May 2022 Whale Sightings

May 31
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Tue, May 31 - Haro Strait (J Pod) - I filmed a lone member of J Pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales in Haro Strait off of Ten Mile Point in Cadboro Bay, Saanich at 7:26 PM, Tuesday, May 31, 2022: [video] -Gerald Graham
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Michelline Halliday Day Report (09:50 – 18:30)
16:13 -18:30, Southbound (direction change was at County Park). A whole bunch of lovely orcas went by, spread out. 18:24, one lone orca, slowly to the southwest. I can barely see the fin but the wind is carrying the sound and I can see the plume of the blows.
12:58 - Southbound (direction change was at Lime Kiln Light). A group of 6, 1 mile south of Landbank, moving offshore, milling, trending southwest.
13:05 - 13:45 - Northbound. A group of 6-7 plus groups of 2, 1/2 mile from shore including J37 Hy'Shqa and her 13 week old calf J59.
11:50 - 12:45 - Northbound (direction change was at Eagle Point). 1 mile south of Landbank traveling past Point Edwards, J19 Shachi, J37 Hy'Shqa and her new calf J59 and later J16 Slick. One young orca breaching but too far in the distance to tell who it was. I saw J31 Tsuchi so the jumper could very well have been J56 Tofino. She loves to jump.
09:50 - Southbound. J-Pod traveling quickly, not rising high out of the water, sporadic surfacing, 1/4 - 1/2 mile offshore, 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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19:02 - [orca] Some coming down past Land Bank less than 1/2 mile offshore.
18:40 - J37s and others passing Land Bank up island over a mile offshore now. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu [WSSJI]
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11:15 - [J pod ]One northbound off False Bay.
09:50 - Echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone - it's sounding like Js stuck around! -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, May 31 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - I filmed a humpback whale (possibly two) off of Oak Bay, BC, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca at 11:14 AM Tuesday, May 31, 2022: [video] -Gerald Graham
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Tue, May 31 - Haro Strait - 21:19 - Two humpbacks 1/2 mile offshore of Land Bank headed up island. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu [WSSJI]
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Tue, May 31 - Central Puget Sound - 07:40 - Humpback whale at Gold Beach on east side of Maury Island. Hugging shoreline, traveling north. -Burt Miller
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Tue, May 31 - Case Inlet - 10:10 - I see a whale - likely a humpback. West side of Herron Island at 10:10. -Nick Wenzel
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, May 31 - N Saratoga Passage/Skagit Bay - 19:11 - Gray whale between Ala Spit and Hope Island; surfaces and breathes 3-4 times, down time about 4-6 minutes. Trending slowly south, southeast. -Amanda Marie Colbert
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15:15 - Gray at the east end of Deception Pass, looks like it may head toward bridge. Headed to Dugualla Bay. -David Kidd
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12:45 - Gray 1440 northbound Upper Saratoga/Mariners’ Cove 12:45 5-31-22. Our usual customer, Gray 2440 “double-hump” just cruised by Mariners’ Cove heading north. It was close to the beach, so I assume it is feeding, but no rolling around and swishing - just a straight path up the beach. It is quite a low tide (-1.5ish) so maybe not as many goodies at the moment. -Marianne Parry
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12:30 - Gray is feeding west of Mariner’s Cove. -Terra Parham
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Tue, May 31 - Saratoga Passage - 15:50 - Gray headed south [from Onamac] toward state park. -Marie Heil
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Tue, May 31 - Port Susan - 07:11 - Report of a gray spouting mid channel between Bretland on Camano and Kayak Point. -John C Storbeck, CWW
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Mike Fox
Date of Sighting: 5/31/2022
Time: 7:10 PM
Species seen: Gray Whale
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Off Camano Island in Port Susan. Lat:48.13645 Long: -122.44273
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Feeding, close in shore
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?: White on fluke of large whale
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Seems like a mother and calf. One is larger and one is smaller
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Tue, May 31 - Possession Sound - 12:05 - Gray Whale 2356 SE of Hat Island. -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express

May 30
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Mon, May 30 - Haro Strait (J Pod) - Having J-Pod here for 10 straight days at the end of May and early June already feels like a dream. They used to be here regularly this time of year, feasting on Fraser River spring Chinook, but as those runs have crashed, the whales have had to go elsewhere in search of the salmon they depend on.
As recently as 2018, J-Pod spent half the month of June in the Salish Sea; go back to 2015 and they were here 25 days of the month. Over the last three years, however, they've only been present two days across the Junes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
We had altered our expectations to not anticipate their presence here again until July, but the fact they stuck around for a while on the last visit has us hopeful that they were finding something here to eat. On June 2, they headed back west out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and all we can do is wait to see when they will make their next appearance, with fingers crossed that it will be sometime in June and that it will be because they are following salmon back in to the Salish Sea. -Monika Wieland Shields - [Posted June 10th]
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Michelline Halliday Day Report (06:30 – 21:04):
06:30 - 06:55 - Early morning, J27 Blackberry was the first orca that I saw, traveling very slowly, milling back and forth trending south, 1 mile south of Landbank. A group of 6 others including J47 Notch, J41 Eclipse and J58 Crescent lay on their sides, backs, just floating; all moving very very slowly.
07:00 - They began to move to the north, activity increasing, gentle fluke lobs, continuing to float on their backs. J26 Mike and a group of 3 approach Point Edwards very close to shore until out of sight to the north.
08:37 - J-Pod southbound in the rain, They are farther out and moving quickly, 1 mile south of Landbank.
11:26 - 13:30 - Leader northbound. Soundwatch and Fish And Wildlife Police arrive. F&W Police used a siren to get vessels to slow down. Soundwatch was able to move along the side of vessels, talk to them and direct them away. One vessel ignored the warnings and was stopped twice by both F&W Police and Soundwatch. At 12:10 J59 traveled by with her mother J37 and a separate group were rubbing against each other's flanks. At 12:30 J26 Mike was seen and the trailing orca was lone J27 Blackberry.
19:15 - Leaders southbound, passing Point Edwards. At 19:22 J16 Slick and J42 Echo headed straight in passing within 100' of the shoreline. One quick pass and they move back out and away, southbound.
19:46 - 10 have traveled to the south out of view but 4-5 circled back, milling, trending south, 1.5 miles south of Landbank.
20:05 - From the north, 13 week old J59 is bouncing ahead of her mom J37 Hy'Shqa. She is traveling very fast but when Mom catches up they slow way down traveling out of sight to the south.
20:37 - J37 Hy'Shqa and J59 reappear traveling north, then 2 more spaced behind them.
20:55 - 10 -12 J-Pod members traveling northbound stretching all along my field of vision. (The remainder were to the north, just south of Lime Kiln Lighthouse).
21:04 - J-Pod is out of sight to the north except for 2 lingering in the sunset far off shore near Point Edwards. Photographs taken from shore. cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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Thu May 30 - Haro Strait (J Pod) - Some hearings via Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones
23:55 - [orca] Definite singing, clicking/tapping sound who is that them? -Liz Myhre
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23:33 - [orca] Consistent calling right now at Haro Strait. -Mike Poremba
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23:01 - [orca] Js have been getting louder on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Orca Network
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23:00 - [orca] Still going strong right now. -Wendi Levy
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22:50 - [orca] Incredibly loud. -Alex Steiner
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22:33 - [orca] Very loud!! -Laurine Barber
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22:18 - [orca] They are also still audible on the Lime Kiln hydrophone. It’s been an epic day on the webcam! -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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24:43 - [orca] Still hearing faint calls on Lime Kiln.
23:28 - [orca] Still hearing calls on both OrcaSound and Lime Kiln phones. 90 minutes so far and still calls through the ship noise. That doesn't sound like traveling through, it sounds more like a gathering and socializing, like a superpod or some kind of party.
22:18 - [orca] Still hearing faint scattered calls on Orcasound Lab. -Howard Garrett Orca Network,
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22:10 - [orca] I hear lots of vocalizations! They sound a little far but my kids were able to hear! -Jennifer Ralstin
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22:10 - [orca] Faint vocalizations. -Lauren Ridenour
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22:00 - [orca] Faint vocalizations and clicks. -Marcia Bakkom
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21:54 - [orca] Heard a little squeak. -KC Crowell
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21:46 - [orca] Have been hearing a few calls on OrcaSound at the OrcaSound lab (NW San Juan Island) beginning at around 9:30 pm, off and on. Tune in at the link below, we may hear a few more as J pod was headed north up the west side of San Juan Island. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, May 30 - Sooke (T023s) - Today...minutes from our docks we had the pleasure to visit Biggs / Transient Killer whales (T023's) right out front of Sooke, B.C. -Paul Pudwell
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Thu, May 30 – (T030Bs, T172, and at least some members of the T146s) - “Mark and Brendon were returning from an afternoon whale watching trip after sighting an uncommon group of killer whales close to Victoria consisting of the T030Bs, T172, and at least some members of the T146s, when the decision was made to confirm if all of the T146s were present. The T146s are infrequent visitors to the Salish Sea, having most often been encountered near Haida Gwaii and on the outer coast…” -Excerpt from Center of Whale Research Encounter 30
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Mon, May 30 – Puget Sound (T64Bs and T65As) - 21:00 - [orca] Very hard to tell from how far away we were. One male started to head north on Whidbey side of Possession Sound but changed directions and went under. Haven't seen them for 15 mins. Wonder if they headed up the west side of Whidbey. -Amy Booker
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20:42 - Can see orcas between buoy and Possession Point with our binoculars from Lighthouse Park.
20:25 - Porpoises passed Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. -Joe Dreimiller
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20:58 - [orca] Spyhops, tail slaps, breaching! Slowly trending north again. Straight out from Chennault beach.
20:36 - [orca] They’re milling around just in front of my house. There were a lot of porpoises out here earlier.
19:55 - [orca] Slowly bobbing into possession sound northbound. I feel like I’m watching them in slow motion. Separated into two groups. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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19:55 - [orca] Approaching Possession Beach Park, Whidbey side of the channel. -Dori Dace
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18:34 - [orca] We saw one or two north of Apple Tree from Sunset Ave in Edmonds. On the west side of the channel. -Heidi Winters
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19:57 - Now seeing T65A2 and a few others more mid-channel but same distance north of here. Line of sight Sunset Ave to the middle of Hat/Gedney. T65A2 and another are milling back and forth, but still overall NB travel.
19:53 - [orca] They’re exiting my range. Watching them swim NB directly away from me. Line of sight from Edmonds sunset Ave to Glendale on Whidbey. Guessing they might be out from Picnic Point area.
19:12 - We are seeing T65A2 heading slowly almost straight ENE toward browns bay. [Map shared approx. 47.84274,-122.35759].
19:06 - [orca] Viewing from sunset Ave. They’re heading NE aiming toward Possession.
18:21 - [orca] NB in the Edmonds ferry lane. East of midchannel. T65A2 trailing the rest of the group and further east. Another group further north off Apple Tree. [map shared approx. 47.88316,122.42076].
17:40 - T65A2 NB about 200-300 yards NE of RB yellow buoy. Still long downtimes. Others are about halfway between the mainland and midchannel line of sight from Richmond Beach looking to Point Jefferson.
17:07 - [orca] This is the most elusive behavior I’ve ever seen. Last surfacing about 15 min ago NB and further NE closer to Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
16:45 - [orca] Still same area, midchannel. Lots of direction changes. No dedicated direction of travel at this time, but last surfacing was southbound. 5+ min downtimes.
16:26 - [orca] At least 6 in that same area. Still northbound. Line of sight Richmond Beach Saltwater Park to Fay Bainbridge.
16:18 - [orca] One male seen heading east north in midchannel or slightly west of. Viewing from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park to Fay Bainbridge. -Ariel Yseth
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16:09 - [orca] One of the pods has been hanging around just north of Bainbridge Island east of Point Monroe closer to Bainbridge than mid-channel. I think it's the pod that came up from near Blake but not sure, saw the other pod mid-channel as Mitch mentioned around half hour ago. -David Smith
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17:10 - [orca] There was one that is WAY larger than the rest. About 2 hours ago, [15:45] just north of Shilshole. Mid channel. (Tamara Kelley: ""That’s T65A2 Ooxjaa. He’s a sprouting male).
15:45 - [orca] 2 pods heading north past Shilshole. One west channel. One mid-channel. -Mitch Boyer
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15:18 - Orca off Yeomalt Point on Bainbridge Then speed it along mid-channel towards Discovery Park heading north. -Kathleen Paulsson
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15:08 - Viewing from Discovery Park, [orcas] by small vessel, mid/west channel moving slowly NB, now passing by big blue and white ship. -Alice Pearson Rickenbach
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15:06 - [orca] Back down again 1.5 miles south of Discovery Park headed straight towards the lighthouse. Just popped up 200 yds from us.
14:51 - [orca] 1/2 way between Alki and Discovery Park. Ferry just slowed for them. Submerged for about 5 minutes so may have changed direction. Back up Northbound slowly. T64Bs & T65As northbound outer Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle -Brian Hortelius
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At 14:40 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: whales orca 1428 WENATCHEE Master reports 2 orca 1/2 mile E of Tyee buoy headed north.
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14:33 - [orca] Seeing them just off of Blakely Harbor now. Four whales slowly trending northbound. -Craig Smith McMaster
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14:23 - [orca] North of Blakely rocks south of Eagle Harbor NB mid-channel view from 64th and Alki. Milling now. One Male, 4 smaller orcas. 5 total. -Mary Hartmann
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14:08 - T65As off Restoration Point seen from Constellation Park in west…Saw one large orca and 4 smaller ones. -Robin Sinner
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13:40 - [orca] Seeing them from the south end of Constellation Park, about halfway to Tillicum Village. They seem to be taking longer dives in between surfacing. -Brian-Nicole Jenkins
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13:45 - 3-4 orcas north of Blake Island tip (right where 1-2 boats are), closer to Blake than W Seattle. Headed north moderate pace.
13:39 - [orca] Just saw one dorsal passing the Tillicum lodge. -Russ Mann
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14:10 - [orca] Still northbound at Restoration Point west of Tango (yellow) buoy.,
13:27 - [orca] Watching from Emma Schmitz, they have passed the Southworth ferry dock and look like they might be pointed to go west of Blake Island. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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13:27 - [orca] East of Blake Island passing Tillicum village- northbound. -Jennifer Farley
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At 13:04 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: KITTITAS Spots a Pod of 7, 5/30 Log entry 1258hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting a pod of 7 orca whales heading northbound in the TSS between VASH>FAU.
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12:56 - [orca] Very close to Vashon ferry dock viewing from West Seattle 98th St beach. Heading NB. -MaryJean Moretti Mariano
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13:00 - [orca] Seem to be headed straight to Alki NB.
12:40 - [orca] Almost to Vashon/Fauntleroy Ferry. NB. -Brian Hollomon
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12:45 - [orca] 5 or so in tight cluster NB from Dilworth. -Jen Huntley
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12:02 - [orca] Spotted a few dorsal fins from Seahurst Park in Burien. They are pretty close to Vashon, being followed by the Clipper. -Michael Banet
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12:53 - [orca] They have committed to the east side of Blake.
12:48 - [orca] They have picked up pace and are quickly NB, north of the Vashon ferry terminal angled toward Blake Island.
12:42 - [orca] From my vantage point directly beside the ferry terminal, surfacing between the two white boats.
12:49 - [orca] South of the Vashon ferry terminal. NB. 3 rec boats have been traveling with them (2 white, one darker color).
11:46 - [orca] Now north of the yellow channel marker, NB.
11:41- [orca] Now within sight here in Burien. Orcas are south of us but trending NB. -Orca Conservancy
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11:40 - [orca] They stopped to eat a seal and are now slowly pointed north.
11:27 - [orca] Some of them caught a seal and are circling on the meal just north of my last map post.
10:40 - T65As and T64Bs are still northbound where my map shows. They are very spread out. [map shared approx. 47.43962,-122.40901]. -Bart Rulon
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11:18 - [orca] Watching from the tip of Three Tree. Just hanging it on the south side now. now.
10:25 - [orca] I can see them approaching Point Heyer. I’m at SWSP still. -Jeffrey Strander
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11:34 - [orca] Pod is slowly moving NB near the yellow buoy of Three Point.
10:59 - [orca] Splashing near the end of Maury and beginning of Vashon. Counting 5 orcas. Viewing from Southside of Three Tree. Whaleboat still trailing.
10:50 - [orca] looks like they turned south, slow pace. Back by Maury. Whale watching boat trailing.
10:34 - NB orcas mid-channel. Viewing from Southside Three Tree Point. Porpoise parade continues. More NB.
10:30 - Huge school of porpoises NB 50+ inside buoy line. Guessing they hear the orcas. Viewing from the southside of Three Tree Point.
10:05 - NB orcas at Point Robinson headed toward De Moines. Too far to get numbers. -Sandhya Ballal
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Encounter report Marla Smith: …On the 30th though, under quiet calm waters he was able to totally sneak past me at Point Robinson, that stealthy little stinker. Caught the rest of his family though, with those lovely backlit blows rising from the morning haze. As soon as they passed, I did a quick head count and was anxiously looking to the south for Amira as he's been the flusher lately but didn't see anything. Swung my lens to the north to scan and caught him waaaay up towards the channel buoy, at least a mile ahead, angling to the Island side. It was game on then to try to get ahead of him, and we waited at the north end of the Island until sure enough, he methodically passed us. Rising for 3 sets of breaths, then down for 8 -10 minutes, then up for three more, then disappeared into the horizon line, all by his lonesome. His set of pics from the north end are at the end of the 5/30 gallery. Never a dull moment with that matriline, they are so fascinating!
11:40 - Sneaky mcSneakerson! finally caught up with T65A3. He snuck past me at Point Robinson, but is now passing Glen Acres, island side of channel, close in, all by himself.
10:14 - All have cleared Point Robinson, T65A’s and company, mid-channel to island side, beautiful backlit breaths in calm waters. Steady northbound, loosely grouped, T65A3 way ahead of everyone by himself closer to island side.
09:51- [orca] Pod(s) just south of Point Robinson mid-channel slowly northbound. -Marla Smith - photos by Marla Smith, May 30, 2022
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08:55 - The three orcas swung past Dash Point and then headed over toward Maury Island. We saw them clearly. Looked like two adults and a juvenile. -Attina Tony Bergrud
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08:52 - Susan Ramos called to report who they believe is at least 3 orcas seen from their place front of Brown’s Point lighthouse. The pod was distant so they cannot be certain orcas, but is the only animal that fits the size, larger than porpoise. Heading northbound from Commencement Bay/Brown’s towards Burien/Federal Way. They saw the whales at 08:30. She said does have distant video, and thought it appeared more orca-like behavior than any other and was a pod. (Reviewed distant cell video, and just see one surface, but does appear to be orca - alb).
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Mon, May 30 (Note: time/location doesn't match up with main group (64Bs & 65As) on this day )
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Josef Cea
Date of Sighting: 5/30/2022
Time: 12:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Where seen: Point Ruston
Behaviors observed: Traveling towards Port of Tacoma
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I was dining at the Wildfin Restaurant when they swam past me quickly. Unfortunately, no details further to say other than they were really out in the water.
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, May 30 - North Puget Sound
20:29 - [humpback] They have headed south now again and are almost out of sight from Bush Point.
19:58 - They must be finding food - definitely hanging out between the lighthouse and the boat launch, back and forth.
19:11 - [humpback] They are around the rip, up and down, back and forth. Looks like they must be feeding. Moving south now.
19:00 - Looks like humpbacks off Bush Point, at least 2, straight out, not quite in the middle. They were heading north but have turned south again. -Camille Hartley
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Mon, May 30th - Puget Sound - 20:45 - [humpback] Passing by Salmon Beach currently. -Jack Sasser
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16:25 - [humpback] Full breach between old town and Browns Point Marina. -Ed Rickert
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15:43 - [humpback] Just saw it dive right in front of the sailboat. Just went right under us in the bathtub [boat].
15:01 - [humpback] Circling blue and grey cargo ship. -Austin Andrew Forbes
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14:27 - [humpback] Still heading east into the port, passed Jack Hyde.
14:19 - [humpback] Closer to Tacoma side now.
14:10 - [humpback] Spotted from Jack Hyde on Browns Point side west of lighthouse near big container ship. -Jenelle Walter
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12:45 - [humpback] Kata (bcy1218) is southeast bound into Commencement Bay. [map shared approx. 47.29848,-122.47291]. -Bart Rulon
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12:37 - Ava and I saw this beautiful Humpback. We noticed a whale watching boat over by Vashon when we parked the car next to the Point Defiance Marina, so I didn't have my camera out. As we walked I saw him come up right in front of Owen Beach. Got my camera out and saw it come up 4 times swimming fast very near the shoreline, I was shaking with excitement . That was it. We moved to Point Ruston but didn't see it again. It was so close that Ava even saw and heard him breathe. Beautiful! She it let out a “WOW, ITS A HOOP-BACK” (I adore how she pronounces humpback)º. -Desiree Sauve
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12:15 - single large whale close to the Point Defiance ferry terminal. Probably the humpback but never saw the body. -Phil Clapham
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12:00 - [humpback] Spotted from Owen Beach promenade, 12:00 heading southeast toward Point Defiance Marina, about 150 yards from shore. -Gabi Streiff McKenzie
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13:29 - [humpback] Close pass near Dune.
12:20 - [humpback] Heading into Commencement Bay. City side.
12:10 - [humpback] Right in front of Dune heading east, like right in front.
11:27 - [humpback] Heading back west on the east side of Vashon ferry terminal. From Dune Peninsula.
10:47 - [humpback] Heading east just on the west side of ferry terminal, Vashon side. -Jeffrey Simmons
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09:30 - [humpback] Spotted a Fluke mid-channel of Dalco Passage! Haven’t seen him pop up again. -Liz Adamack
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10:49 - [humpback] Kata heading east past container ship near Quartermaster viewing from Owens beach.
09:30 - Humpback is heading west on Vashon Island side just past ferry dock. Viewing from Owens beach promenade. -Cherie St.Ours
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08:02 - [humpback] It’s head towards the ferry now.
07:55 - Hi! I am watching the humpback at the southwestern tip of Vashon right now. Have seen its flukes a few times. It is staying in the same vicinity, close to the Vashon side. Viewing from the very end of Owen Beach. -Sally Milligan-Smith
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07:57 - Heading east along southern Vashon shore.
07:50 - Humpback off the southwest tip of Vashon. No direction really. -Amber Stanfill
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Mon, May 30 - South Puget Sound - 09:00 - [humpback] Peale Passage, centered between Harstine and Squaxin, milling around having breakfast. -Calypso Maritime
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, May 30 - East of Deception Pass
Name: Saul Phillips
Date of Sighting: 5/30/2022
Time: 5:50 PM
Species seen: Likely a gray whale and perhaps also a calf
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: In a bay close to shore near 48.4207017, -122.6092153
Direction of travel : Circling the bay until disappearing; final direction uncertain
Behaviors observed: Seemed to be hunting.
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Mon, May 30 - N Saratoga Passage - 20:25 - Gray (2440?) [confirmed-alb] feeding at Mariners' Cove/Whidbey, northbound 20:25 5/30/22: Just caught sight of a gray feeding northbound past Mariners’ Cove – yay! I didn’t see it until it was almost of sight (dang, it snuck by me!), but snapped a couple of photos. It’s a very familiar looking fin/fluke, which I’m pretty sure is 2440 but I’m getting a couple of these cuties mixed up so don’t trust me on this one. I usually rely on the double-hump for 2440 but I didn’t see a spout this time. -Marianne Parry
Fluke tip of CRC2440 - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photo by Marianne Parry, May 30, 2022
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Hope you are well! This Gray Whale showed up in our neighborhood (Oak Harbor, WA) this Memorial Day. It certainly likes to raise its head out of the water! Any idea who it might be? Thank you! Here are some additional shots of this evening's visitor. -Greg & Terra Parham
Gray whale CRC2440 feeding in north Saratoga Passage - ID: Orca Network - photos by Terra & Greg Parham, May 30, 2022
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09:30 - Gray passing Mariners' Cove/Whidbey northbound, 9:30 5/30/22. A gray just cruised by Mariners’ Cove heading north. It’s definitely on the move, and I can’t tell if it’s feeding at all – straight path up the beach, a tiny bit further out in the water than when they are close in and feeding, but not by much. I took a few photos, so I’ll send them soon....Here are photos from this morning’s gray sighting. If you zoom in, it’s pretty clear that it’s 2440 “Double-hump”. I also see a white patch on the back edge of the first knuckle that I had not noticed before, but it’s possible I never had a good photo of that far down its back. Have a lovely Memorial Day! -Marianne Parry
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Mon, May 30 – Port Susan
09:37 - Port Susan Shackleton CRC 21 is now logging midchannel off Bretland, getting some rest as the tide goes out.
07:08 - 4 Grays being tracked in Port Susan. 2 are at Country Club Beach 1 and 2 on Camano eating, Shackleton and another Gray are off Mid Tyee Beach Camano Island heading south at 3.8 mph about 1000 yds of shore, first spotted at North Tillicum Beach. -John Storbeck
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Mon, May 30 – Possession Sound - 10:24 - Grey whale passing close into the Clinton ferry dock heading south. -Danielle Pennington
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MINKE WHALES - Mon, May 30 (reported as minke, probably humpback -alb)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Naja Di Pilla
Date of Sighting: Monday, May 30, 2022
Time of Sighting: Approximately 1530
Where seen (location of animals and latitude/longitude if possible): Approximately 47deg 16.496’N 122deg 26.589’ W Next to anchored freighter near Foss Waterway
Direction of travel (N, S, E, SW, etc) & pace?: E
Behaviors observed (traveling, milling, hunting, etc): Three surfaces and a dive showing just showing flukes
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: No pictures sorry

May 29
Sun, May 29 - two minkes(?) spent a couple of hours scouring Birch Bay 6 PM to 8 PM...2 small boats appeared and tried to get close, but the minkes kept a good distance. (grays have been reported in Birch Bay recently - alb) -Bette Fineman
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SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Sun, May 29 - Boundary Pass/Haro Strait (J Pod) - 22:54 - [orca] Echolocation on OrcaSound. -Meg Sellers [WSSJI]
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21:16 - Watched some of Js head around Turn Point heading south! -Kath Durant [WSSJI]
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23:09 - [orca] I just heard a few calls on the Lime Kiln array.
19:00 - J Pod was heading down Boundary Pass. -John Boyd
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, May 29 - Strait of Georgia - 13:10 - Orcas heading north, west side of Sucia. ID’d as T123s and T75Bs by Ellie Sawyer. -Roxane Jackson Johnson [WSSJI?]
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Sun, May 29 - Saratoga Passage (T64Bs & T65As, T23, T23D & T23D3)
19:09 - [orca] Whales southbound. From Marina Beach looking to yellow midchannel marker off Point Jefferson.
18:46 - [orca] Steady southbound travel midchannel between Marina Beach and Kingston. Weather has cleared up making it easier to spot.
18:35 - [orca] Southbound travel now, looks like they’ve moved slightly further west toward the shipping lanes. Line of sight is Edmonds Marina to Apple Cove Point.
17:48 - Watching from Edmonds fishing pier. They are east of midchannel just north of ferry lane. Seem stalled, tail slapping from a big male (probably 65A2). -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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17:00 - Chilkat departing T65As and T64Bs, 1.5 miles south of Possession Point, pointed to Kingston. Very spread. -Christopher Lewman, Puget Sound Express
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16:10 - [orca] Passing Chennault Beach southbound. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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At 15:58 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Whales Orca 1550 ISSAQUAH Master reports 3 orca southbound between CLIN/MUK ferry route.
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15:45 - [orca] They are really spread out now southbound just south of the Muk/Clinton ferry lanes, mostly on the Mukilteo side now.
15:28 - T65As and T64Bs are slowly southbound now after milling on a meal south of Hat Island. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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15:00 - [orca] Viewing from the southern tip of Hat Island. Heading southbound toward Clinton at a good clip. Long down times but breaching, tail slapping and porpoising when they surface. Now midchannel. -Sarah Sadid
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15:11 - [orca] They are kind of spread out with some heading north and some heading south.
14:50 - [orca] One big male at the corner of northwest Hat Island continuing towards Clinton.
14:43 - [orca] Just starting to see blows from the Clinton ferry terminal viewing north. They are continuing south mid channel. -Danielle Pennington
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14:00 - [orca] Across from Village Pizzeria over on Camano side near Pebble Beach southbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:46 - [orca] We just left Camano Island state park and they were over by Langley. -Jennifer Ralstin
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At 12:57 Jim Husting called with his first ever report. He’s seeing a pod of at least 5 orcas in Saratoga Passage. He’s on Breezy Point Lane, between the two state parks looking out over Saratoga Passage and Baby Island. Pod is just swimming, heading southbound.
*
12:22 - Victoria clipper cut its engine, orcas around and south of it. Closer on Camano side north of Cama Beach State Park about a half mile or more. I’m viewing from Hidden Beach. They are southbound. -Kristi Etzell
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11:55 - [orca] Heading back to Onomac now, southbound. Long downtimes.
11:45 - [orca] They just turned south again.
11:15 - [orca] Passing Eagle Crest now; Northbound, porpoising with 2-3 minute downtimes. -Kristina Trowbridge
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11:54 - [orca] Heading south just passed Onamac Point.
11:04 - [orca] Heading north now. South of Onamac Point.
10:57 - Saratoga passage mid channel. At least 5 Orcas on a hunt so specific direction. Saratoga on scene. -Marie Heil
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12:15 - The T23 pod split off from the T65As and T64Bs. The T23s likely went north, and the others are still southbound from my last map.
12:09 – [orca] Updated location southbound [approx. 48.174893, -122.540501].
11:02 - [orca] They are now northbound.
10:55 - Circling on a meal. T65A Pod is here at least. T64Bs too. T23 is with the T65As and T64Bs. T23D and T23D3 here too.
10:45 - Orcas southbound in Saratoga passage. [approx. 48.1836688, -122.5519602] -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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Sun, May 29 - Sunshine Coast
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Molly Borritt
Date of Sighting: 5/29/2022
Time: 8:10 PM
Species seen: Orca (black fin, straight, seen with binoculars)
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Swimming up shoal channel from Soames Point towards Gibsons
Direction of travel : SW (I think, see above) moderate pace?
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes/maybe? Straight, tall dorsal fin
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, May 29 - Possession Sound - 15:17 - Humpback just surfaced at the south [Clinton] ferry terminal twice. -Danielle Pennington
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Sun, May 29 - Port Madison Bay - 09:17 - [humpback] We just encountered a large whale in Port Madison Bay. It was breaching and being very active! It’s heading in the direction of Agate passage. -Stephanie Woody
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Sun, May 29 - Central Puget Sound
14:58 - Just saw Kata [BCY1218] in between Maury and Dash Point breaching and several times and several tail slaps viewing from Owens Beach promenade.
12:04 - [humpback] Just looked in front of Quartermaster Harbor near container ship look like heading east. -Cherie St.Ours
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11:40 - [humpback] Just fluked off of Owen headed southwest on a mission. -Jeffrey Simmons
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11:20 - One humpback still spending time between Dune Peninsula and Quartermaster Harbor. Saw 2 nice breaches. -Charlie Wright
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11:20 - [humpback] Breaching between ferry route and anchored freighter.
10:45 - [humpback] One still off Dune Park in front of the anchored freighter. Just was on surface breathing a few times and then tail flukes! -Theresa Mitchell
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09:51 - [humpback] Definitely 2 whales then. Still watching from Owen. Milling around Dune mid channel. -Katie Crepeau
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09:26 - [humpback] Milling out in front of the Tacoma yacht club.
08:54 - [humpback] Direction change heading west back toward the ferry lanes in Dalco Passage.
08:40 - [humpback] Just saw it fluke from Dune Peninsula, direction looked east, and it had just passed the ferry lanes. About mid channel in Dalco at the time. -Brooke Casanova
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At 08:32 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: CHETZEMOKA@0830 C.M reports an unidentified single whale near the Point Defiance terminal. [humpback]
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07:09 - Humpback at Owen Beach near the western point. Seems to be milling about rather than traveling. -Aura Mae - BCY1218 Kata keeping presence in Dalco Passage - ID: Orca Network - photo by Aura Mae, May 29, 2022
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Sun, May 29 - South Puget Sound - 19:00 - Two humpbacks in Case Inlet, heading north towards north end of Harstine. -Jerilyn Evans
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09:51 - [humpback] There are two hanging out mid channel in front of parked train south of bridge.
09:37 - Humpback heading south of Narrows Bridge. -Bergitta Trelstad
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09:30 - I’ve been watching a humpback milling around just south of the west tower of the Narrows Bridge for about 45 min. Watching from Day Island. Might have been two. Last I saw they were headed northbound slowly. -Karen Caldwell
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, May 29 - ~14:30 - At 16:52 received a call (no name included) of report of a gray whale going toward Penn Cove about 2/5 hours ago.

May 28
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Sat, May 28 - Haro Strait (J pod) - 15:00 - Whales southbound at Smugglers Cove (@3pm) -Fred Felleman
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13:09 - They are milling at landbank.
13:06 - Group including J39 and J31 and J19s just went north past landbank. J36 as well -Ariel Yseth [WSSJI]
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13:30 - A few more groups from the south traveling north until all of the J-Pod members out of sight. Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged.
13:26 - Northbound J22 Oreo traveling right next to J35 Tahlequah with J57 Phoenix between them. J57 looks big, sturdy, beautiful.
13:08 - J38 Cookie traveled north out of sight past Point Edwards.
11:13 - 11:58 - Direction change - J-pod members who had been milling and foraging turned south after being joined by some members coming from the north. The huge whoosh and bellows of a humpback bringing up the rear. The humpback was identified as BCY0893 "Windy" by Tasli Shaw. All members of J-Pod out of sight to the south. Soundwatch was present and doing an admirable job of keeping recreational vessels from speeding and/or getting too close to J-Pod.
11:05 - J37 Hy'Shqa with her 13-week-old baby girl, J59, stopped their travels to have a rest and play session. J59 swam upside down belly up, practiced fluke lobs and lunges. It was beautiful to watch the relationship between mother and child.
10:10 - Direction change - (J-Pod turned back north around 09:00 at Eagle Cove). J-Pod leader appeared at 10:10 and I could hear more blows to the south and soon 5 orcas, milling, 1 mile south of Landbank.
07:18 - 07:40 - A rough count of 10-12 members of J-Pod, spread out, 1/3 to 1/2 mile from shore, traveling quickly south, 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. J19 Shachi was the only orca to come in close enough for me to ID. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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New J pod calf J59, J35, J57, J22 Haro Strait, J19 Haro Strait, -photos by Michelline Halliday, May 28, 2022. - 13-week-old J59 swimming upside down and practicing lunges. She even tries a little slap of her fluke. You can see how quick she is, darting away from her Mom. Filmed from shore, 1 mile south of Landbank at 11:10. -Video by Michelline Halliday, May 28, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Martin Sleeman
Date of Sighting: 5/28/2022
Time: 3:15:0 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: 48.568, -123.174
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: 2 breaches
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - (mammal-eating ecotype) - Sat, May 28 - Quadra Island. - T090’s first seen in Hole in the Wall at 10:39 am May 28/2022 breaching, may have just finished a seal hunt. They traveled south and we picked them up again just off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island. Last seen at 1:52 pm. Photo credit Ella Smiley Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings -Nicky Smiley
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Sat, May 28 – Haro Strait - Today we had the pleasure to catch up with Biggs / Transient Killer Whales (T065B's & T075B's) in Haro Strait. We also had a wonderful backdrop of sailboats everywhere competing in the Swiftsure Race. -Paul Pudwell
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Sat, May 28 - San Juans- …We arrived on scene at 1701 about midway up President Channel. T2B, the T60s, and the T109Cs (nine animals total) were traveling slowly up the Orcas Island side of President Channel. We had heard that the T65Bs and T75Bs were traveling north off the west side of Waldron at the same time and that the T123s had also passed north through the area earlier. Around 1750, as our group was passing Point Doughty on Orcas Island, we began seeing the boats watching the T65Bs and T75Bs as they rounded Skipjack and Bare Islands…. Michael spotted some more whales to the north of us in the direction of Patos Island. We wondered if this was the T123s who had been seen earlier in the afternoon… -Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 29
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Sat, May 28 - Admiralty Inlet - 18:48 - 3 orcas just passed Bush Point. Southbound. About 35 yards offshore. Surfaced multiple times then stayed under. -Gregory Roeben
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Sat, May 28 – North Puget Sound (T64Bs and T65As) - 16:45 - Solo orca spotted near Bells Beach headed north, not quite mid-channel. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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16:15 - [orca] North of Sandy Point. Will be passing Langley soon. Long down times. -Tiffany Jo Cheyann Waldner
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17:15 – [orca] Spread out across passage with 2, one being youngster across towards Camano State Park/Cam side of mid-channel 2 about 1/2 mile back in line with Elger Bay mid-channel and T65A2 closer to Whidbey in line with Camano State Park NB.
16:05 – [orca] Have turned into Saratoga Passage. NB. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:47 - [orca] Viewing from Hat Island, still moving through the channel northbound with the Saratoga. Closer to the Whidbey side. -Sarah Sadid
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15:16 - [orca] Confirmed passing between Whidbey and hat island. Mid channel maybe a little closer to hat island. Continuing north at a pretty good clip. Saratoga is on scene.
15:13 - [orca] Parallel to the end of the Clinton ferry slip. Look to be passing between Hat and Whidbey.
15:07 - Orcas passing the Clinton ferry dock heading north. -Danielle Pennington
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14:33 - At least 4 orcas south end of Whidbey, mid-channel, heading north towards Whidbey. Heading towards Mukilteo and Clinton. At least one male with them and kind of spread out. -Suzanne McKetta
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15:48 - T65A2 is the closest to Whidbey about a mile south of Sandy Point northbound. All of them are very spread out.
15:15 - T65A3, T64B and T64B1 are northwest bound near southeast Hat Island aiming towards Sandy Point. Others are spread out at a distance.
13:30 - T65As and T64Bs are at Possession Bar northwest bound aiming towards Possession Sound. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. -Bart Rulon
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jeff Stone
Date of Sighting: 5/28/2022
Time: 12:10 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Off Maxwelton Beach on Whidbey Island. Inside Useless Bay
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling, playing
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?: Very large dorsal one, the rest were significantly smaller
Photos available?: No
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11:45 - Amy Wheeler called once home and back with service to report that she and her wife observed a pod of approx. 6 orcas out from Maxwelton, Whidbey in general heading northbound from 11:45-12:45. Out in channel but more in Whidbey side and getting closer to as they moved north. Mix of ages, with one whale trailing behind making directional changes.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat May 28 - Haro Strait
11:15 - A humpback traveling in the midst of J-Pod about 1/3 mile from shore 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve. The orcas were spread out and the humpback traveled very slowly, gracefully surfacing many times, each time with a huge whoosh and bellow. Tasli Shaw identified the humpback as BCY0893 "Windy". Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -photos by Michelline Halliday, SJI
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Sat May 28 - Admiralty Inlet - At 15:22 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: 1517 hrs. Salish Master reports 1 humpback whale 6/10 mile off Pt. Hudson, southbound.
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Sat, May 28th – Possession Sound - 10:40 - Humpback Everett Navy Yard. Heading north. Saw a full breach. -Cari Morgan Chapel
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11:10 – [humpback] Whale is moving west, halfway between Hat Island and Everett Navy Base.
10:33 - [humpback] Nice breaches and peck slaps in front of Harborview Park. -Greg Heiss
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Morning of May 28 - humpback sighted just off Harborview Park in Everett heading North. Breached multiple times in just a few minutes. -Gary Martin
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09:32 - Humpback or grey whale just south of Mukilteo ferry terminal. Think humpback. -Larry Benesh
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Sat, May 28th – North Puget Sound
17:40 - [humpback] Straight out from Haines Wharf Park. Milling now with long downtimes.
16:50 - Humpbacks are approaching Edmonds pier. There’s a female (I’m assuming) and calf and that calf is just pure playful joy.
16:11 - Humpback off Point Wells, still northbound. -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound - photos by Sara Montour Lewis, May 28, 2022
ID update on two humpbacks photographed by Sara Montour Lewis which were included in our last sighting report (dated June 5) per post by Tasli Shaw on Humpback Whale of the Salish Sea:
“Two young whales, both born in 2021 to well known Salish Sea mothers, have been spotted together in Puget Sound.
These photos from Konnor Kurilla and Sara Lewis (Our Wild Puget Sound) show Malachite (BCX1210's 2021 calf) and yet-to-be-nicknamed BCX1333's 2021 calf interacting near Edmonds, Washington.
These youngsters have both found their way back to the waters their mothers brought them as calfs, and they will both put the skills they learned last year to the test as they face the world without their mothers.”
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At 17:08 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed:1653 hrs. PUYALLUP Master reports 1 humpback whale outside of EDM harbor southbound.
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15:00 - just saw humpback whale off Richmond Beach Saltwater Park heading North. -Rene Davis Benton
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12:26 -12:28 - Humpback surfaced out from Brown’s Bay, Edmonds facing east then shallow dive. Came Up again at 12:28 and sounded facing NE. Distant but can see partial white fluke.
12:10 - Spotted the Edmonds humpback northbound approx. one mile north of ferry terminal about 1/4 mile offshore. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:40 - Brianna Bjolstad called to report Baleen whale off Olympic Beach, Edmonds ( between pier and ferry terminal). Saw fin and spout. Whale was offshore and appeared to be heading northbound at that time.
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09:20 - Apparent sub-adult Humpback Whale just north of Discovery Park in Seattle, heading northeast. Whale was approximately here: (47.6903473, -122.4519278). I have photos of the dorsal but haven’t seen flukes. -Raphael Fennimore
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07:49 - WALLA WALLA @0749 - Master reports single Humpback near Alki and Duwamish head. [no direction provided] -Donna Sander, WSF Marine Ops
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, May 28 - Saratoga Passage - 18:00 - Gray feeding at Mariners' Cove, 18:00ish: I didn’t see this personally, but a neighbor a few houses up the beach from me posted on nextdoor that a gray had stopped by at dinnertime tonight. She gave me permission to send you her photos (screenshot below). It looks like 2440 “double-hump” to me, but not totally sure. Nice to see the grays aren’t all gone quite yet. Have a nice evening! Go Grays! -Marianne Parry
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Late Saturday afternoon, 5/28. Gray whale, very close to shore, rolling in the sand flats at Hunskor Hill Ln, just east of Mariners Cove. Went down the coast to east towards Deception Pass for a while before we lost sight. -Best, Paula Despins
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photo by Paula Despins, May 28, 2022
Name: Andy Zabel
Date of Sighting: 5/28/2022
Time: 11:00 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Whidbey, Harrington Lagoon
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 20-25 feet offshore. Young gray whale. Poking its head up and swimming along the shore. Multiple breaches and changes of direction. Spectacular. We didn’t believe our 6 year old when he said he saw a whale. He was right.
CRC2440 off Harrington Lagoon, Whidbey Island - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photo by Andy Zabel, May 28, 2022
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06:45 - Saw a single grey whale very close to shore around Race Lagoon. It was slowly heading south although it appeared to be feeding. -Randy Zimmerman Furnas
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Sat, May 28th – Port Susan - 16:45 - Gray whale CRC56 was feeding along the shallows of the Stillaguamish River Delta north of Kayak Point. -Bart Rulon
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sat, May 28 - Hi - I live on the NE end of Bainbridge Island, close to Fay Bainbridge park. My house sitter is convinced that he saw a gray whale in front of our place yesterday evening, May 28 (around 8:15 pm). I know there are gray whales up near Whidbey. Have any been spotted farther south recently? Or maybe it was a humpback? Please let me know if you have further info. -Joanne Frasene

May 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Fri, May 27 – Haro Strait (J Pod) -
19:45 - 5-6 orcas very spread out, except for a mom and her calf, 1-2 miles south of Landbank, traveling south until out of sight.
19:35 - Large male milling to the south, 1.5 miles south of Landbank.
16:05 - J-Pod returning from Boundary Pass. southbound, 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve, leaders milling. More coming into view, traveling quickly to the south, very spread out, 1/3 - 1/2 mile from shore, choppy blue seas. Over the next hour, 13 (rough count) individuals to the south and out of sight. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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17:29 - A few more north of Lime Kiln - one or two close to shore and one or two miles offshore.
17:00 - J16 and a couple others off Lime Kiln - sounds like they’re spread from near Kellett Bluff to False Bay, with ~20 or so of them south of Lime Kiln. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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15:52 - [SRKW] Seeing them north of Land Bank traveling south.
15:15 - I’m seeing them [SRKW] north of County Park. -Sarah Garbett [WSSJI]
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15:15 - Lone male orca just made the turn south at Turn Point. Think he’s the last of J pod!
13:36 - [SRKW] Turn Point. Very spread out. Individuals and small groups. -Kath Durant [WSSJI]
c
11:35 - LOUD J-Pod clicks and calls on the SIMRES hydrophone! -Monika Weiland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, May 27 - Puget Sound (T64Bs and T65As) - 20:29 - [orca] They are heading north just outside of Blakely Harbor. -Mickiala Gonzales
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19:32 - [orca] From Seahurst, seeing 2-3 blows. Still steady northbound. Can't see too much because of the sun glare on the water
19:00 - Lone male northbound past Three Tree. -Alejandra Sweeney
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18:26 - T65A3 passed 20 minutes ago closeish to Point Robinson, a couple others out in the channel. Just now had second group pass us just north of Des Moines marina on the mainland side of channel, all steady northbound.
Note with email & image: On the 27th, they came up from the south just as the wind picked up and a blanket of rain moved through, I was only able to get Amira's dapper dorsal cutting through the chop, the others were too far out….-Marla Smith
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18:06 - [orca] Passing Point Robinson now. Tight to Vashon side. Northbound. -Jeffrey Stander
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18:05 - [orca] Just passed Point Robinson. Headed north. -Mitzi Gligorea
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17:53 - [orca] Vashon side of the channel, approaching Point Robinson. Long down times. -Janna Ignatow
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17:17 - [orca] Committed northbound up east channel, mid channelish.
16:52 - There's also an adult male off the east tip of Vashon/edge of entrance to Quartermaster
16:48 - At least three including adult male just east of the Ferry terminal. Westbound/milling
16:44 - At least two in front of Quartermaster Harbor, milling. -Melissa Bird
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17:13 - [orca] Veering more mid-channel. Still northbound
17:08 - Appear to be traveling now. North up East passage. Closer to Vashon side. -Ashley Whitman
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16:26 - [orca] Now milling in front of Ruston. -Heather Pereira
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16:16 - [orca] Direction changes & milling just east of ferry dock. Committed eastbound again. Right off the ferry. There's a second group, just past the ferry terminal, one adult male & one female. The others are crossing entrance to Quartermaster Harbor towards Commencement Bay. At least five in group one, I think. -Melissa Bird
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16:04 - [orca] Group is heading east on south end of Vashon almost approaching the ferry dock. -Amber Stanfill
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16:00 - [orca] One male committed to Dalco. Mid-channel. -Ashley Whitman
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"The T065As (minus T065A5) and T064Bs passing Owens Beach. Not sure who’s underwater" -photo by Brittany Noelle Philbin, May 27, 2022
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15:46 - [orca] There seemed to be more than five from my vantage point on Salmon Beach. -Teri Fields Mattsen
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15:44 - [orca] Heading east into Dalco.
15:40 - Viewing from 27th Ave Gig Harbor. -Brianna Schroeder
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15:44 - [orca] Nearly to Point Defiance beacon. -Michele Riley Campbell
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15:42 - [orca] Traveling North. Viewing from Gig Harbor side. Almost passing Point Defiance now. -Shannon Joosten Schlecht
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15:30 - [orca] In Narrows northbound, passing Salmon Beach. -David Hyde
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"T065As (minus T065A5) and T064Bs passing under the Tacoma Narrows" -photo by Brittany Noelle Philbin, May 27, 2022
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14:47 - Orcas under Narrows Bridge. Larger pod, swimming very fast northbound. -Heather Pereira
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14:46 - Five orcas headed north under Narrows Bridge. -Mark Hansen
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14:52 - [orca] Just passing under Narrows Bridge. -Bergitta Trelstad
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14:45 - Nick Brewis called to report seeing 4 orcas in Tacoma Narrows off Titlow heading northbound. At around 2:45pm.
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14:43 - Approaching Narrows, Narrow side five orca heading north. [From Titlow]. T64Bs and T65As passing Titlow Beach. -Cherie St.Ours
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14:09 - Orcas northbound along the shore of Fox Island just north of the pier. -Karen Caldwell
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14:20 - [orca] They were mid channel and closer to the Narrows bridge.
14:03 - Heading north. They were playing on the surface a lot but unfortunately there's 2 boats that seem pretty close so they went under. Now they just resurfaced across from Day Island.
14:00 - Orcas at the east side of Fox Island just north of fishing pier. Looks like four or so. -Pattie LaRue Warr
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13:25 - [orca] SW side of Fox Island going SSE. -Alfred Tirpitz [PSWS]
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13:43 - Here is a video [see comments] and photos of orcas in Carr Inlet heading toward the Narrows about 30 min ago [approx. 13:15]. The sailboat did not seem to notice them coming. -Erin Dugger Reetz
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Fri, May 27
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sandra Scott
Date of Sighting: 5/27/2022
Time: 5:30 PM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Point Roberts Lighthouse Park WA
Direction of travel : heading South came from the direction of the ferry terminal
Behaviors observed: Traveling quickly and close together
If orcas, any males?: no males
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: one boat was observing them but it did not appear to be a whale watching vessel - research vessel perhaps? no whale boats in the vicinity
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, May 27 - Haro Strait
19:55 - And a third humpback stopped to trumpet at J38.
19:23 - Second humpback off False Bay northbound closer to shore.
19:08 - A humpback north of False Bay heading north. -Monika Weiland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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Fri, May 27 - Sinclair Inlet - At 13:52 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed: WALLA WALLA Master reports 1 Humpback near Waterman Point.
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Fri, May 27 - North Puget Sound - 08:21 - Donna Sanders WSF Marine Ops emailed: PUYALLUP reports via 800MHz radio, 1 humpback, near EDMONDS terminal.
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08:14 - Humpback! Spotted from Kingston Ferry. Close to Edmonds shore! Breached once and was under. [no direction discernable] -Kimberly Leslie Garcia, PSWS
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, May 27 - 17:24 - Gray whales in Birch Bay today. -Dan Courtney [WSSJI]
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Fri, May 27 - 15:08 - John Gardiner called to report seeing two whales (by desciprtion sound like grays) in upper Saratoga Passage between shore and Number 3 channel marker 6 miles east of Oak Harbor, around towards Silver Lake Rd/Strawberry Point area. When whales head surfaced were mostly white looking. Described feeding behavior.
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Two grays ID’d as Shackleton and Earhart by John C Storbeck have been feeding in the cove just north of Kayak Point and south of Warm Beach since before 3:00 p.m. Over two and a half hours of constant feeding behavior. Currently moving north toward Warm Beach, skirting the shoreline and feeding. -Linda Raines Tyner
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MINKE WHALES - Fri, May 27 - At 20:02 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Opes emailed: Minke Whale 5/27, 1951 hrs.: Kittitas Master reports 1 minke whale 1/2 mile N. around Lincoln Park headed NB.
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Fri, May 27 - At 08:00 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Captain reports via 800MHz radio, 2-3 whales, possible humpback, just south of Turn Rock, heading SB.

May 26
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Thu, May 26 – J Pod Haro Strait - It's a GIRL!!!! Newest J Pod Calf is a Female! “On May 26, the Center for Whale Research staff encountered J pod during a photo-ID and aerial observation survey. The whales were very social, with lots of rolling both under and at the surface. During this encounter, the team managed to capture photographs and drone video of the ventral side of the pod’s youngest member, J59. From this, the team was able to determine that J59 is a female. Having another female is good news for the southern residents; the population’s growth is largely limited by the number of reproductively aged females. While one calf won’t save the population, we hope that J59 can grow to adulthood and contribute to future generations of southern residents.”
..."After receiving reports of J pod being back on the westside of San Juan Island, the team met at Snug Harbor and left in the boat at 0907. We saw our first whales about a half mile north of Lime Kiln State Park and the encounter began at 0919. The J19s and J22s were traveling slowly north in a tight group near the San Juan Island shoreline. The whales were rolling around some and seemed to be being low-key social. J38 spyhopped a couple of times. J41 and J58 briefly split off from the others before rejoining them again. We followed this group up to Bellevue Point before dropping back to get another group of whales who had just passed Lime Kiln…” -Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 28
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11:05 - [orca] Amazing watching them breach! [webcam]. -Sean Leacy
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10:02 - [orca] Makes my morning! Look back to see a playful couple of passes in the kelp beds! [webcam]. -Mary Anderson
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09:25 - [orca] Another group coming up island on camera now.
09:03 - Stunning pass by J pod right now live on Lime Kiln, San Juan Island webcam. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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08:54 - [orca] Spyhop, then you could see them underwater, Amazing! [webcam] -Mary Hartman
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09:18 - I filmed two members of J Pod- one of which may be J27, aka Blackberry, today, Thursday, May 26, 2022 as they approached Lime Kiln Lighthouse [ VIDEO]
08:49 - [orca] I filmed the J17s as they passed Lime Kiln Lighthouse today- Thursday, May 26, 2022, from my perch across Haro Strait on Ten Mile Point, c. 7 miles distant. [VIDEO ] -Gerald Graham
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Encounter Report from Monika Wieland Shield: “We had picture perfect morning with J-Pod on the west side of San Juan Island today, complete with some kelping action from J35 Tahlequah. Note the seaweed on the whale's tail! They like to swim through and play with kelp, surfacing with it draped over their fins. Being super tactile animals, it probably feels like a whale massage.” -Monika Wieland Shield, Orca Behavior Institute
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Heard blows in the night and couldn't fall back asleep right away so I slept through the alarm - woke up to J-pod noises - flew out of bed!
09:22-09:45 - Only 2 orcas remained, way far out. I could hardly see them. I lost sight of them by 09:45.
09:06 - The groups became more active, some had already went north towards Landbank and beyond.
08:32 - J37 Hy'Shqa and 13-week-old J59 resting together. Mom was on her back while J59 swam around her often spy hopping. Then little J59 lays on her/his back by Mom, both of them belly-up. Heartwarming and touching to watch.
07:52 - The group that was milling is slowly moving north towards Edwards Point (a bluff just south of Landbank), other groups from the south slowly coming back into view. Some individuals laying on their backs pectoral fins up, just drifting and others barely moving with just the dorsal fins and blowhole above water. One of the larger groups formed a resting line.
07:33 - A few of the groups had turned to the south out of sight.
07:20 - J-Pod spaced out in small groups milling 1 mile south of Landbank, moving very slowly.
02:53 - I heard a group of orcas traveling southbound. I put a rough count of the blows at under 10 individuals, but I don't know if there were more, and I had just caught the tail end. Later looking at reports, it was J-Pod. Photographed from shore cropped and enlarged. J19 Shachi ID courtesy of Sara Hysong-Shimazu. Thanks Sara! -Michelline Halliday, SJI - J19 Shachi/ID: Sara Hysong-Shimazu - J47 Notch - J37 and J59 -photos by Michelline Halliday, May 26, 2022
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, May 26 - E Juan de Fuca Strait (T49A1) - Excerpt from day Report: On another beautiful day in the Salish Sea - with Puget Sound Express aboard “Red Head”, we first found a Brown Pelican near Fort Wilson, ...And next? A lone male orca near Protection Island - T49A1 Noah - born 2001 - who often travels apart from his family... -Jill Hein
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13:15 - T49A1. Just left him west of Protection Island pointed to Sequim Bay. -Christopher Lewman
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A lone orca traveling north at 9:30 past Point Wilson. He just turned NW past the point. [photo confirmed] -Teresa Lang (Becker)
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Thu, May 26 - E Juan de Fuca Strait (T137s)
18:21 - [T137s] NB off Hastie Lake Park. Long down times.
1700 - [T137s] From fort Casey. Poor visibility but looks like they’re aiming NE toward Ebey’s landing
15:32 - [T137s] North Beach County Park outside of Pt. Townsend would be a great spot to be if the whales keep their current path
15:26 - [T137s] Seem to be aiming toward Admiralty Inlet. Viewing from Ebey SP Gun Battery -Ariel Yseth
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13:26 - We just found and left the 137s at the north end of Discovery Bay traveling north northeast. -Christopher Lewman
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- and then - JAAACK!! Yes, T137A and family in Discovery Bay. WOW, what a day! -Jill Hein
T137A - Jack born 2002 - Such a beautiful big boy.
T137B Tempest, born 2006. Jack's sister - in Discovery Bay -ID & photos by Jill Hein, May 26, 2022
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Thu, May 26 - Puget Sound - At 14:16 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed: WALLA WALLA Orca Report 5/26/2022 1405hrs: Vessel reports 1 orca NB just south of Restoration Point.
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Thu, May 26 – South Puget Sound - 20:53 - [orca] We were just watching them play just outside of Case Inlet, between the Key Peninsula and Harstine Island. No discernable direction of travel. Then they dove and we lost them. They could have gone back up into Case or they could have gone southwest behind Johnson Point. We are fairly confident they didn't go south into Nisqually Reach because they would have had to pass directly in front of where we were all standing. [map shared approx. 47.21921,-122.83179]. -T.J. Smith
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19:45 - [orca] I was looking for southbound in Case inIet and saw two headed north! -Alice Schermer
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18:30 - [orca] Small group spread out heading southbound slowly between Harstine and Herron (shown in my dropped pin.) [map shared approx. 47.27942,-122.85659]. -Danielle Sayebrook
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17:44 - Appears six. They’ve now headed back South, moving quickly past Treasure Island.
16:39 - we have a large male and 3-4 smaller Orca at the Allyn boat launch. Sea lions barking. 4:30 pm Thursday. Surprised no boaters around. Will try for video. -Beverly Lynch McCallum
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17:20 - [orca] They hunted in Allyn, then headed south. They kept jumping, we made a joke about it. ‘ Please just another one’ he jumped about four times in a row. They were happy with the hunting in Allyn. Lots of seals at the moment. -Sarah Murphy
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17:00 - the orcas (5-6) were southbound from Allyn at 5:00. -Gayle Swigart
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16:47 - From Allyn Pier as the orcas were stalled and surface active to the NE of there (above)
16:38 - from Allyn Pier: leisurely northbound while sea lions lazed on and around the pier. (above)
13:44 - earlier when off the east side of Harstine Island, northbound in Case Inlet -above six photos by Gayle Swigart, May 26, 2022
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16:49 – [orca] Off Allyn in north bay of Case Inlet. -Theresa Saunders Westcoat
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16:16 - [orca] Just heading into North Bay (Allyn) after hanging off Vaughn point. 5 of them. -Jennifer Lindsay
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15:13 - One orca traveling solo near the SE part of Harstine. Was headed north. -Clinton Duckworth
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13:51 - [orca] Right in front of Herron Island moving north. -Charles Cundall
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13:15 - I finally got around to processing some photos I took on May 26th as the orcas passed by Fudge Point on Harstine Island around 1:15pm in Case Inlet heading north. They continued north along the west side of Herron Island, traveling steadily, occasionally diving for a few minutes at a time. I believe they were identified as T65As and T64Bs. There seemed to be 6 total. -Regards, Dave Berliner
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12:30 - [orca] They were heading north. When we left them, probably around 12:30ish they had not surfaced in a while. So, I’m not sure if they continued. -Sara Baldwin
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12:15 - T65As and 64Bs are northbound along SE Harstine. -Brian McGinn
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10:51 - [orca] Past Henderson now.
10:48 - [orca] Group heading west toward Henderson Inlet. -Charlotte Smothers
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09:46 - [orca] Joemma Beach, just now! They look to be hanging around Harstine Island. Pretty close to Harstine but moving South. -Sean Endress
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07:40 - [orcas] In Case Inlet, circling near north end of Herron Island. -Jerilyn Evans
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Thu, May 26
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Debbi Williams
Date of Sighting: 5/26/2022
Time: 5:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Just north of Libbey Beach Park, sighted from the Sierra Country Club development
Direction of travel : NW at moderate pace
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes, 1
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 2 whale watching boats, the Orca 1 & Orca 2 were following them. All 4 whales were quite close to shore.
Photos available?: No
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Thu, May 26 - OR Coast - At 19:04 Neal Darlington called Orca Network to report seeing a pod of orcas off Oregon coast at around 6:30pm. Group of 4 orcas (varying size fins, but unsure if any male). front of red buoy near Depoe Bay. World Mark timeshare looking out from there. 1/3 mile offshore.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - 13: 40 - Humpback here, 1.25 mile off Shilshole Bay, feeding, several tails. ID'd as BCX1333's calf, first documented in 2021. [map shared: approx. 47.68640,-122.43224]. -Yifan Ling
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12:22 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed report: [MV] TACOMA spots a Humpback, 5/26 Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting a single humpback whale, located just off Alki Point; direction of travel unknown.
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11:31 - Adult Humpback Whale eastbound into Elliott Bay, last seen about here: (47.5992665, -122.4202318) (scoped from Discovery Park - initially seen through binoculars). -Raphael Fennimore
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Thu, May 26 – Central Puget Sound (two whales) - 13:45 - [humpback] from Constellation Park WS, last seen headed SW towards Vashon/Colvos. Unsure if committed to east side of Vashon or Colvos. -Brittany Noelle
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, May 26 - Birch Bay -
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Grey Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu May 26 11:00:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.92028,-122.78093
Number Sighted: 1
Report Generated: Thu May 26 16:36:54 PDT 2022
Submitter Name: Autumn Egertson
Whale Alert App
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Thu, May 26 - Admiralty Inlet - On another beautiful day in the Salish Sea - with Puget Sound Express aboard “Red Head”, we first found a Brown Pelican near Fort Wilson, then wished our Sounder gray whale CRC#53 (Little Patch) farewell as he traveled out of Admiralty Inlet to continue his migration north to the feeding grounds around Alaska. Continuing in a westerly direction we caught a glimpse of a Minke whale, then found another “new” Sounder, thought to be #2362 appearing to be heading north also. - 10:49 - North Puget Sound gray whale CRC53 "Little Patch" was heading out in Admiralty Inlet past Point Wilson, Port Townsend. -Jill Hein - ID & photos by Jill Hein, May 26, 2022
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Thu, May 26 - N Saratoga Passage
Name: Erica Montgomery
Date of Sighting: 5/26/2022
Time: 1:30 PM
Species seen: Gray Whale
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: NAS Whidbey Crescent Bay Oak Harbor
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Eating those ghost shrimp!
Any unusual markings?: Could only get good pics of a fin
We observed this Gray Whale feeding today at NAS Whidbey Crescent Bay (Seaplane Base).
Thanks for all your work! -Erica - photo by Erica Montgomery, May 26, 2022
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Thu, May 26 – Port Susan - 15:00-17:40 - Shackleton CRC21 and maybe Earhart CRC22 have been off McKees, Kayak and south Warm Beach. Last seen at 17:40 moving north along the shore off Warm Beach eating as they go. -John Storbeck

May 25
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, May 25 - San Juan Channel (137s)
21:55 - ID’d as 137s by Monika Weiland Shields, they went southeast from Turn Island.
20:00 - Orca outside Friday Harbor. -Barbara Howitt [WSSJI]
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Wed, May 25 - OR Coast - Eric Stone called to report pod of 4-5 orcas (f/juve, one bull, and calf ) decently far up in the Columbia River, just West of Megler bridge headed up river. First sighting: 9:30 AM Last sighting: 9:45 AM. -frame grab from video by Eric Stone, May 25, 2022
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Wed, May 25 - OR Coast - Eric Stone called to report pod of 4-5 orcas (f/juve, one bull, and calf ) decently far up in the Columbia River, just West of Megler bridge headed up river. First sighting: 9:30 AM Last sighting: 9:45 AM -frame grab from video by Eric Stone, May 25, 2022
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, May 25 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Humpback filmed in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off of Trial Island, heading east, at 3:12 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2022. [video] -Gerald Graham
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Wed, May 25 - Haro Strait - Humpback filmed in Haro Strait, east of Discovery Island, heading east, at 4:22 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2022. [video] -Gerald Graham
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Wed, May 25 - San Juan Channel - 19:20 - [humpback] We saw a fluke a few minutes ago from the Friday Harbor labs shore! Hasn't surfaced in awhile though. -Lauren Grad [WSSJI]
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18:50 - Humpback whale southbound in San Juan Channel just north of Point Caution. Close SJI shore. -Stephanie Reiss [WSSJI]
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Wed, May 25 - San Juans - Big Mama's 2022 calf continues to show its exuberance on the morning of May 25th near Java Rocks. -photo & ID by Mark Malleson, May 25, 2022
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Wed, May 25 - Puget Sound - 19:00 - Humpback, NB Colvos 5.25.22 @ 1900 apx 1 mile S of Southworth. Close to west shore. Thanks for letting us know Moby [pup]. -Tim Ferris
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15:51- [humpback] Moved to middle Channel moving north. Towards Gig Harbor.
14:45 - Humpback off Narrows bridge north side, east pillar. Moved to middle of channel moving north, towards Gig Harbor. -Susan White
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11:50 - We saw a humpback going south at Prospect Point [Colvos Passage] at 11: 50 this morning. -Jan Cameron Alferness
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Wed, May 25 - Puget Sound - 18:40 - Small HB near the cursor [Approx. 47.687823,-122.416365 - off Meadow Pt, Golden Gardens] at 640 pm. Direction looked to be northbound. No time to stop. -David Scott
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NOON - Shannon Barrios Stander messaged to report that while transiting in Puget Sound they saw a large whale at approx.: 47.691106, -122.433790 heading northwest. Whale surprised them and then dove; they did not see the whale again. (Orca Network could confirm the whale as humpback from distant video).
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10:15 - Just received a community member report of the Humpback headed north towards Blake Island, just north of Vashon Island. -Amy Carey, Sound Action
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06:18 - Looks like a humpback is traveling North in Colvos pass. Mid channel Fern Cove. -Matt King
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, May 25 - N Saratoga Passage - 13:49 - Karen Graham called to report a gray whale up in Oak Harbor. They were coming out of the marina and the whale was trending northbound while feeding under the bluffs at Scenic Heights (mid way between Penn Cove and entrance to the harbor).
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Wed, May 25 - Saratoga Passage - 19:08 - at least 2 grays heading south east towards Camano Head very near the shore of Camano. -Luanne Seymour
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13:30 - MV Saratoga has 3 gray whales in Saratoga Passage! We’re currently with 21 and 22 off Mabana and 2249 is a mile to the north of us. All are southbound. -Justine Buckmaster
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Wed, May 25 - Central Puget Sound - New sighting, small Gray Whale off Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, about 100 ft off the beach. Feeding. 3:00pm. last saw around 3:30 and it was just feeding, no main direction. -Izzy Edwards - back of cam photo by Izzy Edwards, May 25, 2022
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MINK WHALES - Wed, May 25 - "Today we had a fun double header with several Minke Whales at Partridge Bank" -photo by Justine Buckmaster, May 25, 2022

May 24
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) - Tue, May 24 - Haro Strait (J Pod) - J Pod surprised us with a visit to the San Juan Islands! What used to be a common sighting in May has become rare in recent years with the continued decline of Salish Sea salmon. They were first seen in the Gulf Islands heading north yesterday morning, but instead of continuing on to the Fraser River they looped back around and came down the west side of San Juan Island to the delight of many islanders and visitors who had been counting the days since they were last seen. After passing Lime Kiln Point State Park and the Land Bank Westside Preserve in a very slow, spread travel pattern, they grouped together and came north again, this time with a lot of playful activity. We were so excited to see little J57 “Phoenix” and the newest member of the pod, J59, in a stunning group pass close to shore just before sunset. Welcome back J Pod! We hope you find plentiful salmon to keep you here and that we will be fortunate enough to have many more days like this in the coming months. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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19:47 - 20:00 - At 20:00 Last orca passed Edwards Point approaching Landbank.
19:58 -1 mile south of Landbank, J47 Notch curved in towards shore to the kelp beds. J47 came within 20' of shore setting the neighborhood dogs to barking. His surface vocalizations were heard! He was joined by 5 others surfacing 20' - 40' from the shore. In unison 4 of them rushed in towards Notch creating a tsunami wave ahead of them. They met and rubbed bodies along their flanks, then submerged as a group and continued their northbound journey but not before a huge single breach.
19:55 -J37 Hy'Shqa, J59 and 3 other females raced by fast and tight, northbound.
19:47 - Direction change! J27 Blackberry with purpose NB passing Edwards Point towards Landbank. J42 Echo followed. I heard blows to the south as more members appeared, northbound.
19:37 - J27 Blackberry and J42 Echo separate, stalled very slowly milling 1 mile south of Landbank.
19:14 - J31 with J56.
18:51 - 2 orcas traveling together burst up with 5 breaches one after another.
18:30 - J46 Star followed by J37 Hy'shqa and little J59 who leaps out of the water.
18:17 - J35 Tahlequah, J57 Phoenix and J47 Notch traveling south in a tight group. Mom and her two sons.
18:05 - J-Pod leader southbound at Edwards Pt followed by another. Moving quickly.
Filmed and photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI - J37 Hy'Shqa & J59 -photos by Michelline Halliday, May 24, 2022 - Close Encounter tonight with J-Pod; J47 Notch and friends came in 20' from shore. -Video by Michelline Halliday, May 24, 2022
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14:40 - Killer whale echolocation on the SIMRES hydrophone in Boundary Pass, presumed to be J-Pod. And OBI Encounter Report: “Yesterday [5-24] was a very special day! J-Pod popped up in the Canadian Gulf Islands in the morning, making only their second appearance in the month of May over the last five years. Often when they head north into the Strait of Georgia, we won't see them back down by the San Juan Islands until at least the next day, but they made a very quick circuit of it, returning to Haro Strait by late afternoon. This gave the opportunity for a lot of very excited whale watchers to see them go south, then back north again at sunset on the west side of San Juan Island. While they were very spread out heading south, they grouped up going north, making it an especially impressive sight to see all 25 whales together. I also got my first look at the newest member of J-Pod, J59, seen here surfacing next to mom J37 Hy'shqa off Lime Kiln last night.“ -Monika Wieland Shield, Orca Behavior Institute
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“Early in the morning, Michael received reports from several people that members of J pod had been seen heading north through Swanson Channel towards Active Pass. The team got off the dock at 8:37 and went north towards Active. As the team came out of Active Pass, they saw a single adult male in the distance. This adult male turned out to be J26, foraging all alone. The team stayed with him for several minutes, scanning the horizon for the rest of the pod to no success. After several minutes, the team left J26 to search for the rest of the pod. Over the next two hours, the team ran several transect lines around J26, dropping the hydrophone several times, but never detected any other whales visually or acoustically…” -Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 27
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08:30 - What a way to start a day! 8:30 am and J pod travels eastward through Active Pass. Very spread out. A few spy hops and tail slaps. -Photos and video taken from the shore of Galiano Island. Cheers, Karoline Cullen -photos by Karoline Cullen, May 24, 2022
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02:00 - Surprise surprise....J-Pod just went through Active Pass [mid-morning] and were on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at 2 AM! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Tue, May 24 - Haro Strait (J Pod) - J Pod surprised us with a visit to the San Juan Islands! What used to be a common sighting in May has become rare in recent years with the continued decline of Salish Sea salmon. They were first seen in the Gulf Islands heading north yesterday morning, but instead of continuing on to the Fraser River they looped back around and came down the west side of San Juan Island to the delight of many islanders and visitors who had been counting the days since they were last seen. After passing Lime Kiln Point State Park and the Land Bank Westside Preserve in a very slow, spread travel pattern, they grouped together and came north again, this time with a lot of playful activity. We were so excited to see little J57 “Phoenix” and the newest member of the pod, J59, in a stunning group pass close to shore just before sunset. Welcome back J Pod! We hope you find plentiful salmon to keep you here and that we will be fortunate enough to have many more days like this in the coming months. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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19:47 - 20:00 - At 20:00 Last orca passed Edwards Point approaching Landbank.
19:58 - 1 mile south of Landbank, J47 Notch curved in towards shore to the kelp beds. J47 came within 20' of shore setting the neighborhood dogs to barking. His surface vocalizations were heard! He was joined by 5 others surfacing 20' - 40' from the shore. In unison 4 of them rushed in towards Notch creating a tsunami wave ahead of them. They met and rubbed bodies along their flanks, then submerged as a group and continued their northbound journey but not before a huge single breach.
19:55 -J37 Hy'Shqa, J59 and 3 other females raced by fast and tight, northbound.
19:47 - Direction change! J27 Blackberry with purpose NB passing Edwards Point towards Landbank. J42 Echo followed. I heard blows to the south as more members appeared, northbound.
19:37 - J27 Blackberry and J42 Echo separate, stalled very slowly milling 1 mile south of Landbank.
19:14 - J31 with J56.
18:51 - 2 orcas traveling together burst up with 5 breaches one after another.
18:30 - J46 Star followed by J37 Hy'shqa and little J59 who leaps out of the water.
18:17 - J35 Tahlequah, J57 Phoenix and J47 Notch traveling south in a tight group. Mom and her two sons.
18:05 - J-Pod leader southbound at Edwards Pt followed by another. Moving quickly.
Filmed and photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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14:40 - Killer whale echolocation on the SIMRES hydrophone in Boundary Pass, presumed to be J-Pod.
And OBI Encounter Report: “Yesterday [5-24] was a very special day! J-Pod popped up in the Canadian Gulf Islands in the morning, making only their second appearance in the month of May over the last five years. Often when they head north into the Strait of Georgia, we won't see them back down by the San Juan Islands until at least the next day, but they made a very quick circuit of it, returning to Haro Strait by late afternoon. This gave the opportunity for a lot of very excited whale watchers to see them go south, then back north again at sunset on the west side of San Juan Island.
While they were very spread out heading south, they grouped up going north, making it an especially impressive sight to see all 25 whales together. I also got my first look at the newest member of J-Pod, J59, seen here surfacing next to mom J37 Hy'shqa off Lime Kiln last night. “ -Monika Wieland Shield, Orca Behavior Institute - J59, seen here surfacing next to mom J37 Hy'shqa off Lime Kiln. -photo by Monika Wieland Shields, May 24, 2022
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“Early in the morning, Michael received reports from several people that members of J pod had been seen heading north through Swanson Channel towards Active Pass. The team got off the dock at 8:37 and went north towards Active.
As the team came out of Active Pass, they saw a single adult male in the distance. This adult male turned out to be J26, foraging all alone. The team stayed with him for several minutes, scanning the horizon for the rest of the pod to no success. After several minutes, the team left J26 to search for the rest of the pod. Over the next two hours, the team ran several transect lines around J26, dropping the hydrophone several times, but never detected any other whales visually or acoustically…” -Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 27

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08:30 - What a way to start a day! 8:30 am and J pod travels eastward through Active Pass. Very spread out. A few spy hops and tail slaps. Photos and video taken from the shore of Galiano Island. -Cheers, Karoline Cullen
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02:00 - Surprise surprise....J-Pod just went through Active Pass [mid-morning] and were on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at 2 AM! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Morning time on a bridge ~ T64Bs & T65As Hale Passage, South Puget Sound. -photo by Ashley Whitman, May 24, 2022
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Tue, May 24 – Gulf Islands - Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Michael Bushby
Date of Sighting: 5/24/2022
Time: 12:30 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island
Direction of travel : travelling approx. 315 degrees NW
Behaviors observed: slow surface to show back area surrounding dorsal fin (about 4-5 ft. fin very erect with no markings. submerged quickly and swimming slowly about 75 feet offshore
If orcas, any males?: yes, see above
Any unusual markings?: not seen
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: surprised, delighted, and no further sighting or info. total event time of perhaps 7-10 seconds. Possible underwater outline of 2nd and 3d individual however not able to confirm very close to large fin as it rose and sank.
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Sat, May 24 – Port Angeles Harbor
14:50 - [orca] They have since left the harbor, trending east. Glacier Spirit was with them.
13:41 - Correction: at least 4 animals, still heading east. Inside [Port Angeles Harbor] Close shore, currently west of the hospital still.
13:36 - Currently standing on the hook, confirmation of at least one dorsal seen from way across the harbor. If anyone is on the other side of the harbor and wants to take a look, might have a better chance of viewing from somewhere downtown as of right now. -Rachel Rodell
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 13:09:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.14152,-123.42831 [Ediz Hook, PA]
Number Sighted: 6
Submitter Name: Donna
Whale Alert App
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 12:54:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.13655,-123.40518 [Ediz Hook]
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status:
Submitted Comments:
Report Generated: Tue May 24 13:00:58 PDT 2022
Submitter Name: Arturo Perez
Whale Alert App
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Tue, May 24 - Carr Inlet (T64Bs & T65As) - 20:25 - [orca] Oh wow I didn’t see any of these posts earlier. I was just north of Joemma Park tonight and heard blows and splashes coming from the west side of Case Inlet. Too far away and getting too dark. Orca were heading south. -Charlotte Smith
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16:45 - Approx. 5 orcas mid-channel Case Inlet, near north tip of Harstine. -Jerilyn Evans
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Katie Olson
Date of Sighting: 5/24/2022
Time: 3:20 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: 47.23503, -122.68167, north of McNeil Island
Direction of travel : E
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: At least 1, but only see once
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I am a biologist with WDFW working near McNeil, these were definitely orcas. We saw them from the northeast end of McNeil and heading towards Gertrude Island
Photos available?: No
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13:30 - [orca] San Juan Clipper left, just south of South Head on Key Peninsula, trending SW. -Stephanie Raymond
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13:05 - [orca] Likely regrouped with the rest of the family in Carr.
12: 40 - [orca] Two males trending south down the west side of Fox Island. -Ashley Whitman
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12:50 - [orca] Main group still peninsula side in between the PSE & San Juan Clipper.
12:30 - If this is him, [T65A5] I just saw him at the tip of Forest Beach heading towards Fox Island. (That looks like T65A3. T65A5 is just 8 years old and has smaller dorsal - Orca Network).
12:26 - Single Orca (looks like male) heading southbound from Horsehead Bay heading towards Fox Island. -Jennifer Swenson
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We've had a nice mix of just about everything the Salish Sea has to offer over the past two days! We encountered Humpback Whale BCY1218 "Kata" as well as the T65A and T64B families of Transient Killer Whales down in Carr Inlet yesterday. The orcas hunted a seal and seemed to be teaching their young how it's done! The real surprise was encountering Gray Whale CRC2362 near Blake Island instead of the usual spots up in Possession Sound!
14:45 - T65A5 was not here. Some friends reported him near Victoria, BC today.
11:55 - MV Saratoga is now on scene with the T65As and T64Bs just a few miles west of the Humpback! -Justine Buckmaster
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Christopher Dudenhoeffer
Date of Sighting: 5/24/2022
Time: 8:08 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: 47.277821, -122.650779
Direction of travel : NW toward Carr inlet. Slow pace
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Yes it looked like several had large dorsal fins
Any unusual markings?: Couldn't see
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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08:14 - [orca] The bus stopped right next to me on the bridge! Glad the kids got to see them. Was such a beautiful pass. (we could ID T65As present at least from Ashley's back of camera images posted in real time - alb) -Ashley Whitman
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From the Fox Island Bridge this morning. My son was in the bus and videoed! -[ VIDEO ] by Wesley Kjorlien
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09:01 - [orca] I left the bridge an hour ago, they were still headed west in Hale Passage towards west end of Fox Island.
07:52 - [orca] Currently just passing under Fox Island bridge headed west. -Patrick Barnett
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting: [orca]
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 7:39:37 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.27930,-122.64374
Number Sighted: 7
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Elaine Root
Whale Alert App
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Bob Champion
Date of Sighting: 5/24/2022
Time: 7:30 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: 47.27 122.65 Hale Passage Just west of Fox Island Bridge
Direction of travel : W
Behaviors observed: Milling, Circling
If orcas, any males?: 2 (I was a good distance away though
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Boats almost immediately appeared, looked like 15-17 foot Whalers (or that type) I was too far away to get numbers . Again, I was pretty far away, looking from binoculars, but I would guess they were closer than the guidelines, and certainly over 7kts within .5 miles. If you get reports from people on the Fox Island Sand Spit (there were several people out there) , they would likely be more accurate than me.
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07:12 - [Orca] No photos, but 2 males, 1 very small orca and at least 2 others. Should be close to bridge now.
07:00 - [Orca] They are gradually headed towards Fox Island bridge but still close to Wollochet - mid-channel. Amazing way to start the day.
06:45 - 5 orcas, milling in circles, at the mouth Wollochet Bay. -Kimberly Wenner
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, May 24 - Trincomali Channel
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 13:05:36 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.90906,-123.48971
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Rachelle Kerkshaw
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Tue, May 24 - S Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 11:19:18 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.34444,-123.81137
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Rachelle Kerkshaw
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Tue, May 24 - Active Pass
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 16:49:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.85781,-123.31655
Number Sighted: 1
Submitter Name: Arturo Perez
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Tue, May 24 - Beautiful Humpback (I think) northeast of Lopez Harbor spotted around 3 pm today! -Elisabeth Ellis
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Tue, May 24 - Haro Strait - 08:35 - A single humpback traveling quickly northbound, 1 mile south of Landbank/West side Preserve. The whale was less than a 1/4 mile from shore and with a quiet sea the whooshing blows were easy to hear. They only surfaced 4 times. The last ending in a dive and I didn't see them surface again. Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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Tue, May 24 – Central Puget Sound - 16:56 - [humpback] Friend who lives off beach drive says she just saw a humpback breach on her walk, appeared to be heading north. By south end of Bainbridge. -Shelly Sh
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16:54 - Juvenile humpback (looks like yearling or so) with multiple breaches. Just north of tango buoy. Trending north. [map shared approx. 47.581804,-122.466188]. -Joey LaMarche
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12:37 - Adult Humpback Whale southbound off of Yeomalt Point, Bainbridge (whale is approximately here: 47.6301533, -122.4763997). Seen by scope from Seattle’s Discovery Park. -Raphael Fennimore
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Tue, May 24 - Carr Inlet (BCY1218 Kata)
16:10 - [humpback] South again. Saw flukes. I think that means a deeper dive. No sighting since then.
15:40 - [humpback] Off Allen Point, headed north.
15:25 - [humpback] Various directions, mid-channel, between Raft Island and Minter. -Gary Furheim
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13:30 - San Juan Clipper left the humpback at 1:30, trending north off Home, Key Peninsula. -Stephanie Raymond
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11:44 - She’s [humpback] on Peninsula side - she’s just opposite me [Forest Beach], heading northbound. -Jennifer Swenson
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We've had a nice mix of just about everything the Salish Sea has to offer over the past two days! We encountered Humpback Whale BCY1218 "Kata" as well as the T65A and T64B families of Transient Killer Whales down in Carr Inlet yesterday. The orcas hunted a seal and seemed to be teaching their young how it's done! The real surprise was encountering Gray Whale CRC2362 near Blake Island instead of the usual spots up in Possession Sound!
11:15 - The humpback is now circling, apparently feeding just off McNeil Island.
11:00 - MV Saratoga is on scene with a Humpback (BCY1218 Kata) westbound up Carr Inlet north of McNeil Island. -Justine Buckmaster
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, May 24 - San Juans
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 24 14:13:37 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.62109,-123.10728 [Spieden/San Juan Channel]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Luanne Graves
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Tue, May 24 - Penn Cove (CRC2440)
15:20 - [gray] Feeding back and forth still out from Monroe Landing.
15:32 - [gray] now on east side of Monroe Landing.
14:08 - Gray is back at Monroe Landing don't know if it's the same one earlier. Feeding.
13:45 - I had posted for this sweet gal Sydney 9 yrs old with her seeing the gray whale close to shore at Monroe Landing. Sydney was taking photos with her camera.
13:31 - Gray has now moved out from shore and heading out of Penn Cove eastbound.
13:30 - S/he is now moving out from shore and heading east. Still on north side of Penn Cove but heading towards the entrance of Penn Cove.
12:45 - Gray feeding close to shore off Monroe Landing. -Marilyn Armbruster
Face (top) and fluke tip (bottom) of CRC2440, a 2022 newbie.
ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
photos by Marilyn Armbruster, May 24, 2022
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Tue, May 24 - Saratoga Passage - At 14:45 John? (phone cut out) Ryweck called to report he, his wife and their friends watched a gray whale while at at Camano Island SP north picnic area. They saw the gray whale several times swimming southbound. Would see spout/plume then dive and the tail then come up again several minutes later. They watched the whale do same thing about 4 times before whale disappeared in the distance to the south. Gray what about 200-300 feet offshore, presume feeding. Aware grays come here, but never seen a gray before!
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Tue, May 24 - Saratoga Passage - 16:10 - 4:11 Gray just past Langley heading east towards Sandy point near Whidbey. -Luanne Seymour
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08:45 - [grays] headed into Saratoga Passage, on west side of Camano Island NB;
08:30 - 2 grays NB can't tell if heading for Port Susan or Saratoga Passage yet. Out from Camano Head. [map shared approx. 48.042852,-122.357321]. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Tue, May 24 - Central Puget Sound - ...The real surprise was encountering Gray Whale CRC2362 near Blake Island instead of the usual spots up in Possession Sound!
13:55 - MV Saratoga had 2362 at the south end of Rich Passage! Not sure what she was doing down there but appeared healthy! -Justine Buckmaster
Gray whale 2362 off Blake Island near Rich Passage.
ID & photo by Justine Buckmaster, May 24, 2022
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Tue, May 24 - At 14:12 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed: 1400hrs: WALLA WALLA Minke Whale Report 5/24/2022 Vessel reports via 800MHz a single Minke whale 1/2 mile off Restoration Point heading south bound.

May 23
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - (T65A incident) - Sun, May 22 & Mon, May 23 - Port Angeles (T65A5)
Orca Network’s Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network received a call about an orca trapped in a slough in Port Angeles the evening of May 22nd. NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network is on alert and monitoring the situation.
Heartfelt appreciation to NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network teams and all involved who worked throughout the night and into this morning to help a trapped orca back on his way. Other sources have ID'ed him as T65A5, an 8-year-old male.
More to come later, but also wanted to thank Feiro Marine Life Center for this update which includes very important information about a situation such as this:

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Facebook Post : Thank you to NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network teams, especially Feiro Marine Life Center, Cascadia Research Collective, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police Marine Mammal Investigations. They worked throughout the night on May 23rd and into the morning to monitor a killer whale in an unusual and potentially dangerous location.
The transient orca, now identified as T65A5, entered a canal leading into a small lagoon at a paper mill in Port Angeles, WA. To get out, the animal had to return through the canal under a busy bridge. We were concerned that the whale would not find its way back, especially before low tide. Our Marine Mammal Stranding Network teams were deployed to help. Thankfully, the whale found its way out.
We do not post details of events like this in real time so that responders can work without crowds and interruptions to assist the animal. While this whale freed itself, only trained responders should attempt to intervene.
As a reminder, if you see an animal in distress or on the beach, please call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114. Learn more HERE -NOAA Fisheries West Coast

Newsradio KONP Facebook post: The McKinley Paper Mill had an unexpected visitor last night, and Sheriff Sargent John Hollis was able to capture footage of the guest.

ORCA COMES IN CLOSE AT PORT ANGELES MILL CHANNEL -My Clallam County

Orca Behavior Institute Facebook Post: A bizarre event unfolded last night in Port Angeles Harbor! A young orca made it's way through a small channel and into the lagoon by the McKinley Paper Company deep in at the west end of the Harbor. This area is shallow enough that at low tide, the lagoon is cut off from the Harbor.
You can see a video of the whale here: tinyurl.com/paharborwhale
The whale stayed in the lagoon overnight, but the Feiro Marine Life Center thankfully posted this update this morning:
"The orca has left the channel and returned to the Harbor and likely back to the Strait. Agencies are continuing to monitor the situation....We appreciate all of the support you give Feiro and the rest of the certified marine mammal stranding responders. Our staff have been on site literally all night long."
From the photos and videos we've seen, it appears the whale was T65A5, the 8 year-old male that has been periodically off wandering on his own since age 4. We actually saw T65A5 yesterday with the rest of his family further to the east, so he must have wandered off again sometime later in the day yesterday. Only time will tell where he will show up next and what new adventure awaits this unusual whale! -Orca Behavior Institute
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Mon, May 23 - Puget Sound (T65As and T64Bs) - 19:33 - [orca] At least three of them are off Alki Point, west side of channel. - Michelle Olsen
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18:05 - Watching from Valley Street on Bainbridge. There are 5-6 orca just south of yellow channel marker, slowly southbound. Mid channel. -Kimberly Sylvester
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18:20 - [orca] At least two were still north of Discovery Park. Spread out and really long down times.
17:32 - Southbound off Shilshole Bay Marina. Near mid-channel, east of shipping lanes. Viewing from Sunset Hill Park. -Danielle Carter
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17:33 - [orca] Straight off south end of Golden Gardens. Have seen the big male and then also the rest of them. On Seattle side of water. Now mid channel. Hard to see from Golden Gardens at this point. Should be at Discovery Park soon.
16:58 - Just saw a spout near that small boat out from Carkeek. -Matt Leaman
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16:57 - Just spotted one orca off Carkeek southbound, east of mid channel. -Sue Surowiec Larkin
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16:54 - [orca] They are pointed toward Golden Gardens Park. About to be out in front of Carkeek. About halfway between shore and midchannel.
15:34 - They are several almost directly in the ferry lanes a little past midchannel on the Kingston side facing south. -Clinton Duckworth
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15:33 - [orca] On ferry just docking at Edmonds. Couple next to me said they saw blows near terminal aways offshore. -Jill Irwin
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15:20 - T65A2 was just a few hundred yards off the Edmonds dive park heading toward the ferry terminal. Surfaced only once. Haven’t seen since.
14:46 - Still milling. Line of sight is (just east of) midchannel from Edmonds Sunset Ave to Eglon.
14:35 - Saw a breach! -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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14:21 - [orca] They stopped and are hunting lots of surface activity still in possession triangle between Eglon and Kingston.
13:47 - I see four. Two in the front, one in the middle and a bigger guy in the back. Spread apart.
13:37 - I can see them from Mukilteo. Southbound west side Possession Point into Possession triangle. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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13:00 - [orca] Spotted two from Maxwelton Beach south of mid channel. -Jayn Goldsen
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11:00 - [orca] For sure vocals!
10:58 - May have been someone else but heard someone on Bush Point hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:59 - [orca] Not sure how many. Heading south, just south of Bush Point. Spread out, but some are close to the Whidbey side. -Mike Meyer
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11:42 - T65A3 appears to still be in the lead after he caught the last meal and he is right at Double Bluff now, still southbound. We did not see T65A5 with the family with today's encounter.
11:23 - Only T65A3 and T65A4 have stopped to eat their meal off Mutiny Bay. The rest are southbound still
11:13 - They are stalled on a kill off Mutiny Bay
10:45 - T65As and 64Bs are southbound off Bush Point. Very, very spread out over a mile or more. We don’t know if all members are here or not yet since they are so spread out. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, May 23 - Gulf Islands - Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Vikki Cassar Torreggiani
Date of Sighting: 5/23/2022
Time: 11:15 AM
Species seen: Humpback cow and calf
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Swanson Channel
Direction of travel : West to Fulford Harbour Salt Spring Island
Behaviors observed: Not sure?
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: The whales surfaced right in front of our boat. We turned the motor off and we’re able to see them glide by. Massive Humpback and her calf. It was actually quite unnerving, the thought of being so close to a whale larger than the boat.
photo by Vikki Cassar Torreggiani, May 23, 2022
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Mon, May 23 - Haro Strait - 20:14 - Humpback Sighting, Haro Strait SJI. Well past me traveling northbound, a single humpback seen just south of Edwards Pt, about 1/2 mile from Landbank/West Side Preserve, 1/4 mile from shore. Beautiful blows in the sunset! Photographed from shore. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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Mon, May 23 - South Puget Sound - 14:30 - Humpback spotted about 2:30pm in Carr Inlet, mid channel - north of Penrose State Park & south of Kopachuck State Park - heading east toward Fox Island. -Kirsten Miller
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, May 23 - Haro Strait - 12:40 - Grey Whale filmed off of Finnerty Cove on the west side of Haro Strait at 12:40 PM, Monday, May 23, 2022 ( Victoria Day in Canada. [video] -Gerald Graham
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Mon, May 23 - Penn Cove - 19:00 - [gray] Found one deep in Penn Cove close to shore. Traveled east super close to Rolling Hills dock then past Monroe Landing then suddenly turned back west and was still trending west at 20:00. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network - CRC2440 - Penn Cove - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photos by Rachel Haight, Orca Network, May 23, 2022
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14:33 - The (at least) 2 grays in Penn Cove have left. They seem to be headed straight to Crescent Harbor. -Sarah Geist - ID: CRC2440 by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photo by Sarah Geist, May 23, 2022
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13:35 - Just caught a glimpse of gray whale heading out of Penn Cove, eastbound. Images ID’d as CRC 2362 by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network -Jill Hein - CRC2362 exiting Penn Cove - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photo by Jill Hein, May 23, 2022
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12:15 - [gray] Still feeding east side of San De Fuca dock11:45 - There seems to be a grey at Grassers Lagoon. -Jesse E Chandler
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Mon, May 23 - Port Susan
13:20 - There is a Gray near Kayak Point moving slowly south.
08:05 - We had a Gray whale pass by Tillicum and Tyee beach inside the buoys. Last seen heading south in a hurry. -John C Storbeck
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Mon, May 23 - S Saratoga Pass - 12:30 - 2 grays feeding around Foxspit heading slowly towards Langley. -Megan Fantz Pyle
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Mon, May 23 - Possession Sound - 12:10 - CRC2259 is westbound in the shallows at Possession Point. -Bart Rulon
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10:37 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed: KITSAP@10:37 - Master reports 1 gray whale 50 yards south of Clinton terminal.

May 22
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, May 22 - Haro Strait (T123s) - 16:45 - I filmed four Bigg's Killer Whales- T123, T123A, T123C and T123D, mid-Haro Strait at 4:45 PM Sunday, May 22, 2022: [ Video ] -Gerald Graham
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Sun, May 22 – Admiralty Inlet (T65As and T64Bs) - 09:30 - [orca] Found the T65As and T64Bs at Sierra Alpha (north of Port Townsend) Northwest bound. -Christopher Lewman, Puget Sound Express
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Sun, May 22 - Puget Sound - 09:20 - Orcas heading around the south end of Vashon Island heading towards Gig Harbor. -Kelly Constable [PSWS]
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Mon, May 23
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sandra Scott
Date of Sighting: 5/23/2022
Time: 3:35 PM
Species seen: Orcas
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Off Point Roberts WA
Direction of travel : heading South then turned to head West across
Behaviors observed: Traveling quickly - breathing together
If orcas, any males?: 5 ft dorsals- 2 males - both large
Any unusual markings?: we were watching from shore
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, May 22 - Port Susan - 17:30 - Humpback in Port Susan, Sunday 5/22 @ 1730. Stay about an hour off of Tulalip Shores, Speebedah, south Tulare Head. -Mae Face
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Sun, May 22 – North Puget Sound - 10:36 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Humpback Report- Capt. on the MV PUYALLUP reports via 800MHz, one (1) humpback 1/2 mile south of the EDM dock heading NB. [northbound].
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Sun, May 22 – Central Puget Sound - 11:01 - Dalco Passage: Spotted humpback west end Owen's Beach. Boat traffic getting busy. -Julie Russel Schmidt
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Sun, May 22 – South Puget Sound/Carr Inlet
16:54 - [humpback] Turned back around again. Last seen on Peninsula side heading northbound opposite Cutts Island.
16:40- Humpback is here in the Carr Inlet! First saw him heading northbound past Horsehead Bay, then just before Cutts Island he took a left and headed over towards the Peninsula side. Last seen 5mins ago heading southbound out of Carr Inlet towards Fox Island! (BCY1218 Kata - ALB, ON) -Jennifer Swenson
BCY1218 Kata - Carr Inlet - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
photos by Jennifer Swenson, May 22, 2022
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14:30 - Humpback spotted in Carr Inlet, mid-channel - north of Penrose State Park & south of Kopachuck State Park - heading east toward Fox Island. -Kirsten Miller
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10:40 - Carr Inlet the whale has been feeding in a triangle between Fox Island, Lakebay, and Green Point. Last seen heading West. (ID'd as BCY1218 by ALB, ON per video by Rick) -Ricki Selva [PSWS]
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, May 22 - N Saratoga Pass
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 22 11:07:25 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.29520,-122.63000
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: Rubbing on the rocks on SeaPlane base..
Submitter Name: Amber Personett
Whale Alert App
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11:15 - Gray spouting mid-channel upper Saratoga just south of Mariners’ Cove. Heading southbound....There are loads of commercial crabbers zipping up and down the channel so I didn’t expect to see any whales, but there is one puffing out in the distance. Line of sight is between Mariners’ Cove and about halfway between Utsalady and maple grove. I can’t quite tell which direction yet. Enjoy this gorgeous day! -Marianne Parry
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Sun, May 22 - Port Susan
14:50 - Shackleton and it might be Earhart were last seen about 3000 feet off Tyee Beach heading south. How do you tell if she is pregnant....big one.
14:00 - [gray] Just got back, they are 1,000 yards off Tyee Beach heading south slowly.
12:00 - Shackleton and another "Well Nourished" Gray cruise by Kayak Point heading north. If they follow their habit we should see them on the Camano Side about 2PM.
10:50 - Couple of Grays reported heading north into Port Susan off Tulalip Shores. -John Storbeck
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Sun, May 22 – North Puget Sound - 15:29 - I just spotted a gray whale SB at Maxwelton Beach very close to shore. -Jayn Goldsen
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13:00 - Southbound gray whale close to shore at Possession State Park (south pt). -Orca Network Langley Whale Center visitor report

May 21
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, May 21 - Central Puget Sound (T65As and T64Bs)
21:18 - [orca] Male must be on his own trailing southwest of the group. Families are north of Jefferson Head (sightline) mid channel loosely grouped heading slowly northbound toward yellow mid channel buoy off Kayu Kayu Ac Park/President Point. We live in a beautiful place. Night.
21:11 - One of the males surfaced west of where the others did.... maybe all lives over or traveling separate. The orcas are staying under longtime. Watching a bat fly around too. Pretty cool.
21:03 - Orcas are grouped, approaching Richmond Beach Saltwater Park/Jefferson Head mid channel. Barely surfaced and been down on long dive. Northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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20:29 - [orca] Heading north out from Golden Gardens mid channel. -Barbara Gamrath
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19:50 - [orca] I had kayaked out from Fay Bainbridge Park on Bainbridge. South and East a little bit from the park. I saw them surface once about half a mile south of me. Had my phone out and was taking cloud photos, thinking they were still a ways away, and then...exhalations RIGHT NEXT TO ME. Prob 50 feet. I counted 5 but believe there may have been more. Then dove again, heading in a direct line for Jefferson Head. Glorious encounter. I love our Resident Transients! ...It was a gorgeous day. Cheers & THANK YOU, ORCA NETWORK & everyone who helps us all enjoy seeing these animals in THEIR home and helping to keep them SAFE! -Kimberly Sylvester
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19:30 - [orca] Mid channel about 5 knots northbound. We counted 6 . [47.670762, -122.482009]
19:08 - [orca] Found them by the turning buoy mid channel northbound.
19:03 - [orca] Murden Cove northbound moving pretty good. -Lisa Corona
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18:30 - [orca] Northbound at Murden Cove west side of channel. Seeing 5 blows from 64th and Alki.
18:13 - [orca] At Wing point northbound west side of channel view from 64th and Alki.
18:06 - [orca] Four or five blows visible from 64th and Alki at Eagle Harbor right in front of ferry leaving dock. Trending north toward Wing point. -Mary Hartmann
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17:51 - Several orcas visible from Eagle Harbor. Northbound, west side of channel. -Jim Reitz
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17:46 - [orca] Off of Blakely Rock steady northbound.
17:30 - [orca] They are just off of Restoration Point. Look to be heading northeast. -Joey LaMarche

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17:33 - Bigg's of the South end of Bainbridge Island. -photo by Patti Weiler Wells, May 21, 2022
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At 16:56 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: 16:56 hrs. Walla Walla Master reports 4-6 orca off Restoration Point eastbound.
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16:10 - [orca] Northbound off Manchester. We left the scene before they committed to going west or east around the south end of Bainbridge. They kept zigzagging. [47.560568, -122.519141].
15:55 - The T64Bs are with the T65As - T65A2 (Ooxjaa) is sporting a new, nasty looking, scar likely from another killer whale. Maybe he got frisky with T64B, and she wasn’t in the mood? He also had a fresh scar above his right eye patch from earlier this week too. These are scars that are common with these animals, and it will likely heal up without any issues over time. The photo is cropped in significantly to show the detail big enough. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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Southworth Point this past Saturday. Members of the T64Bs and T65As passing Southworth PointI have other great shots as well if you can tell me where to send them. That’s the Fauntleroy ferry heading to Southworth in the background. -Stan McMeekin
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It was such an amazing surprise to actually see 20 year-old T64B's (Amabilidad) eye illuminated in the sun (top photo). Taken from shore with a telephoto lens when the T065As and T064Bs visited southern Puget Sound on Saturday...
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Orcas played with the folks on beach at Southworth point for quite a show! I think same frisky group that cruised by here a few days ago at sunset. This video taken 5.21.22 @ 1500 then had the pleasure of sailing with them NB up to Manchester then left them headed N into Rich Pass about 1630. -Cheers, Tim Ferris
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14:11 - [orca] Directly across from Fern Cove headed northbound, grouped up hugging mainland shore, one of the males trailing a bit. -Marla Smith
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13:31 - [orca] Passing Andersen Park, Olalla northbound. -Hayley Birdwell
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12:47 - [orca] Just an incredible past 45+ minutes watching the orca pod cross south and then north over Dalco while the humpback also mid Dalco passage. The orcas last seen traveling north up Colvos. -Michele Riley Campbell
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12:20 - [orca] Passed feet from shore. Then they trended towards Gig Harbor side. Last seen heading directly west, slightly northwest. -Ashley Whitman
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Encounter with the Orcas at Point Defiance, viewed from Dune Peninsula. -photos by Jennifer Swenson, May 21, 2022
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12:00 - [orca] Just spotted two south of ferry lanes continuing to head south. I am at Vashon Viewpoint in Point Defiance Park. Now group hugging shore at park, crazy close to shore. -Kim Sharpe Jones
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12:00 - [orca] Incredibly close pass at Owens Beach, they have all rounded Point Defiance with two trailing. Lots of boats following. Heading south into Narrows! -Brooke Casanova
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11:50 - Towards Vashon not far from South Vashon ferry lanes, mid channel. One of the orcas was solo closer to Point Defiance. At that time group started heading towards Owens.
11:41 - One orca is actually closer to Tacoma side others mid channel in line with cargo ship parked of Maury, viewing from Dunes Point westbound
11:30 - Orcas are mid channel out from Dunes Point I think milling, can't tell direction yet -Marilyn Armbruster
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11:36 - [orca] Seeing a male dorsal fin west of ferry lanes, westbound.
10:50 - [orca] Seeing dorsal fins between channel marker and southern tip of Maury, no direction. -Brooke Casanova
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11:35 - [orca] From Tahlequah ferry as we were crossing to Point Defiance, two popped up on starboard side of ferry heading in a westerly direction. -Jill Clogston
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10:34 - [orca] Moving west pretty fast, I can no longer see them.
10:22 - I can see them with binoculars from right near Dash Point State Park. -Michelle Abbas
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10:15 - [orca] Whale Scout volunteers seeing orcas from the Maury Island Marine Park during our habitat restoration event and beach cleanup! Large group headed SW!! -Whitney Neugebauer, Whale Scout
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09:59 - [orca] Stalled out hunting with directional changes mid channel in line with Maury Marine Park.
09:45 - Have cleared point Robinson spread out, T65A’s, possibly others maybe, island side of mid channel southbound
09:20 - The orcas were porpoising toward Point Robinson, thought to be about 5-10 minutes from the point at that time. Vashon side of channel.
AND: I have some photos for you of the T65as/t64bs pass on Saturday, thank sooo much for sending the heads up, jumped out of bed and flew down there as soon as I saw it, lol! When they were porpoising towards PR they were all grouped up together then went for some verrrry long dives and split into loose groups as they passed. Numbers looked too big to be just the 65A's but only saw the others from a distance. T65a5 threw me as he looks to be sporting a new nick on his trailing edge? At least, I think that is him? did a double take as it looks a bit like his big sister now. -Marla Smith
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09:18 - [orca] Heading south past Tramp Harbor towards Point Robinson. -Scott Hill
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07:27 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed report: CATHLAMET@0725 C/M reports 5 Orca 1 mile south of FAU [Fauntleroy] terminal heading south.
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Sat, May 21 - Admiralty Inlet (T36, T36Bs, T137s) - 13:48 - [orca] Visible now from Fort Worden near red buoy NW of lighthouse. -Thomas Buell Jr.
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12:37 - The 137s are off East Beach on Marrowstone northbound have not seen 36s or 36Bs. -Christopher Hanke
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We encountered Bigg's transient orcas near Hansville! We shut down and watched an amazing hunt, and a punt of a harbor seal!...Somebody hunting a seal (top) and T137 & T137B (bottom) -Janine Harles
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11:30 - T137, 137B, and 137D circled around hunting a seal right near shore for about a half an hour separate from the rest of the others and it looks like they finally killed it right before we left the scene.
11:08 - [orca] Another change of direction as they circle around in a southeasterly heading, directly north of Hansville.
10:58 - They [orca] appear to be spreading out to hunt in different directions. Lots of harbor porpoise are in the area right now. Just north of Hansville.
10:55 - [orca] Now they are moving to the northwest of Hansville.
10:45 - [orca] They have stalled off Hansville and are circling, logging, and socializing
10:15 - T137s and T36/36Bs are NW bound aiming towards Point No Point [47.905611, -122.502702]. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express.
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10:37 - [orca] North of Point No Point heading for Foulweather Bluff now. -Trevor Tillman
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09:30 - Beautiful views of 137s + others traveling NW past Scatchet Head, also confirms it is T36 & T36Bs with T137s. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:06 - [orca] They seem to be spread out a bit out there. We counted 6. -Jodi Krause Poissant
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09:16 - [orca] They’re moving north now up the west side of Whidbey towards Admiralty. Almost out of view for me.
08:55 - They’re milling around Possession Bar. I see the big guy again. Probably Jack? They’re hunting. Group make up similar to the one that passed by north here yesterday.
08:49 - [orca] Passing Possession Point heading south. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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07:45 - Orcas at Clinton ferry dock at 745 this morning. (Secondhand report from my sister-in-law). Heading south. -Cara Hefflinger
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, May 21 - Strait of Juan de Fuca
16:34 - Two humpback whales filmed off Trial Island, Oak Bay, Vancouver Island, BC [video]
15:54 - Lone humpback whale filmed on Constance Bank off Victoria. [video] -Gerald Graham
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Sat, May 21 – Central/South Puget Sound - 20:32 - Thank you to the US Coast Guard for clearing the path along Pt. Defiance for Kata. As vessels were rapidly approaching they activated their blue lights and siren and the boats scattered. Kata gave them a slow mo Fluke as a thank you gesture for their service. -Jason Cook
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat May 21 20:15 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.30140,-122.57000 [Tacoma Narrows]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Kevin Bogue
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20:11 - Humpback is headed north in the Tacoma narrows currently. -Jack Sasser
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17:15 - Bcy1218 Kata is in between the South end of Vashon Island and Point Defiance Park, mid Channel. No direction, but mostly facing Pt Defiance. -Bart Rulon
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At 16:56 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: 15:46 hrs Chetzemoka Master reports one humpback whale headed east.
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15:28 - Humpback at south end of Vashon approaching ferry lane. Another nice tail slap. -Jason Cook
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12:00 - Just got a report from a community member of the humpback off Gold Beach on the SE side of Vashon Maury [Addendum from Alisa: possibly 2nd HB if off Gold Beach. The other one was in Dalco at ~ 12:20 or there about.] -Amy Carey
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10:14 - [humpback] Fluke right off Point Defiance, close to shore, direction looked southbound towards Narrows. -Brooke Casanova
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09:54 - [humpback] Could hear the slaps from Sunrise Beach, must have been exciting. -Archelle Reynolds
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09:40 - [humpback] Five mins plus of tail slaps!!! Still near Sunrise & Pt. Defiance.
09:33 - Soooo many tail slaps!!! Video in FB comments
09:20 - Still off NW side of Point Defiance swimming between here and Sunrise on GH side.
07:32 - Our favorite humpback just came through the Narrows. Now NW of Point Defiance. -Jason Cook
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09:13- BCY1218 Kata under the Mountain. -hoto by Ryan Dicks, May 21, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, May 21 - Crescent Harbor - 10:52 - Christy Ascione called to report small gray whale in Crescent Harbor right by Navy Base/ NEX. Rolling around close to shore. [feeding - will email video]
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10:15 - Grey whales in Crescent Harbor behind the NEX. -Mel Riley-McGregor
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Sat, May 21 - Port Susan - 20:40 - Grey mid channel just south of Cavalero. Moving slowly north. We watched for about 45 minutes. It was on its back with both tips of the fins visible a number of times. [feeding behavior]. -Amy Noel [CWW]
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17:30 - We have Shackleton CRC21 heading north from Kayak about 6:30PM. Port Susan Whale Watchers first spotted him off Tulalip Shores at 5:30. Heading out along the Stilly River delta towards Livingston or country club on Camano Island. -John C Storbeck
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Sat, May 21 – Possession Sound - 16:06 - [gray] Still hanging off the southeast side of Hat [Island] by the channel marker. -Parker Wilson
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More from Janine: ....and went over to Gedney [Hat] Island where we watched 3 gray whales spyhop well over 30 times!! I always hope for one, this was incredible! A great day had By all!! Note: All photos are taken with a telephoto lens and then heavily zoomed and cropped to show details. All whale watch guidelines were followed and whale flag flown when we were with whales...
13:47 - Three grays together southeast tip of Gedney, 2362 has spyhopped no less than 20 times! -Janine Harles
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12:20 - CRC2356 is just north of the southeast corner of Hat Island. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express

May 20
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, May 20 - Hood Canal (T64Bs & T65As)
19:02 – [orca] One male and two females, possibly three, moving fast, should be at south end of Marrowstone Island soon. Confirmed three females/non-adult males./
18:45 – [orca] Blows across Admiralty Inlet from south of Bush Point. Heading north fast, almost to Mats Mats Bay. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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15:57 – [orca] North of Hood Canal bridge right now. I only saw 2. One male and I am not sure what the other was. It appeared they were heading toward the canal until the coast guard boat distracted them. They then followed the coast guard boat out toward the sound. I kayaked around the bridge since posting but didn't see them again. I did see dozens of Harbor porpoise however. -Kris Clark
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11:45 - Single male orca passing by Scenic Beach Park Seabeck today headed south. -Kathy Cole
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Fri, May 20 - Puget Sound (merged T36, T36Bs, T137)
20:31 - [orca] still in the same area. Lots of surface activity, on a hunt.
20:13 - [orca] Viewing from Long Point. Saw a group of orcas west of Polnell Point angled towards Crescent Harbor. -Orca Conservancy
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19:10 - At least 2 Orca mid-channel heading north Saratoga Passage just south of Onamac. -Marie Heil
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18:45 - [orca] North of Cama Beach, trending north. They had made a few directional changes in front of some houses but seem to be back to north travel. -Orca Conservancy
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18:26 - Seeing T137A from Hidden Beach. NB. Mid channel between here and Camano Island State Park.
18:52 - Passing Hidden Beach, Whidbey Side, NB. Seems like maybe just the T137s. -Sara Montour Lewis
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18:04 - [orca] Viewing from Camano Island State Park mid-channel northbound traveling fast and spread out, maybe 5 of them. -Shelly Greybeck
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17:28 - Two or three orcas mid-Saratoga Passage south of Summerland. Circling not moving much. One male. -Peg Boley
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17:10- They [orcas] snuck through Langley quickly! Flat conditions right now. -Durand Dace
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15:36 - [orca] Northbound passing Brighton Beach still all grouped together. Spent a wonderful afternoon with friends watching the serene procession of these beautiful families (T36/T36Bs, T137) up Saratoga Passage. The sun was shining and the water was like glass. You can’t ask for more. Taken between Glendale Beach and Hidden Beach. -Donna George
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15:50 – [orca] They are still heading north but seem to be drifting east. Unknown at this time if they will go Langley or Port Susan. East side of Whidbey between Hat Island. Approaching Camano Head.
15:43 - [orca] Passing Brighton beach still heading north.
15:33 - [orca] Just passing the Clinton ferry dock close into the Whidbey side. -Danielle Pennington
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15:24 - [orca] Watching the group in the ferry lanes now, just behind the arriving boat in Clinton. Still Northbound. -Durand Dace
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15:20 - [orca] Almost in the ferry lanes, still moving slowish to the north. -Suzanne McKetta
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13:50 – [orca] They’re heading into Possession Sound now. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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11:50 – [orca] Edmonds/Kingston ferry lane 11:50am. Heading north. -Shawn Chapman
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11:49 - [orca] Moving north pretty rapidly.
11:41 - [orca] Seeing orcas from Edmonds fishing pier swimming around the San Juan Clipper. They are south of Edmonds but visible with binoculars. -Marty Jones
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11:38 - [orca] Approaching Kingston, still heading north. More towards Kingston side. -Sara Montour Lewis
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10:51 - [orca] They are crossing over and aiming towards Kingston now northwest-bound.
10:39 - T36s/T36Bs and T137s are still northbound very slowly. Map shared approx. 47.59307, -122.42254].0:25 -T36/36Bs and T137s are northbound off Shilshole eating a meal as they go. -Bart Rulon
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10:15 - [orca] Straight out from Daybreak Star, mid-channel, heading north. Saratoga is with them. -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound
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Friday, May 20 - Central Puget Sound (T36 & T36Bs)
08:24 - [orca] Very slowly working their way north.
08:00 - At least three [orca] just off of Beach Dr. South of Constellation Park. Look to be hunting. No direction of travel. -Tim Peters
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Those were the T36s. -back of cam photo by Kersti Muul, May 20, 2022
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07:44 - Orcas milling off Weather Watch Park. [West Seattle]. -Paul Steyn Benade
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Fri, May 20 - Central Puget Sound (T137s) - 08:45 - Gay Zwifler called at 10:20 to report on the pod of orcas they watched from Magnolia this morning at around 08:45. Pod was about one mile south of Discovery Park in Seattle moving northbound. About 5-6 w/ one large (male), two close in size close together, and small one. Pod was also circling breaching. Friend thought probably Transient orcas. Happen to look out front, Native WW boat were out in front idle at great distance which is what caught their eye. Gulls and an eagle swooping in feeding.
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08:36 - [orca] In front of 9-mile marker which is between Elliot Bay and Discovery Park. Eating. -Dany Ramos
(Orca Network could ID T137A as present per video by Dany Ramo - see frame grab)
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8:23 – [orca] 1.5 miles south of West Point. Stopped on sea lion hunt. 3 very active whales. 1 large male, 1 adult female, 1 juvenile. -David Scott
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07:26 - My wife is on the 7:05 ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. They are stopped for orcas. -Michael Pollack
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07:25 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: WENATHCEE@0721 - Master reports at least two Orca NB in Elliot Bay.
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07:05 - Orcas seen this morning while on Bainbridge to Seattle ferry. -Amy Motter
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, May 20 – Gulf Islands - Big Mama's calf on the morning of May 20th near Gooch Island. -photo & ID by Mark Malleson, May 20, 2022
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Fri, May 20 - Puget Sound - 19:20 - Had a magical humpback sighting on Friday, May 20. Time was around 7:20pm — sighted from the late 6:45 Bainbridge to Seattle ferry. Observed the solo whale breaching multiple times. As we approached (near Elliott Bay), the whale rolled onto its back right at the surface, and with one fin slapped the water slowly, over and over and over. I have a photo taken by someone else on the ferry who emailed it to me. Pretty sure it’s a humpback! -Thanks, Emelio DiSabato -photo by Emelio DiSabato, May 20, 2022
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17:54 - [humpback] … someone saw a breach, another friend was watching from Arnies but they were still by the ferry at that time. The gal that saw the breach was on the beach, ran out to the pier, and never saw anything again but the sea lion. -Janine Harles
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16:18 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Edmonds Terminal Humpback Whale Report 2/20/2022 1457hrs: EDM T/S reports a humpback whale and a calf directly off the EDM transfer span. No particular direction of travel was noted. -John Miller, WSF
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14:30 -15:00 - He [humpback] was between the ferry dock and the fishing pier. About 2:30 to 3 p.m. shot these a little more than an hour ago from the Edmonds Pier. I'm hoping someone might tell me what kind of whale this might be. (ID by Alisa LB, ON: CRC-19881 (BCX1333 calf 2021). -Jack Broom
Humpback CRC-19881 (BCX1333 calf 2021) off Edmonds Fishing Pier.
ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photos by Jack Broom, May 20, 2022
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Fri, May 20 - Central Puget Sound (BCY1218 Kata present) - 21:44- [humpback] Just saw her right off Point Defiance. It was headed NW sort of towards Colvos passage. -Ed Gullekson
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20:43 - Spotted the humpback off Point Defiance! Saw a big splash and then surfaced briefly, direction looked like it was heading south towards the narrows but hard to say for sure. Viewing from Dune Peninsula. -Brooke Casanova
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20:00 - Last seen humpback was a blow, back float, and tail flip dive just north of Narrows Bridge. Was trailing south with the current every time he came up all the way down the Tacoma side. -Susan White
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19:11 - Not sure if this is the same whale but I’ve got a juvenile humpback breaching where the pin is. Trending southbound. [map shared approx. 47.618621, -122,477444]. -Joey LaMarche
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18:33 – [humpback] In front of Salmon Beach again feeding mid-channel. -Gill Chard
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17:35 - Humpback is starting her morning by heading north in the middle of the Tacoma Narrows. Currently in front of Salmon Beach. -Jack Sasser
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17:18 - [humpback] Just north of Narrows Bridge, mid-channel heading south. -Angie Kauffman Salo
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14:57 - [humpback] Out by Vashon SW end. Been back close rot shore at the point of Point Defiance.
14:30 - Off the point of Point Defiance. So very close!! (Video confirms BCY1218 – alb) -Cherie St.Ours
BCY1218 Kata Dalco Passage
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14:50 - [humpback] Just fluked off the tip of Point Defiance pointed towards Dalco.
14:06 - Just saw the humpback fluke off of Owen Beach. Facing west. -Amber Stanfill
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14:03 – [humpback] Just saw a fluke. I'm on Owens facing Vashon. Whale seemed to be heading west. -David Bennett
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13:49 - You're welcome! I just talked to a couple of photographers taking photos. They believe it was Kata. I asked them to send photos to you all. Hope they do! It's really active right now. Very exciting! Thank you all for the work you do!
13:27 - Hi! I'm at the Point Ruston waterfront dunes looking out at the waterway between Vashon Island and Dash Point. There is a Humpback swimming around. We just saw a tail slap about 10 minutes ago. Very exciting! Just wanted to report. -Cassandra Bucey
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, May 20 - N Saratoga Passage - 11:00 - Gray in upper Saratoga, southbound mid channel between Mariners' Cove and Maple Grove beach/Camano, 11:00 5-20-22: There is a gray spouting way out in the channel as I look down toward Rocky Point, heading south. It could be 2440, but I don’t think it had time to go from northbound at Mariners’ Cove to this location so quickly, but you never know!
10:30 - Gray crc2440 cruising/feeding at Mariners' Cove/Whidbey, northbound, 10:30 5-20-22.
I just watched a gray, which I’m guessing is 2440 (big white patch on its back that we’ve seen numerous times lately), cruising by Mariners’ Cove heading north around 10:30am. It’s a little further off the beach than usual, but it appears to be feeding a bit based on the movement/pattern. This whale seems to love the tasty tidbits on this beach – lucky us! Have a terrific day! -Marianne Parry
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Fri, May 20 – Possession Sound - 11:48 - Gray whale crc2246 is back! He/she is circling off the southeast corner of Hat Island. -Bart Rulon
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Fri, May 20 – Saratoga Passage - 16:45 - 1 grey swimming past Fox Spit, towards Langley. [southbound]. -Megan Fantz Pyle

May 19
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, May 19 - Bellingham Channel - “The team arrived on scene off the southeast side of Cypress Island at 15:46. The whales were already on a kill, so the team quickly launched the drone to observe how the group processed and shared their prey. From the drone and photographs, the team identified the group as the T75Bs…” -Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 24
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…We headed back toward Anacortes with hopes for good luck and maybe orca sighting....and yeah! Found the T75B family (Matriarch Pebbles, born 1995, T75B Jasper, born 2015, T75B3 Rubble, born 2017, and calf T75B4, born 2021) heading into Rosario Strait. They made their way north and stopped for an early dinner on the east side of Cypress Island....exciting and beautiful to watch. A perfect day, with good friends, sunshine, flat glass water, and lovely whales! -Bonnie Gretz
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…Then the call “Orcas ahead” had us scrambling … homeward bound we found the T75B family in Bellingham channel, just in time to see them have an afternoon snack. -photos by Jill Hein, May 19, 2022
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Thu, May 19 - Hood Canal (T65As & T64Bs) - 20:33 - [orca] Lone male headed north past Seabeck towards Dabob Bay. west side. -Kathy Cole
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Shy D
Date of Sighting: 5/19/2022
Time: [rcvd 20:10]
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 11
Where seen: Eagle Creek, to Jorsted Creek, to beyond Triton Head.
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Possibly 2
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: This was a beautiful experience, utterly breathtaking!!
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Shy D [Shyana Duncan]
Date of Sighting: 5/19/2022
Time: [rcvd 19:56]
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Hoodsport, WA heading toward Union, WA/
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Traveling
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: One adult, two young calves..
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to info@orcanetwork.org
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17:47 - [orca] Got word they were in front of Hamma Hamma. -Michael Gomez
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14:35 - [orca] Just north of Lilliwaup, east side of canal. Northbound. -Steve Illman
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12:53 - [orca] Straight out from Hoodsport heading north. Traveling fast. Favoring east side. -Shaylyn Slye
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12:20 - [orca] They're kind of between the Union marina store and Hoodsport! -Christina Mullein
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12:32 - [orca] They’re heading north past Ayres Point.
11:58 - They are north of Union west bound. T65As and friends -Emily Calkins
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11:25 - [orca] Heading back west now. At least 4. Closer to north shore, about 1 mile east of Alderbrook.
10:45 - Two orcas heading east, Hood Canal, mile 12.5 -Tori Dulemba
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10:25 - Secondhand report of orcas in Hood Canal. Passed mile marker 8 on hwy 106, 30 minutes ago (~ 10:25) heading east. Mid channel. Probably around Twanoh State Park by now. I will drive down and relay a better report shortly. -Shaylyn Slye
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Thu, May 19 - South Puget Sound (137s, 36, & 36Bs) - 21:17 - [orca] Neighbor of mine said they were in Filucy Bay about an hour ago and got a picture of them leaving. -Tiffany Olsen
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15:22 - [orca] Very slowly heading south towards Fox Island.
14:56 - Watching them right now in front of me heading south [approx. 47.281809, -122.703541]
13:54 - A pod of approximately 6-8 Orcas just turned around by Horsehead Bay and have headed back north towards Kopachuck! Watched as they were heading south out of the Inlet over an hour ago, lots of activity (definitely looked like hunting behavior) before they turned around and headed back into the Inlet towards Kopachuck, Raft Island -Jennifer Swenson
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13:30 - So I was in Seattle last Thursday, May 19, 2022 and I went on a FS Clipper whale watching tour and at about 1:30 P.M., we saw T-137/Jack and T-36 and five other Bigg's Orcas possibly hunting 1 or 2 porpoises. They must have been successful because gulls and 2 Bald Eagles were circling for scraps. This was my first wild Orca sighting and it was awesome. -Mark Kutcha
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13:12- [orca] Headed south, [approx. 47.298137, -122.706590]. -Cora Reuter Foster
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13:05 - My husband just reported perhaps 6-8 orcas in Carr Inlet heading south, just south of Cutts Island. -Sarah Richey Guenther
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Thu, May 19 - Carr Inlet
Name: Mark Kuchta
Date of Sighting: 5/19/2022
Time: 13:00 PM
Species seen: Orcas-T-137, T-36s
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: In the Carr Inlet off of Lakebay near McNeil and Fox Islands.
Direction of travel : They first were traveling NW and then doubled back SE possibly hunting porpoises.
Behaviors observed: Hunting, minor breaching, tale slaps, a couple of rollovers and spy hopping.
If orcas, any males?: 1 definitely, T-137/Jack.
Any unusual markings?: Not close enough to see scars though it did appear T-137 had 1-2 notches in his dorsal fin.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: This was my first wild Orca encounter as I am from Kenosha, WI and I was in Seattle for vacation. This viewing of the T-137 and T-36s was a spectacular experience and I can't wait to visit the Salish Sea again to see more Bigg's Orcas and maybe some Resident Orcas.
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12:15 - Picked up the T137s and others off of Cutts island in Carr inlet, southbound; Erin Johns Gless replied to comment with “36 and 36B’s present with T137’s… killing birds.” -Brian McGinn
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09:55 - Orcas heading down the east side of Fox Island. Secondhand report. -Anonymous
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7:54 - I have a report of Orcas off McNeil/Anderson Head, Northbound at 7:54 am. -Melissa Bird
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, May 19 - Stuart Island - Big Mama & Calf - Had a fun day on the water yesterday (Thurs 19th) aboard IA - we found our favorite humpback “Big Mama” with her latest (7th) calf, out by Turn Point. Big Mama was first seen in the Salish Sea back in 1997 when humpbacks started repopulating our area, so she IS a celebrity. Then the call “Orcas ahead” had us scrambling … homeward bound we found the T75B family in Bellingham channel, just in time to see them have an afternoon snack. -Jill Hein
BCY0324 big Mama and her 2022 Calf (above) - cute calf peduncle and fluke topside (below) -ID and photos by Jill Hein, May 19, 2022
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First, we traveled way up to Canada and found humpbacks Big Mama (BCY0324) and her latest (probably 7th!) calf near Stuart Island. Little guy was trying so hard to fluke up with mom but couldn't quite make it! -Bonnie Gretz
Big Mama and calf (above) - Big Mama fluke (below) - ID and photos by Bonnie Gretz, May 19, 2022
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Thu, May 19 - Haro Strait - 13:53 - Humpback Whale filmed headed southbound in Haro Strait [video ] -Gerald Graham
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13:50 - [humpback] Heading south again.
13:25 - Humpback southwest bound across from Edwards Point/landbank area -Michelline Halliday
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13:15 - Humpback mid-Haro off Lime Kiln. Was southbound, maybe westbound now. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI
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Thu, May 19 - Puget Sound - 21:04 - Humpback feeding in front of Salmon Beach for last hour headed north then south to bridge mid channel. -Gill Chard
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16:24 - Humpback southeast corner of Maury. Beautiful breach. Trending westbound [approx. 47.333430, -122.447534]- Jason Cook
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15:24 - [humpback] Just cleared the ship eastbound. It looks so small next to the big boat.
15:13 - Humpy about 250yds off Dune Park, eastbound approaching the ship at anchor. It just dove right under the rudder of the ship. -Alan Passero
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14:15 - Just saw Kata do 3 breaches near Dalco viewing from Anthony’s. -Cherie St.Ours
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11:46 - [humpback] Just saw the tail flukes midway Dalco and the Clipper. Appeared to be headed east toward Vashon. -Gayle Millett
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At 11:45 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Humpback at Pt. Dalco, 5/19 - Log entry 1140hrs: Captain, PD/TAHL A watch, reports spotting one humpback whale off Pt. Dalco, meandering in various directions.
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12:49 - Humpback is out from Owens Beach, Tacoma side of mid channel westbound.
11:52 - Humpbacks out from Owens heading eastbound Tacoma side of mid channel
11:00 - Saw fluke, pretty sure humpback. Halfway between the point at Point Defiance and the SW tip of Vashon Island heading north. BCY1218 Kata -Marilyn Armbruster
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10:45 - One humpback observed between Gig Harbor and South Vashon, now going east through Dalco passage. -Beverly Winchell Andrews
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9:45 - We watched the humpback for quite a while from Dalco viewpoint on the 5-mile drive, on our last drive through. She was hanging around for a while in the eddies off the point. -Heather Shaver
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, May 19 - N Saratoga Passage - 20:14 - Grey heading northwest in Utsalady Bay mid-channel. -Elaina Holland Dulaney [CWW]
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13:45 - CRC2440 feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound 13:45 5-19-22: We just had a lovely but quick visit by the beach from 2440, and it is working its way down through the Happy Meal Mudflats and on toward Polnell. I’m amazed at how very close to the beach it was – the tide is really low right now (my app says -3.3), and I can see all the pits in the mudflats, and 2440 was surprisingly close to the waters’ edge. Seems to fine, just chugging along. Enjoy your day!
13:00 - Three grays in upper Saratoga, northbound I think, 13:00 5/19/22: We’re watching three grays out here on this beautiful sunny day! All are way out in the channel, but I was able to zoom in enough to see 2440 “Double-Hump” with the big patch on its back. :) All appear to be heading north.
1. Appears to be 2440, just north of Camano.
2. Gray spouting between south end of Utsalady and Mariners’ Cove.
3. Another gray spouting a little bit north of my line of sight from Mariners’ Cove and Rocky Point/Camano. Enjoy your day! -Marianne Parry
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Thu, May 19 – Possession Sound - 11:00 - At least one grey whale at the southeast corner of Hat Island. -Danielle Pennington

May 18
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, May 18 – Saratoga Passage - 17:35 - We just spotted them heading northbound near Harrington Lagoon on the Whidbey side. There were approximately four orcas! - Stephanie Smith
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Wed, May 18 – Central Puget Sound - 18:20 - [orca] Who would be the May 18 Edmonds group: Via Whale Alert App Emily Smiley reported seeing a group of 3-5 orca were heading Southeast (toward the Bainbridge ferry route from Fay Bainbridge Park) at around 18:20.
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16:00 -[Orcas] Saw a secondhand report that they were SB off Edmonds. -Ariel Yseth
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12:08 - At least 3 or 4 orcas just crossed Sandy Point heading south. -Melanie J. Sceva Hill
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, May 18 – Puget Sound - 19:20 - Humpback about 100 yards off the very tip of Point Defiance. Headed north towards Owens Beach. -Ben VL
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16:45 - [humpback] Many blows, tail flukes, and a full breach in the eddy off Point Defiance beacon. No noticeable direction of travel. Viewing from Gig Harbor side. -Michele Riley
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14:30 - My son just came home with the coolest footage of the [humpback] whale slapping its tail. It was off the tip of Point Defiance. -Kiana Weinschenk
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9:44 - Humpback spotted at Delco Passage Point Defiance just now. -Stefanie CatLady [PSWS]
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Wed, May 18 – Skagit Bay - 11:00 - Winds dying down - gray whale Utsalady point viewed from Mariner’s cove; 1 or 2 or one milling around just west of the red buoy. -Paul E. Belanger

May 17
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, May 17 - N Saratoga Passage (75Bs) - 19:30 - [orca] Watching from Coupeville wharf, was out off Long Point... milling? -Bonnie Gretz
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19:22 - [orca] Still just milling about mid channel near the entrance of Penn Cove.
19:03 - The pod has entered Penn Cove. Watching from my sailboat! -Anton Kleparek
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17:30 - [orca] Whales still northbound about to pass Madrona - mid-channel - trending towards Penn Cove. -Jill Hein, Orca Network
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17:30 - We saw two Orcas off of Lawana Beach heading north towards Penn Cove. They were moving fairly quickly. -Randy Zimmerman Furnas
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16:40 - [T75Bs] Heading north of Onamac closer mid channel. -photo by Aaron Gill, May 17, 2022
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14:39 - Another group of orcas northbound in Saratoga nearing Mabana beach northbound. -Tyson Parker Reed
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11:00 - Saw at least three orcas between mid Hat Island and Brighton Beach foraging. Then turned east. -Marilyn Armbruster
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10:51 - [orca] Active near shore, just north of Clinton. -Danica Bourne
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10:40 - Orcas are on a hunt between Hat Island Brighton Beach.
10:30 - Viewing from Brighton Beach, the orcas were traveling southbound then turned straight east towards Hat Island. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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11:01 - [orca] A group heading past the Clinton ferry dock heading more east.
10:26 - Second group [orcas] was blazing north about 3-5 orcas with no big males. They should be off of Brighton beach now continuing north towards Langley.
10:20 - I am seeing another group [orcas] now that just passed very close to the Clinton ferry dock heading northwest between Whidbey and Gedney. -Danielle Pennington
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Tue, May 17 - (T36, T36Bs, T137s) - 20:20-20:45 - We had a visit from a group of orcas around 8:20pm (Tues, 5-17-22) out in the channel between Mariners’ Cove and roughly the south end of Utsalady. They came up from the south, somewhat spread out, with the big fella bringing up the rear. They milled around for about 30 minutes or so before turning around and heading back southward. It was a little hard to keep them all straight, but there were probably 3-4 with the curved fins and then the one larger male with the very upright triangular fin. I took photos, but it was very far away and the light was fading...I saw our local seal cruising back and forth not more than about 4’ from the beach while the orcas were around, so I know it was likely a nervous little seal but staying safe.
20:45 - Just watched prob 4-6 in northern Saratoga - out from Mariners Cove/N.Oak Harbor/Whidbey. They turned around and are heading back south right now (but it's getting dark) -Marianne Parry
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18:30 - Orcas again! Few miles north of Hidden Beach heading north. - ID: T36B1 by Orca Network - photo by Aaron Gill, May 17, 2022
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17:29 - T137A headed northbound approaching Camano Island State Park area. Thought I spotted a fin further south, but no sign of others, likely more Camano side. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
T137A - ID & photo by Rachel Haight, Orca Network, May 17, 2022
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16:29 - [orca] Northbound nearing Langley Camano side. -Donna George
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16:12 - [orca] Reached Camano Head look to be turning north into Saratoga Passage.
14:47 - [orca] Tillicum Beach headed toward Camano Head.
13:22 - [orca] Approaching Tillicum Beach on Camano Island. -Clinton Duckworth
T137D & T137A in Port Susan -ID: Rachel Haight, Orca Network - photo by Clinton Duckworth, May 17, 2022
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15:23 - Six orcas passing close to shore at Tyee heading south. -Jill Duskin [CWW]
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15:40 - [orca] Sleepily southbound, south of Tillicum Beach on Camano side. Approaching Camano head
15:16 - [orca] Southbound at Tillicum Beach.
14:10 - [orca] Southbound due west of Kayak Point, west of midchannel.
13:57 - T137A hanging out across from Kayak point. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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13:02 - T137 Loon off Kayak Point. -ID & photo by Dawn Fujino Redmond, May 17, 2022
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12:33 - [orca] Three Orcas heading north in front of Tyee right now. Looks like a baby in tow. -Jill Duskin
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12:11 - [orca] We had 7-9 Orca in Port Susan in 3 Groups east west and center heading north starting at 12:11 and the 7-9 in one group heading south passed Bretland Tillicum and Tyee Beach on the Camano side about 3PM. Nearing Camano Head close to shore about 4pm Three different whale watching boats were out after this group. My wife Jill took this video as they passed by. -John Storbeck
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12:10 - At this time, looks like the orcs are trending slowly into Port Susan.
12:00 - I’m viewing from Sandy Point, whale boats following northbound, approaching south end Camano, can't tell if the orcas will go Port Susan or Saratoga yet. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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11:20 - [orca] Last saw blows on east side of Hat Island.
11:00 - Five orcas due north of Edgewater Beach. Mukilteo. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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10:38 - Saw two orcas from Powder Mill Gulch area (between Harborview Park and Edgewater Park) heading south. -Dianne Riter
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11:11 - [orca] There is also a group of orcas in the same area [SE of Hat Island] showing surface activity.
10:40 - [orca] The group over by Mukilteo Everett has traveled back south a little bit and are just north of the Mukilteo ferry dock heading west now towards Clinton/hat island.
10:26 - [orca] At least 2 groups. One group is over by and approaching Everett
10:08 - Looks to be 2 groups [orcas] fairly close to each other heading north. [approx. 47.9569161, -122.2910144]. -Danielle Pennington
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09:52 - [orca] Mukilteo now still going north. -Trevor Tillman
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09:10 - [orca] Spotted from Possession Lane, just north of Picnic Point, briefly. Appeared to be heading north towards Mukilteo about 9:10am. At least 1 male and I think I saw a little one too. At least 5 or 6 total. Close to the Edmonds side, 1/2 mile out. -Mark Gronau
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8:30 - Kimberly Lord Cummings share video of orcas in Brown’s Bay, Edmonds.
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Tue, May 17 - Hood Canal (65As & 64Bs) - 15:06 - [orca] I’m in Seabeck and just saw one across the bay between the two depth markers. -Maggie Easton
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14:30 - [orca] At least five hanging out in Dabob Bay. Seemed to be traveling with some occasional milling. One group of three, another group of two. Seems the male went out the main passage toward the bridge around 14:45. Haven’t had eyes on them for a while. -Shaylyn Slye
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14:41 - [orca] Passing the Gooey Duck restaurant. Headed north still west side.
14:32 - Passing Pleasant Harbor now headed northwest side.
14:18 - Got eyes on them south of Seabeck heading north haven't passed Pleasant Harbor area yet. -Kathy Cole
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13:03 - [orca] Almost to Holly, west of mid channel of course because I'm east.
12:49 - I'm seeing whales mid channel off of Eldon slowly moving south. Viewing from Holly. -Jim Pasola
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11:02 - [orca] They’re coming closer. Not quite mid-channel from Eagle Creek. Hamma Hamma, I think they’re headed your way if you’re on the west side. They are still closer to the East side by a bit. I counted at least 5. -Felicitous Chick
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09:30 - [orca] Still here. There was for sure a big male, and 5 smaller ones, maybe females? And one much smaller following another which we assumed was a mama and calf. -Kimberly Smith
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10:05 - [orca] Directly across from the tides tight to the east shore slowly moving north
09:33 - [orca] Slowly steadily moving north now very close to the west shore if I were on that side, I would head for Dewatto.
09:25 - [orca] Have moved slightly North right off of Rendsland Creek. Very close to shore.
09:15 - I moved over to Potlatch they're [orca] back on Ayers Point this is painful.
08:50 - There's something about Ayers Point they moved west halfway to Potlatch turned around went back to the point splashed around for another 20 minutes now appear to be heading Northwest.
08:35 - He turned around went back to the point with the others and they're all just playing right on the point....They're still in the same place right off Ayres Point. T65A2 is slowly heading east toward Belfair. Not 20 ft from shore where I typically park. I took west side today.
07:50 - Whale Sighting Network volunteer Jim Pasola called to report the orcas are still in Hood Canal. The pod is stalled out off of Ayres Point, directly across from Union at the great bend. Non- directional at this time, appear to be finishing up a meal. T64Bs and T65As Hood Canal. -Jim Pasola
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Tue, May 17 - Haro Strait - 15:19 - [humpback] north of County Park. -James Richardson
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15:08 - [humpback] North of Lime Kiln now. -Venecia Vortex
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13:15 - Single humpback [False Bay] -Pete Ancich
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Tue, May 17 - Dalco Passage - 20:30 - Just spotted the humpback at the very tip of Point Defiance. Hugging the shore. Headed toward Owens Beach. -Ben VL
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19:21 - [humpback] Still in same area. Flukes 3-4 min apart.
18:20 - Southbound slow swim. Basically, circling the area. [approx. 47.332327, -122.558431]
16:48 - Humpback SW corner of Vashon [approx. 47.328393, -122.517757]. -Jason Cook
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13:30 - [humpback] Last sighting it was headed up past Vashon Island.
13:00 - Just saw the humpback off Owens Beach. -Sydney Haglund
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11:15 - KOMO was live over the HUMPBACK (not a blue whale) in Dalco Passage. [video]
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09:45 - Humpback (possibly 2 animals) between Vashon ferry and Point Defiance heading towards Tacoma side. Seen from old ferry landing Gig Harbor. -Diana Frick
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, May 17 – Dalco Pass - At 11:04 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Grey Whale out of TAHLEQUAH, 5/17 - Log entry 1041hrs: Vessel reports spotting one grey whale, heading East bound.
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Tue, May 17 - N Saratoga Passage - 16:06 - At least one gray still present. Was traveling northeast very slowly along [Mariner’s Cove]. -Sam Wallace
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16:40 - Gray 2440 feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound. Wow, it’s been quite a whale day! In addition to the four grays (!) here in upper Saratoga earlier in the day, we had an evening pass by 2440 as well as a pod of orcas just before dark (I’ll send that report separately). Back to my pal 2440, Double-Hump. In addition to the northbound pass by the beach here at Mariners’ Cove around noon, it came back heading south and chowing down like crazy. This was one of the slowest feeding visits ever – lol! I’m attaching some photos and drone footage from around 4:40pm, but it was here for probably at least half an hour as it progressed in a very leisurely way down to the Happy Meal Mudflats and on toward Polnell.
12:37 - There are two at southern end of Mariners Cove - midchannel...2440 heading north up the beach. So fun!
12:31 - Missed one! Looks like 2440 is right outside by the beach!
12:20 - Upper Saratoga grays - there appear to be two grays in upper Saratoga still. The huge white whale-watcher is apparently watching one north of Mariners Cove (but I can’t see it), but there is another one on the south end of Mariners Cove sneaking up behind it. It is way out in the channel - not surprising since it’s a very low tide right now.
CRC2440 slowly passing by Mariner's Cove, Whidbey. -photos by Marianne Parry, May 17, 2022
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12:14 - Two grays still moving around between Utsalady, Strawberry Point and Mariners Cove. One is #53 Little Patch, second whale is #2259. Correction: two more gray whales here, #2356 and #56. -Tyson Parker Reed, Island Adventures
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10:45 - [gray] Can see two grays out here (10:45am) between Mariners’ Cove/Whidbey and the Utsalady area on Camano. One is closer to Whidbey, just south of Mariners’ Cove, and the other is northbound further north of here. Both are pretty far out in the channel at this point, so no photos yet. -Marianne Parry
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Tue, May 17 – Possession Sound - 11:11 - [gray] There are officially whales everywhere. I am seeing 2 grays by their normal hang out at the SE of Hat Island. There is also a group of orcas in the same area showing surface activity. -Danielle Pennington

May 16
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, May 16 – Hood Canal (T65As & T64Bs)
19:30 - [orca] Passing the mouth of Dewatto Bay, favoring the east side. Southbound.
18:55 - [orca] In front of eagle creek. Mid channel. -Shaylyn Slye
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17:05 - [orca] Sorry for the late update, the phone was dead. They milled about in front of Holly from 16:10-17:05. I left at 17:05, they hadn’t committed to a direction. Still towards the west side.
16:10 - [orca] Straight in front of us at Holly. Midchannel, a little closer to the west side. Some playing while they were there! Fluke slaps, spy hops, and one breach. -Amelia Kalagher
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16:05 - [orca] Continuing South, have moved farther West. I'm out.
15:55 - [orca] Viewing from just north of Holly they have just come into view. Mid channel southbound.
14:37 - [orca] Still slowly meandering south close to the west shore about to lose sight of them from scenic beach.
14:23 - [orca] Viewing from a Scenic Beach they appear to be just south of Brinnon near the west shore slowly moving south. -Jim Pasola
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15:23 - [orca] Across from Triton Park.
13:58 - [orca] They just left Danon heading into the main Hood Canal and couldn’t see if they went north or south. -Sarah Murphy
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13:20 - just saw 3 orcas headed south in Dabob Bay- one looks to be a baby. -Mary Jean Ryan
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10:56 - Orcas heading into Dabob Bay right now! -Trevor Tillman
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12:11 - We are slowly leaving the T65As and T64Bs now swimming very slowly southbound. [Map shared approx. 47.722407, -122.82686]
11:46 - T65As and T64Bs are on the hunt at the top of Dabob Bay. [Map shared approx. 47.702998, -122.859828].
11-32 - The T64B pod is also with the T65A pod here in Dabob Bay.
10:55 - T65A pod killer whales northbound in Dabob Bay. -Bart Rulon
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Mon, May 16 – Admiralty Inlet (T36Bs and T137s plus)
16:45 - [orca] Chilkat Express found 10 plus killer whales southbound at Point Wilson, pointed to Port Townsend Bay. IDs to follow.,,137s, 36Bs and another family with a small baby. -Christopher Lewman
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COASTAL KILLER WHALES - Fri, May 16 - OR Coast (T49As, T50, T51)
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Russell Campbell
Date of Sighting: 5/16/2022
Time: 13:20 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: 44.6157545, -124.0678461.
Direction of travel : Quickly heading West out of Yaquina Bay.
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: The largest individual also seemed to have a much larger dorsal fin, proportionally, than the rest. I assume that was the male.
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Not much else was particularly notable. One individual was significantly smaller than all of the others. I have photos and video that I will be happy to send for identification ASAP. Is there any way I could learn the IDs of these individuals once you confirm them?
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to info@orcanetwork.org
ID notes by Melisa Pinnow who reviewd video: “I see the T49As, T50s, and T51. Cool group!”;
and then photos sent later: “ There are no additional whales in these photos.
Glad to see T49A6 is filling out!” -photos by Russel Campbll, May 16, 2022
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, May 16 - Strait of Juan de Fuca
Name: Naja Di Pilla
Date of Sighting: Monday, May 16, 2022
Time of Sighting: Approximately 0800
Species seen: Humpback
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Approximately 48degrees 10.934’N 123degrees 16.123’W
Behaviors observed: Spectacular breech of anterior 2/3 of body straight out of water
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Midway between Port Angeles and Dungeness Spit on the US side
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Mon, May 16 – Central Puget Sound - At 20:39 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Humpback Whale 5/16 2034 hrs: Chetzemoka Master reports 1 humpback whale 1 1/2 from TAHL (Tahlequah ferry terminal) southbound.
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At 19:06. Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Humpback whale 5/16 1900 hrs Walla Walla Master reports a humpback whale near Waterman Point headed East.
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12:00 - I saw this Humpback in Port Orchard Bay on Monday around noon. Between Brownsville Marina and Bainbridge Island. -Glenn Cahoon
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Monday, May 16 - South Puget Sound - 17:45 - Humpback under Narrows bridge. -photo by Ryan Dicks, May 16, 2022
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17:35 - Whale (I’m assuming humpback) just passing under Narrows Bridge, mid-channel, heading south. Moving fairly slow. -Amanda Van Meter
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15:09 - The humpback is just south of Point Evans on the Gig Harbor side. -Jack Sasser
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08:45 - Humpback is just north of Tacoma Narrows bridge. Slow travel southbound, near Gig Harbor side. I saw him breach once and lift his fluke twice. -Zeno Martin
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, May 16 – N Saratoga Passage - Two grays in upper Saratoga, 11:00 5/16/22 - I’ve got eyes on two grays between Mariners’ Cove/Whidbey and Utsalady area/Camano. One of them appears to be closer to Camano and is approaching Utsalady Bay from the south. The second one is closer to the Whidbey side and appears to be heading right toward the Polnell-Mariners’ Cove area from Camano. They’re too far away to get photos, but I’ll send shots later if I am able to take some. -Marianne Parry
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Mon, May 16 – Sinclair Inlet - 18:50 – Single orca in Sinclair Inlet. Being very elusive. Deep dives. Not enough surface time to get a pic. Bremerton ferry slowed for it. -Charline McAndries
(We also had this whale reported as a humpback-see humpback section).

May 15
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, May 15 - Hood Canal - 10:15 - [orca] Just saw orcas about 5 minutes ago at the Hood Canal Bridge. They appeared to be heading into Hood Canal. (Appeared to be at least three). -Mollie Orbea
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10:19 - [orca] Set of three [orca] off Hood Canal bridge! Right in front of Salisbury Point Park. It looked like one male and possibly a smaller baby, but pretty far off. One definitely was smaller than rest. Phone picture of one, but so far off. They were circling off the point but going towards the bridge (south?). -Katelyn Van Antwerp
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10:10 - [orca] Pod of five (including subadult or adult male) was reported via Whale Alert App by Rebecca Berger off the NW side of the bridge out from Shine Tidelands Park. Rebecca followed up on FB with photo and comment: “Heading south. I’m pretty sure it’s that same pod as others reported around the same time and location this morning. They appeared to be heading into Hood Canal.”
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Sun, May 15 - Puget Sound (T137s) - 20:15 - [orca] Last we saw pod was couple miles of Edmonds due south of Cultus Bay heading northbound. Neither side of Whidbey was an obvious choice at that time. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Rachel Haight, Dori Dace (Orca Network)
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19:45 - [orca] Pod is now just north of Point Wells steady northbound mid channel or east of.
19:15 - Think both groups are out here between Kayu Kayu Ac Park and President point, Kingston. There are two males, they are east of mid channel departed by several hundred yards. Females/young trailing short distance west of mid channel. All steady northbound.
18:30 - Not sure which group but Rachel caught sighting and is seeing blows and dorsals north of Fay Bainbridge heading northbound in southbound traffic lanes. Lead group is out from mid Port Madison with at least a male trailing about 1/4-1/2 mile. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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13:24 - [orca] North of the ferry lanes now, seen from the Kittitas en-route to Vashon, northbound mid channel, moving fast. -Marla Smith
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13:02 - [orca] Three heading north mid channel. Viewing from 98th Street Beach, West Seattle. Followed by boat. -MaryJean Moretti Mariano
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12:42 - [orca] They passed by Woodmont beach and Saltwater [SP]. Headed north also saw three possibly four because there was a big bull as well. -Mitzi Gligorea
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12:00 - [orca] Sandhya Ballal called to update on these orcas, 4 including a bull, who have been in the area for a couple of hours. They first hear them while out walking. Group is now northbound passing the yellow mid channel buoy on the Burien side.
11:26 - Have 3 orcas visible from Three Tree Point south side. Breaching and lots of activity. No direction. -Sandhya Ballal
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09:30 - I have a pod of at least 4 orcas that were heading southbound at Point Robinson [Maury/Vashon] that flipped and are now heading northbound. (back of camera photo she sent shows T137A Jack- alb) -Kelly Keenan
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Sun, May 15 - Central Puget Sound (T63, T65, T36, & T36Bs) - 20:07 - [orca] Just passed Driftwood Cove, heading north, mid-channel Colvos Pass just south of ferry. -Kristi King
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19:40 - Orcas went north from Andersen point county park. Now around south worth ferry terminal.
19:30 - Approx. four orcas off Andersen point county park in Colvos passage. Sitting still. North or south direction - it is not clear. -Kyle Buffenmyer
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15:19 - [orca] Steady northbound passing Lowman Beach. T36 (top) and T36 with T36Bs off West Seattle. IDs: Rachel Haight, Orca Network - photos by Dori Dace, May 15, 2022 -Dori Dace
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15:40 - Orcas approaching Alki northbound.
14:55 - Three orcas close to shore, one other plus Chainsaw further off trailing northbound past Brace Point. T36B (top) and T36Bs w/T36B (bottom). -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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14:33 - [orca] Five minutes ago, headed north near east shoreline Seola, three together, one following a bit behind. -Lori Hill
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14:10 - Spotted one [orca] NB mid channel - viewing from 150th ST SW Seahurst. -Cindy Eckes Waddington
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13:53 - Three orcas northbound very close to shore, viewing from south side of Three Tree Point. [more later with images]: Not my best closest ones I've gotten so far of the orcas. I took these from my balcony.....I nearly missed them. I was looking and about to give up. Then a pod of porpoises raced past my house in the shallow waters. They looked like they were running from something, so I suspected the orcas were not too far behind. T36 and T36B2 (top) and T36B1 (bottom) -Sandhya Ballal -ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photos by Sandhya Ballal, May 15, 2022
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13:05 - [orca] Passed Point Robinson mid-ish channel, still heading north. -Kelly Burns Keenan
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2:55 - [orca] Viewing at least four to five [orca] off south end of Des Moines Marina. -Rietta Rain
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12:37 - [orca] Right off of Saltwater State Park. Still going north.
11:54 - I can see them just south of Saltwater Park. With the whale watch boats. Milling around deeper dives. -Jeffrey Stander
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12:00 - [orca] I just saw three headed north by the Point in Maury Island. I’m in Redondo
11:49 - [orca] I sure saw that one too (Redondo). Sooo excited, and porpoises are all over -Lola Letty
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12:22 - I’m still seeing activity south of Pt Robinson. Several boats there and orcas are milling about. [approx. 47.358962, -122.348550].
11:38 - I see one orca from Redondo. -Michelle Roy
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11:46 - The T36/T36Bs are in this group still northbound south of Point Robinson, with T65 and T63 in the lead. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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11:01 - [orca] Mid East channel off Dash Point Pier headed north. Looks now like some going north and south direction and not really changing position. Maybe just milling about. -Eric Elgar
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11:22 - Chainsaw in lead 5 others following. Could be Pt. Robinson in 15 [minutes] if they keep going.
10:56 - Chainsaw heading to Dash Point. -Ryan Dicks
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10:45 - [orca] From Brown’s Point light house today! -photos by Mollie Segall, May 15, 2022
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11:13 - [orca] Group of 3-5 lazily drifting past Dash Point mid channel angling towards Vashon/ Pt. Robinson, Northbound. Foraging behavior off Dash Point State Park. including a moonwalk!
10:47 - Two groups [orca] off Brown's Point Lighthouse. One close to shore right off the Lighthouse, one a little deeper out. Northbound up East Passage. -Melissa Bird
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10:45 - [orca] Headed north towards Point Robinson on east side of channel. -Kody Granger
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10:30 - Right below Cliff house! Headed west along shore towards lighthouse. Looked like a female or two, and possibly a baby. Not Chainsaw though. -Dave Porter
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10:19 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: CHETZEMOKA@1018: 5 Orca heading west in ferry lanes near Tahlequah. Vessel is stopped at this time.
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10:07 - [orca] Direction change. Possibly milling? Near the yellow buoy deep in Commencement.
10:03 - All Orcas seem to be headed west, northwest.
09:42 - One pod close to Ruston traveling eastbound. Viewed deep in commencement off Thea Foss. One group of four females and juveniles close to the park, the other group of at least three, including chainsaw, was further out. -Ashley Whitman
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10:19 - [orca] I have at least 3 deep in the Port off the Husky Terminal (Light Blue Cranes) milling. [approx. 47.281401, -122.419038]
10:01 - They are heading for marinas on Marine View drive off the port.
09:57 - WOW WOW WOW!!! They separated & went into the little inlets on the Port near the Simpson Mill. They just popped back out, met up, & are NW bound along the edge of the Port. On a long downtime now, we'll see where they pop up
09:50 - Deep in Commencement off Theas Park & the Grainery, heading towards the Port Terminals, off Puyallup River Mouth.
09:42 - Eastbound along Schuster Parkway, past military ships, closer to shore
Chainsaw & family & friends exiting "Middle Waterway" this morning around 10am. Then a 2nd group surprised me coming out of Thea Foss Waterway. They did a long quiet dive past us into the channels, so it was a surprise to see them come out. I've also never caught any Orcas coming out of these places. Not saying it's a 1st by any means, but it's not typical. Very cool encounter!. -Melissa Bird
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Name: Vince Blauser
Date of Sighting: 5/15/2022
Time of Sighting: 9:30 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Dash Point, Wa.
Direction of travel : East
Behaviors observed: Traveling with baby
If orcas, any males?: 2
Any unusual markings?: Yes, one had a very jagged dorsal. -photo by Vince Blauser, May 15, 2022
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10:17 - [orca] Just north of Blair, close in.
10:10 - Moving towards Blair, close to shore. The biggest one plus a couple more
09:48 - Close in heading towards Thea Foss.
09:40 - very close to grey navy ships; moving east towards grain elevators. -Dave Porter
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09:36 - [orca] Still heading east into the port. -Eileen Mccaffery-Lent
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09:36 - [orca] Just surfaced in front of old town dock, heading towards the port. -Brooke Casanova
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09:26 - Moving east towards the port.
09:05 - Straight out from the Lobster shop. -Kody Granger
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T63 Chainsaw and T36 Flapjack off Tacoma. ID: Orca Network -photo by Mollie Segall, May 15, 2022
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09:07 - [orca] Seems to be moving east now.
08:42 - At least 6 orcas including Chainsaw off Ruston probably 300 yards, slowly moving west, but just hanging around. -Loren Davis
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09:03 - [orca] Still hanging around in the same general vicinity of Commencement Bay, out in the middle, longer down times now, think they may have had a kill earlier when they were very active.
08:27 - Watching from Dunes very active. Far out in middle of Commencement Bay I am looking at the big container ship and they are to the right of it. Looks like they are circling in same area -Sally Milligan-Smith
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08:25 - [orca] Trending northeast after taking down a seal or sea lion. Never mind. There's still in the same general vicinity. Very active.
08:00 - A pod of orcas was in Dalco Passage heading eastbound past Dune Peninsula. The group included T63 Chainsaw! -Ashley Whitman
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, May 15 - Puget Sound - 14:00 - Humpback spotted at 2pm from Seahurst Park close to shore headed southbound. -Kayla Freeman
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13:15 - They are just a little south of Brace Point, West Seattle - humpback swam by heading southbound close in on the Seattle side, about 120 yards offshore, just outside the buoys. -Mark Amsden
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, May 15 - N Saratoga Passage - We had this visitor to our neighborhood today. It seemed to stop and feed occasionally as it headed down the beach. Hopefully, it was finding food. Any idea who it might be? Thank you! -Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor WA
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16:00 - Gray in upper Saratoga midchannel, northbound: A gray just passed Mariners’ Cove way out in the channel, heading north. It was too far away to get photos, and only surfaced briefly to puff. Continue to have a wonderful day.
14:40 - Gray (2440 I think) feeding at Mariners' Cove/Whidbey, southbound: A gray just passed by Mariners’ Cove feeding heavily, and I’m pretty sure it’s 2440 based on the double-hump at the blowholes and the white patch further down its back. It is headed south toward Polnell as of around 2:45pm after snacking a bit at the mudflats.
08:40 - Gray cruising by Mariners' Cove/Whidbey, southbound: I caught a short glimpse of a gray passing Mariners’ Cove at 8:40 this morning. It appeared to be on the move as opposed to hanging around and feeding, although it stayed reasonably close to shore.
Gray whale CRC2440 early morning pass off Mariner's Cove, Whidbey. -photo by Marianne Parry, May 15, 2022
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - May 15 - Alaska - 21:11 – We received a call from someone (call cutting in and out) who was just crossing boarder into Alaska [54°51'19.3"N 130°59'58.1"W] at 20:11 AK time - 2 males?, juveniles, feeding not heading any where . Presume orcas.

May 14
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, May 14 - Admiralty Inlet/Puget Sound (T36 & T36Bs, T65 & T63, T64Bs, T65As, T75Bs) - At 21:04 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: orca whale 2100 5/14 Kittitas C/M reports one orca breached just near the vessel mid-channel. [Vashon/Fauntleroy/SW run]
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21:05 - [orca] 6 or 7 south end of Blake view from Emma Schmitz SB two tight groups.
21:00 - [orca] 4 off Constellation close to shore SB. -Mary Hartman
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20:39 - [orca] Passing Alki Point now, closer to the East Side. -Stephanie Raymond
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19:50 - [orca] Multiple whales here. Spread out across the channel southbound fast. -Joey LaMarche
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19:37 - [orca] They are moving southwest right by the tango buoy in the traffic lanes on the west side. Hard to see from Alki. [map shared approx.47.657270, 122,450695]. -John Patrick Darmody II
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20:16 - [orca] They are pretty far south now. Approaching Bainbridge Island ferry lane. Wenatchee fast approaching them.
20:00 - [orca] Now scanning from Old Creosote. Appear to be hunting. Lots of surface activity and seagulls! Just north of Elliot Bay. Seattle side.
19:20 - [orca] Watching from Rolling Bay on Bainbridge. At least 3 groups directly west of West Point Lighthouse. Traveling southbound. Large leader group approx. 10 Orca? Gorgeous night and easy to spot. King County side. -Kimberly Sylvester
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18:54 - [orca] Some north of the green buoy north of Golden Gardens, appear to be on the west side of the channel. Viewing from Carkeek, too far for any other details. -Larry Benesh
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19:07 - [orca] Still viewing from Golden Gardens. They are near the orange buoy and boat.
18:45 - [orca] Seeing blows and dorsals from Golden Gardens now. 1 group with 1 male following behind. -Aaron Berg
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18:30 - Last one from me. The lead group of orcas looks fairly large, location is approx. out from Carkeek or south of, on the east side of the channel. The other two groups are as per my last update but just now a bit further south (but north and west of the lead group).
18:18 - Roughly one group orcas (includes male) general area of pin, [map shared approx. 47.686726, -22.432765]. 2nd group is southwest of them, too far for numbers. Total guesstimate up to dozen between the two. Blows and sometimes dorsals are visible in rough chop. All so still steady southbound. Gorgeous evening.
18:05 - Not sure which group, but at least half a dozen females/juveniles orcas loosely spread mid-channel between Richmond Beach Saltwater Park and Jefferson Head steady southbound. One male is on the east side of the channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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19:55 - [orca] Saw a large group mid-channel approaching the Bainbridge ferry line. Then they dove and I lost them. Still SB. Blows had been visible with the naked eye from the west side of the channel.
17:32 - [orca] One group approaching Kingston Ferry mid-channel. Hard to tell how many due to choppy waters and distance. -Ashley Whitman
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17:50 - [orca] The last group also moved East cruise ship heading right for them.
17:35 - [orca] I see Whales in 4 different locations. Two nearer the Eastside and already to the South. Two now approaching Kingston near mid-channel to West of mid-channel.
17:22 - [orca] 1st group is really moving, almost to point Wells, more whales farther North.
17:14 - [orca] Whales north of Kingston. I’m on the hill above Kingston. white sailboat with them. -Jim Pasola
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16:33 - [orca] Straight across Eglon beach. -Brigitte van Hovell
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16:00 - [orca] Point No Point 16:00 SB. The babies were so cute! -Jasmine Speaks
Bigg's T64B2, T64B, T64B1, T75B off Point No Point, Kitsap Peninsula. T64B1 and T75B4 - IDs: Melisa Pinnow - photos by Jasmine Speaks, May 14, 2022
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16:00 - [orca] 2 large groups just passed Point No Point 1 faraway 1 right close all appeared to be heading South. -Jim Pasola
Captions: T64B, T75B4 - T64B and either T64B1 or B2 - T64B, T64B2, T75B3, T75B, T75B2 - T75B4, T75B, T75B3, T75B2 - T64B1 - T75B2 - Last two images surfacing sequence: T75B3, T75B, T75B2 - IDs: Melisa Pinnow - Above nine photos by Jim Pasola, May 14, 2022
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14:44 - [orca] Just saw one male from Point No Point heading south. -Julie Davis
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14:24 - [orca] Just passed Point No Point, he took a dive haven't seen him since. Alone. [lead group] -Jim Pasola
T137A Jack southbound off Point No Point, Kitsap Peninsula. - ID: Orca Network - back of camera photo by Jim Pasola
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14:00 - [orca] Viewing from Lagoon Point; Port Townsend side orcas SB off Fort Flagler. -Jennifer Fulton Carpenter
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14:27 - Faint Biggs calls. Back on the Bush Point hydrophone.
13:40 - Many T08 calls overlapping getting more intense!
13:25 - Hearing Bigg’s call repeated on the PT hydrophone!
13:04 - That’s a nice confirmation of ~5km detection range. Thanks for both listening and watching! -Scott Veirs
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat May 14 13:51:27 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.13571,-122.76060 [Fort Worden]
Number Sighted: 4
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments:
Report Generated: Sat May 14 14:01:34 PDT 2022
Submitter Name: Rebecca Berger
Whale Alert App
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13:39 - [orca] Calls still going. Lots of activity on Port Townsend hydrophone! Incoming Admiralty Inlet Off Port Townsend -Haleigh Meacham
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T36, T36Bs, T65, T63, T64Bs, T65As, T75Bs, coming into Admiralty. -Yifan Ling
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13:35 - There are 4-5 other KWs on the Fort Casey side southbound that are too far away for me to ID as we are leaving the scene. (“Looks like T064Bs too” - Brendon Bissonette)
13:18 - The T65As, T63, and some of the T36Bs are southbound mid-channel offshore from Point Wilson! T36 is further south with the T137s. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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13:10 - [orca] Still hearing calls at Bush Point. -Edie Baker
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12:39 - [orca] just heard 3 calls [BP hps] -Jennifer Fulton Carpenter
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12:41 - [orca] Hearing louder calls now.
12:17 - [orca] Continued calls on Bush Point hydrophone! -T.L. Stokes
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12:55 - [orca] Still hearing calls at Bush Point. -Nancy Eriksson
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11:26 - [orca] Bush Point hydrophones. Lots of calls!! -Tia Bozzo
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12:45 - Ts headed south slowly 2 miles south of Bush Pt.
11:20 - [orca] Just heard GREAT calls on Bush Pt. hydrophones!! -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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11:15 - Orcas. Marrowstone side, active, southbound, straight out Lagoon point. -Rachel Haight
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11:00 - T137s and T36s are southbound just south of Fort Flagler after making a kill! -Bart Rulon
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09:30 - Vessel Redhead has killer whales southbound at Point Wilson in southbound shipping Lanes, slow. -Christopher Lewman
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Encounter report from Bart Rulon: We had an epic experience with the T137 pod and T36 on Saturday with Puget Sound Express. This mixed pod of 6 Bigg’s killer whales was swimming into Puget Sound near the north end of Marrowstone Island when the Chilkat Express, and the Saratoga arrived. The pod spread out into stealth mode looking for prey in a prominent tide rip that often forms off Marrowstone Point. The moms, T137 (Loon) and T36 (Flapjack) were in the lead and Loon’s daughters, T137B (Tempest), and T137D (Wright) were in formation close by. Loon’s adult son, T137A (Jack) was trailing way behind by about a quarter of a mile and the rest of T36’s pod, the T36Bs, were even further behind socializing with members of other pods. We could tell the chase was on when the girls started porpoising (speed swimming) towards something out in front of them. The speed of their chase indicated their target might have been a harbor porpoise. It didn’t take very long before they slowed down and started circling. We never saw what they caught, but Jack’s exuberance from a quarter mile away helped indicate their success. He started celebrating/communicating with tailslaps first, and then he breached 4 times in the distance! We floated with the engines off watching the 4 girls circle around their prize as Jack swam in to catch up. Along the way he swam towards us and breached another 4 times in a row! Shortly afterward his sister Tempest answered his breaches with 3 breaches of her own and one of them coincided with mom spyhopping at the same time. Loon spyhopped a second time right as her son finally reached the breakfast zone! Later in the trip, after spotting a gray whale and a minke whale we finally found the T36B pod mixing it up with T65, T63, the T65A pod, and others near Point Wilson. I posted one of Jack’s full breach sequences on my instagram@bartrulon if you are interested in seeing it. All photos were taken with a supertelephoto lens and cropped, and all whale watching regulations were followed. -photos by Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express, May 14, 2022
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, May 14 – Juan de Fuca Strait - TODAY off Sheringham Lighthouse with two humpback whales. (BCY117 - "Sparrow" & CRC-17917) Our first for the season! Humpback underside fluke of CRC-20157 Sparrow (aka BCY1177) -Paul Pudwell
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Sat, May 14 - One humpback (DIVOT) was up by Parker Reef. Two other humpbacks (ZigZag and Olympus) came through Active and down to Tumbo. -John Boyd [WSSJI]
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, May 14 - Admiralty Inlet - 15:04 - Steve Olsen called to report a solitary gray whale in Oak Bay, milling around then heading north toward the Port Townsend canal (between Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock). -Steve Olson
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11:40 - Grey whale within a 10th of a mile of Marrowstone Point. Seemingly milling in the rip. -Sam Kaviar
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11:23 - Gray whale CRC2447 is circling right off Fort Flagler, Marrowstone Island. Viewing from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. -Bart Rulon
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Sat, May 14 - N Saratoga Pass - 17:52 - Gray whale near Strawberry Point on eastern side north Whidbey for the last hour right on the beach…Near the end of Borgman road in Oak Harbor... [Whale kept presence 16:30-18:30] -David Carnes
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11:23 - Gray Heading East along Camano [map shared approx.48.258567,-122.513096].
10:35 - Gray leaving Polnell Point heading East. Maybe crossing over to Camano. -Terra Parham
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Sat, May 14 - South Puget Sound - 1:12 pm - Large gray just cruised by Sandy Shores on Vashon headed south towards Browns Point. Heard him before I saw him or her. -Marlin Black
(Reported as gray, but Marlin was uncertain if gray or humpback. Others report humpback who has been keeping a presence- alb)

May 13
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, May 13 - San Juans – (T124As with T124A1)
17:20 - [orca] nearing Yellow Island northbound.
16:43 - [orca] appear to be aiming north towards Friday Harbor after coming down Upright -Monika Wieland Shields [WSSJI]
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At 16:20 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: [MV] SAMISH Orca Report 5/13/2022 1602hrs: Vessel reports they have slowed due to 4 orca in Upright Channel, between Canoe Island and Flat Point. No particular direction of travel. Master reports they appear to be two adults and two juvenile animals.
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15:49 - Orca pod, Upright Channel. (Ellie Sawyer: T124As with T124A1) -John Hinchcliffe [WSSJI]
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May 13 - San Juan Channel/Cattle Pass (T87 and T124C)
15:45 - slowly approaching Cattle Pass.
11:48 - Sounds like it’s T87 and T124C, two male Bigg’s killer whales, heading south. -Monika Wieland Shields, OBI [WSSJI]
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13:15 - [orca] southbound in Griffin bay. -Fred Horn [WSSJI]
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11:46 - Orcas in San Juan channel visible from Friday harbor labs. -Jackson Page-Roth [WSSJI]
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T124C and T87 San Juan Channel -photo by Fred Horn, May 13, 2022
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Fri May 13 - San Juans/Rosario Strait - 19:45 - Tiffany Waldner, Orca Network reports the pod was last seen headed west.
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19:05 - at this time, no. They're on Lopez side.
18:14 - steady southbound I see chainsaw!!!
18:10 - they're mostly right off Williamson rocks, lots of fins
18:05 - fins visible north of Rosario Beach so guessing still southbound, close to shore -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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At 17:23 Chad Saxton sent a video of large group of Bigg’s off Cap Sante, Anacortes earlier (around 14:30). Group included the T137s at least. - T137A Jack (right) -Frame grab from video by Chad Saxton, May 13, 2022
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15:30-16:30 - We saw a pod in Guemes channel! They then traveled over and out towards Decatur Island. Spotted around 3:30, stopped watching around 4:30. Saw at least 7, and 3 were babies. -Maila Burgess
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Confirm we have a photo of Chainsaw (pic to come, internet issues). ~13:00 on 5/13/2022 between Orcas and Cypress. Pod of 10+ including at least 2 males. S/V Belle. -Elaine Armantrout
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Fri May 13 – Discovery Bay - 12:39 - T46Bs and T124A2s are southbound, deep in Discovery Bay right now. [approx. 48.023295, -122.843771] -Bart Rulon
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, May 13 - Admiralty Inlet - 10:38 - One humpback whale is northbound a few miles south of Bush Point, Whidbey Island. [approx. 47.998557, -122.594463] -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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Fri, May 13 - Central Puget Sound - 17:20 - [humpback] off SE Vashon traveling east.
17:00 - [humpback] off SW tip of Vashon. Just fluked for a dive. -Ashley Whitman
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15:24 - [humpback] It quickly made it over to Dune Peninsula (unless there are still two of them out there) and made a close pass by shore as others commented. I had to leave so not sure where it is now!
14:18 - [humpback] From Ruston way looking towards the south side of Quartermaster harbor. Whale is heading towards the ferry terminal closer to Vashon. -Kourtnee Marr Lindgren
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14:45 - "Kata" the Humpback, right off the shore of Dune Peninsula today 5/13 at about 2:45. -Shalane Ilene Smith
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14:40 - [humpback] Viewing from The Dunes Peninsula an incredible close pass at around 2:40. BCY1218 Kata off Dune Peninsula, Tacoma - Humpback BCY1218 Kata keeping a presence Central Puget Sound - Cherie St.Ours - photos by Cherie St.Ours, May 13, 2022 - photos by Shalane Ilene Smith, May 13, 2022
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14:27 - [humpback] Really close to shore at Dune peninsula right now, headed West toward the ferry terminal…So close we can hear him breathe.
13:13 - Just saw him midway between Dune Peninsula and Vashon headed east -Johnny Collard
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11:15 - [humpback] He was heading east 20 min ago. There was a boat that looked like it was keeping an eye on him that moved past my viewing into Commencement Bay so I suspect that is the current location. I'm viewing from the Point Defiance Marina.
10:32 - [Humpback] He's traveling east at the moment through the channel toward Commencement bay.
10:19 - Humpback off the eastern south end of Vashon Island. -Kaelee Schoenneman
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10:22- [Humpback] Still between anchored ship on Vashon side and Tacoma Yacht club. Yes. [milling] It's been in that area for the last hour or so. Doesn't come up too often but have seen him around three times.
09:39 - [Humpback] Just spotted in front of [Tacoma] Yacht Club. -Anna Panasiuk Simmons
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GRAY WHALES - Fri May 13 - E Juan de Fuca Strait - 20:30 - I had no service while down on the beach, but as of 8:30 pm the gray whale was still there. -Jami Cantrell
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14:03 - Grey whale feeding off West Beach, South of Joseph Whidbey. -Tim Schofield
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Fri May 13 - N Saratoga Pass - 14:13 - gray feeding in Polnell Shores. -Terra Parham

May 12
HUMPBACK WHALE - Thu, May 12 - Puget Sound - 09:50 - Saw the baby humpback at 9:50 am NE from Dune Peninsula by Point Defiance in Tacoma! -Shauna Swanson
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09:05 - Humpback spotted briefly in the ferry lane off Dune Peninsula Park. -Kristen Hohengarten McKillop [PSWS]
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, May 12 – Possession Sound - 8:52 AM - Keeping the streak going and viewing a grey whale blow on the SE side of Gedney Island. -Danielle Pennington

May 11
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, May 11 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T46Bs, T73s, T75s) - 11:45 - [orca] Chilkat Express found the group west of Port Angeles eastbound 2mi north of Angela's Point T73s and 75s and 46Bs. When we left them, they were pointed southeast towards Port Angeles. I think you could see them from the [Ediz] hook. -Christopher Lewman, PSE
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08:48 - Mark Millard, WDFW called to report a pod of at least of 6-7 orcas (incl. male) one-mile offshore Crescent Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca heading eastbound. -photos by Jen Blaine courtesy of Mark Millard, WDFW, May 11, 2022
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May 11 - Haro Strait (T124As) - 12:59 - If they are the same whales, they are out in front of Landbank, milling, with a whale watching boat. -Carol Kinkelaar Skully
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12:00 - T124As were southbound in Haro Strait off San Juan County Park. -Monika Wieland Shields
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Wed, May 11 – San Juans (Includes T101s) - 15:15 - from the ferry just saw the T101s heading north up the east side of Blakely. There appeared to be more orcas heading north up Bellingham Channel. -Monika Wieland Shields
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At 14:38 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed: SUQUAMISH Orca Report 5/11/2022 1424hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz vessel 8-10 orca, .4 miles South of Reef Point, moving North.
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Wed, May 11 - North Puget Sound - 13:50 - [orca] 1 nautical mile off Richmond Beach southbound. -Christopher Hanke, PSE
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09:45 - Two orcas southbound at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, close to shore. -Joe Driemiller
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Coastal Orcas - Wed, May 11 - OR Coast
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Marina Richie
Date of Sighting: 5/11/2022
Time of Sighting: 3:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Cape Meares
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: 2 moving south and one with a large fin (seen from parking area observation deck) and 10 minutes later spotted 6 hunting by the Arch rocks near sea lions. We think the 2 we saw joined those ? So that is the 6. Lots of splashes, dives, close circling
If orcas, any males?: Definitely one male…long fin
Any unusual markings?: One of the tails looked whiteish compared to the others when diving
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Time is estimated
Photos available?: No
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GRAY WHALES - Wed May 11 - E Juan de Fuca Strait - 10:51 - [gray] Still a gray at West Beach [Whidbey]. When I was there he/she was between the north parking area and the south parking area(wall). -Sarah Geist
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Wed, May 11 - N Saratoga Passage - 20:00 - Gray feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound 20:00 5/11/22 - It’s been a quiet day here whale-wise, but finally tonight we had a gray come by. This was a repeat customer, the same one we’ve seen several times this week/year. It showed up at 8pm and was feeding as it went by, sticking its fin further up out of the water than I’m used to seeing, so that was fun. No stealth whale this time – lol! Photos are attached – it was kind enough to show off that enormous pec from both sides. -Marianne Parry
Gray whale CRC2356 feeding - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - Photos by Marianne Parry, May 11, 2022
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Wed May 11 - Possession Sound - 08:39 - [gray] Happy Wedneswhaleday!!! I spotted a gray whale at the southeast corner of Gedney Island traveling northwest. -Danielle Pennington

May 10
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tuesday, May 10th – Saratoga Passage (T124A2s)
17:01 - They [orca] seemed to have headed over toward Oak Harbor, then last seen heading southeast...pretty much disappeared!
16:05 - [orca] Getting close to Long Point westbound.
16:00 - [orca] Distant view from Long Point...not sure of the direction. -Bonnie Gretz
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15:23 - [orca] Mid channel pointed towards Penn Cove.
14:59 - [orca] Point Demock off Camano, bit offshore, on a kill surrounded by gulls. -Trevor Derie
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13:30 - They [orca] trended south but are staying put, still displaying and easily visible from the boat launch. Heading out as gotta work… good luck!
13:00 - They [orca] are closer to Long Point than Polnell Point.
12:41 - Now multiple orcas, feeding on a kill in the same spot.
12:27 - [orca] Have eyes on a single individual from Maple Grove Boat Launch, mid-channel heading northbound towards Oak Harbor. -Patrick Palines
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11:15 - Lots of activity Saratoga passage! 3-5 orcas south of Onamac. -Patricia Phillips
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11:05 - Jim Sheehan called to report pod of orca off Indian Beach, Camano about 600 yds offshore milling about as trend north. Maybe half dozen in the group. He observed at least couple breachers and some tails when diving.
11:00 - Member of the T124A2s breaches north of Cama Beach. -photo by Aaron Gill, May 10, 2022
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10:42 - [orca] Can see blows and a few fins from Hidden Beach now. Way closer to the Camano side. NB. -Elizabeth Skinner
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10:33 - [orca] Trevor Tillman Map shows location off Cama Beach State Park.
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11:12 - T124A2s continuing north after a kill now angling out to mid-channel just south Onamac Point aiming toward Oak Harbor.
10:28 - MV Saratoga has the T124A2s northbound off Lowell Point, approaching Cama Beach. -Justine Buckmaster
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08:45 - Watched three orcas heading northbound in Saratoga Passage towards Mabana from just south of there. -Peg Boley [CWW]
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, May 10 - Puget Sound - 18:47 - [humpback] Right in front of the sandy beach across from the playground at Ruston. -Sajin Alcid
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17:20 - [humpback] Tail in front of the Vashon doc off Dune. -Nora Prince
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16:15 - [humpback] Circling just off Dune Peninsula Park.
15:23 - [humpback] westbound towards Maury near a small boat. [Whale location SE Maury Island].
14:04 - [humpback] East towards Browns Point. Watching from Dune [map shared approx. 47.309922, -122.470346]. -Jason Cook
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9:51 - [humpback] Heading north towards Maury from brown’s point. Easy viewing w binocs consistent surfacing.
9:31- [humpback] Just NW of Brown’s Point. Near the point. Viewing from above point Ruston. -Ed Rickert
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08:30 - Volunteer Brooke Casanova called to report her humpback sighting which included breaching! From her vantage, it appeared the whale was just outside the entrance to Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon. Brooke was viewing from a distance and without binoculars from Owen Beach and hadn’t seen any more blows so isn’t sure direction of travel.
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, May 10 - Birch Bay
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Elissa Potvin
Date of Sighting: 5/10/2022
Time of Sighting: 6:15:20 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Birch Bay
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I'm sorry I can't provide more information. I don't have a proper pair of binoculars. Neighbors reported they saw two grays on May 9th about the same time. Around 6pm.
Photos available?: No
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: JOHN LANNING
Date of Sighting: 5/10/2022
Time of Sighting: 2:00 PM
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: shallow water 10-15' feeding birch bay
Direction of travel : along 15' contour, approximately
Behaviors observed: feeding, probably
Photos available?: No
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Tue, May 10 – North Saratoga Passage - 18:00 - Gray feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound 18:00 5/10/22 - Second gray of the day. This gray came by Mariners’ Cove around 6pm Tuesday and parked in front of our place feeding for what seemed like about half an hour before finally moving off to the south. My husband took a few photos – not great but hopefully enough to ID… -Marianne Parry
photos by Mr Parry, May 10, 2022
14:25 - Gray feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound 14:25 5/10/22
One Gray went by around 2:25pm, feeding a bit but heading steadily south toward Polnell. This one has been here several times before, so just including a few photos: -Marianne Parry
Gray whale CRC2356 - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network -Photos by Marianne Parry, May 10, 2022
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15:23 - Gray is feeding in Polnell Shores. -Terra Parham
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We had a visitor today in our neighborhood cove! Just when we thought that “whale walking” season had ended, this one showed up. Any idea who it might be? Thank you as always! [2356 by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON] -Greg Parham
Gray whale 2356 feeding in North Saratoga Passage. - ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photos by Greg Parham, May 10, 2022
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11:40 - MV Saratoga is with CRC21 Shackleton off of Rocky Point quickly southbound near the Camano shore. -Justine Buckmaster
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Tue, May 10 - South Saratoga Passage - 12:20 MV Saratoga is now with CRC2259 northbound slowly into Saratoga Passage from Camano Head. -Justine Buckmaster
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Tue, May 10 - Port Susan - 13:08 - Gray in the north end of Port Susan feeding along Livingston Bay. Viewing through binoculars from Kayak Point Park, so no ID or close-up photos. Been feeding there for over an hour. -Linda Rains Tyner

May 9
BIGG’S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, May 9 – Puget Sound
19:32 - Ts going on 7-minute dive, shallow surface. Slightly southeast of last surface. Grouped tight. Drifting south.
19:25 - After 6-minute dive (after 10-minute dive) Ts came up…shallow surface, logging, then under. Out from south end Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Trend Southbound. Not easy viewing. Super long down times.
19:05 - This trio of orcas is kind of dawdling mid channel out from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park transect north of Jefferson Head, Kingston. Direction changes trend southbound.
18:25 - Pod of orcas is directly off Kayu Kayu AC Park, Richmond Beach, and super annoying timing a train is going by blocking view. Steady southbound eastern shore. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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18:40 - [orca] Three steady southbound east of midchannel marker. Viewing straight west from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Long down times.
17:47 - [orca] Just outside the Edmonds dive park. Will be in path of incoming ferry momentarily. Really close in front of the ferry as it pulls into port. This was when they popped up after not being sighted for over an hour. I’ll just clarify that I don’t think the ferry could’ve done anything. Nobody knew they were there until they were RIGHT there. After going stealthy for an hour the T124A2s surface off Edmonds, ahead of the incoming ferry. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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17:05 - [orca] Sunset Ave Edmonds, I’m seeing something probably just south of Cultus Bay, maybe a little west of Possession Point. Definitely blows and a fin. -Kristin Kreifels
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16:05 - [orca] Passed Whidbey now heading southwest into Possession triangle.
15:44 - [orca] Passing by Chennault beach southbound. Long down time -Alice Thuy Talbot
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15:43 - [orca] Three at Glendale now heading south. -Jodi Krause Poissant
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15:50 - [orca] Southbound Whidbey side approaching Possession Beach.
15:20 - I spotted one black fin for a hot second south of Clinton. -Our Wild Puget Sound
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14:57 - [orca] Heading south just south of Clinton dock. Now milling. -Joe Dreimiller
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15:50 - [orca] Viewing from Possession Beach Park - from my perspective they are mid channel, maybe slightly closer to Whidbey. Steady southbound.
15:24 - [orca] Passing Glendale still southbound, mid channel.
14:35 - [orca] Just north of the Clinton ferry dock, still southbound.
14:12 - [orca] Still southbound between Hat and Whidbey. Closer to Whidbey.
13:35 - [orca] Southbound right off Sandy Point. I watched them round the point fairly close to shore. T124A2s southbound in Possession Sound-Dori Dace
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12:35 - [orca] I saw a group there [Sandy Point]. They were southbound in a hurry. Wonder if they circled back for a bit. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:06 - [orca] updated map [Pirate’s Cove, Camano Island] for T124A2s southbound, before we leave the scene.
10:30 - T124A2s southbound at [Country Club, Camano Island, Port Susan] -Bart Rulon
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Cold day on the water with Puget Sound Express but so pretty! We caught up to 3 orcas, the T124A2's in Port Susan! They were in travel mode with long down times. -Janine Harles.
top to bottom: T124A2As in Port Susan; T124A2; T124A2 & T124A2A; T124A2B -photos by Janine Harles, May 9, 2022
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Mike Fox
Date of Sighting: 5/9/2022/
Time of Sighting: 9:44 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Off the east side of Camano Island. Due west of Kayak Point.
Direction of travel : South towards Camano Head
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to info@orcanetwork.org
Orca’s viewed from Camano Island this morning. [T124A2s] -photos by Mike Fox, May 9, 2022
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08:42 - [orca] A pod just north of Kayak Point. Video showed spyhop, lazy tail lob with trend of northbound travel. -Terry Gravel [PSWW}
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon May 9 - Puget Sound - 17:40 - [humpback] Southeast side of Vashon near Harbormaster. Hugging the shore. -Jason Cook
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10:45 - [humpback] He’s at southwest tip of Maury viewing from Ruston way
10:23 - [humpback] Out near Quartermaster Harbor no direction.
09:21- [humpback] Mid channel Owens beach heading east before ferry terminal. -Cherie StOurs
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10:04 - [humpback] Just north of the red ship off Dune, still heading east.
09:44 - [humpback] East towards Dune & entering Commencement Bay.
09:36 - [humpback] Trending northeast towards Maury.
09:19 - [humpback] Right off Owens Beach, heading east towards ferry lanes.
08:27 - [humpback] Breach after breach after breach this morning! Near Quartermaster Harbor. -Brooke Casanova
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08:48 - [humpback] Spotted our humpback friend mid-channel in Colvos passage trending south towards the ferry lane. Long down times. Mouth of Colvos trending south past the Vashon Ferry toward Tacoma. -Mallory Piekarski-Rabinowitz
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, May 9 - Birch Bay - 19:30 - My husband Kevin and I saw some whale activity at Birch Bay Dr. around 7:30 pm this evening. [probable gray whale] -Wendy McPherson
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18:50 - [gray] Taken from the berm in Birch Bay this evening. -photo by Allison Jinnette Doughty, May 09, 2022
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18:48 - [gray] At least one gray in Birch Bay. -Aaron Urist
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Mon, May 9 - Baynes Channel - 16:06 - Gray whale filmed in Baynes Channel off of Victoria. Here is a link to another clip of the same whale (possibly CRC 766), offering a somewhat closer view: [video] -Gerald Graham
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Mon, May 9 - West Beach - 11:25 - A couple grays off West Beach, Whidbey Island. There are two out there for sure. -Sarah Geist
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13:03 - One gray in north Port Susan feeding along the Stillaguamish delta closer to Warm Beach at noon. -John C Storbeck
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Mon, May 9 - Possession Sound - 12:40 - Three gray whales circling off the southeast corner of Hat Island. Crc22, 531, and 2362. - Bart Rulon, PSE
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Cold day on the water with Puget Sound Express but so pretty! We caught up to 3 orcas, the T124A2's in Port Susan! They were in travel mode with long down times, We checked another lead in Port Susan on gray whales but they too far away in the shallows feeding. We then found 3 grays near the SE tip of Gedney Island #22, #531 and #2362! CRC#22 went one way and the other two were closer to us so we stuck with them and got spyhops from both whales! Thanks Captain Trevor for a fun day! -Janine Harles

May 8
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, May 8 - Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 8 10:33:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.91687,-123.25784 (2 miles NE of Active Pass)
Number Sighted: 4
Submitted Comments: group of 3 swimming very tight in formation, also the 3 did a group jump charge!
Submitter Name: Jonathan Hunter
Whale Alert App
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Sun, May 8 - Sequim Bay - 15:35 - [Or still working on finishing their snack. Lots of tail slapping off Panorama Vista Park. -Tiffany Waldner, Orca Network
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15:13 - T46Bs w/o T46B1s, 5 in total. Just finished a hunt and are working on the meal.
15:15 - The pod feeding off Sequim Bay. -Yifan Ling
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14:16 - We now have at least 6 orcas on-site now feeding and playing and putting on an incredible show. Engines off. We have members of T46Bs.
14:03 - 4th [orca] on scene now.
13:59 - Mother and calf. Three total. One playing with a crab pot buoy and float…hey were definitely playing moving from buoy to buoy, taking them down by the rope and releasing. We watched them play this way over and over.
13:50 - Three have just taken down a seal. IDs in a few. One very young orca. -Mel Simmons
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13:51 - Whales are east of the bay now, Off Panorama Vista County Park, Sequim Bay. -Tyson Parker Reed
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12:50 - Watching 3 orcas in Sequim, WA right now. At the mouth of Sequim Bay. -Karen Balkwill Burns-Belcher
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Sun, May 8 - Puget Sound (T124A2s) - 19:11 - Bigg's, presumably T124A2s, north of Kingston ferry. -photo by Linda Tisdale Baker, May 8, 2022
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11:00 - Slowly moving south, now past Dolphin Point, closer to Vashon.
10:49 - right off Dolphin Point. Three to four of them. Feeding for sure...-Tavis Warren
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11:00 - T124A2 pod was still milling on their meal as we leave the scene. [map ~ 47.511851, -122.439150]
10:36 - This is the T124A2 pod. T124A2A and T124A2B prey sharing on Mother's Day. -Bart Rulon
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10:10 - Orcas seen on Fauntleroy to Vashon ferry at 10:10 closer to Vashon side of the channel. -Amie Macnab
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09:25 - Just spotted them south of Blake Island on the 9:25 Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry. -Andrew Casad
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09:21 - I saw a big male earlier pass Fauntleroy, when others were at Lincoln Park. Viewing from Manchester. -Noelle Morris
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09:09 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report 9:02 AM WSF Cathlamet reporting 6 Orcas mid channel jumping.
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09:02 - Off Fauntleroy from Southworth Ferry. Slowly moving west. Appeared to be two females and a juvenile; did not see large male dorsal. T124A2s off North end Vashon. -Sue Ellen White
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08:20 - 2-3 orcas with large dorsals and spouts at the north tip of Vashon Island mid channel 820am Sunday morning headed southward. [east side Vashon, main channel] -Russ Mann
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, May 8 - Puget Sound (BCY1218)
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 8 10:56:19 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.31708,-122.53409 (Owen Beach)
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Cheryl Armstrong
Whale Alert App
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19:10 - And now humpback is back a bit to the east. A few shallow surfaces then arch before sounding again. Beautifully illuminated white fluke in evening sun. Desiree got a nice shot. Sounded facing NE.
19:00 - humpback now west of previous sightings, still east of yellow channel buoy, out from north side Brown’s Pt, but now has moved a bit closer to this side. Transect N side lighthouse to S end Maury. Sounded facing north.
18:42 – I just saw the humpback again, a bit east of last report. Whale sounded. Nice fluke.
18:48 - Desiree just saw the humpback whale again. Same area.
18:18 - Desiree Sauvé and I just saw a humpback. Shallow surface north side Browns Point mid channel. Direction unknown. Viewing from Browns Pt. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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18:00 - We just spotted a lone humpback by the yellow channel marker halfway between Maury Island and Browns Point. -Steve Blum
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Lovely day spent with humpback BCY1218 Kata off Brown's Point . -photo by Desiree Sauvé, May 8, 2022
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15:45 - [humpback] Saw one around 3:45pm off Point Ruston. -photo by Ryan Dicks, May 8, 2022
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15:58 - [humpback] Just went down between Browns Point and Vashon.

15:25- [humpback] Right in front of Browns Point Lighthouse. Saw fluke and then down for about 3-5 minutes at a time. Seems to be pretty close to the shore. -Heather De Pree
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14:16 - [humpback] one circling cargo ship near Dune, other near Browns Point lighthouse.
13:01- [humpback] Both are east of Maury Island. [map; approx 47.330623, -122.463006] -Jason Cook
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13:45 – Humpbacks is between south Maury and Browns Point eastbound. See map [approx. 47.315397, -122.468802]
12:51 – Humpback is east of Point Ruston and parked Cargo ship. Trending east and a tad north? -Marilyn Armbruster
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12:15 - BCY1218 circling off the Dune Peninsula of Point Defiance Park. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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12:08 - confirmed there is another humpback near the container ship out in front of the Yacht Club. Seems to be trending into the port. Saratoga is now on that side. I unfortunately did not get a picture. It was too far out and only viewing with binoculars.
12:03 - We are standing on Owen's Beach watching the Saratoga close to Gig Harbor and can see a humpback there. However, another spotter here is also saying there is a humpback in between Dunes and Point Ruston. I know there have been rumors of two. Maybe they could confirm that there is two in the water. April Basham and I both confirmed the one on the Gig Harbor side however it was other spotters who saw the one headed towards Point Ruston. -Candace Gavin
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11:45 - [humpback] fluke shot diving off Southeast Vashon heading southwest.
11:37 - [humpback] spotted from Pt Defiance: west Owens Beach looking toward southwest corner of Vashon. Might be heading East. -Shari Lopez
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Name: Nick Precilio
Date of Sighting: 5/8/2022
Time of Sighting: 11:00 AM
Species seen: Unknown
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Between Point Defiance and Vashon Island and entrance to Gig Harbor
Direction of travel: Cruising around Dalco Passage (from north to southeast)
Behaviors observed: milling
/Photos available?: No
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
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11:32 - [humpback] Saw a polite little tail wag right at this tip of Vashon from Dune Peninsula. -Sajin Alcid
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09:07 - [humpback] Still circling Pt. Defiance
08:53- [humpback] Both are passing Ferry Lane East Bound towards Tacoma (09:07 video)
08:00 - [humpback] One Just off Point Defiance. 2nd Humpy near Sunrise (videos)
07:44- [humpback] Beautiful slow-motion fluke in front of Sunrise Beach. -Jason cook
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Sun, May 8 - 13:30 - Humpback Commencement Bay by Ruston way Tacoma. -frame grab from video by Brighton Fisher, May 8, 2022
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07:56- Humpback off Dash Point currently. Heading northbound Vashon Island side. -Claudia Hoyt
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08:40 - [humpback] Looks to be like there are two. One behind the other off the tip of Point Defiance headed east. one came up right behind the other.
07:45 - [humpback] Saw it come up a few more times. Still in the same area off Owen/the Point.
07:25 - Little Humpy is keeping presence in Tacoma. Just saw a fluke off the tip of Point Defiance pointed west. -Amber Stanfill
Humpback whale BCY1218 Kata - photos by Amber Stanfill, May 8, 2022
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, May 8 - East Juan de Fuca Strait - 16:30 Gray whale off West Beach, Joseph Whidbey State Park. -photo by Tiffany Waldner, Orca Network, May 8, 2022
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12:44- Two grays off west beach bluff near Ft. Nugent Rd. Feeding. -Mel Simmons
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 8 11:22 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.28460,-122.80000 (Between West Beach and Smith Island).
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: #723 and another one [note: 723 not confirmed ID]
Submitter Name: ShiSh
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 8 8:24 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.28440,-122.80000 (Between West Beach and Smith Island).
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: 2 grays between 8am and 9am everyday.
Submitter Name: ShiSh
Whale Alert App
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Sun, May 8 - N Saratoga Passage - 18:15 - What an amazing whale sighting day! One more gray came by for a late happy hour tonight around 6:15pm, and it looks really familiar. I was able to get some good pec shots and a couple of face/upper body, so I’m guessing it will be enough to identify this delightful gray friend. It zoomed by pretty quickly once it noticed two pleasure-craft bobbing and watching and headed down toward Polnell. Little Patch based on the line on its face maybe? [gray CRC2356]. -Marianne Parry
18:15 - Gray whale CRC2356 Mariner's Cove
ID: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network -photos by Marianne Parry, May 8, 2022
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16:00 - Gray feeding northbound at Mariners' Cove/Whidbey. Wow – busy whale day! I’m not sure if this is the same gray that just passed by southbound an hour ago, but a gray just cruised by northbound at Mariners’ Cove around 4pm. It appears to be feeding a bit but is moving steadily up the beach as opposed to the one earlier that was seriously chowing down. -Marianne Parry
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14:45-15:15 - Gray feeding at Mariners' Cove, southbound. I’ve been watching a gray feeding out here at the Happy Meal Mudflats for half an hour – back and forth but finally moved southward toward Polnell. I took photos and will send them later, but I think it might have been the one that has the big hump behind the blowholes (from a couple of weeks ago). Gorgeous day out here but the wind has picked up and my camera fingers are frozen – lol! Enjoy your day! Go Grays! -Marianne Parry
[ID notes per Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective (CRC): "The whale in this selection of photos is CRC2440. Interesting it has moved into that area."]
14:45-15:15 - CRC2440 (2022 newbie ) Mariner Cove - ID: Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective -photos by Marianne Parry, May 8, 2022
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14:15 - [grays] heading into Crescent Harbor.
14:02 - Gray whales at Maylor Point. At least 2. -Lauren BM
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08:39 - I’m seeing a puff prob mid-channel between Mariners’ Cove and Maple Grove beach on Camano, and it’s slowly working its way south. I suspect there were grays here by our beach earlier this morning because I saw a neighbor boating back from the south at a waaaay too early hour to be any other reason. -Marianne Parry
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Sun, May 8 - Port Susan - 15:10 – [gray] Moving fast south now lost him.
14:58 - Gray Whale in front of Port Susan we are watching it mid channel from the beach [map: between Kayak Pt & Spi-bee-dah]. -Kristen Bogren
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Sun, May 8 - Possession Sound - Strange behavior between Hat and Jetty Island for about the last half hour. I was kayaking out by the buoy and a fast-moving gray adult surface about 30 yards from me on a bee line course right at me. I got out of the way, and it went straight to the southern tip of Jetty Island. After changing my underwear, I could see it was heading for a much smaller gray that seemed to be in distress very near the Navy yard. It looked like several straight up blows, like Orca with a tiny heart blown in the middle, could have been just the gray breathing a lot in distress?? They headed south the back towards the southern tip of Hat Island not feeding and inseparable. They just seem to be relaxing. Been doing this over 5 years and I've never seen anything like it out here. Hope the little one is okay. -Jay Irwin

May 7
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, May 7 - Rosario Strait (T124As and T87) - 17:54 - I just went to WA park to look. Saw spouts in front of Thatcher but WAYYYYY on the other side of Rosario and the wind made it challenging. I bailed. It was freezing. -Erin Gless
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16:39 - Orca pod Rosario Strait heading west…they were barely west of Cypress when we saw them. -John Hinchcliffe [WSSJI]
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16:30 - Three orca seen from Tilikum ferry south of Cypress Island. -Rachel Finn
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14:28 - Transient pod spotted from a tour between Lummi Island and Doe Bay. (48.6519323, -122.7093163) [T124As and T87 Harbeson per Ellie Sawyer] -Haven Wilvich [WSSJI]
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Sat, May 7- Puget Sound (likely T124As & T87 exiting) - 09:10 - Sarah Schmidt called to report seeing orcas in her scope while birding! She is at the Keystone ferry, Coupeville parking lot looking south-ish. She spotted at least two orcas in the far distance, sightline just south of Fort Flagler, Marrowstone Island. Orcas were moving to her right so could be moving west or northbound, wasn't clear from her angle. Male described as notched. (Sarah looked up Chainsaw it wasn't him, so maybe T87 or another notched male - alb).
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat May 7 4:41:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.51193,-122.68670 (Anacortes Ferry Landing)
Number Sighted: 3
Reported Animal Status:
Submitted Comments: video on snap chap maps/
Report Generated: Sun May 8 4:49:02 PDT 2022
Submitter Name: Brenda Molloy
Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, May 7 - Puget Sound (BCY1218) - At 18:14 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Whale. CHETZEMOKA, 5/7 at 1810 Master reports humpback whale breached nearly in front of the vessel, whale headed towards Commencement Bay.
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~17:30 - when the Humpback was close to the shore just around the corner from Owen's Beach. -Becky Thien
Humpback BCY1218 Kata - photo by Becky Thien, May 7, 2022
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17:30 - [humpback] saw him at the point of Point Defiance on this side , hugging shore heading slightly east.
15:40 - [humpback] SW tip of Vashon mid channel 2 blows and a breach. -Cherie St.Ours
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18:13 - [humpback] Wow. Just did a belly flop in front of the ferry. Maybe a half boat length away.
15:09 - [humpback] See him between Pt Defiance and Point Dalco. -Ann Panasiuk Simmons
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12: 17 - [humpback] seen circling between Point Defiance, Vashon, and Gig Harbor. -Sajin Alcid
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12:18 - [humpback] Southbound just south of Sunrise. San Juan Clipper is a safe distance behind. -Jason Cook
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11:44 - We just stopped in Gig Harbor, and it was super close to the Point Defiance side. We saw it but it was really hard to see. -Julia Marie
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10:30 - [humpback] we just saw him about a half hour ago [~10:30], if you walk to the very end of Owen Beach…when we saw him, he was really close to the point defiance side. -Johnny Collard
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07:41 - Jason Cook sent a message reporting the humpback whale is active NW of Point Defiance, his map (see comments) shows the whale just outside Gig Harbor.
*
GRAY WHALES - Sat, May 7 - East Juan de Fuca Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sat May 7 8:27 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.28440,-122.80000 (West Beach, Whidbey Is.)
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: ShiSh
Whale Alert App
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Sat, May 7 - North Saratoga Passage - 21:30 - Grays (2 or more) feeding near Mariners' Cove/Whidbey. I just got home tonight and heard the familiar sound of grays at the Happy Meal Mudflats as I got out of the car – yay! It was dark so I couldn’t see them, but it sounded like more than one, based on the frequency of the blows. I think they were heading south toward Polnell, but they weren’t moving quickly at all – they hung around for at least ten minutes in one area before they became slightly harder to hear. Nice to know they’re still in the area! Have a great day! Go Grays! -Marianne Parry
*
Sat, May 7 – Skagit Bay - 18:24 - CRC56 and CRC2356 are northbound in Skagit Bay
18:00 - CRC2440 is southbound along the eastern shore of Whidbey Island across from Skagit Bay!! -Bart Rulon
*
Sat, May 7 – Possession Sound - 12:56 - Gray whales CRC22 and CRC2362 are north of Hat Island eastbound. -Bart Rulon
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12:15 – [gray] based on the rate of blows I am guessing there are 2.
12:03 – while looking for orcas I’m seeing a grey whale at the SE corner of Hat Island. Just chillin’ -Danielle Pennington

May 6
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, May 6 - Gulf Islands (T86As) - Absolutely amazing trip out with Vancouver Island Whale Watch. They found the T086A's hunting a Harbour Seal near Chemainus today!! (all rules and regulations were followed, we were stopped with the motors raised, and they came over). -Ella Smiley
*
Fri May 6 - San Juans (T34s, T37, T37Bs, and T75Bs & T49A1) - The team was working in the office when we heard about a group of transients that had been found east of Skipjack Island. We grabbed our gear, headed down to Snug Harbor, and left in the boat at 1345. “Orcinus” arrived on scene around 1430 about 3/4s of a mile southeast of East Point. The T34s, T37, T37Bs, and T75Bs were in a tight group heading north with T49A1 following behind them by about a hundred yards…Excerpt from Center for Whale Research Encounter 20
*
Fri, May 6 - Central Puget Sound (T124As & T87) - 17:00 - Samuel Gorman reports seeing 6-8 orcas. Map has them due east of Eglon west of SB shipping lanes.
17:00 - "Off of Eglon there were 6-8 them. Just incredible." -photo by Sarah Jane Scott, May 6, 2022
*
17:04 - They seemed to then continue north but closer to Whidbey. Exciting moment as one breached. I was tracking zoomed all the way out at 400mm from beach.
16:40 - I see them from Eglon beach. Seem to be circling around maybe eating fairly far from shore.
16:37 - Just spotted a pod from the beach near Eglon, they're traveling mid shipping lane heading north, a larger one was a lot closer to shore. -Brendan Ramsey
*
16:50 - Stalled and splashing again by Eglon. Way over on Kitsap side of possession triangle.
16:26 - After stalling for about 20 mins with tons of breaching splashing surface activity they are on the move again NB. About halfway between Kingston and Eglon. I’m counting at least 8 orcas. One very large male.
16:00 - they’ve stalled for now, looks like hunting behavior but once they start moving, I can update with a direction.
15:35 - [orca] Still northbound almost to Eglon. -Alice Thuy Talbot
*
14:45 - Sara Frey called to report 4 orcas close in on off Apple Tree Point, Kingston heading northbound slowly.
*
13:19 - At Golden Gardens Park heading northbound. -Vanessa Egerdahl
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12:16 T124As and T87 are northbound off the Bainbridge Ferry landing. -Bart Rulon
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At 11:51 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed: C/M reports 6-7 Orca heading north near Restoration Point.
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11:43 - [orca] south of BI (south beach area). -Melanie Atkinson
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11:21 - Small pod orcas NB Colvos pass approaching Southworth ferry now. [video] -Cheers, Tim Ferris
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10:35- [orca] blew past Southworth ferry real quick. Still headed north. One large male, 3-4 smaller adults & a baby.
08:49 - [orca] Viewing from Al's Olalla. Headed north full body breaching & spyhopping not sure on how many yet. -Annie Metzger
*
06:56 - Orcas this morning between Gig Harbor & south end of Vashon. Looks like they are heading north. [unconfirmed, but thought toward Colvos]. -Jen Clark [reported on PSWS]
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Fri, May 6 - (T36/36Bs, T63 Chainsaw, T65, T100Bs, T101s, T137s). T100Bs are still with the T101s, by the way. -Brendon Bissonette
*
17: 30 - [orca] just passing Anderson Point County Park. Northbound. About 6 including Chainsaw. -Kyle Buffenmyer
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17:20 - [orca] Group of 4 just passed Al’s heading NB. -Pat DeVore
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17:10 - Multiple orcas visible directly off Lisabuela beach on Vashon. -Jim Pasola
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17:06- [orca] passing Lisabuela northbound, fast pace, loosely grouped up, very long downtimes, mainland side of mid channel. -Marla Smith
*
17:05 - [orca] approaching Al’s market mid channel headed north. T101s, T63 & T65, T100Bs plus in Colvos Pass. -Jami Cantrell
*
16:34 - [orca] Committed NB up Colvos. At least 3-4 still together, definitely 2 males. Closer to Gig Harbor side. -Linda Podiak
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16:15-4:15 - I made it to Old Ferry Landing (Gig Harbor) in time to see 2 orcas headed up Colvos. Got a quick photo of the make - this photo is zoomed, cropped & from the back of my camera, but maybe someone can tell if it’s Chainsaw. T63 Chainsaw northbound in Colvos Passage. -Heidi Armstrong
*
16:11 - [orca] currently NB in Colvos from south end of Vashon
16:02 - [orca] passing ferry WB [Tahlequah]
15:55 - [orca] Next to cargo ship. -Jason Cook
*
15:25 - [orca] Just clearing Pt Robinson. Multiple blows S/B viewing from Dunes. -T.L. Stokes
*
15:20 - [orca] Just saw three very slowly SB between Gold Beach and Sandy shores, close to Vashon side. -Steph Parke
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri May 6 16:26:46 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.85876,-122.51207 [Eglon]
Number Sighted: 5
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments:
Submitter Name: Robert
*
14:15 - Steve Rice posted in PSWS seeing the orcas at Point Robinson at 2:15.
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri May 6 11:53:35 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.56640,-122.40657 [N of Me Kwa Mooks, West Seattle]
Number Sighted: 4
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments:
Submitter Name: Kendra Etzkorn
*
11:58 - At least 4 Bigg’s orcas with south end of Blake Island in background. Taken from Emma Schmitz park in West Seattle.
11:36 - Biggs off Alki - 4 of them near 55th and Alki Ave, West Seattle.
11:12 - passing by West Seattle.
11:11 - Chainsaw leading many orcas past Duwamish head light.
11:04 - Orcas swim Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle passing under the iconic Space Needle.
Taken near Don Armeni park, West Seattle
*
11:18 - Chainsaw is definitely with them. They seem to have slowed a bit, still heading toward Alki Point. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
*
11:12 - About 10 of them heading back out into Elliot Bay. Someone said Chainsaw?? -Melissa Wieland Statton
*
Bigg's heading out of Elliot Bay passing West Seattle. -photos by Fei Cheng, May 6, 2022
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11:10 - T101s, T63, T36/T36Bs, and T137s are all together still Westbound towards the north side of Alki Point in Elliott Bay coming from Seattle waterfront area!!!!!
10:33 - [orca] Elliot Bay headed towards Seattle. -Bart Rulon
*
10:58 - orcas moving towards downtown... by docked cruise ships. From Don Armeni Park. -photos by Mary Hartmann, May 6, 2022
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10:53 - Viewing from 1700 block of Alki Ave. I see them near the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry lands. Not 100% sure but seem to be heading towards Seattle. -Katie Lambert
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08:10 - [orca] In Murden Cove area...They were like just hanging for about 20 min now they are moving north.
07:53 - We just saw a pod of 6-8 orcas Infront of Bainbridge south end between Bainbridge and Seattle just having fun! They look on the smaller size. -Dany Ramo
*
07:26 - Hello! Just saw orcas from the BI ferry. Closer to Seattle, westbound. Ferry did not stop so not sure if they are aware. -Katie Puckly
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri May 6 7:46:17 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.63492,-122.43564 (Magnolia Park).
Number Sighted: 6
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: Northbound
Submitter Name: Danielle
Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, May 6 - Puget Sound (BCY1218) - 18:11- [humpback] just saw him by Vashon ferry! -Rachel Hershberg
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16:27 - I was just trying to catch the orcas going around the southwest tip of Vashon and spotted the humpback hundred percent sure close to Vashon. Viewing from above Point Ruston. -Ed Rickert
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16:00 -16:30 - [humpback] They were feeding at Owens between 4 and 430 today. -Sajin Alcid
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12:15 - Seen today off the south end of Vashon. - ID: humpback BCY1218 by Orca Network - Frame grab from video by Matt Hertel May 7, 2022
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Name: Nick Precilio
Date of Sighting: 5/6/2022
Time of Sighting: 11:00 AM
Species seen: Unknown
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Between Point Defiance and Vashon Island and entrance to Gig Harbor
Direction of travel: Cruising around Dalco Passage (from north to southeast)
Behaviors observed: milling
Photos available?: No
Orca Network webform
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, May 6 – East Juan de Fuca Strait
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting:Sighting Time: Fri May 6 9:10 PDT/
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.28449,-122.72801 (West Beach, Whidbey Is.)
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: Saw whale spout starting at 8:15am up to this time at 9:05am. Whale didn’t
surface much and I could only see the top of its back.
Submitter Name: MaAn
*
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri May 6 8:28 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.28440,-122.80000 (West Beach, Whidbey Is.)
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: ShiSh
Whale Alert App
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Fri, May 6 - Puget Sound
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Fri May 6 12:26 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.76459,-122.47473 [President Pt, Kingston]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Brian Ellis
Whale Alert App
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PACIFC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS - Fri, May 6 - Admiralty
Name: Lachlan Pope
Date of Sighting: 5/6/2022
Time of Sighting: 8:00 AM
Species seen: Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Number of animals seen: 8
Where seen: Approx 8-12 individuals 20-50 yards off the shore of Lagoon Point on the West side Whidbey Island.
Direction of travel : Milled about for about 20 minutes. Eventually moved off to the north.
Behaviors observed: Lots of circling about with frequent directional changes. Appeared to be hunting/feeding. No breaching.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Very unusual sighting for this beach. I have lived here for many years and have never seen any type of porpoise this close in. I will submit photos.
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to info@orcanetwork.org

May 5
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, May 5 – Otter Bay, North Pender
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Thu May 5 7:15:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.80008,-123.32198
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: heading in a south direction
Submitter Name: Jonathan Hunter
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Thu, May 5 - San Juans (T49A1 & T75Bs) - T75Bs and T49A1...we left them at 13:30 at the very top of Eastsound. -John Boyd [WSSJI]
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12:03 - A group of killer whales were spotted by Lopez Island! -photo by Cujo/Ryan, May 5, 2022
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At 11:27 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Whales at LPZ [Lopez], 5/5 1117hrs: KALEETAN: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting 3-4 orca off the LPZ terminal heading in a west-bound direction.
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Thu, May 5 - Central Puget Sound (T124As & T87 at least) - 17:16- Just passed Fox Island heading south towards Chambers Bay. -Rebekah Villanueva
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17:08 - Last seen heading towards Chambers from Titlow Beach about 508ish. -Sajin Alcid
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17:44 - [Orca] heading west up Carr viewing from Sunnyside.
17:00 - viewing at Titlow [orcas] just passed heading south. -Cherie St.Ours
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16:50- They passed the bridge southbound. -Heather Maher
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16:42 - Orcas heading under bridge southbound. -Gill Chard
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16:33 - Epic pass at point defiance. Riding in the waves of the container ship. Turned south down Narrows…Caught one of the T124As playing in the wake of a container ship on the side of Point Defiance with super strong currents. After a powerful orca pass, our humpback, BCY1218, continued to peacefully circle Dalco. -Ashley Whitman
*
17:27 - Looks like they are going to head into Carr Inlet.
16:32 - I see two heading toward Narrows southbound. -Asa Walker
*
16:27 - I’m not seeing that vessel, and the orcas have moved on, not seeing them anymore. And I didn’t see which direction they want. So sorry, no help at all! But they were very active for quite a while, then poof- gone!
16:15 - I’ve been watching them from Sunrise Beach. I’m not familiar with their behavior but I’d guess they’re on a hunt, they do not look like they are moving from point a to point b. They’ve moved west of the ferry lane, but not committed to heading down the Narrows or up Colvos. -Mary Moreno
*
16:00 - [if going Colvos?] It's impossible to tell. It's a long way from here I just stepped out for another quick look in the pouring rain and there's lots of splashing jumping tail slapping probably on a kill seem to be fairly close to land on this side I can't tell whether it's dune or point defiance from here it's not good viewing.
15:45 - 3:45 viewing from dukes on Ruston Way I'm watching a group heading south looks like they're heading for the narrows. Viewing is difficult and they've got a long way to go before they reach the narrows. -Jim Pasola
*
15:40 - stalled off Southwest corner of Dalco. Just saw an orca do a huge porpoise out of the water. Hunting behavior. -Ashley Whitman
*
15:44 - Hanging out at the end of Dalco milling about with lots of directional changes.
15:36 - Long downtimes as the move past the Point Defiance Marina close to Vashon Island.
15:28 - Mid channel in front of Dunes headed west. -Robyn Dally
*
Incredibly close pass to the Old Town pier in Tacoma this afternoon. -photo by Craig Craker, May 5, 2022
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14:42 - spotted just now at 2:42 east of stadium high school [map: 47.269848, -122.442397]. -Michael Marthe
*
15:28 - Heading into Dalco passage
15:18 - Approaching point Ruston, large male is further out middle of the bay.
14:57 - Just passed silver cloud old town, west bound
14:49 - Heading west, passing Chinese reconciliation park currently
14:30 - Still in the port, heading towards the sailboat out there. Southbound. Lots of directional changes, maybe on a hunt? -Brooke Casanova
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14:11 - Middle of Commencement. South of Cliff House.
14:05 - Orcas south of Browns Point. Two at least. -Dave Porter
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14:00 - T124As off Brown's Point, Tacoma. -photo by Blake Kremer, May 5, 2022
*
13:50 - At Browns Point Lighthouse 1:50pm heading into Commencement Bay. -Katie Mattran
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13:55 - I lost sight of them when they went by the light house. Looked to still be trending south towards the port.
13:44 - Southbound almost to Brown’s Point lighthouse. -Rowena Mills
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13:14 - At least three are right in front of Dash Point Park, mid Channel. -Kristine Duncan
*
12:46 - [orca] in line with Point Robinson mid channel moving south. Blows sand huge dorsal fins, they are hunting, but still trending south. They are north of Dash Point. -Tammy Ash
*
11:05 - Continuing southbound passing Des Moines Marina (Will upload photos soon, the group traveling with T87 today is the T124As.)
10:30 - [orca] All have cleared Three Tree Point southbound, mainland side of channel. -Brittany Noelle Philbin
*
09:30 - [orca] Just south of Glen Acres now, on the mainland side southbound at a good clip with long-ish downtimes. -Marla Smith
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At 09:20 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: Whales!
WENATCHEE: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting 4-5 orca one mile West of Duwamish Head, traveling in an easterly direction.
KITSAP: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting 6-7 orca 1/2 mile west of the FAU terminal, traveling in a south-bound direction. Sightings reported 0905-0910hrs.
*
09:15 - All whales (maybe 4-5 total in two groups) have cleared Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lanes, continued southbound travel…southbound on east side of Vashon.
09:07 - Confirming T87 in group southbound off Lincoln Park. -Brittany Noelle Philbin
*
08:32 - Amy Carey, Sound Action relayed news she received of orcas near Alki, West Seattle heading southbound.
*
07:55 - Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Paul Ruppert
Date of Sighting: 5/5/2022
Time of Sighting: 7:55:0 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Blake Island
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Three whales, looks like male female and juvenile milling about in front of Blake Island Marina
If orcas, any males?: One male
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Believe it's the same whales that were traveling south earlier this morning that have circled back. After milling about for a few minutes they disappear for quite a while before resurfacing.
*
07:15 - Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Paul Ruppert
Date of Sighting: 7/5/2022
Time of Sighting: 7:15:0 AM
Species seen: Orca/
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Blake Island
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling quickly
Photos available?: No
*
Thu, May 5 - North Puget Sound - (T36, T36Bs, T137s at least)
13:00 - Lost them in Everett. There was a group by the Port and then at least one midchannel in between Jetty Island and Hat Island heading North. Best guess is that they went towards Port Susan or wrapped around Hat Island to Saratoga Passage. -Sara Montour Lewis
*
12:56 - last saw them in Possession Sound between the shipping docks and marina. Lost them on a deep dive. If anyone is in the downtown Everett or marina area keep your eyes peeled. Second group was traveling east but we lost them in the haze. Viewing from Harborview Park. -Tamara Kelley
*
12:20 - lead group (looks like 36/Bs) eastbound toward Everett about one mile east of Mukilteo dock.
Trailing includes T137A between Mukilteo ferry dock and Hat Island more on Mukilteo side had been aiming ENE.
12:02 - north group now in two. Leaders rounded Mukilteo angling NE as continued northbound around Lighthouse Park.
11:50 - Trailing group is now out from Mukilteo east of mid channel steady northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
12:15- 12:15 - visible with the unaided eye from the MV Sealth, still NB midchannel in the ferry lanes. I'm soaked, but it was worth it. -Durand Dace
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At 12:07 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed: And more Whales!, 5/5 KITSAP: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting 3-4 orca 1/2 mile off the MUK terminal heading in a north-bound direction.
*
12:04 - Confirmed, there are two groups. Second group now in front of the Mukilteo Lighthouse. Traveling northbound. Mid channel. Victoria clipper is with them. Same with glaciers spirit.
12:00 - viewing from Mukilteo lighthouse. Wondering if there are multiple groups? We saw one group of three or four whales mid channel heading east in the direction if hat island. There’s a whale watching boat, and the clipper, in separate locations away from the leading group. Haven’t spotted the wheels they might be looking at yet. -Tamara Kelley
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Bigg's passing by Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. -photo by Amir Yarchi, May 5, 2022
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11:59 - 3-4 passing Mukilteo Lighthouse heading NE. Not sure yet if they’ll gift towards Possession Sound or Saratoga Passage. -Sara Montour Lewis
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1145 T137A + a few others have trended onto Whidbey side midchannel, slowly northbound long down time passing Glendale now. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
*
11:47 - [orca] Mukilteo side pretty close to shore. Lighthouse would be a great spot to see them. I’m heading there now.
11:40 - [orca] Swimming by me now in Chennault Beach. Northbound. Powering northbound past Chennault Beach, Mukilteo. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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11:40 - [orca] north of Picnic PT. See pinned location. [ east. 47.903711, -122.328969]
11:13 - [orca] Straight out from Picnic PT close to shore NB
10:35 - [orca] group of about 6 has passed Stamm Overlook north of Edmonds. Fairly close but out just a bit. NB. -Marilyn Armbruster
*
10:32 - [orca] I was wrong-ish. They still seem to be heading north close-ish to mainland.
10:20 - [orca] passed Brackett’s Landing. Seem to be angling towards Whidbey. -Sara Montour Lewis
*
11:00- T36/Bs and T137s are between Meadowdale Beach and Picnic Point slowly northbound but appeared to have stalled. Making directional changes and some surface activity. Still close eastern shore.
10:28 - Ts are hugging the east shore ~ 1/4-1/2 mile off slow northbound towards Possession Sound off approx Wharf Street, Edmonds. Lucky Steller sea lion swam by hugging shore slow southbound.
10:20 – pod is in two groups steady northbound off the north end of Sunset Avenue, Edmonds. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:15 - T137s and T36s/T36Bs northbound just past the ferry terminal in Edmonds. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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09:54 - T137A Jack visiting the Edmonds Marina Beach with his family and T36 and the T36Bs. -photo by Ariel Yseth May 5, 2022
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09:50 – orcas disappeared for a bit...had drifted further N and little bit offshore. But now appear to be north of tank farm between Richmond Beach and Edmonds.
09:40 - orcas may have just taken another. group of at least 7 includes at least one male and one young one. Too far off for ID but have not seen Chainsaw.
09:25 - just pulled up to Kayu Kayu Ac Park. This group of orcas is just south of the dock at Point Wells (tank farm) very close in making directional changes, this group is definitely feeding. Just off the southern end of the dock at Point Wells, Woodway (tank farm). Dozens of gulls opportunistically feeding a well. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
*
08:48 – [orca] Now apparently headed southbound. [hunting?] kind of looks that way.
08:44 – [orca] There are at least 8 of them. Approximately 1/4 mile offshore at Apple Tree Lane in Richmond Beach (AKA 27th Ave NW). Headed northbound very slowly. Have been in the RB area for at least the past hour. -Ryan Murray
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Name: Jon Armstrong
Date of Sighting: 5/5/2022
Time of Sighting: 8:33 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 10
Where seen: Richmond Beach Park. Shoreline, WA
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: Think hunting
If orcas, any males?: Big
Photos available?: No
Orca NetworkWebform
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08:30 - Janine Harles called to relay report from her kite surfer friends who reported to her a large pod of orcas off Richmond Beach heading northbound close to Richmond Beach side.
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COASTAL ORCA SIGHTINGS - Thu, May 5 – OR Coast - Hello, I’m not sure if this is of interest to you but I know the pods have been off the Oregon coastline lately. I saw a single adult male in Coos Bay, at our boardwalk, yesterday (May 5) evening. I have video if anyone wants to try to ID him. I thought it was strange he was traveling alone and was curious if you all knew anything about him. -Thanks, Annie Pollard
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Thu, May 5 - Puget Sound (BCY1218) - 16:30 - Humpback between Pt Defiance and Sunrise right after the Orcas went southbound towards Narrows. -Jason Cook
*
16:30 - Humpback fluke spotted close to Gig Harbor from Dune Peninsula as orcas were passing by. -Kourtnee Mar Lindgren
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17:40 - [humpback] still milling in same general vicinity.
16:25 - humpback seen headed east from the Southwest corner of Vashon.
After a powerful orca pass, our humpback, BCY1218, continued to peacefully circle Dalco. -photos by Ashley Whitman, May 5, 2022
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15:00 - Humpback off Owens Beach again. Took a dive about 5 minutes ago. Unable to get photos. -Donna Nespor
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12:08 - Just saw our Humpback friend surface close to the red pin headed back east. [map: Point Dalco, Vashon] -Robyn Dally
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11:21 - It's going back and forth between Owens Beach and the tip of Point Defiance Park.
11:15 - [humpback] Was just west of Owen's Beach heading east closer to the Tacoma side. -Alicia Pereyra Widmer
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10:30- [humpback] Just passed the Tahlequah ferry terminal passed under the ferry. Whale heading west, very close to Vashon shore. -Bradley Kramer
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09:28 - [humpback] Just surfaced out front Tacoma Yacht Club. -Roxanne Katz
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09:03 - [humpback] Surfaced again in Dalco Passage, west-ish of the Vashon ferry dock, mid channel.
08:25- [humpback] Just took a dive right in front of Dune Peninsula, direction seemed eastward but hard to say for sure. -Brooke Casanova
*
08:16 - Humpback is currently about 100 ft off the Point Defiance Marina Fishing Pier headed towards Dunes Park. -Robyn Dally
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, May 5 - East Juan de Fuca Strait - 15:30 - Currently whales heading south along West Beach about 150 yards out. Hard to say but I believe they are grays. Blows and maybe eating and slow migration south. Here at 3:30pm. -Carrie Bailey-Suamataia
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Thu, May 5 – Port Susan - 14:17 - Still at Kayak Point waiting and waiting. A gray whale just passed through northbound Edit: grabbed a couple (bad) photos and a good video, the individual was CRCID383. -Sam Wallace

May 4
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - May 4 – Admiralty Inlet/Puget Sound (T36, T36Bs, T63 & T65, T87, T100Bs, T101s, T137s) - At least some, if not all, of the large group of Bigg's transients continued south Wednesday evening passing Point Robinson shortly after midnight Thursday, May 5. Sound Action picked up some of their communications as they swam by. [Video/Audio]
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20:28 - it’s me, I’m not a WW boat, the laws are being followed and we are watching as a private vessel with crew only aboard…. they [orca] made a California sea lion kill and then turned back north. Group of 8 plus. Edit: Chainsaw was in the group. -David Scott
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20:27 - Someone posted a video of orcas at the north end of Blake 20 mins ago. Said they were near to a black and red boat. The video is in the west Seattle connection group. -Gergana Mouteva
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20:08 - lone Orca north end of Vashon. Long down times. Headed north. -Patti Waterfall
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20:00 - [orca] just north of Tillicum Village view from Emma Schmitz. WW boat nearby. 20:04 - drifting north to north end of Blake. One just breached in front of ww boat. -Mary Hartmann
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19:55- 20:10 - We saw several orcas off West Seattle off beach drive heading northbound and then stalled for a while with the Salish Sea Tours boat. Also, a single orca quickly went southbound near the west Seattle side. Between 755 and 810 pm. -Jennifer Farley
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19:39 - my vantage point looks to be between Blake and Vashon. SB.
19:26 - [orca] 2 groups. One south of Alki one looks to be in line with Alki. -Orca Conservancy
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19:29 - Southernmost group crossing entrance to Rich Passage.
19:23- [orca] Seeing them from Emma Schmitz Viewpoint, moving south fast. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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19:19 - [orca] found them! Viewing from Bainbridge ferry. Appear to be south of Alki. Might be in Bremerton ferry lanes. -Tamara Kelley
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18:45 - most of the orcas have drifted south and were still surface active in a couple of groups but then disappeared. Haven’t seen anyone since ~ 18:15 so presume they drifted/moved on further south of Carkeek?
17:58 - third group of orcas are hunting further south mid channel out from approximately Carkeek park. A lot of surface activity: lunges, porpoising, lobs etc. There is a group still up off Richmond Beach.
17:42 - Bigg’s: seeing several groups from and off Richmond Beach. One group including few females/juv and two males east of mid channel west of Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in line with Jefferson Head. Circling, hunting. Lone male was north and west of them, may be one who has joined. Another group was further southwest in line with north of Fay Bainbridge very surface active, as if hunting. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network with adds by Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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17:27 - 2 Orcas passed Jefferson Head. Heading south. -Jan Pierce
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17:10 - [orca] 1 large male, I think, out from Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Richmond Beach heading south. Mid Channel. -Joni Barnes Pollino
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16:48 - 2 orcas south of Apple Tree Cove southbound. Look to be mid channel or slightly east. Viewing from Edmonds pier. -Sue Larkin
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16:43 - [orca] Just saw one surface straight out from Kingston, closer to this (west) side, SB. -Gayle Swigart
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16:27 - [orca] Spotted a couple in between Eglon and Edmonds. SB. -Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound
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Name: Nancy Andrist
Date of Sighting: 5/4/2022
Time of Sighting: 16:25:12 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Kingston, Wa
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling
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16:16- 16:29 - [orca] Eyes on them (from Edmonds) way over on Kingston side, south of Eglon, approaching Apple Tree Cove. -Melissa Atchison
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15:18 - [orca] We just saw a big male surface east of the marker. From Hansville @ Norwegian Point. 15:21 Straight out from Norwegian now. Can’t tell how many yet. -Jennifer Backen Matchem
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15:14 - [orca] I can see spouting from Maxwelton Beach, but they are all the way across the water so no details visible. -Jayne Golden
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15:50 - [orca] it appears all Whales have cleared Point No Point and from what I can see are headed south.
15:09 - [orca] finally seeing Whales. From Point No Point in the distance spread across the horizon, one group in line with Bush Point, one group in line with maybe Port Ludlow. Earlier up to 20. They are southbound in Admiralty. -James Pasola
(top to bottom) T65, T63, T36B, T36B1, T100B, T87 southbound off Point No Point Lighthouse
IDs: Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
above six photos by Jim Pasola, May 4, 2022
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15:20 - 15:40 - Chainsaw and many others just slow passed PNP [Point No Point] close in approx 3:20-3:40pm spread in line N to S. [PHOTO ID notes and added details] From N Side of PNP about an hour ago 3:35ish pm [ON ID T137A Jack] I had no idea- another infamous friend! Double blessing. He was right behind Chainsaw and two smaller whales followed in the line- one was a youth, one a female.
15:05 - [orca] Visual from Point No Point bit north of Norwegian Point by red channel marker and Seiner. That’s west side of channel.
"The unmistakable, infamous Chainsaw and yes, I was social distancing myself but still shouted his name when his dorsal came up about 100 yards in front of me on the N side of Point No Point." T137 Loon passing Point No Point - T137A Jack trailed T63 Chainsaw and others when passing by Point No Point. IDs: Donna and Orca Network - photos by Donna Van Renselaar, May 4, 2022
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14:34 - [orca] Seeing fins from Mutiny Bay; 14:41- And they dove, lost them. -April Basham
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14:00 - Southbound spread out south of Bush Pt. Believe the T101s passed near Bush Pt. Others Marrowstone side. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Can anyone help me with an ID of this big boy today? Taken from shore at Bush Point. -Elizabeth Skinner – [Back of cam T101B? Per Ellie Sawyer]
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I saw T87 today! So excited! My pic is not good. So, blessed. I cried several times today. I hope to see them again before they leave the area. -Cindi Crowder Rausch
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It seems that as soon as one group of transients leaves the scene, another arrives. Today, May 4, not just one group but at least four groups (T36Bs, T87, T101s, T137s) plus the iconic Chainsaw (T63) weaved their way slowly south in Admiralty Inlet, the T101s popping up off Bush Point, close to Whidbey. It was worth the long wait for all the watching Orca Dorks, but then it always is. -Sandra Pollard/photo R J Snowberger
T101s passing Bush Point, Whidbey Island
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13:29 - [orca] watching from Bush Point. [orca] still on the west side so quite distant. Distant but lovely looks at huge T party (Bigg's) first from Ft. Casey with Jill Hein and Donna George, then at Bush Point with Ariel Yseth, Jill Hein, Donna George, Jeanne Hamilton, Sandy Pollard, Marilyn ArmbrusterRachel Haight (hope I didn't miss anyone!). The T101s (???) surfaced a bit closer to us at Bush Point, which was awesome! Thanks to everyone for keeping us all up to date about where they were. -Bonnie Gretz
T101A off Bush Point, Whidbey Island -photo by Bonnie Gretz, May 4, 2022
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12:45 - [orca] Marrowstone side about a mile and a half south of Fort Flagler. Spread out Southbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Name: Larry Freeman
Date of Sighting: 5/4/2022
Time of Sighting: 12:43:0 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 7
Where seen: Admiralty Inlet, 3 miles SE of Marrowstone Point, just west of the shipping lanes
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: travelling
If orcas, any males?: Yes
Any unusual markings?: The large male had a notch on the trailing edge, near the top of the dorsal fin.
Orca Network webform
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12:26 - [orca] Been listening to Bush Point hydro and faint calls are getting louder and more frequent. -Ariel Yseth
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11:25 - [orca] We left them heading for Marrowstone. I’m out with PSE today! HUGE group! At least the 137’s, 101’s, 36B’s, T63, T87, and MANY more in the distance! We left but keep an eye out! -Erin Gless, PWWA
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11:25 - Just heard a single Bigg's call on Bush Point hydrophone! -Scott Veirs
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11:10 - [orca] Still out from Ft Casey, closer to Port Townsend, drifting closer to Whidbey. Ferry is crawling. Heading slowly south. -Dina Blackstone
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10:49 - [orca] Seeing fins mid channel from Ft Casey. -Bonnie Gretz
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09:31 - Orcas off Point Wilson; 09:43 - All over. Mid channel, off the light house, inbound traffic lane. -Ryan Johnson
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Name: Saralyn Dahl
Date of Sighting: 5/4/2023
Time of Sighting: 8:31:0 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: Straits of Juan de Fuca, near Lovers Grove Whidbey Is.
Direction of travel : South
Photos available?: No
Orca Network webform
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HUMPBACK WHALES - May 4 - San Juans - 18:58 - Large whale, presumed humpback, heading north at NW side of Orcas/Presidents Channel. -Roxane Jackson Johnson [WSSJI]
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14:30- 14:45 - [humpback] Probably the same on that came up the west side and was eastbound at Green Point. -Jan Boyd [WSSJI]
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14:32 - Two humpbacks off Smugglers heading south. -John Hinchcliffe [WSSJI]
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Wed May 4 - Puget Sound (BCY1218) - Humpback and WS Ferry backdropped by industry and the Cascade Mountains. -photo by Kelly Busey, evening of May 4, 2022
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18:58 - [humpback] Trending eastbound in front of the first house on the beach at Vashon from left to right. [map: off Point Dalco] -Jason Cook
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18:40 - [humpback] Between Vashon and Point Defiance right now. -Diane Meyers
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16:16 - [humpback] Just surfaced again SW tip of Vashon. -Reid Wilkes
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15:58 - [humpback] I got breach! Looks to be heading east in from of Dalco Point. -photo by David Bennett, May 4, 2022
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15:50 - [humpback] he did 8 breaches off Vashon, SW tip! -photo by Cherie St.Ours May 4, 2022
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15:50 - Just saw the humpback sound in Dalco towards Colvos. Breaching just south of Vashon in Dalco [off Point Dalco, Vashon] -Robyn Dally
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed May 4 14:12:29 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.32696,-122.52917 [Dalco Pass]
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Ryan
Whale Alert App
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14:10 - [humpback] from the Tacoma ferry pedestrian overpass rounding Vashon from Dalco to Colvos. Close to Vashon.
13:47 - [humpback] Headed west towards Colvos near Vashon. -Ed Rickert
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13:52 - We just had a confirmed sighting of the humpback on the south end of Colvos headed towards Gig Harbor. -Robyn Dally
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14:25 - [humpback] just exited ferry Vashon to Tacoma in the middle of Dalco.
13:08 - viewing humpback from Owens Beach, he’s near Vashon ferry heading west. -Cherie St.Ours
Humpback BCY1218 Kata -photo by Cherie St.Ours, May 4, 2022
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13:32 - [humpback] Got a fluke, west side of Vashon near Point Dalco. -photo by David Bennett, May 4, 2022
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13:14 - [humpback] He’s out front of the Tahlequah ferry now. -Roxanna Katz
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12:55 - 99% sure I just saw the humpback in Tacoma between Vashon and Dune Peninsula middle channel. -Ed Rickert

May 3
HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, May 3 - Boundary Pass
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 3 14:33 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.78762,-123.03668 [East Pt, BC]
Number Sighted: 3
Reported Animal Status: Live
Sam Wallace
Whale Alert App
photo by Sam Wallace, May 3, 2022
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Tue, May 3 - Puget Sound
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue May 3 20:22 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.32921,-122.57125 [Gig Harbor]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: Slowly meandering north and south, west of the ferry lane.
Submitter Name: Michele Campbell
Whale Alert App
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From: Brett Knutsen
Date and Time Sighting Observed: 2022-05-03 07 PM
Marine Mammal Type: Humpback Whale
Number of Marine Mammals Observed: 1
Latitude: 47.19.144
Longitude: 122.32.150
Country: Within US International Boundary
General Location: Other
If other: Commencement Bay in front of Point Defiance
Describe what you saw: 4 breaches and disappeared
This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Be Whale Wise (https://bewhalewise.org)
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19:32 - Been watching the humpback in Dalco for at least an hour. 2 small crafts now pushing too close to the whale in last few minutes. -Michele Riley Campbell
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, May 3 - East Juan de Fuca Strait - 13:05 - There are also 2 grays near Swantown on the west side of Whidbey just circling the area, apparently feeding! -Justine Buckmaster
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Tue, May 3 - North Saratoga Passage - 19:45 - Gray feeding southbound at Mariners' Cove/Whidbey. A big ol’ gray just went by tonight, and it must have a really loud blow because it heard it through closed windows/doors – lol. It cruised by Mariners’ Cove around 7:45pm (5/3/22), feeding moderately (i.e., not stuffing its face, but def eating) and lingered for a few minutes at the Happy Meal Mudflats before moseying down toward Polnell. I recognize the markings, so I know it was here before – I think it’s the same one as from my 4/19/22 photos. Have a super day! Go Grays! -Marianne Parry
Gray whale CRC2356 Mariner Cove - ID:Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network - photos by Marianne Parry, May 3, 2022

Tue, May 3 - Saratoga Passage - 10:30 - Chilkat Express is on scene with gray whales 21 and 22 circling south of Elger Bay. -Justine Buckmaster

May 2
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, May 2 - Active Pass - T049A1 and A2 swam westward against the tide in Active Pass around 5 pm. They were distantly followed by 2-3 orcas. Photos taken from the shore of Galiano Island. -Karoline Cullen
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Mon, May 2 - Puget Sound (T123s) - 1735 - [T123s] look to be on a hunt Port Townsend side mid-channel few miles south of ferry lanes. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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After 20 days in Puget Sound and Saratoga Passage, the T123s finally traveled north last night via Admiralty Inlet (May 2nd). Viewing them from the west side of Whidbey, they seemed to be closer to Marrowstone Island. The lighting was in our favor - and I was glad my camera was with me! All pics zoomed and heavily cropped. -Jill Hein
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Are they finally leaving? After their prolonged sojourn in Puget Sound, the T123s made their way north in Admiralty Inlet in the silvery afternoon light on May 2. Photos from last year show they were in Saratoga Passage on May 3, 2021, so maybe this was an anniversary visit. Their continuing presence in the inland waters has certainly kept whale watchers on their toes, providing many shore-based opportunities to view these magnificent orcas in their chosen environment. -Sandra Pollard
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16:30 - [T123s] mid channel-ish and a few miles north of the Southend of Marrowstone Island. Northbound.
15:15 - Marilyn Armbruster messaged she sees the T123s approx. one mile south of Bush Point, traveling northbound quickly. -photo by Marilyn Armbruster, May 2, 2022
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13:09 - [T123s] looks like the T123s are committed to Admiralty Inlet. Now entering the traffic lanes northbound just SE of Point No Point. MV Saratoga now leaving them. -Justine Buckmaster
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12:51 - [T123s] Looks like they are aiming for Admiralty. Lost sight of them, but Saratoga was with them at a good distance.
12:06 - [T123s] From Sunset Ave, viewing toward cultus bay. Orcas fairly surface active, looks like hunting/circling behavior. -Ariel Yseth
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13:06 - [T123s] They are out of my view now on the west side of Whidbey. NB.
12:50 - [T123s] They’re continuing north as of now aiming towards the west side ofWhidbey.
12:37 - [T123s] They flipped heading northwest now.
12:17 - [T123s] Picking up speed southwest. One big guy, one little one and one or two in between. Saratoga on scene now.
12:03 - [T123s] Milling in Possession triangle. Lots of directional changes. Trending southwest. -Alice Thuy Talbot

11:25 - [Orcas] Middle of Possession Sound, at Possession Point southbound. -Christopher Hanke, Red Head
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07:45 - Port Susan Whale Watcher John Cavanaugh reports at least 3 orcas off Tyee circling around in same area.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, May 2 - FIRST SALISH SEA HUMPBACK CALF OF 2022 SPOTTED, JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Iconic Humpback “Big Mama” Swims 3,000 Miles Back from Hawaii with 7th Calf in Tow
Pacific Whale Watch Association PRESS RELEASE
Big Mama (left) and her 7th calf (right) in Boundary Pass.
photo by Bethany Shimasaki, Western Prince Whale Watching, May 2, 2022
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Mon, May 2 -17:36 - Heading slow northwestern, off the Ram, further out.
17:30 - [humpback] Off Silver Cloud, couple hundred yards, seen from Browns Point. -Dave Porter
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17:21- [humpback] off Jack Hyde Park toward Blue/ grey ship. 45 degrees east of Old Town Dock
17:07 - [humpback] Heading towards Port. On the right of the blue/ grey ship
16:56 - [humpback] Between Old Town Dock and red cargo ship across the Bay ( East) -Polly Middleton Brown
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17:31 - [humpback] It's heading north. I'm facing the brown's point lighthouse. Pretty far out there.
16:39 - [humpback] See it near north west fish store. While driving. Towards blue very ship looks to be heading back. South. Towards Reconciliation Park. -David Bennett
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15:57- [humpback] I see him at the ship. Viewing from the Ram.
15:35 - [humpback] now he's behind the blue gray ship I saw a jump earlier. Commencement Bay it jumped but I couldn't get that one. -Julie Davis
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15:43 - [humpback] Just came up briefly, mid channel of the port, no real direction.
14:23 - [humpback] Viewing from Chinese Reconciliation park, Just came up in front of park briefly, closer to the park side, no real direction. -Brooke Casanova
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15:10 - [humpback] same general area, but a bit deeper into the port…
15:01- [humpback] Just breached…in front of Reconciliation park! -Eileen Mccafferty-Lent
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~17:00 - Humpback Commencement Bay. Taken from Old Town pier. -photo by Craig Craker, May 2, 2022
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14:54 - [humpback] Just saw it cruising SE (toward the Port) from Old Town (30th and Starr). Fluke up dive. And a nice big breach! -photos by Sasha Ertl, May 2, 2022
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14:55- [humpback] near the blue and grey freighter port of Tacoma viewing near Les Davis pier. -Cherie St.Ours
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14:29 - [humpback] in the middle of Commencement Bay heading north-ish. -Allyson Corbo
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14:15 - [humpback] Hanging out in Port of Tacoma. -Corey Bartlett
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14:14 - [humpback] Just popped up in front of Ruston apartments headed east. -Roxanne Kath
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13:50 - Reports of a whale, presumably the humpback off the Tacoma waterfront near Dune Park.
2nd baleen whale (gray or 2nd humpback) is making their way north up the Tacoma Narrows.
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, May 2 - West Whidbey - 15:20 - Sue Turner reports gray is still feeding at West Beach and Fort Nugent.
Name: Sue Turner
Date of Sighting: 5/2/2022
Time of Sighting: 9:00 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: West side of Northern Whidbey Island. Near Fort Nugent Road
Direction of travel : These 3 grays have been feeding here for about a week.
Behaviors observed: Feeding
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Feel lucky to be able to see these animals.
Photos available?: No
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Gray Whale Sighting:
Sighting Time: Mon May 2 9:04:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.27668,-122.73437 [West Beach, Whidbey]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Report Generated: Mon May 2 9:12:56 PDT 2022
Submitter Name: Sue Englert
Whale Alert App
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Mon, May 2 - Port Susan - 06:30 - Gray whale feeding Tulalip Shores -Zahera Ali [PSWW]
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Mon, May 2 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage - 16:45 - Gray feeding at Sandy Point now heading east toward Possesion Sound. -Luanne Seymour.
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15:00 - [gray] There's two of them. We live at 4100 block of S Camano Dr and they are simply hanging out.
14:40 - one gray moving slow, no blows, just under the water's surface. Lazy-like. Headed towards Pebble Beach. -Peg Boley
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14:30 - Two grays heading north, middle of channel, 2:15 Camano city, 2:30 out of sight heading past Madrona. Saratoga passage. -Patricia Phillips
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At 08:09 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed: SEALTH @ 0809 located in MUK/CLIN Captain reports one Gray whale heading south in middle of ferry route.
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Mon, May 2 - 18:15 - Charlie called to report seeing a baleen whale coming out of Colvos Passage. He was on ferry Kittitas in the Vashon/SW/Fauntleroy triangle. Saw one baleen, thought maybe humpback, pass by Southward dock, hugging shore on west side. Not in hurry, moving northbound.
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14:08 - the Narrows whale is milling around very slowly on Gig Harbor side right below the cell towers. Very close to shore.
13:55- It’s mid way between the point and the bridge very close to shore on Gig Harbor side. Moving very slowly. It might be a gray whale. -Teri Fields Mattsen
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~13:00 - Just before 1 pm Monday May 2 as a whale (2?) was headed towards the Narrows bridge. [video of exhalations only] -Karen Caldwell
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12:33 - Chambers Bay headed to the Narrows Bridge humpback or gray whale…video did not turn out but it’s on its way. -Lisa Dawn [PSWS]

May 1
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, May 1 - Active Pass - In a fog filled Active Pass on the morning of May 1, a small group of Bigg’s came part way into Active Pass from the east. They then turned around and went back in the direction they came from. -Karoline Cullen
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Sun, May 1 - San Juans - 15:40 - T065Bs and T075Bs heading east [ Iceberg Point, Lopez] -April Ryan [WSSJI]
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Sun, May 1 - Saratoga Passage (T123s) - Jeff Harris was still hearing the orcas in the Greenbank area (N of Wonn Rd, S of Hidden Beach) until midnight. So sounds like they were doing some hunting and hanging out there much of the night.
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19:50 - [T123s] In western edge of Saratoga Passage, still moving slowly back and forth north/south, not yet to Pratts Bluff on Whidbey.
19:30 - [T123s] slowly moving northeast towards Saratoga Passage.
19:20 - [T123s] Now west of the navigational buoy that is north of Baby Island. Multiple breaches, I saw a seal flying up in the air and then a big bloody splash.
19:10 - [T123s] breaching.
19:05 - [T123s] moving a little farther north.
18:50 - Appears to be four orca (one male, one juvenile and two others) [T123s], west of Baby Island. They are traveling back and forth south/north. -Martha Poppy Sinclair
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17:58 - [T123s] SB now mid-channel between Hidden Beach and Cama Beach SP. -Ariel Yseth
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17:56 - [T123s] viewing from Hidden Beach, orcas across at Camano side, passed Cama Beach area. SB moving quickly. -Marilyn Armbruster
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16:31 - [T123s] Just north of Baby Island. -Patty Welch
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16:49 - [T123s] Stanley was very far ahead of the group. Rest of the family now passed Hidden Beach northbound.
16:26 - [T123s] northbound by Greenbank, likely nearing Greenbank farm.
16:09 - [T123s] now north of the green channel marker, trending north. -Orca Conservancy
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1640 - [T123s] northbound Whidbey side mid-channel Hidden Beach.
1540 - [T123s] flipped and heading steady north. -Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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1526 - [T123s] Lots of splashing and now trending north. Still mid-channel half way into Holmes Harbor.
1513 - [T123s] same spot. Milling
1508 - [T123s] SB mid-channel half way in Holmes Harbor. -Tiffany Waldner, Orca Network
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14:50-15:50 - Florian Graner called at 15:56 to report his observations of the T123s in Holmes Harbor. Observed then circling mid channel between Beverly Beach and Honeymoon Bay for about an hour, appeared to be on a kill: circling, lots of action, tail lobs, spy hop. At 15:50 the pod then headed north toward Greenbank, he watched several surfacing as they continued on.
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14:54 - [T123s] playing around mid-channel south of Dines [Point]. -Joanna Bowers
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16:37 - [T123s] They’re going north. In between Greenbank and Hidden Beach. They’re doing pretty long dives.
16:04 - [T123s] In between Baby Island and the green channel marker, heading north on the Whidbey side.
14:20 - [T123s] Spotted from CI State Park (with binoculars - hard to see with naked eye). At the north tip of Baby Island heading south into Holmes Harbor. -Sara Montour Lewis
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14;36 - [T123s] Still southbound. Should be midchannel off Honeymoon Bay soon.
14:24 - [T123s] Still SB in midchannel Holmes harbor. Long down times. Male (very likely T123A Stanley) trailing the other 3.
14:16 - [T123s] Midchannel between Baby Island and Dines Point. SB in Holmes Harbor. -Ariel Yseth
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13:38 - [T123s] They are close to Greenbank heading closer to whidbey now heading toward Holmes Harbor.
13:30 - [T123s] They are still mid channel, a few miles north of Cama beach and greenbank-heading south fast, deep dives, family of 4, presumed T123s. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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12:25 - [T123s] From my point of view (near Harrington Lagoon) they're almost to Onamac. Several small boats in the vicinity, Long down times (again). -Jill Hein
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12:08 - Bigg's orcas T123s Saratoga Passage out from Madrona, Camano Island heading southbound on Camano side of channel. -Jill Hein & Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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Apr 30 & May 1- CA Coast - From Jeff Jacobsen: Mike Kelly (submitted this sighting) saw a couple Oo off of Wedding rock (20 miles south of Crescent City CA) on Saturday, 30 Apr, around 1430, took pix, one photo shows two fins, seems to be a third. The next day was salmon sport fishing opening, 1 May, off of Eureka, two fishers commented on Humboldt Tuna Club: “They headed north. Couple had big top fins tried to get a picture but didn't work out. Looked like maybe 10 of them." -Lonnie
"There was a very active pod of orcas, that came through the 46 line in 30 fathoms about 11:00. Counted 10 Orcas with 3 males showing their high dorsal fins. They were moving North fast." -Red Rider 62
So, maybe L-pod? The salmon bite is good off of Santa Cruz now, and likely Bodega Bay.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, May 1 - Attached are the photos I took yesterday [May 1], viewing from Dune Peninsula. The humpback came pretty close at one point. When I got there around 4:45pm the humpback was still pretty far off in the distance, over by the southern tip of Maury. Slowly but surely, the humpback made its way to the east, closer to Browns Point, but then began heading south towards us at dunes. The humpback then started moving west, past dunes, and into the ferry lanes in between Vashon and Point Defiance. Unfortunately there were many boats following and one jet ski in particular with two young men on it, harassed the humpback, and got way too close, I’m not sure if they actually hit it or not, but the humpback did a large tail slap and splashed them right in their faces. From my photos, I can see the person sitting on the back of the jet ski filming the whole thing on his phone. Several people witnessing the incident made calls to the police and the Coast Guard, and it looked like the ferry was yelling at them too... I ended up leaving around 6:40pm and the last sighting of the humpback was somewhere off in the distance by Vashon, getting closer to Colvos, but at that point we had all lost sight of the humpback for a while. Also, I am not 100% sure myself, but a lot of people out there yesterday thought there could have been 2 humpbacks. They were thinking maybe a mother and juvenile? -Sally Milligan-Smith
Humpback BCY1218 Kata - ID: Orca Network -photos by Sally Millgan Smith, May 1, 2022
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20:34 - [humpback] Just seen back at Pt Dalco.
20:09 - [humpback] Seen a few minutes ago around Quartermaster harbor -Anna Panasiuk Simmons
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Thank you Cherie St.Ours, Jason Cook, and friends who helped us spot and learn about the beautiful Humpbacks this evening. These (two!) photographed are from where we were standing at Point Ruston. (My name spelled backward on FB) Glad to have met you all. Thank you for all you are doing to help the whales. -Meg Girard
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19:25 - [humpback] viewing from the Dunes. Looks Like it’s at the SW tip of Vashon, not sure if it’s heading east yet…-Cherie St.Ours
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19:18 - [humpback] I saw it at the Point Defiance ferry and again while riding the ferry home! -Liz McDonald Van Norman
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18:17 - [humpback] The whale is to the west of the Point Defiance ferry dock the ferry stopping and watching. To the west of Anthony's a bit. -Lisa Long Betz
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18:09 - [humpback] Going past Dune now in the ferry lane. Ferry is stopped. -Linda Podiak
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17:15- [humpback] just south of Maury island. Moving south.
16:45 - moving south again. [map shows humpback off Sandy Shores, Maury] -Steve Brown
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16:20 - [humpback] in the same area. Surfaced in front of the Red and white Port Patrol boat.
15:48 - [map shows humpback between Gold Beach, Vashon and Dash Point] East bound. -Jason Cook
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At 15:35 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed Chetzemoka, Whales, 1453 Master reports a minke [was humpback] whale meandering around PT DEF and has been around for a couple of days.
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15:35 - [humpback] flukes tip of Maury south end viewing from dunes. Beautiful day watching the Humpback visitor at the Dunes Peninsula. He/she circled gracefully around commencement for several hrs. giving a very close pass in front of the Dunes! -Cherie St.Ours
Humpback BCY1218 Kata - ID: Orca Network - photo by Cherie St.Ours, May 1, 2022
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15:12 - [humpback] Right in front of Tahlequah dock, headed east. -Anna Panasiuk Simmons
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14:45 - [humpback] Just seen off dune point. Looks small (juvenile) a lot of white on the flukes. Headed generally towards west. -Stacey Gordon
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15:00 - [humpback] Just saw the fluke left of the ferry terminal, hugging Vashon. About 3pm. No direction.
14:45 - [humpback] Very close to big ship at that time. Direction was west into Dalco for its last fluke maybe 5 minutes ago:
14:27 - [humpback] Turned back west and just went behind the big ship. Two boats trailing
14:10 - [humpback] Visible from dune peninsula currently! Facing eastbound towards commencement bay, just saw a fluke to the left of big ship off of dune. -Brooke Casanova
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06:45 - Appreciations to our friends at Sound Action and Amy Carey for sharing a Vashon community member report the humpback was off the south end of Vason Island around 06:45am this morning. No direction of travel at that time.
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, May 1 - West Whidbey - 13:24 - A couple of greys out of West Beach/Swan Lake overlook, Oak Harbor. -Nerell Edwards
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Sun, May 1 - Port Susan - 15:00 - Another two grays northbound on the flood in Port Susan. One 500m straight out from the Kayak Point Pier. Another blow in same line, but on Camaro side.
14:40 - single gray entering Port Susan northbound about 1km offshore of South Tillicum Beach. Viewing from Kayak Point pier. -Scott Veirs
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting: [was gray whales]
Sighting Time: Sun May 1 14:51:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.13494,-122.36786 [Kayak Point, Port Susan]
Number Sighted: 2
Submitter Name: Alonzo
Whale Alert App
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10:41- Gray Whales Port Susan -photo by Kathy Harvey , May 1, 2022
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Sun, May 1 - N Saratoga Passage - 20:15 - I just heard a puff and caught a glimpse of a gray just off the beach here at Mariners’ Cove around 8:15pm 5/1, heading south. It appeared one more time, but just as a small ripple in the water as it took a breath – no body visible. Then it went down again and continued through the Happy Meal Mudflats - I didn’t hear or see it again for a few minutes, until I heard a big puff around the bend, so it’s hustling down the beach toward Polnell. Very shy gray! :) -Marianne Parry
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Sun, May 1 - Saratoga Passage - 14:30- 2 grays just south of Mabana. No real direction. Not feeding but close to shore. Long times between blows. Waiting for the tide to come in perhaps. Will load photos tonight for id. -Jennifer Feldman Spanton
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13:45 - Gray whale just south of Onamac, long down time. -Patricia Phillips
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13:20 - One gray heading south, very slow south of Mabana. Looks like he/she is resting but head is facing south towards Pebble Beach. -Peg Boley
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09:40 - Gray came through Saratoga Passage at about 9:40 am... In front of East Point heading east. -Shannon Moore Kavanaugh
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09:10 - Two gray whales in Saratoga Passage northeast of Baby Island, heading southeast. -Martha Poppy Sinclair
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07:29 - Good morning Orca Network - Sitting by the passage having morning coffee. Watching 2 grays exhaling beautiful breathes. "Be Like a Gray”. Both are heading north towards the south side of Elger Bay. -Marilyn Armbrutser
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Sun, May 1
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
/Unspecified Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun May 1 15:22:00 PDT
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.14153,-123.42834 [Dungeness Spit, Port Angeles]
Number Sighted: 1
Submitted Comments: small blow, no fin noted, no fluck
Submitter Name: Donna
Whale Alert App