:30pm ferry. The pictures I got were much too far away to glean any valuable information from, but does someone know who these whales were? There were a couple of whale-watching vessels with them. There looked to be about 4 individuals - at least one with a taller broader fin. They were porpoising quickly towards the Strait at 6:49pm, I believe along the coast of Lopez just before the ferry entered the channel between Shaw and Lopez. I was guessing they were transients from what I observed and their behaviour, but they were too far away to confirm. -Elizabeth Zwamborn

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I didn't see anything on 3:00 crossing except a couple of harbor porpoises and seals. Ferry worker in Clinton agreed humpback. He saw it about noon. -Debbie Stewart

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No photo, but can confirm it was a humpback. Saw the dorsal fin. 2 spouts and a long full body glide above the surface. On a sailboat motoring past the southern end of Whidbey Island into Possession Sound about 1:20 pm. -Elaine Armantrout

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The Kittitas was departing Clinton at approximately 1230 hours today July 22 when they noticed a gray whale (reported as gray but confirmed by others as humpback) 1/4 mile due east of the Clinton terminal dock. Apparently, the whale performed approximately 25 tail slaps and submerged. No other identifying marks could be seen." -John Rogstad, WSF

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Received 2 reports of a Gray? Whale at the Clinton ferry dock. (later confirmed Humpback) First report at 6 am from WSF, 2nd report at 1:05 from Debbie Friel, saying it was just yards off ferry dock tail slapping for 5 minutes.

July 21
J50 Scarlet and her mom J16 Slick - just two of several whales seen from the ferry from Salt Spring Island, B.C. -Brett Forsythe

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After missing the - I kid you not - nine hours of west side whales in the morning and afternoon, we made up for it by catching the three hour evening extravaganza, complete with sunset, lightning, rainbows, and some of the coolest clouds I've ever seen. And we LIVE here!! Around 9:15 p.m. the L12s did come up to meet Js, and were very spread slowly southbound. I believe just J Group B came back south? J17s, J11s, J22s. There were practically whales in sight of Lime Kiln for all daylight hours today! -Monika Wieland

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7:50 p.m. - SRKW on Lime Kiln hydrophone. Echolocation and calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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1805-1815 - Seeing whales out front of County park. J28 and 54. Male offshore. Not going very fast. A short time later they picked up the pace a bit still southbound. -Sara Hysong-shimazu

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While out, we had L89, L22 and looked like L77 and L119, by False Bay, southbound. We found a couple more at Pile Point southbound. A bit later the L94's southbound at Pile Point, but not really going anywhere. This was between approx. 5:25 and 5:50 p.m. -Barbara Bender

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WOW!! J2 Granny, THE matriarch of an entire population, playing with a neonate harbor porpoise?! J2 is possibly the oldest killer whale alive with an estimated birthday of 1911. She is a southern resident killer whale that feeds primarily on Chinook (king) salmon. J2 is the matriarch of the 83 southern resident killer whales that remain alive. Since this ecotype does not feed on mammals, this behavior is rare. It sure has scientists stumped ... Of course, it is also quite possible that this behavior happens more often than we know since we only see them a fraction of their day-to-day life. During the encounter, J2 played with the porpoise, pushing it around on her rostrum, back, side and would peridcially let it go to chase it down again. At the end of the encounter, she thrashed the baby harbor porpoise around a bit then left to join her adopted son, L87 Onxy who was waiting patiently about 300 yards away while she did her thing. Want to know the most interesting part? The neonate porpoise actually survived, for the time being at least. In other rare instances that have been observed where southern resident individuals "play" with harbor porpoise neonates, they actually play with them to death and usually drown. J2 knew just how much pressure to put on this neonate and deliberately did not kill it. This was indeed a rare behavior to witness. -Heather MacIntyre

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The footage - Facebook Video - is of Granny playing with a small porpoise 7/21/16 off Pender Island. Onyx was by her side for about 15 minutes as she played a cat and mouse game with the dolphin. Eventually she came right along side us pushing the little porpoise along. About 10 minutes later she lost interest. The porpoise was seen twice afterwards swimming and surfacing. Granny and Onyx continued on their way north. We were on a whale watch tour with Salt Spring Island Adventure Co. Very unusual activity. -Joy McFate Lee

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Another magnificent day on the Salish Sea! On the way north, we checked out some fat harbor seals, including the young reddish pup. Caught up with two orcas, a male and female, just south of Eagle Point on San Juan Island, and caught a few glimpses in between their very long dive times. With a report of orcas coming in from the west, we headed out and found L94 Calypso, and her young son L121 Windsong, with daughter L113 Cousteau following. As they sped toward San Juan Island, we were able to get great looks at this lovely family, including some with beautiful Mt. Baker in the background. As we left them to find other wildlife, they had formed up in a tight group, still heading very swiftly toward the other whales spread out all along Haro Straight, mostly heading north toward the Frasier Rive and hopefully a lot of salmon. Out by Hein Bank we found 4-5 minke whales, with a close encounter of the minke kind, to get a really good look at these beautiful small baleen whales. A splendid day! -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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1:24 p.m. - Watched a few whales pass Land Bank northbound. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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11:06 a.m. - Just saw J16s and J17s north of Lime Kiln heading north. A male is approaching the park. 9:18 a.m. - J17s and J19s for sure traveled very slowly northbound from Lime Kiln and County Park. Lots of foraging and stalling out. J17s were doing above water vocals in front of the light. Those two groups were still going north when I left the park. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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11:30 a.m. - A few of the J17's passing Lime Kiln on a morning pass (one of several today) just beyond the kelp patches. -Elizabeth Zwamborn

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July 21 - 5:52 p.m. - Coastal killer whales - Orca sighting, Klemtu, BC. 1 Bull, 1 Cow, one young calf. Traveling. -Jim Cave

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With engines off, mugged by Humpback BCXuk, known as "Nike", who then surprised all with this nice spyhop - Eastern Juan de Fuca Strait. -Renee Beitzel, July 21

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...out by Hein Bank we found 4-5 minke whales, with a close encounter of the minke kind, to get a really good look at these beautiful small baleen whales... -Bonnie Gretz, July 21

July 20
So glad to finally catch up with the L12 sub-group today! They've been around for a few days, but have stayed in southern Haro Strait and out at the banks. Today they finally rode a huge flood tide up and made it north of Lime Kiln! L77 Matia and her four year-old daughter L119 Joy off Lime Kiln State Park. -Monika Wieland

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L85 slowly passed LK until 19:25. He was south of the light, offshore but not out of sight. L77 and L119 came fairly close. L94, L25, L113, and L121 weren't too far offshore and grouped up together. It was a nice time watching them and just good to see them. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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Around 5:20 p.m. - L22 and L89 wer off Eagle Point going back and forth. -Barbara Bender

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L25 Ocean Sun, Tokitae/Lolita's presumed mom, porpoising past Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse this evening. -Lindsey Webster

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L77 Matia tonight near Eagle Point. -Amy K Fowler, July 20, 2016

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5:04 p.m. - Watching one large orca and one small slow diving in tide churn off Eagle Point, San juan for last 20 mins. We're at grandma's cove and facing into sun, so can't get a good pic yet. -Krista Paulino

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4:33 p.m. - L pod coming up. Might be a good time to sit at the Landbank. -Ariel Yseth

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4:15 to 4:45 p.m. - Off the west side of San Juan Island we watched the L11s, L25 (and believe the L22s) very spread out foraging, but in general trending northbound. We first encounter L41 who was a mile or more offshore heading inshore away from us. At first it was difficult to get a sense of how many whales were present as they were very spread out. We then spotted L25 as she swam a bit more inshore steadily northbound. L119 and mom L77 were nearby. The two separated for a short time when L77 seemingly alone headed in our direction then turned parallel several hundred yards inshore of us and just behind L119 who was full of spunk. After a nice breach, L41 eventually turned in and approached others inshore as did L55 & L119 where eventually all the L11s (heard the L22s were there too) grouped up and porpoised for a minute somewhere around Pile Point. Once huddled in a tight group they resumed a steady northbound course interspersed with tail slaps by little ones. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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10:00 a.m. - 2 adult male orcas at Eagle Point, San Juan Island. T65A4, T65A5, T65A3 scouting the southern strait of Georgia just before they came upon a pod of harbor porpoise -Ariel Yseth

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2:09 p.m. - Just saw them NNW of Orcas this morning. T65A2 spent a lot of time chasing a porpoise unsuccessfully but so fun to watch.

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Pod of 5+ Orcas Pod sited off Long Beach Peninsiula, Washington. Feeding. -Eileen Crookes

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5:20 p.m. - After watching the L11 and L22 subpods off San Juan Island, we headed south to see the many humpbacks that have been feeding in the area north of Dungeness Spit....In the distance...the fin whale was spotted by the naturalist so we went to check on that individual and caught glimpses as it powered through the waters then disappeared for several minutes only to surface on our starboard side much close to the boat. We watched fin surface several times while humpbacks lit up the horizon with their blows. A magical time on the waters of Juan de Fuca. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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5:20 p.m. - After watching a couple of subpods of resident L pod (L11s & L22s) off San Juan Island, we headed south to see the many humpbacks that have been feeding in the area north of Dungeness Spit. We arrived on scene around 5:20 p.m. where we lay witness to a most beautiful sight, approx 25 plus humpbacks surfacing and blowing as far as we could see. We watched as groups of anywhere from 2-6 traveled in tandem, blowing and fluking near, mid a far. Some surface activity in the distance as several would pec slap and roll, but otherwise mostly circling whales and sun illuminated blows. A paired popped up near the boat, another group of 3-4 surfaced and logged for several minutes nearby. In the distance...the fin whale was spotted by the naturalist so we went to check on that individual and caught glimpses as it powered through the waters then disappeared for several minutes only to surface on our starboard side much close to the boat. We watched fin surface several times while humpbacks lit up the horizon with their blows. After about 30-40 minutes it was time to head back. A magical time on the waters of Juan de Fuca. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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25+ Humpbacks & 1 Fin whale - north of Dungeness Spit, Juan de Fuca Strait. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network July 20

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6:00 p.m. - On the return trip after watching Ls off San Juan Island and humpbacks and a fin whale north of Dungeness we came upon a minke whale approx 2 miles west of Point Wilson foraging in glassy calm waters. We watched her/him make a wide circle first heading south then north where we left beautiful minke about 6:15 p.m. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

July 19
9:00 p.m. - Just left L41 Mega or L89 Solstice and unidentified female heading East past Grandmas Cove. (American Camp, San Juan Island) It was either Mega or Solstice. Hard to tell as didn't get a great look at the saddle. -Ariel Yseth

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3:28 p.m. - We found J36, J52 with L94's, saw J17, J44, J28, J53, J54, L41 w/ L25, L85. These whales were 2 miles offshore aiming at Hein. Spread in loose groups. -Barbara Bender

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We saw J19s, J17s, J16s, J31, and at least some of the L4s go south past the lighthouse. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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Nova J51, Scarlet J50, and Sonic J52 playing together in the morning. Suttles J40, Se-Yi'-Chn J45, Samish J14, Spirit L22, and Solstice L89 in a resting line. Taken from shore, west side San Juan Island. -Melisa Pinnow

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10:11 a.m. - seeing orcas heading south on the Lime Kiln web cam. -Kim Merriman

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Couldn't post sooner, saw a large group of Orcas heading west between Neil Bay and Spieden around 9:30am. My family later saw J and L pods of the shore of Lime Klin park. It was a lucky day for all of us. -Hazel Foster

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9:43 a.m. - Back off the point again... L89 & L22! 8:48 a.m. - For all my Blackfish and Superpod 5 buddies chillin' on SJI... Orcas moving up island from Eagle Point! Hope you see some fins today! -Erin Corra

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19-month-old J50 traveling the south west side of San Juan Island. -Jessica Alexander Doyle, July 19

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5:10 p.m. Bigg's killer whales (Transients) - Watched them pass around Lagoon Point for an hour. The whales went quite a way north, then turned around, went back South of the LPCA jetty, then turned back again, passed northbound close to beach and then kept on going. (T65As). -Patricia Prochaska

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4:17 p.m. - T65A's Lagoon Point swimming north against big flood. -Christopher Hanke

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- T65As - Had a small pod headed north in front of house today - Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island. -Paul Kukuk

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Earlier today watched a small pod of Orcas in north Sound (don't know if same as yesterday's group) .. Long hunting pattern. Active ! -Stu Davidson, Edmonds

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July 19 - 2:00 p.m. - group of Common dolphins, 10-12 or so, seem to be feeding off 1900 block of Alki Ave. 1/3 the way across the Sound. Changed direction, headed north, but were going south. -Dan Ciske

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I heard the mid-June report of Common dolphins near PA. I'm pretty sure I just saw some in Elliott Bay this morning around 0830. They were milling about, with a couple full breaches. Definitely not porpoise. -Kyle Antonelis

July 18
1:35PM - Maia of WSF relayed a report from the ferry Chelan of 1/2 dozen orcas off Danger Shoal, about midway between Battleship Island and Spieden Bluff in Haro Strait.

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I got an ID shot of both J26 and J2 heading north around 11am off Sunset Point, a ways off shore. (no photos sent). -Jessica Alexandra Doyle

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10:13 a.m. - Lots of orcas off of Land Bank headed north towards Lime Kiln. -Joe Snyder.

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10:06 a.m. - Just watched what looked like L pod going north past County Park, San Juan Island. All J boys and Onyx present. Multiple Ls including Marina and Moonlight. -Ariel Yseth

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Saw groups from J and L pods come through including at least 3 calves and granny! Headed north past Lime Kiln! Awesome! -Katie Snyder

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9:49 a.m. - More whales approaching Lime Kiln from the south. Passing Land Bank looks like, I can see them from the lighthouse. L4s are here. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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9:41 a.m. - Two orca on the way to Whale Research Center! Passing Sunset Point now. -Jana Offner Wiggins

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7:54 p.m. - I'm seeing them south of Point Robinson, a red & white sailboat is right on them. -Michelle Leann

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7:51 p.m. - Caught a glimpse as they cleared Point Robinson. Moving really fast. -Charles Vendley

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7:41 p.m. - They just passed Pt Robinson. Mid channel moving at a good clip now.
7:28 p.m. - Halfway between 3 Tree Point and Point Robinson right now. Still look to be headed south. -Ian Bernhardt

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5:55 p.m. - Just saw a post they are by Three Tree Point (Burien) and moving South. I have a buddy that lives near the point and saw them. He said 2 for sure... -Krissie Carl

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5:52 p.m. - Just saw them pass the Fauntleroy Ferry dock, heading south. -Hillary Shaw

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5:04 p.m. - Transient orcas just South of Alki heading southeast, made a kill, now a research boat is with them.
4:06 p.m. - heading south past Alki, one male 3 female and a baby. T065A's. -Janine Harles

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3:00 p.m. - Spotted one lone male orca approx 300 yards from shore off Rolling Bay. Traveling slow. Believe he may have been trailing rest, steady southernly direction. -Susan Marie Andersson

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2:30 p.m. - Just spotted them across from Faye Bainbridge Park. Headed South. Boat following. (possibly Research). -Cindy Campbell Russell

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2:10 p.m. - Bigg's T65As in Puget Sound from Richmond Beach Saltwater park seeing blows a bit west of mid channel sightline Faye Bainbridge park. Im heading home.
Approx 1pm I relocated to Kayu Kayu park, north Richmond Beach and they were directly out from me much closer to this side. Sadly a boat was pursuing them much to close. The pod picked up speed dove and disappeared. Have not relocated them. A reminder to keep required 200 yards and do not approach them. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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1:04 p.m. - Orcas just passed Point Wells / Richmond Beach heading south, east of mid-channel not far from the shore. -Kimberly Mains

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12:45 p.m. - picked up speed and moving steadily southbound now.
12:38 p.m. - still making a lot of directional changes while progressively moving south. Still bit east if mid channel, south now of Edmonds Marina Beach/Kingston transected. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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12:12 p.m. - On the ferry from Kingston to Edmonds, seeing them straight ahead! -Aleks Prosken

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12:10 p.m. - I moved to Edmonds Marina Beach. Caught the last of some surface activity, breaches, lunging and a nice spyhop. They've bunched up and are making lots of directional changes between my location and Kingston ferry dock. East of mid channel.
11:40 a.m. - Few minutes ago spotted the male east of mid channel, approaching Point Wells (tank farm) in Woodway, steadily southbound, but now lots of breaching still north of there. Probably on a kill between Edmonds marina Beach and pt wells. Fave spot. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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10:45 a.m. - They are just off Rose Point (just south of Eglon) now, slowly heading south. I am seeing 4, looks like one is a calf sticking right next to another and sometimes nestled right between two adults.

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10:22 a.m. - There are orcas mid-channel between Eglon Beach and the south end of Whidbey. We are watching from the beach and don't have a great view, but there are at least 3 individuals including one male. -Andrea Ogg

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Fin whale on July 18th near Dungeness. I came across this same individual on July 9th off of Jordan River and it was first re-sighted on July 15th. It seems to have found a great feeding ground with the many humpbacks in the area. -Mark Malleson

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We spotted this Fin Whale among 20 Humpbacks yesterday afternoon during our 2pm tour. We were a few miles north of Dungeness Spit when this enormous Fin Whale popped up between 5 Humpbacks. -Andrew Lees

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11:00 a.m. - Puget Sound - Humpback sighting, Posssesion Bar, South End of Whidbey Island. Humpback was breaching, tail slapping, and sounded after about three surfacings. -John Vraspir

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July 18 - Common dolphins spotted on the west Seattle water taxi at 5:25 pm - no clear direction just jumping around playing in the wake! -Amy Burnham

July 17
Orcas spotted in Birch Bay and Cherry Point at 6:50pm. We were heading back to Semiahmoo from Sucia Island and spotted 2 orcas far away just off Cherry Point. One came up face first from the water. Then just minutes later we were making a beeline across the mouth of Birch Bay and saw 2 more way over to the NE, towards BB Village. I took a right angle course away from them directly West, however it took them what seemed like seconds to come right at us. One came straight at us and I believe went under the boat. Several times they came out face first and everyone in the back saw them come almost completely out of the water lengthwise, maybe 50 feet from us while I idled helplessly in a bit of a panic. -David Johnson

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11:54 a.m. - We just saw an orca-male and looked to be alone-south of Eagle Point ( about 3/4 mile). We didn't get any pics, sadly, and I can't find my ID guide... -Sharon Ann Clark

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8:45 a.m. - Don Davich reports seeing at least 4 orcas off Eagle Point, west side of San Juan Island.

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5:00 p.m. - unidentified caller reports seeing 5 orcas from the Pt. Arena Lighthouse, Point Arena, Californina.

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1730 - Minke whale. 1/2 mile N of Lime Kiln, traveling north, feeding, 10-20 yards off shore. Small. Scimitar shaped dorsal, no tail on dives. -Eric E. Jolley

July 16
J17s traveling at Hein Bank this evening. L89 Solstice making a close pass as we drifted with engines off - Hein Bank. -James Gresham

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11:05 a..m - Several orcas in the mouth of False Bay off west coast of San Juan. Great day! Saw at least 6 orcas...they got really close to us and other boats. The wildlife wardens were protecting them and ticketing boats getting too close. J42 glides through the glassy waters past an idle boat off False Bay, San Juan Island. -Brandon Michaels

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Onyx (L87) catching a fish off False Bay. You can see the fish in his mouth. -Valerie Shore

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10:44 a.m. - Faint calls and echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone right now. -Ariel Yseth

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T037A & T37A's southwest of San Juan Island, Saturday evening. -James Gresham

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San Juan Channel with the T65A's and T37A's. A beautiful group of whales on a gorgeous day! -Barbara Bender

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East Juan de Fuca - Saturday evening we (Island Adventures) were with 9-10 or more humpbacks southwest of San Juan Island. The whales were mainly in pairs but also came together in pods of up to 5 animals. It has truly been spectacular out on the water. One of the large group of humpbacks that have been on the banks southwest of San Juan Island for the past few days. -James Gresham

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This humpback was seen southwest of San Juan Island Saturday evening. It has a severe parasite infestation which is indicative of poor health. It seemed to be behaving normally but this whale is not in good shape. -James Gresham

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3:29 p.m. - Puget Sound - There is a humpback whale just off the south end of Possession Bar. (south Whidbey Island). -Wendy Brock

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July 16 - south Puget Sound - Common Dolphins seen in Case Inlet off of Northeast Harstine Island. I saw them at around 5:00 heading south very quickly in a group of at least five. -Connor O'Brien

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3:50 - South Puget Sound & Olympia area. The common dolphins are currently heading north (then south) right at the mouth of Budd Inlet and Boston Harbor Marina. Very active. I can see them jumping from clear across the water - even without binoculars. -Kim Merriman

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10:15 a.m. - central Puget Sound - While on the 10 am crossing of the Seattle to Bremerton ferry we saw the Common dolphins...3-4 were traveling off the north side of the ferry heading due east towards Seattle at lightening speed. -Charlotte Hier & Jennifer Lemire

July 15
Southern resident (salmon eating type) youngster L119 Joy with a deceased Harbor porpoise in her mouth. She was observed off Salmon Bank (south end of San Juan Island) pushing , flipping, and playing around with the porpoise for quite a while. -Janine Harles

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We encountered Four-year-old L119 Joy playing with a dead harbor porpoise at 7:30pm 2 miles W of Salmon Bank marker. She was all by herself flinging it, holding it in her mouth by her teeth, and draping it over her rostrum. We first heard radio reports of an L pod whale playing with a dead harbor porpoise about 3:30/4pm. I included some photos for reference - fully zoomed and cropped to show as much detail as possible. -Barbara and David

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We watched L119 play with this harbor porpoise for about an hour. She lifted it out of the water on many occasions, she swatted it with her pectoral fins, and she pushed it up into the air by balancing it on her rostrum too! It was a very entertaining experience! When we finally left the scene she had finally caught up with her mom, L77, and she was still playing with her new toy! -Bart Rulon

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It was a Magical Day aboard the Mystic Sea with THREE kinds of whales! With reports of members of L-pod (Southern Resident orcas) out by Hein Bank, we headed out, spotting many seals on Colville Island en route. The first whale we found was L-85 Mystery (born 1991) with his 6' dorsal fin, a beautiful sight. Fairly close by we found a group of L-pod whales - L-77, L-94 and calf L-121, and several other members of their family. We had wonderful views as they interacted on the surface, in very calm sea conditions. Then we learned of Humpback whales - in the path of our homebound trip! We headed eastbound - and saw three Minke whales on the way to viewing at least TEN Humpback whales - WOW. A couple of these whales appeared to be quite friendly as they approached the boat - we were all in awe at the close looks and size of these whales. Along with harbor porpoise, turkey vultures, bald eagles and a newborn seal pup, it was truly a magical day! Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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Small group of Orcas just passed Point Roberts heading south. Some breaching. At least two large males. 6 to 8 whales travelling quickly and fairly close together. Between 9:30 and 9:50 PM. -Sandra Scott

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Juan de Fuca ...near Race Rocks this morning and our Local Southern Resident Killer Whales in the afternoon feeding around Sooke, B.C. Some Grey and & Fin Whales seen in the area...WOW THE SEA IS COMING ALIVE IN THE JUAN DE FUCA! Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal WW

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L103 and her 8-month-old offspring L123 - and L86 - Sooke, BC. -Paul Pudwell

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On July 15th at roughly 9am I saw two orcas a few hundred yards off Carmet beach in Sonoma County CA. They were heading north, moving relatively slowly and sticking around a disturbance in the water, most likely some kind of feeding behavior as I saw sea birds in the area as well. It was a bit too far out to note any specific distinguishing features of individuals, but I thought I'd let you know as it is the first time I'd seen an orca in the area. -Skylar deWitte

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July 15 - east Juan de Fuca...Then we learned of Humpback whales - in the path of our homebound trip! We headed eastbound (from Hein Bank) - and saw three Minke whales on the way to viewing at least TEN Humpback whales - WOW. (north of Eastern Bank) A couple of these whales appeared to be quite friendly as they approached the boat - we were all in awe at the close looks and size of these whales....Jill Hein

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Just one of the many humpbacks near Eastern Bank....this one has a crazy cool tail with rake marks, but check out the lower Jaw! -Janine Harles, July 15

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July 15 - 10:11 a.m. - Puget Sound - humpback slightly south east of Point No Point. -Stu Davidson

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Then we learned of Humpback whales - in the path of our homebound trip! We headed eastbound (from Hein Bank) - and saw three Minke whales - east Juan de Fuca on the way to viewing at least TEN Humpback whales - WOW. A couple of these whales appeared to be quite friendly as they approached the boat - we were all in awe at the close looks and size of these whales....-Jill Hein

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July 15 - This evening the Kingston Edmonds ferry had the pod crossing in the opposite direction (heading towards Kingston) around 8pm? -Shannon Mitchell

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5:30 p.m. - I think, we saw them today from Bainbridge island ferry! They are bigger than harbor porpoise, dark gray with lighter belly, with more prominent beak and dorsal fin. It was about 5:30 pm in the Elliott bay, very close to the ferry terminal. They were moving north. -Olya Dmitrieva

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West Seattle Blog REPORT on the Common dolphins who were seen hanging around Elliot Bay off West Seattle again this morning.

July 14
2:00 p.m. - still intermittent L pod calls.
1:30 p.m. - Just came in from outside, L pod members vocalizing on Lime Kiln. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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Common dolphins - A pod Dolphin/propose splashing and activity off Alki- south end of Elliot bay- seen from 3:45p.m. ferry to Bainbridge. -Daniel Liinski

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12:30 p.m. - Saw some orcas today near Lime Kilm on San Juan Island. I was told it was the J pod over the radio I heard that possibly J27. I am new to this so if I am wrong about identification I am sorry. (ID's unconfirmed) -Kelli Carlson

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...We saw our first group of whales at 1002 heading north inshore of us between Eagle Point and False Bay. This group included the L55's along with L105 and J31 and they got by us with just a few proof of presence photos taken. We kept moving south in hopes of finding members of the L12's (the L11's, L22's, L85, and L25-L87 is also a L12 but he was up north with the rest of J pod). We saw a male and a female inshore at Eagle Point and this turned out to be L22 and L89. These two milled briefly at the point before heading slowly south. Another boat reported that they had J27 a ways offshore of us. The J11's had not been with the rest of J pod when they had been inside the past week so it was interesting that they came in with the L's.... See photos and full report at CWR Encounter 71. -Center for Whale Research

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Absolutely beautiful, sunny, calm day on the Salish Sea! We had early reports of Southern Resident orcas "all over"....We slowed down to take a brief look at some chubby harbor seals and their pups, including one reddish one, which is unusual. We first caught up with the big male, L41 Mega, who is 39 years old, as he surfaced within great viewing distance. As all the whales were spread out, hunting for salmon, we saw brief glimpses of others, but enjoyed Mega's presence for a while. We then moved closer to San Juan Island, around False Bay and Eagle Point, to delight in the antics of L121 Windsong, who is now about 16 months old, with his mom L94 Calypso. Also seen with this group were the female L22 Spirit, who is estimated to be 45 years old, and the male, Mystery, L85, who is 25 years old. (final I.D.'s to be confirmed) With reports of multiple humpbacks out by the Romeo Alpha buoy, we motored out and had a wonderful encounter with two of these majestic baleen whales, who stuck very close together. We saw at least 5 others in the distance, and there were perhaps 15-20 to the west. We are so lucky to have these beautiful giants increasing their presence in Puget Sound. On the way home, two bald eagles were spotted and a harbor seal surround by gulls, enjoyed a fish feast. -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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Steve Smith reports seeing a humpback in the vicinity south east of Point No Point around 7:00 PM.

July 13
WOW. L Pod passed Sooke late this afternoon and nobody even knew. Keep You eyes peeled. THEY ARE BACK! -Paul Pudwell, Sooke, BC,

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J41 Eclipse saying hello today. All of J pod met this evening on the west side of San Juan Island, and L pod are reported as incoming tonight. -Barbara Bender

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Amazing evening with J-Pod! It was an epic pass at Lime Kiln. The party continued up the shoreline. Later (on the water) we left most of Js northbound at Battleship then ran into the J16s just north of Kellett on our way home. So funny we're hearing Js making L calls and I said Ls must be on their way in! (reports of Ls in Strait of Juan de Fuca heading inland). -Monika Wieland

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5:16 p.m. - Vocals and Echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Melissa Mikey Howes

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Around 2pm, Saw about 7 orcas off of Western Preserve, SJI. I'm guessing J pod? they were heading south along the coast. One adult and one juvenile continued south. Another group with one large male (someone near me said so, but not 100% sure), two other adults and two juveniles headed south along the coast and then turned out toward Victoria/ more open water. -Julia Wallace

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Trip report - It's always good to hear that whales are close by, but really exciting that they're members of J-pod - still in our waters - and hopefully finding enough food! We headed towards the west side of San Juan Island where they were doing their "west side shuffle", traveling very close to shore, and were able to identify J-26 Mike, J-16 Slick with her calf J-50, and several other members of the J16s and J22s (and possibly the J17s) - always a delight to see them. We had a fleeting glimpse of a Minke whale on our return trip, with several Steller sea lions resting on a channel marker, some harbor seals, and eagles. And it was a really beautiful sunny day. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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1:30 p.m. - Faint calls/echolocation on Lime Kiln right now! -Mandy Johnson

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12:54 p.m. - Faint echolocation on the Lime Kiln hydrophone! They started chatting as soon as I posted yesterday so let's see if my luck continues! -Amy K Fowler

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Humpback whales - July 13 - Juan de Fuca - Oh today. You will go down in history as one of the few days where I'm utterly speechless. To see such an incredible scene in nature with one's own eyes, creates such pure happiness that I carry for life. I love encounters with any wildlife, but there is something extra special about those whales. I had an incredible encounter today with nearly 30 Humpbacks in the general area we were in. (Strait of Juan de Fuca) Lunge feeding, cartwheels, and lots of tail flukes in the air! Oh, and we also saw Killer whales. -Traci Walter

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4:00 p.m. - Puget Sound - Humpack went past Point Defiance, Tacoma and north into Colvos Passage. -Zeno Martin, July 13, 2016

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3:00 p.m. - This is how close it went by the shore and the houses at Salmon Beach, Tacoma. -Kim Merriman, July 13, 2016

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Approx 12:45 p.m. - Watched this humpback very close to shore at Chambers Bay golf Course. Headed north, toward Narrows. Slow surfacing, breathing. No fluke. No jumps. Very mellow pace, but steady. No boats near. Came within 100 feet of shore. Stayed under for a bit while a train passed, then continued easy surfacing and still north bound. -Dean Burke

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9:10 a.m. - Humpback surfacing with blows between Ketron abd Steilacoom as seen from the 9 am ferry! She/he was heading south along the shoreline between Ketron and Steilly. I saw her/him on the west side of Ketron first, but thought I was just being optimistic given all the sightings lately! -Danielle Vance

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7:50 p.m. From Johnson Pt, saw a pair swimming toward the point. 6:41 p.m. - Neighbor saw the dolphins about a half hour ago from Johnson Pt. over toward Taylor Bay. -Joan Ahre

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Gray whale sighting off of Chambers Bay Golf Course (south Puget Sound) at 7am and 8am. Headed North into the Narrows as the tide turned from low to high. (Unconfirmed gray, there was a humpback in this area at this time - ALB) -Raphael Barry

July 12
Doublestuf J34 doing a crazy flip off the rocks north of False Bay. -Melisa Pinnow

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J-pod came through Active Pass today at about 3:30pm. I was almost splashed by a tail slap! Part of J Pod close to the shore of Galiano in Active Pass this afternoon. -Carolyn & Gary Cullen, Galiano BC

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9:05 p.m. - still hearing calls.
8:45 p.m. - still hearing faint calls amid cargo ship noise.
7:55 p.m. - There we go...Loud calls and visible on webcam
7:40 p.m. - Started hearing echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. J pod has been shuffling the west side of San Juan today. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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J53 embracing her inner bird. Just four of the dozens of breaches from this spunky little girl this evening in Haro Strait. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu, July 12

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12:52 p.m. - Hearing echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. No vocals yet but hoping someone will say something soon!...Just as I posted hearing vocals now! Loud and clear!! No background noise! -Amy K Fowler

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11:11 a.m. - Nice distant but easily audible S1 calls and a concusive (pec slap or breach?)
11:08 a.m. - still whales in view on the webcam
10:15 a.m. - start hearing calls on Lime kIln hydrophone and saw an orca on the webcam. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Yep. Four full breaches and a few tail slaps just north of Salmon Beach before it headed south. One breach was about 150 ft from me while on paddle board! -Zeno Martin

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There are 3 great videos taken from a boat and posted tonight on another Facebook page (Gig Harbor- Town Talk) showing the humpback breaching 3 times. Incredible! It was in the area between Salmon Beach and the Narrows Bridge. -Katie Schmelzer

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8:00 p.m. - Just spotted what looks like a humpback just passing Salmon Beach 8pm heading south towards Narrows Bridge. -Dino Martini

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John Miller, WSF phoned in a report: Kathlamet Ferry reports 6:50 am 1 Humpback lingering 500 ft North of Dolphin Pt., Vashon Island.

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1:36 p.m. - May from WSF phoned in report of Gray whale seen from the Hyak, in Sinclair Inlet, off Waterman Point, heading towards Restoration Point.

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11:15 a.m. - What I believe is a grey whale is cruising along the edge of Bremerton Marina breakwater. Right up against the edge and blowing occasionally. Now heading west toward Gorst inlet. -Ann Lieseke

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10:41 am - William Pauli phoned in a report of a small whale in the bay at the south end of Bainbridge Island near Lynnwood Center, Rich Passage. Said it was unusual to see whales in this bay. Didn't know type.

July 11
11:35 p.m. - Listening to blows and slaps... now. (from shore at Eagle Cove). -Erin Corra

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5:35 p.m. - Got Suttles at Hein playing with a neonate harbor porpoise. J49 was with her at first but J37 came in and seemed to almost collect him. Like "do not do what your aunt is doing!" -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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Today's encounter with J pod. Approximately 2 miles north of Hein Bank we observed J40 playing with what appeared to be a dead harbor porpoise. We heard on the radio that she had been playing with it for at least an hour. J14 and J45 were close by, as well as at least 2 minke whales right alongside of them. (see photo in Minke section) We left the whales at 6:30 and they were heading south spread out in loose groups. What a day! -Barbara and David, All Aboard Sailing

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We saw them too around 3:00 from San Juan Island Natl Historic Park and they were beautiful! My family and I were watching from shore. -Christina Mssimino

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2:10 - 2:35 p.m. - about a dozen orcas travelling east-to-west past Flint Beach on the south end of Lopez Island. -Tom Reeve

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12:32 p.m. - Maya from WSF called with a report of 25 Whales off Rosario Strait.

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12:25 p.m. - Orca pod during ferry ride. We just saw about a dozen orcas during the ferry ride from Anacortes to Friday Harbor (San Juan Islands). There were several babies in the pod and one of them jumped out of the water! This was about 20 minutes into the one-hour ride. -Drew Chuppe

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Such a joy to see J-pod in the inland waters for the fourth consecutive day after a somewhat prolonged absence... It was a short trip from the dock to Rosario Strait, where J pod were southbound in Thatcher Pass. The whales were actively feeding with some rapid porpoising in pursuit of prey, many powerful tail and pectoral fin slaps to stun their quarry, and an occasional spy-hop and breach. Little ones were keeping close tabs on Mom, swimming in her slipstream, the area of least resistance. It's all about family, and to see these whales in their close-knit groups and natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest was a joy to behold. -Sandra Pollard, Naturalist and Author

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8:34 p.m. - Puget Sound - great sight of (humpback) in the sunset! Might be the same one I've seen (spotty) each of the last couple mornings?!
7:45 p.m. - Whale blow right off breakwater at Edmonds marina. While eating dinner at Antony's off the outside patio saw a huge whale blow! -Stu Davidson

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Juan de Fuca - Spotted what we believe are humpbacks on ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles about 2/3 the way to Washington. There were about 4 to 6 scattered over a large distance with one group of two together. -Erin Rooks

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Beautiful look into the tops of mouths of two lunge feeding humpbacks. Strait of Juan de Fuca near Port Angeles. -Janine Harles, July 11

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9:15 a.m. - Common Dolphins just headed south into Eld Inlet moving fast in quite a lot of chop on the water. They are being followed by a flock of gulls. -Kim Merriman, July 11

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Minke whale and J pod member - Today's encounter with J pod. Approximately 2 miles north of Hein Bank...at least 2 minke whales right alongside of them. -Barbara Bender, July 11

July 10
8:46 p.m. - Getting louder!
8:41 p.m. - I'm still hearing them, somewhat faintly though. -Melissa Burke

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8:30 p.m. - Loud and clear -Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Laurie Arnone

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8:30 p.m. - I'm hearing a few calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone right now. -Kara Clayton

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Trip report - It was a magical day today as we found J-pod whales a half hour from port!! We connected with many of these amazing icons by Decatur Island, very spread out, traveling slowly southbound (the J22s, J16s and J17s). Many of the group passed close to shore by Burrows Lighthouse, continuing south past Deception Pass and thrilling beach goers at Deception Pass State Pass. We took a sight-seeing trip under Deception Pass Bridge, and when back in Rosario Strait we headed to see yet more whales - near Colville Island on the south end of Lopez Island. Here we found our favorite lady J-2 Granny with more members of her pod! It's always a good day when we see Granny, estimated to be over 100 yrs of age. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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I was finally able to reunite with most of Jpod off the west side of San Juan Island. It had been over two months since I had seen them. Here was the first playful group we caught up with--Echo (J42), Moby (J44), Star (J46), and J53 were busy socializing and playing together. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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5:13 p.m. - J pod is echolocating and vocalizing on Lime Kiln hydrophone right now! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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11:55 a.m. - Spotting many Orcas southbound just off Biz Point. (Anacortes - Rosario Strait) Many boats with them at reasonable distance. My vantage point is high bank ~~ good to see them back! -Anne Hazen

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11:40 a.m. - J pod passing Burrows Lighthouse (Rosario Strait) southbound now! Very spread out, lots of whales. -Jill Hein

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9:18 a.m. - Right now we are watching a pod of 8-10 orcas off the north end of Sinclair Island. They are heading northwest toward Orcas Island. -Lee Culverwell

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8:00 a.m. - 15 Orcas west of Lummi island. This morning a small pot of orcas between Clark and Lummi. -Ruurd Slot

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11:30 a.m. - Small pod (Bigg's killer whales - Transients) in upright channel a about an hour ago. Seen off the ferry. Pod was heading west. -Andrew Bergstrom

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9:04 a.m. - San Juan Clipper just left a humpback whale in the northbound traffic lane between Pt. Wells and Pt.Jefferson. Lots of surface time, no definite direction of travel. -Stephanie Raymond

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Common dolphins - July 10 - 11:00 a.m. - 15+ Common Dolphins again in Eld Inlet. Heading north, with a purpose, and now at the southern edged of Squaxin Island still heading north//northwest. Lost of activity. -Kim Merriman

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Not about orcas, but had to share anyway! Had an amazing encounter with Poptart, BCX0324 Big Momma's 2016 calf (July 10, 2016), while hanging out with several humpbacks out in the Strait, due north from Port Angeles. He decided to go on a breach-a-palooza, popping off 100+ breaches and/or chin slaps, and threw in a few tail throws for good measure. I'm not exaggerating, we all lost count after about 30, and even had to leave for a while to get out of the way of a military vessel and he was still at it when we reconnected. It was an unbelievable experience. -Carrie Sapp

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One of the many common dolphin. Near Boston Harbor, Olympia. -Chris Hamilton, July 10

July 9
July 7-9 report:
It's been awesome having J-Pod around for a week straight, the kind of thing we expect this time of year, but had not experienced in May and June! On July 7th, the J2s (J2, L87, and the J14s) and J19s headed north past Lime Kiln around 3 PM. We left them heading north off Turn Point at 6 PM.
On July 8th, the J2s and J19s started passing Lime Kiln going north around 4 PM. The rest of J-Pod (minus the J11s) was inbound, however, and just as we saw the whale-watching boats rounding Discovery Island, the J2s and J19s veered out and went to meet them. All the whales met up in the middle of the straights and headed back towards San Juan, "hitting" the island around False Bay. At 6:30 PM some whales started going north again past Lime Kiln, including the J2s, J19s, and J17s. Whales were in sight to the north and south not really going anywhere around 7:45 PM. From our boat, we met up with the northern whales at about 8:30 off Stuart Island, where they were very spread out and still going north, making beautiful vocalizations in the quiet evening.
At some point during the night, the J22s and J16s must have gone north, because at 11 AM on July 9th, all present J-Pod matrilines headed south past Lime Kiln, spread out and well offshore. At 3:30 PM, however, as they made their way back north past Lime Kiln, they gave us shore-based whale watchers the passby we've been waiting for this season, with lots of surface activity and playing in the kelp. They were all still slowly. northbound at 4 PM. -Monika Wieland, Orca Behavior Institute

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Beautiful spyhop outside of Snug Harbor. -Heather MacIntyre

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2:31p.m. - faint calls.
2:27 p.m. - Start hearing echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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It was the 16's, 17's and 22's in the Eagle Point area and south when we left. T49A's were around Salmon Bank. -James Gresham

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Lots of whales on the south end of San Juan Island. Heading south. Might be J pod there were a couple of babies out there!! -Lindsay Gustafson

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Oreo J22 moving down island during the morning southbound pass. Lime Kiln State Park. -Melisa Pinnow

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11:40 a.m. - Trailers just passing Lime Kiln now.
11:08 a.m. - they're all here, but didn't all go north last night. Many still north of LK, they're very spread. -Monika Wieland

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It was the 16's, 17's and 22's in the Eagle Point area and south when we left. T49A's were around Salmon Bank. -James Gresham

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3:00 p.m. - Humback seen heading NW from mouth of Admiralty between Point Wilson and Partridge Bank. Gorgeous creature! -Sheila Guard

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Unidentified cetaceans - July 9 - There is a whale/dolphin/porpoise in the Edmonds/Kingston ferry route by Appletree cove. It's not moving far. A fin was seen. - Bronwen Walters

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July 9 - 8:10 p.m. I have watched for the last 90 minutes the Common Dolphins at Boston Harbor...Zangle Cove...and back again. Back and forth. Very active along with lots of "feeding" activity. Done for the night. The rain is too heavy to follow from across the bay.
5:30 p.m. - Common Dolphins have been in Budd/Eld inlets most of today. -Kim Merriman

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A Fin Whale feeding off of Jordan River in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the morning of July 9th. -Mark Malleson

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Two Humpbacks Lunge Feeding in the Strait of Juan de Fuca north of Port Angeles, it was breathtaking. We could see 8 of them lunge feeding within a 1/4 mile of our boat and up to another 15 spread out in the area! -Andrew Lees, July 9

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Humpback whale seen from the beach at President's Point, Kitsap Peninsula. She/he swam past once in the morning heading northbound towards Whidbey and heading South in the evening. -Judy Kimelman

July 8
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Part of J pod had been in since July 3rd (J2, L87, J14s and J19s). Morning time brought word of more incoming (or eastbound Juan de Fuca Strait) residents. This group turned out to be the rest of J pod minus the J11s. Both groups ended up in Haro Strait off the west side of San Juan Island, spread out quite a distance, and moving in all directions. Around 6:00 p.m. we caught up with what turned out to be the J16s (and possibly others) off False Bay. Sweetly, the first whales we encountered were J16 Slick and her 19 month-old daughter J50 Scarlett who were first heading south then soon made directional change heading north, then south, then in circles. J16's family, daughters: J36 Alki and her son 17 month-old J52 Sonic; and 9 year-old
J42 Echo were foraging for Chinook salmon. J16s eldest offspring, 25-year-old son J26 Mike was to the north and much further offshore. After spending time with the inshore whales we turned northwest to spend time with J26. No sooner had the boat gone idle did he veer towards us in a zig zag pattern. With engines now cut J26 headed right for us and dove under our bow where I stood. A meaningful moment to say the least. He continued on southbound, still zigzagging and well offshore. Soon after he veered inland all the while in foraging mode. We left the group still spread, with moms and calves inland and Mike still further off around 7:00 p.m. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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On West Side (San Juan Island, around 12 orcas, 4 large males, females & young. -Jill Atchison

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J35 Tahlequah and J47 Notch being incredibly tactile with the rest of their family, the J17s. -Heather MacIntyre

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I've been waiting all year for another moment like this at Lime Kiln. Can't believe it took until July, but I'll take it! J47 Notch right off the rocks this evening. -Monika Wieland

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7:56 p.m. - FABULOUS calls on the Lime Kiln hydro right this minute. Surprised me they were so loud! -Kim Merriman

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7:29 p.m. - Vocals on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Helen Shamek

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L87 Onyx surfacing through the glass of Haro Strait. J38 Cookie breaching as he and his family came in through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Heather MacIntyre

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2:00 p.m. - It's beginning to seem like summer...Orcas cruised past again today! Traveling east to west along the south end of Lopez Island, but they lingered a long time with many changes in direction. About 10 orcas, very spread out. And I saw two breaches! -Sally Reeve

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We were lucky to catch up with J-Pod (Group B) in Canadian waters yesterday, 4 of the new group of babies were there...J-28 Polaris with her 7-month-old son J-54. We did the full distance today when hearing "incoming J-Pod members" near Race Rocks, west of Victoria BC! Fortunately the tides were in our favor, outbound and inbound, and what a thrill to find J-Pod group B whales, who hadn't been seen in the Salish Sea for a while. Four of the newest babies were there - a real treat. As they slowly traveled east, we heard that J-Pod group A whales were near our homeport of Anacortes! So homeward bound, we picked up Group A by Cattle Point, on San Juan Island, heading north - traveling very close to shore. L-87 Onyx who travels with this group, was off-shore so we caught a good look at him. Wow, what a day, long but included with all these whales were seals, a Steller sea lion, bald eagles AND a Minke whale!! -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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J17's (tho I didn't see J17 and others were saying J28's on radio), J22's and J16's were all inbound at Race Rocks this morning. They were fighting the current so only going like 3-4 knots! The kids all look great. We heard on radio later that Jpod group A (granny and Onyx) were southbound at Bird Rocks in Rosario. Hoping we will hear them tonight on LK! -Renee Beitzel

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"Another BC Moment." Part of J pod east bound past Beechey Head, East Sooke Park on the morning of July 8th. -Mark Malleson

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7:55 a.m. - Many ORCA (inbound or east) off Sooke right now! -Paul Pudwell July 8 - 6:00 p.m. - Single Humpback seen surfacing 6 times with large vertical blow and large tail, 400 yards offshore. Between Lagoon and Bush Points, Whidbey Island. -Craig Tuohy

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[pause point during a run at Ft. Ebey SP, about 3:30 p.m., Friday, 08 Jul 16 from Partridge Point looking out and to the right of the big green buoy that goes "ding"] Whale spout! Big splash! Flukes? It was close enough in to see the flukes and decide it was most likely a humpback; far enough out to wish it would turn toward us. After the third misty puff of air and, perhaps, a smallish breach, all went quiet. -John Morelock

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July 8 - Minke whale, quick glimpses of this guy only. South end of Lopez, heading to Colville Island. -Jill Hein

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July 8 - Since it's 11:25 pm impossible to say what sort but... I hear whales at least 2. Blows and tail slaps. Just north of Mabana on Camano island. Not too far south of Elger Bay. -Sally Olin

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12:25 p.m. - Appears to be dolphin/ porpoise pod right off Fauntleroy...up to 10 and lots of activity ..more so than harbor porpoise...appear to be gray and streaks of white...moving out away from ferry dock...will try and get pictures. -Wayne McFarland, WS Ferries

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We received a phone message of Gray Whale Sighting near Pt. Wilson. No name provided.

July 7
Tonight off Stuart Island - from left to right J40 Suttles, J2 Granny, and a little flair from J51 Nova. -Monika Wieland

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Caught up with members of J pod off Henry Island split in 3 groups. L87 on the outside, a group of 6 in the middle and 2 much closer land. Steady northbound with a pause in the rip for a few breaches & tail lobs, and possibly chasing a salmon. Steady progression north mostly with occasional bursts of activity. Out from Spieden Island a succession of tail lobs by several in the pod, and they all kept their course. Just south of Stuart Island we headed east towards inshore whales, one of who engaged in multiple breaches. We left with them still steadily northbound SW of Stuart Island just after 5:00 p.m.
Yep, those 10 whales! J19s, J14, and J45 were middle group inside of Onyx. J37 was breacher near J49. J2 was in their vicinity and J40 was way inshore by herself. Thanks to Monika Wieland for help with ID's and who was where. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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J2, L87, J14s & J19s northbound Haro Strait. Henry to Stuart Island. -Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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J51 breaching in the rip off Henry Island as he and his family make their way north in Haro Strait late this afternoon into early evening. -Janine Harles

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...On July 7th, the Odyssey was able to see the Js and Onyx L87 again. They had come back down from the Fraser River via Rosario Strait and were coming back up the west side of San Juan Island. We arrived on scene with them as they neared Lime Kiln State Park. The ten of them were very spread out but we ended up seeing Granny J2, Hy'shqa J37, Ti'lem I'nges J49, and Onyx L87. Onyx L87 stayed offshore while the other three were inshore. Granny J2 was in the lead and when we reached Open Bay, she surfaced with a piece of salmon in her mouth. We left them at Open Bay as they continued on their journey, perhaps back to the Fraser River... See Melisa's photos and full reports at San Juan Orcas Blog. -Melisa Pinnow

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3:42 pm - Js at Lime Kiln! -Rachel Krauss Burrows

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3:28 p.m. - Large group of residents heading north past Lime Kiln. Ken and research boats following. -Bri Wilson

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The subgroup of J Pod comprised of J2 et. al. was found mid-day near the south end of Lopez Island as they were coming back toward Haro Strait along the coastline of Lopez. Ken launched in "Shachi" to encounter the very spread out group as the whales came toward False Bay, San Juan Island following their typical foraging pattern. The encounter began at 1433just off Pile Point with the whales very spread out moving northwest against the ebbing tide just as it was turning to flood. The whale-watching boats were very disciplined and staying in a line about one half mile offshore of San Juan Island as the whales swam along conducting very long and unpredictable dives in the corridor between the shore and the vessel-based observers. L87 was the offshore flanking whale, and he zigged and zagged a half mile or so between surfacings with very unpredictable intervals on either side of the line of boats... See photos and full report at CWR Encounter 67. -Center for Whale Research

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Have not seen many of these this season. About a dozen vessels traveling slowly from east to west with one large specimen (Clipper) joining the pod from the west. Pod generally stayed close together with a sailboat tour hugging the shore and a few others meandering in search of great photo opportunities. Did notice several humans leaning over railings but no spy hops or breaches or slashing. There may have been feeding activity on the larger vessels. This activity was viewed by about a dozen orcas as they cruised past heading to the west in two tightly packed groups and one solo male. The orcas had an enjoyable time, glad they decided to visit Iceberg Point, Lopez Island and hope they do this tour several more times this summer. -Sally Reeve

July 6
A surprise to see these 9 precious Jpod whales (including L87) at the Fraser River two days in a row. Their presence and behaviour would indicate they are being somewhat successful foraging here for right now. They have been spread out between the north and south arm of the river. We were fortunate enough to get good looks at the J19 matriline a few times. J40 "Suttles" was with them and J51 "Nova" has been full of beans apparently. J51 on his grandmother's back. J19 and J41 appeared to be rounding up a fish when this happened. Maybe J51 was a little to eager for a chunk of salmon from his patient grandma. -Tasli Shaw

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I watched 4 Orca, 1 large male, 2 females (?), and I believe a young of the year, at the NE side of Miners Bay, Mayne Island at 0930 this morning. They were very active, surfacing a lot from shallow dives (the water is fairly shallow there), but all 4 were very active. Watched for 10 minutes; they played in the same area all the time. The male was distinctly large and I would describe his dorsal as shapely, in profile (smaller in the middle), if that helps. -Frank Gee, Parks Canada staffer

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From transiting from our club outstation in Gambier is. to WVYC we came across a small pod (two females and a male) on the north side of Bowen Is. between Hutt Is. to Hood Point. That I can only think that they are Bigg's transient orca's. They have been lurking around the area since April. -"Orca Spirit"

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2:59 p.m. - Humpback (long down times and very little fluking) near Possession, South of Point No Point. -Janine Harles

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July 6 -south Puget Sound - 9:15 a.m. - Common Dolphins just headed north out of Eld Inlet. It is so calm and quiet, I can hear every single surface. It's breathtaking this morning. Glassy water, and flying dolphins. -Kim Merriman

July 5
Beautiful photo montage of J51 Nova flying high - near the Fraser River, Vancouver BC. -Tasli Shaw

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Probably one of my most favorites of the season so far! This was taken during a pretty rowdy "T-party" as we call them. 18 Bigg's Killer whales in total came together for quite the parTy. Breaching, tail lobs, spyhops, cuddle puddles, you name it, we saw it. What I also love in the series I have of this image is that the little whale on the right just continues to do a headstand with the tail in the air for a little while. -Traci Walter

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T51 in the Strait of Georgia. He was part of a large group of socializing Bigg's killer whales. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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July 5 - south Puget Sound - 7:00 p.m. - Dolphins moving very fast now south into Eld Inlet. They are cruising and kicking up quite a wake as they go.
5:40 p.m. - they turned around and headed south into Budd Inlet. 8-9 surfacing at the same time. Very impressive. And they're moving with a purpose.
2:30 p.m. - there is the other group of common dolphins currently heading north (slowly) just to the west of Zangle Cove (Budd Inlet). Very active! -Kim Merriman

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July 5 - north Puget Sound - 6:50 p.m. - Common dolphins still by Mukilteo!! On the ferry headed to Clinton and Josh spotted them just south of the ferry lanes. East of mid channel. -Rachel Haight

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6:30 p.m. - Common Dolphins still South of the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, mid-channel. -April Bosley

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10:03 a.m. - A few minutes after departing Mukilteo, atop the deck on the 10:00 a.m. ferry Kittitas I spotted a lot of dorsals and knew instantly I was being blessed with the presence of one of the pods of common dolphins that has been in Puget Sound the past month. The pod of at least a dozen, including little ones, was moving steadily westbound to the north of me in between the ferry lanes. They went on a dive and I could not relocate them at any time during the crossing to Clinton or once on land. Video below. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

July 4
J2 Granny and her crew made their way back south past Lime Kiln this evening between 7:30 and 8:30, spread out with J2 and L87 trailing, after a trip to the Fraser River. Fingers crossed that they found enough to eat to stick around for a while, and to call in the rest of J-Pod! I realized while watching her tonight that I've now known this whale more than half my life....pretty amazing. -Monika Wieland

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After leaving the Bigg's Transient killer whales near Kelp Reef (Encounter 65), Ken headed north to Turn Point to meet with Granny's subgroup of J pod that was spreading out and foraging in the very active swirls of incoming tide off the point. Presumably, an aggregation of salmon was riding in with the fast moving tide flow, but the sea surface was so turbulent that it was impossible to detect any predation events. J19 and J41 were the west flanking whales and J14, J37 and J49 were the east flanking whales while J2 and L87 charged in a zig zag pattern down the middle of the tide rips that shot up vertically like haystacks of water, dousing the boat and camera. The others (J40 and J45) were here and there in the swirls,... See photos and full report at CWR Encounter 66. -Center for Whale Research

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Taken mid-day on July 4th from Saturna Cottage. Subgroup of J pod heading west. -James McLarnon

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...As they passed the reef in front of CWR they were about 400 yards offshore when Ken snapped a photo from the porch. The male was T51! And the others with him were the T36A's, the T75B's, and T49A2. The same grouping, minus T49A2, were encountered last year on 24 May (2015 Encounter 36) as they travelled in a social group in front of the Lime Kiln lighthouse and moved slowly offshore zig-zagging along in relaxed transient fashion...See Photos and full report at CWR Encounter 65. -Center for Whale Research

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I always love "meeting" a new Killer whale. This is T51 born in 1981 and more typically hangs out in Southeast Alaska. He was hanging with a few other groups of T's in north Haro strait on the 4th of July! -Traci Walter

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7:25 p.m. - 3-4 orcas headed south toward Lime Kiln State Park! -Maria Carney

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6:35 p.m. - Group of transients heading out of Friday Harbor. 2-3 transients? They went northbound along San Juan Island after. -Bri Wilson

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Nice and close to home, we had our own 4th of July Parade with Transient/Biggs killer whales off Lopez Island today. As they traveled by the Lopez ferry terminal and continued on around Shaw Island, we had some excellent views of the three of them, T123 (mom, born 1985), son T123A already a large male at only 16 years of age, and little sister T123C, born in 2012. They passed by several nervous seals hauled out on nearby rocks, so were not in hunting mode, lucky for the seals! After great looks and local inter-island sight-seeing, we glimpsed these three again before heading back to port ..... finding a mom seal with her newborn pup, and bald eagles! What a great 4th of July, back in port in time for the festivities. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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T123s. San Juan Clipper saw them take a seal in Upright Channel and then head towards Friday Harbor. -Stephanie Raymond

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11:27 a.m. - East side of the Lopez spit, we saw three orcas. I'm no expert but it looked like one big one (maybe adult male) and two smaller ones. Looked like they were moving northwest but also foraging (?) around. So beautiful! -Michelle Wormell Hollomon

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11:00 a.m. - WA State Ferries report from the ferry Elwha of 8 orcas at the west end of Thatcher Pass. No direction of travel given.

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Coastal killer whales - Thayer Hollis a commercial albacore fisherman, called with two orca reports from different days July 4 & June 28) , both of solo males, but not the same animal. On 7/4 at noon, he was at N46 03 x 125 02, (about 40 miles west of Astoria) in 700 fathoms, when he saw a different male orca, also 4-500 yards away, heading ESE.

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July 4 Humpback Whales in Long Beach WA - At least 2 humpbacks were spotted off the beach just past the surf zone 2 miles north of the Ocean Park beach approach on the Long Beach Peninsula, WA. They were actively feeding near the surface and on multiple occasions the whales surfaced with most of their head out of the water and breached a few times. Sea birds were circling and diving into the water near the whales. Continued feeding for about an hour from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. -Garrett Knoll

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July 4 - south Puget Sound - 1:10 - Common dolphins heading north passing Boston Harbor Marina and toward the southern tip of Harstine Island. -Kim Merriman

July 3
Mark and Hannah Malleson encountered "J pod" in the morning inbound near Race Passage in pretty rough water. The whales had been reported earlier off Otter Point as a 'big group' but there were only J2, L87, and the J14's and J19's in a spread pattern as they continued inbound. Ken was returning from Sequim by automobile/ferry so did not get out on the water in "Shachi" until 1620, and then it was only to photo-document J2 before fueling the boat to be ready if more residents come in.
Notes-Comments: The continuing pattern of only a few residents widely spread can be correlated with the Chinook salmon pattern of relatively few fish making it to the Fraser River Albion test fishery nets. This is another bad year for Chinook salmon in the SRKW core summer habitat!... See photos and full report at CWR Encounter 64. -Center for Whale Research

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J2 Granny leading the J14's and J19's into Active Pass this evening. Shortly after I shot this we (Island Adventures) ran a bit ahead of her and were going to sit and watch the J Pod whales stream pass when suddenly the T100's/101's, T36A's, T75B's and T051 came out of the pass! The residents and T's were very nearly in the pass at the same time. They gave each other a wide berth but the encounter ended with L87 who was off by himself headed directly towards one group of T's about 1/4 mile away before he veered into the pass. -James Gresham

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2:59 p.m. - J2s in lead followed by J19s all porpoising, L87 trailing more than a mile back slower. L87 fishing offshore of Lime Kiln now. After 3 weeks away, some members of J-Pod finally returned to inland waters today! The 10 whales rocketed past Lime Kiln this afternoon, porpoising north on a flood tide. While it took them only a couple minutes to pass, it was great to see some friendly fins. That's J2 Granny on the right!
2:34 p.m. - They're nearing Land Bank, west side San Juan Island.
2:25 p.m. - They're crossing the Haro Strait fast. -Monika Wieland

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2:58 & 3:03 p.m. - Echolocation
2:48 p.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln! -Melissa Burke

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WOW! Great to hear an early report from Tory of Going Coastal Fishing Charters of MANY Orca coming east from Muir Creek. We had the pleasure of being the first to find some of J Pod just off Otter Point passing Sooke eastbound Juan de Fuca 14 minutes from our Dock! Great to sea some of our Southern Resident Killer Whales returning to our area! -Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal WW

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5:22 p.m. - Common dolphins are heading north right now out of Eld Inlet. They are cresting just under the chop.
5:15 p.m. - The common dolphins are still in the south Puget Sound traveling back and forth between Budd Inlet (south) and Eld Inlet (north) and northerly toward Squaxin and Harstine islands. Very active at times; alternating that with feeding. Lots of onlookers. there are still about 15-20 here! -Kim Merriman

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...there's another group (common dolphins) we saw in our first trip off Kingston! Probably around 10-12 of them. (in response to Kim's post on our Facebook page -ALB) -Renee Beitzel

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T036A's and T075B's near Prevost Island. T051 near Prevost Island. T100's and 101's along Galliano Island. -James Gresham, July 3, 2016

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July 3 - central north Puget Sound - Common Dolphins off Kingston and then Edmonds during our morning trip! -Renee Beitzel

July 2
They were Ts. Near Henry Island it was a T124c. -Nishan DeSilva

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Does anyone know what whales are at Cattle Point about 11:45 AM? And what group was at Henry Island about 12:15? -Lois Spurgeon

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6:30 a.m. - Tony Woelke of Washington State Ferries called to report 6-7 Harbor porpoise 1 mile off Apple Cove Pt, Kingston.

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T124C, Straits of Georgia, quite a bit south of Pt Roberts. -Connie Bickerton

July 1
2:40PM - Visiting from Miami, we saw three orcas heading north from our porch on Madrona Way, at Open Bay overlooking Haro Strait. -Lynn and Ian Kupkee

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12:20 p.m. - live on the west side of Low Point on the Strait of Juan DeFuca, west of Whidbey Island. Spotted the large, pointed dorsal fin protruding out of the water of at least 2 separate orcas approximately 2 miles offshore just west of Low Point moving east. Whale watching boats following close behind. -Lyle Kmett.

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A humpback gulp feeding in the Juan de Fuca Strait. -Mark Malleson

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Sighted one Humpback SE of Point no Point, just east of the shipping lanes at 19:00 from S/V Orion. Also saw the Short Beaked Common Dolphins actively northbound off Carkeek Park at 21:00 the same day. Our students were stoked!!! -Kevin Campion

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Gray whales - 6:43 p.m. - San Juan Clipper just encountered #723 again! This time just north of Point Marrowstone heading out toward the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
9:49 a.m. - We are leaving the scene. He is slowly south bound, zig zagging between the shore of Whidbey and Gedney Islands. Last saw him headed toward Clinton.
9:40 a.m. - San Juan Clipper on scene now! He's head toward Gedney from Sandy Point. It is #723. -Justine Buckmaster

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9:35 a.m. - Ann Casey of Whidbey Audubon called while out in a boat checking her crab pots and seeing a whale that from the description sounds like a gray whale, close to shore near Sandy Point, at the south tip of Whidbey Island.

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8:00 a.m. - I heard blows and I spotted what I think was a small Gray Whale in the middle of Saratoga Passage swimming southbound toward Langley at about 8:00 am this morning. -Sydney Lynn Wolcott

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...I also observed a small group of orcas on July 1 in the vicinity of East Point, Saturna. Male is T137A. -James McLarnon, Vancouver
(ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu)

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Saw 6 Orca being mobbed by whale watching boats, between Turn Point (US side of Boundary Passage) and Fairfax Point (south end of Moresby Island), east of the marker for Helen Rock (I think it is called?). They were traveling steadily northwards, but I didn't see exactly where they headed. Gotta love these work days, -Frank Gee, Parks Canada staffer