July 2022 Whale Sightings

July 31
BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - South Puget Sound (T49A2, T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - 21:00 - Orcas in North Bay, Case Inlet near power pole. Traveling south from north tip of bay. They were very active. -Luis
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20:50 - Just watched them pass Taylor Bay heading south. They looked like they were aiming for Nisqually Reach.
20:15 - Just saw someone in another group say they can see them from Joemma Beach. Presumably southbound still. -T.j. Smith
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19:30 - Last see north tip of Herron Island, possibly on the west side of the island now. -Kevin Davis -photo by Kevin Davis, July 31, 2022
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19:04 - Viewing from Herron Island ferry dock. Appear to be trending south very slowly! -Candace Gavin
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18:23 - Just saw them in the middle of King’s Inlet. Split pod of 2 and 4 still going south towards Herron [Island]. -Tami Tripp
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16:55 - Leaving Rocky Bay toward Stretch [Island], no direction. -Danielle DeBosko
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16:32 - They [are] still heading south in Case Inlet. -Carolyn Cross Elliott
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16:15 - East side of Case Inlet in front of Rocky Point, headed south.
16:04 - Off of Rocky Point right now.
15:03 - Still off of Stretch Point! -Jordan Allen
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14:45 - They went south down Case [Inlet], east side. -Liz Wolk
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14:03 - They are rounding Stretch Point heading south. -Richelle Little
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13:34 - At the school bus turn around just before Victor. They are hanging out there. Not really swimming in a direction at the moment. -Shannon Snyder
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13:30 - Still off of Victor. -Tanya Jackson Esparza
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12:32 - At least six just off Victor heading north. Pretty slow moving [approx. 47.361790, -122.815941]. -Todd Hering
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11:48 - They are hugging the shore around Stretch Island heading north. -Richelle Little
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11:25 - Heading north toward Allyn in Pickering at the north end of Harstine. Just passing Jarrell’s [Cove]. -Teresa Saunders Westcoat
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11:15 - Past bridge in Pickering [Passage] hugging Harstine side. -Natalie Hagen Child
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 31 10:51 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.24909,-122.92853
Number Sighted: 5
Submitted Comments: A number of boats are now chasing the Bigg's Transient orcas in Pickering Passage on the west side of Harstine Island. Boats are flanking the orcas on both sides, and some are racing to get in front of them and wait in their pathway. We have started taking photos and video when we can. The boaters of Mason County are clearly ignorant of proper whale protocol, or just don't care.
Submitter Name: Amy Wisch
Whale Alert App
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10:40 - Biggs’s are now northbound in south end Pickering Passage. -Orca Network
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09:56 - Heading out [Hammersley Inlet]! -Jamie Hayes -photo by Jamie Hayes, July 31, 2022
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09:45 - Heading out of the inlet. -Sue Comer
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09:36 - Headed to Walker Park from west shore of Hammersley. -Lisa Gardner
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09:11 - Heading out now.
08:57 - Whales in Oakland Bay now. -Becky Harrington Adams
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06:44 - Orcas in Hammersley Inlet yesterday and this morning. -Heather Rosborough
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sue Comer
Date of Sighting: 7/31/2022
Time: 5:13 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: East of Walker Park
Direction of travel : West
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?: Couldn’t see
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At the east end of Hammersley Inlet, in Mason County. We have high bank property which looks down on the Inlet so we were a distance away, but hopefully you can maximize the video and give you some information on this group. They definitely spent some time [here] two nights prior, splashing and snorting around in the water close to our place. It was exciting to see them. -Judy Paul
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Jul 31 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Hope everyone is having a great long weekend, we sure are! -Sooke Coastal Explorations -photos by Paul Pudwell, July 31, 2022
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Sun, Jul 31 - Puget Sound - 19:30 - I swear I saw one by the Narrows Bridge. -Megan Gene Carlson
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22:30 - Heard blows close to the house [approx. 47.309655, -122.562834]. -Brianna Schroeder
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18:20 - Someone posted on a different thread seeing the humpback outside of Quartermaster [Harbor]. -Ed Rickert
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18:00 - We were coming into our house in Burton, outer Quartermaster Harbor by boat Sunday around 18:00 and saw an orca breach not far offshore near the Burton Store Direction. I’ve been coming here in the summers for 57 years and have never seen one in this harbor! We stopped and watched it breach one more time before it swam past us toward Tacoma. We can’t believe we saw it! -Lisa O’Keefe
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14:57 - I’m at Ruston by the lobster shop and it did a full breach near Brown’s Point and the port of Tacoma 20 minutes ago. -Cherie StOurs
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15:00 - We were at Dune Peninsula and saw a big whale breach, huge splash, no dorsal and no white, could have been this humpback! -Constance Wood
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13:53 - We just saw it south of Brown’s Point. -Trinity Vankler
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13:10 - San Juan Clipper spotted the humpback heading southwest of Brown's Point Lighthouse. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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11:48 - Viewing from Ruston. One breach with pec slap, two breaths then a dive. In between Ruston and Brown’s Point Lighthouse. Appears closer to the lighthouse side. -Ashley Whitman
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11:48 - Between Point Ruston and Brown's Point. Breach, spyhop, fin slapping, fluke. Closer to Ruston Way.
11:30 - Fluke moving towards Brown’s Point.
11:15 - Center of Commencement just west of buoy. Fluke direction change towards Brown’s Point.
10:50 - Big humpback full breach in Commencement Between Cummings Park and Dash Point. -Ed Rickert
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08:30 - Humpback off Brown’s Point. Between the lighthouse and the Navy ships. Looked to be headed toward Dalco Passage. -Billy Watson - photo by Billy Watson, July 31, 2022
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07:30 - Crossed the mouth of Wollochet Bay while we were kayaking. Left quickly. it circled in Wollochet then headed out towards the Narrows. -Kristin Boone
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06:20 - Humpback mid channel Carr inlet heading towards Henderson Bay. Heard it for quite awhile, took a deep dive before I could relocate. -Blake-Linda Worland Little
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Ed Kolodziej
Date of Sighting: 7/31/2022
Time: 5:45 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Commencement Bay, mouth of the Puyallup River
Direction of travel : Currently no direction of travel
Behaviors observed: Milling about
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Jul 31 - Holmes Harbor/Saratoga Passage - 18:15 - Florian Graner called to to report gray whale is back (or still) in Holmes Harbor. Was off Beverly Beach, at main beach, at 17:15 then turned the corner north point feeding while northbound. Still in general area as of 18:16 and is almost to cove about 1/2 mile north of Beverly Beach.
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14:42 - Whale seen spouting in Holmes Harbor from Meerkerk Gardens about 15 minutes ago. Heading into harbor. Probably gray. -Ron Newberry
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9:42 - Gray now heading in towards the Whidbey bluff slowly going along the Whidbey bluff in the Langley direction.
9:30 - Gray now leaving Sandy Point and heading northwest towards mid-channel of Saratoga Passage. Very slowly moving in the direction of Langley. -Luanne Seymour
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09:05 - Gray feeding just north of Sandy Point. - Christy Grant -photo by Christy Grant, July 31, 2022
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09:00 - Still feeding between Sandy Point and Langley.
06:30 - Gray whale off Sandy Point, Whidbey island. Heading north. -Shannon Boss
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MINKE WHALES - Sun, Jul 31 – San Juans
Name: Tom Reeve
Date of Sighting: 7/31/2022
Time: 12:55 PM
Species seen: Minke
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Far off Flint Beach, South Lopez.
Direction of travel : West
Behaviors observed: Traveling
Photos available?: No
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Sun, Jul 31 - Puget Sound
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brian House
Date of Sighting: 7/31/2022
Time: 6:30 PM
Species seen: Minke
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon Island
Direction of travel : South
[Note: possibly the humpback who was in same area same time – alb]
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sun, Jul 31 [there was humpback in the area same place/time -alb]
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brian Gill
Date of Sighting: 7/31/2022
Time: 5:30 PM
Species seen: Larger whale, perhaps a gray whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: West side of outer Quartermaster Harbor (Vashon)
Direction of travel : Traveling north along shore deeper into harbor toward Burton Peninsula.
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: We were dropping an anchor (in 40 feet of water) due west from Mananzita Beach on west side of outer harbor, when the whale surfaced close to our boat heading north into the harbor. We saw it surface again a few minutes later between Dockton and Magnolia Beach. We assumed it was a Gray Whale--large dark gray back.

July 30
BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - Sat, Jul 30 - Central Puget Sound (T37As) - Caught a brief view of them from Alki near 63rd. It was great to see them at sunset for the first time! -Steve Rice -photo by Steve Rice, July 30, 2022
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20:29 - Just north of Point Williams, midchannel, northbound. Possibly made a kill recently as we are seeing much more social behavior and slowed speed.
19:21 - Orca 1 departing. Whales northbound at 4-5 knots, mid channel, 1.2 miles west south west of Seola Beach. -David Scott
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19:50 - Look like 3-5 orca hunting and milling. There is a grey or humpback with a tall spout, with several orca exhales around. 7:50 PM, directly across from Lagoon Point. -Bill Setter
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19:14 - Looks to be 4 or 5 heading northbound at mid pace just north of Dilworth mid channel I'd say. -Cindy Eckes Waddington
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19:00 - East of Dilworth point, -Jen Huntley
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18:47 - West of Three Tree Point, northbound. -Christine Geronimo
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18:09 - Northbound 3 or 4 orcas mid channel halfway past Maury [Island]. -Sandhya Ballal
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16:34 - Three or four mid channel rounded Point Robinson. -Parker Wilson
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 30 17:04 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.40660,-122.37492 [North of Pt Robinson]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Sandra Waugh
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17:00 - My last update as we leave the scene. They are definitely favoring the mainland/Three Tree Point side. Still northbound. We gave one boater a lecture about not leapfrogging anymore and I think he got the picture not to do that anymore. In a quiet moment while the T37As were down on a long dive we were able to educate the private boaters (4) over the microphone about the regulations so hopefully they will obey after we leave the scene. [approx. 47.398874, -122.382688].
16:45 - Currently they are aimed toward Three Tree Point but they are still a long ways from there so things could change pretty easily, but for now they are mid channel. [approx. 47.399653, -122.375321].
16:35 - T37As are very slow and grouped up northbound at 1 knot speed. They are likely sleeping now.
16:30 - Update still northbound and grouped up [approx. 47.389604, -122.372834].
16:17 - Update northbound [approx. 47.384972, -122.375711].
15:50 - T37As location swimming in a northeast direction [approx. 47.378784, -122.382556]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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16:01 - Still hanging around the Point Robinson area. There's 4 that have rounded Point Robinson and now headed north/northwest [approx. 47.357412, -122.404274]. -Parker Wilson
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15:36 - Just left them, they’re just south of Point Robinson off east side of Vashon, headed north. -Jonathan Salter
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15:09 - Three headed east behind a tug boat! Headed east/southeast. -Parker Wilson
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13:35 - Pod should be passing Klahanie soon (east side Vashon) [approx. 47.422493, -122.410668]. -Joe Marzano
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Adrienne Lentz
Date of Sighting: 7/30/2022
Time: 12:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Dolphin Point, Vashon Island
Direction of travel : S, fast
Behaviors observed: Travelling
If orcas, any males?: 1-2
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12:39 - Heading south on the east side of Vashon, passing ferry terminal mid channel. -Scott Brazinski -photo by Scott Brazinski, July 30, 2022
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12:30 - Seen from Southworth ferry. -Amelia Kalagher
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12:14 - My last post as we leave the scene. I can’t say yet if it looks like they are aiming to Colvos Passage or not. I would guess Colvos is their aim, but with the zig-zagging it’s hard to tell. Southbound [approx. 47.540384, -122.462925].
12:00 - They appear to be spreading out to look for prey.
11:59 - Update on T37As. Southbound [approx. 47.562699, -122.463630].
11:52 - They turned more southward again. Doing some zig-zagging as Bigg’s tend to do.
11:38 - Update for T37As southbound very slowly [approx. 47.576562, -122.459816].
11:22 - Spotted them from MV Swiftsure at a distance still southbound. Stay tuned for IDs. Long down time [approx. 47.597250, -122.459652]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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10:12 - 3-4 orcas southbound off West Point (Discovery Park) moving quickly. Mid channel. Looked like a male, female and a young whale. Couldn’t see saddles very well. -Alex Meilleur
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Sat, Jul 30 - South Puget Sound (T49A2, T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - T65A2 -photo by Brenda Rix, July 30, 2022
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21:12 - They were across from [the] pier feeding just 10 minutes ago. -Anna Mariano-Morris
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20:33 - Just saw them at Allyn. There are at least 4 here. -Tami Tripp
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17:57 - Just passed Stretch Island going south. -Lisa T Katt
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16:01 - Three in North Bay by Allyn/Victor right now. Heading south again it appears. -Candace Fladager
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13:04 - They were headed north from Stretch Island about 10 minutes ago. -Mel Durward
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14:10 - Heading south in Case Inlet. -Jerilyn Evans
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14:00 - They were lollygagging just north of Herron Island. -Richelle Little
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13:56 - From another group, orca now off the north side of Harstine Island. -T.j. Smith
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12:30 - They just passed by the Allyn waterfront park going southbound. Hugging Victor side (east shore). -Lizzie Ulrich
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At 13:20 the Bigg's orcas were south of Stretch Island still southbound, hugging west side of Case Inlet.
11:45 - S Sound pod is northbound in upper Case Inlet heading directionally towards Rocky Bay/Allyn. -Orca Network
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10:31 - Passing Jarrell’s Cove now. -Amy Teague
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10:19 - Passing Walker’s Landing now. -Kathie Skog
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 30 10:17 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.28093,-122.92127
Number Sighted: 5
Submitter Name: Todd Watson
Whale Alert App
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09:59 - Going north just under bridge -Kathy Powell
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09:33 - Just saw them heading out of Hammersley. -Jeannine Gedlund Larson
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09:06 - Pod of maybe 6 just passed us near Church Point on Hammersley Inlet. Heading towards Libby Point, east. -Carolyn Lockmon
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09:45 - Whales headed north in Pickering Passage, just passed Franjo beach and Robillard Cove, headed toward Honeymoon Bay and Harstine Island Bridge. Looks like three. Shallow dives, lots of solid breaths. It was so quiet and calm that I could hear them for five minutes before seeing them.
08:48 - Orcas still heading east - beyond Miller's Point - Jacoby Park now. -Shelton Yoga
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08:34 - 2 orcas spotted in Hammersley Inlet headed east just now. -Candace Fladager
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06:00 - Woke up to the sound of Orcas in Hammersley heading west toward Shelton. Believe it is the same group that traveled by Thursday and Friday. -Debbera Coker
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06:00 - Orcas in Hammersley heading west toward Shelton, Skookum Point. -Dawn Shaver
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Jul 30 - Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 30 11:40 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.99399,-123.14085 [off Tsawwassen, BC]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Jonathan Hunter
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Sat, Jul 30 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Two whales inbound near Port Angeles. Looks like humpbacks. -Steve Brown -photo by Steve Brown, July 30, 2022
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Sat, Jul 30 - Admiralty Inlet
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Aaron Terada
Date of Sighting: 7/30/2022
Time: 8:50 PM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Marrowstone Point 48.09855° N, 122.68846° W
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling with calf
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org -screen frame from video by Aaron Terada, July 30, 2022
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08:20 - The whale put on a GREAT show of jumping and slapping for about 15 minutes, but has now gone below the surface and is heading south.
08:04 - Mike Meyer called to report a Humpback doing acrobatics in Admiralty Inlet 2 miles south of Bush Point in middle of shipping channel. Whale is just hanging out jumping up and pec slapping. Maybe trending a bit south.
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Sat, Jul 30 - Puget Sound - Humpback heading south through the Narrows around 9pm. -Heather Maher -photo by Heather Maher, July 30, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Jul 30 - Saratoga Passage
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 30 18:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.03990,-122.41018
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Marena
Whale Alert App
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16:06 - Whale just off of Bells Beach. Going south toward Langley. Single big guy. Looks all white. -Kristin Platt Rose -photo by Kristin Platt Rose, July 30, 2022
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One lone gray whale heading south toward Langley, sighted off East Point about 10-15 minutes ago [15:45]. -Susanne Schnippering
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sat, Jul 30 - Central Puget Sound - 19:50 - There is a grey or humpback with a tall spout, with several orca exhales around, diirectly across from Lagoon Point. -Bill Setter

July 29
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - The L12s and L54s came up from the south and met J-Pod coming down from the north right in front of Lime Kiln, and we were treated to tight, surface active groups of intermingling whales for a couple of hours as they drifted back and forth in the strong flood tide! -photo by Monika Wieland Shields, July 29, 2022
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Fri, Jul 29 - J & L Pod - 18:25 - 19:55, Leaders at Point Edwards (the point just south of Landbank's Westside Preserve), moving quickly southbound, spread out 1/3 to 1/2 mile from shore. L85 Mystery in the lead with companion. 18:30 southbound, J42 Star with J31 Tsuchi and J56 Tofino. 18:50, Grandma J19 Shachi with her daughter and two grandchildren; J19's grandson J51 Nova, J19's daughter J41 Eclipse with her own daughter J58 Crescent, granddaughter of J19 Shachi. Very lovely to see this family traveling tight together! Another family together at 19:00 southbound; J16 Slick with her children, Daughters, J42 Echo and J36 Alki and son J26 Mike. Mom and Mike close together, side by side. -Michelline Halliday - J41 Eclipse, J58 Crescent, J19 Shachi, J51 Nova - L85 Mystery -photos and IDs by Michelline Halliday, July 29, 2022
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On Friday afternoon, what we thought was going to be a quick southbound pass at Lime Kiln Point State Park turned into a beautiful emotional reunion between two pods, something that used to be a semi-regular occurrence but that we have rarely seen in recent years. As J Pod and members of L Pod began traveling toward one another and the calls on the hydrophone started to increase, their obvious joy and excitement were reflected on the faces of those of us fortunate enough to be there to witness it.
Through all the ups and downs with the Southern Residents over the years, we have learned to not take anything for granted and to treasure every moment with them as a special gift. We never know how much time will pass until we see them again, or how long these happy times will last until our hearts are shattered once again, but precious memories like this are what sustain us. These whales consistently remind us that even in the middle of hardship it’s possible to show grace and courage, and to find joy in time spent with friends. - (Sound on to hear calls recorded from the Lime Kiln hydrophone) - Link to video -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network - J26 Mike kelping - L124 breaching -photos by Cindy Hansen, July 29, 2022
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Here's the video version of our memorable encounter with Js and Ls on the evening of July 29th courtesy of Jason Shields. 20 years ago, moments like these with members of multiple pods together close to shore on the west side of San Juan Island could be a weekly, if not sometimes daily, occurrence during mid-summer. To put it in perspective, nowadays, we can sometimes go an entire year without an encounter like this. It was a blistering day on shore, but there were 38 whales present, breaching, socializing, and kelping, and the few dozen humans who braved the heat to await their appearance on the shoreline went home sunburnt but smiling. It's moments like these that we soak up with all our being and hold on to, the reason we keep fighting the good fight on behalf of the Southern Residents. Link to video -Orca Behavior Institute
The L12s and L54s came up from the south and met J-Pod coming down from the north right in front of Lime Kiln, and we were treated to tight, surface active groups of intermingling whales for a couple of hours as they drifted back and forth in the strong flood tide! -photo by Monika Wieland Shields, July 29, 2022 - J26 Mike letting his kelp flag fly this evening at Lime Kiln -photo by Monika Wieland Shields, July 29, 2022
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20:05 - There are orcas north of Eagle Point heading south. Update: Orcas are north and south of Eagle Point. And can see more coming from False Bay. Total so far about 12. -Jenny Stands Wilson
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15:05 - Echolocation starting on Orcasound hydrophone.
13:30 - Leaders near Turn Point.
11:45 - Js on SIMRES hydrophone coming down Boundary [Pass]. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
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Fri, Jul 29 - San Juans (T37As) - 12:20 - T37As southbound in San Juan Channel between Reuben Tarte and Jones [Island]. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI] -photo by Monika Wieland Shields, July 29, 2022
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 29 11:37 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.78439,-123.03422
Number Sighted: 18
Submitter Name: Holly Ulfers
Whale Alert App
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Fri, Jul 29 - L pod - Except from Encounter #45: We got on scene offshore of American Camp at 1035 to find one small group of whales with a few outlying individuals milling in the area. L85 and L113 were seen so we knew we had the L12s, at least. The L77s grouped up tight offshore of the other whales and headed south. The other whales, L22, L94, L113, and L121, were in a group also heading south but more slowly than the L77s. L85 was a couple hundred yards inshore of this group. All the whales soon turned around and, after some milling, headed back north… -See full report at Center for Whale Research Encounter 45
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Several of you reached out with concern this morning after reading the Center for Whale Research's encounter summary where Dave didn't see L25. Fear not! She was there. Like Dave, we also didn't see the L54s and L88 until that afternoon, so there were definitely whales spread offshore that didn't come in closer to San Juan Island until later in the day, and she may very well have been with them. We all have so much concern for the endangered Southern Residents that it's easy to get caught up in anticipatory grief, where we take every little detail as a sign that something might be wrong. That's understandable, but we help ground ourselves by remembering that there are standard procedures in place - for censusing the whales, for assessing body condition, etc. - that are there for a reason. It's not uncommon to miss a single whale in any given encounter, especially when they are as spread out as they often are. This is why researchers wait for multiple encounters to confirm births, deaths, or other changes in the population. We sent Dave this photo once we saw the report to provide "proof of presence" for L25 on July 29. It takes a collaborative community to help keep track of these whales, as no one person or organization can do it all! -But for now, deep breath! L25 was there and looking great. -Orca Behavior Institute - L25 Ocean Sun -photo by Cindy Hansen, July 29, 2022
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13:00 - 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve, a single lone orca northbound, tentatively L54 Ino
14:14 - 1 mile south of Landbank, a single lone orca southbound, L54 Ino, ID courtesy Monika Wieland Shields
16:14 - 16:56 - 1 mile south of Landbank, L-Pod northbound including the awe-inspiring L85 Mystery, spread out 1/3 to 1/2 mile from shore -Michelline Halliday
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18:20-30 - On Lime Kiln Youtube stream I'm hearing lots of repeated S2iiis, some S10s, a few S04s and S42s, and echolocation clicks. -Scott Veirs [WSSJI]
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14:45 - Update: Both L12 and L54 sub-groups are here!! Should be 13 whales total with two adult males - L85 and L88 - and one youngster, 3.5 year old L124. Currently doing their standard False Bay - Eagle Point wide spread shuffle.
13:55 - Single whale now southbound from Edwards Point, not 100% sure but she sure looked like L54. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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13:26 - Some Lpod members still spread from north of Eagle Point to north of false Bay. Milling.
11:30 - Part of the group has decided to hang around Eagle Point. A few more breaches. But otherwise fairly quiet.
11:12 - L-12s passing Eagle Point heading north. close to shore.
09:05 - Everyone is now south of Eagle Point. Some moved a bit further away from shore. No one's moving very quickly. Mostly out of my sight now.
08:45 - Seeing probably 6 to 8 in total north of Eagle Point. All moving south. Don't see that large male anymore. Maybe he went south of Eagle Point.
08:44 - Four more orcas just north of Eagle Point. Heading south. Also close to shore.
08:40 - Large male orca close in at Eagle Point. No direction. -Jenny Stands Wilson [WSSJI]
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09:50 - Can confirm L12s: L85 near Salmon Bank. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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Fri, Jul 29 - South Puget Sound (T49A2, T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - 20:39 - They were in front of Shelton marina about an hour ago. -Richelle Little
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19:32 - On The Ham -PS Osborne - T65A2 -back of camera photo by PS Osborne, July 29, 2022
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19:25 - They are almost to Shelton, on Hammersley Inlet. -Carolyn Lockmon
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18:59 - Heading up Hammersley Inlet five minutes ago. -Todd Mason
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18:48 - Headed south in Pickering Passage, moving slowly. Stalled out around Franjo Beach area - before Cape Horn. -Shelton Yoga
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18:16 - Just saw them pass under the Harstine Island Bridge heading south. -Lizzie Ulrich
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18:00 - They passed Walker's Landing. Went under Harstine Island Bridge, heading south, 4 or 5. -Sydni Elizabeth Neves
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17:57 - Southbound Pickering [Passage], just north of Harstine Bridge, heading that way. -Megan Gene Carlson
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16:40 - Heading west now at the north end of Harstine Island. It looked like they are headed towards Jarrell’s Cove.
16:32 - Heading into the north entrance Pickering Passage now. -Cale Hamilton
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15:22 - About 30 minutes ago they were heading north by Rocky Bay, from PSWS FB page. -Amy Eldridge Bishop
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 29 15:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.33025,-122.78942 [upper Case Inlet]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: BR
Whale Alert Ap
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14:20 - Vaughn Bay. -Tracy LaSource
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13:24 - San Juan Clipper is with them now, southbound in Case Inlet. Much appreciation to the recreational boaters on scene keeping respectful distances with motors off! -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
*
12:15 - T77s/T49A2/T65A2/T65A4. We are leaving the scene at the map post I added here. We had a chance to get on the microphone and broadcast to the private boaters about the regulations when the orcas were down on a long dive. NW direction. No idea if they will go north or south from here [approx. 47.304761, -122.845748].
11:56 - They are hugging the northeastern shore of Pickering Passage northeastbound. So far the boats seem to be following our example and keeping the correct distance away [approx. 47.300368, -122.861802].
11:47 - Northbound in PIckering Passage. MV Swiftsure is on scene. We will be honking at any boats that disobey the rules. We honked at one boat already and they departed. The other boat is behaving [approx. 47.289095, -122.887919]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
*
11:41 - Northbound in Pickering Passage a mile north of the Harstine Island Bridge. Saw two groups of whales, one with three females, one male; the other with one female, one male.
Chris Williams
*
11:33 - They passed under the Harstine Island Bridge about 15 minutes ago headed north. -David Coates
*
10:40 - Looks like a group of two leaving Totten [Inlet]. -Chay Norbom
*
10:36 - Just saw at Totten Shores. -Skye Brumley
*
10:30 - Heading east out of Totten Inlet approaching Arcadia Point area now. About 6 of them. -Mary Prentice
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Laura Aldrich-Wolfe
Date of Sighting: 7/29/2022
Time: 8:45 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Totten Inlet in South Puget Sound
Direction of travel : Two headed north as pair (male and female) and two headed south as pair on opposite sides of inlet
Behaviors observed: Two pairs cruising in opposite directions, but when we first noticed them, one was stationary at surface facing second orca, with second orca moving toward it (?) below the surface
If orcas, any males?: One male definite
Any unusual markings?: Too far away to tell or too brief
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: First day with no motorboat traffic on the inlet in the morning.
Photos available?: No
*
07:10 - Saw them pass under the Harstine Bridge headed south. -Kathy Powell
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Jul 29 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - A few quick pictures of mom and calf near Race Rocks today! The little one was quite active. -Sooke Coastal Explorations -photos by Paul Pudwell, July 29, 2022
*
GRAY WHALES - Fri, Jul 29 - Holmes Harbor/Saratoga Passage
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 29 20:30 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.03681,-122.50924
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Norma
Whale Alert App
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 29 15:29 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.01701,-122.54271
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Cynthia S
Whale Alert App
*
13:52- That gray still hanging around Baby Island. Seen from Meerkerk Gardens just now spouting. -Ron Newberry
*
12:00 - We received a call to our Langley Whale Center on Whidbey from someone reporting a gray whale in Saratoga Passage off Baby Island, heading southbound toward Langley.
*
DOLPHINS - Fri, Jul 29 - A few PWWA operators and their guests were delighted by a pod of Risso's dolphins in the Strait of Georgia. These oceanic dolphins are typically seen in deep open water, but occasionally venture into the Salish Sea. A group was seen this past January in Saanich Inlet, as well as one week ago in Campbell River (possibly the same group we saw yesterday). -Sebastian Velasquez, Vancouver Whale Watch -photos by Sebastian Velasquez, July 29, 2022

July 28
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Thu, Jul 28 - J pod - 19:20 - A post from a Gulf Islands page had them passing East Point so they did end up taking Boundary.
15:00 - Leaders near Turn Point still northbound
13:00 - Trailers northbound off County Park, leaders approximately off Snug Harbor. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
12:56 - 13:01 - Human listeners reported SRKW calls and clicks at Orcasound Lab hydrophone of Orcasound - Listen for Whales. -Scott Veirs [WSSJI]
*
08:35 - Watching a group of 3-4 fishing off Eagle Point. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout [WSSJI]
*
07:45 - Text from friends have others spread between False Bay and South Beach. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
*
07-28-22, J-Pod Haro Strait - 06:46 - 07:10, Viewing from 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve, 6 - 7 J-Pod members northbound, spread out, 1/3 mile to 1/2 mile from shore. The group split and a few turned back to the south out of sight.
09:55 - 10:04, Far to the south, 2-3 milling 1.3(?) miles south of Landbank trending north then changing direction to the south and out of sight.
10:33 - 11:35, J-Pod leaders northbound with occasional milling 1.2 miles south of Landbank. At 11:02 as the tide turned, lotsa J-Pod members northbound approaching Point Edwards (just south of Landbank) with 2 larger males the farthest out, some were in groups and some spread out 1/3 - 3/4 miles from shore. At 10:35, J51 Nova traveling tight with his grandma, J19 Shachi. At 11:00, a tight group of 6 including J47 Notch, J31 Tsuchi and J56 Tofino followed at a distance by J27 Blackberry.
At 11:50 J26 Mike slowly northbound and all J-Pod members out of sight. -Michelline Halliday - J56 Tofino and J31 Tsuchi - On the right, J56 Tofino and J31 Tsuchi - J27 Blackberry - J51 Nova -photos and IDs by Michelline Halliday, July 28, 2022
*
BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - Thu, Jul 28 - South Puget Sound (T49A2, T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - 22:24 - They are really having a good time splashing on Hammersley but it's pitch black and can't see them. The sound is wonderful though. -Penny Walden
*
21:23 - We just watched a trio pass Walker Park on Hammersley Inlet near Shelton, as they left Oakland Bay heading out with the tide. -Terry Allen S -photo by Terry Allen S, July 28, 2022
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Andrea Koschwanez
Date of Sighting: 7/28/2022
Time: 9:18 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Hammersley Inlet near Agate Lighthouse
Direction of travel : Into the inlet toward Shelton and then back out again a few hours later
*
21:15 - Heading east on Hammersley passing Church Point. -Bill Pardi
*
20:32 - Hanging around yacht club but slowly heading towards Walker Park. Very active. -Aletha McGee
*
19:57 - Heading back towards the yacht club. -Ben Huntley
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Andrew Pavone
Date of Sighting: 7/28/2022
Time: 7:56 PM
Species seen: Orca (Biggs)
Number of animals seen: 10
Where seen: Oakland Bay (47.227391,-123.059003)
Direction of travel : North (rapid)
Behaviors observed: At first they were traveling quickly, then it turned into frolic(tail slaps, spy hopping, and breaching)
If orcas, any males?: 2
*
19:34 - We are in Hammersley Inlet about halfway they passed by Walker Park about 20 minutes ago I will report back when they are coming back down Hammersley. Currently in Oakland Bay! -Renee Kapa
*
19:30 - On Oakland Bay. -Catherine Brooks -photo by Catherine Brooks, July 28, 2022
*
19:10 - In front of the yacht club, milling about, no direction. -PS Osborne
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Lauren Allen
Date of Sighting: 7/28/2022
Time: 5:10 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Jarrell cove, Olympia WA
Direction of travel : Towards steamboat island
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Not sure
Any unusual markings?: Too far
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: One appeared to be young
*
18:25 - Orcas headed in Hammersley Inlet west, towards Shelton. -Big male. -Carolyn Lockmon
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Stuart Horn
Date of Sighting: 7/28/2022
Time: 6:25 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Oakland Bay, Shelton Washington
Direction of travel : NE to SW then SE through Hammersley Inlet
Behaviors observed:
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: This is the second time Orcas have come through this area in the past week. The last time was July 24th at 5:30 PM I'm a little surprised they have come down this far in the Puget Sound. It is rare to see them here. I hope they're ok and that they're just exploring new areas.
*
18:02 - 4 or 5 just passed south from Pickering into Hammersley Inlet. -Katie Brogan
*
17:31 - At the bridge. Saw three. They’ve passed by us now and probably to Squaxin. -Kathy Powell
*
17:30 - I think there were 7 orcas altogether, a group of three and ahead of them was a group of four. At least that's what I saw when they passed Harstine Bridge headed south your way. -Mike Maddox
*
17:18 - Should be about a mile before Harstine bridge, southbound. -Megan Gene Carlson
*
17:09 - Just turned south in Pickering headed to the bridge. One group of 3-4 and then 2 others following. -Teresa Saunders Westcoat
*
16:36 - They just rounded the tip of Harstine and are traveling south in Pickering Passage. -Jennifer Backen Matchem
*
14:55 - Currently off of Joemma Beach State Park.We watched from Devil's Head up to Joemma from Johnson Pt. side.
14:45 - Four have passed close to shore on the Key Peninsula side. Perhaps headed up Case Inlet. -Joan Ahre
*
My neighbor and I were out on a kayak this morning and caught them coming out of Henderson Bay. -Randy Witter
*
14:29 - Moved around tip of Longbranch. Maybe heading to Case [Inlet]. -Vicki Flood
*
14:05 - One seen here [approx. 47.163288, -122.771888]. -Rourke Buechel
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Carl Straub
Date of Sighting: 7/28/2022
Time: 2:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Hale Passage between Echo Bay and Cromwell
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: One, possibly two.
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Boaters well behaved.
*
14:13 - Headed north towards Zittel's up Nisqually reach. Still spread out and feeding.
14:06 - Having lunch in Drayton passage. Lots of jumping, splashing and eating.
13:48 - Seeing 2 in Drayton passage and three lagging behind mid channel all heading north.
13:39 - Seeing at least three right here headed north [approx. 47.138570, -122.751510]. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
13:00 - San Juan Clipper left them at Nisqually Bank, spread out and trending south. T65A2 and friend very close to shore. -Stephanie Raymond
*
13:35 - Whales between Longbranch and Anderson heading west toward Tolmie. -Stephanie Mballo
*
13:25 - Heading north, 2 of them moving fast [approx. 47.114961, -122.743675]. -Arthur De La Torre
*
13:16 - They are now near the oyster boats that are marooned on the mud flats.
13:07 - There are still at least 3 near orcas the Nisqually River. -Stan Fields
*
13:04 - Just spotted a fin. Near the red marker off the south tip of Anderson Island. Milling about. -Piyakaad Barry
*
13:20 - They are on the Olympia side of the sound just west of the oyster farm.
12:30 - Orcas continuing south on the east side of Anderson Island towards Nisqually Reach following that Steilacoom shoreline.
12:14 - Orcas are heading south around Anderson Island near the Riviera Marina.
11:59 - Orcas are off of Anderson Island near the ferry dock. -Vicki Flood
*
11:41 - Can see them from Steilacoom! -Amy Sloan Bryan
*
11:50 - MV Swiftsure is leaving them SW bound off Tyde Point McNeil Island and still close to the shore of McNeil
11:20 - MV Swiftsure is with the T77s, T65A2, T65A4, and T49A2 southeast bound along the north side of McNeil Island. That’s 7 orcas total! They just finished a kill and are on the move now. -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
*
10:17 - Just saw them off of Horsehead Bay in Carr Inlet heading towards Fox Island! -Emily Backman
*
07:35 - Second hand from a friend who lives in Carr: single male orca heading north mid channel just off of Cutts Island. -Brooke Casanova
*
Still can’t believe I got to see these gorgeous creatures for a third day in less than a week! What an amazing start to my day- looked out the window to see several fins surface and got some lovely pictures as they passed! Looks like they saved all their hunting and celebrating for the PSE when they got to McNeil Island but I’ll gladly take what I saw- so incredibly peaceful watching and listening to them as they slowly passed with no boats around and barely a ripple in the water - just heaven! -Jennifer Swenson -photos by Jennifer Swenson, July 28, 2022
*
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Jul 28 - Haro Strait - 15:30 - UPDATE: Upon closer look of the footage, starting to suspect this may have been a gray whale! Humpback passed County Park northbound. -Tamara Kelley [WSSJI]
*
Thu, Jul 28 - Holmes Harbor
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu Jul 28 18:14 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.03993,-122.51217
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Zuzu
*
14:36 - Viewing a young gray whale in Freeland right off the shore of Freeland Park Holmes Harbor. It has just been cruising around and so no specific direction I can give. Last time seen he was heading north. -Kylie Williams
*
14:20 - We spotted one, maybe two, gray whales next to Freeland Park on Whidbey Island. -Jessie Lee Wales
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13:38 - Florian Graner called to report we still have the gray whale feeding in Holmes Harbor off Beverly Beach really close to shore all afternoon, yesterday and into the night and sighting mid day at 13:12 very slowly southbound direction, but flipping around a lot. Amazing whale, each day, same whale.
*
UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Thu, Jul 28 - Saratoga Passage - 17:05 - Saw whale mid channelish by Cama just brief couldn’t identify. Heading south. -Aaron Gill

July 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Wed, Jul 27 (J pod)
19:15 - Orcas have gone past Eagle Point. For the most part. Heading south. About 8 have gone further out offshore from Eagle Point.
16:55 - Group of 8 to 10 orcas changed direction. Orcas at Eagle Point also changed direction. Everyone's moving north.
14:05 - Orcas spread from Eagle Point to False Bay. Still seeing some breaching, cartwheels, porpoising. But most fairly quiet. Everyone still heading south. Several have moved closer to shore.
12:07 - Lots of activity a bit north of Pile Point. No one heading any further down island yet. -Jenny Stands Wilson [WSSJI]
*
11:13 - Clear SRKW clicks and calls on Orcasound - Listen for Whales's Orcasound Lab hydrophone. -Scott Veirs [WSSJI]
*
09:55 - Orcas Turn Point southbound in Haro, likely J-Pod. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
*
07-27-22, J-Pod Haro Strait, SJI
11:52 - 12:48, J-Pod leaders southbound, passing Point Edwards (which is just south of Landbank's Westside Preserve). As the group arrived, they were spread out 1/3 mile to 1/2 mile from shore. All southbound but 4-5 lingered, milling 1 mile south of Landbank. Big breaches far to the south
13:19, 1.2 miles south of Landbank, there are still 3 members present, a calf and mom close in and a large male far out, milling and drifting to the south until out of sight at 13:30
17:25 - 17:48, 2 miles south of Landbank, 6-7 members of J-Pod very quickly northbound, spread out 3/4 mile from shore. Lots of backtracking and surface activity; breaching porpoising. At 17:48 the milling orcas changed direction to the south and out of sight. Viewing from 1 mile south of Landbank. -Michelline Halliday
J39 Mako - photo and ID by Michelline Halliday, July 27, 2022
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BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Wed, Jul 27 - South Puget Sound (T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - 19:55 - Group of three in south Filucy Bay have left, heading south. Two others made a circuit of the bay - quite the show. -Scott Perry
*
19:47 - Three or four in Filucy bay - south side. -Danette Poole Felt
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18:45 - Spoke too soon. Middle of Drayton Passage headed north.
18:32 - They are headed north [approx. 47.144808, -122.734136]. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
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18:31 - Saw them at Tolmie with binoculars. -Amy Bloss-Rodgers
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18:25 - Heading west from the north tip of Anderson [Island]. -Arthur De La Torre
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18:15 - Heading toward Johnson Point [approx. 47.123754, -122.714220] -Piyakaad Barry
*
17:52 - At least two orcas just started heading west along the south side of Anderson Island. -Bonnie Betts
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17:49 - I found them in Nisqually. -Julie Davis
*
17:44 - They are near the mouth of the Nisqually river. -Stan Fields
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17:40 - South end of Anderson. Nisqually. -Jeff Jernigan
*
17:15 - South group has picked up the pace. Past the south end of Ketron. Both groups rejoined and headed south toward Nisqually
17:09 - 4-6 southbound slowly here [approx. 47.155507, -122.651969]. 2 males milling here [approx. 47.169205, -122.663772].
16:55 - Committed to the east side of Anderson Island, about 1/2 way down Ketron. 5 orca slowly southbound.
16:49 - From Anderson Island ferry dock, seeing them heading steady south on the east side. Almost to the north tip of Ketron. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
*
Truly humbling experience. -Jim Redman
T65A2 - ID by Rachel Haight, Orca Network - photo by Jim Redman, July 27, 2022
*
16:40 - They appear to be keeping to the east side of Anderson. Southbound, moving along steadily.
16:36 - From Sunnyside beach area at Steilacoom, southbound, nearing Eagle and Anderson. At least 5-7 orcas. At least one mature male. Magnificent! -Tari Poe Norris
*
16:07 - Currently near the Tolva Shoal Buoy.
15:28 - Fox Island. Just north of Gibson Point. Pod of 6 feeding. -Jeff Jernigan
*
16:00 - Viewing from Steilacoom, Orcas are at Toliva Shoal Buoy between Chambers Bay, Fox Island and McNeil Island. -Jennifer Tebaldi
*
16:00 - I can see two fins moving slowly south on the direct opposite side of Chambers footbridge.
15:32 - At lower Chambers seeing what looks like a big fin and splashing from the beach directly out from the Love Locks pedestrian bridge. -Robyn Riley
*
14:48 - Headed southwest [approx. 47.214983, -122.588278] towards Ketron [Island]. -Jami Cantrell
*
14:35 - Moving south toward Fox Island fishing pier. -Ryan Tapia
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed Jul 27 13:55 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.27957,-122.64379
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Elaine Root
Whale Alert App
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13:51 - My husband and daughter out boating, stopped while the orcas passed them near the lighthouse! -Denise Dixon Haffey
*
13:37 - Still by Fox Island. Seen from bridge. -Hannah Calvi
*
13:20 - By the Fox Island Bridge. Milling maybe feeding? East side near Fox Island. -Barbara Ostrander
*
13:27 - Hanging out just south of Fox Island Bridge still. Taking long dives. At least 5 including one male.
13:06 - Past the Fox Island Bridge heading south, hugging the Gig Harbor side. -Hazel Atwill
*
13:05 - From Fox Island. -Ashley Whitman
*
12:50 - Spotted Fox Island heading north. -Carly Johns
*
12:15 - Orcas traveling eastbound from Carr Inlet approaching Fox Island. -Jennifer Tebaldi
*
12:27 - [Orcas approx. 47.272852, -122.683983].
11:40 - Heading north up Carr [approx. 47.233306, -122.667422]. -Jami Cantrell
*
10:17 - Between Fox Island and McNeil. Headed east. Hugging McNeil. 5 or more. Very spread out. -Sydney Haglund
*
08:30 -There were three groups of what looked like 5 or more orca total. Two out near Raft Island, two mid channel and one running closer to shore on Key Peninsula side. They were own out in front of Horsehead Bay continuing south [approx. 47.318299, -122.709502]. -Randy Witter
*
07:52 - Just saw the squad of 4 (Could’ve been 5 but I didn’t see the really big one) heading out of Henderson bay. Too far across the bay to get a picture. -Heather Benjamin
*
Wed, Jul 27 - South Puget Sound (T49A2) - 19:00 - And there is still a single orca hanging out on the Key Peninsula side of Raft Island [approx. 47.340034, -122.702184]. -Randy Witter
*
15:23 - He just passed Minter heading south. Close to Key Peninsula side. -Gary Furuheim
*
14:00 - Single male back and headed north towards Henderson Bay. Key Peninsula side of Raft Island. -Randy Witter
*
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Wed, Jul 27 - Gulf Islands BC
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Michele Smith
Date of Sighting: 7/27/2022
Time: 8:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Georgiana Pointe, Mayne Island, BC.
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: hunting, breach, tail slap
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?: 2 orca had a notch in the dorsal fin
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: same behavior, same location 6am Saturday 7/23/2022, 8 Orca, 1 male
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Jul 27 - Puget Sound - 07:45 - Can confirm humpback moving east just past Dune Peninsula. -Charlie Wright
*
07:30 - Possible humpback off Owens beach, saw one blow and am waiting for it to surface again. -Brooke Casanova
*
GRAY WHALES - Wed, Jul 27 - Holmes Harbor - 12:30 - The kids and I went out to Baby Island at low tide and saw him floating around, about 10:30. As of 12:30, he was hanging out between Greenbank and Baby Island. -Lindsey Sowell
*
Another magical kayak morning! Gray whale feeding south of Dine’s Point (Whidbey) between 6:30 and 7:30. -Kristi Etzell

July 26
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Tue, Jul 26 (J Pod) - Sounds like J-Pod snuck north overnight and went up Boundary Pass this morning. -Monika Wieland Shields [WSSJI]
*
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Tue, Jul 26 - South Puget Sound (T65A2, T65A4, and T77s) From when they exited Totten Inlet. I almost gave myself a heart attack running to the point. -photos by Jami Cantrell, July 26, 2022
*
21:00 - Spotted off Flapjack Point in Eld, heading south. -Pat Andrew
*
20:45 - Orcas sighted in Eld Inlet. They were headed south. We spotted them at the north end of Eld. Just north of Sunset Beach. -Meagan Darrow
*
20:15 - These beings startled us last night [26th] while we were eating dinner on the deck, as if materialized out of nowhere because I was looking. Apparently I’m getting rusty in my old age. Never saw them again. Check out the people on Cooper Spit. -photos by Kim Merriman, July 26, 2022
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17:40 - Just south of Herron Island. -Greg Faker
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sara Overton
Date of Sighting: 7/26/2022
Time: 3:45 PM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Belfair, WA. In North Bay in Case Inlet.
Direction of travel : S, fast!
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Not sure
Any unusual markings?: Couldn’t tell
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They were moving quickly! Last saw them near the bridge at Grapeview around 4 pm. Amazing! They were coming up often. What a thrill!
*
15:28 - They're heading south in Allyn/North Bay. Looks like they're hunting. -David Bennett
*
14:15 - Just passed Harstine Point. -Cindy Faker
*
15:20 - Viewing form Allyn Waterfront Park- they’re heading deep into North Bay [approx. 47.390334, -122.814830].
13:37 - Now just out of view from the park, continuing slowly northbound.
13:15 - Continuing northbound, passing Jarrell Cove State Park, hugging the opposite shoreline. Slow travel, long down times. -Danielle Carter
*
13:12 - Tracking a pod of 4 up Harstine just passing Jarrell Cove. -Barbara Gerhard- Harmer
*
13:00 - Northbound Pickering Passage. about 1-2 miles past the Harstine Bridge, hugging Harstine. -Megan Gene Carlson
*
15:15 - They are near the Allyn Pier. Big male and at least here females. Appears to be the same group as from last Thursday and Sunday.
15:00 - Orca are almost here. Heading North from Treasure Island heading towards Allyn. -Beverly Lynch McCallum
*
12:37 - They headed up Pickering Passage about a half hour ago going north. -Daniel Joseph Ferreira
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13:01 - Heading north in Pickering north of Harstine Bridge. -Blair Panzer
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11:52 - Eastbound. Watched them heading out. [Totten Inlet]. -David Bennett
*
11:38 - They headed eastbound out of Totten about 20 minutes ago. -Mary Prentice
*
08:40 - Totten Inlet going south. -Amanda Jacobs
*
07:00 - Pod of 5 meandering in Pickering Passage off Krabenhoft, heading south to Harstine bridge. -Ken Donald
*
Dwayne Fathergren called to report a pod of orcas who were in Totten inlet this morning. They saw 5-6 Bigg’s come into the inlet as far as the mussels rafts at Deep Point, on the Mason County side of Oyster Bay. Pod prowling around where the seals haul out on the rafts. Group did cruise back and forth. Included one large adult male and looked to be a younger sub-adult male as well. They spent 15-20 minutes around mussels rafts, Calm cove or Big Cove on the chart. Took their time heading back north past their place (1/3 mile north of rafts). One boat was on scene keeping ample distance and behaving.
*
Tue, Jul 26 - Henderson Bay/Carr Inlet (T49A2) - 20:45 - Brent from West Coast MM Stranding hotline called to really report received from Jessica who called to report an orca floating in Henderson Bay, (address places just east of Minter), Gig Harbor. Orca is floating along, dipping under, coming back up.
*
19:30 - Of the pictured orca going south about a 1/4 mile south of Minter Creek. Then at 20:15, another sighting of presumably the same orca going north in the same vicinity. I saw it pass by Minter Creek continuing north into Henderson Bay. -Randy Witter
*
19:30 - Lone male cruising south. At Minter, Carr Inlet.
17:00 - Male, possible alone Carr Inlet, north of Maple Hollow Park headed south when last seen. Long down time. -Gary Furuheim
*
15:04 - One big bull in the Purdy spit going towards the Purdy Bridge. -Mark Stolz
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 26 15:20 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.37795,-122.63075
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Noelle Pingree
Whale Alert App
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Kevin Stroh
Date of Sighting: 7/26/2022
Time: 9:00 AM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Henderson Bay, off Minter Creek, on Minter Creek side of bay.
Direction of travel : south, very slow and quietly with no splashing or heavy blowing.
Behaviors observed: There were many seals close to shore, I sure they were aware of his presence as they stayed in the shallows.
If orcas, any males?: It was a single male. There was a slight curve at the top of his dorsal.
Any unusual markings?: The bent dorsal.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Jul 26 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Just another day in paradise! - Sooke Coastal Explorations - Monarch - Zephyr -IDs by Alethea Leddy - photos by Paul Pudwell, July 26, 2022
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Tue, Jul 26 - Haro Strait - 12:20 - Two humpback (mom/calf pair) passing Lime Kiln heading north. [Per Monika Wieland Shields, Identified by a friend on the water as BCY0649 "Barracuda" and calf.] -Katie Onthesalishsea [WSSJI]
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09:52 - Humpback moving north in Haro. About 1/2-3/4 mile offshore SJ County Park. A total of 4 have gone by county park since 09:45. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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Tue, Jul 26 - Puget Sound - 20:19 - Humpback in Dalco. Milled for about an hour, then disappeared toward Point Defiance. No confirmation of Colvos vs Narrows. Photos are too far for ID. -Ashley Whitman
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20:00 - Humpback at Owens Beach, beautiful strong blows as the sun setted. -Cherie StOurs - photo by Cherie StOurs, July 26, 2022
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10:45 am - Humpback whale went west through Balch Passage between McNeil Island and Eagle Island. Appears to be turning south into Drayton Passage. Saw it surface 5 times! -Belen Bilgin Schneider
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GRAY WHALES - Tu, Jul 26 - Saratoga Passage - 14:30 - Gray heading south of Sandy Point. -Debra Rack
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13:03 - One gray whale feeding in the shallows just northwest of Langley. Slowly trending southeast toward Langley. -Anna K. Greenwood
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06:45 - 07:15 - Just south of Baby Island in Holmes Harbor this morning. This baleen (gray) moved around us as we were kayaking. Fun to see this much of its body and hope someone can ID. Also, it “hit low tide area” of Baby Island and then turned south once again. [ID'd as CRC2440 by ALB] -Kristi Etzell
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MINKE WHALES - Tue, Jul 26 - Haro Strait - 16:20 - Minke at South Beach. Feeding, up every few minutes. -Holly Youngblood Cannon [WSSJI]
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Minke Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 26 11:30 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.60770,-123.21350 (west of Henry Island)
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Kyle Werner
Whale Alert App

July 25
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Mon, Jul 25 (J pod) - Excerpt from encounter #44: “We arrived on scene shortly afterwards at the north end of Mitchell Bay. A large group of J pod whales that included the J37s, J19, J45, J46, and a few others was milling vigorously. We stopped several hundred yards away due to another research boat being on the group while Dave looked at the whales through binocs and Stewart took a few photos. After determining that there were only J pod whales in the milling group, we left to find other whales...” See full report at Center for Whale Research
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J36 Alki carrying a deceased harbor porpoise on her rostrum as she traveled past Lime Kiln Lighthouse this morning. A few weeks ago it was L-Pod whales, and now J-Pod! Why do the fish-eating Southern Residents engage in this often fatal harassment of porpoises? We may never know, but this bizarre behavior has been observed periodically among all three pods since 1976 when studies began in earnest. It often seems to occur in bouts, where if it happens once it seems likely to happen again that same year. Amazingly, there has still never been evidence of consumption. -Orca Behavior Institute
J36 Alki with dead porpoise on rostrum -photo and ID by Monika Wieland Shields, July 25, 2022
From left to right: J40 Suttles (fin tip only), J37 Hy'shqa, J59, J46 Star, J49 T'ilem I'nges, J35 Tahlequah, J44 Moby, J53 Kiki. -photo and ID by Monika Wieland Shields, July 25, 2022
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21:05 - All Js together southbound off False Bay
13:20 - Guessing based on WDFW's location that they are offshore of Eagle Point still heading southeast.
10:10 - Leaders approaching Lime Kiln.
08:30 - J-Pod leaders Turn Point southbound. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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07-25-22 J-Pod, Haro Strait,
10:32 - J-Pod leader, J39 Mako, southbound at Point Edwards (just to the south of Landbank’s Westside Preserve). A steady stream of J-Pod members, spread out 1/3 -1/2 mile from shore
10:55 - 4-5 members of the pod moving farther off shore to the SSW, spread out, 1 mile south of Landbank
11:00 - 11:59, One mile south of Landbank. 8-10 members closer in to shore - 1/4 - 1/3 mile out, southbound. As they rounded Point Edwards 7 orcas were porpoising, including J19 Shachi, J16 Slick with J36 Alki, J46 Star and an unidentified mom with her calf. Massive plumes of white water in the bright sun! At 11:59 the trailing three passed me, southbound, 1/3 - 1/2 mile from shore
16:35 - 17:00 - J-Pod northbound, 1 mile south of Landbank Westside Preserve. The pod slowed, milling north and south, all over. Direction change, most J-Pod members turned south 1.2 miles south of Landbank. A few are left milling, including J31 Tsuchi and her daughter J56 Tofino until they too turned south.
19:46 - One mile south of Landbank, J-Pod northbound. the group split with some continued north passing Point Edwards. The rest stayed milling, including J27 Blackberry, J26 Mike with his mom J16 Slick, and J39 Moby. For 45 minutes the group rested, some forming a resting line, hanging motionless at the surface. Four others moved in a slow-motion dance near the kelp, dipping and gliding, circling with each other; 3 big males J27 Blackberry, J26 Mike and J39 Moby with Mike's mom J16 Slick. The golden sea was flat, there was no sound except their breaths.
20:33 - The 4 milling orcas southbound, 1 mile south of Landbank.
20:43 - The trailing orca was part of the group that went north past Point Edwards. J47 Notch, returning from the north and traveling to the south in the fading light. -Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday
J26 Mike - photos and ID by Michelline Halliday, July 25, 2022
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Mon, Jul 25 - Burrows Bay (T37As, T65A, T65A3, T65A6) - T65A, T65A3, and T65A6 were seen traveling with the T37As near Anacortes this evening. They made a close pass along shore by the community of Skyline, delighting the many people gathered on the beaches and at Washington Park on this warm beautiful evening. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
T65A3 & T37A4 - Matriarchs T65A & T37A -IDs and photos by Rachel Haight, July 25, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Evie Wehrhahn
Date of Sighting: 7/25/2022
Time: 18:35 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Burrows Bay, Anacortes WA
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Maybe 1
Any unusual markings?: Don’t know
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Saw from shore. Will send video
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
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Across from Tugboat park. They were spotted by my husband about 6:30pm, on Monday the 25th, as he was on the beach and he immediately called me. From my deck I observed them for about 20 minutes as they swam by. Maybe 5 or 6 including what appeared to be a calf. It looked like they were feeding along the way as they swarm through Burrows Passage. I could see their spouts as they rounded Washington Park. Also, there was one orca trailing behind the others, seemed like he was keeping watch.(Not that I can tell the gender difference!) I will tell you it made my day! I just moved to Anacortes a few weeks ago, in hopes, partly, that I would be able to see whales. My next door neighbor said that in 9 years, she has only seen them 3 times! What a treat. -Leslie Smith
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Gordon Baillie
Date of Sighting: 7/25/2022
Time: 17:57 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: 48N 29.433 -- 122W 40.787
Direction of travel : West
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Four were travelling together and one was lagging behind about 1/2 mile
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Mon, Jul 25 - South Puget Sound (T49A2, T65A2, T65A4, T77s) - 19:12 - They're right off Gertrude Island, lots of seals beached right now. - Eric Anderson
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19:19 - Almost an hour in the same location.
18:00 - They are off the northeast side of McNeil. Headed southeast -Katie Redman
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16:58 - We just saw them from the Fox Island sand spit. Out by McNeil. -Rayna Nigro
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16:57 - Heading south between McNeil and Fox Island
16:24 - Right by Maple Hollow Park. Key Peninsula side. Hugging the shore headed southwest. -Lauren Beck
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16:30 - T77s / T65A2/T65A4/ and T49A2 (7 orcas and the same group as this morning). T65A, 65A6, and 65A3 were not present this afternoon or this morning. Still southbound after eating a meal. [approx 47.288326, -122.736800]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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16:11 - As I left Kopachuck they were picking up speed. They may be a bit closer to mid channel than my arrow [approx. 47.296331, -122.730059]. -Jami Cantrell
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15:29 - Found the group of orcas! Right across from Kopachuk heading southwest. -Ashley Hathaway
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15:53 - Seeing one bull that split from the group of boats heading southbound past Cutts Island.
15:41 - Seem to be stalled on a hunt possibly. Still just across from Cutts Island.
15:14 - Passing Cutts Island, southbound mid channel. -Brooke Casanova
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15:20 - South end of Raft Island. Headed towards Cutts Island.
15:11 - Near Allen Point now.
14:10 - Near Purdy on the Gig Harbor side.
13:40 - Northbound, Henderson Bay (Carr) between Raft Island and Minter. -Gary Furuheim
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14:30 - 4-5 orcas in the Purdy Spit moving slowly to Dead Man Island and Raft Island. -Mark Stolz
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14:15 - Viewing from the Purdy Spit. -Valerie Aspée
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13:20 - Seen 5 or 6 heading towards Purdy. -Michael Rodenbaugh
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12:05 - T65As/77s/49A2 update still NB. Viewing from MV Swiftsure, Puget Sound Express. [approx. 47.270339, -122.708986].
11:50 - Update northbound [approx. 47.235474, -122.718278].
11:09 - T65As/T77s/T49A2 just killed a seal and are northbound. See my map. Of the T65As only 65A2 and 65A4 are here. [approx. 47.210454, -122.724187]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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10:42 - They are between Longbranch and Anderson. -Sara Peterson
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09:44 - Lost sight after they went on the eastern side of Anderson.
09:30 - Spotted between Anderson Island and DuPont shore line. Traveling slowly northeast through the reach. -Stan Fields
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08:25 - They headed south between Anderson and Ketron, viewing from Salter’s.
07:45 - T65As on a kill viewing at Chambers Bay then continued south between Ketron and Anderson Island. -photos by Cherie StOurs, July 25, 2022
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06:23 - We watched them spouting between Point Fosdick and Titlow Beach, then headed north of Fox Island for a bit, then went south past Fox Island fishing pier. -Kathy McNally Elkins
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05:55 - South sound orcas south of Tacoma Narrows bridge generally facing south but not going anywhere. -Renee Makowski Serra
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Mon, Jul 25 - Puget Sound
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Clayton McDaniel
Date of Sighting: 7/25/2022
Time: 3:25 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Approx 150 feet offshore Gold Beach north end
Direction of travel : N heading toward Pt Robinson
Behaviors observed: Surface breaths, quick roll flip
If orcas, any males?: Uncertain
Any unusual markings?: Insufficient view time
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Jul 25 - Haro Strait - 12:15 - just passed Lime Kiln about less than 100 yards offshore! Still going north. Honu BCX1856. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI] -photo and ID by Monika Wieland Shields, July 25, 2022
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Mon, Jul 25 - Central Puget Sound - 20:55 - Curtis Kauffman called to report whale sighting: minimum of two humpbacks were in Commencement Bay first near Port of Tacoma ~ 20:00 and then proceeded northwest toward Colvos. They are entering and heading northbound up Colvos Passage now. They were breaching, tail slapping.
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18:36 - Two humpbacks passed Dash Point about 15 minutes ago heading south. Mid channel. -Adam Sedgley
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14:24 - Humpback headed south between Three Tree Point and Seahurst Park. -Rob McMonigle
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11:31 - From Des Moines I've seen some blows and some kind of an animal that was large and dark, surfacing in front of the Clipper across from Des Moines Marina at 11:30 a.m. -Bridget Gallagher
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10:30 - Humpback passed by Three Tree Point heading south. Appears to be closer to Des Moines, Victoria/San Juan clipper on site -Shelly Sh
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06:40 - Humpback seen to the right of the outgoing 06:20 am Bremerton Ferry this morning. It was by the Naval Shipyard. -Natalie Simmons
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Jul 25 - Holmes Harbor - 19:18 - Still hanging around. I still hear it loud and clear, but further north across from Honeymoon Bay. Headed south again at about 7:45 and then came north again. -Maridel Mercier Martinez
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13:41 - Florian Graner called to report a gray whale currently at June Beach, Holmes Harbor; the whale has been around there the past half hour feeding. Seems to be the same whale as the other day at Beverly Beach who has white patch far back on their first vertebrae, white spots on tail fluke. If traveling in any direction would be slightly north toward Beverly Beach, but generally is working the area.
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12:06 - Gray again in the southern portion of Holmes Harbor. This whale swam down, turned around and headed north. Amazing to see so many whales this far south in Holmes Harbor. - Best summer ever for whales! -Catherine Drews
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12:15-12:30 - Came within 100 yds from shore off Freeland park and is now heading along east shoreline of Holmes Harbor northbound about a 1/2 mile from park.
11:37 - Seeing blows Southside of Beverly Beach/Whidbey on on east side of Holmes Harbor. Viewing from Freeland Park. Appears to just be milling. Looks like gray. -Marilyn Armbruster
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07:21 - Several “tall blows” in south part of Holmes Harbor I can see from my kayak. Guessing a baleen, but hoping someone else can see from their vantage point. -Kristi Etzell

July 24
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sun, Jul 24 (J pod) - Excerpt from encounter #43: “We got on scene west of Spieden Island at 0940. Except for J27, all of J pod was in a single tight resting group heading slowly north. J27 was by himself about 500 yards or so to the southeast of the rest of the whales. Since J pod was not arching very high, we only spent about ten minutes over two surfacing sequences with them...” See full report at Center for Whale Research
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14:15 - They just went northbound through Active Pass into the Strait of Georgia. -Monika Wieland Shields [WSSJI]
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07:07 - Northbound approaching Smugglers Cove. Close to shore. At least one male. -John Boyd [WSSJI]
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05:30 - J Pod heading north past Bellevue Point 05:30 7/24. Baby on Board. -Paul MacMahon
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Sun, Jul 24 - Central Puget Sound (Likely T65A, T65A3, T65A6 but unconfirmed) - 05:27 - Off Bainbridge Island to Seattle ferry. Mid-channel northbound, orcas about parallel to Space Needle. Traveling behavior. At least 2 males. Very spread out. Some closer to Kitsap side off Wingpoint. Northbound. -Chris Merritt
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00:15 - I heard them come by our house on Day Island at about 12:15 am, July 24, headed northbound towards the Narrows Bridge. -Karen Caldwell
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Sun, Jul 24 - South Puget Sound - 20:30 - Hunter Point towards Olympia. -Jim Chamberlin
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Deborah Wallace
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 8:00 PM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Hammersley Inlet at Pirates Cove
Direction of travel : To East from Shelton bay
Behaviors observed: Jumping, splashing surface with tail
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?: Just saw one large fin and another 1 or 2 smaller fins
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Just saw them for a minute before they rounded the bend to the east out of Hammersley Inlet. But neighbors indicate they traveled west toward Shelton and then reversed and left the inlet to the east again.
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sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Meg Callea
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 7:41 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Shelton WA
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sandy Santa Maria
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 7:41 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Libby Point, Hammersley Inlet
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
-photo by Sandy Santa Maria, July 24, 2022
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19:34 - East in Hammersley passing Church Point. -Bill Pardi
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19:10 - Heading out from Oakland Bay into Hammersley. -Amber Stanfill
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19:01 - Oakland Bay Marina. -Deanne Cano
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A few from Allyn dock earlier today. -Tina McKail
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18:17 - Still in Oakland Bay area. -Dawn Spivey
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18:11 - Looks like Ts are in Hammersley Inlet/ Oakland Bay Shelton -Wendy Allan
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17:58 - Passed about 10 minutes ago heading towards Oakland Bay. -Sung Jun Oem
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17:20 - Three orcas now in Hammersley Inlet, headed into Shelton/Oakland Bay. -Carolyn Lockmon
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19:45 - Passed Libby Point
19:10 - Heading east from Walker Park now. Slowly.
17:05 - Walker Park westbound, Hammersley Inlet. -PS Osborne
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16:42 - Heading toward Hammersley. -Natalie Hagen Child
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Don Pogreba
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 4:30
Species seen: Orcs
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: About 1/4 mile east of Shelton on Hammersley Inlet
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
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16:14 - Just went under Harstine Bridge. -Gale Riordan Glenn
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16:10 - Passed Harstine Bridge moving south. -Loba Perkins
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Barbara Andrews
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 6:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Hammersley Inlet, Shelton Washington
Direction of travel : West. Fast, being pursued by watchers.
Behaviors observed: Travelling

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15:43 - They just rounded the north end of island heading south toward [Harstine] Bridge. -Teresa Saunders Westcoat
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Noreen Light
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 3:40 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Pickering Passage, just north of Jarrell Cove
Direction of travel : Southbound
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: At least 1 male
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Grateful that most boats kept their distance.
-photo by Noreen Light, July 24, 2022
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15:29 - Spotted heading south through Pickering Passage. -Amanda Walls
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15:19 - Orcas still here across from McClane Cove
15:02 - Orcas spotted just south of Stretch Island and headed south on the west side of Harstine. -Lauren Pitman
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Earlier today from Boston Harbor. -Christina Davis -photo by Christina Davis, July 24, 2022
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14:36 - Orcas just passed Treasure Island heading south towards Harstine. -Gale Riordan Glenn
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13:30 - Five Orca, one large male. Looks like same group as last Thursday heading North in Case Inlet. Down by the Allyn pier at 1:30. They are traveling quickly. Sure they’ll be hunting down there. -Bevery Lynch McCallum
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13:05 - Three spotted headed north passing Grapeview, headed toward Allyn, close to the west shore. -Carolyn Treleven
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13:08 - Just off Victor shore right now.
12:44 - Headed into North Bay now. -Jacob Virnig - photo by Jacob Virnig, July 24, 2022
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11:47 - Headed north up Pickering at Jarrell's Cove. -Teresa Saunders Westcoat
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Karen Eng
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 11:40 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Pickering Passage, passing by Jarrell cove State Park
Direction of travel : NE
Behaviors observed: Traveling and breathing
If orcas, any males?: One fin looked very tall
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They came up for air frequently while traveling up the passage heading northeast and suddenly dove in just at Jarrell Cove Park.
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11:34 - Heading north on the west side of Harstine. -Shana Rivano
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11:31 - Northbound Pickering Passage. -Megan Gene Carlson
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10:42 - Heading north along the west side of Squaxin towards Harstine Bridge. -Katie Brogan
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10:36 - From Steamboat Island - looks like they're headed north towards Arcadia.
10:09 - Saw them from the Carlyon Marina - they passed Steamboat Point. -Mindy Ross
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09:40 - Hunter Point/Squaxin moving towards Hope Island /Carolyn Beach, at least 5. -Jim Chamberlin - photo by Jim Chamberlan, July 24, 2022
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09:38 - Viewing now from Boston Harbor, they’re near the top off Cooper Point. -Christina Davis
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09:45 - This is as the second group (of three) rounded the corner at Hope Island. Look at those happy kayakers who were surprised by these animals. First the 5. Then the second group of three.
09:30 - They just came out of Budd in two groups. One close to far shore at B. Harbor in the fog. The second group of at least 4 were more mid channel heading NW toward Hunter Point. Lost sight of them. Their regular MO is to head toward Hope/Steamboat islands. Fog has lifted. -im Merriman
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09:10 - this morning one of the two groups heading north out of Boston Harbor. There were three in this group.
09:15 - Leaders. This is them nearing Hunter Point far shore of Eld Inlet -photos by Kim Merriman, July 24, 2022
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09:09 - 3 or more across from Tamoshan. Heading North fast.
08:45 - Budd inlet again! Tamoshan going fast North -Katy Gesell
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06:48 - Cindra Hill Delgado sent report and stunningly beautiful video of at least 5 orcas who had just passed through Dana Passage heading southbound directionally toward Budd Inlet .
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Sun, Jul 24 - Hood Canal - 13:45 - Heela (sp?) Patel called to report seeing an orca in Hood Canal near Belfair about 2-1/2 from the wetlands/end of the canal. The whale breached once, but seemed small for an orca. Been watching out for more, have not seen any additional orcas. Not sure what direction it was traveling, but it was facing toward wetlands when it breached. Definitely black and white, bright white underbelly when it breached.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Jul 24 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Today with humpback whales mom Hemlock and calf near Race Rocks Lighthouse. -Sooke Coastal Explorations - photo by Paul Pudwell, July 24, 2022
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Sun, Jul 24 - Central Puget Sound - 20:17 - Baleen whale at Olalla (point Anderson) norhtbound in central Colvos passage! [approx. 47.443524, -122.523069] -Amanda Herberger
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18:15 - Colvos Passage: Humpback at Andersen Point County Park heading north. -Kyle Buffenmyer
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16:40 - Humpback approaching Point Defiance on the east side of the Narrows. -Jack Sasser
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Sun, Jul 24 - North Puget Sound - 18:50 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 21:08 to report: Whale 7/24 1850 hrs Spokane Master reports a possible gray whale near the EDM dock, milling about in no specific direction.
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17:20 - Humpback moving generally eastbound off the tip of Indianola/Jefferson Head. -Chris Blackstone
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16:35 - We (MV Swiftsure) found another humpback juvenile northbound nearing Edmonds. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Joy Lee
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 6:09 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: North end of Colvos passage, Kitsap side
Direction of travel : Northbound, steady pace, not feeding
Behaviors observed: Traveling
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Sun, Jul 24 - South/Central Puget Sound - 16:00 - 2 humpbacks Ocean (BCX1710) and Calf were northbound nearing West Point. [approx. 47.571652, -122.432049]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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15:50 - Seeing whale watching boats north of Seattle to Bainbridge ferry lanes, northbound, could be a humpback as I saw just one plume. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
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13:52 - Mom and calf exiting Colvos. Not sure which direction. Long dives with not a lot of surface activity. -Ashley Whitman
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13:43 - Mama and baby humpbacks now at north point of Vashon very close to island. -Tim Ferris
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13:18 - Spotted off Fern Cove, traveling north. -Maya Breitburg-Smith
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12:56 - Just passed Cove Motel area on Vashon ( just across from Fragaria on Kitsap side). Closer to Vashon. -Amy Carey, Sound Action
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12:10 - Humpies now past Lisabuela, island side of channel, fluked once during pass, steady travel northbound. -Marla Smith
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11:54 - Mom and calf still slowly cruising north mid channel.[approx. 47.392144, -122.530614]. -Katie Lassiter
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11:24 - Headed north up Colvos, just passed Sunrise Beach Park. -Mary Moreno
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11:45 - Our last location where we left the two humpbacks [approx. 47.377399, -122.521347].
11:31 - Update on Ocean and calf, northbound [approx. 47.361668, -122.529049].
11:08 - Swiftsure is on scene with 2 Humpbacks northbound. It’s Ocean (crc-16831, bcx1710) and her new calf!! Puget Sound Express. [approx. 47.331271, -122.541062]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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10:20 - 2 humpbacks heading north almost at Point Defiance mid channel. -Teri Fields Mattsen
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10:53 - Humpbacks where Dalco, Colvos, and Narrows converge. Closer to Kitsap side fluked toward north.
09:53 - Confirmed two humpbacks headed north under Narrows bridge about 5-10 minutes ago. -Ashley Whitman - photo by Ashley Whitman, July 24, 2022
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09:35 - Viewing from Titlow looks like 2 humpback headed north. -Cherie StOurs
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09:35 - Saw from Hidden Beach. Heading northbound. -Karen Kingsbury Hultgren
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09:32 - Headed northbound under the Narrows Bridge. [Video posted shows mom and calf.] -Karen Caldwell
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08:20 - Humpback just swam in front of the ferry in Steilacoom, heading towards Sunnyside Beach. I didn’t have my phone out when it was close to us. -Angie Johnson Vandeberg
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06:09 - We received a report from Joy Lee of a humpback traveling northbound in the north end of Colvos Passage, Kitsap side.
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We were fortunate to see two Humpback Whales as they cruised north past Lisabeula Park on Vashon Island around noon on Sunday. One appears to be smaller so perhaps a mother and calf swimming close together? -Richard Rogers - photo by Richard Rogers, July 24, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Jul 24 - Holmes Harbor - We had a gray whale hanging out for quite a bit in Holmes Harbor last [Sunday] night sunset. -Ellie Szollosy Olsen
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21:00 - Approximately 9:00 pm we first heard then spotted baleen whale very close to west shore of Holmes Harbor near Freeland Park. The whale was right off our beach about 30 feet in shallow water. Initially thought there was two but examination of the video taken, we now think there was only one. Likely feeding as the whale was on its side with pectoral fin visible. Also some spy hopping. Hung around this area for over 2 hours. We went to bed around 23:00, and could distinctly hear it blowing. Very fantastic. Especially since we saw a gray in the morning. -Catherine Drews
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18:04 - Gray whale CRC2440 is feeding vigorously in the shallows of Holmes Harbor [approx. 48.068953, -122.540968]. -Bart Rulon
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16:45 - Baleen whale north of Dines Point, Holmes Harbor, slowly southbound. -Katie Davis Watkins, Orca Network
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12:00 - 13:35 - Judy and Bob Moore called to report a gray whale. First seen at noon who they believe to be same immature gray whale blowing water here in front of their house. Whale was first heading more northbound along beach at Greenbank and then clearly turned around as the whale is now going south in front of their place. Hanging around a lot the last two weeks.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sarah Rupp
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 11:30 AM
Species seen: Gray whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Near Wonn Road beach access
Direction of travel : South towards Holmes Harbor, slow pace.
Behaviors observed: Saw it breach a few times, moving slowing and it blowed its hole a couple times
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Catherine Drews
Date of Sighting: 7/24/2022
Time: 8:30 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Foot of Holmes Harbor, near Freeland Park
Direction of travel : Travling south, then turned and traveled north up Holmes Harbor
Behaviors observed: traveling, blows
*
MINKE WHALES - Sun, Jul 24 - Haro Strait - 19:50 - Minke (possibly 2) directly out from South Beach. Was traveling up island and took out a bait ball. -Tamara Kelley [WSSJI]
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sun, Jul 24 - South Puget Sound - 16:10 - Either baleen or humpback whale just north of Tacoma Narrows bridge, heading north, m/id channel. -Amanda Van Meter
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00:00 - Midnight I heard what sounded like a large, single whale (deep breath sound) heading towards the Narrows in Carr Inlet. -Erin Dugger Reetz

July 23
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sat, Jul 23 (J Pod) - Excerpt from encounter #42: “We arrived on scene at 1640 west of Spieden Island. J pod was very spread out and, after seeing J16 plunge south to the east of us, we had a hard time at first finding any other whales. We eventually saw a group to the southwest of where we saw J16. This group, including J35, J36, J42, J46, J53, and J57, was tight together and active with a lot of tactile and rolling behavior as they headed south...” See full report at Center for Whale Research
*
J56 Tofino working on her hang time. This little rockstar was a bundle of energy, as always. -Orca Behavior Institute
*
20:21 - I'm seeing about 15 to 20. Much closer to shore than Hein Bank. Getting closer to Eagle Point. Heading south. -Jenny Stands Wilson
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18:15 - Approaching Lime Kiln. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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15:30 - Leaders at Turn Point.
15:05 - J Pod heading down Boundary about a mile or two from Turn Point! -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
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06:00 - J pod went north in Active Pass towards Delta port. -Rachelle Hayden [WSSJI]
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07-23-22 J-Pod, Haro Strait - 18:47 - 19:30 Leaders southbound 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. The orcas were spread out, each traveling solo except for an unidentified individual and calf and J37 Hy'Shqa with energetic J59. Over the next 45 minutes J-Pod traveled south, a few were off-shore 1/3+ mile with some blows seen as far as 2 miles from shore. J19 Shachi was the last one to go by close-in with others spread out far in the distance in back of her. A single orca lingered, milling 1.2 miles south of Landbank until 19:30. -Michelline Halliday
J19 Shachi - J31 Tsuchi -photos and IDs by Michelline Halliday, July 23, 2022
*
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Sat, Jul 23 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Right out front of Sooke today with T060s hunting porpoises and seals! -Sooke Coastal Explorations -photo by Paul Pudwell, July 23, 2022
*
Excerpt from encounter #41: - “Early Saturday morning, the Victoria pilot boat encounered some westbound killer whales off Brotchie Ledge, at the mouth of Victoria Harbour. Mark and Joe got word and departed Victoria on Mike 1 at 0805 to follow up. They had just passed the Haystock Islets, when a large bull surfaced a mile ahead. They reached the T060s at 0835 as they travelled restfully south-southwest in Parry Bay…” See full report at Center for Whale Research
*
Sat, Jul 23 - North Puget Sound (T37As minus A1) - Today my husband and our friends had the most magical opportunity to see these orcas off of Possession Point! We we getting ready to SCUBA when we saw their fins off the boat launch! They were breaching, tail slapping, porpoising, and majestic! We let them be and made our way to the Point to dive and when we were underwater we heard them!! Sounded like they were right near us. Our friend on the boat saw the calf peel off swim past him and head for our bubbles. We heard the calls and squeaks, we thought someone was yelling, but all was okay! We did not see them underwater. -Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico -photo by Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico, July 23, 2022
*
19:50 - We saw them for a hot second from Libbey Beach Park about 45 minutes ago and then never saw them again. -Our Wild Puget Sound
*
19:06 - Viewing from Fort Ebey near the batteries. -Caleb Marrs
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18:30 - Eyes on them from Ebey's Landing, steady northbound. -Durand Dace
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18:25 - Now north of Fort Casey mid-channel. Moving northbound at a fast pace. -Orca Conservancy
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18:05 - Orcas at Fort Casey! -Kate Wilson
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17:55 - T37As still northwestbound. See my map. [approx. 48.138433, -122.675547]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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16:05 - Still cruising north, middle of Admiralty Inlet. They were one mile north of Bush Point, mid channel. -Katie Lassiter
*
16:05 - They have crossed to Marrowstone side. Still northbound. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:48 - Northbound mid channel at Bush Point. -Gary Schuster
*
15:40 - About level with Bush Point now.
15:30 - There are at least 5 in the pod. They are now about 1 mile south of Bush Point. Moving quickly. 15:20 - The Admiralty Inlet trio are about 2 miles south of Bush Point, close to the Whidbey side, heading quickly north. They were just breaching next to a small fishing skiff (they orcas approached the skiff, not the other way around). -Mike Meyer
*
14:43 - Update on the T37As as we leave the scene. Still northbound [approx. 47.961032, -122.546127].
14:25 - T37As northbound off Double Bluff [approx. 47.963119, -122.515691]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
13:00 - Saw three or so orcas northbound mid channel from Maxwelton. -Jayn Goldsen
*
10:30 - 11:15 - Group of 5 Biggs (T37As), slow transit south from Glendale beach , Whidbey Island, rounding Possession Point, and heading northwest up Admiralty Inlet hugging the west side of Whidbey. R/V WDFW 572 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife -Kwasi Addae - T37A2 - ID by Ellie Sawyer - photo by Kwasi Addae, July 23, 2022
*
10:10 - Port of South Whidbey just posted video right off Possession dock. I've asked if that is right now as in Saturday 10:10 AM. Confirmed this is current. Three - female, male and calf. -Debbie Stewart
*
Sat, Jul 23 - Carr Inlet (T65A, T65A3, T65A6) - Had this wonderful, unexpected encounter with these 3 Orcas on Saturday evening! Heard about the Orcas over in the Case Inlet so wasn’t expecting any over this way- I wonder if part of that pod broke away and wandered into the Carr Inlet or was this another group? Initially I thought there were just two but found out it was 3, looked like maybe one male, one female and a juvenile? Sorry quality isn’t great on most of them, had lots of camera issues, but always magical especially that hour of the day with the sun setting! These were taken roughly mid channel in Carr Inlet off Horsehead Bay. Circled in one area for awhile, lots of breaches and tail slapping, then slowly headed northbound towards Purdy. -Jennifer Swenson - photos by Jennifer Swenson, July 23, 2022
*
Sat, Jul 23 - South Puget Sound - 20:41 - Seeing just one between Devil's Head and Anderson Island going east. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
20:30 - Two spotted here [approx. 47.150944, -122.746223]. -Roxy Lee
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20:29 - They’ve actually started heading back northbound in the Inlet towards Purdy.
20:11 - Haven’t moved in about 20minutes, circling in one spot with occasional tail slapping.
19:58 - Single orca spotted heading south in Carr Inlet off Horsehead Bay. Looks like 2 now- one adult, one young [approx. 47.277732, -122.703602]. -Jennifer Swenson
*
19:27 - Headed south again. -Alice Schermer
*
19::44 - They moved closer to the Key Peninsula side and are steadily heading south. Looks like they are going into the Nisqually Reach.
19:28 - Now watching them come back south out of Case Inlet, closer to Harstine Island still. Heading quickly towards Johnson Point.
19:08 - Watched the pod and the last two stragglers work their way into Case Inlet. Still very slowly heading north.
18:56 - Viewing from Taylor Bay. They are way over by Harstine slowly trending north towards Case Inlet. -T.j. Smith
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Dena Howr
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 6:50 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Boston Harbor marina
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: It looked to be a mother and a youth.
*
18:43 - North of Johnson Point, closer to Harstine. -Courtney A Turk
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18:36 - They just went through Dana Passage heading north.. -Cindra Hill Delgado
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18:30 - I was able to see them off the western side of Johnson Point as they came out of Dana Passage and are moving east and north toward Johnson Point._Bethany Haywood
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18:27 - The orcas moved north past Dana Point in Dana Passage. They seem to be hanging around now off Dickinson Point. -Mandy Underhill
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18:30 - Headed east toward Steilacoom.
18:22 - Spotted a couple randomly passing by Eagle Island Marine State Park. -Patrick Dent
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Denice Hall
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 6:12 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Longbranch, Washington
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Travelling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?: Didn’t see that close
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I have a photo and video. I was quite far from them.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Rebecca Hendricks
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 6:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Boston harbor marina
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Breached
If orcas, any males?: I think so
*
18:16 - They are coming way north out of Budd Inlet -far shore- and heading toward (and almost into) Dana Passage. VERY surface active - tail slaps, spy hops, breaches, cartwheels. And I’m looking from 3+ miles away.
17:54 - The orcas are coming north out of Budd Inlet. -Kim Merriman
*
17:48 - Should be passing Burfoot headed north. -Scott Armstrong
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17:37 - Spotted some still milling about south of Burrfoot Park in the Budd Inlet. -Kristen Weander
*
17:00 - Traveled fast out of Budd Inlet at Boston Harbor. [Headed] north east towards Dana Passage. -Leslie Raine Carman -photo by Leslie Raine Carman, July 23, 2022
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16:45 - Just at the north end of the port in downtown Olympia. Started heading north. -Carrie 'Taylor' James
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sandy Knab
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 4:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Anthony’s hearthstone grill, Olympia
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?: 4’
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: There were 2 seals seen first and then the orcas showed up but they did not go after the seals - photo by Sandy Knab, July 23, 2022
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Hunting near the Washington State Capitol Building - Video by my daughter, Sierra Swigart, July 23, 2022
T65A2 - 16:32 - T65A2 approaching the haulout on the north side of Port of Olympia -photos and ID by Gayle Swigart, July 23, 2022
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16:35 - Just off Burfoot Park now, mid-channel. Heading north out of Budd Inlet. -Daniel Szekely
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16:28 - They are all the way at the end of the Budd Inlet now. Near Anthony’s. -Eileen Lorenz - photo by Eileen Lorenz, July 23, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jeanne HARMON
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 4:00 PM
Species seen: Seven orcas - six adults and one juvenile
Number of animals seen:
Where seen: Boston Harbor to Budd Bay
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: hunting seals swimming in circles. one group went all the way to the end of Budd
Bay. the other group stayed around the yacht club, circling the log raft where seals gathered
If orcas, any males?: one
*
15:00 - Off Burfoot in Budd Inlet heading south. I have not seen them come back north, yet. -Todd Swims - photo by Todd Swims, July 23, 2022
*
15:01 - Past lighthouse long dive going south into Budd middle channel. -Chris Hamilton
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14:45 - Just rounded Dover Point toward the marina and out of sight for me.
14:38 - Southbound towards Boston Harbor viewing from Zangle Cove! -Jocelyn Rae Finch
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14:25 - A group of 5 followed by a single passed by Dana Passage southbound past Harstine Island. -Mandy Underhill
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13:23 - Hugging Key Peninsula headed towards Zittel's in Nisqually Reach. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
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13:20 - We watched them in front of Anderson. -Carole Fouts
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13:17 - Now at Devils Point heading into Nisqually Reach up north Case Inlet.
13:04 - West of Andy’s Marine Park.
12:54 - Confirmed still here at Anderson [Island]. -Berit Green
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12:39 - South side of Anderson Island heading south towards Johnson Point. -Lauren N Brett Ware
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12:22 - Looks like they headed back south in Pitt Passage towards Filucy Bay. -Edward StOnge
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12:13 - In Pitt Passage. -Lisa Szczepanski - photo by Lisa Szczepanski, July 23, 2022
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11:35 - Orcas went around back side of McNeil. north up Carr. -Julie Davis
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10:20 - Heading north along McNeil Island hugging McNeil. -Cherie StOurs
*
10:12 - Moving with purpose into the bay [approx. 47.193345, -122.645812].
10:07 - 5 heading eastbound into Chambers Bay near the McNeill prison dock[approx. 47.190951, -122.682702].
10:01 - East/north along the McNeill shore, close to the old dock and trending toward Chambers Bay.
09:53 - from Johnson’s Landing on Anderson island, they are hugging the McNeil shore across and just East from Eagle Island. They have been here for about half an hour, hunting seals. No kills yet.
09:38 - They reversed and headed toward Eagle Island again.
09:15 - Report from Anderson Island neighbors that a large group of orca passed through Balch Passage eastbound between McNeil and Anderson Islands. -Belen Schneider - photos by Belen Schneider, July 23, 2022
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09:52- Orca southbound at Narrows Bridge right now. [Level of certainly orca?]: positive!! 5 of us saw 1 orca, with binoculars and bare eyes. -Gail Dallas Garnas [PSWS]
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: David Williams
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 9:00 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 12
Where seen: Off the East side of Eagle Island and near McNeil
Direction of travel : East past McNeil Island & casually over time
Behaviors observed: Hunting (the 100+ seals on the beach) and what appeared to be playing. Three
swam very close to the seal beach. And two swam toward our buoyed 25 foot sailboat, under the boat,
swam along side the boat upside-down under-water and, believe it or not, did a graceful back flip and can out of the water tail first moving backwards about 4 feet from our boat cockpit and I have it all on video which was broadcast on KIRO news this weekend.
If orcas, any males?: I would imagine
Any unusual markings?: Did not notice any
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: My wife and I were woke up at approx. 9am by heavy breathing and a large fin passing our sailboat and past Eagle Island beach with 100+ seals resting. The 8+ Orcas (some as large as our 25 foot boat) continued to swim around the island for approx. 30 minutes.
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network\
Name: Mark Long
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 8:50 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 8
Where seen: Eagle Island
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Milling and traveling north
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: It looked like there were two very small whales, babes or juveniles. There were 8-10 that we counted.
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Jul 23 - Possession Sound - 13:30 - There was a report from PSWS about a Humpback by the Clinton ferry dock. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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10:16 - One Humpback milling at Scatchet Head (South Whidbey Island). - R/V WDFW 572, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife -Kwasi Addae
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Sat, Jul 23 - North Puget Sound - 18:45 - It was just hanging out near Jefferson Head. -Chris Blackstone
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17:32 - Got a better look and it is a humpback. South of Edmonds heading northwest. -Jackie Avizenis Bruner
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nathan Seaman
Date of Sighting: 7/23/2022
Time: 4:00 PM
Species seen: Humpback based on hump and fluke
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Between Marina Beach Park in Edmonds and the Kingston Ferry Terminal
Direction of travel : South toward Seattle
Behaviors observed: One breach, mostly traveling
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13:00 - Humpback! South of Whidbey, just north of the Edmonds ferry. -Gary Powell [PSWS]
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Sat, Jul 23 - Central Puget Sound - 20:33 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Chetzemoka Master reports one humpback whale off Owen's Beach. 7/23, 2033 hrs.
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19:18 - Christina Storm called to report a whale sighting. They are at Dash Point by the fishing pier and have been watching who looks like a humpback moving southbound off Vashon, south of Maury Island. Been breaching a lot playing while moving south.
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Sat, Jul 23 - South Puget Sound - 14:45 - Humpback heading South toward Heron Island. -Michelle Dimant [PSWS]
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12:56 - Humpback rounding the south side of Anderson heading towards Tolmie. -Kristen Weander [PSWS]
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11:29 - Humpback crossing in open from McNeil toward Anderson right at about Eagle Island view from Steilacoom dock. -Kristy Brokman
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11:26 - Baleen whale beautiful blows no fluking approaching Anderson Island ferry terminal.
11:13 - Baleen heading south in front of McNeil viewing from Sunnyside. -Cherie StOurs
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09:00 - There’s a sighting in another group of a humpback in Dalco Passage. No direction, it sounds like it’s been milling. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Jul 23 - Holmes Harbor - 18:52 - The one in south Holmes Harbor was still there this afternoon. -Maridel Mercier Martinez
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07:25 - David Bieniek reports a gray whale (video confirms CRC2440) deep in Holmes Harbor. About 1/2 mile north of Freeland park on east side. Whale turned and headed back north.
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sat, Jul 23 - Saratoga Passage - I stopped by Camano Island State Park and received a second hand report from someone who saw an unconfirmed whale between Camano Island State Park and Fox Spit around 10:30 going north. The whale was described as dark in color with a small ridge. -Linda Aitkins, Orca Network.
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Sat, Jul 23 - Port Susan - 07:06 - Report to Whale Alert App of a whale (species unconfirmed) in Port Susan, near Country Club on Camano Island.

July 22
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Fri, Jul 22 - (J Pod)
22:15 - Bummer about the loud cruise ship coming through but still hearing clicks, calls, and whistles on the Lime Kiln hydrophone.
21:52 - Love me some S4s.
21:35 - Calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
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07-22-22 J-Pod, Haro Strait
20:47 - 21:06 - One orca, a large male, northbound 1 mile south of Landbank. Just after I saw him he reversed direction to the south and in a few minutes was milling in big circles. I could see an open saddle and realized I was watching J26 Mike. He continued southbound until out of sight.
21:29 - 21:40 - 5 - 6 orcas, including J26 and a mom with her calf, northbound 1 mile south of Landbank. In the last of the light, I saw the calf and Mom fluke lobbing multiple times. (This is a rough count- it was near dark) -Michelline Halliday
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Fri, Jul 22 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - With reports of transient killer whales coming into Sooke Harbour while refueling boat, I grabbed my camera and took a few shots of the T60s hunting seals close to shore off Whiffin Spit a few hundred yards of our docks at Salty Towers Ocean Front Cottages. -Sooke Coastal Explorations - photos by Paul Pudwell, July 22, 2022
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Fri, Jul 22 - San Juans (T37As) - 10:55 - T37As southbound in Griffin Bay. -Julie Woodruff [WSSJI]
*
When we think Ts in July, we think the T37As, so when whales popped up this morning less than a mile from where we were having our research meeting it wasn't too surprising to find these familiar fins cruising down San Juan Channel! -Orca Behavior Institute - photo by Monika Wieland Shields, July 22, 2022
*
Fri, Jul 22 - Central Puget Sound (T34s & T37s) - 17:05 - Just saw them off of Point No Point. -Shannon Barrios Stander
*
16:36 - Kim Page called to report this group of orcas is now between Eglon and Pilot Point traveling northbound at a good clip.
*
16:10 - Seeing them south of Eglon in the shipping lanes heading north. Saw one big male for sure with another 3 or 4. Down for long dives. Straight out from Eglon moving north quickly. -Jennifer Backen Matchem
*
15:42 - Two of the four individuals I originally sighted made a close pass by Apple Tree Point and are now crossing out into shipping lane heading northbound towards Eglon at a good clip.
15:40 - Visible from Apple tree point northbound Kitsap side north of tank farm. -Donna Green Van Renselaar - photo by Donna Green Van Renselaar, July 22, 2022
*
15:36 - Update northbound. We are leaving the scene now. [approx. 47.803710, -122.476644].
15:28 - Northbound and playful. Off Kingston. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. [approx. 47.790878, -122.476123]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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15:20 - They are just north of Kingston. Headed north, lots of breaches. -Trish Moylan Davis
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15:06 - Orca coming from the south. Boat with them. [Apple Tree Point, Kingston]. -Sara Frey
*
15:39 - Approaching Apple Tree Cove neighborhood.
15:28 - Whales passing Kingston now. West of midchannel. Viewing from Edmonds Marina Beach.
14:45 - Picked up speed. Northbound halfway between Kitsap side and midchannel marker.
14:28 - Now northbound passing just north of Point Jefferson. West of midchannel.
14:22 - Group just south of Point Jefferson. Not going anywhere. Viewing from Richmond Beach. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
*
13:17 - Off Indianola.
13:06 - North side of Port Madison, 3 dorsal fins, heading east. -Chris Bushue
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12:35 - Northbound just after passing under the Agate Pass bridge. -Jim Reitz - photo by Jim Reitz, July 22, 2022
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12:20 - Passed under the bridge should be nearing Suquamish dock. -Jim Pasola - photos by Jim Pasola, July 22, 2022
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12:30 - Orcas passing Agate Point into Port Madison Bay, between Bainbridge Island and Suquamish. -Sue Surowiec Larkin - photos by Sue Surowiec Larkin, July 22, 2022
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12:38 - They have now left Agate Pass into Port Madison.
12:21 - Under bridge now. -Noah Izzard
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12:17 - This was taken as they were passing under the Agate Pass bridge. -Mike Maddox - photo by Mike Maddox, July 22, 2022
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11:47 - Three orcas swimming North midchannel in agate pass still south of the bridge. -Julie Gerke Middleton
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11:45 - Agate Pass bridge. -Rebecca Pierson - photos by Rebecca Pierson, July 22, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Dave Bernhard
Date of Sighting: 7/22/2022
Time: 11:31 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Just south of Pt Bolin slowly traveling north towards Agate Pass
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Travelling
If orcas, any males?: Didn’t appear to be any males (smaller dorsals)
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 3 tour boats following behind. Not sure of exact number of animals, maybe 6-8.
*
11:01 - Four orcas passed by my house in the Port Orchard Sound about 20 minutes ago. Heading to the Brownsville Marina area. A whale watching boat was following, but keeping their distance. Slowed down as they neared the whales... -Lynn Willmott
*
10:58 - Just passed Brownsville Harbor heading north. Mid passage with whale watching boat trailing. -Tricia Delapaz
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11:30 - Now in Agate Passage traveling north, but still south of the bridge aways.
10:57 - They are right east of Brownsville slowly moving NE along the Brownsville side. -Scott Markowitz
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11:34 - They are sleeping now and it looks like they have chosen Agate Passage [approx. 47.689902, -122.580378].
11:20 - Update still northbound [approx. 47.682931, -122.582967].
11:11 - Update on T34s/T37s still northbound [approx. 47.671885, -122.601793].
10:40 - T34s and T37s northbound still [approx. 47.646966, -122. 602476]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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10:20 - Viewing from the Port Orchard side orcas are in Port Orchard passage half mile north of Illahee heading towards Brownsville. Can't tell for sure looks like 4 or 5 -Jim Pasola
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09:52 - They passed Fort Ward headed toward Bremerton 20 minutes ago. Lost them when they went around the bend, but they're on the move heading west toward Enetai. -Scott Markowitz
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09:37 - I just saw a pod traveling west through Rich Passage near Manchester. It's unclear which inlet they would take as they continued going west. I've attached a video link for you. There were four orcas that I could see but only captured one or two in the video. -Kristen Althizer - photo by Kristen Althizer, July 22, 2022
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08:30 - Four orcas off the west side of Blake Island. [Headed[ North towards Bainbridge. -Don Van Doornik
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Fri, Jul 22 - South Puget Sound - 21:54 - Just passing through Pickering, northbound towards Harstine Point. -Megan Gene Carlson
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21:34 - They just passed thru Pickering Passage headed north. So cool to see them twice in a day. -David Coates
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20:58 - I saw them from Carlyon Marina and it looked like they were headed away towards Pickering. -Sky Myers
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20:49 - Just leaving Totten Inlet! Putting on a show near Arcadia Point! -Juli Boothe Miller
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19:53 - They're headed out from Totten slowly, following a big male. He's by Windy Point now and the remainder of the group is in the middle of the inlet.
19:14 - They've been milling in Totten at Quarter’s Point. -Nick Wenzel
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17:43 - They're pretty far into Totten Inlet at this point. I saw them go south of the Carlyon Beach neighborhood about 30 minutes ago. -Lisa Barrett Morgan
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19:30 - Late check in from when they were in Totten inlet, didn't see any boats in the area. seen about 7:30-8 or so -Skye Brumley - photo by Skye Brumley, July 22, 2022
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17:24 - Orcas in Totten Inlet just now. -Diane Redman - photo by Diane Redman, July 22, 2022
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17:55 - I think they are off Quarters Point on Kamilche.
17:30 - Putting on a show off Gallagher Cove.
17:05 - Off Windy Point in Totten [Inlet] heading further into the inlet. -Chay Norbom
*
16:00 - Caught them exiting Eld Inlet from our kayak. -Eli Pogue
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Kim Merriman at 16:00 - 4:00 Ok. They just left Eld Inlet on the western shore and mid channel. They are currently at Hunter Point/ Squaxin Island area hanging west toward Hope/Steamboat islands. This one was the leader AT the shore! I heard the blow to my south and had to search for where such a HUGE blow came from. Ran to the bluff and this one was swimming belly up for several seconds (I could see the bubble prints) until it surfaced about 20 feet off shore. It continued doing that 4 more times that I could see until I lost sight. The others were more grouped together and further out.
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15:32 - They’re heading north in Eld [Inlet]. -Pat Andrew - photo by Pat Andrew, July 22, 2022
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14:30 - In Eld Inlet. We parked our kayaks in the middle of the inlet and sat for a good 40 minutes in hopes the orcas would pass by, and they made a b-line straight at us! -Kat Donald
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14:20 - Bigg's are still way south in Eld Inlet in the vicinity of Flapjack Point. -Kim Merriman
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13:50 - Just spotted in Eld [Inlet] across from Sunset Beach. -Patrick Dent
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13:47 - In Eld at Flapjack Point! Headed south. -Kat Donald
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13:11 - Looks like they've entered Eld Inlet. -Heather Carlsson
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13:05 - They have finally moved north of Burfoot, still on the west side of Budd Inlet. Still lots of directional changes and surface activity. Looking at my photos, they were just past Cooper Point, at this time, where Budd and Eld Inlets come together. -Gayle Swigart
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12:35 - They are still in Bud Bay going from north to south, lots of tails slapping, no real direction committed._Julie Davis - photo by Julie Davis, July 22, 2022
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11:04 - Viewing from Burfoot Park Beach. Lots of surface activity. No committed direction. -Candace Gavin
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11:45 - They are still here across Burfoot. Been here a while!
10:33 - Visible from Burfoot! Across the other side in Budd Bay by Gull Harbor still! They were breaching. -Kristin Martinez
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09:33 - Then a 4 minute or so dive. Now split up (maybe hunting) still heading slowly south. Passing Burfoot Park and heading toward Gull Harbor. Photo confirms T65As at least. -Kim Merriman
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09:52 - Down in Budd Inlet still headed south.
09:28 - Boston Harbor headed into Budd or Eld 5 or 6. -Robert Stanton
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Kristen Althizer
Date of Sighting: 7/22/2022
Time: 9:20 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Near Manchester from the Bremerton WSDOT ferry.
Direction of travel : West moving fairly quickly
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Not that I observed
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Nobody on the ferry including the crew seemed to notice them.
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09:02 - Orcas just went past Hope Island heading east. -Kyle Martens
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09:00 - Hunter Point moving towards Cooper Point, Eld Inlet. 5 or 6. Olympia. -Jim Chamberlin
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08:43 - A video from this morning at Carlyon Beach. After they were heading out towards Boston Harbor. They were moving pretty slow. Link to video -Haley Valentine
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07:57 - Just passed my house heading south on east side of Squaxin Island in Pickering Passage. -David Coates - photo by David Coates, July 22, 2022
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07:00 - Second-hand info, got word orcas were to/past the Harstine Bridge, going south. -Ken Donald
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HUMPBACK WHALES - 08:49 - Kimberly Sylvester called to report seeing a humpback. They are aboard the ferry Coho from Port Angeles, about 20 minutes into the run and encountered a westbound humpback. [Coho was roughly here at time of her call: 48.235137, -123.373202]
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Fri, Jul 22 - Haro Strait - 07-22-22 BCY0409 Humpback, Haro Strait - 10:21, Humpback BCY0409 "Yogi", northbound, 1/4 mile from shore, approaching Point Edwards, which is just south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. One big dive in the right direction displayed the underside of the humpback's fluke for an easy ID.
11:44 - BCY0409 reportedly turned at Lime Kiln State Park and 30 minutes later I saw a humpback passing Point Edwards southbound, which I assume was BCY0409 but they only surfaced once. -Michelline Halliday - BCY0409 Yogi -photos and ID by Michelline Halliday, July 22, 2022
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Fri, Jul 22 - Saratoga Passage - 16:45 - Secondhand report from a kayaker of one humpback just off Cama State Park, Camano Island. Lots of tail slapping, then travelled north. They thought it was a jet skier, with all the splashing. I’m at Cama now, and no visual. -Linda Raines Tyner
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Fri, Jul 22 - Saratoga Passage/Possession Sound - 18:09 - Lots of direction changes, but last surfaces appears they are headed towards Possession Point.
17:51 - We found BCX7110 Ocean and her calf again. See dropped pin. Viewing from Edmonds fishing pier. [approx. 47.880824, -122.437814]. -Orca Conservancy
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16:22 - Update for Ocean (crc16831) and calf. Still southbound. The calf has been cartwheeling frequently!
15:55 - Two Humpbacks Ocean (crc16831) and calf southbound at my map post. [approx. 47.898768, -122.368434]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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15:44 - Couple of big breaches, too.
1535 - Directly out from Possession Beach boat launch, but closer to Mukilteo. Lots of pec slapping and now momma and calf appear to be in travel mode again southbound. -Durand Dace
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14:57 - Several breaches near shore on Whidbey side. -Chris McNally
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15:03 - Total breachfest near Glendale, midchannel. Heading south again now.
14:32 - South of Clinton and more consistently southbound now.
14:12 - These humpbacks are doing long down times. Just popped up right in the middle of Clinton, Mukilteo and Hat Island. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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14:02 - Viewing from Edgewater beach in Mukilteo. The Clipper is with them. Nearing the Clinton ferry terminal. -Tamara Kelley - back of camera photo by Tamara Kelley, July 22, 2022
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13:20 - Update for Ocean (crc-16831) and calf still southbound towards Clinton.
12:53 - Ocean (crc-16831, bcx1710) and her new calf!! They are southbound near Hat Island. [approx. 48.019262, -122.340383]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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12:15 - They were hugging the Camano island side, looked to be south bound but not moving very fast. Last saw them approximately due north of Langley. We saw one breach, looked to be a group of 2-3.
11:37 - Just spotted a humpback at the dropped pin (north of Langley) it was heading south. [approx. 48.080120, -122.412588]. -Jess Hallett-Hook - back of camera photo by Jess Hallett-Hook, July 22, 2022
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12:05 - We spotted à whale mid channel between Langley and Camano's South End, headed south. Hard to see détail due to the distance and sun glare but he surface quietly a few times, blowing just once. Not heart-shared, and we noticed à dorsal fin much more pointed than à gray. -Peg Boley
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Dianne M Shiner
Date of Sighting: 7/22/2022
Time: 9:30 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Holmes Harbor, Beverly Beach
Direction of travel : Circling back and forth
Behaviors observed: Feeding, milling
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Stayed a long time!
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Fri, Jul 22 - North Puget Sound - 16:31 - Edmonds humpback moving southbound crossing the ferry lanes. -Orca Conservancy
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16:25 - More humpbacks! Seeing two straight out from the Edmonds ferry terminal midchannel. PSE is with the mom and the calf, and while we were scanning for the Ts (viewing from Edmonds) we saw two different spouts. Mid channel but maybe more towards the Edmonds side. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Jul 22 - Holmes Harbor - 18:25 - She was there for hours. So fun to watch. -Maridel Mercier Martinez
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17:15 - We did see gray whale CRC2440 feeding over and over again in Holmes Harbor. -Bart Rulon
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12:55 - Florian Graner called to report gray whale has been in Holmes Harbor feeding off Beverly Beach for better part of the day and is still there. We described CRC2440's markings to Florian and sounds like it's a match.
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UNIDENTIED BALEEN WHALES - Fri, Jul 22 - Bellingham Channel - 13:37 - Whale off northeast tip/side of Cypress Island. Not Orca and doesn’t look like a humpback. Big blows and gliding along. Gray? -Susan Moore
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Fri, Jul 22 - Saratoga Passage - 05:00 - Heard a whale’s blow in Langley. Tried spotting it, but assume it was headed towards Everett. I assumed single large baleen, I was out walking and the initial blow startled me by the marina. There were several blows, several minutes apart and moving away from me. -Shawn Martinez

July 21
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Thu, Jul 21 - Saratoga Passage (possible split from morning group?) - 18:15 - Georgia Gardner called saying she saw orca off Race Lagoon, Saratoga Passage. Only one [orca], although there were three further north in the afternoon. We saw the one frolicking in the water as they do. A small motor boat came after it and pulled up along side. We did not see the orca again after that. We don't know if it was blocked by the boat so we couldn't see it or if it was under water. The boat drifted slowly south out of our vision. (maybe splitoffs from the morning group that included 34s & 37s? - alb)
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Thu, Jul 21 - North Puget Sound (T34s and T37s) - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: SALISH Orca Report 7/21/2022. 1842hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz vessel has slowed due to 6 orca, SB in the SB shipping lanes, 1 nm SE of Point Wilson.
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Thu, Jul 21 - North Puget Sound ( T34s, T37s, and T60s ) - 17:45 - we have the T37 and T34s that grouped up with the T60s between Sierra and Point Wilson heading towards Admiralty Inlet. They're doing about five knots, they should be at the point in a half an hour. -Christoper Lewman
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11:00 - T37s and T34s. Chilkat Express found them north of Hoipus Point heading west and followed them through Deception Pass westbound in the fog. -Christopher Lewman
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Diane Christman
Date of Sighting: 7/21/2022
Time: 11:00 AM
Species seen: orcas (most likely Bigg's)
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Skagit Bay, west of Hoypus Point, east of Ben Ure Island. 48.41359* N, 122.62175* w
Direction of travel : west, moderate pace, lots of breaths
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: One boat LITERALLY went right over them. I yelled at another boat that was watching the whales to take a picture of the boat that went right over them. I don't have a long enough lens to capture the renegade boat.
frame grab from video by Diane Christman, July 21, 2022
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08:31- [orca] they keep changing directions. Headed west then switched east. Last I heard they were mid-Hope Island. -Diane Christman
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10:58 - [orca] Just crossed Deception in solid fog here but it was clear from Dewey Beach.
08:08 - Five orca by Kiket and Skagit Island. They were swimming around and 1 breached twice, they headed back in, then 1 I saw headed toward Ala Spit, lost sight with the fog rolling in….they were headed South I assume, at least the last one I saw so maybe Saratoga direction_Steve Perea
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11:00 - Sammye Kempbell called back to report just 3 orcas (incl. male) traveling westbound under the Deception Pass Bridge.
(unconfirmed, but presume same earlier group, or some if group split? -alb)
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At 07:40 Sammye Kempbell called to report 5 orcas (includes one male) off Miller Bay (east of Deception Pass) heading inbound/eastbound towards Saratoga Passage.
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Thu, Jul 21 - South Puget Sound (Members of T65As and T77s ) - 20:53 - [orca] Still in the same general area north of West Bay Marina at 8:53.
20:30 - [orca] Distant puffs seen from North Point, Olympia, west side of inlet. Can't tell direction. -Gayle Swigart
T65As & T77s Budd Inlet from North Point, Olympia -photos by Gayle Swigart, July 21, 2022
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20:37 - [orca] Heading south now Budd Inlet. Stopped for a meal near the Olympia country club. West side. -Brad Stephens
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19:46 - [orca] Past Burfoot heading south (toward Priest Point/the Capital), they were moving quickly.
19:39 - [orca] In Budd Inlet heading toward Burfoot Park. -Katie Christensen
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19:45 - update from Kim Merriman: Orcas were heading south at Boston Harbor and took a long dive. Popped up still heading south at Burfoot Park. Another long dives and then some more surface activity and another long dive. I have lost them heading into and south of Gull Harbor. Sun lit blows and dark black fins are breathtaking. Truly.
19:09 - Kim Merriman messaged she is seeing the orcas and reports they are very surface active on the south side of Harstine. Heading east toward Boston Harbor and Budd Inlet.
19:18 - T65As & T77s further south in Budd Inlet with Gull Harbor in background
19:15 - T65As & T77s Budd Inlet, taken from Kim's deck on Eld Inlet. -photos by Kim Merriman, July 21, 2022
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18:45 - [orca] Just went through Dana passage headed west at 18:45. -Cole Baldino
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18:40 - We just saw them [orca] in the Dana Passage, heading towards Boston Harbor around 6:40 pm. -Cinder Hill Delgado
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18:34 - They [orca] were so close here it was crazy. Towards Southern end of Harstine. The two huge Orcas were Inside this boat/buoy. It was unreal- so close to beach -Alice Schermer
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18:09 - [orca] [south bound [map indicates off SE Harstine]…they were staying pretty far over by Harstine, so I imagine they continued hugging the island to head toward the Olympia side of Johnson Point. -Courtney A Turk
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18:28 - I'm seeing them in the vast openness between Harstine & the Mainland. Can't tell if they are heading for the Reach or into the inlets tho. Zittels MIGHT get a good pass here soon.
18:01- [orca] very active as the pass Joemma!!
17:52 - [orca] 5 maybe? Hard to tell, all grouped up passing Joemma Park on Harstine Island side, Southbound towards Nisqually Reach.
17:29 - [orca] I have at least one individual approaching Joemma State Park, on Harstine Island side, Southbound. [map approx: 47.235147, -122.843596] [2nd Video] -Melissa Bird
View from Joemma State Park - video by Melissa Bird, July 21, 2022
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15:30 - [orca] Hi hoping all is well and you’re enjoying this beautiful day. Looked up about 14:30 to see the whale watching boat out front. Sorry, I didn’t get a good count...They’ve headed out of Case Inlet, moving quickly. But, lots of jumps, breaches, tail slapping. Enjoy. -Beverly Lynch McCallum
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14:54 - Anna Mariano-Morris reports they orcas have been very active off Allyn. And are heading south again towards Stretch/Harstine now.
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15:00 - We left them at 3pm. T65As (confirmed 65A, A2, A3, and A6) and T77s (77, 77C, and 77E). They made a kill and celebrated with a big breach and a backwards dive.
14:36 - San Juan Clipper is with them, spread out and trending back southward. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Ali Schoos
Date of Sighting: 7/21/2022
Time: 2:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Case inlet north of Victor
Direction of travel : North inlet, then watched them head south and leave
Behaviors observed: Travelling, rolling, eating
If orcas, any males?: At least one
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: At least one young small one, probably two. They hung around in case inlet for at least an hour
Photos available?: No
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Thu, Jul 21 - South Puget Sound
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Ali School
Date of Sighting: 7/21/2022
Time: 2:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Case inlet north of Victor
Direction of travel : North I ti inlet, then watched them head south and leave
Behaviors observed: Travelling, rolling, eating
If orcas, any males?: At least one
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: At least one young small one, probably two. They hung around in case inlet for at least an hour
*
13:50 - [orca] Heard them pass by heading north. They appear to be north of Vaughn Bay now. -Leslie Hanks
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13:22 - [orca] Two just passed by Stretch Island, heading northbound. -Jenne Rogers Henderson
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12:45 - [orca] East side of Case, looking like they are heading into North Bay.
12:30 - [orca] they passed Herron Island around 12:30 -Liz Wolk
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12:30 - Couple 2nd hand reports have the Bigg's orcas now advancing in Case Inlet and were northwest of Herron Island aiming towards North end Harstine Island.
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brian Terrett
Date of Sighting: 7/21/2022
Time: 11:55 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: 47*13.644’N - 122*50.309’W south of McMiken Island and north of Joemma State Marine
Park.
Direction of travel : N, unknown pace since we were southbound.
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: At least 1 male, possibly 2. Two large dorsal fins were spotted
Any unusual markings?: Unknown.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: We were very surprised to see this group. We saw the male(s) first south of our location. As the pod was off our port side, we only saw females. We saw at least three females simultaneously. We saw other female dorsal fins separately, so it was hard to tell the total numbers.
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11:29 - Jami’s map shows the orcas are heading up into Case Inlet,
11:22 - [orca] passing Johnson point unclear which way they are headed as of now because they dove -Jami Cantrell
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11:15 - [orca] headed north into Case Inlet past Taylor Bay now. -Courtney A Turk
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10:45 - Saw two orcas in Nisqually Reach heading north at 10:45am mid channel. Lost them in Drayton Passage. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
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10:45 - [orca] …still heading west across the opening of Drayton passage -Grant Hill
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10:50 - [orca] They just passed Nisqually, headed up past Anderson towards Tolmie state park, I only saw 2 of them, they were moving fast with long down times, the silver or white boat following them broke off to north of Anderson, they were heading around past Tolmie about 5 minutes ago
10:39 - [orca] just passed me at National fish farm, lost sight as they were almost to Tolkien SP. they are moving very fast. I only saw 2 , there was one white speed boat for awhile. At a safe distance -Arthur De La Torre
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10:17 - [orca] Nisqually heading towards Tolmie. -Kristen Weander
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09:20 - this morning viewing from Salters Point, Steilacoom -photo by Cherie St.Ours, July 21, 2022
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09:15 am Viewing from Steilacoom, moved out of sight heading southbound. Just past north point of Ketron Island on Anderson Island side. (4-5 orcas) -Jennifer Tebaldi
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09:04 - They are hanging in front of Anderson island. I can’t tell if they are going towards Eagle or Ketron yet. I see 4 of them -Jessi Clifton
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08:24 - Husband works on McNeill Isl....out on water...said 10 minutes ago (08:24) they got quite a show from several killer whales! Headed south between Anderson & Ketron Islands! -Donna Hayward
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07:47 - [orca] 3, possibly 4 continued south close to Fox Island shore. Lost them 2/3 the way down the island. -Debbie Bingham
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07:32 - 3 orcas traveling south bound thru Narrows. Just passed Fosdick. One may have been a porpoise, but there are two for sure. Follow up: Yeah it definitely could have been a young one. I’m fishing off the point and just saw them from a distance. -Gabe Miller
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07:30 - Jacqueline Platner called to report at least three orcas (including a male) off Point Fosdick, area 13 traveling southbound. Fishing and couple pleasure boats look to be doing a good job staying the distance, cutting engines etc.
*
07:00 - Here’s a photo of them as they headed south under the Narrows Bridge just before 7 am. I think there were 4 of them total. -photo by Heather Maher, July 21, 2022
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Bigg's Transient orcas southbound Tacoma Narrows: "We counted at least 5." -photos by Gypsea Salt, July 21, 2022
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06:58 - 3 orcas directly before Tacoma Narrows bridge, confirmed passed under bridge, favoring Gig Harbor side. Heading south. -Amanda Van Meter
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07:00 - [orca] As we were repositioning one of our Tacoma Narrows Bridge cameras at about 7 a.m. Thursday, we caught sight of quite a show. -WSDOT [Video]
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Thu, Jul 21 - WA Coast/ Swiftsure Bank
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu Jul 21 10:52 PDT
Sighting Device Location (Lat/Lon): 48.47912,-125.18678
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.47912,-125.18678
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Laurie
Whale Alert Appt
ON follow up: We only saw 3 orcas together. They were milling about likely feeding as there were several birds, kelp beds and a few sea lions nearby as well. No great images.
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Jul 21 - Juan de Fuca Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu Jul 21 16:01 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.24007,-123.37558 [Just south of border, US side near ferry traffic lanes]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: Seen from Blackball Ferry Victoria to Port Angeles 3pm sailing.
Submitter Name: Thomas Nielsen
Whale Alert App
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Thu, Jul 21 - Haro Strait - Looks like BCX0915 Fallen Knight -Photo by Dawn Fujino Redmond, July 21, 2022
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12:30 - It’s a humpback, north of Lime Kiln heading north as of 12:30 -Monika Wieland Shields
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11:45 - Landbank sighting of baleen whale near the shore heading north north west towards lime kiln. -Christina Lee
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Thu, Jul 21 - Possession Sound - 13;15 - MV Saratoga has a young humpback southbound in Possession Sound, mid channel just south of Mukilteo. Appears to be Slate’s 2021 calf Malachite. -Justine Buckmaster
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2:49 - [humpback] it’s close to the beach headed south still. A little north of Glendale…this whale looked super dark in color, I was wondering if it was the same one that’s been hanging around….The mate and I were trying to tell, I was thinking humpback… -Melissa Simmons, WSF
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12:25 -[humpback] Just off the Clinton ferry dock, heading SB. -Gregory Roeben
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Thu, Jul 21 - Puget Sound - 12:53 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 12:58 to report: WENATCHEE Humpback Whale Report 7/21/2022. 1253hrs: Vessel reports 1 humpback, NB in the NB traffic lanes, just north of the SEA>BI route crossing.
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, Jul 20-21 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage (CRC2440)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Shannon Boss
Date of Sighting: 7/21/2022
Time: 9:00 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Off of Sandy Point Whidbey Island
Direction of travel : N and S
Behaviors observed: It has been going back and forth in front of Sandy Point for almost 24 hours often stopping to eat in the sand spits
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
FOLLOW UP W/PHOTOS: We have been watching this gray whale travel back and forth in front of Sandy Point on Whidbey for almost 24 hours. It has often stopped to feed in the spits, and we even had incredible encounters with it coming within 30 feet of shore at times. -Thank you, Shannon Boss
Gray whale CRC2440 close in off Sandy Point, Whidbey Island.
photos by Shannon Boss, July 20-21, 2022
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Thu, Jul 21 - North Puget Sound - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: SUQUAMISH Gray Whale Report 7/21/2022 2027hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz they have slowed due to a single gray whale, NB, mid-channel between CLIN and MUK.

July 20
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Wed, Jul 20 - Admiralty Inlet (members of T65As, T77s, w/49A2) - It sounds like these might be the 65As, 77s, and 49A2. -Rachel Haight. Orca Network
*
21:47 - [orca] Just took a last glance in the scope before packing up. Saw one swimming fast south mid-channel. Line of sight Edmonds to just north of apple tree cove. (The horizon is dark but the whales are darker
21:38 - [orca] lost them in the dark telescope view at about 21:35. Still steady SB midchannel. (The view was as far as my scope can go) -Ariel Yseth
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21:15 - [orca] approx 8 whales spread in a N-S line between Eglon and Edmonds Kitsap side of mid-channel slow and steady SB
20:45 - [orca] Swimming right under Mt Baker at golden hour - so pretty but too far for photos! 20:45 - well rested and moving fast now!
20:38 - [orca] Visible from Eglon. Looking north of Mt Baker -Donna Van Renselaar
*
20:20 - there are about 8 orcas heading southeast towards Edmonds (Jennifer follow up)
20:11 - Long time sightings volunteer Jennifer Backen Matchem called to report the orcas are passing off Point No Point right now. Closer to the Kitsap side heading southeast (directionally toward Edmonds/Kingston). Couple of males surfaces as we were on the phone!
18:45 - [orca] Definitely heading South. If you are watching right now, they are just N of the Victoria clipper which had stopped to watch
18:40 - [orca] They are mid-channel about 2 miles south of Bush Point. I can't tell the direction of travel (if any). -Mike Meyer
*
18:23 - [orca] They are well past Bush Point now by a few miles and have drifted further offshore to the middle, still southbound. Viewing from Bush Point. It looks like they might be sleeping.
17:57 - [orca] They are off Bush Point now still southbound. Viewing from the beach. -Bart Rulon
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17:45 - [orca] 3 or 4 headed sb just now south side of Lagoon Point north of Bush Point. -Cheryl Connor
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17:00 - [orca] stalled out in a rip tide northern tip of Marrowstone but generally heading south. At least 8 whales possibly ten. I'm not there - this is being relayed by a homeowner watching.
16:47 - As of 4:47 the Orca pod is off Lagoon Point. I am working getting number and direction of travel. -Debbie Stewart
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16:50 - Kit Turner called to report large pod of orcas in Admiralty Inlet just opposite north end of Lagoon Point, Marrowstone side, milling around a lot . A lot of action. Slowly south, milling either hunting or feeding. At least 7, but think there are more. Group includes two very large males, other adult size, and some small ones.
*
16:15 - [orca] We watched them from the air in Admiralty Inlet around 4:15! -Carole Fouts
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15:50 - John Miller WSF Marine Ops emailed at 16:00 to report: SALISH Orca Report 7/20/2022 1550hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz 8 orca, SB 1/2 mile east of Point Wilson.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Jul 20 - San Juan Channel - 20:00 - Humpback approaching Point Caution southbound. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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Wed, Jul 20 - Cattle Pass - 13:25 Humpback heading east off of South Beach -Monika Wieland Shields
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed Jul 20 9:29 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.45422,-122.96177
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status:
Submitter Name: Amanda
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Wed, Jul 20 - Admiralty Inlet - At least 2 humpbacks frolicking past Bush Point right now. Heading south pretty quickly with lots of tail flips. -Camille Hartley
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Wed, Jul 20 - Puget Sound - 21:00 - Humpy NB north end Colvos Pass at 2100. -Tim Ferris
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17:24 - Humpback going west in Dalco passage. Spotted off Owen Beach. Last surfaced 5 mins ago. -Erica Rangel
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08:48 - likely the same humpback is straight off of West Pt (Discovery Park), still traveling southbound mid-sound. -Sam Fason
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Michelle Goll
Date of Sighting: 7/20/2022
Time: 5:55 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Edmonds ferry lanes
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Traveling
Photos available?: No
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Wed, Jul 20 - South Puget Sound - 13:17 - this one switches direction frequently. We notice loud breaths to alert presence. View of channel helpful. Nothing for 20 mins now….I lost the whale around 1:20 when it got into the channel. From previous experience this whale is hard to track as it switches direction often and dives for 15 mins or so. I’ve noticed many boats will go by with no idea there is a humpback in the area...
12:57 - Humpback now in the channel heading toward Johnson Point….S/he surfaces for breath then dives. Hard to get pic. Humpback though.
12:30 - Case Inlet humpback in the scene 12:30 in front of Joemma Beach then traversed to Hartstine shore. -Charlotte Smothers
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12:10 - I saw a humpback whale 3 times at 12:10. Case Inlet, south of Herron Island. Once was close to Key Peninsula, so I had a good view. Last night at late dusk I heard his breathing/spout for 30 minutes. But was too dark to see her. -Ron Hebron [PSWS]
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GRAY WHALES - Wed Jul, 20 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage (CRC2440) - 14:57 - [gray hwlae] between Langley marina and Sandy Point. Went in a few loopy circles….lots of feeding and action. -Christy Grant
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6:49 - Gray has moved a bit west heading slowly toward Langley close to the bluff and feeding.
18:38 - 6:38p it is at Sandy Point again. Done kids are throwing rocks at it from Sandy point beach. And there’s a dog in the water near it. Geez.
14:20 - Gray whale feeding on shrimp in close to Whidbey bluff just west of Sandy point. -Luanne Seymour
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Wed, Jul 20 - South Puget Sound - Possibly Humpback (Nisqually Reach/South Puget Sound) if so would be 2nd humpback, likely yesterday's:
09:50 - saw some spouting between Beachcrest and Anderson island. Not sure if they are orcas or not. It looked like it was heading toward Nisqually -Stephanie Mballo

July 19
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Tue, Jul 19 - 10:08 - Ts picked up over by Sidney - 2 of them heading south. -Monika Wieland Shields
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Tue, Jul 19 (T37As) - 12:29 - T37As - Yifan Ling
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11:57 - I was able to see them for a bit from very far away in binoculars. From what I saw it appeared that they went around Lummi and perhaps headed back south as I never saw them go across. -Silver Hubble
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~09:40 - [Orca] We saw them from the shore in the Sandy Point, Ferndale . area! They were heading north. Very exciting for these “first timers”! -report & photo by Kristen Eng, July 19, 2022
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09:40 - Orca off Sandy Point, Ferndale about 9:40, heading north. Group total of five spread out... -Dale Robinson
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Jul 19 - North Pender Island
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 19 :03 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.82150,-123.32274
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: A mother and a calf
Submitter Name: Alyssa Menzis
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Tue, Jul 19 - Juan de Fuca Strait - What another amazing day! …Good day for action and adventure... Fluking Awesome - [Includes BCX1747 Delta; BCX1772 Valiant; BCX1876 Zillion; BCX1737 Alpaca; BCZ0469 Spindrift; BCZ1053 Cascade; BCZ0395 Lyra per IDs by Alethea Leddy. Some picture below] -Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal Explorations
All IDs: Alethea Leddy
photos by Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coast Explorations, July 19, 2022
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Tue, Jul 19 - Haro Strait - 17:06 - I think this is the same group - there is a group of humpbacks currently (5:06 p.m.) heading north ~mid Haro Straight between Sidney and Henry Islands. There are two whale watching boats hanging out nearby. -Sara Cannon [WSSJI]
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13:45 - Several humpbacks mid-Haro off Land Bank. -Monika Wieland Shields [WSSJI]
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Tue, Jul 19 - Puget Sound - 16:01 - [humpback] sounds like it's already south of the narrows!! Heading south towards Fox Island area.
13:00 - From another page: 1pm Tuesday (7/19): Just saw a Humpback whale breach from Dash Point St. Park in Federal Way. Almost it’s whole body exited the water when it jumped! Looked like it was headed toward browns point/Tacoma area. -Amber Stanfill
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~10:50 - saw a humpback or gray 150' off the shore of Normandy Park a mile north of Des Moines marina heading south. -Phil Andrews
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~ 920ish either humpback or gray whale seen briefly heading south on Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry. Only caught a brief glimpse so unsure which of the two it was but it was definitely a baleen whale! …south of the ferry lanes. Probably a couple hundred yards out from the ferry at most, about midway in the channel between the two ferry terminals -Dylan Lynch
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Jul 19 - Possession Sound (CRC2440)
18:26- [gray CRC2440] just east of Harborview Park
17:20 - [gray CRC2440] just passed Ivars heading East super close to shore! -Laura McManus
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16:51 -[gray CRC2440] Rounding the lighthouse at Mukilteo. Should be at the boat launch and beach very soon. -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound - "I adore grays anyway, but there's a little bit of extra magic with this one." -photo by Sara Montour Lewis, July 19, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: JERALD RUSSELL
Date of Sighting: 7/19/2022
Time: 4:00 PM
Species seen: GRAY
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Mukilteo Beach
Direction of travel : South turn at south end of beach and headed north
Behaviors observed: Traveling
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Heard from others it had been there a few days
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16:45 - We think a gray at Mukilteo terminal. Boat had to wait for it to cross south towards lighthouse. -Nancy Culp Zaretzke
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16:30 - Gray whale passing Edgewater Beach headed south -J.J. Newman
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16:30 - [gray] This was around 4:30 today about 50 yards from the shoreline near Harborview park before it when south to Mukilteo -Richard Aguayo
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15:50 - [gray CRC2440] at the far south end of Howarth, traveling along the shore to Mukilteo. - Moving over to Mukilteo to try to intercept
14:14 - [gray CRC2440] now out front of the naval base [Everett].
14:03 - [gray CRC2440] watching from shore at Howarth. About 50 yards off shore. Feeding back and forth. Big issue of people trying to swim out to it. We’ve been having to yell at people to stay away…they weren’t happy and accused us of “ruining their day”, but I’d like to think that being slapped by a whale could be worse. -Tamara Kelley
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12:38 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 13:03 to report: KITSAP Spots a Grey at MUK, 7/19 1238hrs log entry: Captain, MUK/CLIN F watch, reports spotting a grey whale, heading northbound approximately 100 yards off-shore. The vessel held in for 6 minutes at MUK to not disrupt its transit. This is the same whale that has been frequenting the shoreline for several days. All vessels in the area are aware and maintaining a safe distance.
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08:31 - [gray] I can’t see it due to the tree line but I can hear a whale, presumably the gray that’s been having around Mukilteo this past week. Extremely close to shore and appears to be heading south towards Edmonds. I’m in Mukilteo across from Glendale. -Jodi Karuse Poissant
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 19 7:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.95112,-122.29773
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Sara Osler
Whale Alert App

July 18
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Mon, Jul 18 - San Juans - 18:19 - T037As, family of five…[heading] Southeast off Cattle Point by 3 miles….They were left about a mile off Iceberg on Lopez heading east. -April Ryan
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15:50. The orcas are heading off shore. 1/2 mile out, 2 miles south of Landbank. -Michelline Halliday
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14:37 - Large male and a little one in a group of three. Other two are traveling together closer to shore. Still going north. Just about to False Bay.
14:23 - 5 orca. North of Eagle Point. Going north. Close to shore.14:23 -Jenny Stands Wilson
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Jul 18 - Holmes Harbor - 11:20 - Humpback close to shore off North Bluff at approx 11:20. Traveling into Holmes Harbor. -Ellen Carrico Telaneus
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Jul 18 - Possession Sound (CRC2440) - At 18:29 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Opes emailed to report: SUQUAMISH: Master reported near encounter when getting ready to dep MUK, they had a grey whale directly off the bow. No contact made. The delayed departure until area was clear. Reported at 1746- departure was 1710
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17:34 - [gray] big old baleen whale right in front of Ivars in Mukilteo, less than 100 ft from shore. Headed slowly East towards the ferry dock. -Derek Hanson
ID: CRC2440 by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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17:20 - [gray] Approx 5:20, passing the docks by Muk lighthouse! Now heading east toward Everett! -Lauren McManus
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16:13 - [gray] Heading back towards Edgewater. Should be in front of Harborview right now.
15:12 - [gray] Past Howarth and close to the Navy Station in Everett.
14:12 - [gray] Passing Edgewater, still heading East towards Everett. -Sara Montour Lewis
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Alicia Higgs
Date of Sighting: 7/18/2022
Time: 2:46 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: 47.96146 N, 122.25010 W
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: First seen at south end of Port Gardner Bay swimming and feeding in shallow water. Worked its way north to the Port along the shoreline and then headed south along the shore around 3:30pm. Gray whale CRC2440 in Port Gardner Bay, Everett. - photo by Alicia Higgs, July 18, 2022
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13:35 - [gray] We could see it from the Clinton->Mukilteo ferry at that time too. Seemed to be right by the lighthouse. -Rosemary Song
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13:35 - [gray] traveling back and forth in front of Mukilteo beach. Traveling north now back towards Ivars. -Emily Know
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13:40 - [gray] Traveling NB about 50 yards offshore.
13:15 - WSF MV Kitsap has eyes on a gray whale south of the Mukilteo terminal per their PA announcement. Point of reference they gave was between the terminal and the white passenger boat in front of Ivars. Just saw its exhalation right off shore near Ivars. -Durand Dace
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At 07:01 Bradley Coombe, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Gray whale Clinton. KITSAP MAS reports one gray whale 200 yards off of CLIN moving North & South. MAS believes this to be the same whale spotted over the last few days with similar patterning.

July 17
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Sun, Jul 17 - Haro Strait - 20:02 - [orca] Right by Henry Island outside Snug. Looks like they have found something. -Pam Keffer
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19:10 - relaying shore report of 2 orca between Land Bank and Lime Kiln Northbound. -Barbara Howitt
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Sun, Jul 17 - Rosario Strait - 17:42 - Single orca on the move nb [northbound] past us on the Washington Loop Road, Anacortes. Could not ID. 5:42 p.m 7/17 -Coni Jones Carrothers
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Sun, Jul 17 - Rosario Strait - 11:13 - 77C and D found up by Barnes and Clark but there were definitely more whales than that in the original photos. -Monika Wieland Shields
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Sun, Jul 17 - Rosario Strait (larger group) - 15:20 - Rosario Strait, just north of Peapod Rocks/east of Orcas Island looking toward Sinclair Island at about 3:20pm today (Sunday the 17th). Headed north at a quick pace. Taken from our sailboat with iPhone zoomed in. [Video] -Carrie Selting
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09:00 - [orca, at least 6-8] Spotted off Clark Island this morning headed South. About 9am. -Anthony Zylstra
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Sun, Jul 17 - E Juan de Fuca Strait - It was 49A2 “Jude” and 65A3 “Amira”. We left them heading slowly west, no one else ever found them yesterday, and lots tried. -Monica Szczepański (see photo below)
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13:33 - Trevor Tillman sent us a message: Two male killer whales at my location at the top of Partridge Bank. No direction.
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Sun, Jul 17 - Admiralty Inlet (possible hearing) - 13:55- Possible Bigg's calls picked up at Bush Point by the Orcasound - Listen for Whales OrcaHello AI. Possibly a faint excitement call at the end... What do you think Monika Wieland Shields and David Bain et al.? -Scott Veirs
Monika: "Tough to say - the one at the 37 second mark sounds most orca-like to me, but it's not conclusive based on what I heard."
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Jul 17 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - The Humpback comeback continues off Sooke! - BCX0847 Zeppelin (bottom photo) -Photos by Paul Pudwell, July 17, 2022
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Sun, Jul 17 - Holmes Harbor - 20:45-21:30 - Florian Graner called to report a humpback who has been moving up and down east side Holmes Harbor. Started seen the whale at 8:45pm and whale is still going up and down as of 09:30pm, approximately 200-300 yards off eastern shore off Beverly Beach, Whidbey. Whale goes about a mile to the north then a mile south up and down for past hour. Few breaches as well, very clearly humpback. Still hear it blowing.
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18:46 - Humpbacks circling 1 mile south of baby island in Holmes Harbor very close to shore. Lots of breaching and feeding behavior. Two whales present: it appeared to be a mother and calf. (Added: We ended up watching them for over 30 minutes right off the bulkhead for Saratoga community beach. Pretty incredible). -Nicole Woltersdorf
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17:33 - Minke [was humpback-alb] whale back hunting in front of Greenbank/Holmes harbor. -No Name provided
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Stacy Ruffle
Date of Sighting: 7/17/2022
Time: 8:10 AM
Species seen: Gray [CONFIMRED HUMPBACK - ALB]
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Honeymoon Bay
Direction of travel : Slow in the bay then went N towards mouth of harbor and never saw or heard again
Behaviors observed: Unfamiliar with your words, eating with 1 full breach
If orcas, any males?: 0
Any unusual markings?: Na
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Close to shore
Humpback in Holmes Harbor, Whidbey Island
Lunge feeding and traveling close inshore.
Photos by Stacy Ruffle, July 17, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Jul 17- Possession Sound (CRC2440)
19:10 - Gray CRC2440 now trending westbound directionally toward Howarth Park.
19:00 - I moved locations and from bluff above I am viewing the gray who I can ID as CRC2440. Whale is still feeding right up against Port of Everett seaport docks with green cranes. Circling around and back close in. Beautiful to see their head, body, exhalations, flins so prominent from this overhead perspective. Evening shared with visitors from Kansas and their family who live nearby and residents of the neighborhood.
17:45 - From Harborview park, looking towards Everett I can see the gray whale in Port Gardiner Bay hugging the Port of Everett Seaport loading dock area (green cranes). The whale is engaged in feeding behavior, rolling on sides exposing pec and fluke fins. A recreational boats has drifted into the whale, but too distant for me to get any information. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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18:45 - Brian w/MMS Center called to relay report they received from Jason 425-287-2187 who was calling from Everett WA , Pigeon Creek Beach, reporting a gray whale real close to shore 50 yards out, been there a little while. Was concerned.
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16:50 - [gray] I'm still seeing some pshhh from Howarth Park (in the direction of the marina) at 4.50pm. -Sandrine Dm
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14:15 - Saw I believe a grey whale off of Howarth park in Everett! Was right off the shore, about 15 yards max. Doing rolls. Soo amazing!...Was headed up towards the Everett marina area when we left, but was still in the area. -Annette Rasmussen Carroll
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14:15 - Single gray whale at Howarth Park heading northwest very close to shore at 14:15! -Lauren Ryan Booth
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MINKE WHALES - Sun, Jul 17 - Puget Sound
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Minke Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 17 13:03 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.84570,-122.40634 [North Edmonds, ~ 2 miles S Cultus
Bay, Whidbey]
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: David
Whale Alert App

July 16
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Sat, Jul 16 - Boundary Pass
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 16 20:30 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.73208,-123.20647 [SW South Pender]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Willy
Whale Alert App
photo by Willy, July 16, 2022
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Sat, Jul 16 - San Juans (T49A2 and T65A3 ) - 17:00 - [orca] turned eastbound back towards Jones. Milling between Reuben Tarte and Jones -Amy Nesler [WSSJI]
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14:55 - T49A2 and T65A3 Passed Point Caution headed north. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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11:30 - The boys are back in town! T49A2 and T65A3 are south of Cattle Pass heading north. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
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Sat, Jul 16 - San Juans (T65As (minusA3) & T77s members) - 17:49 - Group of 5 or so Orcas heading north toward Henry. Right outside Snug. -Pam Cameron Keffer [WSSJI]
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Ruth Blinderman
Date of Sighting: 7/16/2022
Time: 4:45 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Westside Preserve, San Juan Island: a few hundred feet off shore
Direction of travel : N , steady pace but pretty slow
Behaviors observed: traveling, not jumping just popping up
If orcas, any males?: unsure
Any unusual markings?: unsure
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: it looked to me that there were two larger whales flanking a much smaller one. it was tough to see specifics on the fins and i’m not familiar enough to identify them. but it definitely looked like one much smaller whale with two larger ones.
photo by Ruth Binderman, July 16, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Janice Baird
Date of Sighting: 7/16/2022
Time: 12:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen:
Where seen: Davis Bay, Lopez Island
Direction of travel : All around.
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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11:36 - Note: other Ts (the 8 members of T65As and T77s who have been in Hood Canal over the last few days) are south of them but currently heading west/southwest -Monika Wieland Shields
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10:55 - Just FYI, the T65As are currently in the Strait of Juan de Fuca south of Cattle Pass, south of San Juan Island. So they have exited Hood Canal. -Bart Rulon
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Jul 16 - Juan de Fuca Strait - Humpbacks were well spread out today off Sooke to Race Rocks Lighthouse... We had the pleasure to encounter BCX1739 "Pilot", BCX1737 "Alpaca" and two others unidentified...-Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal
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Sat, Jul 16 - Holmes Harbor
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nicole Damer
Date of Sighting: 7/16/2022
Time: 2:15 PM
Species seen: Humpback whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Between Honeymoon Bay and Beverly Beach
Direction of travel : South on the western side and then circled back to the north on the eastern side
Behaviors observed: Hunting heading south and then breaching while heading north
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: It was amazing!
Photos available?: No
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11:30-13:00 - Minke whale [was humpback-alb] feeding along NE side of Holmes Harbor from about 11:30 to 1 today. -No Name provided
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Jul 16 - North Puget to Possession Sound - At 14:17- Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: MV KITSAP Captain reports via 800MHz, one (1) gray whale just off the beach south of the MUK Terminal, slowly heading SB.
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08:15 - Grey whale off Sunset Bay headed to Picnic Point. real close. I was at Meadowdale Park. There was a boat with an adult and 2 kids fishing. The whale spouted about 50 feet away. What an experience for the young ones! -Kurt Staples [PSWS]
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08:10 - I got a bit of a picture as headed north from Haines Wharf. -June Mansfield [PSWS] - Gray whale northbound off Haines Wharf, Edmonds. -photo by June Mansfield, July 16, 2022

July 15
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Fri, Jul 15 - Hood Canal - 16:44 - Right out in front of the base now, west side heading north. -Tori Conklin
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19:50 - Hood Canal moving north. Currently part way up Coyle Peninsula. West side. Here's from earlier between south end of Coyle Peninsula and sub base. -Laura Griest
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19:00 - They headed back into Dabob Bay. Viewed from Seabeck/Scenic Beach. -Chani Wenning
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17:00 - They found another seal and circled around it for about a half an hour and they finally killed it a few minutes ago. Dabob Bay is definitely a spot where we see them have lots of successful hunts! Same location as my last post in general but they might have drifted just a little south. No direction, just circling. We are slowly leaving the scene now as they continue their meal.
16:30 - Amazing vocals and celebration breaches as they made a kill and are eating and celebrating where my map shows in Dabob Bay. No direction [approx. 47.720112, -122.850905]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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16:33 - The pod is back in Dabob Bay. -Sally Tomar
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16:10 - Chilkat is with the killer whales a beam of Jackson Cove southbound in Dabob [Bay]. -Christopher Lewman, PSE
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16:05 - Southbound all grouped up [approx. 47.729141, -122.837838]. -Bart Rulon
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16:05 - Last eyes we had on them they were moving south by Seabeck. -Rody Seballos
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14:22 - San Juan Clipper just left Bigg's orcas (mix of some T65As and some T77s) at the north end of Dabob Bay. They were milling around while we were with them, the adult females spent a lot of time logging on the surface and we even heard some surface vocals. -Stephanie Raymond
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12:42 - Never mind we didn’t leave yet, Ooxjaa just caught something and they are feeding on it at Dabob Broad Spit. Some of the others came down to join T65A2’s meal but the others are still at the top of Dabob Bay.
12:31 - Northbound direction still, very spread out. We are slowly leaving the scene as we can see them in the distance getting closer to the very top of Dabob Bay [approx. 47.810955, -122.804640].
12:27 - The leaders just passed Dabob Broad Spit still northbound.
11:47 - T65As and T77s northbound. See my map [approx. 47.753105, -122.832675]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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12:15 - Chilkat departed whales northbound at Broad Spit. -Christopher Lewman, PSE
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12:22 - Going to pass Dabob Broad Spit pretty soon!
12:06 - Deep in Dabob Bay now.
11:15 - We picked up the Hood Canal orcas at Zelatched Bay -Puget Sound Express. currently north very slow. -Laura Mitchell
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10:45 - Appreciations to board member Debbie Stewart (in general!), but specifically today for relaying a report from her co-worker reporting the Bigg's (mammal-eating type) orcas are still in Hood Canal.
*
07:00 - Saw one moving northward off Liliwaup. -John Smith
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network -Name: Tyler Garber
Date of Sighting: 7/15/2022
Time: 7:00 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Middle Hood Canal directly off Lilliwaup Shore
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: no
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Jul 15 - Holmes Harbor - 16:15 - Judy Moore, Greenbank, Whidbey called to report who she thought were two orcas in the area around the entrance to Holmes Harbor. Whale was surface-active breaching off and on, 4-5 times. Whale was quite large. Looked like a 2nd whale further out towards Baby Island. (Humpback was in the area at this time -alb)
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15:38 - Humpback just south of Wonn Road and north of Dines Point. Breaching midchannel more so on Greenbank side. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:10 - It’s [humpback] still here! Just saw it surface again, still pretty close to the shore along North Bluff Road.
14:32 - Just saw it again in the same spot and had the binoculars ready this time, looks like a humpback.
14:05 - I just saw a massive spyhop [humpback] from my deck in Greenbank. I’m in a neighborhood off of North Bluff Rd., up the hill a bit with a view straight out to Dines Point. I saw rolling in the water and then a huge Spyhop. Ran to get the binoculars but I didn’t see it surface again. -Deja Brandeis
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Fri, Jul 15 - Holmes Harbor
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jan Dodge
Date of Sighting: 7/15/2022
Time: 6:30 AM
Species seen: Grey, I believe. It came directly up from the water, dark color, large. [photo confirmed
humpback]
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: west side of Holmes Harbor, about even with the old golf course clubhouse
Direction of travel : swimming north, out of Holmes Harbor
Behaviors observed: jumping, breathing
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?: I was not close enough to get a good photo to see details, but I got a blurry one which I'll send
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Humpback whale in Holmes Harbor, Whidbey Island.
photo by Jan Dodge, July 15, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Jul 15 - Possession Sound - 14:00 - I saw it [gray] this afternoon at Edgewater, sometime after 2:00. We had just finished a swim so I didn't have my phone or watch handy. Definitely exciting to see it pass in our "swim lanes." -Dana Wiedenhoft
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The gray whale from Edgewater Beach today taken from shore just before noon. Such a treat!! -J.J. Newman
[Beautiful! Thanks JJ. This is gray whale CRC2440, the 2022 newbie we mentioned in original post. Great you had a visit and great images. Thanks! - Alisa]
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At 11:57 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report:
- 1148 hrs: MV SUQUAMISH Captain reports they also saw the gray whale just north of MUK but can't see it now at the dock.
- 1144 hrs: The Mukilteo T/S reports one (1) gray whale slowly moving NB just off the dock. Broadcast make via 800MHz, WRAS submitted.
*
07:00 - The gray whale traveling between Everett and Mukilteo has been here daily for 6 days now. Very unusual but exciting. It was at 7am and 1pm. I walked alongside it and I estimate it was moving at 3 mph. -Jill Doebler Ryan

July 14
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES - Thu, Jul 14 - San Juans (T49A2 & T65A3)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Tom Reeve
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 5:40 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Of Flint Beach, South Lopez. Roughly (48.4181143, -122.8660381)
Direction of travel : Steadily east to west
Behaviors observed: Traveling
*
11:13 - At 11:55 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: SAMISH at 1131hrs: Vessel reports being delayed due to a pod of three orca traveling southbound in front of the LPZ terminal. WRAS updated.
*
Double trouble! On the left is T65A3 Amira and on the right is T49A2 Jude, who we saw this morning in Upright Channel. These two 15 year-old male Bigg's killer whales have been plying the waters of the Salish Sea together for the last week, and like any teenagers off on their own, we can't help but think they're looking to engage in some shenanigans. The T65As and T49As are two of the most commonly encounters Bigg's family groups in the Salish Sea. We've seen these two matrilines together over the years, so these two boys undoubtedly have known each other their whole lives. Both families are also known for their unusual dispersal patterns, with sometimes very young whales wandering off on their own. T49A2 has been one of those roamers for a while now, but T65A3 has typically stayed with his mom. Today, they were zig-zagging all over the place, checking out shallow beaches and little coves as they explored the San Juan Islands. On the left is T65A3 Amira and on the right is T49A2 Jude. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
*
Thu, Jul 14 - Hood Canal - Fri, Jul 15 - (Members of T65As & T77s) - We’ve seen a lot of the T77 pod traveling with the T65A pod so far this summer, and they spent several days in Hood Canal recently. The T65As are one of the few pods that regularly hunts in Hood Canal. Other pods have spent time in Hood Canal in the past but not as consistently over time as the T65As. Inside Hood Canal one of their favorite hunting spots is Dabob Bay. Almost every time we find them in Dabob Bay they are hunting, and eventually eating something.
July 15 was one of those typical days out with Puget Sound Express from Edmonds. We saw them hunt and catch a harbor seal during our morning trips up there, and then when we found them again in the afternoon, they went on the hunt again. When we arrived, they were traveling close together but after a few sudden changes of direction it was obvious they found some prey. The slow speed of their pursuit indicated it was probably a harbor seal, and sure enough, before too long a seal popped out of the water in the middle of the orcas. Sometimes a seal hunt goes by very quickly, like in the morning, but other times they take their sweet-ole time. This occasion appeared to be a training moment where they let some of the younger family members do some of the work. Four or five times we saw one orca or another chomp down on the seal, but then they would let it go under the water. It's hard to imagine how terrifying it must have been to be that seal, but this is a critical part of how these killer whales train their young ones to hunt for themselves.
A funny side note of all this was that T65A2 (Ooxjaa) and T77C (Alcyon), both teenage boys, were not paying any attention to the hunt at all. They were rolling around with each other off to the side, having a little bromance, the entire time we watched the seal drama. Eventually the seal met its demise, and the meal began. The playful celebrations we witnessed during the hunt and afterward were pretty special so I wanted to share some of them with you. -Additional video can be seen on Instagram or Facebook -Bart Rulon
*
18:53 - Still watching blows in the distance from Scenic Beach. They are pretty far west towards Brinnon and it looks like they’re heading into Dabob Bay. -Mikail Kiva
*
17:50 - Straight out from Scenic Beach, midchannel, traveling north. Thought I saw 2 in the lead with 2-4 following. -Jennifer Backen Matchem
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brad Holm
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 5:40 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Hood Canal from Blackpoint up into the mouth of Dabob Bay near the Dosewalips.
Direction of travel : North, steady pace
Behaviors observed: Traveling, hunting, spy hopping, fluke splashing
If orcas, any males?: One male
Any unusual markings?: Too far away to tell
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I watched this small pod head north into Dabob Bay from Blackpoint, using my spotting scope on my deck near Brinnon following their progress. I observed close circling activity and change of direction which I assume may be hunting behavior at the mouth of Dabob Bay. They also appeared to be frolicking for a bit after that. My sighting lasted nearly two hours!
Photos available?: No
*
17:15 - MV Saratoga just left the T65As and T77s traveling NE at Quatsap Point. -Justine Buckmaster
*
16:27 - At Triton Cove, still north. -Eric M. Tress
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15:28 - Orcas just south of Hamma Hamma, slowly northbound, east of channel. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
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Email received from Elaine Wiley at 15:15 reporting the orcas are just south of Ayok point at milepost 323 heading northbound.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Elaine Wiley
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 3:05 PM
Species seen: killer whales
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Live, just south of Ayok Point at at milepost 323 [Hood Canal]
Direction of travel : north
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1 large dorsal 2 smaller dorsals
Any unusual markings?: too far out
*
14:24 - North of Lilliwaup, by Eagle Creek. Still heading north. -Debbie Kaiser
*
13:43 - Just passing Dewatto mid channel steady northbound. They were traveling steady in a tight group. This is from this afternoon between Lilliwaup & Dewatto. -Jim Pasola
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Debbie Bates
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 9:00 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Ayock Point, Hood Canal
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Had dorsal fins, not sure if they were 4-5 ft
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Jul 14 - Port Susan
18:00 - Humpback in Port Susan off Tillicum Beach, last seen heading south. Taken with my land-based Critter Cam.
12:51 - Humpback spotted again between Country Club Beach 2 and 3.
11:00 - [humpback] Reported midchannel off Country Club Beach 3 on Camano heading towards Warm Beach.
09:48 - It [humpback] is back off Bretland midchannel. Got video of it breaching in Pirate’s Cove before it moved out deeper and north.
06:15 - We have had reports of a humpback swimming south at 6:15 and then north at 8:00 off Tillicum Beach Camano Island in Port Susan. -John C Storbeck
*
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Jul 14 - Possession Sound - 16:38 - Rosa Cornell called to report watching a very large whale, not sure if doing very well, just floating at top, and rolling over slowly. This whale was here yesterday and had been hanging out all day. Right by Harborview Park in Everett.
*
Thu, Jul 14 - Possession Sound (CRC2440)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jill Costello
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 4:35 PM
Species seen: Whale (Orca?) with large dorsal fin,m, 15-20 feet long body. Swimming around crab pots very close, maybe 30 feet, from the park’s shoreline. [presume the gray in that area feeding w/fins above surface -alb]
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Harborview Park Shoreline, 47.9228024415702,-122.3050830389344
Direction of travel : Traveling NW
Behaviors observed: Traveling/swimming slowly around crab pots, moving in and out of surface of water and blowing water through blow hole.
If orcas, any males?: Yes, dorsal fin was large
*
15:05 - Gray whale just went past Edgewater park again headed east towards Howarth. -J.J. Newman
*
14:47 - [Gray] was by the lighthouse but headed back towards Edgewater Park. -Kaitlyn Mruk
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14:44 - It’s [gray] at Mukilteo Lighthouse beach right now. -Jennifer Warner Jensen
*
14:43 - It's [gray] off Lighthouse Park now
14:12 - I saw it [gray] went south to the Boeing Pier then submerged. Edgewater beach, north of the ferry. -Lisa Villanueva
*
14:20 - Gray whale headed south from Edgewater Park to Mukilteo lighthouse just went thru the ferry lanes. -J.J. Newman
*
13:11 - from Patti Mullen: Hi there is a gray or humpback whale feeding just off the beach at Howarth Park in Everett. My 1st sighting. It was heading west up the shoreline toward Mukilteo.
*
11:48 - Just saw a whale! I’m at Edgewater Beach in Mukilteo just north of the ferries. It was right at the end of the Edgewater Pier. No clue what kind, it looked gray but barely broke the water and I didn’t see it blowing air. So amazing! Lots of excited beachcombers! It was headed north. -Rosemary Song
*
11:40 - At 11:55 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: KITSAP update at
1140hrs: Captain reports the same grey whale is now swimming back and forth along the shoreline at MUK and vessel was delayed 5 minutes to accommodate.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jeannette Maize
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 11:36 AM
Species seen: I believe it was a gray whale? No dorsal fin seen.
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Possession Sound, Howarth Park Beach, Everett
Direction of travel : NE, then back along the beach SW
Behaviors observed: Slowly swam along the beach, very low tide, sited smooth back break the surface two seperate times, about 30 min apart. Then spotted spout farther south.
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your encounter?: Was an unexpected and awe-inspiring encounter. Very low tide, the whale seemed so close to shore!
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
FOLLOW UP: Video sent confirms the gray whale -alb
*
11:42 - It [gray] came back and swam by northbound. Amazed how close to the shore it's traveling!
10:45 - Gray whale Mukilteo lighthouse shoreline southbound. -Axel Cruz
*
07:26 - Gray whale Possession Sound. At 07:47 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Grey Whale at MUK, 7/14 0726hrs log entry: Captain, MUK/CLIN F watch, reports the same grey whale continues to transit in the area, currently located 1/2 mile North of the MUK terminal and close to the beach.
*
Thu, Jul 14 - Possession Sound (CRC2440 per coverage previous WS Report)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Alix Egbert
Date of Sighting: 7/14/2022
Time: 2:45:0 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Mukilteo beach near the park/beach entrance. around 100ft. out in the water. Very close to shore. Approx coordinates: 47.947220,-122.308155
Direction of travel : Traveling North
Behaviors observed: Traveling, blowing out spout, popping up
If orcas, any males?: NA
Any unusual markings?: NA
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No

July 13
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Wed, Jul 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - 06:00 - At least some SRKW westbound from Race Rocks. -Orca Behavior Institute
*
BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - Wed, Jul 13 - Hood Canal - We saw them on their way towards Union yesterday. -Betsy Britton Abraham
*
16:45 - Just passed the point of Triton Cove. Heading north on far side. Looked like 2 orcas? Mom and baby?
16:40 - Just watched a pod head back south towards the Girl Scout camp. -Lisa Abaravich Warnock
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Eric Tress
Date of Sighting: 7/13/2022
Time: 4:38 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: 140 N Triton Head Dr, Lilliwaup, WA 98555 47.60232° N, 122.98801° W
Direction of travel : S, cruising speed?
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?: Nothing observed
*
16:18 - Going south just passing Paradise Cove. -Bob Newmon
*
13:44 - Orcas (5) traveling north on the east shore of Hood Canal. Passing Holly at 13:44. Large vessel painted like a Union Jack staying far south, traveling well behind the orcas. -Mark Fischer
*
10:46 - Viewing 7+ from the Union Marina. Assuming it’s the 65a’s and some of the 77’s. They were definitely feeding! -Shaylyn Slye
*
09:10 - The 5 orcas were breaching by Three Sisters in Hood Canal this morning and then headed toward Tahuya and Alderbrook. [southwest bound] -Kathleen Byrd Walker
*
08:55 - Orcas by Twanoh State Park, Hood Canal. Heading southwest, out of the canal. -TJ Thomas
*
COASTAL KILLER WHALES
Wed, Jul 13 - WA Coast
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed Jul 13 18:32 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.27361,-124.98535 (10 mi. west of Makah Bay)
Number Sighted: 20
Submitter Name: carnival miracle ccl
Submitted by a Trusted Observer
Whale Alert App
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Jul 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Seems the large congregation of humpback whales are now spread out from Sooke to Jordan River. We had the pleasure to encounter 8+ today with Identifications of BCZ0488 "Scrimmage", BCY0649 "Barracuda" with new calf and BCX1377 "Nike" and "Fiesta". -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
Wed, Jul 13 - Port Susan - 15:30 - We had a Humpback in Port Susan this afternoon from about 15:30 until about 17:30. Seen breaching off Tyee and chasing bait balls off Tillicum Beach. Last seen putting on a show at Camano head at 18:00. -John Storbeck
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Mike Fox
Date of Sighting: 7/13/2022
Time: 10:50 AM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: 48.138641, -122.44397 (Port Susan)
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Feeding
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
*
GRAY WHALES - Wed, Jul 13 - Possession Sound - 15:45 - Lone gray whale heading north. Should be visible from Harborview Park shortly. -Dianne Riter
*
15:23 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: MV KITSAP Captain reports via 800MHz broadcast, one (1) gray whale, slowly traveling NB, a 1/4 mile north of the MUK dock.
*
15:15 - [gray] Right at Edgewater swimming towards Everett again. -Barbie Jaffe Rousso
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We received a message from Marianne Anderson at 13:43 - Just saw a gray whale passing in front of Mukilteo Lighthouse, going south.
*
10:40 - At 10:58 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailer to report: KITSAP Spots a Grey, 7/13 1040hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting a grey whale located 500' off the MUK terminal, heading northbound.
*
07:30 - Adult Gray Whale seen at 07:30am heading north to the north of Point Jefferson, Bainbridge. Seen by scope from Carkeek Park. Mottled skin, dorsal crenellations like physter - definitely a Gray. Whale was approximately here: (47.7659307, -122.4629665). -Raphael Fennimore
*
Wed, Jul 13 - Port Townsend Bay - I saw a very cool gray whale. It swam into the Port Townsend Ship Canal from Oak Bay, swimming up to the Indian Island Bridge, turning and swimming quickly with the strong current back to Oak Bay. Then back into “The Cut” and repeated this swim up then down, then one more time when it did not come back south. Last seen it left the cut and went into Port Townsend Bay. -Ron Hirschi
*
Wed, Jul 13 - Possession Sound (CRC2440 per coverage previous WS Report)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Gary Martin
Date of Sighting: 7/13/2022
Time: 6:45 AM
Species seen: Humpback (not certain) [confirmed GRAY WHALE-alb]
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Possession Sound near Boulevard Bluffs/Shore Ave, Everett
Direction of travel : West to East toward Port of Everett, leisurely pace
Behaviors observed: Observed 360° roll
*
UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Wed, Jul 13 - 14:05 - At 2:05 this afternoon (7.13.22) either a gray whale or humpback whale was heading towards the Deception Pass bridge, near Miller Bay. [Miller Bay is east of the bridge on the Fidalgo side]. Too far off shore to tell for sure, but I think I saw a fin and it definitely showed tail (unlike any of the grays that have passed our house before). Sorry, no photo. As always, what a thrill! -Diane (Parham) Christman

July 12
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Tue, Jul 12 - (Js) - Except from Encounter #40: J19 was the first whale to pass us and the J41s porpoised past Turn Point nearer to the rocks. It took us another ten minutes or so to find our next whale. This was J47 and he was traveling quickly west along Stuart Island’s north shoreline near the west end of Prevost Harbor. J46 also appeared closer to shore and she stopped and milled briefly before continuing west. Several minutes later we found J42 heading southwest down Boundary by herself ...See full report at Center for Whale Research Encounter 40
*
Haro Strait - As I've said several times recently, loving these whales is an emotional roller coaster. Embracing them like family means celebrating their joys and witnessing their sorrows, often at the same time. Amidst it all, they are a constant source of inspiration on how to greet every day with joie de vivre and a grateful heart for the simple presence of one another.
This morning was particularly surreal, sitting on the rocks at Lime Kiln in the summer sunrise, watching L-Pod whales in a resting line under the Olympic Mountains. It was here, surrounded by a dozen other orca advocates, that I first heard the news that the Biden Administration filed two reports this morning stating that removal of the four Lower Snake River dams is not only doable, but necessary to recover wild salmon in the region.
While not yet an outright recommendation, this is a monumental step forward in a conservation fight that has been waging for decades. I've only been engaged in this issue for the last 8 years (while some have been involved since the 1990s) but it has been a marathon, one where you have to celebrate every time you're able to collectively inch the needle in the right direction. Realizing that momentum is building to breach these dams, possibly sooner rather than later, is a much needed glimmer of hope for these endangered whales and the wild salmon they depend on.
21:30 - Leaders off the lighthouse.
20:50 - Steady echolocation and intermittent calls on the Orcasound hydrophone.
18:41 - Cue K-Pod!
18:04 - Still frequent J-Pod vocals.
17:27 - S4s (J-Pod).
17:20 - Echolocation and faint killer whale vocals on the SIMRES Boundary Pass hydrophone. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
*
15:19 - Just saw a pod from the ferry going from Tsawwassen to Victoria, 4 or 6 whales. -Andria Papineau
*
10:15 - Js and Ks headed north into the Strait of Georgia; no word on Ls since they headed offshore from the Hannah Heights area aiming towards Hein Bank.
10:00 - Seeing photos taken from Pender, it is Js and Ks up north - went through Active Pass.
08:00 - Others - likely Js and maybe Ks - heading north up Swanson.
07:40 - Just south of Lime Kiln Lighthouse drifting south, facing north. At least the 19 Ls, but seems like more and possibly more blows to the south.
06:52 - Seeing Ls for sure and likely Ks, no definitive Js yet - they’re still resting off County Park facing north but drifting south in the current. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
05:32 - If every whale surfacing is a different whale, I stopped counting at 50.
05:10 - Pod of 10+ sleepy orcas surfacing in resting line off San Juan County Park. Too far for IDs, but one looking like possibly L87. Both hydrophones totally quiet. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout [WSSJI]
*
BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - Tue, Jul 12 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - An evening encounter with Bigg's/transient killer whales (T109A's) off Sooke. -Sooke Coastal Explorations
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Tue, Jul 12 - Hood Canal - 19:45 - I saw them near Dosewallips State Park. -Susan Copping
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16:19 - Viewing from the other side but they’re north of Brinnon. Lots of splashing! -Liliana Mar
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Reported at 17:30 - [From another thread] We have them in Dabob Bay this afternoon. It’s been magical!! - [Update] it’s was about 3-4 pm. They may still be in Quilcene Bay, I haven’t seen them leave. -Sally Tomar
*
15:18 - Reported to me by my daughter: Orca spout seen waaaay across the bay from Camp Parsons, north of Brinnon. WW boats in the distance. -Linda Raines Tyner
*
12:37 - The orcas just left Holly going north. -Lester Hunter
*
10:30 - Appreciations to John Paul Fitgerald who sent us a message reporting Orcas in Hood Canal at 10:16. Follow up message had the group of 5 mid channel just off Hoodsport Across from Glen Ayr Canal Resort at 10.30am heading Northbound.
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Jul 12 - Central Puget Sound - 12:50 - Gray whale sighted in Redondo area (Federal Way) south of Salt Water State Park. [follow up]: Only saw head and big splash so not certain if it might have been a humpback. It jumped out of the water twice. Last seen traveling north toward Des Moines. -Pattie Dillard
*
12:45 - Here is a video of the whales off the beach at Woodmont (between Redondo and Saltwater Park). Curious to know if these are humpbacks or something else. Thank you. [video shows humpback] -Brian Snure
*
GRAY WHALES - Tue, Jul 12 - Possession Sound - 12:00 - We saw the whale at Lighthouse park heading south, between 12:00 and 13:00, very close to shore. -Barbie Jaffe Rousso
*
06:00 - 08:00 - Seems the same gray whale was back at Howarth Beach (between Everett and Mukilteo) at the crack of dawn. First spotted about 6am right offshore from the bridge overlook; by 8am it had moved south toward the ferry terminal. It showed the tips of its flippers in shallow water so presumably doing some maneuvering to sift through the sediment for critters. Gorgeous morning made all the better by another whale sighting. -John Jansen
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MINKE WHALES - Tue, Jul 12
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Minke Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 12 16:39 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.36007,-122.32418 [Des Moines]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Jason Malcom
Whale Alert App

July 11
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Mon, Jul 11 - (J, K, & Ls) - Except from Encounter #39: The first group we saw included the K16s, J45, and L106 and they were heading southwest toward Turn Point but then took a hard left and headed toward the north shoreline of Stuart Island. Behind this group we found another large group of J pod whales that included all the J16s, J22s, J37s, plus J46 and J53. This group was very active as they headed southwest toward Turn Pt. and there were several breaches (one by J38) and cartwheels along with other splashy behavior. ... See full report at Center for Whale Research Encounter 39
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Haro Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon Jul 11 19:08 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.41678,-123.02312 [SW of Salmon Bank]
Number Sighted: 10
Submitter Name: Nikki (Layton)
Whale Alert App
*
Day report: 7-11-22, K-Pod and J-Pod, Haro Strait, SJI
11:55 - 13:05 - K-Pod leader southbound just passing Point Edwards (south of Landbank). Spread out, traveling quickly, K-Pod members were spread out from 1/3 of a mile to 1.5 miles off shore. Viewing conditions were difficult due to distortions on the water but I think almost all of the orcas were K-Pod members. WDFW, Soundwatch and Straitwatch were all present today working hard to protect the Southern Residents.
13:05 - 13:50 - J-Pod just passing Point Edwards (south of Landbank) southbound. A tight group of J-Pod members 1/2 mile off shore traveling quickly together with other farther offshore.
14:48 - 15:14 - 5-6 orcas still lingering 1.5 miles south of Landbank, milling trending south. There was a tight group of 4 K-Pod members including 2 large males who were interacting vigorously at the surface, socializing, many fluke lobs and a few big breaches slowly making their way towards Pile Point.
15:58 - 3 orcas southbound 1.5 miles off shore 1 mile south of Landbank. Photographed from shore. -Michelline Halliday
*
21:20 - Last observed heading north, northeast from Hein Bank towards Salmon Bank about 2 miles off South Beach, spread out in groups over ~2 miles east to west.
20:10 - They appear to be milling out there off Hein Bank. Were trending southeast, now appear to be moving west! At least 30 animals spread over 1-2 miles. -Michelle Savoie [WSSJI]
*
15:40 - Still 15 or so whales off Pile Point moving slowly south against the flood - spread from 200 yards to maybe 2 miles offshore. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
*
11:28 - Calls on LK are deluxe! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
08:14 - Assuming [heading down] Boundary based on the SIMRES audio! Amazing calls now! -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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07:54 - Pleased to report Residents southbound from Patos Lighthouse. -Brad Stephens [WSSJI]
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BIGG’S KILLER WHALES - Mon, Jul 11 - North Puget Sound - From Hansville today -Lisa Anderson
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: David Osborn
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2022
Time: 8:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Hood Canal off Lofall dock (S of Kitsap Mem Park)
Direction of travel : S at leisurely pace
Behaviors observed: Breaching, blowing, circling around, splashing
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: First time in 20 years we've seen Orcas in Hood Canal. They were slowly working way south, probably feeding? Couple boats got too close. We were able to watch from our house for around 30 to 45 minutes.
*
20:00 - Friends are watching orcas feeding and breaching off of Lofall! -Paul Mooselips Dudley
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18:02 - message from Kris Clark: Second hand report from an employee of Washington Conservation Corps that orca are near the Hood Canal bridge. From my understanding the only one seen was north of the bridge traveling toward the bridge. The individual spotted the lone orca while driving over the bridge.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: John Penny
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2023
Time: 7:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Hood Canal 4 miles south of bridge in Lofall area
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Milling, playing
If orcas, any males?: ?
Any unusual markings?: Too far away
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: No
Photos available?: No
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon Jul 11 16:20 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.90900,-122.57642 (Hood Canal)
Number Sighted: 5
Submitter Name: Megan
Whale Alert App
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Kim Hawkins
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2022
Time: 7:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Hood Canal Lofall Road slightly offshore-Place: Lofall State: Washington County: 035 Latitude: 47.8120400 Longitude: -122.6582100
Direction of travel : Headed East
Behaviors observed: Milling and Feeding.
If orcas, any males?: Not sure
Any unusual markings?: too far to tell but black and white
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Looked like 2 adults and a smaller almost Calf like We have a video coming. My daughter is putting something together.
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15:40 - My last post as we will leave the scene in a minute. They are hugging the shore about a half mile inside my blue mark. traveling west now. [approx. 47.922152, -122.571052 (Hansville)].
15:27 - Update NW direction. They are coming in closer to the shoreline now. [approx. 47.921438, -122.558278]. they are moving very slowly against a strong incoming tide. -Bart Rulon
*
15:18 - Still traveling northwest. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. See my map. [approx. 47.917926, -122.542754 (Hansville)].
*
15:19 - Just watched a pod going north away from Point No Point! -Katie Pritchard
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nadine Woolman
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2022
Time: 2:40 PM
Species seen: Biggs Transients
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Hood Canal Dabob Bay
Direction of travel : North by North East
Behaviors observed: Hunting and cruising
If orcas, any males?: Yes 1
Any unusual markings?: Couldn’t see any they were in the distance. I was using binoculars.
*
14:20 - Norwegian Point (west of Point-No-Point). Very close to shore about an hour ago. Still in the area, but farther out from shore. -Elise Erickson
*
13:21 - Kim Page just called to update on the orcas. They are still just off Point No Point, Kitsap close in shore, near the buoys. Still feeding. 2 females just surfaced as we were talking.
*
10:42 - Update still in a northwesterly direction [approx. 473920477, -122.523270].
10:15 - Update still northwest bound [approx. 47.906758, -122.507195]. T65As (minus A3, and A5) and T77s (8 orcas total).
09:57 - Northwestbound Towards Point No Point. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express [approx. 47.884213, -122.484348]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
08:47 - Spotting them through binocs out from Sunset Ave in Edmonds straight out and mid channel, after Apple Tree Point and before Eglon, were steady northbound but direction changes now -Michelle Goll
*
08:17 - Kimberly Sylvester called to report orcas. They are on the ferry coming into Edmonds from Kingston and see at least 4-5 orcas to the south, off Point Wells, Woodway (tank farm). Direction of travel not clear, they appear to be circling, milling about 1 mile offshore.
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Jul 11 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Nothing less than spectacular today off Sooke! 20+ Humpbacks in the area but this one "Spindrift" was very active with over 20 breaches, chin slaps, and pectoral fin slaps for over 45 minutes, wow! -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
GRAY WHALES - Mon, Jul 11 - Port Susan - Watched 2 grays feeding at Pirate’s Cove and then heading north about 400 yards off shore past, Bretland, Port Susan Terrace and last seen swimming fast, deep dives heading north aimed right at country Club. One was feeding quite aggressively at the corner of Pirate’s Cove and Tillicum Beach including swimming completely upside down at times on the surface. Haven't seen that in Port Susan before.
08:35 - One Gray reported at 8:35AM between Country Club Beach 1 and 2 heading south toward Beach 2 close to shore. -John C Storbeck
*
Mon, Jul 11 - Possession Sound
Name: Hillary Johnson
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2022
Time: 12:30 PM
Species seen: Gray whale, I think. Super pale. Only came up for air a bunch, no rolling or breaching.
[Video sent and reviewed confirms gray whale - alb]
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Off Edgewater Beach in Mukilteo, just north of Mukilteo ferry.
Direction of travel : Heading south, swam around Port of Everett pier. Really close to shore, maybe 50 yards off. Headed south, then about 20 minutes later, it came back north along the shore toward Everett. Behaviors observed: Traveling slowly
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?: Very pale gray
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your encounter?: I was on a paddleboard, and I think a lot of people saw it from shore, too. Close enough to smell the blow, 10-20 yards away. I have a not-very-good video of its return north trip.
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
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12:00 - Edgewater beach heading towards Everett. Between 12:00 and 13:00, very close to shore. -Barbie Jaffe Rousso
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09:15 - I spotted the same (or another) whale just off Howarth Park in shallow water 50 meter offshore. It was moving through the numerous crab pots northeast toward the Naval Station -- just as a ship was leaving. Seems a long distance (from Port Susan) to travel to S. Everett in apx. 30 min - so it could be different whale (?). Wish I'd brought my better camera though it hardly broke the surface as you'd expect in shallow water -- just enough to see its finless back. -John Jansen
*
Mon, Jul 11 - South Sound - 19:28 - Seems the gray whale is traveling north around around Stretch Island maybe up to Grapeview.
19:06 - I spotted the gray whale in Pickering Passage heading toward North Beach -Miche Ennis
*
15:39 - We received a message from Ellen Dieken: Gray whale in Pickering Passage, just south of Harstine Bridge. It came in last night, we could hear the blows.
*
MINKE WHALES - Mon, Jul 11 - Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Stephanie Peregrin
Date of Sighting: 7/11/2022
Time: 1:28 PM
Species seen: Minke
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Just off Nisqually Reach Estuary
Direction of travel : Heading NE towards Steillacoom
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No

July 10
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sun, Jul 10 - 06:28 - [srkw] It’s sounding like they did continue north last night, likely heading for the Fraser [River] this morning.
00:25 - Great vocals starting on the Lime Kiln hydrophone - they’re busting out the full SRKW repertoire! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
07-10-22 SRKWs, 60 orcas, Haro Strait, SJI - 23:57 - 00:23, Just before midnight I heard an orca blow booming above the sound of the sea surging against the rocks. I went out to the shore to listen for direction and over the next 25 minutes heard 60 members of J-Pod, K-Pod and L-Pod traveling to the north. Their blows were every 1-4 seconds, some very close and some farther in the distance, a literal symphony of blows. I could see the orcas that were close to shore in the moonlight, estimating 300 yds from shore. Activity included many fluke lobs smacking the water and a few massive breaches. I stood at the edge, awestruck.
00:23 - 00:35, Beautiful and varied calls of the Southern Residents as they passed Lime Kiln Lighthouse. -Michelline Halliday
*
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sun, Jul 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T65Bs) Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research... "Shortly after passing Otter Point, Gary spotted some activity to the south at 0647. As they closed the gap, it became clear that he had spied a juvenile killer whale with another rolling playfully alongside it! They quickly confirmed that the two animals were T065B1 and B2, and soon observed T065B travelling slowly just 300 metres southeast of them..." Read more [here].
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Sun, Jul 10 - Haro Strait (T49A2 and T65A3) - 15:30 - Two Bigg's killer whales - T49A2 and T65A3 - heading south down the Canadian side of Haro Strait, currently approaching D'Arcy Island. -Orca Behavior Institute
*
Sun, Jul 10 - Puget Sound (T65A, 65A2, 65A4, 65A6 and T77, T77C, 77D, 77E)
20:53 - Still trending west. Mid-channel or so, maybe slightly more on the Vashon side. Grouped up. Long down times. One or two kind of looked like they were trending southwest, but still way too early to tell which direction they go. -Ashley Whitman
*
20:44 - Crossing the south Vashon ferry lane now still trending west. Lots of down time. -Candace Gavin
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19:30 - 20:30 - I got a ton of pictures of them in the Commencement Bay between the Ruston side and Brown's Point Lighthouse. -LeeAnn Wilson Cummins
*
20:25 - Westbound south end of Vashon near ferry lane. -Jason Cook
*
19:30 - There are at least four in front of Tyee Marina, milling about, tail slapping and breaching. -Jenna Iams
*
19:28 - Looks like 6 are done with their meal & westbound.
19:07 - They look to be hunting in the same area as my last posted location, just east of Brown's Point mid channel. Lots of breaching & tail slaps, direction changes. Total of 4 here at least.
18:58 - Two mid channel but more on Brown's Point side, just east of Brown's Point, they were westbound but have flipped & are milling [approx. 47.289238, -122.431295].
18:46 - At least 2 up against Marine View Drive approaching Brown's Point.
18:41 - At least 1 off Brown's Point mid channel but closer to Brown's Point looks to be northbound.
18:31 - At least 3 including bull up against Marine View Drive east of the marina, westbound towards Brown's Point.
18:28 - The two that were off the grainery are now deep in Commencement off the Simpson Mill. There's a male in this group.
18:21 - At least 2 right off the grainery dock!
18:18 - All grouped up mid channel off the grainery, angling back towards Brown's Point. Bull was last seen separately still angling towards the marina.
18:10 - Bull off the grainery heading across the bay (north) towards Marine View Drive.
18:01 - Passing army ships still eastbound.
17:48 - Off Dukes mid channel heading east into the port. -Melissa Bird
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18:11 - Four seen right in the port! Viewing from Reconciliation Park. -Allie Brown
*
18:01 - At least 3-4 steadily heading east towards [the] port; viewed from Ruston Way near Reconciliation Park. -Blake Koehn
*
18:03 - Almost to the large blue and white container ship all the way in port. Eastbound.
17:54 - Seeing them mid channel from Northern Fish. Still look to be trending towards the port. -Candace Gavin
*
17:44 - Headed into Commencement Bay now, looks like about 3?
17:37 - Lots of activity right off Dune Peninsula right now! I see the male headed east toward Commencement/Federal Way and the couple others are trailing behind him. -Caro Lew
*
17:25 - One headed east towards Tacoma, watching from Owen Beach. -Jessica Taylor
*
17:25 - One male just passed Owen Beach headed east. -Jenelle Walter
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16:58 - They are right off Vashon headed east toward Tacoma. -Joel DeWitt
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 10 16:55 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.35396,-122.53112 [southern Colvos Pass]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Ryan
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16:16 - Current location for T65A2, T77, and T77E who are the trailers in the group. The leaders are about a mile ahead now SB. [approx. 47.411980, -122.522557]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
16:04 - Passed Olalla southbound. Two or three closer to Gig [Harbor] side, the rest grouped up east of mid channel. -Ashley Whitman
*
16:11 - Christiansen Cove. - Charlotte Ness-Hale
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15:53 - Mid channel Colvos Passage, across from Olalla, soon to pass Al's/Olalla Bay Market. Southbound at a good pace. -Amanda Herberger
*
15:58 - Update southbound.[approx 47.423854, -122.517552].
15:51 - All 8 orcas are together now, loosely that is. T65A, A4, and A6 are in the lead mid channel. T77C and 77D are behind them. T65A2, T77, and T77E are hugging the western shoreline of Vashon Island. Still southbound.
15:37 - T65As and T77s are still southbound on the east side of Colvos passage from my mark on the map [approx. 47.465358, -122.525948]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
15:15 - Heading south, just north of Fern Cove, mid channel. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
*
15:06 - Headed south past Southworth. -Andrew Pilloud
*
14:50 - Spotted from boat, the group was heading southwest [approx. 47.525067, -122.503407]. -Darcey Dee
*
14:30 - West side Blake Island southbound at Southworth now. ~5 orcas. -Tim Ferris
*
14:00 - My location/direction/long dives/big direction changes [approx. 47.555036, -122.483936]. -David Scott
*
13:40 - Just north of Manchester fuel depot milling Kitsap side. -Mary Hartmann
*
13:07 - Saw fins further west sightline Restoration Point (from Elliott Bay Marina) group was continuing southwesterly.
12:55 - Looks like families have regrouped. Seeing at least 7-8 orcas grouped southbound south of Seattle/Bainbridge ferry traffic lanes more west than previous sighting.
12:45 - Seeing at least three mid channel grouped steady southbound out from just north of Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge. Transect and Viewing From Elliott Bay Marina. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network.
*
12:11 - Just now heading southbound just west of the green buoy off Discovery Point. -Leslie Goodman
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 10 11:43 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.69397,-122.45319 [off Golden Gardens]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Emily
Whale Alert App
*
11:29 - Update for T77, 77E and T65A2 still southbound [approx. 47.685666, -122.457310].
11:12 - So far we still only see the 3 animals I reported earlier. They are pretty spread out hunting right now.
10:52 - T77, T77E, T65A2 only so far from my last post.
10:45 - We spotted them southbound from my map post [approx. 47.740431, -122.441124]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Maria Steinbeisser
Date of Sighting: 6/10/2022
Time: 8:15 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Point No Point
Direction of travel : South, traveling slowly
Behaviors observed: Lots of Tail lobbing, think they are hunting
If orcas, any males?: At least 2
Any unusual markings?: Too far to tell even with binos12x42
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Still see them at 8,40 AM. They haven't traveled too far south since we started watching them at 815. Water is like glass. We think there might be a young one because of fluke size and swimming close to a female. Such a treat!
Photos available?: No
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 10 8:32:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.90838,-122.51711 [just S of Point No Point, Kitsap]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Mary
Whale Alert App
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Joe Savarese
Date of Sighting: 7/10/2022
Time: 6:35 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: 47.922360, -122.555872 In front of NE Twin Spits Road, Hansville. Skunk Bay
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: seemed to be hunting, milling for about10 minutes same location
If orcas, any males?: 1 or 2
Any unusual markings?: nick in fin and a couple had white stripe on fin
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I sent pictures by email.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Jul 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - We had the pleasure to encounter 20+ Humpbacks off Sooke in flat calm waters! Pictures don't explain the amazing experience, whales everywhere! -Sooke Coastal Explorations
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Sun, Jul 10 - Puget Sound - 16:10 - Humpback seen between Kingston and Edmonds. -Sarah Sarah
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11:16 - Humpback 30 feet off shore at Point Defiance headed towards the narrows. Surfaced twice and gone. Heard the blow before I saw it! -Kimberly Wenner
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Jul 10 - Possession Sound - 11:34 - Gray heading toward Mukilteo Lighthouse (north), very close to the Mukilteo shore. Approx. across from Glendale. -Jodi Krause Poissant
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10:00 - A gray right now, southbound in Saratoga Passage, about 200 yards off our place south end of Camano, looks like it rounded the head of Camano, maybe towards Port Susan. -Mike Moberly
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Sun, Jul 10 - Puget Sound - 12:13 - Southbound from Titlow. Gray whale swimming fast. -Jason Cook
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DOLPHINS - Sun, Jul 10 - 10:30 - 2 common dolphins southbound off Lagoon Point. Moving fast 100 yards off shore. We are on the beach within 25' of Admiralty Inlet and watch the harbor porpoise every day. These ones were moving 6-8 knots southbound and surfacing 2 times every 10-15 seconds. One was lighter colors of brown with a very pointy dorsal fin of maybe 6-12" tall.. I estimate the total length at 6-8 feet. The other breached lower in the water as it traveled and was much more dark in color. They were moving fast, unlike harbor porpoise feeding here. -Bill Setter

July 9
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Meet K45! Newest K Pod Calf - From the Center for Whale Research: "On July 9, we met the newest member of K Pod, K45. We received word that Southern Resident orcas were inbound from the west side of Vancouver Island, and in the group were members of K Pod whom we had not seen since November 21, 2021." Read more [here].
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7-09-22: J-Pod, L-Pod and reportedly K-Pod, Haro Strait, SJI.
18:05 - J26 Mike was the first one that came into view. He was traveling north, 1/3 mile from shore and 1.5 miles south of Landbank Westside Preserve. He was joined by 4-5 others widely spaced apart and all traveled quickly, hardly surfacing. As J26 neared Point Edwards he turned south, milling in all directions over a 1/2 mile area.
18:37 - J16 Slick and another member milling farther out turned and headed back to the south. J26 continued fishing with a flurry of sideways circling activity which I hope means he caught a fish.
18:48 - J26 left the area, southbound. 5-6 more orcas were seen traveling south passing Point Edwards, a few as far out as one mile from shore. L55 Nugget and a few minutes later her son L109 Takoda were the trailing southbound orcas. Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday
*
23:40 - [srkw] Hearing some intermittent high pitched calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout [WSSJI]
*
20:00 - [srkw] Some have turned and are headed north from Eagle Point. -Jenny Stands Wilson [WSSJI]
*
19:15 - All whales appear to be southbound - early indications are at least some Js Ks and Ls
18:19 - Four-five whales [srkw] milling off Land Bank.
18:00 - [srkw] More coming across Haro, a couple angling towards Land Bank.
17:30 - [srkw] Wide spread, some aiming northeast, some southeast, towards San Juan. Lots of whales! Porpoising.
17:24 - [srkw] Confirmed whales crossing Haro heading east for San Juan
15:12 - SRKW eastbound from Race Rocks! -Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
On the evening of July 9th, J-Pod, K-Pod, and the L4 sub-group of L-Pod came into Haro Strait, spread out and milling. With the wind and waves and fading light, viewing conditions weren't ideal, but we stayed out there until after sunset, enjoying seeing whales we hadn't encountered yet in 2022. Just before it got completely dark, we lucked out and spotted little K45 tucked in next to mom, K20 Spock. Here are some of Jason's video highlights of the evening, including a few clips showing K45! Audio on to hear some amazing vocalizations from all three pods recorded a bit later when they all went north past Lime Kiln after midnight! [Link to video]
*
13:00 - Here come MANY residents! Off Sooke inbound. -Paul Pudwell
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BIGG’S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Jul 9 - E Strait of Juan de Fuca (T123s) - Incredible day with Bigg's/transient killer whales (T123's) off Victoria. -Sooke Coastal Explorations
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Sat, Jul 9 - Admiralty Inlet (T65A, T65A2, T65A4, and T65A6 with T77, T77C, T77D, and T77E) - 20:00 - This group was off Point Hudson. Not sure who they were but there were approximately 8 in the pod. -Katie Day Arbuckle
*
At 20:00. Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Salish Master reports a small pod of orca (4) 1 mile off Pt. Hudson- no direction.
*
19:09 - Northbound rounding Point Hudson. -Jesse Avery
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19:04 - Off the wharf in Port Townsend today. 4 orcas, at least 1 was for sure a baby/juvenile. -Jaymie C-g
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16:36 - Looks like they may be heading into Port Townsend Bay. -Erin Merklein
*
17:25 - We are slowly leaving the scene with T65As (minus A3, A5) and T77s (minus 77B) southbound aiming towards the Hadlock Cut. They are spreading out looking for prey [approx. 48.062110, -122.769322].
17:00 - T77C is definitely with them now also, so we’ve got 8 orcas T65A, 65A2, 65A4, 65A6 and T77, T77C, 77D, 77E. (No T77B). Viewing from MV Saratoga Puget Sound Express. [approx. 48.087509, -122.750723].
16:45 - We came back after visiting Protection Island and the killer whales have now entered Port Townsend Bay.
15:45 - They just passed very close to Point Wilson southeastbound. Lots of playing. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Wendy Feltham
Date of Sighting: 7/9/2022
Time: 3:39 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: swimming past Pt. Wilson in Ft. Worden
Direction of travel : traveling toward Port Townsend, I think that would be east, at a good pace
Behaviors observed: traveling in a pod, surfacing to breathe and diving again, sometimes more than one was at the surface
If orcas, any males?: It looked like one was quite tall
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I guessed at six because a number was required, but I'm not sure, because I was far away, walking at North Beach. I saw the whale watching boat and two or three smaller private vessels, so I walked a little closer to Pt. Wilson. These photos are from far away with a zoom lens.
*
15:17 - Ebey's Landing, slowly heading south. -Cyrilla Cook
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15:10 - I’m at Ebey's Landing. They are waaay out and north of Point Wilson. But it looks like they are still headed towards Admiralty. -Sarah Geist
*
11:45 - T65As (minus A3, and A5) plus T77, T77D and T77E southbound from my map. Viewing from MV Saratoga. Puget Sound Express [approx. 48.309191, -122.727943]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
11:55 - Looked like five orcas heading southwest.
11:36 - At west beach Joseph Whidbey State Park, saw 2 fins. -Tami Kannenberg
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11:23 - Directly out from Rocky Beach picnic area. Southbound. -Nerell Edwards
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10:35 - They are currently following Whidbey shoreline steady southbound. Passing Moran County Beach Park now. Barely visible without binos. It is T65As and T77s. Sounds like T65A3 (who I never saw) and T65A5 not there.
09:50 - Resumed travel southwest.
09:24 - Currently they’re on a meal looks like. They were aiming southwest before stopping. Off Sharpe Park, not super close but easy to see without binoculars.
09:15 - guessing these are same whales [spotted earlier off Anacortes terminal] just off Sares Head, just came up in beautiful group surfacing, sometimes all facing different ways. Super cool. About 7, including one male. Little too far for ID but beautiful views on glassy waters. Viewing from Sharpe Park. Male looks like T65A2. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Jul 9 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Incredible day with a friendly humpback playing with a log. -Sooke Coastal Explorations
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Sat Jul 9 - W Entrance J de F
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 9 15:08 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.46129,-124.66958
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: 1st officer navigation norwegian encore
Submitted by a Trusted Observer
*
Sat Jul 9 - J de F (SW of Race Rocks)
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 9 18:19 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.26745,-123.59282
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Rebecca Reuter
*
Sat, Jul 9 - Saratoga Passage - 19:50 - 20:50 - Observed one [humpback] whale for about one hour that traveled around Baby Island. I saw a distinctive curved dorsal fin. I saw blows. Once when it partially breached I observed white on its pectoral fins. -Martha Poppy Sinclair
*
20:00 - [humpback] Rounded Baby Island southeast again.
19:30 - [humpback] Been milling around Baby Island back and forth just last seen west of Baby Island. A few times in between green channel marker and Baby Island. That's not very deep.
19:00 - [humpback] Just rounded Baby Island and now southbound out of Holmes Harbor. -Marilyn Armbruster
*
18:30 - Humpback breaching in Holmes Harbor east of Greenbank, midchannel. -Katie Davis Watkins, Orca Network
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GRAY WHALES - Sat Jul 9 - WA Coast - 19:00 - Gray whale? Literally feet from Rialto Beach shoreline [Video shared]. -Kristen Alvarez
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Sat, Jul 9 - Saratoga Passage/Possession Sound - At 14:35 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Suquamish Master reports one gray whale in Clinton Beach area feeding.
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12:45 - Gray? Inside buoys across from Brighton Beach Boardwalk. Spending a lot of time apparently feeding. -Claire Tuohy-Morgan
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09:45 - Gray whale off Bells Beach at 9:45am this morning. Heading towards Langley. -Rick Lessley
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09:20 - Single Gray Whale off Fox Spit heading south towards Bells Beach at 9:20am. -Michelle Sterett Bernson

July 8
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Jul 8 - Haro Strait (T65As - without T65A3 and T65A5 - and T77s) - 7-08-22 Bigg's Transients, Haro Strait, SJI - 08:47 - 08:52, The T65As and T77s traveled very quickly northbound 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. Traveling close together in a loose group, they were like thoroughbreds racing for the finish line making a short pause long enough for me to take a couple of photos. 100 yards from shore as they approached they moved farther out making their way around Point Edwards. Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. T77C Neftali, T65A2 Ooxjaa -Michelline Halliday
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Fri, Jul 8 - N Rosario Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 8 17:11 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.67217,-122.74332 [N of Lawrence Pt, Orcas Isl]
Number Sighted: 5
Submitter Name: Bethany Devine
Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Jul 8 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - What another great adventure with humpback whales breaching, tail slapping, and lunge feeding east of Sooke, B.C. Vancouver Island! "Oracle" was very active today, tail slapping and breaching! -Sooke Coastal Explorations
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Fri, Jul 8 - Saratoga Passage -19:45 -20:00 - Observed what appeared to be one humpback whale. North of Baby Island in Saratoga Passage, west of Camano Island State Park beach area, traveling north. Observed three spectacular full body breaches.
17:40 - 18:40 - Observed what appeared to be one humpback whale. First spotted west of Baby Island traveling northwest. It spent about 20 minutes around the navigational buoy north of Baby Island lunge feeding/breaching, then traveled back towards Baby Island. It then spent about 20 minutes around the west side of Baby Island lunge feeding/breaching. It then traveled back towards the navigational buoy for a few minutes, then turned and traveled southeast into Saratoga Passage. -Martha Poppy Sinclair
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Jul 8 - Port Susan - 17:58 - Gray Whale in Port Susan feeding along the Stilly River delta drop-off west of Warm Beach. -John C Storbeck
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Fri, Jul 8 - Holmes Harbor
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Grey Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 8 12:18 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.04050,-122.53309 [S of Honeymoon Bay]
Number Sighted: 4 [probably just the one - alb]
Submitter Name: David Acton
Whale Alert App

July 7
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, Jul 7 - N Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet (T65A, T65A2, T65A4, and T65A6 with T77, T77C, T77D, and T77E)
17:51 - Pointing towards Smith Island off of Hastie Lake.
17:17 - Moving north at Point Partridge, bit off shore. -Trevor Derie
*
T065A2, T077, T065A, T65A4, & T65A6 - “...were lucky to find the T65As and their good friends, the T77s, heading north along Whidbey shoreline – very close to shore. WOW. Spectacular conditions, mirror like water, the sun was out, no wind, and active whales!” -Jill Hein, Orca Network
*
"Just off Ebey’s Landing we encountered the T65a’s with and some T77’s and got spectacular sights of lots of beautiful surface activity including breaching, tail slaps, rolls and just breath-taking formation swimming." -Jeanne Hamilton, Orca Network
*
"By far one of the best days ever for my soul!" -photos by April Basham, July 7, 2022
*
T077C Neftali - T077D Alcyon & T077E Misneach - T065A Artemis, T077C Neftali, T077 Asja, & T065A2 Ooxjaa - photos and IDs by Sara Montour Lewis, July 7, 2022
*
"We caught up with them at Sierra/Fort Ebey and followed them north, in flat glass water with beautiful reflections. They were very active, with breaches and tail slaps, rolling around, but most beautiful were the moments when they surfaced in a tight group, breathing together in the warm afternoon sunshine." -photos by Bonnie Gretz, July 7, 2022
*
16:10 - We just saw three of them (T65A, A4, and A6) break off and hunt a Harbor Porpoise off Admiralty head. They turned back south afterwards, presumably to share with the others! -Justine Buckmaster, PSE
*
15:03 - Now at Lagoon Point. -Trevor Tillman
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14:25 - At least 3 about a mile South of Bush Point, heading quickly north. Now just behind the USS Nimitz which is cruising by. -Mike Meyer
*
13:15 - Saw 3 Biggs passing Point No Point heading north. -Carol DeRusha
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12:50 - Report from Puget Sound Orcas they are mid-channel just north of Edmonds. -Joe Dreimiller
*
11:43 - Brian, SV Bearcat sent message of who sounds like would be 2nd pod heading up Possession Sound at 11:43 last seen heading towards Mukilteo lighthouse around 13:00. [follow up sounds like viewing same pod].
*
11:30 - Biggs’s just passed in front of Kingston ferry terminal loosely grouped steady northbound at good pace. Very close to Kitsap side. Is going to be nice pass for those at Apple Tree Point if they keep course. Viewing from across the Sound at Kayu Kayu Ac park, Richmond Beach. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
11:15 - Just past President Point heading north toward Kingston. -Joanne Graves
*
10:55 - MV Saratoga has them still off Jefferson Head apparently feeding, now northbound! Part of the T65As are here with others. We have 8 whales here! T65A, T65A2, T65A4, and T65A6 with T77, T77C, T77D, and T77E! -Justine Buckmaster, PSE
*
Per Stephanie Raymond Victoria Clipper got a call around 07:15 of orcas off Shilshole, they didn't see them but with later Kingston report presume travel to be northbound.
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, Jul 7 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - We had the pleasure to visit 6 of the 12+ Humpbacks scattered off Port Angeles today! -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
Thu, Jul 7 - Saratoga Passage - 19:15 - Humpback 1 mile north of Hidden Beach appears to be making its way south. -Aaron Gill
*
At 16:26 Jill Hein messaged to relay report Clarence Hein has a humpback in Saratoga Passage at Race Lagoon, 100 yards off shore southbound at 16:15.
*
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Jul 7 - Holmes Harbor
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu Jul 7 19:52 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.05628,-122.54867 [Honeymoon Bay]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Brooke Payne
Whale Alert App
*
16:25 - Judy Moore just called to report a gray whale off Greenbank at entrance to Holmes Harbor heading southbound into the harbor.
*
14:30 - Solo gray heading south 1 mile north of Hidden Beach in Whidbey Shore. Feeding along the way. -Aaron Gill
*
12:07 - We saw it [gray] too. We were just floating, no engine running, & it was right off our bow. Sure was a beautiful surprise. -Seaneen Hummel-Kardly
*
MINKE WHALES - Thu, Jul 7 - 18:30 - We saw a whale on the ferry between Orcas Island and Anacortes tonight [in Rosario Strait], we originally thought it was a humpback but now that I have loaded my photos I'm curious if it is a minke whale? -Megan Jefferies

July 6
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Jul 6 - N Puget Sound - Apparently T65A3 was picked up in Admiralty Inlet headed north this afternoon. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Bryce Barich
Date of Sighting: 7/6/2022
Time: 9:50 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: 47.7926416, -122.4594045 (Edmonds/Kingston ferry lane)
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
*
Wed, Jul 6 - South Puget Sound (T65As - without T65A3 and T65A5 - and T77s ) - 21:52 - We just heard them go past Salmon Beach Gig Harbor side. -Gill Chard
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21:45 - Northbound Gig Harbor side of the Narrows. Midway to Point Defiance. Long down times. -Teri Fields Mattsen
*
21:18 - Just saw the orcas cruise past Narrows Bridge. -Kristen Talmadge
*
21:08 - Currently heading north under the Narrows bridge. -Colleen Henckel
*
20:32 - Slowly heading south to Point Fosdick, mid channel.
20:22 - Mouth of Wollochet, breaching and slapping after hunt.
20:15 - Hunting seal right off Cromwell.
20:10 - Heading south in Hales passage mid channel, nearing Wollochet Bay. -Kimberly Wenner
*
19:44 - Near Fox Island Bridge now. -Kathy Kaminoff Weymiller
*
18:33 - Still in the same general area. Lots of back and forth but still no commitment in direction
17:18 - Seeing blows and dorsal between Fox and McNeil headed north. Closer to McNeil side. Almost to the tip of McNeil. -Candace Gavin
*
16:52 - Heading into Carr Inlet between McNeil and Fox Islands.
16:33 - On the southeast side of McNeil heading north. -Jessi Clifton
*
16:38 - Just past McNeil Prison heading north viewing from Salter’s Point.
16:26 - Crossing over in front of Eagle Island.
16:15 - Approaching Anderson ferry terminal viewing from Salter’s Point. -Cherie StOurs
*
16:11 - On the northeast side of Anderson. -Taleen Venesky
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16:11 - Just sighted near Anderson/Steilacoom Ferry. -Grant Hill
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16:10 - From the Anderson Island ferry, they are nearing the north end of Ketron still northbound toward the narrows [approx. 47.170694, -122.641116]. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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15:36 - Just passed/passing Anderson Island Riviera Marina. 4. moving quickly north-east bound. -Kelly Hallock
*
15:29 - They’ve picked up the pace, hugging Anderson Island side heading north. Nearing Ketron area.
15:18 - North by southern end of Anderson, heading toward Ketron.
15:12 - Long down times in front of east Oro Bay, still northbound. -Allison Cameron
*
14:47 - traveling south, close to Anderson island. Rounded southern Anderson island now headed north. -Kimberly Wenner
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14:57 - They're just milling around southeast side of Anderson, staying close to it.
14:40 - Straight out from Nisqually Reach, along south tip of Anderson Island. -Dalton Folkema
*
14:36 - I see them! [approx. 47.117313, -122.721025]. -Stephanie Brooke
*
14:11 - In Drayton Passage headed east towards Balco Passage. They turned headed south towards Tolmie hugging south Anderson Island. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
13:46 - Passing Taylor Bay.
13:24 - Looks like they are committing and going into Nisqually Reach.
13:05 - Watching from Joemma State Park. Southbound. -Tedra Hett
*
12:35 - Southbound Fudge Point mid inlet. -Doug Olson
*
11:07 - A group of six orcas just left Vaughn Bay, off Case Inlet. Two big guys, one with a notch cut in the back of his dorsal fin. Two moms, two youngsters. -Mike Shaffer
*
11:05 - We saw several Orca in Case Inlet south of Vaughn Bay, heading south. -Leslie Hanks
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Jul 6 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Today's adventure took us out east to encounter 10+ humpbacks spread out feeding. -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
Wed, Jul 6 - Haro Strait - BCX1782 "Flier" just off Land Bank. -Michelline Halliday
*
Wed, Jul 6 - N Saratoga Passage - 21:00 - I think a humpback just passed Mariners' Cove/NE of Oak Harbor/Whidbey, southbound. It just surfaced briefly to breath and moved on. From email: “It’s possible/likely that the same whale went by northbound around 5-5:30pm. We saw something large and black way out between Mariners’ Cove and Brown Point, heading north. It was just a black blob that appeared twice, but we didn’t know there was a humpback spotted down by Onamac earlier, so we chalked it up to being a porpoise. Now that I saw the whale here just now, I’m pretty sure it looked the same.” -Marianne Parry
*
13:50 - [Took] Video of one of the [humpback] breaches just north of Onamac. -Matt Henning
*
13:25 - Humpback whale hugging Camano shoreline, about a mile north of Onamac, back and forth so no solid direction of travel. I've seen 2 breaches, but no pics. -Jill Hein, Orca Network
*
UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Wed, Jul 6 - Saratoga Passage
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed Jul 6 9:36 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.22223,-122.53236 [NW Camano]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: Don’t have pictures just a video. It breached a few times and then was gone.
Submitter Name: Lindsay
Whale Alert App

July 5
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, Jul 5 - Strait Juan de Fuca (T109As) - These Bigg’s/transient killer whales (T109a's) were hunting seals and porpoise all day in our local waters. Special to see the new calf! -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
Tue, Jul 5 - Haro Strait - Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research... "We got on scene about a half mile east of D’Arcy Island at 1041. The whales were in two groups heading north and taking long dives. T34A, T37B, T37B1, T37A1, and T65A5 were in one group while T34, T34B, T37, and T72 were paralleling them a few hundred meters to the west..." Read more [here].
*
This turned out to be an eclectic group of nine whales that had been in Puget Sound over the last few days: T34s (without T34A1), T37, T37A1, T37Bs, T65A5, and T72. Thanks to friends on the water for the IDs! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
09:31 - We just had orcas off Lime Kiln. 300-500 yds off-shore. Heading north. -Kate Laboda [WSSJI]
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Tue, Jul 5 - South Puget Sound - 20:00 - We saw a single orca just offshore swimming to the north almost to the Fox Island sand spit. -Lance Lloyd
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18:38 - Lone bull orca Toliva Shoal, heading south. -Rory Macomber
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17:26 - One is still near Eagle heading east but lost sight of him. Near Otso point. -Lane Sample
*
16:45 - T77B was by himself porpoising back and forth along the shore of Eagle Island. He doesn’t appear to be hunting so perhaps looking for the rest of the group? Update: couldn't confirm ID.
*
12:30 - Lone orca just off Otso point west and south into the passage. -Audrey ML
*
10:47 - Single Orca heading out of Quartermaster Harbor. Moving fast toward Commencement Bay. Saw it three times and then it breached in open water. Another resident on Manzanita beach posted it on our neighborhood group too. He saw it going into the harbor and I saw it going out. -Vawn Parker
*
Tue, Jul 5 - South Puget Sound (T65As and T77s) - 21:21 - Midchannel north of Reach and Stretch Island. Look to be milling back and forth. Small white boat trailing them from a good distance. Viewing from East Highlander drive area. -Candace Gavin
*
20:00 - They looked to be heading south in Case [Inlet], after they rounded Dougall Point. -Liz Wolk
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Rowan Ellington
Date of Sighting: 7/5/2022
Time: 7:20 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: (47.2870121,-122.8826589) [N Pickering Pass]
Direction of travel : 57 degrees NE
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: NA
Any unusual markings?: NA
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Viewed from Shoreline on Northwest Side of Channel
*
19:10 - Pod of orcas at least 6 of them headed north viewing from Jarrell Cove. Moving towards Harstine Point. -April Basham
*
18:50 - 5 orcas headed north in Pickering Passage passing Jarrell Cove. -Jacob Virnig
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue Jul 5 18:32 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.28439,-122.92409 [Pickering Pass]
Number Sighted: 5
Submitter Name: Patty
Whale Alert App
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18:17 - Northbound in Pickering, I think they’re over by Walker’s Landing right now, probably heading toward Jarrell Cove area. -Megan Gene Carlson
*
17:30 - At least 5 of them in Peale Passage now, northbound, near north end of Squaxin Island now, closer to the Squaxin side, moving slowly north. -Katie Remine
*
16:56 - It looks like one went north towards Hope Island.
16:47 - They just passed Brisco Point! Looked like 6, they are going towards Boston Harbor, so south. -Liliana Mar
*
16:30 - T77b alone at the Anderson Island ferry terminal. Eastbound. We left him going back west at Eagle Island. -Trevor Tillman
*
16:02 - A large pod of orcas are moving south in Case Inlet, south of Fudge point. At least 7, including a small calf. -Pam Helbling
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Tyler Wiederien
Date of Sighting: 7/5/2022
Time: 2:50 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen:
Where seen: East side of Harstine Island
Direction of travel : S
*
3:30 - About 4 of them were making their way north in Case Inlet, passing by Stretch Island. -Marty Wolk
*
12:10 - Four to six [orcas] just south of Herron Island, Case Inlet, milling mid channel next to Herron Island. -Christie Shane Zakem
*
11:44 - Just watched the group go north along Harstine Island, then they dove and I lost them. Looks like they were heading up into Case Inlet. -T.j. Smith
*
11:28 - We watched 5 orcas come from Devil's Head traveling toward Johnson Point. They are currently off Johnson Point. -Joan Ahre
*
11:00 - Group of at least 5 by Zittles Marina. -Angela Scarpellini Roy
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9:45 - 5-6 orcas in that group. -Lee Ellen Bell
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09:38 - 3-4 orcas just in front of Eagle Island heading west. -Lisa Elliott
*
09:23 - Last seen between McNeil island (where the prison building is on the south side) heading south toward the east side of Anderson (about 20 mins ago). Viewing from Chambers Bay with binoculars. -Charlie Skinner
*
09:30 - A different Anderson Island friend alerted me that they were south past McNeil and heading to Eagle Island.
09:02 - Report from an Anderson Island friend: On the ferry. Orca pod is heading toward Fox/McNeil right now. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
*
08:45 - The male is heading west past McNeil. -Kirsten Vacura
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07:44 - Single male orca in Carr Inlet heading toward [Tacoma] Narrows. Currently between Fox Island and McNeil. Taking deep dives mid channel. -Blake-Linda Worland Little
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Jul 5 - Saratoga Passage
Name: Kevin English
Date of Sighting: 7/5/2022
Time: 7:00 PM
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Utsalady Bay, Camano Island
Direction of travel : Traveled east from the Saratoga passage into the bay then back to the west
Behaviors observed: Feeding on schools of fish in shallow water.
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: First time seeing one in Utsalady Bay for us.
*
Tue Jul 5 - Central Puget Sound - 14:50 - At 20:32- John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Southworth Humpback Report 7/5/2022 1450hrs: Terminal personnel report 1 humpback whale, SB, just east of the terminal, headed into Colvos Passage.
*
12:20 - Humpback was just off Gig Harbor shore just before the opening to the harbor and moved out into the narrows headed towards bridge at 12:20pm. -Michele Riley Campbell
*
08:08 - Polly Middleton Brown reported in PSWS a Humpback mid Commencement Bay making for the Port. [Tacoma. SE bound]
*
GRAY WHALES - Tue, Jul 5 - Holmes Harbor
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: David Garber
Date of Sighting: 7/5/2022
Time: 2:30 PM
Species seen: Gray Whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Holmes Harbor heading into harbor.
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Slow swimming close to surface.
Photos available?: No
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08:50 - Baleen whale [confirmed gray -alb] in Holmes Harbor, south of Baby Island [Whidbey Island] heading into the harbor. Cruising back and forth eating I think! -Alyce Dreewes
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MINKE WHALES - Tue, Jul 5 - 20:27 - I didn’t get a good photo but I just saw a minke whale (I think) from Pier 62 in Seattle. -Eric Logue

July 4
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon Jul 4 - Saratoga Passage (T34s - without T34A1 - T37s, T37A1, T65A5, and T72) - Here is another video from Independence Day Weekend showing the whole mixed group of T34s/T37s-T37Bs/T72/T37A1/T65A5 traveling closely together in Crescent Bay on the morning of July 4. The day after T37A1 picked up T65A5 and brought him into the mix. [Link to video] -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
4th July: A real mixed bag of Bigg's orcas (T65A5, T37A1, T37-T37Bs/T34s and the distinctive T72 - Captain Hook aka Young), in all their splendor, added to the holiday mood as they gathered together along Whidbey and Camano Island shores. An early foray into Penn Cove led to a later visit to Holmes Harbor, followed by a return north in Saratoga Passage past Hidden Beach and beyond. With perfect viewing conditions, whale watchers were treated to a truly memorable day as the orcas showed their strength, versatility and grace as they traveled, alternately hunting and resting along the way. -Sandy Pollard
*
21:30 - A group of at least 6 orcas just passed by Mariners' Cove just north of Oak Harbor/east side of Whidbey, heading north. Quite a sight with the fireworks on Camano in the background. -Marianne Parry
*
19:29 - Just spotted them [orcas] by the buoy near Scenic Heights [approx. 48.276123, -122.605048]. -Terra Parham
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18:59 - Viewing from Scenic Heights Road, they are at the mouth of Penn Cove, I can’t tell what direction they are going from where I am. -Shelby Nicole
*
18:15 - They are now approaching Penn Cove, still on the Whidbey side.
17:55 - Back in front of Onomac, but far over on the Whidbey side. -Kristina Trowbridge
*
17:30 - Heading north, north of Cama mid channelish. -Aaron Gill
*
16:45 - Past Hidden Beach, still slowly trending north.
16:35 - Slowly trending north from Hidden Beach. -Dori Dace
*
17:30 - As we pass by at a distance we see the orcas still northbound from the spot on my map on the Whidbey side [approx. 48.166987, -122.563606].
16:28 - We’ve left the orcas but they are still barely north of my last map post. Very slow pace for our whole visit.
16:12 - Update getting closer to shore near Hidden Beach northbound [approx. 48.118927, -122.553523].
15:56 - Northbound from my map after an amazing social session [approx. 48.110479, -122.553532]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
*
15:48 - Watching from Hidden Beach, at the entrance to Holmes Harbor. -Bonnie Gretz
*
14:57 - Really surface active right now. Several breaches, pec slaps and tail slaps.
14:50 - Got them just north of Dines Point. Viewing from Saratoga Beach. Northbound midchannel. -Katie Davis Watkins, Orca Network
*
13:53 - They’re headed into Holmes Harbor now. -Tami Sandygren
*
13:18 - Still on the Whidbey side trending south. Passing a stretch of homes.
12:50 - I’m on the shoreline at Cama State Park and the pod of Orca’s is directly in front of me on the Whidbey side. -Linda Aitkins, Orca Network
*
12:31 - Pod heading south 2 miles north of Cama Beach mid channelish. -Aaron Gill
*
12:24 - We are not on scene anymore but I see that another whale watch boat had them off Onamac Point southbound, mid-channel. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
11:50 - Pod of 5 in Saratoga Passage near Penn Cove. Individual with bent dorsal fin with them. -Lucienne Miodonski
*
12:23 - I've been watching from Eagle Crest; they're southbound on the Whidbey side of the passage just out from Onomac Point. -Kristina Trowbridge
*
12:18 - Viewing just north from Camano Island Inn on Camano. They are on Whidbey side. At least 5 including the male with bent dorsal. Heading south steadily. -Shelly Greybeck
*
11:27 - Update still southbound. Watching from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. [Approx. 48.218547, -122.572609].
11:19 - They seemed to be grouped up napping right now.
11:10 - Update still southbound [approx. 48.240965, -122.584419]. T65A5 (Elsie) is still with T37A1/T37-T37Bs/ T34s and T72 up here (9 orcas).
10:39 - Westbound from the blue spot on my map [approx. 48.871763, -122.577220]. They are now southbound from my map spot. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
10:37 - Heading south along Camano Island, leaving Crescent Harbor.
10:24 - Near Polnell Point to the left of the tree line.
09:40 - Deep in Crescent Harbor.
08:54 - Looks to be heading towards Maylor point, crescent harbor area. Maybe 8-9 with beautiful T72. -Anya Sika
*
09:12 - Grouped up steady travel east passing Maylor Point.
09:04 - Viewing from the hill above Oak Harbor Walmart, eastbound still.
08:45 - Stealth mode with incredibly long downtimes. Seemingly hugging the north shore of Penn Cove still eastbound.
08:35 - Flipped east, T72 with them.
08:30 - At least 6 at the wharf now, still heading westbound. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
08:15 - Penn Cove, Coupeville. They [orcas] were headed inward toward mussel rafts. We were at the boat ramp in Coupeville. -Mandi Black
*
08:25 - Anya Sika called to report at least 2-3 killer whales in Penn Cove, now approaching the Coupeville wharf, traveling nice and slow, still heading westbound.
*
Mon, Jul 4 - South Sound (T65As - without T65A5 - and T77s) - 21:10 - Just saw 4 due north of Boston Harbor. -Miles Rozatti
*
20:47 - Four in Dana passage milling about, due south of Squaxin Island. -Tim B. Smith
*
20:40 - Headed south into Budd or towards Eld Inlet.
20:27 - Orcas at Dana Passage now. -Nicole Seeley Link
*
20:32 - At least two headed west toward Cooper Point. -Tim B. Smith
*
20:25 - Saw 6 come through Dana Passage heading west. -Cole Baldino
*
19:45 - I see at least two moving south along Harstine Island towards Johnson Point. Viewing from Taylor Bay. -T.j. Smith
*
19:30 - Headed north along western side of Devils head, saw with binoculars from Johnson Point. -Bethany Haywood
*
19:10 - Watched them turn south into Dana Passage, just around Johnson Point. -Angie Johnson Vandeberg
*
18:31 - We received a message from Julia Sweeny: Orcas near Tolmie State Park and Harstine Island today. Looks like four.
*
18:22 - Spotted two groups from Tolmie State Park, heading west, up the Nisqually Reach. -Sofia Jauregui
*
18:08 - South side of Anderson Island heading west. -Jeffrey Collins
*
17:18 - Between Anderson and Ketron [Islands]. -Barbie Gonzalez
*
17:13 - They have moved closer to mid channel and swimming in all directions at the moment.
17:00 - Southbound along Anderson [Island].
16:52 - Nearing the northeast side of Anderson. Hugging the shore.
16:42 - Continuing east between Anderson and McNeil hugging Anderson. -Jason Cook
*
17:35 - I just watched them round the corner south toward Oro Bay. 5-6 individuals including a big male - are headed south on the east side of Anderson Island toward Nisqually.
17:24 - Popped up past the south end of Ketron, moving at a steady pace toward Nisqually.
17:18 - From the Riv Marina on Anderson Island, still seem southbound but not fast [approx. 47.167618, -122.654753].
17:04 - It seems like they are committed to southbound between Anderson and Ketron.
16:44 - Gorgeous close pass on Anderson Island! Baby flukes and playing in the riptides and eddies. Heading toward Chambers Bay right now.
16:33 - Big male is just north of Eagle Island heading east between Anderson Island and McNeill. Rest are trailing.
16:00 - I just got a text from a friend on the west side of Anderson Island saying they are heading north past Devil's Head toward McNeil. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
*
15:53 - Around the red buoy in Drayton Passage headed north towards south McNeil Island. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
16:30 - Orcas headed east towards Eagle Island. I think they made a kill up near McNeil about 10-15 minutes ago. There were tons of swarming seagulls overhead.
16:01 - Going north up Drayton. Hugging Longbranch side. Close to the big pier.
15:21 - They are now heading south on the east side of Johnson’s Point. Putting on a show/tail slaps.
15:00 - I see them between Johnson’s Point and Devil’s Head. Heading north, I think. -Angie Johnson Vandeberg
*
14:30 - We saw them down here in Taylor Bay Longbranch. -Leiann Moselle
*
14:05 - I'm on Harstine Island and I just saw the transients from my kayak on Peale Passage! Holy orca! It was an amazing sight! We got to see them hunting seals! We were SO fortunate - we got to hear them breathing, which I will never forget. -Shane Farnor
*
14:00 - Whales were heading east up Dana Passage - after having left Pickering Passage and the Hope/Steamboat/Squaxin islands area. The southeast corner of Harstine Island is on the left - Dana Passage to the right. -Kim Merriman
*
13:35 - Moving slowly southbound off the Teamsters Recreational Property on Harstine Island. Heading south towards Briscoe Point. -Heather Jamesson
*
14:28 - They came straight around Harstine and went back east/north again.
13:31 - Waiting on Peale side of Briscoe Point, can see them just south of the shellfish plant. -Andrew Leisner
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Andy Appleby
Date of Sighting: 7/4/2022
Time: 12:10 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Pickering passage, South Puget Sound, WA
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling, with fluke and fin slaps
If orcas, any males?: Yes, 1
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Neighbors report orcas at north end of Harstine Island for several days prior.
*
12:03 - Should be close to Harstine Bridge southbound. -Megan Gene Carlson
*
12:03 - They put on a beautiful show. So many tail slaps and breaches! Heading south in Pickering Passage - almost to the bridge now. -Michelle Louie
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Tim Thomsen
Date of Sighting: 7/4/2022
Time: 12:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Pickering Passage, Puget Sound, North of Harstine Island Bridge
Direction of travel : South bound
Behaviors observed: Traveling and surface behavior
If orcas, any males?: At least one
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Same group seen on 7/3/22 in same location, but traveling in the opposite direction and engaging in surface behaviors including tail slapping, tail lobs, rolling, etc.
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11:31 - They are headed south in Pickering passage toward the bridge. -Teresa Saunders Westcoat
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11:16 - Heading south to Harstine Bridge in the north end of the Pickering Passage. -Erin Waller
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09:02 - Orca pod currently in Case Inlet south of Heron Island off Fudge Point, heading north. At least 5, some appear to be juvenile in size. -Pam Helbling
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Mon, Jul 4 - OR Coast - 4-5 orca mingling with grays off Yachats, OR. This morning for an hour just offshore of Yachats were four gray whales. Gray whales are often seen here. A red tide lasting several days had cleared up, and in between the grays were four to five orca, hardly ever seen here. For the hour I watched they were intermingling. Were the Orca trying to separate out a young Gray so they could kill him? I have never read, seen, or heard of an account of Grays and Orca intermingling that long, less than 200 yards off shore in shallow water. I am astounded. -John Marshall
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Jul 4 - Deception Pass
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Natasha Dillinger
Date of Sighting: 7/4/2022
Time: 1:09 PM
Species seen: Believe humpback based on dorsal fin shape. Gray in color and close to shore so at first we thought gray whale.
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Cornet Bay near Deception Pass. Coordinates from Google Photos: 48.4082000, -122.6150000
Direction of travel : Unsure. Short surface time facing towards Cornet Bay boat ramp
Behaviors observed: Probably fishing. Surface was short and very close to shore (30-40 feet).
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes
EMAIL FOLLOW UP W/PHOTOS: I submitted a sighting report on the website, but am sending along a couple of cellphone photos we managed to get. The whale's surfacing was brief and there were a lot of power boats nearby so we never saw them resurface. We were sad to miss the orcas near Penn Cove today, so were beyond thrilled to have even a brief bonus sighting of this whale. Thanks for all you do tracking our beautiful neighbors! -Natasha Dillinger
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Mon, Jul 4 - Central Puget Sound - 11:16 - We saw him [humpback] an hour ago in the middle of Elliot Bay. Popped up less than 50' from our boat! -Lars Goble
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon Jul 4 8:30 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.53036,-122.40133 (Lincoln Park, West Seattle)
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Carl Furfaro
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Jul 4 - Admiralty Inlet - Bill Setter emailed: Lone gray whale southbound off Lagoon Point 8:30 AM 7-4-22. Moving slowly 400 yards off south of Lagoon Point.
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Mon, Jul 4 - Saratoga Passage - 20:29 - Gray whale came into Penn Cove while we were waiting for the orcas. -Sarah Geist
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2441 -photos and ID by Jill Hein, July 4, 2022
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17:00 - It's [gray] just north of Onomac Point. -Kristina Trowbridge
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16:52 - Gray whale northbound. [approx. 48.176377, -122.554940 (Onomac Point]. CRC2440 per Bart Rulon. -Trevor Tillman
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16:45 - Gray whale spotted near PSE WW boat north from Camano Island Inn on Whidbey side mid-channel. -Shelly Greybeck
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14:59 - Volunteer Heather Anson called to report a whale, thought possibly gray and sounds like it from all description. Whale was 2 miles north of Hidden Beach on Whidbey side. Whale was hugging inshore, at times ~ 50 feet from shore in low tide Behavior described sounds like gray feeding behavior (water boiling, whale moving along inshore) Whale was moving southbound.
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14:40 - Single gray whale headed steady south close to shore [approx. 48.150283, -122.564370 (no. of Hidden Beach)].
13:01 - Gray whale just off shore Harrington Lagoon headed south. -Erik Anderson
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14:30 - Gray heading south a mile north of Hidden Beach. Right off Whidbey shore. -Aaron Gill
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07:00 - Been watching a gray whale heading north as he feeds about a mile & a half north of Hidden Beach. -Marie Gill
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Mon, Jul 4 - Elliott Bay
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon Jul 4 16:07 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.61380,-122.36812
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Nate

July 3
Bigg's Killer Whales - The biggest surprise of all was when T72 came to visit Puget Sound! The tip of his dorsal fin curls down over to the left and makes him easily recognizable. Many have called him 'Captain Hook' as the curl on his dorsal fin is very similar to that of T40. However, the true original 'Captain Hook', T40, is likely deceased. T72 has the nickname 'Young'. Just wanted to clarify that they are indeed two different orca.

But this is just one part of the story! T72 along with the T34s (minus T34A1) and T37s, and T37A1 came down Admiralty Inlet, visiting northern Puget Sound and then eventually Camano and Whidbey Island. Bart Rulon paints the picture so well, read his excerpt below:

"We had a great 4th of July weekend watching whales and it was especially interesting because of an unusual mix of Bigg’s killer whales that ventured into Puget Sound. The T34 and T37/37B pods usually travel together and are frequent visitors to the sound, but this time they brought in, and picked up, some interesting “add ons” over the long weekend. Initially they came in with an old adult male that doesn’t visit us very often, T72 (Young), and an extended family member, T37A1 (Inyo), that often travels away from her immediate family. T72 is 48 years old, with a tall dorsal fin and a hook at the top, and he is more common in Southeast Alaska than he is here. T37A1 often travels with different families but this time she decided to hang out with her grandma, T37 (Rocky III), and Aunt T37B (Harald) and their family. To make things even more interesting the T34 pod was missing their youngest member T34A1 (only 3 years old), who has been traveling away from mom, T34A, lately and was seen with the T65B pod in Canada over the weekend. If you’re not confused yet, stick with me because it gets even better. After hunting throughout the northern part of Puget Sound on Saturday and Sunday morning the pod made its way into Port Susan Sunday afternoon, July 3. While we were watching them in Port Susan, T37A1 (Inyo), branched off from the pod briefly and came back with yet another wayward soul, T65A5 (Elsie), and brought him into the mixed pod, bringing it up to 9 orcas. T65A5 also has a habit of traveling away from his family, the T65As, who ironically were visiting the southern part of Puget Sound at the same time. T65A5 sometimes travels by himself and sometimes joins other Bigg’s pods, but he comes back to join his immediate family from time to time too." -Bart Rulon, PSE

As Bart mentioned, the T65As along with members of the T77s have been visiting the deep south Puget Sound. During their travels around the south sound, it would appear that T77C and T77D branched off from the group on at least one occasion.

Other groups have showed up further north in the SJIs and Strait of Juan de Fuca, including the T41s, T46s, T49As, T109s, T125A, T128, and T137s. Lots of orcas everywhere in both sunshine and rain, and no one is complaining. What better way to celebrate the weekend before 4th of July than with our black and white friends.
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Sun, Jul 3 - Juan de Fuca Strait
From: Tamara L Mayo
Date and Time Sighting Observed: 2022-07-03 afternoon
Marine Mammal Type: Orca (Killer Whale) Unknown Type
If SRKW, select pod/s: Pod Unknown
General Location: Other
If other: Port Angeles Bay
Describe what you saw: 2 dorsal fins, heard blowing spouts, and swimming around crab pots
BWW webform
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Sun Jul 3 - Port Angeles Harbor - 13:40 - Left the harbor and went west. Continuing westerly, slowly. About straight out from the Port Angeles dump on the west side of town. Glacier Spirit on scene. Believe T75Bs. -Rachel Rodell
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11:38 - Orcas, now! 4-6. They left the harbor and couldn't see which way. They did a stealth dive. -Tammy Ash
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Sun, Jul 3 - Possession Sound/Port Susan (T34s minus T34A1, T37s, T37A1, T65A5, T72)
20:10 - Same behavior south past Tyee. From my observations today, these [orca] whales took the path with the most obstacles. They chose to weave in and out of buoys, crab pots, and countless parked (mostly unoccupied) vessels. They tail slapped 100s of times and breached next to boats. The past hour, no one has followed them, but the majority of the group were constantly surfacing close to obstacles all along the way. Also, it was pretty awesome hearing all the crowds of people cheer in all the homes as the orca passed by. Just happy whales going about their day.
19:45 - After taking their SWEET time, they [orca] finally passed Tilicum beach slowly southbound and happy active whales still.
17:15 - [orca] Just south of the Camano Country Club trending south. Happy active whales! -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 3 19:01 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.12636,-122.43429 (Port Susan).
Number Sighted: 4
Submitter Name: Theresa
Whale Alert App
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16:39 - [orca] Up in Port Susan closer to Country Club. -John C Storbeck
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16:45 - This group picked up another orca in Port Susan that looks like T65A5 (Elsie) to me. I will confirm with my personal ID guide later tonight and update you as soon as I can!
16:33 - Update [orca] still northbound [approx. 48.166621, -122.435711].
15:57 - They [orca] have picked up the pace still northbound. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express [approx. 48.121520, -122.407013].
15:30 - They [orca] are stalled, likely eating a meal but slowly northbound in Port Susan. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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15:29 - Orca off Tyee Beach, mid channel. -John C Storbeck
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13:55 - Tom Nowak called to report orcas passing by in front of their place in Mission Beach. Looked like 2 bulls & 2 cows.
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13:10 - [orca] Still near the barge between Everett and Hat Island. -Danny Habersetzer
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13:20 - [orca] Look to be northbound now.
13:05 - Viewing from Harborview Park, [orca] whales are traveling west now. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:45 - Watching [orca] now right by the barge in Everett. -Jessica Hamack
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11:57 - [orca] On the south side of Hat Island, cruising pretty quickly east. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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12:09 - They [orca] are on the hunt eastbound towards Everett now [approx. 47.996327, -122.282322].
11:40 - T34s/T37s-T37Bs plus T72 and T37A1 (8 orcas) (minus T34A1 who was seen with the T65Bs yesterday up by Hornby Island per Monika Wieland Shields from Orca Behavior Institute) are eastbound, south of Hat Island [approx. 47.991026, -122.350137]. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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11:34 - They've [orca] pushed out toward Hat [Island] now, Saratoga and Chilkat with them.
11:28 - Right off Brighton Beach with lots of surface activity. T72 appears in the group. -Durand Dace
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11:22 - My boyfriend just sent me shots [of orcas] from the Clinton to Mukilteo ferry from about 10 minutes ago. -Susan Larsen
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11:20 - Group of 4 or 5 [orca], just north of Clinton, then between center Hat Island and Brighton Beach boardwalk. -Claire Tuohy-Morgan
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11:16 - [orca] Just north of Clinton. Looks like they’re milling/hunting just off of Randall Point. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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11:16 - [orca] Group seen near the Clinton ferry terminal with some big breaches and fin slaps. -Gaby Sauza
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11:00 - [orca] Group of 4-5 went directly in front of Clinton ferry terminal and appear to moving slowly northbound. -Jeremy Byrne
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10:13 - We saw four or five [orca] clearly from the westbound Mukilteo Clinton ferry as they headed back towards Mukilteo. As of 10:13, they were all pulled very near to the ferry terminal in Mukilteo. Pretty cool! -Tammy Jo
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09:45 - Viewing a pod of 4 or 5 orca from home, Mukilteo. Location just west of ferry lanes, and nearer to Mukilteo side, circling and staying near top. Haven't moved location in awhile. -Mary Ann Mcomber
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Lucky to be on the ferry right now and see this [orcas] : [video] -Audrey Spencer
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Sun, Jul 3 - Central Puget Sound
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Bradley Gobson
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 6:58 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Crossing beneath the bridge to Bainbridge Island in the Agate Passage.
Direction of travel : Unknown. I was leaving Bainbridge Island. The Orcas were traveling left to right up the passage.
Behaviors observed: Traveling. Seemed to be moving at a good clip without deviation.
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?: Pulent observe
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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Sun, Jul 3 - South Sound (T65As & T77s) - 21:24 - They [orca] just swam through Balch Passage about 30 minutes ago heading north. -Steven Levy
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19:20 - Watched them [orca] hug Key Peninsula going south around Devils Head through Drayton Passage north from 19:20 to 19:40. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
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20:30 - The pod of 6-7 [orca] should be close to Eagle Island now heading northeast. I’ve been watching them since 19:00, but lost sight once they rounded the corner of Anderson Island.
20:18 - [orca] Mid channel Drayton Passage off the northwest side of Anderson Island.
19:59 - They [orca] turned and are now heading north along the east side of Longbranch.
19:18 - [orca] Heading slowly south.
19:08 - Multiple orcas off of Johnson’s Point right now. Viewing them with binoculars from the west side of Anderson Island. -Angie Johnson Vandeberg
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18:23 - [orca] Moving into Nisqually Reach headed southeast. Viewing from Joemma Beach State Park with binoculars we left them passing Zittel's Marina moving southeast.
18:07 - [orca] Joemma Beach State Park moving south. -Loba Perkins
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17:19 - They [orca] just passed the north point of Harstine Island. I am at the state park. Looks like they are headed north. -Shantelle Silva
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17:00 - They [orca] are heading down the east coast of Harstine Island. Probably passing by McMicken Island now. -David Morton
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17:01 - We are at Harstine Island and can see the orcas in the sound! -Barbara Millward
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16:30 - Left them [orca] at the north tip of Harstine Island. -Kat Donald
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 3 16:30 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.30107,-122.84962 [N Harstine]
Number Sighted: 4
Submitter Name: Pat (Guiton)
Whale Alert App
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15:50 - I can see them [orca] from Herron Ferry through binoculars. A few breaches on north tip of Harstine Island. Can’t see direction of travel. -Loba Perkins
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15:43 - [orca] Just left Treasure Island headed south. -Chris Shoemaker
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15:29 - [orca] At Treasure Island now. -Paul Page
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15:27 - [orca] Currently between Treasure Island and Vaughan Bay. Heading South in Case Inlet. -Steve Graunke
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13:40 - [orca] Headed north toward north tip of Harstine Island in Pickering Passage after circling mid passage. -Rebecca Moyer
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13:21 - [orca] Northwest tip of Harstine off of Dougal point. -Lauren N Brett Ware
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 3 15:10 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.35604,-122.82938 (No. Case Inlet)
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Al Turecek
Whale Alert App
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brooke Fisher
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 3:18 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: 47.344174,-122.806721
Direction of travel : South to Case inlet
Behaviors observed: Traveling, playing
If orcas, any males?: At least 1
Any unusual markings?: No
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brian Cain
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 3:08 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Allyn
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed:If orcas, any males?: Yes
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Marilee Fijalka-Carr
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 1:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Pickering Passage
Direction of travel : north
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: 2
Any unusual markings?: Too far away to determine
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 1-2 males, 2-3 females, 1 juvenile Boats following/chasing. Not as many as yesterday
Photos available?: No
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12:37 - [orca] In Pickering now. Just passed us about a mile north of the bridge. - Michelle Louie
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12:35 - Walkers Landing - 4 orcas in the mid of Pickering. -Sydni Elizabeth Neves
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Tim Thomsen
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 12:25 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Pickering Passage, Puget Sound
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: At least one.
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?
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12:03 - [orca] Headed to Harstine Island bridge.
11:58 - Orcas heading north in Pickering passage. -Shelton Yoga
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11:45 - [orca] Between Arcadia Point and Squaxin Island.
11:47- [orca] Went into Hammersley Inlet towards Shelton.
11:35 - Watching orcas travel from Steamboat Island towards Hope Island. -Vanessa Newson
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Todd Todd
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 11:44 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: 47.2054966, -122.9364270
Direction of travel : W then N
Behaviors observed: Traveling, hunting, playing!
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 2 bigger tails, 2 smaller tails. Playful. Moved S and W around Hungerford Point, then back E and N through Pickering passage.
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11:30 - [orca] North end of Steamboat Island right now. -Peter Glein
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Karen Wertheimer
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 9:00 AM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: 9230 Hunter Point Rd, Olympia
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1?
Any unusual markings?: Unknown
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Saw young orcas
Photos available?: No
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08:42 - Just [saw] orcas off Cooper Point (Eld and Budd Inlets). -Patti Hoeks
*
8:30 - Four (maybe 5) orca just headed north out of Eld Inlet mid-channel toward Squaxin Island area. One small one was out front leading the others. The others stalled in a long dive just before exiting mouth of Eld at Cooper Point. Slow, methodical surfacing series. Now north of me heading toward Hunter Point area and assume Squaxin/Hope/Steamboat islands area. One of them has a very odd and distinct blow, as if a snore. -Kim Merriman
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07:30 - [orca] Across from Evergreen State College in Eld Inlet. -Kris Wellington Trip
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Jul 3 - Juan de Fuca Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun Jul 3 19:22 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.25134,-123.50461
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Rebecca Reuter
Whale Alert App
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Sun, Jul 3 - San Juans - Found humpback Scratchy MMY0079 just outside Deception Pass. Did some good fluke up dives, then breached once in full and twice about half way, I didn't get any pictures of that! -Bonnie Gretz
*
Sun, Jul 3 - South Puget Sound - 10:30 - Volunteer Brooke Casanova called to report baleen whale in Case Inlet near Herron Island who just passed by her close in. Brooke only saw two shallow surfaces so did not get enough of a look to say definitely, but she believes is a humpback. Whale was facing and moving north at last surface, but not sure if committed/continued.
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08:30 - Spotted a large whale headed north out of Dana’s passage past Johnson Point. I couldn’t get a good enough view to identify species but moving with purpose, very small dorsal. I saw it surface once from the west side of Johnson Point. I’m guessing a humpback. -Bethany Haywood
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GRAY WHALES - GRAY WHALES - Sun, Jul 3 - 18:00 - Gray whale spotted off Kayak Point going north. -Mary Neifert
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12:45 - Gray whale CRC2441 was near the edge of the Snohomish River delta. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
*
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sun, Jul 3
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Sun, Jul 3
Name: Maureen McElravy
Date of Sighting: 7/3/2022
Time: 6:10 AM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 15
Where seen: Bullman beach, east of Neah Bay
Direction of travel : west
Behaviors observed: traveling slowly inside the reef and feeding near Sail and Seal Rocks
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: killers have been approaching closer to shore here the past few years and likely why the grays are not coming back as usual. may have been more than 12 to 15

July 2
BIGG’S/TRANSIENTS ORCAS - Sat, Jul 2 - Swiftsure Bank
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 12:27 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.46886,-125.16166 (west of Strait of Juan de Fuca)
Number Sighted: 3
Submitter Name: Kerry
Whale Alert App
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Sat, Jul 2 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T41s and T109s) -What another great day with Bigg's/transient killer whales near Race Rocks lighthouse! The (T041's & T109's) were zig zagging hunting prey as they headed east/west/east then south. -Sooke Coastal Explorations
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 19:21 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.16660,-123.70500 [Salt Creek Campground]
Number Sighted: 7
Submitter Name: Rachel
Whale Alert App
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Sat, Jul 2 - Puget Sound (T34s/T37s, T37A1 and T72) - 20:25 - [orca] Pod still stalled out breaching, tail lobs, head stand. North of Alki east side of channel, outer edge Elliott Bay. From Elliott Bay Marina. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
20:38 - [orca] Slowly trending northward along Alki toward Elliot Bay.
20:30 - [orca] Still in the same area off Alki Beach, milling, tail slapping, and a couple large breaches.
20:12 - Several orcas breaching and tail slapping off Alki Beach, east side of channel. -Jim Reitz
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20:00 - 20:30 - [orca] This was Saturday, July 2, 2022 in Elliott Bay (between Seattle waterfront and Alki Beach area) Taken with my iPhone while on a sunset sail. Taken between 8:00-8:30pm. -Shauna Mindt
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At 20:05 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Opes emailed to report: Wenatchee Master reports a pod of orca with at least 10 whales headed SB Center of Puget Sound off BI ferry route.
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Todd Weaver
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 8:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: 2-3 miles off Alki along Bremerton ferry route
Direction of travel : Loitering for 30+ minutes
Behaviors observed: Ferry, 2 tour sailboats and tour boat nearby. Some playing, fin slaps, tail slaps
If orcas, any males?: Don't think so
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Boats mentioned above were right by them. Dorsals didn't look big enough for males. 2 small dorsals in group
*
18:46 - Victoria Clipper V saw orcas southbound at Shilshole Marina. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
*
18:05 - Still visible from Richmond Beach, in the shipping lanes (cruise ship went through a little while ago), trending south, line of sight roughly Fay Bainbridge. At least 5 or 6 orcas.
16:55 - [orca] Direction changes now and closer to Richmond Beach side
16:51 - [orca] See then off Presidents Point in Kingston as viewed from Richmond Beach Park, mid channel and steady southbound -Michelle Goll
*
16:15 - [orca] Southbound 5 knots in the shipping lanes off Kingston, Chilkat is leaving. -Christopher Hanke, PSE
*
16:14 - From my vantage point, looks like they [orca] are crossing the Kingston ferry line. Lots of direction changes near the ferry terminal. Likely on a hunt.
16:05 - Viewing from the off leash dog park. Traveling southbound. Chilkat is a good distance behind. Looks like the Ts are moving pretty quickly. -Orca Conservancy
*
17:00 - Viewing from Richmond Beach. Two orcas mid-channel.
16:13 - Viewing from Sunset Avenue. [orca] Appear to be in the ferry lanes.
15:55 - Viewing from Sunset Avenue. Two orcas straight across on Kingston side. -Linda Aitkins
*
15:34 - Sara Frey and Donna Van Renselaar (long time volunteers) are together and called to report their observation of the orcas. They are seeing 5-6 in this group, including T72, northeast of Apple Tree Point, Kingston on the west side of the channel. In general this group is trending southbound, but are making some soft directional changes between southwest, west and southbound, lollygagging. T72 is keeping his distance, kind of floats on top. While still on the females were facing westbound angling even closer to Kitsap side.
*
15:06 - Seeing dorsal fins [orca] and splashes just south of Saratoga around Eglon.
14:56 - Saratoga is by Point No Point and an orca just breached a little to the north of it! -Marty Jones
*
13:10 - [orca] At Maxwelton about mid channel. -Gary Schuster
*
13:45 - Lead group including T72 have passed Scatchet Hhead still southbound. The others are about a mile or so behind trailing.
13:00 - [orca] Approaching Maxwelton. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
12:57 - [orca] Continuing steady southbound long down times.
12:20 - [orca] Viewing from Norwegian Point, they're straight across in front of Double Bluff moving steady southbound. T72 Young -Jim Pasola
*
12:00 - [orca] Southbound past south end Mutiny Bay. They came in close enough for lovely views as they passed by.
10:45 - They flipped south. I can see T72! A transient orca, T37A1 Inyo and T72 Young -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
I hope this distant photo counts as ‘seeing’ the T34s, T37s – AND - T72 – known as Young, born in 1974. -photo by Jill Hein, July 2, 2022
*
11:00 - Updated map for T37s-T37Bs/T34s T72 and T37A1. We are leaving the scene. They are still southbound [approx. 47.993628, -122.574049].
10:46 - [orca] They have turned southbound off Mutiny Bay and they are getting a little closer to the Whidbey side. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express
10:32 - T34s/T37s,T72, and T37A1 are northeastbound mid channel off Mutiny Bay. -Bart Rulon, PSE
*
10:30 - Tiny black dot [orca] north of Foulweather Bluff. Saratoga is present nearby. Visibility reasonable across Mutiny Bay despite low cloud. Calm seas. -Sandy Pollard
*
11:20 - From my position they [orca] still seem to be headed south or southeast.
10:45 - They [orca] are easier to see from Whidbey, seemingly headed quickly south.
10:25 - I'm a mile or so south of Bush Point and I can barely see them [orca] (with binoculars) just north of Foulweather Bluff, heading north, closer to the Kitsap side. -Mike Meyer
*
09:40 - They [orca] were near the west shore maybe a quarter mile off.
09:30 - I got to Hansville just in time to see the group T72 is half mile ahead of them and they are all past Hansville heading north. -Jim Pasola
*
08:47 - Kim Page called again to report the others are [orca] passing by now, at least 3-4 with that lone male ahead of them.
08:40 - Kim Page called to report lone male [orca] right between Eglon and Pilot Point west of shipping lanes heading north toward Point No Point.
*
08:09 - David Moneymaker reported on PSWS: Orcas mid channel between Edmonds & Kingston, going north. Adult and a baby [orca]. (Video shows male in the group - alb)
*
Sat, Jul 2 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage/Port Susan
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 23:22 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.07518,-122.39093
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Jen
*
16:50 - Single male [orca] spotted west of Mukilteo, mid channel, southbound. Came up twice and didn’t see him again. -Michael Wiegand
*
12:39 - Watching 2 [orca] from Camano Island State Park male and female trending north. Breaching, tail slaps and fin slaps. -Shelly Greybeck
*
11:12 - At least one, maybe two orcas headed north to Mabana. Mid channel. -LJ Ringstad [CWW]
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 11:11 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.07518,-122.39093 (south of Mabana Beach)
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Jen
Whale Alert App
*
09:55 - Lone orca heading south inside buoy line at Tyee just now.
*
Sat, Jul 2 - South Sound Group One (Group one - T65As, T77, and T77E; Group two T77C and T77D split from group one at some point in the morning) - From when they [orca] were near Hope Island earlier today. -Carrie 'Taylor' James
*
20:01 - [orca] North of Burfoot, traveling fast, headed north. -Kat Donald
*
20:01 - One [orca] off Dover Point now. -Tim B. Smith
*
19:15 - We had a couple sightings [orca] closer to Burfoot heading south on the east side of the inlet. -Katy Gesell
*
19:07 - [orca] Just north of Priest Point, on the west side of the bay. Seem to be drifting on, but didn’t see direction. -Holly LaConan
*
20:02 - Four [orca] north of Boston Harbor headed northeast.
19:52 - At least one [orca] at Boston Harbor marina.
19:01 - Think we're seeing them north of Anthony's, still out a ways they are orcas and are north quite a ways, looks like past Squaxin (Priest Point) Park. -Leslie Raine Carman
*
18:53 - They [orca] went further into Budd Inlet towards Olympia. -Lisa Ellis
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sophie Colley
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 6:49PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: (47.0748184, -122.9170855)
Direction of travel : Headed south towards Budd Inlet, turned back around and headed backnorth. Pace seemed slow
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes
photos by Sophie Colley, July 2, 2022
*
18:00 - Still heading slowly south into Budd Inlet proper. They’ve [orca] passed Cooper Point and Burfoot Park - nearing Gull Harbor heading toward Olympia. -Kim Merriman
*
17:28 - They are right by Boston Harbor near the Budd Inlet opening. Five orca. Two females two males and a young one. -Steve Blum
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Joanne Stellini
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 7:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Just north of Priest Point Park (Squaxin Park), closer to east bay side
Direction of travel : N and unhurried, boaters observing but not pursuing
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Believe there could have been one large male
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: We live on water and believe they were here last night around 10:30 pm around the remaining log raft where nearly 80 seals regularly haul out and have been present with this year’s young.
Photos available?: No
*
17:11 - Several (can't tell number) orca just popped out of the end of Dana Passage and are heading south. Far shore. Toward Boston Harbor/Budd Inlet. -Kim Merriman
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Pam Rhubart
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 4:40 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Dana Passage
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1 male
Any unusual markings?: no
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
*
15:45 - I spotted the three orca off Johnson Point, sort of milling around. -Charlotte Smothers
*
15:30-15:45 - Case Inlet, orcas (saw 2, at least 1 male - could be more) headed south past Fudge Point and Joemma Beach State Park, closer to Key Peninsula side. Steady travel. -Dave Berliner
*
15:45 - End of Johnson Point. They [orca] were hanging out in Henderson Inlet then started back towards Boston Harbor. -Mary Kendall
*
14:45 - Orcas heading south in Case Inlet, west side of Herron Island. -Jerilyn Evans
*
14:27 - [orca] Going under Harstine earlier. -Denise Hull
*
14:06 - Steve Carr called to report seeing at least 3 orcas north end Pickering Passage traveling northbound towards north end Harstine Island.
*
13:45 - Orcas in Pickering Passage heading towards North Bay. Going past Walker's Landing. -Sydni Elizabeth Neves
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Chris Williams
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 1:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Pickering Passage one mile north of the Hartstine Island bridge
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
*
13:40 - Pickering Passage, about a mile north of the Harstine Island Bridge, spotted 3, maybe 4 orcas total. 1 male, 1-2 females and a juvenile. Traveling quickly north. -Michelle Louie
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Violet Louie
Email: shellybelly567@gmail.com
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 1:40 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Pickering Passage, north of Harstine island bridge
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Possibly 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: It was freaking awesome.
*
13:30 - They [orca] just passed under Harstine Bridge heading north towards Treasure Island/Allyn. 5 that I saw! -Gale Riordan Glenn
*
12:49 - [orca] Breaching north end of Hope Island right now. -Peter Glein
*
13:00 - [orca] Heading north along Squaxin north of Pickering.
12:44 - At tip of Steamboat [Island] heading along west of Hope [Island] heading north. 4 orcas.
12:21 - [orca] At top of west Steamboat [Island] heading north. -Bonnie Johnston
*
11:35 - [orca] In the southern end of Totten Inlet right now. -Peter Glein
*
11:20 - [orca] Southbound into Totten Inlet between Arcadia Point and Steamboat Island -Calypso Maritime
*
11:16 - [orca] Right now holding west side of Hope Island. Seem to have moved on north towards Arcadia. -Chad Kunz
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: STEVE WESTALL
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 11:00 AM
Species seen: ORCA
Number of animals seen: 8
Where seen: TOTTEN INLET
Direction of travel : SOUTH
Behaviors observed: SURFACING, TAIL SLAPPING, BREECHING
If orcas, any males?: 2?
Any unusual markings?: NO
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: ORCA SURFACED A
FEW FEET AWAY FROM A VERY LUCKY PADDLE BOARDER!
*
11:15 - They [orca] passed Carlyon Beach Marina and went between Hope and Steamboat Islands. Took a LOOOOOONG dive and are out of sight.
10:40 - [orca] Whales came north out of Eld closer to the eastern shore. Once out of Eld they were mid channel, very active, and continued north toward Squaxin Island where they hung a west heading between Hunter’s Point and Squaxin Island. If they keep that path of travel they may end up by Hope/Steamboat islands.
10:22 - North end of Eld Inlet as the animals were heading north and into the larger channel. They [orca] headed mid-channel toward Squaxin Island area and ultimately hung a west, went around Steamboat Island itself, and then deep into Totten Inlet. They were VERY surface active as they passed my house. -Kim Merriman
I think this correct: T77, T65A, T65A2, ?, and believe T77E.- Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
Name: Lesley Klenk
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 11:00 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen:
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Traveling N out of Eld inlet.
If orcas, any males?: no
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
10:00 - There were four orcas in Eld Inlet today from 8am to 12 pm. -Leslie Klenk
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 10:43 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.14345,-122.90861 [Boston Harbor, Olympia]
Number Sighted: 3
Submitted Comments: Travelling north nearshore, only saw male dorsals
Submitter Name: Kelly deForest
Whale Alert App
*
10:00 - We spotted a pod of orcas in the Eld inlet off of West Olympia. One pod with 4 or 5 orcas and one orca following about 100 yards behind. Heading northbound. -Sarah Bishop
*
10:00 - [orca] Headed north.
09:41 - Orcas are in Eld Inlet, off Flap Jack Point. -Kat Donald
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Bill Shelmerdine
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2000
Time: 9:30 AM
Species seen: Orca (Harbor Porpoise also around and visible here today)
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: First seen (0930) just off of Cooper Point entering Eld Inlet (47 08' 59.60"N; 122 55' 37.32"W approx.) and swimming south toward Flapjack Point. Then milling about for a while in the area off of Green Cove (approx 47 06'07.36"N; 122 57' 07.47"W). Then returning down (N) up Eld Inlet passing Cooper Point and disappearing toward Hunter Point.
Direction of travel : Initially S into Eld Inlet, then returning N.
Behaviors observed: Travelling in and out of inlet; milling in area at south end of travel near Flapjack Point
If orcas, any males?: Two males I believe; one large with very tall dorsal fin, the second a bit smaller, with smaller dorsal, but still rather tall and straight.
Any unusual markings?: Possible subtle notch in back of upper part of larger males dorsal fin; difficult to see though.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: What was also apparently this group later seen by us from 1700 in outer Budd Inlet/ Squaxin Passage, heading south into Budd Inlet and disappearing from view south at approximately Boston Harbor at 1745. Then again this AM (07/03/2022) at 0833, saw 3 Orca (two males) at Cooper Point, heading north out of Eld Inlet, disappearing N towards Hunter Point. Have photos (scope and cell phone) of all encounters.
*
09:00 - They [orca] exited Budd Inlet and went south into Eld Inlet.
08:50 - Orca came north out of Budd Inlet and then spun around the tip of Cooper Point and headed south in Eld. Slow surfacing series and then long dives. Lost sight as the went passed Sanderson Cove heading toward Frye Cove. -Kim Merriman
*
Hello! This is our third summer on Budd Inlet, just over a 1 mile south of Cooper Point, and we’ve never seen whales until recently….4 orcas at 8:30am! We first sighted them near the shore splashing around. Unfortunately, they did not last long—perhaps spooked by a barking dog several houses away. They crossed over to the other side of Budd and headed back out. What a day! -Sue
*
07:20 - Mike Williams reported on PSWS group orcas are in Budd Inlet. Photo shows them pretty deep in. Another 2nd hand report had them in there northbound at 06:40 so may have split or were hunting.
*
Sat, Jul 2 - South Sound (Group two split from Group one - T77C and T77D)
18:39 - Definitely 2 orca! They are now headed south toward Nisqually. I’ve lost sight of them. They were too far away for me to get pics from Anderson Island. But what a thrill to see them playing around. Lots of big splashes. -Angie Johnson Vandeberg
*
16:55 - [orca] In front of McNeil Island ferry dock and Anderson Island heading towards Eagle Island. -Lisa Elliot
I think that's T77C. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
14:50 - [orca] North tip of Anderson Island 5 minutes ago moving north.
14:19 - [orca] In front of Carlson Bay off Anderson Island. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
13:05 - Two orcas off Anderson Island towards the green marker, looks like two. -Michael Spencer
*
13:12 - [orca] Starting to leave E Oro Bay, still southbound.
12:46 - [orca] Spotted now on Anderson Island close to shore near East Oro Bay -Allison Cameron
*
13:29 - [orca] Center of Nisqually Reach, 2 trending west [approx. -47.116326, -122.702050].
12:21 - [orca] Right off Riviera marina on Anderson Island, headed south. Possible 2 more lagging.
12:01 - 2 [orca] headed south between Anderson and Ketron Island, north end of Ketron. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
photos by Belen Bilgic Schneider, July 2, 2022 T77C on left. I think the other would be T77D. - Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
11:48 - Seeing 2 orcas heading south. Just reaching Anderson Island, viewing from Steilacoom. -Jennifer Tebaldi
*
11:41 - Two orcas between Anderson & McNeil island. Viewing from Chambers bridge of locks. -Jason Cook
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Jul 2 - San Juans - 19:13 - Humpback just west of Boulder Island on south end of Lopez. Right now. EDIT: South of Boulder. -Gabrielle Frey
*
11:30 - Saw a humpback whale cruising back and forth off Colville Island, just southeast of Lopez Island. ID’d as MMY0079 Scratchy per Erin Johns Gless. -Sheila Guard
*
Sat Jul 2 - South Puget Sound
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat Jul 2 9:21 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.14123,-122.90692
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Kelly deForest
Whale Alert App
*
This is our third summer on Budd Inlet, just over a 1 mile south of Cooper Point, and we’ve never seen whales until recently. On Memorial Day, we spotted what we think was a humpback at 11:25am. It was headed into the inlet then headed out after about 20 minutes. Today, we saw another humpback at 7:30am. It was headed in, hung around a buoy, then headed out then back in. We lost track of it after several minutes than wham! 4 orcas at 8:30am…(see orca section) -Sue
*
GRAY WHALES - Sat, Jul 2 - East Whidbey - 19:20 - ~30 yards off our beach Lovejoy Point ¾ mile east of Coupeville pier. Heard blowing and saw what I guess was a gray whale slowly heading east. Coming up every 90 seconds or so. -Paul Suzman
*
17:12 - Gray whale in Penn cove. Close to Coupeville side. -Sarah Geist
*
17:10 - Gray whale CRC2440 westbound into Penn Cove [approx. 48.227671, -122.656870]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
*
17:15 - The gray is almost to the Coupeville Wharf.
16:59 - Gray just passed Long Point. Headed into Penn Cove.
16:48 - Gray whale still headed toward long pt 4:48m
16:39 - Gray whale off Snatelum Point. Headed toward Long Point. -Erik Anderson
*
16:30 - Gray whale off Snatelum Point. -Erik Anderson
*
15:50 - We received a message from Stephanie Smith: Hello! We just saw a gray whale on the Whidbey side heading north towards Harrington Lagoon.
*
15:19 - Gray headed north, close to shore, just south of Race Lagoon. -Erin Keyes
*
14:20 - Gray one mile north of Hidden Beach, Whidbey side barely in water deep enough to swim. -Aaron Gill
*
13:01 - Baleen whale first seen from mid Baby Island Heights at 12:30, out about 500 yards. Now just north of Baby Island. Westbound. Neighbor had told me it was eastbound about an hour or so ago, assuming it's milling back and forth? Pretty sure it's a gray. Was not surfacing much. -Marilyn Armbruster
*
Sat, Jul 2 - Possession Sound
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Janice Baird
Date of Sighting: 7/2/2022
Time: 13:00 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Just west of Jetty Island , Everett
Direction of travel : N
*
MINKE WHALES - Sat, Jul 2 - 16:35 - Not the orcas, but a minke just passed Tolmie heading south! -Angie Johnson Vandeberg

July 1
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS Fri, Jul 1 - Admiralty Inlet/North Puget Sound (T34s, T37s, T72) - 21:30 - Just caught few glimpses of the Ts under colorful July 1 sunset very slowly making their way southbound from Kingston to just south of in southbound traffic lane. Sweet to “meet” T72 and watch his fin rise and fall along with the others, even from super far away perched on high ground across the Sound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
20:54 - [orca] Along the ferry route. Closer to Kingston. -David Scott
*
19:50 - They’re [orca] out of my view now continuing south towards Kingston/Edmonds ferry. -Alice Thuy Talbot
*
19:25 - [orca] Definitely coming south. There are a lot of them, pretty spread out, but also are surface active. The light is perfect for viewing their spouts.
19:02 - Found them! [orca] Right in the middle of Possession Triangle. Closer to Whidbey. I’m viewing from Edmonds, so it’s hard to tell exactly which direction, but it looks like south still. -Our Wild Puget Sound
*
17:25 - About two miles south of Bush Point. Still close-ish to Whidbey. They [orca] are in a tight group heading steadily south. Pretty active, with some breaches, jumps, and tail splashes. -Mike Meyer
*
17:18 - On the Island Explorer 5 with them [orca] now [approx. 48.008510, -122.586789]. -Kevin H Doar
*
17:24 - [orca] Close to Shore Meadows heading towards mid Mutiny Bay southbound.
17:00 - [orca] South of Bush Point about 1/4 mile southbound Whidbey side. Viewing off Scurlock Road. Out of view now. -Marilyn Armbruster
*
16:23 - They [orca] are currently just west of South Whidbey State Park. We are viewing from Lagoon Point. -Kerry Blake Matthews
*
14:03 - Chilkat found the T34s and T37s traveling with T72 north of Protection Island eastbound. Salish Sea Eclipse is on scene with them now. T72 was really awesome to see. [Per Brendon Bissonnette, T072 was seen off Sooke on November 11th, 2017. Longer since he has been in Puget Sound though.] -Christopher Lewman, PSE
*
Fri, Jul 1 - Active Pass (T49As) - It was a happy start to Canada Day with the T049As in Active Pass. Around 9 am they came westward in the Pass in two separate groups. They may have spent some time in Georgeson Bay as an hour later, they had reversed direction and swam eastward through the Pass. -Karoline Cullen
*
Fri, Jul 1 South Sound (65As and 77s) - For anyone who hasn't yet seen this beautiful video of the T65As and T77s close pass at the west end of Hale Pass in southern Puget Sound on July 1st. Appreciation to Austin Nolan for sharing with us so we can share with you: "Hello! My parents took this video and some folks suggested we send to you. This was taken 7-1 about 1:00pm at the Bella Bella beach on Fox Island in Gig Harbor." [Link to video]
*
Here’s a few pictures from my brief encounter with the orcas this afternoon by the northwest tip of Fox Island. They just surfaced a couple of times in the past 20 minutes. I got to see them before they headed over to the far side of the Carr Inlet by Anderson Island and out of view. -Jennifer Swenson
*
20:50 - Just saw them [orca] pass me at Priest Point Park now headed north. -Julie Davis
*
20:28 - Just saw two orcas in Budd Inlet. -Katie Alenick
*
19:05 - [orca] South of Burfoot. -Katy Gesell
*
18:15 - Orcas right now at Boston Harbor heading south. -Kim Merriman
*
16:45 - They [orca] are playing in the water in between Johnson Point, Taylor Bay and Harstine Island. Slowly trending north. -T.j. Smith
*
16:21 - [approx. 47.179369, -122.784064] They [orca] were cruising looked to be heading towards Case Inlet. They were hugging that side. -Roxy Lee
*
16:16 - We’re seeing two females and a male [orca] in the waters between Zittles Marina, Devils Head and Tolmie, mostly stalled.
16:09 - [orca] Moving quickly south, now between Devils Head and Anderson Island. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Peter Heussman
Date of Sighting: 7/1/2022
Time: 4:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Devil’s Head (Longbranch)
Direction of travel : W
Behaviors observed: Traveling
*
16:11 - Left the orcas in the middle of the Nisqually Reach.
15:44 - [orca] Headed south between Anderson island and Longbranch. -Christie Shane Zakem
*
15:26 - Viewing from Pioneer Orchard Park, they’re [orca] between McNeil and Anderson Islands. Milling or heading west slowly. -Morgan Eagar
*
13:46 - [orca] Off Green Point in Carr Inlet. -James Neil
*
12:55 - Jacqueline Plattner called to report seeing 3-4 orcas at ~ 12:40 over by Point Fosdick, viewing from Titlow Beach,Tacoma. Orcas were surrounding something in the water, circling. Appeared the pod was now (12:55) traveling west toward Wollochet Bay. Reported seeing who they think is minke over the past week saw well, once near Douglas Point.
*
12:51 - They [orca] are now by the Fox Island bridge. -Pamela Lewis
*
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: David Estroff
Date of Sighting: 7/1/2022
Time: 12:30 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: between Point Fosdick and the east end of Fox Island
Direction of travel : heading west towards the Fox Island bridge
Behaviors observed: travelling fast- the bigger male was closer to the Point Fosdick side of the channel.
If orcas, any males?: 2
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: this group was being closely followed by the Victoria Clipper- within 2-300 yards
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to alisa@orcanetwork.org
12:35 - Didn't see the whales until they came north towards Point Fosdick, then headed up Hale Passage towards the Fox Island bridge. -David Estroff
*
12:32 - I'm counting at least 3 Bigg’s, now heading west between Fox Isand and Wollochet. Very active. -Debbie Lindsay
*
12:06 - [orca] At Fox Island fishing pier.- -Pat Warr
*
12:04 - [orca] It was incredible! Just northwest of Chambers Bay Golf Course at from Saratoga. ~23 breaches during half hour period. -Hongming Zheng
*
12:01 - [orca] Heading north towards the Narrows. Between Fox Island and Chambers Bay Park. -Heather Dillon
*
11:41 - [orca] Between Sunnyside and Fox Island. Closer to Chambers now. -Barbie Gonzalez
*
11:45 - The T65As and T77s are circling, possibly hunting again just off Chambers Bay golf course! -Justine Buckmaster, PSE
*
09:45 - At least three orcas feeding and milling between Anderson Island and Devil's Head at 9:45 to present. Not moving. Visible from Johnson Point in Olympia with binoculars. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
*
09:44 - [orca] They are kind of hovering in the area between Anderson Island, Devil’s Head and Tolmie State Park. We were watching them as I messaged you.
09:35 - On the water in South Puget Sound between Anderson Island and Devil’s Head. It seems to be a small pod of orcas. I’d guess maybe 5. We had just seen porpoises and they were definitely not porpoises. There seemed to be a smaller one too if this is a pod that has a baby, so fun! -Barb Lauerman Andrews
*
08:57 - Paul Dugger took photos of orca near Eagle Island on the north side of Anderson Island this morning at 8:45am. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
*
07:45 - Orcas off southeast McNeil Island heading west,probably between McNeil and Anderson Island. -Christopher Hanke, PSE
*
COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Fri, Jul 1 - West Coast BC
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 1 12:36 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 51.51794,-128.96342
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Kevin Morrissey
Whale Alert App
*
HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Jul 1 - San Juans - 14:50 - Humpback whale “Fallen Knight” between Mineral Point and Point Caution southbound on the San Juan side of the channel. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]
*
Fri, Jul 1 - South Sound - 20:25 - Directly out from Evergreen Beach/Marine Drive entrance. Was headed toward Mud Bay/Steamboat; [HUMPBACK] breached and dove multiple times. -Colin Eliphalet Taylor Bartlett
*
18:30 - I observed humpback in Case Inlet South of Herron Island heading north. -Charlotte Smothers
*
17:42 - Per Kim Merriman, humpback is deep in Eld Inlet near Flap Jack Point this afternoon.
*
10:19 - The humpback is way south in Eld Inlet. [humpback is lunge feeding] -Kris Wellington Tripp
*
09:58 - Secondhand report at Boston Harbor Marina that a fisherman saw the humpback this morning. -Felicitous Chick
*
GRAY WHALES - Fri, Jul 1 - Holmes Harbor
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jenn Wolf
Date of Sighting: 7/1/2022
Time: 5:30 PM
Species seen: Not sure? Grey?
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: East Point Drive
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling directly ahead
*
17:32 - Gray whale just passed 10 yards off of Fox Spit headed southbound towards Langley. -Jeremy Byrne
*
14:00 - Just spotted gray whale blow heading south deep in Holmes Harbor along eastern shore near East Harbor Road. -Sandy Pollard
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 1 6:53 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.04700,-122.51533 [Holmes Harbor]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: David Bieniek
Whale Alert App
photo by Dave Bieniek, July 1, 2022
*
MINKE WHALES - Fri, Jul 1
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting: [photo confirms minke - ON/alb]
Sighting Time: Fri Jul 1 8:44 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.16901,-122.86883
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: Dana Passage
Submitter Name: Petersons
Whale Alert App
[ON follow up] He was traveling south…we are almost at the southern most tip of Harstine Island. -Liz Peterson