June 2020 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of June 2020 whale sightings.

June 30
Tue, June 30 - Port Susan - 18:51 - Just saw 3+ (maybe as many as 7 or 8 orcas heading north into Port Susan Bay - sighting from near Tyee Beach on Camano Island. They were too far away for pictures - or for us to even tell exactly how many there were - but at least 3 were surfacing at a time while others appeared a minute or two later, further away. They were mid-channel, unfortunately. Very hard to tell from this distance, but at least one had a dorsal that appeared longer than those of the others. -Tristan Contesse
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Tue, June 30 - Possession Sound - 17:34 - Just saw orcas with baby off MUK. Breaching, looking well as far as I can tell with powerful binoculars. O happy day! Baby jumped out of the water too, could see it head-to-tail. More info via email from Joanne: Off MUK going towards Everett in shipping lane. hard to tell number of adults, minimum 3, plus a healthy-looking baby. They breached! Happy! -Joanne Bryan Robinson
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Tue, June 30 - North Puget Sound (T65As) - 17:36 - [orcas] At Possession Point. They continued South & didn't take the right up Whidbey. -Moira Whidby
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17:09 - [orcas] They are heading south on Whidbey side. I am viewing from east side just s. of Picnic Pt. Looks like a male as previously reported. -John Carroll
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16:52 - [orcas] Looks like they are approaching Possession Park. Close to Whidbey heading south. -Danielle Pennington
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16:50 - Glacier Spirit left them at 16:50 southbound at 6 knots. -Christopher Lewman
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16:48 - We received a call (no name provided) reporting 5 (poss. 6) orcas, (one looks like male, one looks very young) right off Glendale Beach [Whidbey], closer to shore, not out in the middle, maybe 200-300 yards off. Heading south at pretty good speed.
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16:06 - [orcas] I can see them from the Mukilteo Lighthouse! Definitely a male and a female. Heading South. -Natalee Bozzi
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A great way of ending the not-so-sunny month of June with a late afternoon sighting of the T65As passing Glendale, Whidbey Island, southbound. Having eluded us earlier in the day when they slipped by Bush Point right under our noses, we arrived just in time at Glendale to enjoy a short encounter as the whales streamed past the beach. For a moment they had us guessing as they turned in unison as though heading back north, but an equally swift change of direction saw them continuing southbound. All in all the encounter lasted about nine minutes before the group disappeared rapidly into the distance and declining visibility, while a bald eagle settled to watch from his/her lofty perch. As always, so grateful for the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures n the wild gracing our waters with their powerful presence. (All photos taken from shore, zoomed and cropped - Richard Snowberger). - "Members of T65A family sticking close together." - "T65A2 born 2004 passing Glendale, Whidbey Island."-Sandra Pollard
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16:50 - They are on the Whidbey side about a mile from Possession Point, still southbound.
16:05 - T65As southbound in ferry lanes mid channel from Mukilteo. -Bart Rulon
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17:09 - Continuing south in steady travel mode. Hard to say yet if they're committed to south or will take a right turn.
16:58 - Dori and I have them approaching Possession.
15:50 - My neighbor reports four. I was on my deck and have limited viewing this time of year with trees.
15:18 - Three orcas - looks like two female and calf - traveling south between Whidbey and Hat. Very close to Clinton ferry. Close to Whidbey. -Debbie Stewart
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15:05 - Matt Fleckenstein called to report orcas in Possession Sound. They are in triangle area between Mukilteo/Whidbey/Hat Island now heading eastbound towards Everett. They've seen just 2 so far (no males in this group).
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11:11 - Southbound off of Limpet [south of Mutiny Bay]. Whidbey side. 3, maybe 4? -Helen Shamek
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10:39 - Sarah MacDougall just called to report seeing 3 orcas (2 adults, 1 young) who just passed by out from Adams Road, Freeland, Whidbey Island [that's south of Bush Point, north end of Mutiny Bay]. Heading southbound close to Whidbey side. (did not notice any males)
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09:42 - My husband has eyes on 5 orcas heading southbound in the Admiralty Inlet, visible between Lagoon Point and Marrowstone Island! -Margaret Marshall
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, June 30 - Possession Sound - 20:10 - Make that two grays! -
20:00 - Solo gray between Hat and the river delta, lots of surface blows. Hoping the orcas up in Port Susan don't cross paths with it! -Lori Christopher
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Tue, June 30 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 19:15 - Our gray whale friend is back, passing southward past Mariners Cove at 7:15pm and still here at 7:30). It appears to be feeding and splooshing around. I took lots of Live Photo's so I'll send you any that look promising later tonight. I'm out here watching it still, and I thought it was heading slowly toward Polnell Point but appears to have turned around and is coming back for more goodies by our place. -Marianne Parry
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10:00 - Gray whales feeding at Polnell Shores. ---We had another late-season visitor today, 6/30/20, to our cove @ Polnell Point in Oak Harbor, WA. It spent at least 2.5 hours feeding in our area. -Greg & Terra Parham
- CRC2356, first identified on May 4th, Alie Perez, CRC
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00:30 - I was gone for two days, but I just returned and was unloading my car a few minutes ago (12:30am Tuesday morning) and heard a gray loud and clear right in front of my house (south end of Mariners Cove). It is definitely feeding based on the sounds I'm hearing (i.e. some splashing, and staying pretty much in one place). I hear the blow and then the intake very clearly - it's close to the beach. This one takes quite a while in its feeding sessions - I almost thought it had moved down the beach, but then it finally puffed again in the same place. I think it is moving very gradually south, based on what I can hear. I was afraid they were gone for the year, so this was an awesome "welcome back" greeting from our whale friends! -Marianne Parry

June 29
Mon, June 29 - 12:19 - Johnstone Strait (K12s and K13s). Hi, K pod about to go past OrcaLab. …on their way to you guys! -Helena Symonds, OrcaLab
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Southern resident orcas. It takes communities to track and protect these killer whales. I was so encouraged to see folks give them lots of space and to find them chasing some salmon and even kill and share one as they made their way into Johnstone Strait today. [K12s and K13s per Jared, ID assist from Gary Sutton]. -Jared Towers
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~08:00 - [Ks] In from the west, saw them at Bere [Malcolm Island] just after 8 am. -Kate Bauer
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - T124A2 and T124A2B -Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching
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Mon, June 29 - San Juan Islands (T46s) - Center for Whale Research Encounter #30: "… T46, T46E, T46F, and T122 were in the middle of a kill and were milling in the same area. T46D had been seen earlier and he was reported to be further down San Juan Channel by himself. The other four whales milled and fed for the next half hour-at one point launching a seal carcass in the air. …" See CWR Encounter #30 for full encounter summary and more photos.
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Orcas surfaced and cartwheeled, dorsal fin slapped, tail lobbed and they were rounding the point into Friday Harbor. Barbara immediately recognized the dorsal fin of T46E. The matriarch T46 was born ~1964 and she was traveling with 4 of her 6 offspring (including T122 probable daughter). T46D was back with the family. They checked out the harbor and followed the coastline South. Hunting a couple of times in Griffin Bay it was clear they were successful and shared a meal. Interestingly T46D continued on his own as the rest of family hunted. We caught a nice breeze to tack close hauled towards Jakles Lagoon. We met the Orcas again as we came through Cattle Pass and T46D began traveling parallel with 1/2 mile or so separation. They built up speed pushing towards Hein Bank. - "T46D with Olympic Mountains" - "T122 cartwheel outside Friday Harbor" - "T46E cartwheels outside Friday Harbor" -photos by David and Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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photo - T46E -photo by Fred Horn
[ID by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network]
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12:19 - Closer to Lopez directly out from Jensen Bay. -Lynanne Bergmann Struss
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13:25 - Exiting Cattle Pass aiming SE.
11:30 - T46s southbound in Griffin Bay. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Mon, June 29 - San Juan Islands/Guemes Channel 21:32 - Jordan Light, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 21:32: Orca in Guemes Channel. Wheelhouse reports three orca (one juvenile) north of Anacortes terminal. They are heading northbound.
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Mon, June 29 - Puget Sound (T65As) - 18:37 - [orcas] Just saw them slowly heading north, past the lighthouse. I'm watching from my porch in Des Moines with binocs. -Tanya Kuhr Marshall
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18:35 - [orcas] Just passed Point Robinson, grouped up, leisurely pace, northbound closer to Vashon side. ---Here are the pics of Artemis and her sweet family on their way down Colvos Passage yesterday. I've never caught them going southbound down Colvos, just going up northbound, so it was quite a treat. -Marla Smith
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18:23 - [orcas] Mid channel, nearly in line with Point Robinson. Traveling north. Need binoculars to see. -Meaghan Baumgartner
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18:09 - [orcas] Across from Redondo Beach. Moving very slowly east. -Lucy Clack
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16:35 - Tracking North close to Maury Island. Should be passing Point Robinson in 15-20 minutes . Considerable surface activity. Spotted from Browns Point Lighthouse. @ 4:35 PM. -Tony Collins
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16:30 - [orcas] Very active in Poverty Bay. -Marlin Black
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16:21 - [orcas] From Dash Point Park. Mid channel with some surface activity. -Jill Hadji
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15:50 - [orcas] Passing Quartermaster Harbor on way to East passage. -Eileen Mccaffery-Lent
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15:35 - [orcas] Saw them from Anthony's/Marina parking lot. About 3:35. Heading East. Still close to Vashon. -Samara Ballard Elledge
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15:18 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 15:18: CHETEMOKA in Point Defiance just reported 3 Orca moving West bound from POINT D. Possibly the same pod [as original morning Duwamish report -alb]
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15:15 - [orcas] Just west of Tahlequah ferry close to Vashon heading East 3:14. -Rick Womack
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~15:15 - We watched a group of 4 - 5 orcas between the Pt. Defiance and the Tahlequah ferry docks beginning at about 3:15 PM until about 3:45 PM. The group was 2 full size adult and 2 - 3 smaller orcas travelling from west to east. All vessels (power and sailing) in the area kept their distances. -Val & Tom Wittwer
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15:15 - ok, eyes on them @ 3:15pm Directly in front of the ferry, closer to Tacoma side. Ferry is all but stopped. Another boat with them as well. East.
14:58 - [orcas] Middle of Dalco Passage as viewing from Sunrise Beach with binoculars. Hard to tell their direction but looks like they're possibly headed into Commencement??? -Anika Blake
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14:58 - Looks like they are between Vashon and Owen. Possibly headed toward Tacoma, but not certain. Still grouped up. Viewing from Sunrise.
14:28 - North of Sunrise. Still southbound. Grouped up. Appear closer to Vashon side. -Ashley Whitman
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14:19 - [orcas] Passing south past Point Richmond. -Jami Cantrell
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13:50 - [orcas] Passed south of Lisabuela Beach, Vashon side of passage, loosely grouped leisurely pace with long downtimes headed southbound. -Marla Smith
[T65As ID'd from Marla's photos]
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13:45 - [orcas] Seeing them now from Lisabuela Park! -Sharisa Rhoades
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13:29 - [orcas] Out mid channel at Al's. - "T65As in Colvos Passage today June 29, 2020...baby was keeping up great!!" -Noelle Morris
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13:29 - A group of possibly 5-6 orcas in Colvos Passage heading South. Lots of frolicking. Looked like at least one calf? Mid channel hard to see from Anderson Point. Moderate speed. -Rick Snodgrass
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13:19 - [orcas] Viewing from Al's. Southbound. At least 3. -Jolena Tagg
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14:41 - In front of Sunrise Beach, right next to Vashon, southbound.
13:35 - They're past Al's now, still heading south closer to Vashon side of channel. They seem to be taking 4-5 breathing cycles then travel for several mins submerged. Just in front of Lisabuela Park now.
13:24 - No large bull present but a juvi male and 4 others. Directly in front of Al's now.
13:19 - [orcas] They just came around the corner at Al's Market in Ollala. Heading south still. -Amy Bliss-Miller
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12:02 - [orcas] 5 including a male and juvenile southbound on Kitsap side past Southworth ferry. About 20 min ago. -Jeff Cook
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11:17 - [orcas] NE end of Blake Island. Saw 4 fins,1 considerably smaller than other 3. -Molto Bene
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10:26 - [orcas] Can see them still milling or feeding at the North end of Blake Island. -Tim Peters
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10:30 - About 1/4 mile off of Blake Island East Lighthouse. They were heading from Alki area when we spotted them. Obviously hunting and heading towards Colvos Passage but kept stopping and breaching. A couple large males 6-8 females and at least one youngster.
09:55 - Orcas hunting off of East Blake Island heading towards Port Orchard. -Jason Rickey
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07:09 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Master reports a small pod, 3 orca 3/4 mile off Duwamish Head, moving SW. Master comments possible Male, Female and juvenile.
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HUMPBACKS - Mon, June 29 - San Juan Islands - 16:50 - Humpback exciting Cattle Pass 4:50pm BCY0409 Yogi, southbound. -Barbara Howitt
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MINKE WHALE - Mon, June 29 - San Juan Islands - 18:03 - There is a minke whale circling south of Deadman Island feeding - good views! (We were sailing in Cattle Pass when he lunged up feeding.) -Barbara Howitt

June 28
Sun, June 28 - Burrows Bay to Bellingham Channel (T37s +?) - 18:03 - [orcas] Watching them from Cap Sante viewpoint, in between here and Guemes. Heading towards Hat Island. -Trevor Derie
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16:08 - Orcas playing in Bellingham Channel. Can see them from Washington Park boat ramp. (It was about 8 whales, T37A's and another group.)
15:40 - Grays still might be in bay. Five transients headed by Washington Park.
15:17 - Orcas and Grays in Burrows Bay. ---we were standing on the beach. I have a 600mm lens so that helps! But people on the beach could see them pretty well. They were there for probably 30 mins +. I first saw them in Burrows Bay at 4 and followed them all the way around Fidalgo to Cap Sante at 7pm! -Holly Youngblood Cannon
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Sun, June 28 - San Juan Channel to Spieden Channel (T77s, minus T77B) - The family of orcas were moving slowly up the channel with a brief break to stop for a meal offshore of O'Neal Island. Turning left into Spieden Channel gave us gorgeous views looking towards Canada with layers of islands in the distance and backlit orca blows. The orcas crossed from San Juan Island over to Spieden Island and traveled along the shoreline. We sailed around Sentinel Island and over to Sentinel Rock to check out the harbor seals and found a pair of bald eagles checking us out. The golden glow on the southern side of Spieden was very pretty, but the forested reflections on the north side of the island was just as nice. The orcas continued northwest towards Stuart Island and we turned right to explore the beauty of New Channel. - T77 with youngest offspring T77E, traveling west in Spieden Channel - "T77's pushing out into Haro Strait" - "T77's with oil tanker being overtaken by car carrier" -David and Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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19:32 - [orcas] They are now just southwest of Stuart island. Looks like 4 whales. At least one juvenile. Not sure who they are. They were under a lot. And moving north. -Mae Cannon
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18:27 - [orcas] Spieden Channel headed west. -James Mead Maya
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15:49 - T77s, minus 77B. -Pete Ancich
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16:15 - At Turn Island headed towards Friday Harbor.
15:40 - [orcas] Adjacent to Griffin Bay, hugging Lopez coast, headed north. -Deborah Massarat
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15:05 - Four killer whales northbound through Cattle Pass; no adult males, one calf. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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16:15 - Right on the north side of Turn Island. 15:00 - Orcas northbound in Cattle Pass 3pm. ---From Point Disney we sailed to White Rock and on to Flattop Island. Harbor seals nursed new pups whilst others were fat with pregnancy. From here we headed South in a hurry on the tail of the ebb with news of the T77s (minus T77B) inbound at Cattle Pass. We met them at Turn Island and watched as they entered both the South and North entrances of Friday Harbor engaged in hunting harbor seals as they travelled North. Once again at the tail end of our sail we find orcas at Friday Harbor. - "T77's heading towards Friday Harbor" -Barbara and David Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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Sun, June 28 - Rosario Strait - 08:57 - Orca in Rosario Strait. Only saw one dorsal, appears to be a male, direction of travel west northwest. Off Samish ferry. -Lee Connally
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Sun, June 28 - Haro Strait (T51, T36, T36Bs) T051 north bound past Discovery Island lighthouse on the afternoon of June 28th. -Mark Malleson
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Gorgeous day in the Salish Sea. We caught up with T051, T036 and the T036B's down near Discovery Island. This was a unique spot as a mural had just been painted on Discovery Island for the wolf "Takaya" that lived there by himself for 6 years before being moved to the Port Renfrew area in early 2020. Unfortunately, he was shot and killed by a trophy hunter a few months ago and seeing T051 "Roswell" who is a lone male killer whale or "sea wolf" swimming in front of "Takaya's" mural was pretty special. -Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching
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It was a beautiful Sunday on the water with Transient Killer Whales (T051 & T036) on the hunt near Victoria and an elephant seal at Race Rocks today! -Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal Explorations
[T51 and T36 IDs confirmed, and T36Bs should have been there, too, per Melisa Pinnow]
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12:16 - There are a couple of Bigg's killer whales eastbound, possibly by Discovery Island. Straitwatch is the only boat with them. -Pete Ancich
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07:00 - Strongtide Island, Oak Bay, calm ocean conditions, light wind. Observed 2+ orca in very shallow nearshore area, apparently feeding (in same small area for 1/2 hour, a lot of activity, splashing/thrashing on surface). I was in the general area for 3 to 4 hours and observed no harbour seals which is very unusual, as this area has a large population and I usually make numerous observations. Have video but poor due to distance. Thanks. -Miles
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Sun, June 28 - Central to North Puget Sound (T65As) - 21:15 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 21:18 to report: PUYALLUP EDM/KING@2115 - C/M reports 1 orca moving in the northbound direction, near the traffic lanes.
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21:07 - [orcas] Two (including big male) east of channel directly out from Edmonds Marina Beach. -Mike Ferdinandi
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21:10 - Mom and 65A4 and A6 continued quickly NB midchannel, north of Edmonds ferry lane. Ooxja & Amira turned into Marina Beach, last seen heading toward the fishing pier. Unsure if all continued toward Admiralty or turned toward Possession.
20:45 - Steady NB. Midchannel or slightly east of. Line of sight is Edmonds to Pt. Jefferson. -Ariel Yseth
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20:06 - [orcas] They are moving north toward Kingston. We can see them from Kayu Kayu Park. -Rosa Duarte
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17:45 - Orcas moving and milling east slowly from south Fay Bainbridge... Sue Surowiec Larkin
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16:11 - [orcas] We can see them from Fay Bainbridge Park. It looks like at least 5. I'm so excited to see orcas!! -Amanda Mandi Rogers
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~17:00 - Attaching a couple photos I took from my deck yesterday afternoon. The orcas never usually stop in this area to hunt and feed so it was wonderful to see them! -Sue Larkin
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16:59 - Still at least one orca swimming on the Bainbridge side, occasionally surfacing near the boats. Spotted from Sunset Hill.
16:10 - [orcas] Spotted 2 from Sunset Hill, closer to Bainbridge side, looked like they were headed South. 4:10pm. -Connie Kelleher
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17:37 - Still mid channel feeding off FB Park @5:37. ~16:00 - I was on the Bainbridge side on my boat looking towards mid channel, most shots show the Rays and Magnolia backgrounds. Taken about 4pm ish. I was using a Nikon P900 with a 3000MM lens and cropped all these shots. -Gary Peterson - T65A2: ID'd by Ariel Yseth - T65A: ID'd by Ariel Yseth
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~16:00 - Watched from Rolling Bay BI, 3 Orcas travelling north quickly.... Must have lost them when they were hunting... We saw 3... Kitsap side. -Kimberly Sylvester
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15:55 - [orcas]…directly west of Shilshole Bay Marina, closer to the Bainbridge side. -Mathieu Trudeau
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15:20 - Seeing blows North of Eagle Harbor west of sailboat group. Viewing from 55th SW and Orleans West Seattle. -Mary Hartmann
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20:35 - Loosely spread in 2 groups (3 & 2) in the sunbeam heading slowly north east side of channel out from Kayu Kayu Ac Park In Shoreline. Should be nice pass at Edmonds if they stay this side. Sublime.
19:35 - Ts are looking committed to travel now, slowly northbound, loosely grouped, mid channel, out from Richmond Beach/S of Jefferson Head.
19:10 - Anytime I think they are on the move they just keep circling. Pod has drifted NE, but not much. Currently mid channel approx. mid way between Carkeek and Richmond Beach with northbound trend.
18:25 - T65As have drifted NE, but still east of Fay Bainbridge approx. in southbound traffic lanes (west of mid channel). Still making directional changes and some surface activity. Such a beautiful day and now evening. Viewed from high bluff at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Viewed from high bluff at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
17:15 - T65As still in same general area just south of of Fay Bainbridge (or have now drifted a bit NE and maybe now out from South end of) making directional changes in now glassy seas. In general T65A2 has been north of with smaller one and rest of family to south a little ways.
16:35 - T65As presumably hunted and killed something. They have drifted south, approx. 3/4-1 mile south of Fay Bainbridge Park, very close to Bainbridge, and are making directional changes below high-bank homes. Viewed from beautiful Sunset Park, Ballard, with many other whale watchers. Heading out for now, at least. Might try to pick them up later if they go north after eating.
16:10 - T65As are stalled out just south of Fay Bainbridge Park, very much on Kitsap side. Looking like on a hunt; breaches and directional changes.
15:25 - T65As are continuing northbound, steady pace, mid channel, grouped up. Out from Rolling Bay, Bainbridge side and south of West Point, Discovery, on mainland side.
14:57 - Pod is on the move...midchannel out from Eagle Harbor heading northbound at med/fast pace.
14:40 - Seeing the pod spread in two groups close together due east of Blakely Rock where Janine said below. Appear to be northbound. Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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18:12 - Heading north towards Carkeek, baby still playful, flat calm with no boats around them.
15:32 - Still heading North crossed over closer to Kitsap side near Mirdon Cove, travelling appx. 6 mph.
14:30 - Janine Harles called today update. Pod is mid channel, mid outer Elliott Bay, south of ferry lanes... trend North maybe thinking about heading in bay. -Janine Harles
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13:08 - Due East of Orchard Point. Maybe half a mile out. Watching from ferry at Southworth. Headed north fast. Turned East between Blake and BI.
12:22 - Super close to Vashon. Rounding bend towards Southworth.
12:16 - Nope. Directly in front of Vashon dock.
12:14 - Appear to have stopped moving for a bit.
12:12 - [orcas] About 1/4 mile south of Vashon ferry dock. Watching from Fauntleroy. -Neil Emery
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12:28 - They are at the north end of Colvos Passage. 300 yards off the north tip of Vashon. Ferry just passed them.
12:03 - [orcas] They are about a mile south of the Vashon Ferry terminal. There is a research boat with them. Closer to the Vashon side. They appear to be slowly moving North. -Mac Sawicki
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12:02 - [orcas] They are still south of Vashon Ferry Dock on the Vashon side. -Lisa Ann Huston
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11:13 - [orcas] There were 5 this morning from Me Kwa Mooks. Was able to ID earlier but did not have my phone. They killed a harbor porpoise at 3 Tree. - "Harbor porpoise landing after much slapping. Today at three tree point. 1/2 to 3/4 miles off shore where we were standing." -Kersti Elisabeth Muul
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11:15 - They are much closer to the Vashon Island side still northbound across from a bit north of 3 Tree Point.
10:30 - [orcas] They probably just had a meal and are now northbound at 3 Tree Point.
10:20 - This is the T65A pod. -Bart Rulon
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11:29 - Heading Northbound towards the Vashon ferry dock.
11:20 - Just passed Dilworth closer to Vashon this time. Turtle in the group did not get account. Being followed by the research vessel and a tour boat or it looked like.
09:59 - [orcas] Passing 3 Tree Point, southbound, closer to east side from Dilworth, Vashon. Only could see one large dorsal. I was straining the limits of the binoculars from the Vashon side. -Rey Hansen
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11:10 - From north side of Three Tree Point, northbound, west of mid-channel. Grouped up.
09:51 - [orcas] Viewing from north side of Three Tree Point. Still southbound.-Brittany Noelle photos - "porpoise for brunch."
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08:50 - [orcas] Southbound between Blake Island and Vashon from Lowman Beach Park. -Keefe Leung
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07:54 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Master reports via 800 MHz, 3 orca headed SB [southbound] one mile North of Alki Point.
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, June 28 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 15:54 - Grey is now heading into Crescent Harbor.
15:19 - Gray is feeding in Polnell Shores. 3:19 Sunday. -Terra Parham
["That is CRC2356, first identified on May 4th." -Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective]
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Sun, June 28 - Possession Sound - Fred Lundahl called to relay a report from his friend who just texted: friend saw 2 gray whales SE of Hat Island while boating over to the Everett Marina. No photos or IDs, too far.
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13:00 - 2 gray whales feeding deep in the Snohomish River delta shallows. Too far away to identify. -Bart Rulon
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07:28 - Gray whale east of Hat Island. -Lisa Corona

June 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, June 27 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (L pod/number unconf.) - I braved the elements and took my private vessel to see if I could find who might be out there. Finally, I caught a quick look at a small dorsal way off in the distance. Then from over 400 yards, I got one clear shot confirming that it was some of L Pod...and took care to keep my distance, shut down and took a few more pictures for around 5 minutes as others came into view as they swam by. Was glad to document this, as sightings have been few and far between for our beloved endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Remember these pictures are taken from over 400 meters with a 500 mm zoom Lens then cropped and edited in an attempt for scientists to record who were present. -Paul Pudwell
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, June 27 - Port Susan - 19:35 - Orcas southbound midchannel Tillicum Beach, at least 3. (secondhand report). -Rachel Haight
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15:00 - East side of Camano Island, just south of Tyee Beach. A group of transient orcas passed by about 1000-1500 yards off shore heading north around 1500 hours. It looked like there were a couple of youngsters, three or four females and a couple males. They were pretty spread out and seemed to be hunting, then appeared to come together somewhat as they got further north and further away. At around 2000 hours they returned from deeper Port Susan heading south and passed by pretty quickly about 500-1000 yards out. -Don Rosie
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Sat, June 27 - Possession Sound - 13:40 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, reports: Master reports 3-4 orca headed NB in Possession Sound between MUK and CLIN route.
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Sat, June 27 - Northern Puget Sound (T46s) - 20:55 - A tight bunch traveling north a mile south of Bush Point, a mile off Whidbey. Two females, two males, and a juvenile fits the T46s but too far away to see the nicks on the male dorsals to be sure. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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20:25 - Howard & Susan sighted the orcas, first headed north, but now milling still 1 mile south of Bush Point. Howard saw two males surface at once.
20:08 PM - neighbor Kate Sheppard reported orcas in Admiralty Inlet, ~1 mile south of Bush Pt, Whidbey side of the channel marker milling/feeding?, five orcas including 1 male and one baby, very close together. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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12:50 - They are currently getting closer to the Kitsap side still southbound.
12:00 - T46 pod slowly southbound mid channel between the west side of Possession Point and the Kitsap Peninsula. -Bart Rulon
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13:52 - We left them shortly after Bart's last post. They were moving super slow in resting mode so they're probably just south of the last location.
11:45 - The T46s are circling S. of Useless Bay in the traffic lanes. -Justine Buckmaster

June 26
Fri, June 26 - Saturday 6/27 - Haro Strait (L pod) update from Scott Veirs, Beam Reach: There's growing confirmation from regional SRKW experts, including John Ford, that this was the SRKWs = Southern Resident Killer Whales! Thanks to a recording provided by Jason Wood of SMRU/TWM.
~20:30-20:48 - They stayed on the north end of south beach, slowly trending south and offshore. Other than a cartwheel where I saw the tail, everything else was just water from their activity. It appeared to me to be some tail slaps and what looked like the surfacings of Rs going after a fish, but that is purely speculation on my part as they were far out and I didn't have binoculars. Definitely active though! Eventually they headed south and offshore enough that their blows blended in with the rough waters and I lost track of them (about 21:00)
20:28 - North south beach black and whites breaching close to shore! One big male. (headed south). -Cassie Barclay
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~20:00 - Saw all kinds of amazing breaches off Eagle Point & more as they swam south east... fun in the waves! 8pm-ish. -Erin Corra
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20:03 - Laura Bogaard reports the Oceans Initiative research team (socially isolated at Friday Harbor Labs) is tracking them from Hannah Heights and "they are breaching and foraging off of Pile Pt."
19:17 - Occasional percussives, about same intensity, but still no calls, whistles, or clicks.
19:11 - More percussives
19:09 - [orcas, Lime Kiln hydrophone] Hearing percussives at a distance! -Scott Veirs
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18:57 - Milling about in current.
18:45 - [orcas] off Land Bank [Westside Scenic Preserve]. -Fred Horn
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19:07 - South bound now very distant from land bank heading towards false bay.
18:32 - Hearing echolocation and then southern resident calls on Lime kiln hydrophone - sounds like L pod calls! 1832 hrs. -David Howitt
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18:13 - Vocalizations on Lime Kiln hydrophone. 6:13pm. -Nicole Reiber
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, June 26 - Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet (T65As) - 1612 - Orca entering Puget Sound. Southbound off Ebey's Landing. T65as. -Christopher Lewman
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Fri, June 26 - San Juan Islands (T65As) - 11:10 - We were first tipped off to their presence by the captain right around 11:10am just as we were entering Thatcher Pass (the 10:20 departure was delayed yesterday morning). The orcas were heading south toward Rosario. The group closest to the ferry was tight with each other and included T065A with T065A6 beside her, followed by T065A3 and then T065A4; T065A5 did not appear to be with the group (and I should correct my last encounter with them to include that information, too, from my 6.10.20 encounter with them in roughly the same area). T065A2 was off in the distance over half a mile from the group that was closer to the ferry, but still trending in the same direction. They seemed to be moving at a decent clip, though not hurried. They surfaced for breaths a few times and then took a deep dive. About 4 minutes went by before I saw their exhalations behind the ferry again. Short but sweet! -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
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10:37 - Email received Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops: 3 Orca southbound off Humphry Point. This was about 1037 on Friday morning. [Humphrey Head is at the top of Lopez next to Upright Head]
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08:01 - South bound again. 5 animals passing southern anchorage.
07:37 - Orca passing Jones Island aiming at Flat Top or Spieden. 5 now, at least. -Alan Niles
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Fri, June 26 - Haro Strait - dusk - Hello, saw a pod of at least 6 or 7 individuals off of Ruckle Park on Salt Spring at dusk on the 26. Too dim for photos. They were headed north/northwest from the south and quite close to the coast. I think there may have been at least one male as I remember being impressed by the angularity of the dorsal fins but I'm sorry I can't be more specific! They spent quite a bit of time on the surface in groups of two or three at a time but the light was getting pretty dim. I hope this is at least a little helpful! -Nikki Christou
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14:30 - We were kayaking from Salt Spring Island to Wallace Island when we saw a pod of what looked like 5 orca in front of us. I then shortly after heard a noise behind and saw what looked like a very small or young orca breaching. Seen on June 26th at around 2:30pm and closer to Galiano Island than Salt Spring. -Nikki Casey
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, June 26 - Possession Sound - 17:30 - [gray] Saw a whale blow between Hat Island and the river delta on our way home today at 5:30! Too far for pics though. -Lori Christopher
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PORPOISES - Fri, June 26 - South Puget Sound - 11:57 - Nice big pod of porpoises off Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom. -Amber Stanfill

June 25
Thu, June 25 - San Juan Islands (T65As) - 12:49 - [orcas] Headed towards Olga. (from Lopez ferry dock). -Mat Miller
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Email received at 12:38 from Bradley Coombe, WSF Marine Ops: KITSAP Master reports five orca in Upright Channel traveling East.
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12:30 - T65As, now picked up near the Lopez ferry terminal. -Monika Wieland Shields - Orca Behavior Institute
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12:47 - Heading down Harney Channel, just north of Lopez ferry landing now, slowly.
11:34 - 2 male killers out in front of Orcas ferry landing, now. 3 females and one young one, too. -Mariann Carrasco
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07:20 - Saw a small group of 5ish whales headed west in Harney Channel at 7:20 am this morning. -Brian Schmitz
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HUMPBACKS - Thu, June 25 - Haro Strait - 20:07 - Now off southwest side of Henry Island...Mae Cannon
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18:37-18:55 - One humpback very close to shore traveling south towards Hannah Hts. It halted, lifted one pectoral fin briefly then without surfacing gently bobbed it's tail fluke up and down, in and out of the water. I can only imagine what kind of position it was in to perform this maneuver over and over. Only once did I catch a glimpse of the underside and it was in strong shadow. It changed direction traveling to the north (up island) passing Edwards Point. Once it was so close I could see spray droplets hit the water as it surfaced. Charming. Enchanting. There appears to be a small cleft in the dorsal fin, dimples on the left side of body and scratches on the right side of body. It's very rare for me to see both sides of a humpback. It was a special encounter. Many thanks to the humpback. -Michelline Halliday, SJI

June 24
Wed, June 24 - Boundary Pass (T49As) - The T049A's at East Point on the morning of June 24th. -photo by Mark Malleson
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Wed, June 24 - Haro Strait (T65As) - 16:26 - Milling west end of channel.
15:47 - These were the T65As - now up near Spieden Channel. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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~13:20 - Traveling quickly northbound (up island) 5 orca including one calf seen approaching Edwards Point from the south. They were far out and barely rising above the surface in light choppy seas. One male was tentatively identified as T65A2 by Sara as per Monica Wieland Shields. Thank you Monica and Sara! (Photos, taken from shore, are very much cropped and enlarged.) -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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13:32 - Two groups: lead, 2 females, 1 calf. Follow, 1 male, 1 female.
12:50 - Killer Whales just south of Hannah Heights headed north. Spread 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile from shore. Moving at a good clip. -Michelle Savoie
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Wed, June 24 - North Puget Sound (T34s, T37Bs) - Marilyn Armbruster text at 19:37 - She is and had been viewing 4 orcas milling and active the past 1/2 hour (between 7 -7:35). Pod is still out from Glendale, Whidbey Island, mid channel trending northbound, slowly, towards Mukilteo and Clinton ferry. She texted again at 20:45 to report they changed direction at around 20:00 just north of Glendale/Mukilteo and were now heading south. At 20:45 pod was nearing Picnic PT, still southbound.
IDs by Melisa: "Looks like the T34s and T37Bs"
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18:57 - [orcas] Hi! Group of whales.. greys...? Heading north mid channel in Mukilteo, between Chennault Beach and the lighthouse. Maybe 3-4. Pretty far out so hard to see, but we saw big spouts, no dorsal fins. Made our day. FYI! Heading close to ferry crossing in Mukilteo. -Hilary Exon Hager
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18:50 - Last sighting 6:50pm, headed north.
18:44 - Trying to keep our distance, so difficult to determine exactly how many there are. There appear to be around five.
18:43 - Lingering...slowly north. South of the ferry, closer to Whidbey shore.
18:21 - Back between Whidbey and south Muk! -Andrea Michelle Young
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17:45 - Definitely went north and out of view now.
17:35 - Trending north, currently. 5-7 of them. Still between south Muk and Whidbey.
17:00 - Orcas hunting porpoises between south Mukilteo and Whidbey. -Alice Thuy Talbot

June 23
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Tue, June 23 - Strait of Juan de Fuca/Discovery Bay - 2:00 - Orca at Beckett Point noon 6/23/20. Also have a video of the group right off the beach. The person who took video thinks they were taking a seal. -photo by Fred Felleman - June 23, 2020
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Tue, June 23 - Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet - 16:50-17:10 - 3 or more orcas southbound (Admiralty Inlet). East of the north half of Marrowstone Island.
4:50-5:10 pm, now. [Observed] Until around 5:10, then they were fairly far south from us and we didn't see them surfacing anymore. -Sheila Kluck
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14:16 - Back mid channel. People in the ferry to Coupeville will see them quite easily.
14:09 - Veered west a bit after a ship came through.
14:05 - [orcas] They are southbound, about near the shipping lane, west of the SPU Casey Conference Center. Need binoculars from shore. -Julie Nowak
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12:34 - Volunteer Alie Hudec just called to report seeing orcas, (at least 2-3 adults and baby) in upper Admiralty Inlet off Ebey, close to Whidbey (kelp line) heading southbound.
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Tue, June 23 - Haro Strait (T49As) - 17:08 - T49As in Mosquito Pass headed south. - "Transient killer whales in front of the Seattle Yacht Club in Roche Harbor! They were also in Westcott Bay today! And Mosquito Pass twice!" -photo by James Mead Maya - June 23, 2020
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15:41 - [orcas] Past Mitchell Point - looks like heading up to mosquito Pass! -Glen Bruels
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15:05 - County Park northbound, still stealth mode.
14:19 - [orcas] Stealth mode off Lime Kiln, northbound. -Monika Wieland Shields
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13:14 - Fast moving long dives near Pile Point going to Landbank [Westside Preserve].
13:11 - Orcas traveling north at Eagle Point. No boats with them. -Karin Roemers-Kleven
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13:02 - Killer whales at Eagle Point headed up island now. -Andrew Harpster
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Tue, June 23 - Haro Strait (T49As) - ID note: Identified as the T49As in previous sighting report, confirmed by Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute.
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Orcas spotted, Henry Island. 6/23/2020 we were fishing and they popped up by us so we turned boat off and watched them. Looked like they were feeding going in circles. There was four of them but then we spotted another two. -Sherri Dougherty
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~15:30 - Jill Atchison called. They live on Carefree Lane just S of Bellevue Point on Haro Strait. They heard whales, so ran down where they could see them. There spotted 4 adults (no huge dorsals) and one small one, saddles looked like Transients. Traveling north, fairly close, sort of swam around their little cove off their property, looking maybe interested in eating milling around for ~ 10 minutes then resumed travel (not rapid rate) to the north. Appeared to be 2 WW boats.
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Tue, June 23 - South of San Juan Island to Haro Strait (T46Bs and T49As) - --We left Friday Harbor with the knowledge of Transient/Biggs Orcas the T46Bs (minus T46B1s) and T49As (minus T49A1 and T49A2) heading North from Hein Bank. The ebb current carried us quickly to Big Rock and down the Lopez shoreline. Crossing from Sharks Reef to Goose Island cormorant rookery we came out of Cattle Pass to head towards Eagle Point. We learned that the 2 orca families had split with the T49As heading up island close to shore while the T46Bs were offshore. We chose to tack towards the T46B's hoping to visit Hein Bank where we'd also heard humpback reports. --As we approached the T46B's they were in a tight group traveling North. We sailed parallel with the gorgeous view of the Olympic mountains as a backdrop. As the current turned to flood in some areas of the Strait we continued North viewing Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. --We caught up with the T49A's near Mitchel Bay and were excited to see they were taking Mosquito Pass. A first for us to see them come into Garrison and Westcott Bays and they were clearly engaged in hunting harbor seals. They continued into Roche Harbor where they began hunting again. We left them to ride the flood current at 10 plus knots all the way down Spieden to Jones Island. "T46B2, born 2008" - "T46B in the lead with T46B6, T46B3 and T46B4" - T49A's heading in towards Garrison and Westcott Bays - "T49A with T49A5" -Barbara and David Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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Tue, June 23 - Discovery Bay/Strait of Juan de Fuca (T65As) - 12:15 - This pod of 4 came into Discovery Bay heading into the bay about 12:15 June 23rd. They stayed within sight for about 15 minutes - 4 of those this close to shore then went more towards the middle heading south. We saw them leave about 4 hours later. -Karel Reeves
[T65A2 ID'd by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, from video sent by Karel].
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, June 23 - Saratoga Passage - 15:00 - One Gray is passing me right now (3pm) heading south past Mariners Cove. Feeding a little bit but not staying put. -Marianne Parry

June 22
Mon, June 22 - Gulf Islands, B.C./Strait of Georgia (T34s, T37, T37Bs) - 17:00 trip: We had quite the trip last night with the T037B's, T037 and T034's hunting a seal. Although they can usually finish seals off pretty quickly, these families with young kids took their time ensuring the young ones got some lessons and practice. Photos are a bit graphic so be warned but the reason why we have a flourishing population of Bigg's killer whales here is because of the abundance of food available to them. Seals, sea lions and porpoises. T037B -photos and ID by Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay - June 22, 2020
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T037B taunting a harbour seal south of Moresby Island on the afternoon of June 22nd. -photo and ID by Mark Malleson - June 22, 2020
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06:45 - Off Galiano Island at the Bodega Cove level, heading north up Porlier Pass. 6.45 am. No other whales seen, which was sad. This appeared to be a smaller orca on their own. We have spotted orcas over the years, from our waterside cottage and I am confident that this was an orca. Thanks for monitoring these amazing species, -Philippa Lyons
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Mon, June 22 - San Juan Islands, WA (T46Bs) - 22:04 - We caught up to them closer to Lopez this evening. Probably 6-8 orcas, one male, at least one juvenile. So lovely! -Marti McConnell
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9PM through Cattle Pass and on to Iceberg Point.
20:15 - [orcas] Adjacent Griffin Bay, Lopez Side. -photo by Fred Horn - June 22, 2020
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19:15 - [orcas] approaching Turn Island, sb. -Traci Walter
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19:08 - [orcas] Passed Point Caution about 15 minutes ago heading south. Should be by labs now. T46Bs in San Juan Channel -photos by Cindy Hansen, Orca Network - June 22, 2020
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T46Bs near Friday Harbor in San Juan Channel as they snacked on harbor seals and cruised slowly south. -photos and ID'd by Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - June 22, 2020
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19:15 - Relayed report: 19:15 passing Friday Harbor southbound now.
17:40 - T46Bs in northern San Juan Channel - reports are they were trending south. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, June 22 - Strait of Georgia - 17:00 trip: We managed to find a couple humpbacks, too, known as "Orion" and "Zephyr" in the Strait of Georgia after our amazing killer whale encounter. MMZ0004 "Zephyr", BCX1251 "Orion", BCX1251 "Orion" -photos and IDs by Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, June 22 - Saratoga Passage - 15:40 - Just heard a big puff and can see one gray heading north toward Mariners Cove. Went by pretty fast - I don't think it's feeding. It did a pretty big back arch (for deep dive?) and disappeared. Yay! -photo by Marianne Parry

June 21
Sun, June 21 - (T34s, T37, T37Bs, T65As) - Just a few photos from a beautiful day yesterday. [IDs by Sara] - T34 and T37 - "T65A3 and one of his many headstands." - T34A, T65A4, and T34B - photos and IDs by Sara Hysong-Shimazu - June 21, 2020
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The afternoon trip...started with bald eagles on Flattop Island. Cruising along the outer islands (we're prohibited from crossing the border) there was news of killer whales coming up the west side of San Juan Island. The T065As were still with the T034s and T037s, with Lance (T037B1) hanging out with his new best friend T065A3. T037B1 and T065A3 -photo and IDs by April Ryan - June 21, 2020
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16:20 - They came by Open Bay/Henry Island around 4:20 pm. I only saw 2-3 - and there were a few boats around them. -Mae Cannon
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16:00 - Approaching [San Juan] County Park. More than a mile offshore still fast north, one male in the group, Soundwatch on scene.
15:45 - Shore report of ~6 orcas northbound off Land Bank [Westside Preserve] (just south of Lime Kiln). Traveling fast. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Sun, June 21 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - 16:00 - [orcas] Four adults and a juvenile right outside [Mason's] Olson Resort in Sekiu right now. Heading west. One male. 4:00 pm. -Brent Burns
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, June 21 - Possession Sound - One of our [Hat] islanders (Loretta Baggenstos) posted this yesterday [6/21] on their way back to Everett. She assured me the engine was off!: "Coming back from Hat island today and saw a grey whale so we stopped to watch for a while. It swam very close. We then headed to Everett and saw water churning. At first I thought it was a porpoise. But they scatter fast. Then we thought it was sea lions. We killed the engine and it was another huge grey. He swam about 2 feet under our boat. I thought he was going to bump us. He then met up with a 3rd one. So cool!!!! I was shaking and couldn't catch a picture fast enough!!!!" -Lori Christopher

June 20
Sat, June 20 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T2Cs) - The T002C's south of Trial Island on the evening of June 20th. -photo by Mark Malleson - June 20, 2020
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17:03 - I saw 4 Orcas this afternoon around 3pm along the Haro Strait of Victoria as I was walking. One looked quite big. They seemed swimming around the southern point off Vancouver Island going north. What a sight! -Lisa Ochsner
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17:20 - Orcas at Trial Island (by way of Saxe Point) 5:20 PM.
15:22 - 4 Orcas spotted at McCauley Point, Victoria. -Jackie Cowan
[T2Cs ID'd by Amanda Colbert, Orca Network, from photos by Allison Green]
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Sat, June 20 - San Juan Islands (T46s) - ~11:39 - The top picture was a single orca-southeast tip of Lummi Island heading south/west. The others were heading north just around the Southwest tip of Lummi island -possibly 2 juveniles and one adult. The single orca was about 509 yards behind the others. This one had a very distinct slash mark on the fin. It is awful how many boats zoom through their space. Yesterday [June 20] about 1139am. T46D, T46 and T46F, T46F and T46E -photos by Krista Swanson, June 20, 2020
[ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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Sat, June 20 - Admiralty Inlet (T34s, T37, T37Bs, T65As) - ~15:00 - Three matrilines of marine mammal hunting orcas identified as the T034s, [T037], T037[B]s and T065As were engaged in some languid socializing. Lance (T037B1) was probably having fun hanging out with another male T065A3 Amira. The Grandmas - T034 and T037 were hanging out together as all the kids played. Callisto (T065A6) was at her mother's side as they mingled. (They were east of Discovery Bay by a few miles. And that was about three in the afternoon, but I think they were there all day.) -photos and IDs by April Ryan - June 20, 2020
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Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express: "The transients south of Partridge Bank are the T65As, T37, T37Bs, and T34s. After a long chase, T65As took down something (probably a porpoise judging by all the porpoising, but never saw it) then the rest of the Ts came in to join in the fun."
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, June 20 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - We found our first Humpback of the season while on tour SW of Race Rocks today! BCZ0298 "Split Fin" -photo by Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal Explorations
(Id Mark Malleson)
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, June 20 - Possession Sound - 13:55 - There are two "newbie" grays circling SE of Hat Island including 2356. -Justine Buckmaster
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Sat, June 20 - Saratoga Passage - Email received at 14:04: One gray just passed by our place on the southern end of Mariners' Cove [Whidbey], heading north. No photos but fairly prominent dorsal ridge. This one seems to go a bit longer between breaths than some of the others. I haven't timed it or anything, but when I'm holding the camera waiting for it to surface, it feels longer. Thanks! -Marianne Parry
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11:50 - She called at 11:50 to say whale still in same area exhaling.
11:26 - Single grey whale just a few hundred yards from Whidbey shore...Just East of Oak Harbor.... Few blows. Trending toward Oak Harbor. Whale is almost to the point heading West. -Kimberly Sylvester

June 19
Fri, June 19 - Strait of Georgia/Gulf Islands - 21:30-22:00 - 4 Orcas traveling (not resting or foraging) North between Vancouver Island and Ruxton and DeCourcy Islands. .5 mile off Ruxton Island and Passage. Believed to be 1 Male, 3 Females. -Dan Wilson
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Fri, June 19 - Northern Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet (T46s) - ~18:30 - Saw them surface a couple of times by Smith Island, 6-30-ish, viewed from south end overlook by West Beach. Appeared to be northbound. -Jill Hein
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18:21 - [orcas] They are headed out towards Smith Island. Way off shore. -Pam Radunz Hill
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17:45 - Northbound passing Hastie Lake beach, off shore. -Rachel Haight
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16:44 - [orcas] 300 yards off shore. Still NB nearing Partridge Pt. -Ken Rea
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15:54 - [orcas] Visible from shore at Ebey's Landing, but very far out. -Holly Ihrig
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15:00 - Orcas grouped up slowly passing Fort Casey Lighthouse, steady nb.
14:55 - Orcas appear to have stalled out, moving nb against the tide, closer to Whidbey still. ----June 19, 2020: It looked as though we were spoiled for choice as to which whales to watch today, but with the group reported in Saratoga Passage disappearing up into Port Susan we didn't have to decide between those and the incoming Admiralty Inlet orcas. After first seeing members of the T46's milling near Lagoon Point, they headed slowly north toward Driftwood Park, south of Fort Casey, and from there past Fort Casey close to the Whidbey side as they exited Admiralty Inlet. Perfect viewing conditions with calm seas and good visibility. "T46E passing Fort Casey, Whidbey Island" -Sandra Pollard (Photos Richard Snowberger, zoomed and cropped)
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14:22 - Still 2, 1 male, moving slowly mid channel just north of Pt Townsend... others disappeared.
14:14 - Just past PT Townsend....close to Whidbey...lots of breaching and tail slaps... moving out a bit now and down...wow!
14:00 - [orcas] Coming fast at Ft. Casey. ----Patience rewarded! Waited an hour at Ft. Casey and the T46 gang showed up and came very close to the beach...a couple of huge breaches, some tail slapping...but didn't seem like they stopped to eat if they were hunting. Lovely to see them! Last time I saw these handsome guys was in Penn Cove 3/17 and 3/18. T46E (right), T46 (left) and T122 (distinctive eye patch), T46D -photos and IDs by Bonnie Gretz -
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13:58 - Heading out of the cove, towards the fort. -Julie Nowak
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13:23 - From Driftwood Beach, south of Fort Casey. Admiralty orcas moving SLOWLY north, Whidbey side. Long down times. -Sandra Pollard
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12:34 - Group turning north; heading towards Fort Casey.
12:03 - [orcas] Eyes on group at Lagoon Point North; milling; tail slapping. Headed back north a bit. -Kris Holley
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11:20 - Left whales just N of Marrowstone Pt., southbound.
10:30 - Killer whales just at Point Wilson in Port Townsend, southbound. -Christopher Lewman
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Fri, June 19 - Northern Puget Sound-Possession Sound/Port Susan (T34s, T37, T37Bs) - 19:20 - Northbound just south of Maxwelton. Still mid channel.
19:10 - Northbound - mid channel just off Scatchet Head.
18:02 - [orcas] Mid channel in front of Possession beach. Small boat on top of them. Still southbound. (steady pace!) -Dori Dace
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17:20 - Spotted 2 orcas off the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry route. Closer to Mukilteo side. -Trent
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17:19 - Just passed the Mukilteo dock now. Heading south. (counted 6)
17:13 - [orca] Whales are just north of the Mukilteo ferry terminal heading south. -Danielle Pennington
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15:07 (~13:37) - We saw a group of at least 6 transient orcas at Kayak Point about 1h/1h30 ago [~13:37], playing with a seal. They started to go south about 30 minutes ago. Can't see them anymore. -Nicolas Marin
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17:00 - [orcas] In between Whidbey and Mukilteo. 4 of them - including a mother and juvenile. -Dar Crisp
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14:05 - [orcas] Between Kayak Pt and McKees Beach, going back and forth, sounds like they're on a hunt. -Rachel Haight
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11:07 - They're heading East around Camano Head.
10:40 - T37s [w/T37Bs] and T34s slowly southbound toward Camano Head. -Justine Buckmaster
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10:31 - [orcas] Visible from downtown Langley, though best with binoculars (on Camano side). 3, with blows and porpoising (I think that's what it's called, when they come to the surface a lot and show their dorsal fins?). -Brenna Nowak
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1010 - Finally a single breach. Range was about midchannel marker distance from scope site in front of Saratoga Inn in Langley.
09:43 - [orcas] Lots of down time. -Daniel Laszlo
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09:21 - [orcas] Just north of Langley (from Whale Bell) but over on Camano side. Hard to see but maybe 3? Seem to be milling. Maybe eating? -Jeanne Hamilton
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09:13 - A couple killer whales feeding mid-way off Mabana!! So fun. -Kathryn Wallace
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07:45 - Michele Venetis emailed to report 6 Orcas Northwest of Hat Island and South of Sandy Point headed toward Langley at 7:45am on Friday, June 19, 2020.
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07:30 - Lori Christopher sent report: 3 orcas spotted this morning 7:30, between Hat and Whidbey, heading towards Langley.
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05:15 - [orcas] Saw them heading out to the Tulalip Bubble and saw these back East towards mission bar - looks like a seal kill. -Jody Moran
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HUMPBACK WHALES - 13:40 - We were at Norwegian Point in Hansville, and around 1:40, we saw a humpback whale traveling south towards Point No Point. It was beside a red-hulled sailboat also traveling south. We don't think they were aware of the whale. It looked like the sailors were looking in the other direction. We saw the whale surface about three times and then must've went for a deep dive. It's always a joy to see a whale! -photo by Maria and Geoff Custer - June 19, 2020
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, June 19 - Saratoga Passage - 14:00 - 1 gray whale right now, east end of Polnell Shores Dr. heading east towards Mariners Cove. Too far for decent photos. -Suzanne Sewester
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Fri, June 19 - Possession Sound - ~10:00 - Gray whale crc2356 was circling around between Hat Island and the Snohomish River delta around 10 am. -Bart Rulon
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Fri, June 19 - Saratoga Passage - 13:39 - Moments ago, one gray passed by - he's still out here but a little further out in the bay. If I had to guess, I'd think it was Dubknuck because the knuckles on his back were quite prominent, but I'm obv no expert. :) Crappy photos but maybe enough to ID. He's still out here huffing and puffing but I can't see him. They're still here - yay! -photos by Marianne Parry
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07:04 - Solo whale, looks like a grey, across from Cama Beach on Whidbey side. (Viewing from Whidbey--about 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach--across from Cama Beach, roughly. It was heading south. [video] -Aaron Gill

June 18
Thu, June 18 - Strait of Georgia (T46B1s & T123s) - 13:00-13:30 - We were cruising north past the White Islets near Sechelt, BC and we spotted this active, feeding orca pod of about 6-10 whales including one completely white whale if you look closely in the photos! ...we felt so blessed to have crossed paths with this amazing family of whales (at a safe distance of course.) Looks like the pod were moving north but very casually and slowly so they may have been feeding in that direction only. -photos by Geoff Triggs, SV Outspan Coast, North Vancouver, BC
[T123A and T46B1B ID'd from Geoff's photos by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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Thu, June 18 - Admiralty Inlet - 14:08 - All of them currently feasting on seals at Eastern Bank still NW bound.
12:51 - These have moved west beyond Partridge Bank. -Matt Stolmeier
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10:33 - Pod northbound approaching Pt. Partridge [Whidbey] in the north bound lane. -Ryan Johnson
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10:10 - Kathy Haven called to report seeing 3 orcas while coming across on ferry to Coupeville. Orcas were in travel mode northbound and went right in front of the ferry, which slowed to let them pass. This was about midway through sailing, so orcas were about mid channel. One adult male, adult female, and looked to be baby (or at least small one).
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10:10 - [orcas] Very vocal right now [on PT]. Love it so much. -April Basham
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09:52 - Observed a group of four killer whales headed north about mid-channel on the Port Townsend to Keystone run from the Ferry Kennewick. -Don Noviello
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09:39 - [orcas] Getting louder on Port Townsend hydrophone. -Casey Graham
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08:12 - [orcas] They're on the [PT] hydrophones! -Michele Alexis
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07:45 - Two orca headed north, just passed Double Bluff buoy. -Jean Watson Manis
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, June 18 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - 14:00 - We are starting to get out on the water more now and was happy to encounter a Gray Whale minutes from our docks... Was west bound off Sooke 1 pm. -photo by Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal Explorations [NPS gray whale ("Sounder") #22 "Earhart" was first reported to Orca Network for the year 2020 on March 12th, and this encounter on June 18, documented by Paul Pudwell, was likely #22 exiting the Salish Sea after spending about three months around Whidbey and Camano Islands feeding on ghost shrimp to bulk up for her continued journey northward to Alaska. ID'd by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network -gs]

June 17
Wed, June 17 - Eastern Strait of Georgia - 17:50-18:00 - Hi, Wednesday June 17th. 2020. Fyi. Pretty lucky. Went to Lighthouse Park, Point Roberts, WA for late afternoon 5pm. Between 5:50 to 6 pm Saw 7 Orcas - Killer Whales swim by, 5, very close to shore, 100ft offshore. 2 larger ones off shore a bit further. 1500 feet (viewed thru binoculars) Way Cool, sorry no pictures. Swimming north towards mouth of Fraser River BC. -Stephen Fowler
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Wed, June 17 - San Juan Islands (T46Bs) - Yesterday [June 17] we were able to get back out on the water and share our beautiful home again. We saw Frankenstein, the humpback whale, and then had an opportunity to visit with the T46Bs! T46B2 -photo and ID by Maya's Legacy Whale Watching
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We decided to set sail again after hearing about a pod of orcas (T46B's) off South Beach on the southwest side of San Juan Island. The group had been milling for approximately two hours before turning north on the strong flood tide. Just as we were approaching the scene the orcas were lost and we scanned to find them. Friends on shore alerted us that there were orcas moving quickly up island so we scooted along to catch up. The orcas headed west from Lime Kiln across towards Kelp Reef continuing at speed into Canadian waters. -Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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17:00 - Fast north stealth mode off Land Bank. (Confirmed 46Bs) -Monika Wieland Shields
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16:10 - When I left them at 1610 they were still headed up island.
16:05 - [orcas] They just passed Eagle Point, approaching open [False Bay?] bay. T46Bs, no B1s. -Andrew Harpster
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15:57 - Foraging! Non directed. Heading to False Bay.
15:54 - Close to shore.
15:53 - [orcas] Eagle Point going north. Soundwatch is with them. -Karin Roemers-Kleven
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15:24 - Breach-a-thon! Off Eagle!
15:05 - Moving slowly towards Eagle Cove.
14:02 - Heading North now!
13:53 - Looks like Orca off of South Beach! -Ricarda Burnett
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Wed, June 17 - North Puget Sound (T34s, T37s, T37Bs, T65As) - 20:31 - Actually stalled out a bit and appear to be hunting, west of midchannel near President Point.
20:20 - [orcas] Viewing from Richmond Beach - mid channel northbound, should be approaching ferry lane soon. -Mike Ferdinandi
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19:17 - Spotted from Edmonds Marina Beach, southbound, between here and the sailboat race. Lucky sailors! Actually seeing direction changes, so they may be stalled here for the moment. In line with Kingston Ferry terminal. Pretty sure that I see at least 5 and at least 1 large male. -Michelle Goll
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18:30 -Ferry going from Edmonds to Kingston - 1 large male and 3 females (possible more - guessing pod of 4, not certain). Exactly middle of channel. Feeding. Staying in same location - on a kill. Wasn't able to view saddles. -Andrew Muehling
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18:15 - Orcas heading south, close to the Edmonds side, already south of the marina, frolicking or hunting off of Pt Edwards. No count on numbers yet but a lot of them. Just went out of our view behind trees, should have a good view from Richmond Beach in about 15 minutes. -Steve Marczewski
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17:52 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Master reports 5 Orca sighted en route to EDM. Orca stated to be heading in no specific direction.
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13:17 - [orcas] A few distant blows from Lagoon Pt. One ww boat with them. -Bonnie Gretz
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13:15 - Group is pointed N but did not move in the tide for 30 min. Left them 1 mile due east of Bush Point at 13:15. -Christopher Lewman
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12:49 - Seeing a larger group now, still hanging around N of Bush Point.
12:30 - Watching orcas near Bush Point (Sandpiper Lane). Lots of surface activity, at least 2 males. WW Boat stopped, but orcas swam close by and were very active. Heading slowly north. -Wendy Berta Sines, Orca Network
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11:49 - New group of 7-9 orcas northbound passing Bush Point now.
11:40am - updated to: More like 8-9 orcas total, at least 2 males and a baby passing Bush Point moving northbound. -Donna George
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11:30 - The T34s, T37, [+T37Bs] and T65As were going north, then south, now some are going north again as at 11:30 am seen from Bush Point, Whidbey Island. It rather looks as though, like the Southern Resident orcas doing the San Juan west side shuffle, these transients have adopted a Whidbey west side shuffle. They didn't seem to be in any great hurry, albeit they were fighting the tide, with occasional milling and a bit of roly-poly play along the way. -Sandra Pollard (Photos: Richard Snowberger zoomed and cropped)
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11:15 - Orcas slowly approaching Bush Pt. -Christopher Thornton
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11:08 - Jumping!
11:04 - [orcas] Just off Bush Point. Slowly northbound. -Thomas Buell Jr.
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10:30 - At least 3 or 4 orcas headed north off Mutiny Bay, whale watch boat nearby. -Mary Dulin
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10:00 - T37s, T34s, and T65As slowly northbound off of Double Bluff, mid channel. -Justine Buckmaster
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Wed, June 17 - San Juan Islands - ~12:45-13:00 - A pod of approximately 8 -12 orcas were seen on the south side of Vendovi Island. The pod moved south and west, toward Jack Island and was last seen to the east of Jack Island around 13:00. -Ian Woodruff, Samish Island (West of Mt. Vernon)
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Wed, June 17 - Washington Coast - 12:58 - Hi! We are sailing from La Push to Westport and spotted a lone offshore orca approximately 3nm from Pratt Cliff/Cape Elizabeth. We weren't able to capture a picture but it was a large orca and heading northwest. Thank you for all that you do, and we hope this sighting is helpful! -Elle Schlager
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Wed, June 17 - Washington Coast/Willapa Bay, WA - 13:00 - We did observe a family of three Orca a couple of days later [Wed, June 17] in the bay. Two full grown and one juvenile. My colleagues and I observed them for about 20 min before they swam south out of our sight. We saw three dorsal fins at one time however I wasn't able to capture it in a pic. ...The pod(?) we observed was on Wednesday the 17th of June at 1300 hrs. local, approximately 400 yds. East of our location marked 46 40.4114N x 124 00.8062W. This was a very exciting first view of live Orca in the wild and I am glad to be able to pass this info on. -Jeremy J. Abrahamsen, USACE-NWS-ODP-NW, Lead Survey Technician
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, June 17 - San Juan Islands - 11:00 - The whale is southbound close to shore along Turn Island. 1-3 breaths then down 8-10 mins. Looks like BCX1358 Frankenstein. Captain's Blog: "June 17, 2020 - Once again we received an early morning report of a humpback coming down San Juan Channel towards Friday Harbor. We cast off with some friends to see who it was. Exiting the harbor we began scanning north and south. As we drifted quietly, we heard the loud exhale of the humpback surfacing right in front of Friday Harbor. After obtaining a photo of the tail fluke we were able to recognize it as one we've seen before - BCX1358 "Frankenstein". The whale was swimming south fighting the flood current surfacing with 1-3 breaths before going on a deep dive with an average dive of 9 minutes. It was a really nice treat seeing this humpback for the first time this year." photos and IDs by Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing
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09:55 - Humpback at Point Caution now. Must be doing long deep dives because I've been watching for a half hour and finally just saw him or her. Only surfaced twice and then a deep dive and didn't see him come back up again. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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08:56 - HB Mineral Point, south bound. -Alan Niles
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Wed, June 17 - North Puget Sound - 17:30 - Humpback whale off of Pilot Point, close in to the Kitsap side, heading south toward Eglon. -Austin Iles
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06:24 - Jordan Light, WSF Marine Ops emailed: M/V Walla Walla reports one humpback whale off of the Edmonds dock, heading north.
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, June 17 - Hood Canal - 18:31 - We want to report the presence of what we believe may be a Grey Whale in Hood Canal 500 yds North of Scenic Beach State Park. The whale was traveling North towards Misery Point, and breached spectacularly 50 yards directly in front of our boat! We immediately shut down the boat and observed three additional blows in the distance as the whale moved below us heading North. Color was black, with no patches of white. i.e. did not resemble an Orca. Also did not see a prominent fluke. Time of sighting was 6:31pm today. Followup: We feel very fortunate to have such an amazing experience! It's interesting that you ask about the color of the whale because Pam commented when reading my draft of the email that she thought it was more gray than black. On reflection she probably got the best view. We did not notice prominent dorsal or pectoral fins. Hope this helps. -Kind Regards, Mike & Pam Beaulieu
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MINKE WHALES - Wed, June 17 - Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet - 11:05 AM Single Minke Whale northbound off of Fort Ebey close to Whidbey shore. -Justine Buckmaster

June 16
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Tue, June 16 - San Juans - 07:00 - From a friend on Jones Is at 7 am. Orcas headed N up SJC towards Spieden. -Phil Green
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In the photo are some of T34s, T37, T37Bs, & T65As in Admiralty Inlet, north Puget Sound. -photo by Jill Hein - June 16, 2020
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Tue, June 16 - Puget Sound (T34s, T37, T37Bs, T65As) - 21:13 - Single Orca off of Pt. Wells, southbound, edge of the north bound traffic lane. -Ryan Johnson
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20:35 - [orcas] 3 heading south between Edmonds and Kingston. 2 in the commercial lanes and one closer to the Edmonds side (possibly with baby?). Eastbound ferry slowed. 2035. -Biz Shoe Petersen
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20:14 - [orcas] Close to Clinton. A lot of blows and breeches. -Lauren Johnsen
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20:04 - My husband just so happen to be looking south Whidbey and saw the other pod simultaneously.
19:30 - There's 4 midchannel also heading towards Kingston. Southbound 1930. 2 different groups.
19:10 - Ok make that 3-4 of them. I'm in south Mukilteo, and they were headed towards the lighthouse/ferry.
19:10 - Husband said he saw two spyhopping, south tip of Whidbey.
19:08 - One male orca by himself heading north between Mukilteo and Whidbey. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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18:45 - Mid channel, directly in front of Scatchet Head point. Just south of Useless Bay. -Dori Dace
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18:07 - Haven't seen them for about 5 minutes. Out of my line of sight now. I'm on the bluff between Hansvile and Foulweather Bluff. Using telescope so hard to judge where they are in the channel but. I just saw two of them. Right next to each other. Long gaps between sightings.
17:45 - At least two females visible heading south on Useless Bay side of channel. 5:45
17:38 - Fishing vessel Northwind passes close. Shows no sign of slowing. Can't tell how far apart they are. 5:38.
17:28 - [orcas] From Hansville side I can see Spirit right near several fins. South shore of Mutiny Bay. Pretty close in. 5:28 pm. Edit - Spirit off north end of Double Bluff. Orcas slowly SB. -Thomas Buell Jr.
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17:03 - Orcas visible now 5:03 pm Mutiny Bay, south of Bush Point. These must be the trailers as the orcas with the humpback already passed by. -Megan Brocco
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16:29 - Howard Garrett reports: Orcas still slow travel, SB, 1 mile S of Bush Point.
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16:22 - Spirit II with them .8 no south of Bush Point. We have three pods 34's 37's 65a's. -Ken Rea
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16:36 - My husband says the last he saw they headed out into deeper water toward the shipping lanes. Not certain if they continued south but they followed the other whale south until almost to the point.
~16:00 - Group of Orcas 3-5 were surrounding a larger whale, gray or humpback? Close in to the beach on south Mutiny Bay... Just before 4pm. -Cathy Sparks
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15:58 - Dorsals and blows, sb. Mid channel. Viewing from Bush Point. Update: Second group (3:58 pm report to ON) had a little one with them, looked to be about 7 whales altogether.----"June 16, 2020: At last - transient orcas in Admiralty Inlet, albeit apparently exiting after their recent forays in Puget Sound. But, unpredictable as ever, the orcas (including the T34s, T37s [T37 and T37Bs], and T65A's I believe) turned back south after passing Fort Casey allowing us the opportunity to catch up with them at Bush Point at 3:58 pm on their return trip. We spotted a calf (possibly T034A1) surfacing among the dorsals and blows of around seven orcas drifting seemingly effortlessly with the tide, which would seem to be the trailing group (thanks Marilyn Armbruster for your report of orcas passing Bush Point at 3:00 pm - we just missed them). As always an uplifting experience, and never more so than now. -Sandra Pollard (Photos Richard Snowberger, zoomed and cropped)"
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15:50 - Trailing group was moving south when I left Lagoon Pt. at 1550. -Daniel Laszlo
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17:33 - I saw Sarah's photo from Double Bluff. def a gray, but the one I saw looked like a HB, and it was due south of Bush Point towards northend of Foulweather Bluff, maybe a few miles out. I could be wrong. What caught my eye at first was the very tall slender blows, and once it surfaced. It could be we had 2 diff baleen whales too. [Marilyn's photos confirm humpback whale]
16:00 -3pm first group of 3-5 came by Bush Point close in. 4 pm 2nd group of 7 came by Bush PT mid channel. Observed humpback whale about 1 mile south of BP after first group assuming they were leaders passed BP.
15:30 - 2 of the 3 close to BP launch and Lighthouse...they appear to be in line with Foulweather Bluff.
15:26 - 3 passed by Bush Point dock and Lighthouse at 3 pm. These 3 are now a few miles south of BP an still. I see there are more north towards Lagoon.
15:00 - 3 pm orcas close to Bush PT, sb. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:35 - [orcas] Passing Fort Casey now. They're pretty far out.. same two little boats are with them. Haven't surfaced in a while. Going down the island...Car Rie
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12:49 - Mitch Incarnato texted: the orcas are in front of Ft Ebey and now heading southbound.
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14:20 - Update from Jill Hein who left the pod a bit ago heading south past Fort Casey. She reports there is a large white boat with them flying a whale watch flag! A red zodiac sped by them directionally towards whales just now.
13:21 - Orcas Still southbound towards Ft. Casey.
13:15 - Update: orcas have flipped...per Jill Hein, she reports she and whales are back at Ebey now southbound...all of them, she thinks.
11:38 - 11:38 - From Jill Hein, ON Board member updates seeing one group of ~4 orcas northbound in a hurry - passing Ebey's Landing close to Whidbey side. Long down times.----"T34s, [T37], T37Bs, and T65As - there might have been more, roughly 12 whales. WOW - LOVE!! Zoomed and cropped, amazingly calm in Admiralty Inlet."T65A3, T34, T65A2, T37, T34B/ -photos and IDs by Jill Hein
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12:11 - Just saw one off Ebey's Landing....12:11, northbound.
11:21 - 3 moving fast past ferry at Ft. Casey about 5 min ago.
11:09 - [orcas] Got them deep in Admiralty Bay..Jill [Hein] with them. T34B and T34 -photo and ID by Bonnie Gretz - June 16, 2020 Bonnie Gretz
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11:00-11:20 - [orcas] 1 group mid, and another group 100 yrds off shore (3 grouped near shore with babe) below Adm. Lighthouse. nb. -Marilyn Armbruster
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10:17 - Sighted near the Coupeville ferry landing. -Randy Heiserman
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09:44 - Saw at least 7. Seems to align with WSF numbers from Kingston route this morning, so likely same group. Still northbound.
09:35 - At least 4 orcas in Admiralty Inlet very close to Whidbey side, Lagoon Point. They were moving relatively quickly northbound. -Margaret Marshall
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05:55 - Jordan Light, WSF Marine Ops emailed: M/V PUYALLUP crew reports 8-10 orca heading northbound near Apple Cove Point, Kingston.
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Tue, June 16 - Strait of Georgia (T46B1s and T123s) - 14:00 trip: Guess who! Another visit with the T123's and T046B1's today in the Strait of Georgia. photos and IDs by Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay
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Tue, June 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - T051 and T036A1 south of Victoria Harbour on the afternoon of June 16. -photo and ID by Mark Malleson
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Tue, June 16 - San Juans/Rosario Strait - 21:00 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Vessel Master reports sighting a group of seven orca that appeared to be hunting/feeding in the area of Black Rock, near Blakely Island. YAKIMA notified
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18:26 - Just saw 6-7 orcas N of Cypress Island, they turned south once in Rosario after briefly checking out Peapod Rocks. We watched thru binoculars from where we first saw them by Towhead Island, appeared to be mostly female, a juvenile or 2 and perhaps a sprouter, but not sure! So beautiful!...That's correct on time and day, we didn't get pictures, they only did one breathe up near by and we were too excited and had to cut engine and shut down auto tiller, was hoping for another close surfacing but they did a long dive and came up pretty far, we decided to just let them go after first surfacing, very few boats around and lovely to see them just doing their thing pretty certain they were T's by group size, dorsal shape and behavior. Appeared to have all closed saddle patches. Scanned around and didn't see any others. With long dive times they completely surprised us when they popped up within 100 yards at out 10 o'clock. -Ash
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Tue, June 16 - San Juan Islands - 21:47 - At least 2-3 orcas in Lopez Sound just now headed north towards Orcas Island. They dove when the ferry approached, I think at least one male. -Tom Tidyman
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07:00 - From a friend on Jones Is at 7 am. Orcas headed N up San Juan Channel towards Spieden. -Phil Green
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12:45-13:00 - Hello, my name is Ian Woodruff. I live on Samish Island, west of Mt. Vernon. Around 12:45 pm, a pod of approximately 8 -12 orcas were seen on the south side of Vendovi Island. The pod moved south and west, toward Jack Island and was last seen to the east of Jack Island around 13:00.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, June 16 - San Juan Islands - 20:03 - A couple more humpbacks out there. Seem to be traveling northwest now. Out near Salmon Bank.
19:31 - Humpback [confirmed by Erin Corra] off of Eagle Point. SJI ..... quite far out. -Chris Wilson
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13:15 - Humpback heading north past Lime Kiln. -Cynthia Slyter
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Tue, June 16 - South of Victoria, B.C. - 10:27 - 3 Humpbacks heading East to Constance Bank....from a friend. -Jackie Cowan
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Tue, June 16 - Admiralty Inlet/Puget Sound - 3:45 - Possibly [confirmed] humpback about a mile south of Bush Point in line with entrance to Hood Canal. Cannot tell direction. -photo by Marilyn Armbruster
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, June 16 - Admiralty Inlet - 16:55 - One Gray whale just surfaced at Useless Bay . Headed towards the shallows of the bay. -Sandra Simms
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16:44 - Gray Whale in Useless Bay. It started diving again right when I jumped out of the car and I didn't see it resurface. -photo by Sara Montour Lewis - June 16, 2020
[ID'd as #22 by Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective]
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Tue, June 16 - Northern Saratoga Passage - Joan Schrammeck emailed Cindy, our Education/Events Coordinator, to report a gray whale in Saratoga Passage/Skagit Bay between Maple Grove boat launch on north Camano and Mariners Cove/Strawberry Point on Whidbey.
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MINKE WHALES - Tue, June 16 - North Puget Sound - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Vessel reports via 800MHz sighting a lone minke whale southbound in the northbound traffic lanes, spotted near the EDM>KING route area.

June 15
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Mon, June 15 - South to Central Puget Sound (T37s, T37Bs, T34s) - 21:32 - [orcas] Passed Southworth, towards Vashon side, at the north end of Vashon! -Hunter Sasser Oetinger
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21:20 - [orcas] Coming up on Southworth now! They were booking it! I saw them from Vashon side about 9:20 pm, lost them before they got to the ferry dock. Corbin Beach on Vashon. I haven't been able to find them again. -Norm Enger
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20:26 - [orcas] Going north by Prospect Point on the Vashon side. -Brendan Phillips
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20:21 - [orcas] Seeing them northbound in Olalla at Al's (on the Vashon side of Colvos). -Megan Barry
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19:15 - Orcas off of Point Defiance on June 15, 2020 at 7:15. [Watch VIDEO by Zeno.] -Zeno Martin
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19:15 - They appear to be heading north up into Colvos now, just barely visible from Owen beach shoreline, with binoculars I can see two huge eagles soaring above them. 7:15.
19:12 - [orcas] Watching from a great distance from Owen Beach, currently mid channel with lots of seabird activity above them, 7:12 pm. -Cheri Rae
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19:08 - [orcas] Slowly moving north up Colvos Passage on Gig side. -Tirza Hortensius
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18:44 - [orcas] Yay! I saw them!!! Heading NB up Colvos on the Gig Harbor side @ 6:42. -Michaela Kelly Wuelfing
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19:23 - They seem to have committed to the Colvos route (slowly heading N on Peninsula side) - just N of the Southern tip of Vashon.
18:42 - Slowly northbound towards Colvos - peninsula side of channel.
18:37 - [orcas] Visible from Dune Peninsula now (far off). -Kyle O'Malley
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18:47 - Currently not really traveling...appear to be hunting. Lots of circling, a few tail slaps, appear to maybe be hunting? By the small boats at south west side of Vashon (in passage, where all the birds are).
18:34 - [orcas] Between southern Vashon and Point Defiance. By the 3 boats, were VERY close to the smaller dark boat. Watching from Old Ferry Landing (GH). -Stacy Gordon
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20:30 - Just passed Al's on Vashon side. Seems like long down times.
19:27 - Grouped up slowly headed north up Colvos passing sunrise at least mid channel, likely closer to Vashon side.
18:16 - Look to be closer to the Gig Harbor side now. Are definitely still trending north.
18:08 - seeing a lot of splashing.
18:00 - [orcas] Seeing blows south of the white and green tower near the tip of Point Defiance. Viewing from Gig. -Ashley Whitman
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17:52 - [orcas] Still in the Tacoma Narrows just north of Salmon Beach, mid-channel. Northbound. -Mike Boginski
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17:37 - [orca] Just got sight of them from 5 Mile Drive Bridges viewpoint, a little closer to Tacoma side. -Ed Rickert
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17:32 - [orcas] Heading north, yes, In front of Salmon Beach. Lots of feeding and slapping! -Gill Chard -photo by Gill Chard - June 15, 2020
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17:31 - Orcas Northbound in Tacoma Narrows, June 15, 2020, 5:30 p.m. Video Taken from our deck at Salmon Beach, Tacoma WA. -Zeno Martin
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17:24 - [orcas] They are just off Salmon Beach right now. -Dana Miller
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17:14 - [orcas] They just spent about 15 minutes changing directions in a small area (feeding?) on the west side of Tacoma Narrows Bridge, closest to north bank. Really amazing show! Heading towards Point Defiance. -Amanda Van Meter
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16:48 - Orcas by Narrows Bridge. 500 yards north, heading north. But, been in the spot for a little while. 4:48. -Andrea Reubel Walker
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16:35 - Orcas under Narrows right now. -Jenica Tabit Carter
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16:26 - Orcas headed north under Narrows bridge on the West side of the channel. I'm not sure how many. "...4 orcas from our home on Day Island Monday, June 15 at about 4:20 pm. It looks like 2 females and 2 juveniles." -photo by Karen Caldwell - June 15, 2020
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Mon, June 15 - North to Central Puget Sound (T65As) - 20:48 - [orcas] Just saw what looked like 3 moving north past Dilworth Point, heading for Vashon ferry. Moving fast close to Vashon. -Rey Hansen
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20:22 - They have moved across the channel more towards the Vashon side now, mid channel-ish, not yet to kvi...we are looking up the channel from Point Robinson.
19:15 - [orcas] They are just south of three tree stalled out working on a kill. -Marla Smith
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18:24 - [orcas] Steady southbound passing KVI towers now, slightly east of mid-channel. Approaching Three Tree Point. -Christina Van Wolbeck Fenerty
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18:00 - Now heading south between Burien and Vashon Island, moving leisurely. One male and maybe 3 others- mid channel.
17:26pm - T65As in the Fauntleroy ferry lane as seen from south of Seahurst. The ferry heading to Vashon just passed them. -Marjorie Spears
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14:22 - T65A's milling around Wing Point (Bainbridge Isl). Generally trending south. -Wendi Robinson
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14:10 - Also watching from Sunset Overlook, pod is heading south again after a brief pause and circling at the rocky point at the north end of Eagle Harbor. As of 2:10pm they were entering the center of Eagle Harbor and heading south very close to the west side of the channel. Roughly 4 orcas. -Phil Echelman
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13:56 - Heading North back towards Fay - several boats in the area.
13:50 - [orcas] Pod of 3 just seen on the Bainbridge Island Ferry path - near Eagle Harbor. -Eve Medina
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13:50 - [orcas] Watched them from sunset overlook above Alki. Were near eagle harbor. Directional change now NB, 1:50. -Kersti Elisabeth Muul
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12:38 - Danielle Cole just called to report seeing at least 4 orcas. They passed by north end of Bainbridge (she is 1-1/2 mile south of Fay Bainbridge park), whales were directly across from Shilshole heading southbound in the middle of shipping lanes. She reports a submarine was coming through and 2 orcas were in front and 2 behind the sub.
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12:30 - [orcas] We saw them (3) around noon- 12:30pm 6/15 headed toward Seattle. We are in the Rolling Bay Area. -Marla Richards
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11:00 - Just saw 3-4 Orcas between Kingston and Shilshole. 11 a.m. 6/15/2020. -Pat Hillis
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~09:40 - Amazinggggg....sitting on beach in Edmonds and just saw 2 to 3 Orcas go towards Seattle....they were more on Kingston side....maybe a baby?....hard to see but absolutely positive Orcas... saw around 940am....Monica Dorbin
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Mon, June 15 - San Juans (T46B1s and T123s) - We had been listening to reports of orcas traveling around the topside of Orcas Island down Rosario Strait. We couldn't resist a chance to get a look at the T46B1's because we're intrigued by the rare white orca calf T46B1B aka Tl'uk. They were traveling with another family known as the T123's. Despite the rain we had an amazing encounter. Funnily enough we think a couple of the orca calves were curious about our umbrella because they kept spy hopping repeatedly. The orcas stopped abeam of Watmough Head for a bite to eat followed by a couple hours of fun and games. Eventually the sun poked out and we were treated to a beautiful rainbow. After the sun was down, we headed north for home and the orcas turned north, too. -David and Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing, photos and IDs by Barbara Howitt - June 15, 2020
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Mon, Jun 15 - Puget Sound (T37, T37Bs, T34s) - 19:45 - Orca at Pt. Richmond Beach, Gig Harbor. We had some transients (?) come by for the second time in a few days. This time heading north at moderate clip. 5-7 including a calf. On our shore, for a change! This happened about 1945. -photos by Steve Rees - June 15, 2020 [IDs confirmed by Melisa Pinnow: T34, T37 and T37B1]
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16:59 - [orcas] Just saw a pod of 6 or 7 going North from the Narrows Bridge. -Jim Bogrand
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Mon, June 15 - Puget Sound (T65As) - 13:46 - Maija Hoslton, WSF Ferries Marine Ops, emailed: C/M reports 3-4 orca 1/2 mile south of Wing Point [Bainbridge] moving south.
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Mon, June 15 - San Juans - 18:09 - 3+ Orca southbound, Rosario Strait off Reef Point, Cypress [Island]. -Krissy Burkhart
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, June 15, Hood Canal - ~12:00 - We saw a gray whale about 200' offshore, easterly of Sisters Point and heading outbound (westerly) at about noon today. Saw it surface again a few minutes later. -Kevin Stoops
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09:15 - Southshore of Hood Canal (along Hwy 106, milepost 17). I believe it is a small gray whale, just off shore, heading east. Very quietly gliding through the still water. Only saw slight wake action, then spouting once a minute (plus/minus). Thanks for being available. -Regards, Patti Heikel

June 14
Sun, June 14 - Central to North Puget Sound (T65As) - 20:30 - [orcas] They remain on Kitsap side aiming towards Elgon and PNP, spread out. "Heading northwest, viewed from Apple Tree Pt. around 8:30pm" -photo by Donna Green Van Renselaar - June 14, 2020
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20:25 - [orcas] North of ferry now, past Apple Tree Point. Motoring north. -Sara Frey
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20:18 - Whales NB west of midchannel. Viewing from Edmonds. They're passing the houses between Apple Tree Point and Rose Point.
20:12 - Still NB. North of Kingston Ferry approaching Apple Tree. Viewing from Edmonds Marina Beach.
19:49 - Quickly NB just north of Jeff Head, west of midchannel.
1906 - [orcas] Still milling . Appear to have drifted further north. Viewing from Edmonds Marina Beach. -Ariel Yseth
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19:58 - They've cleared Kingston ferry dock (sightline from Kayu).
19:53 - T65As due west of Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Richmond Beach. Earlier After clearing the yellow mid channel buoy, east of mid channel, they made some directional changes north of the buoy and split up a bit, but they resumed traveling. They have regrouped and shifted over toward Kitsap and are traveling grouped up at steady slow/medium pace northbound, still south of Kingston ferry dock.
19:26 - T65As on the move now, northbound mid channel between N Richmond Beach and Jeff Head.
19:14 - They are definitely on a kill. They are still south of in line of Jefferson Head, but slow trend/drift north your way as they eat.
19:00 - So pretty...they are drifting further and further east, now east of mid channel.
18:50 - T65A group making directional changes in southbound traffic lanes north, approx. mid way between Bainbridge and Jefferson Head. Seem to be on a meal....drifting NE from earlier.
18:08 - They are making directional changes. Grouped up. Southbound Kitsap side at north end of Bainbridge. Sightline from Ei grind Beach. They are nearing houses north of Fay Bainbridge. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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19:23 - May have turned around, as they appear to now be northbound...
19:21 - [orcas] Viewing a southbound pod from Richmond Beach... They are close to the far point, which is the entrance to Miller Bay. The sailboat is quite surrounded. We are estimating 6+ whales. -Karen Jeanne Rutter Weber
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18:00 - Right now they're heading south in Port Madison, from what I can see. There might be an anchored barge? that they're lining up with from where I'm sitting at Richmond Beach.
17:55 - Just saw them, just several blows and a shiny flash off their backs, still in the bay! 5:55p hard for me to tell where exactly, but more southern side of it.
17:36 -[orcas] Saw them about 20 minutes ago [~17:16] from Richmond Beach, but they're so far away they're like trying to find little needles in a big haystack, plus sun glare. From second parking lot down. -Kayli Ann Breitweiser
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18:42 - They're still mid channel milling east in between Port Madison and Richmond Beach SP.
18:21 - Still mid channel, just to the west of the large barge passing through at the moment.
18:12 - Headed northbound just north of BI, mid channel in line with the buoy mid channel. Correction: north of fay Bainbridge Park. I'm viewing from north of the Bloedel Reserve in the bay.
17:37 - We last saw them headed west. On our way to Agate Pass since we haven't seen them since making the bend from Fay Bainbridge.
16:53 - Direction change. Now headed west in Port Madison Bay towards Suquamish.
16:51 - [orcas] At Fay Bainbridge, currently. Large boat slowly trailing them. Heading north, but not quickly. Kitsap side. Jefferson Point would be a great spot to see them! -Shannan Van Houten
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16:35 - [orcas] Watching from BI Rolling Bay.... Whales are Kitsap side & visible with naked eye. North group stalled on a kill, now trending north toward Fay Bainbridge Park...Kimberly Sylvester
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16:27 - Danielle called to report pod of orcas. She and her husband observed them heading northbound on north side of Bainbridge Island in middle of shipping lanes. At least 4, including one large male and saw calf. Orcas were breaching, one spyhopped. They were diving and moving rapidly northbound. They looked good, healthy, and active. Smaller one was really active.
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15:12 - [orcas] Watching from north end of Alki Beach. Very far west channel, passed on west side of Bremerton Ferry. Still headed northbound. -Brittany Noelle
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15:10 - [orcas] Watched them pass Restoration Point, NB, now mid channel passing Blakely Rock with two boats tailing. -Becca Tiger Musser
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15:23 - Past downtown, now approaching Discovery Park. Traveling quickly NB, prob mid channel, maybe a bit closer to Seattle side.
15:13 - At least two Orcas crossing Elliott Bay. Closer to Seattle side, right in front of Downtown as viewed from Bainbridge.
15:06 - [orcas] A couple dorsal fins & splashes north of Alki Lighthouse, NB. Looks closer to Seattle side, viewing from Rockaway Beach on Bainbridge. "Too far away for decent photo, even w/ 600mm lens - but kinda cool w/Space Needle. Taken 3:16p as they went past Elliott Bay northbound. View from Rockaway Beach Park on Bainbridge." -photo by Jim Reitz - June 14, 2020
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14:59 - Now north and west of mid channel buoy.
14:55 - [orcas] Viewing from just south of 60th and Spokane. Looking almost due west over by south end of BI. Several dorsals and blows headed north. Not quite to buoy between West Seattle and BI. -Douglas B. Greenswag
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14:50 - [orcas] Watching from Bainbridge, south island, Toe Jam [Hill]... They just crossed between Blake Island & BI, quickly heading toward Alki. Research & other boats nearby.... Approaching Yellow Channel Marker. -Kimberly Sylvester
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14:53 - Lost them for a bit but research boat following them seems to be heading towards West Seattle.
14:33 -[orcas] SW corner of Bainbridge. Looks like they'll go up East side of island (between Alki and Restoration). -Steve Comstock
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14:33 - Headed east off of Fort Ward.
14:30 - [orcas] Almost to Manchester pier. West side of channel. -Clifton Goff
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14:23 - [orcas] Out in front of Manchester now going north. -photos by Noelle Morris - June 14, 2020
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14:20 - [orcas] Can barely see them with the naked eye from by Manchester dock. Still headed north on west side of Blake. -Tiffany Dunham
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14:17 - From Constellation Park, Alki. I've got eyes on T65s still headed northbound just came out from behind north end of Blake Island. -Brittany Noelle
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14:17 - [orcas] Just saw them via kayak off the Southworth Ferry Terminal, heading north along the west shoreline, west side of Blake Island, north of the ferry terminal. -Delaney Marie
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13:55 - [orcas] Going on west side of Blake NB. -Kersti Elisabeth Muul
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13:57 - [orcas] Headed towards Manchester /Blake Island, mid channel, looking from Southworth ferry dock. -Desha Wood
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orcas near Southworth. -photo by William Daly - June 14, 2020
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[orcas] From Southworth ferry terminal, T65A & T65A4. My first time seeing them. -photo by Emily Parker - June 14, 2020
ID'd by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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Transient orcas T65A6 & T65A3 cruised by the neighborhood this afternoon, pics taken at Southworth ferry terminal, a few close up ones of "saddle patches" and the little one..photos by Kathe Bradley - June 14, 2020
ID'd by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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13:54 - The pod has "rounded the point" and are headed towards Harper/Manchester..
13:41 - Pod is now at/near Southworth Point/Green's Point, with all previously mentioned boats.
13:29 - [orca] From Green's Point/Southworth Point, peeps have confirmed three dorsal fins, and magnificent blows. I'm so proud of these spotters! -Kathleen Cage
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13:03 - [orca] Slowly northbound past Fragaria, zigzagging but mostly mid channel. -Justine Buckmaster
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12:58 - [orca] Passing by us at Fragaria here. On the Vashon side. Were cruising, now seem to be milling. -Ryan Webster
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12:58 - [orca] T65A2, T65A6, T65A4, & T65A3. They're just off Frageria. Closer to the Vashon side now. Small research boat and what looks like fish and game or following in. -photos by Jim Pasola - June 14, 2020
IDs by Ariel Yseth
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12:09 - [orca] Passing Al's now grouped up headed out of leisurely travel speed. 1 male, 3-4 female, 1 calf. -Ashley Whitman
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12:05 - [orca] Still headed toward Al's, have seen four but at this distance from Kitsap side hard to count. -Linda Axelson Hollingsworth
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11:57 - [orcas] T65As Just passed Lisabuela Beach, favoring Kitsap side, long down times riding the current in no hurry, headed nb. Such beauties! They were much closer to the Kitsap side, but still so awesome to watch. -photos by Marla Smith - June 14, 2020
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~11:30-1200 - [orcas] Saw them from shore heading north between Vashon and Olalla Bay. Looked like 5 of them. At least one pretty large and one smaller one. Few folks with good cameras. -Becky Houghton
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11:15 - Donna Sibbers (sp?) called with orca report: She and her group were headed south past Vashon through the west passage [Colvos] and spotted at least 4 orcas off Camp Sealth heading northeast. Could see orcas surface, dorsals rising. Orcas were heading northeast as they continued heading south. Boats in the area are being very polite, respectful, and gave the orcas space.
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11:09 - 3 orca northbound off Pt. Richmond (Colvos Passage). -Gayle Millett
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12:03 - Almost to Al's. I count 5, two larger males. Still coming north.
11:55- Black speedboat just positioned itself directly in front of them. They appeared to go under their boat. They're still coming north in Colvos, almost to Al's, but keep going deep because of boats.
11:38 - From Al's, they're still slowly coming north up Colvos, milling/hunting, at least 5, one larger male.
11:13 - They're getting closer to Al's in Colvos but are still moving quite slowly, closer to Vashon side. No accurate count yet.
11:03- [orcas] At least 4 mid-channel, slowly coming north toward Al's in Colvos. -Amy Bliss-Miller
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10:40 - T65As are entering Colvos Passage, slowly northbound. Apparently resting. -Justine Buckmaster
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10:09 - [orcas] Just near the entrance of Colvos. Look to be heading up. -Alan Hill
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10:05 - Looked like they were headed north toward the Colvos, but I've lost sight of them.
09:51 - Moving back north between Vashon and Point Defiance. I counted 4 this time.
09:45 - Moving south, just off Point Defiance headed towards the Narrows.
09:14 - Watching 3 orca mill close to the Vashon Ferry Terminal. -Gaby Kinnear
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08:30 - Hello, this is my first whale sighting and report since we moved here a year ago. We live across the water from Salmon Beach in Gig Harbor and this morning around 8:30 while having coffee, spotted a group of possibly Orcas (based on the big fins), apparently 3 adults and one smaller whale swimming along slowly, spouting, moving initially towards the Tacoma Narrows Bridge then turned back heading towards Gig Harbor. They hung around for about 20 min. They were unfazed by a large barge that passed through when they were here. A couple of smaller boats stopped kind of close to them to get a better look. I was using binos to watch them. My husband grabbed his camera but since we are located across the water, photos are taken from a distance above them. I was so very thrilled to have seen them, as I have heard some folks who have lived here over 25 yrs. have never seen any so I feel blessed! Hope this helps. Next time I hope to see some spyhopping, breaching or tail slaps! -photos by Pauline Proszowski - June 14, 2020
[T65As per Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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*At 09:58 - Email from Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops: Log entry: Master reports small pod of orca 3-4 slow moving 1/2 mile off the South end of Vashon near the TAHL dock.
[I called Ops earlier at around 09:19 and they had already received report from their boat, so I think this is a bit delayed on the time since I believe all whales were further west by this time - alb]
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Sun, June 14 - Central to South Puget Sound (T37s, T37Bs, and T34s). 21:21 - 3-4 Orcas spotted in Dana Passage turning the southern tip of Harstine towards to Squaxin. -Nicole Seeley Link
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19:30-20:25 - We were with 5 orcas in our boat between around 7:30 to 8:25 P.M. We watched the orcas head east in Dana Passage. We were well over 200 yards away during the entire interaction, except at around 8:00 when the orcas approached our boat so we switched the engine off. This happened north of Johnson Point. Near that same location, the orcas hunted a harbor seal and seemed to be toying with it between around 8:08 P.M. and 8:20 P.M. When we left them they seemed to be heading west back into Dana Passage. Photos were taken with a 600mm zoom lens. "I thought this one was funny because of the barge labeled "Killer" in the background. Taken at 8:04 P.M. northwest of Johnson Point." [T37]. "8:08 P.M., harbor seal was knocked in the air." 8:11 p.m. "8:22 P.M. Victory spyhop." -photos by Connor O'Brien - June 14, 2020
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19:20 - Llyle Morgan called to report pod of orcas who just passed by Carlyon Beach coming from Shelton heading towards Olympia on the south side of Hope Island. The seals came right up to shore at the marina between shore and the boom. The orcas came right up to the boom.
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19:15 - [orcas] From the Steamboat Island Bridge as they were heading into the pass between Hope and Steamboat. They were trying to nudge these seals off the boom. They then turned around and headed back from where they came...and it looks like they may be entering Dana Passage heading north at 7:15. "From the Steamboat Island Bridge as they were heading between Hope and Steamboat Islands - heading north." -photos by Kim Merriman - June 14, 2020
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18:24 - [orca] Went thru Hunter Point and Hope Island heading towards Carlyon Beach. Just came back heading past Squaxin - looks like toward Johnson Point. -Jim Chamberlin
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18:00-18:45 - Saw four orca off of Carlyon Beach, Steamboat Island, Hope Island, Squaxin, heading East past Harstine Island and into Dana Passage. -Susan Morgan
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17:17 - Alan Hoffman called to report orcas, thought to be a mom and 3 young moving through Dana Passage, 1/2 mile north of Boston Harbor, Olympia. Many boats and kayaks, some not keeping distance, wasn't good. Orcas did squirm past as they surfaced further off.
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17:13 - From Boston Harbor it now looks like they're moving into Squaxin Passage, close to Rignall.
16:34 - [orca] They are swimming around northwest of Boston Harbor. Can see them from the dock. -Nate Christensen
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T37 (f) born 1979- western end of Dalco Passage near the Tacoma Narrows - photo by Peter Hodum on June 14, 2020
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16:32 - [orcas] Spotted moving into Budd Inlet. -photo by Tyler Vokes - June 14, 2020
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~16:00 - [orcas] Taken from the [Boston Harbor] Marina a little after 4. -photo by Katie Christensen - June 14, 2020
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16:06 - [orcas] We saw them from our beach on the east side of Harstine. They are southbound. -Cindy Klein
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16:00 - [orcas] Passing through Dana Passage along Fishtrap. Heading toward Boston Harbor. -Mia Bosetti
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15:58 - [orcas] A friend just spotted them in Budd Inlet. -Lorrie Dozier Hall
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15:08 - [orcas] Just spotted just past Johnson point south east of Harstine Island. Headed into Henderson Inlet. -Sarah Elliott
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13:58 - [orcas] Just left them as they continued further into Nisqually Reach. They're currently headed NW toward Johnson Point. -Rachel Messerschmidt
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14:00 - I have a reliable report that they look to be heading West from Anderson island toward Devil's Head.
13:15 - [orca] Rounding the south end of Anderson Island, heading west. They lingered and seemed to forage for about 20 min. Boats have been really respectful. "From around 1:25pm from Anderson Island. This one was especially curious about 2 jet skiers who rode out and stayed well outside of the safe distance...came up at least twice in a spyhop near them to get a good look." -photo by Belen Bilgic Schneider - June 14, 2020
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13:01 - [orcas] They're on south end of Anderson between the island and Nisqually. -Allison Warner Sutcliffe
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12:55 - [orca] Can see them from Nisqually Nature Center, milling around between south of Ketron and east of Anderson Islands. -Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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12:21 - Still southbound, at least 3 passed Anderson heading toward southern tip.
11:55 - Heading south between Anderson and Ketron [Islands].
11:52 - [orca]Southwest heading towards Anderson Island ferry dock. 11:52. -Lane Sample
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12:15 - We left them heading south along the Eastern shore of Anderson Island at 12:15.
12:01 - T37Bs and T34s too! All grouped up now hunting NE side of Anderson Island.
11:30 - T37s westbound, pointed at the north end of McNeil Island. Looks like 2 groups here. One further out I can't ID yet. -Justine Buckmaster
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10:24 - Approaching Fox Island pier, southbound.
10:17 - [orcas] Southbound across from Titlow Park. Seeing about 4 females and Juveniles. -Lisa Charbonneau
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08:42 - 3-4 orcas heading South ...just passed South end of Vashon. Updated with: they came by Pt. Ruston...I lost sight of them as they passed the Vashon Ferry. -Susan Vestring
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08:30-08:40 - Location: mid-channel at western end of Dalco Passage between Point Defiance and SW corner of Vashon Island. The orcas moved gradually south, entering the Tacoma Narrows in the direction of the Narrows Bridge. I was in my sea kayak and took all photos with my Nikon dSLR and 70-300mm zoom with the lens fully zoomed in to 300mm. -photos by Peter Hodum - June 14, 2020
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Sun, June 14 - Strait of Georgia (T123s and T46B1s) - 14:00 trip - Great second day on the water since reopening! We caught up with two Bigg's killer whale families including our little white whale, T046B1B "Tl'uk". We got the T123's and T046B1's out in the middle of the Strait of Georgia heading east and followed them for about an hour before heading back into the islands in search of other wildlife. Really nice to be reunited with these guys and looking forward to many more trips! T123A - "T046B1 with her two kids (T046B1, T046B1B) and her cousin, T123C" - T046B1 and T046B1B. -photos and IDs by Gary Sutton - June 14, 2020
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Sun, June 14 - Northern California Coast - Soon after leaving Humboldt Bay yesterday, Cene Bryant and I got a call from a local fishing charter boat captain, Marc Schmidt, that he'd just seen three KWs, two females and a male with a distinctive bend to his dorsal fin tip. We headed over to that location, listening on the hydrophone at intervals on the way, must have been too far inshore to see them while hearing them very loud and clear. They would have been between the west swell, calm day, great visibility... and we never saw them. There likely was another group in the area, from sightings by other boats further inshore and south, and from faint calls. This morning Marc sent me this photo he took of the male. I'm gonna bet that these were offshores, an ecotype I've still yet to see! The calls are different than any recordings I've got or can find online, but very similar in style. Marc saw them at 1007 at 40.708 -124.413, about 8 nautical miles WSW from entrance, 180' deep. The male was "splashing his tail the whole time we watched him". We got the recording at 1042, 4.4 nmi inshore from that position. And... does that male look at all familiar? How many audio recordings are there of the CA Offshores? -Jeff K. Jacobsen -photo by Marc Schmidt - June 14, 2020
ADDENDUM TO COASTAL ORCAS sighting on June 14, 2020 by Jeff K. Jacobsen: -"Thx for passing this along Howie. What a great recording! They're Bigg's. Some of those calls are the variety most often made by animals that hang out more in outer-coast waters. I once had T250 (CA172) make the same call in Johnstone Strait and I'd never heard anything like it before then as the coastal Bigg's just don't make that call. I believe it is a T13 call, but would have to check to be sure." - Jared Towers
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, June 14 - Hood Canal - ~14:00 - Gray whale sighted traveling fast, southbound, just out past Sund Rock divers, North of Hoodsport. Took one breath 50 feet away from divers at the surface. -Cara Alferness
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Sun, June 14 - Northern Saratoga Passage - [grays] We've had 2 here for what seems like weeks. Is this much later than normal for them to still be here? Not complaining--ha! Love seeing them! East end of Polnell Shores Drive, Oak Harbor. -photos by Susan Sewester - June 14, 2020
[Yes, most years the NPS grays leave by mid May. The past several years have seen grays staying over longer and new whales coming in. We are in the 2nd year of an Unusual Mortality Event, designated by NOAA last year. More whales are coming in searching for food, some newbies find it, and some of our regular NPS grays are staying longer. Which, if there is enough food here for sustained stays, is good. It means they could live another year! -alb]
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Sun, June 14 - Possession Sound - 08:15 - Lori Christopher reported seeing a gray whale pass the Hat Island Marina (at about 150 yds. offshore) trending SE bound towards Everett at 08:15 this morning. -photo by Lori Christopher - June 14, 2020
[From her images looks to be NPS gray #22 Earhart. Of note: several of the "Sounders" are still here, which is about a month longer than usual. -alb]

June 13
Sat, June 13 - Puget Sound (T65As) - 16:50 - [orcas] Seeing lots of blows and a rare dorsal still well north of Kingston and East. I'd say south of Maxwelton? -Sara Frey
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16:10 - I left PNP at 4:10 pm with them still trending slowly southbound somewhat spread out, north of Edmonds. They would stop and get active then move a tiny bit then mill. Plenty of surface activity today!
15:20 - Definitely southbound, now seeing blows straight east of PNP.
15:17 - They are a little further south straight out and N of PNP, lots of surface activity.
15:03 - Multiple Orcas breaching sight line halfway btwn PNP and Possession Pt. I'm positioned here at Norwegian Pt. They look to be just west of mid-channel, but hard to gauge. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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15:32 - Not seeing them from Double Bluff Beach.
15:19 - Direction is westbound again. Between me and Point No Point, much closer to Whidbey.
15:00 - Seen again west direction so staying in area.
14:53 - Alternating.
14:52 - They have switched back east.
14:44 - [orca] On Double Bluff bench they are slow in front of Seattle skyline. West direction. (Barely distinguishable in 15x binos so not super close.) -Daniel Laszlo
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13:05 - Pod spotted from Richmond Beach headed north towards Kingston ferry.
12:50 - [orca] Tail slap by the yellow buoy by Jefferson Point. -Cameron McNeil
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~12:45 - [orcas] I saw them heading North from Richmond Beach/Point Wells. -Joni Barnes Pollino
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13:50 - North of Apple Tree Point, heading NB, mid channel.
12:37 - NE towards yellow marker.
12:35 - [orcas] Rounding Jeff Head, northbound. Only see male right now. -Sara Frey
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12:00 - [orcas] They surfaced in between two barges directly east of port Madison towards mid channel. I'm looking from Indianola pier through 600mm lens and barely visible. For perspective they aren't actually in Port Madison. They keep flipping or circling. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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11:37 - [orcas] Viewing them at Indianola Pier. Watching them to the east in middle sound. Breaching actively. -Julian Léon
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11:23 - [orcas] At least 2 whales..big male now eastbound close to Indianola shoreline.. east of pier. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
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11:30 - They're slowly headed out of the bay and I'm now leaving the scene. They were headed East when we left.
11:05 - T65As have made a kill in Port Madison and are milling just south of Point Jefferson. "T65A3 "Amira" spyhops shortly after catching the Harbor Seal and just before sharing it with his family." "T65A3 "Amira" follows his big brother T65A2 "Ooxjaa" as they pursue a Harbor Seal." -photos and IDs by Justine Buckmaster - June 13, 2020
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13:14 - Been watching them move north, they just passed Kingston sightline from Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline. Pod is traveling slow and steady northbound on West side of mid channel now loosely spread with mom and little one leading and who presume is T65A2 trailing the others. Heading directionally toward Apple Tree Point. Little rain squall came through just now...
12:20 - Grouped up pod has still been making directional changes, but in general slowly trending/ drifting southbound. They are just west of southbound shipping lanes, sightline transect Richmond Beach and north end Bainbridge. Water calm, sun disappearing behind cloud cover. Possible rain moving in from the west.
12:00 - Orcas have been trending slowly southbound with some directional changes. Not sure if finishing up meal or just now slow travel. Still skirting outer edge of Port Madison. Sightline transect Richmond Beach Saltwater Park to Nature Preserve area BI.
11:40. At least Some are mid Port Madison along outer edge, south of Jefferson Head/Point, saw someone breaching. I had seen some activity in that same general area earlier when Sue posted seeing the others close to Indianola.
10:28 - just spotted a tall dorsal and others. They are way over on west side of the Sound south of Fay Bainbridge park heading northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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07:20 - 5 orcas northbound in the North end of Colvos Passage at 7:20. At least 1 big male. Too far for saddle patches. -Shannon Kachel
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Sat, June 13 - Haro Strait (T123s and T46B1s) - 18:45 - Orcas swam past Hannah Heights on SJI. Heading down island, accompanied by two boats. Four orcas in total, I think. At least one adult male, and at least one small individual. -photos by Michael Noonan - June 13, 2020
["T123s and T46B1s are in there." -Sara Hysong-Shimazu]
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17:45 Four orcas southbound past Lime Kiln. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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17:40 - Orcas at San Juan County Park, 5:40. -photo by Roberta Christensen - June 13, 2020
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Sat, June 13 - Admiralty Inlet - ~09:00 - We came across this pod of orcas this morning around 9 am just north of Port Townsend in Admiralty Inlet. We think there were 4....headed south. -Ellen Dieken
[Watch Ellen's VIDEO] [Several of us reviewed the video and thought the triangular fin looked like matriarch T37. She and her daughter T37B (and her offspring) along with T34s did show up in Puget Sound yesterday morning, so it fits at least T37s were likely on their way inland Saturday. Amazing no one else saw them all of Saturday! -alb]
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Sat, June 13 - Gulf Islands, B.C./Active Pass - ~09:00 - Orcas - family group. 5 plus. Possibly 7. Uncertain if there was male. Active Pass, east entrance, south shore. East. Slow. Circling, diving, presumed fishing (We had regularly observed 'bubbles' on surface of water over the days we were there and, at times, saw masses of silver 'jumpers' that we learned later were likely anchovies. Also saw fishers taking three salmon.) A very nervous seal scanned the Pass for about 30 minutes before the whales arrived. If helpful, we have several stills and other shorter videos. -Trudy Norton
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Sat, June 13 - Oregon Coast - Hi, we live about 1 mile north of the Chetco River in Brookings, Oregon. We saw a pod of 6-7 Orcas today....they stayed in the area for about 30 minutes. We were in a Zoom meeting so we couldn't give full attention. We have not seen the Orcas here for about 4 years. -Dave Carlson
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Sat, June 13 - Northern California Coast - South of Elk, CA. Elk is 20 miles north of the Pt. Arena lighthouse. Three orcas. One a very large male. The other two were females or young males. No word on direction of travel. -Scott Mercer (secondhand report to Scott)
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, June 13 - Possession Sound - 13:34 - She just made her way into the Snohomish River delta so she must still be hungry for ghost shrimp!
13:10 - Gray Whale #22 Earhart is resting SE of Gedney Island. -photos and ID by Justine Buckmaster - June 13, 2020
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Sat, June 13 - Saratoga Passage - ~11:00 - While out looking for Pigeon Guillemot on the beach below Eagle Crest on Camano Island [Sat. 13th], we saw a spout fairly close to shore. This was around 11am. I don't know who this gray whale is, but probably one of the two hanging out in Skagit Bay this Sunday morning, June 14. It didn't surface much and kept about 5 min. downtimes heading north. At one point it seemed to be feeding on its side, showing a little bit of the fin. -photos by Kristina Trowbridge - June 13, 2020
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MINKE WHALES - Sat, June 13 - San Juans - 12:29 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Log entry: Master reports one minke whale in Rosario Strait headed southbound towards Thatcher Pass.
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SPECIES UNCONFIRMED - Sat, June 13 - San Juans - 11:00-12:00 - Grown daughter and husband saw a Fin Whale in Rosario Strait today! Between 11:00 and noon. That would be East of Blakely Island and West of Cypress Island. They said there were several fishermen, divers and lots of misc. activity. And no one seemed to notice the whale. I hope you have had other reports to confirm the sighting.
As a note, this woman is almost 50 and was raised on Blakely. She and her husband (and now kids) have seen many whales, super pods, babies etc. If she says it was a Fin, I'm inclined to believe her. Her name Is Katherine Ellis, husband Paul Ellis. Sure wish I'd seen it! -Anne Malmo
Sat, June 13 (addendum/update w/species ID on sighting included in our last report categorized as "species unknown") Update via phone call: Katherine now thinks who they saw was a humpback. They noted a more triangular dorsal fin (than that of orca, fin, or minke) and saw the whale's huge tail which had white on it.

June 12
Fri, June 12 - Puget Sound (T65As) - 19:53 - Watching a small group of orcas in front of McNeil [Island], north side in Carr Inlet. There seems to be 2 small ones!! So cute, slapping their little tails on the water. Will keep looking!! -Erin Dugger Reetz
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19:42 - Just had a visit in the last hour from a couple of Orcas [Carr Inlet], T65A & T65A3, T65A2, T65A, T65A6, & T65A3 - I think there were three in the group! A lovely surprise as I wasn't expecting to see them out this way! -photos by Jennifer Swenson - June 12, 2020
IDs by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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Sighted three orcas moving south east in Carr Inlet this evening of June 12th. I was on the shore of the peninsula that forms Horsehead bay overlooking Carr Inlet when I spotted the dorsal fin of an Orca. It turned out to be three orcas. One of the three appeared to be a calf. I walked along the beach to the point where I could look down Carr Inlet between Fox Island and Mcneil Island and last saw them between the islands. -Kate Cashman
[We were able to ID them from images we received; they were the T65As. -alb]
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17:38 - Just saw three orcas going under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. They were headed south after passing under the bridge. -Jim Bogan
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~13:30 - A friend fishing just told me he saw 5 orcas, one big one heading south under Narrows bridge about 1:30 today. -Noelle Morris
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12:40 - [orcas] Just passed Titlow heading south. -Amber Stanfill
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12:20 - 3 orcas passed under Narrows Bridge.
12:10 - 2-3 orca fins spotted between Evans Point and Narrows bridge, heading south. -Kelly Click Christel
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11:48 - Orcas. SB in Tacoma Narrows in front Salmon Beach. -Zeno Martin
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, June 12 - San Juans - 14:36 - One, possibly 2 humpback whales heading North in President's Channel off of Waldron Island at 2:36 p.m. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, June 12 - Penn Cove - We saw #56 with an unknown Gray at Penn Cove. We saw #21, #22, and #53 SE of Hat Island. -photos and IDs by Justine Buckmaster - June 12, 2020

June 11
Thu, June 11 - San Juans - 13:49 - Email received from Donna, WSF Marine Ops: Master of the MV Kitsap reports seeing a pod of 5 orcas heading westbound near the Anacortes terminal.
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Thu, June 11 - Admiralty Inlet - 21:46 - Hearing some quiet chatter on the Bush Point hydrophone! 9:46pm. -Ashley Whitman
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20:49 - still moving south, but are taking their time to do so, mostly getting pushed by the current. Lots of surface activity, especially tail slaps. Appear south of the mid-channel buoy as looking from the southernmost end of Lagoon Point.
20:27pm - 5 orcas southbound in Admiralty Inlet between Lagoon Point and Marrowstone Island. At least one male. Appears to be one juvenile. -Margaret Marshall
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Thu, June 11 - San Juans - 13:49 - Email received from Donna, WSF Marine Ops: Master of the MV Kitsap reports seeing a pod of 5 orcas heading westbound near the Anacortes terminal.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, June 11 - San Juans - 12:08 - This humpback is southbound in San Juan Channel, mid channel, 3 miles from Cattle Pass, traveling 6knots. No boats on scene. -Barbara Howitt
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10:08 - Humpback at Mineral Point, southbound, San Juan Channel. -Alan Niles
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09:30 - Brenda Osterhaug (sp), lives by Limestone Point, SJI, called to report possible humpback heading east towards Presidents channel. Whale was about 1/2 way between Flatop and mainland. Seem to be by himself, huge tall bushy spout which made her think humpback. She saw the whale surface a couple times (didn't breach) just rolled his back, then saw him surface a couple more times.
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, June 11 - Southern Saratoga Passage - Today at 3:00 pm, this gray was headed south past Pebble Beach. He/She passed the point very close to shore, where the water is deep at low tide. -photos by Peg Boley - June 11, 2020 [#56 ID's by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]

June 10
GRAY WHALES - Wed, June 10 - Possession Sound - 10:20 - [gray] One whale observed this morning east of Hat [Island] heading south. -Lori Christopher
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Wed, June 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - TODAY off Sooke B.C. with Transient Killer Whales (T124A2, T124A2A, & T124A2B) minutes from our docks and also a rare find in our area...a Minke Whale! T124A2 and T124A2B, T124A2B, T124A2 -photos by Paul Pudwell - June 10, 2020
[Per Paul: ID'd by Mark Malleson]
photos ID'd by Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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Wed, June 10 (T65As, T46Bs) - Was able to ID T65A's and T46B's (without the T46B1's). -Erin Johns Gless
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We received a report of whales nearby so we decided to go see them. It turned out to be the T65As, a well-known family of Bigg's killer whales. The youngest member of the family, 2-year old T65A6, has certainly grown since she was first seen in April 2018. Check out this comparison from then to now! -photo by Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - June 10, 2020 (and April 2018)
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At 13:20 we received an update from Brad Hanson, NOAA/NWFSC: "Am on FH - Anacortes ferry and saw the reported whales head into Thatcher Pass".
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15:00 - T65As westbound in Harney Channel - others broke off.
~13:00 - 10-15 Bigg's killer whales (including the T65As) in Rosario Strait near the Anacortes ferry lanes, at last report heading north. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Staff member Amanda Colbert was out with volunteer Amy Eberling on a trial run for the Salish Sea School (founded by Amy) when they encountered two groups of Bigg's orcas (~12-14). They left the orcas on the south side of James Island around 12:45. Members of T65As present. Amanda writes: Amy and I left Cap Sante with a heading for Smith Island when we came across two spread groups of Bigg's in Rosario. We first encountered them around 11:38am southwest of Allan Island, more towards Lopez. They were making their way north, parallel to Lopez. A second group was a little further south of this group. It had appeared to be roughly a dozen orcas, but upon going through my photos and conferring with Erin Gless, these were the T65A's and T46B's without the 46B1 family (so no Tl'uk) making it 11 whales in total. We watched both groups spread from just south of the mouth of Lopez Sound, north toward Decatur. They were mostly traveling in groups of 4-6 and were exhibiting longer dive times (about 5-8 minutes). At one point they all came together and high-tailed it toward the shoreline at James Island, looking as if they were in active pursuit of something--lots of directional changes and splashing--proceeded by about 10-12 minutes underwater with only a singular orca surfacing to breathe here or there. Not 100% they made a kill, but sure seemed like it. Afterward they broke apart again, with one group hugging the shoreline and the second group heading eastbound toward Washington Park. It appeared the first group might round the corner and head up Thatcher pass, but we departed around 12:47pm to head back to the docks at Cap Sante. T46B4, T46B3, T46B, T46B6, T65A, T65A3, T46B3, T46B2, "T65A4 & T46B3 (born the same year-2011!), T65A2 -photos and IDs by Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
[IDs by Amanda Colbert, Orca Network]
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Wed, June 10 - San Juans - 20:30 - Lesley Hambleden, Friday Harbor, called to report seeing 2 orcas at the South end of Mosquito Pass, San Juan Island, last night June 10th at 8:30 pm. The orcas were traveling northbound. Gorgeous with last night's sunset.
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15:30 & 21:15 - Saw a pod of 7+ Orcas around 3:30pm heading down Pole Pass, and saw a pod of 5+ around 9:15pm heading down Wasp Pass. Both times they were heading East to West. -Peter @shiftymcgibbons
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Watching 5 or 6 Orcas in Eastsound [Orcas Island], including what looks like a fairly young whale. South of Roasario. They appeared to be fishing for about 30 mins, herding schools to the surface. Heading south towards the mouth of Eastsound now. -cpdoberstein
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, June 10 - Haro Strait - ~18:00 - I got a brief glimpse of a humpback in the distance. Only one surfacing did I see, so I guessed it had gone north from the Hannah Heights area. Just now looked at the couple images I got. Not sure if this HB's right fluke is kinked or what. -photo by Jeanne Hyde - June 10, 2020
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, June 10 - Snohomish Delta - 18:28 - [grays] Interesting behavior on the delta today. Group of 3. [short video reviewed by Alisa shows gray holding tail in air for a pause]. #22 "Earhart" -photo by Dave Davenport - June 10, 2020
ID'd by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Wed, June 10 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 20:15 - 2 gray whales feeding east of Polnell Point, east end of Polnell Shores Drive. 8:15 pm, June 10. -Susan Sewester
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MINKE WHALES - Wed, June 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Near Sooke, B.C.....a Minke Whale! -photo by Paul Pudwell

June 9
Tue, June 9 - Possession Sound - 19:34 - There are four gray whales near Priest Point near Everett this evening. Two are currently northeast of the green navigational marker and two are about a half mile off the shore at the west end of the homes at Priest Point. This is being viewed from the Harborview Park neighborhood on the south shore. You can see these blows almost every evening. -Greg Heiss
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At 12:44 Marilyn Armbruster reported that while heading back on the noon ferry she observed 2 grays southeast off Hat Island. By 12:44 she was watching them from southend Brighton Beach [Clinton], line of sight with northern Jetty Island [Everett]. The whales were northbound. At 12:50 she texted again to report there were 3 whales: line of sight one was mid Jetty Island and 2 north of Jetty Island mid channel between Hat Island and Everett, possibly milling.
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10:30 - Saw one gray between Hat and Tulalip at 10:30, seemed to be trending south. Lots of deep dives. -Lori Christopher
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Tue, June 9 - Possession Sound - Tuesday at 11:16 I saw two greys about 1/4 mile east of the marker at the SE end of Hat. They were slowly heading towards Jetty Island. I watched them in the on and off drizzle for 15 minutes or so, steadily moving towards the delta. Only had a 50mm lens, so sad too bad. This observation was from Harborview Park, Everett. -Dick Snowberger
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Tue, June 9 - Semiahmoo Bay - ~17:30 - We spotted a gray whale while sailing in Semiahmoo Bay yesterday evening around 5:30pm. Super cool! It was about 100 yards offshore, traveling southwest parallel to the shoreline from Semiahmoo Park towards Birch Point. It had a roundish/bushy blow, maybe 5 or 6 feet above the water level, and seemed to blow 4-5 times over a minute before diving again for 5 minutes or so (we'd see the fluke just barely breach the water after the final blow of the series). It looked to be about 25 feet long, though it was tough to tell for sure. Mottled grey back without any dorsal fin. Hope this is useful! Let me know if I can provide any other info. Unfortunately we didn't get a great picture because we were so excited to just watch through binoculars. -Ahren Stroming

June 8
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Mon, June 8 - San Juans (T100s) - ~17:00 - [orca] Left them around 5pm heading NE from Blunden Island (seen from US side of border). Southside of South Pender. -Eric Eisenhardt
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I got to spend a few minutes with the Bigg's T100s today. First time seeing orcas in a long time. Just north of Turn Point, on Stuart Island. The big guy is T100C. -James Mead Maya
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15:32 - These were the T100s - they were visible from Reuben Tarte when I posted but then took Spieden Channel westbound.
15:10 - Looks like they will take Spieden Channel westbound.
15:00 - Four orcas heading north past Reuben Tarte [County Park]. -photo and ID Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Sun, June 8 - Yaquina Bay/Oregon Coast - ~14:00 - I am staying at a vacation rental in South Beach, Oregon that faces Yaquina Bay. Some orcas came up through the bay following a fish run. They left the bay about 2:15pm. I didn't see them directly, but there were lots of people lined up to watch. Update from Jane: I didn't actually see them myself. A neighbor down the street called us when she saw so many people showing up on the South Beach Jetty. She saw the pod go into the Harbor, apparently headed for Oyster Flats. They had left the Bay by the time I got out there on my bike around 2pm. I talked to the people who had been out on the jetty. Didn't get any more details, except that it was a pod. -Jane Barwell
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, June 8 - Port Susan - ~14:00 - My husband saw another grey whale again today. It was in Port Susan sound around the Tulair area.. So north of us. It was also about 300 to 400 yards out from the shore. He said it was around 2 PM and the whale was feeding. -Terri Smith, S East Camano

June 7
COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Mon, June 9 - Northern California Coast - I immediately identified T38C [from video] from the birthmark, and confirmed with the nick and fin shape. I have seen them in Puget Sound, years ago. Emma Luck says that they are the most frequently encountered Bigg's transient group off Juneau, Alaska. The most recent sighting posted on Happywhale of them is from 9 September 2019. One of the whales in these stills looks like T035. That encounter took place later in the day off Eureka (compared to when the video was taken). -Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, June 7 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Took a ride out west on rt 112 and found 4 gray whales with a fifth gray whale. I had the first gray heading east from Sail Rock, a 2nd one feeding just east of Sail Rock, with a third in the bay SW of Sail Rock. Also, had a sea otter show up hanging out for a bit. The 4th and possibly fifth gray (or maybe the first whale joining up with the 4th one??) were found about 3 miles east of Sail Rock swimming along the shoreline just along the kelp line heading due west. Photos also sent to Cascadia. -photos by Alethea Leddy - June 7, 2020
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Sun, June 7 - Birch Bay - 16:50 - [gray] Looks like a continuing whale in Birch Bay. Same mid-bay area, similar spouting, rolling, no tail or dorsal visible. Mid-tide. - ric Ellingson
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Sun, Jun 7 - Hood Canal - Noon - Laura Stradling called to report a gray whale in Hood Canal near Potlatch State Park. She and others who have seen the whale think it looks small, her boyfriend estimated 15ft. They saw the whale on Tuesday and again today around noon, today they watched the gray breach 3 times (alb asked if possibly humpback, boyfriend sure was the gray). Today first saw the whale just off their dock, it exhaled which was how they knew it was present. The whale then swam off to the south towards the State Park which is when it breached. Whale was traveling back and forth, then boat came along and they haven't seen whale since. They have seen this (or a) gray at ~ 10-15 times in the last month. Often sitting/resting close to surface and exhaling. Many times they can just hear but not see the whale. A neighbor has photos of the whale while breaching today. Another neighbor, Sarah McGee has videos of gray recently all the way up to Lilliwaup, she has video she'll ask them to forward reports/media.
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Alisa spoke with Sara McGee who also saw the gray whale off Potlatch on Hood Canal. Sara first saw the whale around noon and caught the breach on video. Last saw the gray traveling north on the west shore/Hoodsport side. Sara's mom thinks she heard a whale yesterday (6th), and Sarah heard one the day before (5th). Sara also relayed report and sent video compilation from May 21st: They first saw the gray whale at 09:30 near Potlatch. The whale was traveling back and forth and then headed north. They followed the whale north up the canal and last caught up with the whale around Lilliwaup around 11:05. We discussed feeding and habitat. Her video shows the whale lunging, and she said they did see it hanging around in the muddy flats off Lilliwaup. Same muddy beach conditions are down around Potlatch, where they are near the power plant which disperses water. They, too, have seen the whale on other occasions, including observing the whale breaching. -screenshot from video by Sarah McGee on May 21, 2020, screenshots from video by Sarah McGee on June 7, 2020
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Sun, June 7 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - ~11:00 - I live in Diamond Point, outside of Sequim. I was down on the local beach around 11 am and saw a solitary whale, most likely a grey whale, about 20 yards off shore, heading south. It surfaced a few times, and then made a deeper dive and then I didn't see it again. -Craig Barron

June 6
Sat, June 6 - Possession Sound - 19:28 - There are a minimum of four gray whales near the west end of Priest Point, west of Everett this evening. There might be more but we can only verify four blows at nearly the same time. -Greg Heiss
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17:15 - Alice Moyal sighted 3, possibly 4, whales traveling between Hat Isl. and Jetty Isl. at 5:15pm Sat. I could see the spouts! -Lori Christopher

June 5
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Fri, Jun 5 - Puget Sound - 07:44 - 5 ORCAs seen off Tramp Harbor, east side of Maury Island this AM. They were swimming south about 1/4 mile of Maury Island, and they were milling. -Ted Gibbons
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, June 5 - Port Susan - 14:44 - There is a grey whale out in Port Susan sound heading north towards Kyak Point. Kind of late in the year for him but fine by me. will watch for him to leave later in the day. -Terri, Way South and East on Camano Island
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13:30 - ON Board member Fred Lundahl called to report seeing a single gray whale going up into Port Susan between Camano Head and Kayak Point, heading northbound. Viewed from the air while in his little red plane Scarlet. Photo taken but didn't turn out.
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Fri, June 5 - Possession Sound - [gray] On North end of Hat Island, WA on Friday June 5, 2020. Whale was quite close to shore & seemed to be pleasantly feeding with no boats around! CRCID22 "Earhart" -photo by Sharron Meadows
[ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Fri, June 5 - Birch Bay - Watching humpback cruise Birch Bay for several hours in morning. Low tide so no deep dives, but plenty of blows. Later, after 4 kayaks gathered to see something, and the tide was high, whale seemed to be socializing and fishing at the same time, quite close to the kayaks. As tide went out, he or she resumed the shallower cruise and oddly no blows. The kayaks had to get home in the dark. -Bette Fineman

June 4
Thu, June 4 - Birch Bay - [gray] Whale spouts in continuing location in Birch Bay, roughly mid-bay. I first observed these near 'down town' Birch Bay near the Bay Center Market. I then watched and photographed from Birch Bay Marina area. There was a watercraft racing all over Birch Bay, but I do think they were oblivious to the whale. It was a noisy sit on top thing that left from Birch Bay Marina and appeared to randomly go near the whale's location. -photos by Eric Ellingson - June 4, 2020
["It does confirm as the same animal that was in Birch Bay on 5/21." -Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective]
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Thu, June 4 - Admiralty Inlet - [gray] That was a mysterious sighting today. I finally saw it through the bigeyes after Susan got a good look on her dog walk. It looked to me like a mom and calf, which would be very strange, especially heading south. The fluke was mostly white, but too far and no time for photos. The smaller one was a clean slate gray like a calf. I've never heard of a mom and calf south of Port Townsend. Maybe we'll hear more in the next few days. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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20:02 - So, neighbors (Kate and Sim Sheppard) saw one whale closer to Whidbey, the other was further out. Howie saw the adult whale with what looked like very small whale right next to it, so possible there were 3, but not sure.
19:04 - Whales, 2 maybe 3. Our neighbors spotted spouts at about 6:40 [18:40] and said they saw 3. I was just off for a walk with Briar and no binocs, but saw spouts, got home and saw with big eyes. Howie watching now and definitely saw 2, one looks life a calf.
19:01 - Gray whale headed south in Admiralty, closer to Whidbey side, now at N end of Mutiny Bay. Saw it fluke with the big eyes, and bottom side of flukes both very white. We both double-checked and definitely a gray and not a humpback. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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19:59 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Whale Sighting 06/04@1959 C/M reports 1 juvenile gray whale moving in the NB traffic lanes near KING. [Kingston]
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Thu, June 4 - Saratoga Passage - 19:32 - FYI single small gray whale off Wilkinson Road in Langley, slowly heading south along the coast towards the ferry, 7:32 PM, Thursday night. It has been weeks since we've heard a whale blow. -Craig Weiner
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Thu, June 4 - Possession Sound - 11:45 - [gray] Just crossed on way to Everett, two spouts at the south end of Hat Isl. And one more close to Everett Marina breakwater, total of 3 this morning, 11:45am. -Lori Christopher

June 3
Wed, June 3 - Possession Sound - 19:30 - At 7:30pm four whales were seen at the south end.
15:00 - [grays] Today one whale traveled south along the east side of island at around 3pm. -Lori Christopher
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Wed, June 3 - Semiahmoo Bay 10:33 - There is a whale in Semiahmoo Bay in Blaine. I believe it's a gray whale. Pretty far away from shore. -Claire Lewis
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MINKE WHALES - Wed, June 3 - Puget Sound - ~21:00 - Hi, I spotted a single Minke whale southbound between Fauntleroy and the north end of Vashon Island at approximately 9pm Wednesday evening. -Erik Ferrel, Quartermaster, M/V Kittitas

June 2
Tue, June 2 - San Juans - 11:30 - Via Don Noviello, DFW: We spotted the transients off Matia on 6/2/2020. We were with the WDFW Officers during the humpback sighting off the northern end of the Island. Around 11:30am, WDFW must have departed by this time, we were standing on the dock in Rolfe Cove and watched transients travel in the southwest direction between Matia and Sucia. I don't know the exact number of orcas in the pod, but we never saw more than two surface at a time. They did not linger in the area and we quickly lost sight of them as they moved south. We were unable to get any photographs.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, June 2 - Haro Strait - 16:35 this afternoon at Kellet [Bluff], Henry Island. BCX1251 "Orion", BCX1057 "Divot"-James Mead Maya
[IDs confirmed by Erin Johns Gless and Barbara Howitt]
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14:09 - David saw three Humpbacks northbound from Smugglers Cove 2:09pm - didn't see any orca. -Barbara Howitt
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09:15 - Report of two humpbacks southbound near Kellett Bluff, Henry Island. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Jun 2 - Possession Sound - [grays] Yesterday afternoon 5 whales noted by residents on the SE corner of Hat Isl. -Lori Christopher
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11:34 - Grey whale near Clinton. Bradley Coombe, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: C/M reports one grey whale heading Eastbound near the CLIN terminal.
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Tue, June 2 - Birch Bay - 19:30 - What do you think? A Minke? These shots were taken from Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve, Blaine WA, just out from the kelp beds. We first took notice of it as something spooked a flock of 50 actively feeding Surf Scoters. We only saw it surface a few times. It did seem to be traveling quickly, which seemed to rule out a seal of some kind. June 2nd, 7:30pm. -photos by Eric Ellingson - June 2, 2020
["The head contour says humpback to me, but the dorsal fin is radical for a humpback." Howard Garrett, Orca Network]

June 1
HUMPBACK WHALES - Humpback whale BCX1251 "Orion" in Haro Strait off Hannah Heights, San Juan Island, WA. -photo by Michael Noonan - June 1, 2020
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Mon, June 1 - Haro Strait - 19:30 - Last seen trending S about 2 miles SW of Kelp Reef.
18:10 - Small baleen whale (edited: Humpback) observed just west of mid-Haro Strait near south end of D'Arcy Island (BC). Traveling north slowly. Observed from West Side Preserve and then San Juan County Park (San Juan Island). No photos since that was about 5-6 miles away. ps...This was a different individual than the Mom/calf pair observed traveling up and down the west side of San Juan Island the afternoon/evening of Jun 1st and 2nd....(I also saw them, but assume someone else reported them to you?)...Michelle Savoie
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Mon, June 1 - Haro Strait - 20:15-20:30 - Haro Strait, SJI, photographed from shore. 8:15pm - 8:30pm, 2 humpbacks traveling together to the north (up island) between north edge of Hannah Hts. and Edwards Point. Beautiful blows highlighted by the setting sun. Twice I saw the tail fluke of one of the individuals, BCX1251 Orion. -photos by Michelline Halliday, SJI
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17:15 - Two humpbacks passed Hannah Heights (on SJI) about 5:15pm. Interestingly, a harbor porpoise also surfaced one min. before, and about 50 meters in front of, where/when the humpback surfaced. The humpbacks were heading down island. For ID purposes, here is a photo of the larger humpback that passed Hannah Heights (on SJI) at about 5:15pm today. (The second, smaller, whale did not raise its flukes.) [See Photo of the Day for Michael's gorgeous image of BCX1251 Orion] [ID'd by Erin Johns Gless]. -Michael Noonan
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Lime Kiln was the place to be today - Whale Watch Park. Looked like mom and calf. They were cooking. Left them at 16:51 south of Land Bank, trending a bit offshore headed down island. (The one that I thought was little turned out to be Orion.) -video by April Ryan
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16:32 - Just leaving the two humpbacks just north of Lime Kiln Lighthouse. They are headed south down island.
15:53 - Getting close to the county park.
15:29 - Two humpbacks right off of Mitchell's Point at 3:29, headed down island! -James Mead Maya
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Jun 1 - Admiralty Inlet - 18:21 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Grey Whale Reported via SALISH. Master reports one gray whale in the vicinity of Pt. Hudson, heading NB in the SB traffic lanes.
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16:28 - Gray whale in Useless Bay. Now south of Maxwelton traveling south towards Possession Bar and Buoy. -Tim Arnold
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Mon, June 1 - Saratoga Passage - We were treated by seeing 2 Gray Whales June 1 on NAS Whidbey/Crescent Harbor. This Gray was getting all the attention, but as we left, we saw another feeding close to shore as well! Hopefully they are continuing to thrive! -screenshot from video by Erica Montgomery on 6/1/20
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Mon, June 1 - Possession Sound - 11:34 - Chris Field called to report seeing a gray whale while going between Everett and Hat. Whale was ~ 3/4 way to Hat Island traveling south.