November 2014 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of November 2014 whale sightings.

November 30
4:40 - I leave...the pod was more spread out they passed Kingston getting harder to see in waning light. Met many people along the way to share binos and orca/salmon discussions. Was especially fun to end the day meeting Isabel who finally caught up with and was so happy to see their blows across the water! Always feels so magical, sundown with orcas and blazing orange and red Olympic Mtns.
4:20 sundown...approaching Apple Tree Cove/Kingston see 3 adult males...1 in lead two towards back. Pod not as tightly grouped but still tucked close together. Dives not as long. Steady northbound with occasional tail lob. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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K12 Sequim in Puget Sound. - Steve Smith

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Another glorious winter day int the Pacific Northwest with friends, orcas (KPod?) and the snow covered cascade mountains behind. Shot from Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island. -Susan Marie Andersson

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4:21 - see from Edmonds marina beach, they're on the Kitsap side near the cell tower south from the ferry terminal. We can only see blows. -Michelle Goll

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Seeing orcas go by from Edmonds. -Janine Harles

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4:05 - at Edmonds beach park. Blows spotted south of Prez point (just south of Kingston). Far west side of channel. -Jack Nolan

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3:12 - can just barely see them looking south from President Point. -Joanne Graves

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2:56 - they are still headed north at Golden Gardens tightly grouped mid channel possibly a little west of mid channel. -Jamie Grundhauser

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2:40 - seeing them grouped up south of Richmond beach backlit but I think going north. -Whitney Neugebauer

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2:08 - at Discovery Point light house west mid channel trending NE. -Jill M Rotset

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3:40 - pod is still in resting formation steadily northbound, west of mid channel about even with the middle Port Madison approaching Jefferson Head. Small boat accompanying them to the rear. And if hasn't been noted there are at least 20 orcas.
3pm - Near or just south of Faye Bainbridge about now.
2:40 - from Sunset Ave/Shilshole still in resting line trending now north westerly. 2-3 minute dives...2 minute surfaces all together! Due west from my location right now.
1:55 - getting close to Discovery Point lighthouse.
1:46 - Gorgeous! Watching a line of illuminated blows still south of West Pt/Discovery from Sunset Ave above Shilshole. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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1:22 - tightly grouped heading north towards Discovery Lighthouse, mid channel. Viewing from Creosote, orca are in front of freighter by the marina. -Connie Bickerton

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12:46 - I am now just south of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge. The 8-10 are heading north into ferry lanes... Just south of Rockaway Beach. -Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn

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12:00 - tight group of 6 or 7 orcas just turned and are heading north, mid-channel off north east side of Blake Island. Two big males in the group.
11:35 - watching from Restoration Point--Bremerton ferry captain just announced the whales. Orcas are moving south rapidly with the current. Just east of Blake island, Kitsap side. Two or three males with the group. -Susan Marie Andersson

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10:47 - directly out from Discovery park light house about 6-8 heading south. Hugging Bainbridge Island. -Jill M Rotset

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10:20 am - Two more whales behind the first group, southbound mid channel.
10:11 am - Just spotted two southbound, mid channel from Fay Bainbridge..large male. Yeah! -Sue Surowiec Larkin

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10:02 - group of 5-6 heading south in shipping lane between north end of Golden Gardens (east) and Port Madison (west) -Jennifer Greiner Clark

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10:01 - Now between Meadow Point and Suquamish Dock in the southbound shipping lanes. It never ceases to amaze me how fast these dudes can travel. Spread out over a mile, at least five.
9:47 - at least five headed south quickly, mid-channel on the line between Meadow Point and Kingston. -Ben Blankenship

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9:44 - two more just south of channel marker east of President Point. staying down a long time. were going south, but now milling in all directions.
9:41 - saw three more moving slowly south just south of channel marker east of President Point (south of Kingston). staying down a long time.
9:22 - just saw one going south off President pt going south. -Joanne Graves

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9:35 - whales mid to west of channel spread out. Some now south of Jefferson Head others still north of mid yellow channel buoy. With a little elevation viewing conditions are better. Gorgeous out here. Mountains amazing.
9:25 - from Richmond Beach have seen at least 2 bulls and female. Mid channel south of Kingston just north of yellow mid channel buoy. Steady southbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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8:15 - 4 miles north of Kingston a group widely spread, heading south. Closer to Kitsap side but some as far as 2 miles out. -Rebecca French Gerke

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1:52am - orcas on Port Townsend Hydro. -Connie Bickerton

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1:41 - The only place you might be able to see them from right now is Boston Harbor.
12:43 - There is a raft of sea lions within 500 feet of where these animals have been milling. They are either full or they are not interested in the s. lions as a food source. Will try to upload a few photos.
2:15 - The 6-8 orcas changed direction and headed south into Budd Inlet - very close to the western shore of Cooper Point. The entire time they were on the Eld Inlet side, there were two different groups of sea lions that did not interest them at all. Weird. Here's one photo. T137's!
12:12 - there seem to be 6-8 - can't count completely. Choppy water and some are surfacing at the same time - shallow surfacing.
12:11 - I'm on my deck in Olympia. Facing the tip of Cooper Point which splits Budd and Eld inlets. They are still there - milling and surfacing. GORGEOUS.
12:07 - 6-8 orcas still at Cooper Point - at entry to Budd/Eld inlets - far into South Sound. Lots of surfacing and milling. A few spy hops. Lots of surfacing together. At least one large male.
11:09 - at Cooper Point right now! Budd/Eld Inlets. -Kim Merriman

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10:00 am - 4 or 5 south Sound whales just passed Johnson Point headed south down Nisqually Reach, per a call from Donald Mott.

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8:29 - 3 Orcas off Longbranch (Key penninsula). -Carrie Hesch Viergutz

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11:00 AM - Group of humpbacks sighted just off Clover Point, Victoria, BC. On Sunday morning, November 30, I saw a breaching humpback whale just about a kilometer off Clover Point, Victoria, BC (to the southwest). It was a sight to behold. The splash was like an explosion and I originally thought it was a speed boat that hit a wave too hard. Through my binoculars I could see more humpbacks coming up for air. They hung around for a few minutes and never saw them again. In total, I would guess there were 2-3 whales, but I can't be sure. -Andrew Patrick

November 29
The orca that was found dead December 4 at Bates Beach near Comox, BC, was Rhapsody J32.... I saw her just a few days ago during my encounter with J and K pod on November 29th, 2014....here is a shot of her from that encounter (See Photo of the Day), she is the farthest right. Also pictured is the rest of her small family, her aunt J22, and her two cousins J34 and J38. This may very well be the last photo of Rhapsody while she was alive.
The Southern Resident orcas are now down to 77 members... -Melisa Pinnow

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K21 Cappuccino (born 1986) today!! I can't tell you how happy I was to see these guys again I should mention that it was COLD!!! -Heather McIntyre

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K21 and K33 in Speiden Channel. -Heather McIntyre

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5:10 - Unexpected whales are the best kind of whales.....off Henry Island late this afternoon with K-Pod! -Monika Wieland

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4:40pm - J Pod about 1/2 mile off shore near Sunset Point (San Juan Island)!!! -John Boyd

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2:56 - With J and K pod right now!! Spread between Stuart Island and the north end of San Juan! Not sure if they will head down or up Haro Strait. -Melisa Pinnow

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2:45 - Three or four whales were sighted in Spieden Channel this afternoon heading west. Traveling fast. -Roy Clauson

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1345 - off Reuben Tarte County Park (NW side of San Juan Island) 5-8 orcas heading quickly north in San Juan Channel in rough seas. Included at least one male, maybe two. -Monika Wieland

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I saw a small group of orcas going eat to west down Harney channel between Shaw and Orcas island early this morning. One larger male, one female and one smaller one. Not sure if they were residents or transients. -Mariann Carrasco

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10:55am - Two orcas passed headed south, guessing Edmonds waterfront prob right in front of ferry. 8:15am - orcas seen appx 2 miles north of Edmonds ferry, heading north. -AnaLisa Gerbig

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9:45 - my friend/neighbor texted me he saw the orcas. Near Picnic Pt, N of Edmonds We both saw groups of 4 or 5 milling about but mostly heading N toward Mukilteo.
9:30 - Picnic Pt close to shore headed north.
9:15am - off Picnic Pt slowly heading n into Possession Sound. -John Carroll

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We spotted a single orca at 8:15 this morning. It was spotted about 1.5 miles north of the Edmonds Ferry, heading north between Possession Point and Mukilteo. -Jeff Johnson

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8:15am - two or three pods, 3 in each, spotted from Room #1 Orcas Hotel, Ferry Dock on Orcas Island took shots w/iphone. -Christopher James

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9:56 AM - Saturday morning of Thanksgiving weekend... very windy and cold, but the sight of 3 Orcas traveling west between Crane and Shaw Islands (north of San Juan Island) drew us outside. A short time later, we sighted 7 or 8 more, again going west through Wasp Passage. We didn't see the first group soon enough to get a good photo, but a photo of the second group is attached. Based on the photo, there were 2 males in the second group. -Cynthia Hertlein

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12:10 - 8 to 10 orcas in Case Inlet (or Nisqually Reach), between Johnson Point and Anderson Island (13 miles SW of the Tacoma Narrows bridge), breaching and milling. Not traveling. Leslie Demich.
My wife, Leslie, called you on Saturday to report an Orca sighting in Case Inlet. Per your instructions I tried for dorsal fin photos. While it seems to me there is sufficient evidence here to confirm the creatures in question are Orcas, unfortunately they were too far from shore for my lens to get much detail. I estimate they were about a half mile off shore, based on Case Inlet being about two miles wide from Johnson Point to Anderson Island. They were paused in front of our house when Leslie first spotted them, then moved slowly southward with an accompanying flock of seagulls to help locate them. They paused again perhaps a mile south of Puget Marina, a few circling back almost to our location once or twice, then left the area heading generally southeast toward Luhr's Beach. -Gary and Leslie Demich

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3:53 - Just left Tolmie. Spent over an hour there. The distortion is terrible, but blows were visible. There was a boat near them, but because of the distortion, that's all I can relay. It's just too cold to stand out there for long! Plus I had zero service. -Jessica Pagan

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1:35 - Lost sight in the chop. However, they're headed toward Nisqually Wildlife Reserve past the southern tip of Anderson Island. 1:15 - "Seeing them hunting seals between Anderson Island and Tolmie State park. Just saw a seal being tossed into the air". 12:30 - From a friend of mine, Carolyn Logue - "ORCAS heading south in Nisqually Reach toward Tolmie State Park." -Kim Merriman

November 28
My wife - Lynn - & her sis were on the 3:30 o'klok ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo - and they saw a pod of 15-20 orcas heading east ( toward Saratoga Passage ? ) Later ... at 4:30'ish... I saw - near Baby Island - appeared to be a group of whales (?) ... with a HUGE raft of birds covering the water in that area... -Wayne Flaaten
This report indicates a group of orcas was up by Baby Island while another group was near the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane.

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3:38pm - 3 orcas near Kingston, heading east. Spotted just now from ferry. -Roxanne Kenison

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3:30 - pod spread out mid channel - spotted from the Edmonds Kingston ferry. One male spotted. Pretty cool! -Evelyn Daniels

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3:25 - Spotted about four to six orca from the car deck of the Kingston/Edmonds ferry, both of us eastbound with Point Wells in the distance. -Ben Blankenship

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3:00pm - off President Pt (2 miles south of Kingston), one male one female going north fast, close to Kitsap side. -Joanne Graves

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1:25 PM - Saw at least 8 heading north of Narrows Bridge with the current. Identified as L95 Nigel. -Rob Blankenship

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2:30 - So cool, some of L pod ( including L95 Nigel in photo by Rob Blankenship above) ventured well south of Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Now making their way back north and should be at or past Pt Defiance. Look for L72 Racer, his mom...she has the most gorgeous saddle patch of them all. And it's snowing (wet) at my place in Shoreline. Magical. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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2:10pm - sighting on Anderson Island ferry between Ketron and Anderson. -Cheryl Rucker

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1:30 pm - A pod of 10 + Orcas just went by Salmon beach heading north towards Pt Defiance. Moving at a good speed and surfacing a lot. 3 separate close groups. -Dino Martini

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1:11 - Just saw [orcas] by the Narrows. -Jennifer Boothman

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9:45-10 am - South of Tacoma Narrows bridge. 8-10 or so moved south and were at public fishing pier and then on to Chambers Bay. -Arleen Schmidt Woodley
945am - north side of Fox island came south under Tacoma Narrows bridge and then went by public fishing pier and towards Chambers golf course. -Arleen Schmidt Woodley.

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8:40 AM - 10+ Orcas heading up Colvos Passage. Paradise cove / Pt Richmond area/ - Traveling - Feeding. -Marc Tonkin

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8 AM - Orca Pod spotted swimming through Dalco Pass (between Point Defiance and Vashon Island). Awesome sight of 6 to 8 orcas swimming the central channel through Dalco Pass towards Gig Harbor. -Bruce Woolverton

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11:35 - Just saw a small group of about 3-4 orca traveling south just out of Deception Pass around naval airbase Whidbey. they were pretty far away so no ID's (suspect Ts) but there was at least one adult male. -Renee Beitzel
Note: only tentatively identified as Transients.

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9:13am - Love my backyard, sitting having my morning coffee on Dallas Road,Victoria BC. watching a Humpback Whale frolicking around about 500 feet off the beach. -Dave Nicholson

November 27
I saw a small group of orcas (5-7) off my bluff (about half way between Clinton and Langley) It was around 11:30 and they were heading south. Very fun to see them on Thanksgiving Day! -Frances Wood

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4:25 pm - from Marina Beach, Edmonds, saw one breach north of Apple Cove mid channel, or just west of. This was the last I saw of the SRKWS before darkness fell on this stormy beautiful Thanksgiving day.
3:40-4:10 from Edmonds watched two groups of 4-5 (one of which was approx 1 mile from shore) traveling in tight groups east of mid channel at steady pace committed to southbound Puget Sound. At the same time I was seeing an occasional single whale and smaller groups spread across the channel to the west. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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3:30 - we just saw 5-6 fins and one partial body pop out and back in from Edmonds. They are pretty far out heading south. -Priyanka Kulkarni

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3:25 - large group continues out from north Edmonds and look to be keeping southbound line. Occasional breaches as they steady on. I believe there is at least one male well in the lead further south that I had seen ahead of this large group.
2:50 - hard to find them out here in choppy seas. From Stamm Overlook, Edmonds I've seen a lot of lunge feeding, breaches and/or tail lobbing behaviors south of Cultus Bay.
2:20 - move south to Haines Wharf, Edmonds...just saw fins with CG boat due west mid channel southbound.
1:30 - 25 to 30 whales tightly grouped heading south at good pace on Whidbey side of channel past Glendale could be at Possession Point in 10 min or so. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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A truly memorable Thanksgiving day... Heeding the orca call (irresistible) of Southern Residents off Mukilteo, we headed for Clinton arriving around noon and were soon rewarded by the sight of dorsal fins and blows heading north between Hat Island and Whidbey Island. Suddenly the whales turned and milled before picking up the pace again towards the Clinton ferry dock. We watched at least 12-15 orcas pass by in two groups, thrilling waiting passengers at the ferry terminal and slowing down the ferry (perhaps the Tokitae). By 1:15 the whales were passing close to Glendale beach and having a good look around (lots of spy-hops) as they maintained a fast pace towards Possession. Four whales, including two mature males, turned and came close to shore as they circled prey with lots of tail slaps. We caught up with them again around 2:50 pm as they cleared the green marker at Possession, followed by numerous (too many to count) full breaches and spectacular splashing. Although we didn't witness a lot of foraging, hopefully this high profile behavior indicates that they were finding plenty of energy bars. With strong winds and sea conditions worsening, we left our post at 3:15 pm still seeing huge splashes mid-channel in Possession Triangle, with the whales possibly heading south. -Sandra Pollard (author of Puget Sound Whales for Sale)

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2:50 - Looks much closer than mid-channel. I've seen some breaching closer to Edmonds shore but I'm looking from bluff above Golden Gardens with big binocs. -Jennifer Greiner Clark

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12:32 - 10-15 north of Clinton traveling southbound in a line while a few others forage a bit to the east.
12:28 - have spotted at least 3 orcas north of Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lanes foraging mid channel
10:52 - At least 12-15 have passed Mukilteo. Some nicely close in. Spread out across channel some heading Northeast some east towards Everett. Besutiful!. Very choppy.
10:10 - I left Haines Wharf Edmonds where I could see two groups 8-10 total, foraging chasing salmon! still trending north!
9:30 - from Sunset Ave in Edmonds we've seen at least 5 adult males with females and young streaming northbound heading up Possession towards in general direction of Clinton/Mukilteo. Some foraging behavior and tail lobs! We def have SRKWs!!! -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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Southern Resident Killer Whales Puget Sound-Nov 27, 2014 (HD)
Southern Resident orcas (fish eating type) foray into Puget Sound foraging for salmon, socializing, bonding....engaging in their ancient cultural ways. Filmed from the shores of Edmonds & Mukilteo as I wander along the route of their journey on this gorgeous blustery day. Please don't visit marine parks, these intelligent family bonded orcas belong in their natural habitats...the open seas. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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1:53pm - Just watched a group of 5+ orca swimming south mid channel. Jumping and splashing. My location is Mukilteo bluffs halfway in between Mukilteo lighthouse and Picnic Pt. -Linda Shuger

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1:07 - They're just south of the Clinton ferry terminal now. Ferry had to divert its course to miss them. Spy hopping, fluke slapping, they seem to be happy! -Zachary Simonson-Bond

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12:58 - Pod of orcas at the Clinton Ferry dock right now! -Melanie J. Sceva Hill

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Orcas cruising by the lighthouse in Mukilteo this morning. Counted 7. -H Lee Gallaher

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The photo above from the Orca Network facebook page was taken by a photographer this AM.. This was MY VIEW with my trusty binoculars- They were around the fishing pier and out near the ferry lane.. I then watched a pod of over 15 swim north for almost 90 min until they went out of sight.. What a sight.. So grateful to see these beautiful creatures in the wild.. Can't wait to see more of them, kinda feels like a dream this morning.. Still in shock and a daze I think.. -Kristen Bogren

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11:30 - What a great thanksgiving gift I have lived in the Puget Sound for over 20 years and never seen orca but, this morning got to witness orca breaching north of Edmonds. Watch them for 40 mins. heading north towards Hat island. -Alan Swane

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11:14 - Heading toward Saratoga passage mid channel between Hat island and Mulkilteo. -Christy Korrow

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J27 Blackberry passed close to the shore at Mukilteo. -Pam Ren

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10:53am - Just spotted 2 orcas 1 big 1 small off Mukilteo bluffs heading north. -Linda Shuger

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1030 - saw multiple heading north at Norma Beach/Shipwreck Point. -Michelle Carey

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Very thankful--just saw at least five orcas in two groups, heading north east of Whidbey, closer to our shore than the island. Traveling slow and steady. -Cassandra Miller

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10:13 - 10+ whales heading fast past Picnic Point. Heading north on on east side of channel heading to Mukilteo. -Karen Knight

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About a dozen going by north Edmonds. Amazing! -Stu Davidson

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10:13 - The large Pod was spread out. but here's a couple together.. Around 12-15 went by (north Edmonds) *South Whidbey in background.
9:47 - Heading north staying east side of Whidbey. -Stu Davidson

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Approx 9:55 - From halfway through the Edmonds/Kingston crossing, saw two definitive spouts 1/2-1mi north of the Edmonds ferry terminal. -Ariel Yseth

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L89 Solstice again. Looks like J28 Polaris. -Janine Harles

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10:25 - two headed north through Possession Sound.
9:58 - just off Picnic Pt north bound.
9:50 - Just south of Picnic Pt. milling about just saw a breach. -John Carroll

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9:46am - They are splashing in the Cove around the corner to the north from Edmonds.
8:53 - Watching the Kingston ferry leaving Edmonds. Alot of people on the outside forward deck looking toward something. Odd for such windy weather. -Kristen Bogren

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9:42 - North of Edmonds, watching from sunset, approx 6 heading north. -Karen Knight

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At about 9:30 am today (Thanksgiving Day), we saw five or six ORCAs swimming about 1.5 miles north of the Edmonds ferry dock. Seen from our home. Swimming and jumping - swimming in circles. -Jeff Johnson

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10:51 - Close to shore at Mukilteo heading north. Got L89's picture again hahaha.
9:20 - RIGHT off dive park and ferry headed north. Pretty sure I ID'd L89. -Rachel Haight

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I'm happy to report that I sighted what appeared to be Southern Residents at around 9:00 a.m. today (about 10 minutes into the trip) on the Edmonds to Kingston ferry. Fortunately the Captain saw them and announced to the passengers that they were just off the port side. I was on the starboard side when it happened. When I got over to the port side it was hard to see through all the people gathered in front of the windows. The whales were spread-out not far from the ship, foraging near the surface in moderately choppy seas. I think there may have been at least 4 or 5 whales. -Davis Hyslop

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9:00 - foraging off Edmonds fishing pier, near ferry, north bound, mid channel east and west.
8:31 - I'm trying to get a direction am having trouble... Just saw one breach just south of Kingston ferry.
8:05 - found some of them, south, yellow mid channel buoy, big splashes, south bound I think from Marina Beach in Edmonds. -Michelle Goll

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8:15 - Saw multiple spouts from Amtrak just south of Edmonds. They were heading South. -Terry Blumer

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1 pm - There were three closer to the Vashon side but they were headed over towards Point Defiance side been about 15 minutes since I've seen him.
12:51 - They were mid channel us Anthony's Point Defiance. -Meghan Davis-Van Horn

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11:57 am - Orcas right off Pt Defiance, heading north. Looks to be 3-4 of them, watching from Salmon Beach. -Dino Martini

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1100 - at least 5 Orca spotted off Fox Island's Gibson Point, in Tacoma Narrows. Looked like several individuals were feeding, or playing, as they moved Northward toward the Narrows Bridge. It was very exciting to see! Playing, or Feeding, while they were moving Eastward. -Roger Campanelli

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I just spotted two large orcas in the bay that our house overlooks. Not sure of the exact type, but they were black with large white spots near their eyes, like the classic killer whale. Two seen together. Basically they were spotted coming from the north into the southern portion of Carmel Bay, California. Spotted them the second time directly north of the tip of the Point Lobos peninsula, they appeared to be heading west back out to sea, but I can't be certain of direction. Seen approximately 10:35am and 10:45am PST. They weren't really doing much of anything, just gliding through the water and staying under for long durations. Not sure if there was a male, but they both seemed large. i.e. It probably wasn't a mom and calf unless it was nearly full grown. One of the whales had a very large portion of their upper fin torn off. Nearly half of it was gone. -Taylor Hartnett

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1120 - viewing 1-2 humpback or grey on west side of Orcas Island in President Channel. Seemed to be headed north but milling around. -Alicia Toney

November 26
Ken Balcomb reports he and Dave Ellifrit photo-documented all 78 Southern Resident orcas between Constance Bank and Dungeness Spit.

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6:15 - great calls on the PT hydro! Lots of different calls! -Whitney Neugebauer

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6:02 p.m. - SRKW calls just started on the Port Townsend hydrophone! -Meg McDonald

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J47 imitating J26 breach in south Haro Strait. -Mark Malleson

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Calls still going strong at 9:20. Happy Thanksgiving to all you orcaholics! -Kim Merriman

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8:28am - Lots of calls still on Lime Kiln hydro! Crazy! -Vickie Doyle

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7:41 A.M - Lots of calls on LK hydro!!!! -Selena Rhodes Scofield

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We spotted Orca off McNeil Island, South of Tacoma. I'm interested to know if it's common for them to be in the South sound and if the video shows normal behavior. It seemed odd to me to see one whale jumping on top of the other. -Greg Cooper

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10:28am - heading south between Anderson and Ketron Islands again. It looks like the same group from Monday! -Sunny Pepin

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12:39 - The whales are down on the south end of Anderson island just around Lyle point.
10:31am - There's a pod of 4-5 whales in front of the Riviera marina in Anderson Island heading South. -Maryann McConville Schuler

November 25
We just left J & K pod on the east side of Constance bank heading west @ 4pm this afternoon spread out about 1/4 mile ~ their traveling speed varied from porpoising at speed, followed by foraging behaviour then back to porpoising. -BC Whale Tours

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J37 and J35 porpoising for Constance Bank. -by Mark Malleson

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Just got back to the house after an amazing encounter with resident orcas!! Went out looking for them with some friends and found them over between Eastern Bank and Dungeness Spit. They were very spread out and headed northwest when we left them around three: It was J and K pod, including the K16's and K21, and L87. Did not see the J17's or J11's (easily could have missed them) but did see J38 and the J16's. Lots of very energetic foraging/chasing and we saw L87 and J49 both with salmon in their mouth. Lots of breaches, spy hops, tail slaps, and general goofing off. J2 was being followed by J38, K38 and K44 who were being quite social with each other. Got a good shot of K44's new nicks. Happy to be home!! -Melisa Pinnow

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12:20 - Ken Balcomb relayed a report of orcas seen 3 miles west of Protection Island (5 miles west of Sequim), heading west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. No IDs or numbers reported yet.

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Ebey's Landing - 9:30 - 9:58 -- Victoria Clipper is going much slower than we usually see it... light rain. There! Behind the Victoria Clipper. Oh my! The tallest dorsal fins we have seen. Wow! Five at once. Magical, mystical, mesmerizingly hypnotically pulling all the senses. They are spread out for a quarter mile, maybe more on the Port Townsend side, but far enough out we can see them. Two with tall fins, many... as they get to Protection Island for a background they spread out, hopping once or twice... the two big fins seem farther apart. Westerly or northwesterly, splitting into two pods or not, we could not tell. Thank you, thank you, thank you. -John Morelock

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8:19 am PT hydrophone SRKWS! They were on hps for 1-1/2 hours -Alisa Lemire Brooks

November 24
4:36 - I'm so happy! At Fern Cove Vashon. Me and my family are witnessing these beautiful creatures. -Dana Beytebiere

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3:53 - Had a great day tracking Southern Resident whales today. Got a call from my good friend Amy Carey, and messages from other friends..Karie Olson Sherman, Alisa Lemire Brooks, that whales were reported south of Vashon. I headed out with the baby to check it out. Three times I almost turned around to go home, but something told me to go. They turned around 3 times to head down the Narrows. After a little game of back and forth the orcas finally decided to head up Colvos Passage. I tracked them all the way up the passage, and finally got to see them up close. I got some Id's but I think there were more that I missed in that moment. Still grateful for sharing the experience with the kids. Hope to see more whales soon. -Kelly Burns Keenan
J27, J35, J28, J17, J34, J38, J22, J16, J34, J26, J16, ID'd in Photos by Kelly Burns Keenan

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3:25 pm - At least a dozen orcas in Colvos Passage at Olalla, heading north slowly. At least six breached. Now passing red marker #4. Reported by Kathryn Rice.

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3:00 - 15-20 feeding for awhile then went north.
2:47 - 3 more just off of Pt. Richmond -close to beach. About a mile south of the main bunch.
2:35 - I'm looking at 10-15 Orcas in the west pass (Colvos). They were heading north, but now are milling around. They are north of Pt Richmond. -Jim Webster

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2:27 - Looks like they flipped, and are now headed N up Colvos Passage. Might see them from West Seattle before the sun sets.
1 pm - Looks like the whales went South thru the Narrows.
12:20 - Looks like we have whales off the south end of Vashon potentially heading towards the Seattle area. -Jeff Hogan

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1:40 - Whales now headed up Colvos. -Amy Carey

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1:31 - They are now mid channel from the point at Point Defiance, heading towards Colvos.
1:00 - They changed direction, milling right off the point right now. 5 large males!!
12:42 - They are in the Narrows channel, heading towards Salmon Beach, about 100 ft from shore. There were 2, a male & female, deep in Commencement when I 1st saw them. The others were close (at least 15 total) to Vashon. They all met up just past the ferry terminal & then fed off the shore of Vashon for a while before coming right below us on the bluffs at Point Defiance.
12:31 - 2nd lookout at Point Defiance is awesome right now. At least 15 milling right off the Lighthouse.
11:08 - Two close to the container ship, the others are hugging Vashon Island. Heading towards ferry dock.
10:55 - I have them!! Off Rustin Way, right off Shenanigans! -Melissa Bird
Melisa Pinnow: J37, J32, J28, J35, and J46, K20 and K25. Photo by Melissa Bird

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12:25 - Watching some now moving past Pt. Defiance towards Narrows. -Amy Carey

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12:21 - Pod of 10+ Orcas currently headed south/west of Vashon toward Gig Harbor.
12:14 - Pod of Orcas at south end of Vashon. Currently near the ferry lane. -Sarah Jones Whalen

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12:20 - Looks like we have whales off the south end of Vashon potentially heading toward the Seattle area. -Jeff Hogan

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12:16 - whales on the south end of Vashon, moving east. -Amy Carey

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12:00 - Roughly 15 Orcas spotted in the waters of Commencement Bay heading west at the south end of Vashon toward Colvos Passage. -Point Ruston

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11.55 - south west corner of Vashon about 1 m north of ferry landing...about 12-15 minimum appear to be resting in pods -Janis Kamrar

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1:43 - I think closer to 15 moving up Colvos along south Vashon.
1:04 - Big pod (12-15+) just about to Salmon Beach heading south toward Narrows Bridge.
12:03 - they are moving back towards the Vashon ferry. 5 or 6ish--just caught a beautiful breach! -Michele Riley Campbell

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11:40 AM - 2 females mid channel between Ruston and Quartermaster harbor. Headed south. -John Kerwin

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1131 am - At Point Defiance marina - orcas near Colvos. Jennifer McKee-johnson

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11:00 am - HI !!!! Very excited to report 4 orcas swimming very slowly westbound out of Commencement Bay towards the Vashon Island Ferry. Feeding? Traveling was very slow. -Sue Duncan

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At about 10:45 we spotted killer whales (looked to be cow and calf) off of Old Town Park / Jack Hyde Park in Tacoma - we could see them from our offices. They were right in close to shore. They stayed in the general vicinity for about 15 minutes, moving offshore to about halfway between here and Browns Point. At that point we noticed at least 1 and possibly 2 other individuals, including an adult male. They milled for a bit and took off toward the Narrows. It was quite a treat for us biologists. -Melora Shelton

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2-3 orcas off Piner Pt., Maury Island, seen at 10:30 am, moving slowly west, reported by Jim Lilje.

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10:24 AM - Orca Pod - Tacoma. I first spotted 6-8 orcas heading towards Commencement Bay, then a boat went by and they turned, slowly heading west such that they are now between Tacoma's Northern waterfront at 11:10 am (Katie Downs restaurant) and Quartermaster Harbor. My guess is they were feeding. Seem to not be in a hurry to go anywhere. They charged - like they were just plowing the water - several times. -Mollie Heilesen

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Possible Transients: 10:19am - The Orcas are between Anderson and Ketron Islands. Sunny Pepin

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Now headed down Narrows and out of sight. -Amy Carey

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10:15 am - Maia of WA State Ferries relayed a report of a dozen or more orcas between Quartermaster Harbor and Pt. Defiance. No direction of travel given.

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Possible Transients: Taken between 9:45 a.m. and 10:17 a.m. today. From aboard the ferry, between Ketron Island and Anderson Island from a 400mm lens. -Sean Griffin

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This morning I was fishing around Pt. Defiance when the orcas were around. The Pacific White Sided Dolphin was over by the lighthouse this morning too. Only 4 Harbor Seals instead of the large group were there today, all small ones. A helicopter was flying over the whales. -Bryan Owens, Tacoma Wa.

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Possible Transients: 8:41 am - Just spotted a pod of about 4-5 whales just north of the Riviera Club marina on Anderson island, heading north. It looks like they are feeding at this time. -Maryann McConville Schuler

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Possible Transients: A pod of orcas was first sighted at the south end of Anderson island this morning around 8:30 am chasing a food source and approximately at 9:30 am. The pod of four to six whales was between Anderson and Ketron island slowly moving north feeding going all directions. One of our island residents who filmed the whales almost a year to this week came over to my location and got two videos of the whales again. I uploaded some still shots at two facebook sites- mount rainier and south sound views from Anderson island, and Anderson islanders site. -Robert Lyden, Anderson Island wa.

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Orca Sighting: One (1) LARGE Male feeding in vicinity of Guardian Bank, Costa Rica. Time: 1310 LT ZD+6). Lat.: 9-28.60 N, Long.: 87-26.52 W. Reporting Vessel: Research Vessel ATLANTIS, IMO#9105798. -Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution vessel in transit eastbound for Puntarenas Costa Rica, 100 nm wsw Punta Guiones.

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3:30 - I saw at least 2 fins yesterday as I was driving across the Purdy Spit (north end of Henderson Bay, west of Gig Harbor, south Puget Sound). Traffic started to bog down and people were looking into the bay. I looked in time to see the fins disappear. 1 fin looked large. -J. Matthew Phipps

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1:30 - Gig Harbor area sighting. We were checking out the beach at Sunrise Beach Park just East of Gig Harbor and saw a pod of 8-10 Orca whales moving north in the sound about half way (or maybe closer to West shore) between Gig Harbor side and Vashon. They popped up about every 30 seconds and we could see the dorsal fins clearly as well as the blow hole spray. We even saw 4-6 large seals that were moving south at the same time and veered inland toward us maybe to avoid the orcas. I have some mediocre video if you want me to share later. -Fritz Grueter

November 23
A pod of orcas was first sighted at the south end of Anderson island this morning around 8:30 am chasing a food source and approximately at 9:30 am. The pod of four to six whales was between Anderson and Ketron island slowly moving north feeding going all directions. One of our island residents who filmed the whales almost a year to this week came over to my location and got two videos of the whales again. I uploaded some still shots at two facebook sites- mount rainier and south sound views from Anderson island, and Anderson islanders site. -Robert Lyden, Anderson Island wa.
Note: These have been tentatively identified as the T137s.

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12:35 PM - Large group of Orca swimming north up the west side of Saragota Passage. Seen from Cranes Landing Drive, Greenbank. No idea exactly how many, if I had to guess I'd say around twenty? At least one male, might have been two. Saw one big splashng event which could have been feeding but other than that and one nice jump they were just cruising up the passage. -Scott Rosenkranz

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11:00 AM - orcas in Saratoga Passage heading north past Bells Beach, saw approximately 5-6 Orcas including one young Orca. They appeared to be feeding. -Alan Cohen

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1:28 pm - They were big spouts as we saw them without binoculars about 2 to 3 miles from us looking from Gig Harbor towards Brown's Point. I think they were moving towards Port of Tacoma or north--we lost them again.
12:37 pm - A few more blows--same area between Point Defiance and Vashon!
12:29 pm - Saw 10 to 12 blows and flashes of dorsal fins briefly just north of Point Defiance near the tug pulling logs. about 30 minutes ago and then they were gone. -Michele Riley Campbell

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12:07 pm - heading south fast.
11:30 am - We're seeing them due west of Chambers Bay golf course midchannel at least three or four just kind of thrashing around. -Peter Woodward

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Thanks to orca network we were able to see orcas off of Chambers Bay this morning!!! I'm always in awe of these beautiful whales- every time I see them I'm so excited I jump up and down with glee! -Julie Merriam

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We are having a great whale year here in Gig Harbor. In August and again two weeks ago we got to see a humpback. Today some orcas at 9:45 this morning, close to shore on the Gig Harbor side of the Narrows, just about 1/4 mile north of the bridge. They were heading south. -Susan Dynes

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1:16 pm - Distant calls on Lime Kiln right now. -Lisa Meoli

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8:49am - watched a half dozen or so SRKWs head northwest past point Wilson as the rain is rolling back in and visibility is about to drop to zero.
8:17 am - Orca south of PT Coupeville ferry run heading north! Thanks Gayle for confirming what I was hearing. -Connie Bickerton

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SRKWs on Port Townsend hydrophone starting at 8:03 a.m. -Gayle Swigart

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At approximately 8:01 a.m. faint calls came over the Port Townsend hydrophones. The calls lasted about 25 minutes. Many of the calls sounded like L Pod calls. -Jeanne Hyde

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4:49 pm - Southbound right offshore from Fox Spit. Js and some Ks (and L87) for sure. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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4:25 pm - they have gone around Baby Island and now mid channel headed SE down Saratoga Passage.
4:08 pm - Yay! Back on Whidbey and stopped at Greenbank - just saw 10 - 15 orcas SW of Baby Island at 4 pm - now headed NW toward Lowell Pt/Camano Island State Park. -Orca Network

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4:04 pm - a group of orcas that were going south into Holmes Harbor south of Greenbank farm have now turned around and going north toward the Farm...assuming they will be turning east. Don't quite know. but just got in from watching them across Holmes Harbor. They didn't quite get as far as Dines Point and turned around.
3:32 pm - Orcas are in front of Greenbank Farm with Baby island to its east! They are a happy bunch out there....thanks Rachel Haight for the post..........WOW. -Marilyn Armbruster

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Around 3 pm I was on North Bluff Rd across from Cama Beach. Kept hearing multiple blows but didn't see any one thru the trees. -Kathy Fritts

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3:14 - Now south of Hidden Beach, about a mile north of Greenbank Store and Grille. Looks like heading into Holmes Harbor. Maybe due north of baby island heading south east slowly.
2:43 pm - They are north of Hidden Beach still. Heading this way finally. I think they slowed to eat! Finally moving steady south again. I saw a breach as they came around the corner when I was about to give up! Close to Whidbey side too. -Rachel Haight

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1:45 - Looks like they've turned back south .... perhaps heading slightly to the west, estimate nearing the north end of Cama Beach.
1:18 pm - They're still heading north, looks like about 8 in 1 group and a scant views of one or two other individuals. They're across from Race Lagoon (roughly) now.
12:44 pm - They're off Cama Beach right now, still heading north (YAY)! -Jill Hein

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12:32 pm - Sandra Pollard reports 2 whales northbound near Hidden Beach.

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12:15 - I am back to report, orcas everywhere... most have gone up north past Cama Beach... looks like a couple went south down Holmes Harbor, orcas spread across the sound, close to both sides. -Marilyn Armbruster

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11:55 am - We have them with us moving north from Baby Island north to Cama St. park. Seeing 15+ moving in three groups. Awesome day!! -Will Murphy

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11:45 am - several orcas swimming north past Fox Spit/Eastpoint close to shore. One large male jumping. -Michael Cenname

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11:15am - Just saw at least 3 Orcas right off of Fox Spit, Saratoga Passage, can't tell direction because they seem to be milling. -Stephen Merritt

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11:04am - Residents heading north in Saratoga Passage, spread out mid-channel opposite Bells Beach. A big treat on a sunny November morning! -Brooke Nelson

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We saw Orcas traveling north in Saratoga Passage (about 3 miles north of Langley) this morning at about 10:55. It looked like either one large pod of 8+ or two smaller groups both swimming north, one near to Whidbey and the other about half way to Camano. We'll try to keep an eye out in case the orcas heading south from Deception Pass swim by! A few slightly blurry shots in case anyone is interested in identifying the individuals. -Jonathan Bent

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10:47 - There is a glorious pod of orcas in the Saratoga Passage off Langley beach right now. I got some shots but wanted to get the word out. They are heading west along Langley shore. We saw whale spouts the morning of Tucker's celebration of life and I thought our pal had returned for the day. Was thrilled to learn his grand kids saw them at the same time as well. Like I said, glorious. Other photos here. -Debra Campbell

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10:45 am - watched a small pod north of Langley traveling north from Langley Whale park. Then we had our first guest of the morning at the Langley Whale Center who'd come here after seeing the whales pass. He said there were at least two males. No id confirmation. -Connie Bickerton

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10:36am - 5 Orcas heading north right by Inn at Langley, Langley. -Kim Dunkley Wetherell

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About 10:30 this morning, spotted approx. 5-6 orcas spread out across Saratoga Passage heading north from Langley to Mabana to Fox Spit. At least one male. They seemed to be feeding on the current lines. Orcas, bright sunshine, newly snowy Olympics- beautiful! Barbara Brock

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This morning about 9am, a larger group spread out came from the east, went past the Hat Island marina again, heading north west. What a treat!! -Barbara Conwell, Hat Island Harbor Master

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We spotted them earlier headed north in Saratoga Passage. This pic was taken just after 3 pm when they returned, headed south in the Passage off Greenbank. So exciting! -Cindy Dean Prahl

November 22
5 pm - Watched --through a spotting scope with Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn from Restoration Point on Bainbridge. Four or five foraging just north of Vashon ferry lane, mid channel. NOAA was with them. Too dark too see now. -Susan Marie Andersson

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4:23 pm - they're really hugging the east side of Blake island, still heading north. -Shannon Donegan

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Yes! I was on the 4:20 boat from Fauntleroy and there was a large group of a dozen or so off Blake Island, and a few headed south from the N. End dock. -J Felicity Welt

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Time stood still for me Saturday. I set out to cross train in small bumps on the OC-1 and encounter a couple of Orcas just outside of Fauntleroy. I tried to keep back as far as I could but its hard when they simply show up out of nowhere and decide to follow you. -Art Aquino

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4:15 - @magnolia bluffs. Lisa spotted with binocs some blows for a few minutes after they passed Alki point going North. Then they disappeared roughly mid channel. -Ron Sorrell

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4:08 pm - watching a small group from north end of Vashon, they are close to the Fauntleroy terminal. -Jess DeMarois

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4:04 pm - 10-15 Orcas visible between Lincoln park and Blake island state park headed directly toward the Bremerton fairy line. Moving very quickly. Lots of breaches!! Hearing reports from other observers that there may be as many as 50. Confirmed members from J, K, and L pods! -Cassie Cude

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4:05 pm - they're passing through the ferry lanes. Still spread out and heading north.
3:57 pm - watching them from the Fauntleroy/Southworth dock on Vashon. They're heading north towards the Vashon ferry lanes. -Jessica Pagan

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About 4 pm - a pod of at least 5 Orcas traveled past Hat Island marina heading east. They returned to the south end of the island later. -Barbara Conwell, Hat Island Harbor Master

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Lincoln Park, 3:54 lots of blows near Vashon Island. -Travis Miller

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3:48 pm - A lovely bunch of backlit spouts, moving north along the east side of Vashon Island! Seen from Lowman Beach, West Seattle. -Trileigh Tucker

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3:46 pm - still headed north, nearer to Vashon, approaching north end of island. Research vessel with them. -Michelle Goll

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3:43 pm - At least a dozen orcas spouting a couple hundred of yards off Vashon! -Nancy Swenson

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3:43 pm - Lots of spouts mid channel at Lincoln Park! -Shannon Donegan

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3:29 pm - 14 or so heading back north from Three Tree Point, about to Vashon ferry dock, lots of spouting and hunting. -Sue Spezza

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3:10 pm - They're hangin' out by the safe water beacon off Three Tree Point. -Chris Frankovich

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Heading north towards Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lanes at 3 pm. Seeing them from Dilworth 2:17. Lots of surface action, trending North. -Jessica Pagan

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2:33 pm - Just had a report there are also some east of Blake island.
2:08 pm - On the beach at point Robinson with Whitney Neugebauer. They turned just as they got here and have now apparently gone invisible. -Amy Carey

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At 2 o'clock it looked like they had turned around and started heading back north. It appears that there is a research boat with them. They are just north of the Des Moines Marina. -Tanya Jackson Esparza

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1:58 pm - Here and gone at Pt Robinson. Good crowd here to see them. Some good tail slapping sighted. -Rebecca Benson

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1:53 pm - Normandy Park, watched 5-6 orcas milling for 30min * they just turned back north. -Michelle Borsz

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1:38 pm - viewable with binoculars from Heyer Pt (KVI) looking 30N near Burien just ahead of orange (NOAA?) boat. -Andrew Casad

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1:31 pm - At pt Robinson. Seeing them north of here slowly headed south. -Jeanette Dorner

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1:28 pm - Seeing them from Redondo Beach hugging Vashon just north of Pt. Robinson. -Richard Johnson

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1:23 pm - Watching Several heading south from Three Tree Point close to Vashon. Still a way north of Pt. Robinson. -Jill Irwin

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Two leaders heading into tramp harbor close to the Islas with about 4 following further behind...1:08 from three tree point south side. -Kim Rouse Baumgartner

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12:59 pm - I can see the orcas with binoculars looking across towards Des Moines & east side of Vashon/Maury Island. Sea Lions & seals closer to shore. I can see a few from Owen Beach/Tacoma at 12:53. -Jason Cook

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12:48 - Looks like approximately 20 animals still southbound spread out between Point Robinson and Dilworth Point on Vashon. No IDs.
11:24 - Whales are still off the N tip of Vashon and still trending S. -Jeff Hogan

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12:30 pm - Just watched them head south out of sight from the Vashon Ferry Dock. -Shana Hirsch

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WHOO hoo. Whales headed south at the north end (Vashon) ferry. Dilworth next viewing. -Amy Carey

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12:16 - I am now at Three Treepoint. They are farther out in the channel and are still heading south. They are spread out, I am seeing what I think is the lead whale between me and the Fauntleroy ferry. -Tanya Jackson Esparza

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12:16 pm - And I see two more south of the Vashon ferry dock.
12:12 pm - They are passing by Seola beach right now! -Chris Frankovich

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I am at Seahurst and only saw one but haven't seen it since and that was at 1201. All you whale watchers over at Pt Robinson, what a sight for you!! I just saw all of them from Des Moines waterfront very close to you! -Angie Edgmon

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My husband saw a pod of Orcas SE of Dolphin Point, from the Vashon Ferry. This was around Noon. There were at least 6. In the distance. No idea what pod. -Karen J Wagoner

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12:00 pm - What a show from the Vashon --> Fauntleroy ferry!!!! Both sides of the boat. Had to be 10-12 very close on the north side of the boat. A couple of impressive males. Saw one stunning breach close to the Vashon dock. -Jess DeMarois

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11:53 am - looking from Dilworth on Vashon. See at least two mid channel headed south. -Jeanette Dorner

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11:41 am - There's multiple groups. One heading south past Vashon. One heading south past Lincoln park, and not sure what else.
11:29 am - There are atleast 6 more heading south at the north end of Blake also. It's a parade of whales today. -Krista Larson Billinghurst

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11:45ish - just got back from seeing a spread-out group with some just south of Williams Point (Lincoln Park), heading south, and at least two north of there, most of the way across the sound to Vashon. Those two were just milling around, not heading one way or the other.
11:17 am - two heading south along Vashon ferry dock, midchannel.
11:28 am - Now looks like a bunch, on the far side of the sound along Vashon island. Lots of spouts. Seem to be heading south. -Trileigh Tucker

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11:26 am - They are heading south right in front of the ferry. 11:25 am - I am at Lincoln Park. I am seeing the orca right in the ferry Lane closer to the West Seattle side. -Tanya Jackson Esparza

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11:18 am - Crossing the Fauntleroy vashon ferry lane right now - 2 of them! -Andrew Bratton

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10:50 am - John Rogstad from WA State Ferries reported 12 orcas heading south, Fauntleroy, south of Bremerton.

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10:49 am - Just spotted one between Blake and a Vashon, heading south, further to the west side of the Sound. -Trileigh Tucker

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9:34 am - Ok. . Just found one of Alki. Either milling or northbound. From my vantage point looks to be maybe 1000 feet out generally west of the point, maybe at Ritchie north. -Amy Carey

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8:21 am - Stephanie from Victoria Clipper, reporting a single male orca heading south by Shilshole Marina.

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8:10 am - Orcas off the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry heading South! -Joel Petree

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About 4 pm - a pod of at least 5 Orcas traveled past Hat Island marina heading east. They returned to the south end of the island later. -Barbara Conwell, Hat Island Harbor Master

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10:38 am - Doug Crane, Kayak Point, Snohomish reported 4 males, 2 calves (females?) heading north. I male with very large dorsal fin.

November 21

November 20
8:40 - Meg McDonald reports an undetermined whale in the vicinity of Gig Harbor. She saw either the pec fin of a Humpback or the lunging dorsal of an orca, several blows and a large bait ball. She has not seen anymore activity so would say a Transient if it was an orca.

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9.53 a.m. - Seeing blows again near Gig Harbor.
9.10 a.m - 4 blows off Gig Harbor. -Meg McDonald

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4:18 - Just came inside from watching a group of about 6 whales travel past Point Wilson at a slow pace closer to the Whidbey side. Lots of surface active behaviors, and milling about. Looked like at least 2 large males in the group. Maybe J27?? -Amy Johnson

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On 3:30 boat from PT to Coupeville. Seeing orca to the north of ferry seem to be milling/foraging. Saw a big breach just north of coupeville ferry terminal.
3:00 - Still hearing faint occasional calls on PT hydrophone. -Connie Bickerton

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3:25 - Great calls on the Port Townsend hydrophones right now.

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3:15 PM - Orca sightings between Coupville and Port Townsend. Saw at least two pods, maybe three traveling north from the ferry from Coupeville to Port Townsend. Two males breached out of the water. It was spectacular! -David Jerauld

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3pm - From the Port Townsend ferry, heading south east. -Waylon Finch

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3:00 pm - A great view of orcas for people on the PT ferry, whales in front and behind. The whales seem to be back and forth, between Fort Casey and Ft Flagler, hopefully finding lots of food. -Jill Hein

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3 pm - Orcas from Pt Townsend Coupeville Ferry. A group of 5-6 orcas were seen from the ferry about 1-2 miles out from the Coupeville ferry landing, dispersed over a large area for about fifteen minutes, travelling, also some spyhopping. The same group could be seen as the ferry continued to Port Townsend, offshore from Pt Casey State Park moving up the shoreline. -Florence Caplow

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2:32 - Erika Winner is at Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island seeing orcas traveling slowly, if at all, just south of the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry lane.

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2:05 - Calls coming in clearer now on Port Townsend hydrophone. -Susan Marie Andersson

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1:11 - watching a group of at least 8 orcas from Marrowstone point, southeast of my position. Lots of milling, foraging, tail lobs, several spy hops. Trending north very slowly. -Jill Hein

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12:53 - a few north of Lagoon Point mid channel. Saw some tail slaps. -Naïna Barnett

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12:45 - Feeding in mid channel SE of Fort Flagler.
11:11 - I can see them from East beach on Marrowstone island. -Dianne Dee Iverson

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12:25 - seeing orcas from Lagoon Pt. -Wendy Berta Sines

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1 pm - orcas still foraging off Lagoon Pt - not traveling very fast but still trending NW.
12:35 - orcas still headed NW between Ft Flagler and Lagoon Pt.
11:32 - we're at Bush Pt and seeing them foraging and still trending north. Seeing at least 3 adult males. Leaders just passed the point and more coming. -Susan Berta

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1:24 - faint calls or whistles on Port Townsend hydrophone.
1:23 - moving north more quickly now, past Lagoon Point from my line of sight. Still west side of mid channel.
11:17 - looking south from the bluff at Ft Flagler seeing orcas both north and south of Bush Point. Most seem to be midchannel and east. -Connie Bickerton

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WOW, they passed Port Ludlow at about 10:30 AM going South, so they arrived up there about 5 to 6 hours later. They were within sight of Port Ludlow (N of Hood Canal) and stayed around here for about 15 minutes. They were tail slapping and surfacing, clearly foraging! -Kay Raffo

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10:05 - I'm seeing some straight out in front of me on the south end of Mutiny Bay. Midchannel... large male slowly north, other orcas coming from behind, some further north too. -Rachel Haight

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9:45 - spotted fins off the end of Adams Road, females far out in the channel milling. Yahoo--second time in a week. Thanks for letting me know to look up. (Adams Road is between Mutiny Bay and Bush Point). -Christina Baldwin

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9:20 am - Justine Buckmaster on the Victoria Clipper called to report members of J and K pods off Mutiny Bay, heading north up Admiralty Inlet.

November 19
6:45 - could hear them breaching but couldn't see them as they passed Windmill Heights (south of Bush Point) heading south. -Dennis Allen

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6:15 - Dave Anderson called from his deck while hearing orcas in Admiralty Inlet at Windmill Heights.

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I'm at Ft Flagler. We had quite the encounter! At least 2 dozen orcas passed us. Breaches and spyhops close to shore. Lots of IDs. It was incredible. -Rachel Haight

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4.15 - Lagoon Point - at last, saw 4/5 orcas mid-channel heading south. -Sandy Pollard

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4:22 - Groups of orcas passed by for about 35 minutes and last ones are passing now. Most were spread out from us to mid channel. Saw groups passing in the distance as others passed by closer. They were active and not hurried. Two big males among the last passing Ft Flagler now.
4:04 - Two orcas breached at the same time close to shore at Ft Flagler!! -Rachel Haight

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3:41 - Still some whales north of the ferry (PT), heading slowly south.
3:25 - From Fort Casey, it looks like CWR is with them - seeing dorsals spread out between PT and Marrowstone island, nearing Marrowstone, very hazy out there. -Jill Hein

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3:35 - Pt Townsend hydrophone. -Jenny McEachron Gorle

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I started off bicycling onto the PT ferry and up to the bluff above Ft. Casey, then back onto the ferry and over to Pt. Wilson just in time to see the whales swim by against a magnificent Mt. Baker. A great Orca day and lots of exercise too! -Kippi Waters

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3:30 - Ken Balcomb was out with K pod members from Pt. Wilson to Marrowstone Point, but didn't see all of K pod.

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3:20 - Hearing faint whistling on PT hydro. -Traci Walter

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3:19 - Distant calls starting on PT hydrophone. -Pam Ren

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3:18 - Sandra Pollard called from Lagoon Pt, Whidbey Island to report seeing some splashes/likely whales between Pt. Wilson and Whidbey Island, we are just now hearing them on the www.OrcaSound.net Pt. Townsend hydrophone.

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3:18 - Starting to hear some whistles on PT hydrophone. -Gayle Swigart

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15:17 - believe I am hearing faint calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks

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2:45 - Erica Winner at the Port Townsend MSC reports orcas rounding Point Wilson now heading into Admiralty Inlet.

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1:34pm - they're definitely heading in! I see some near a channel marker out there. Not the one right off Libbey Pt, but the one further out I am north of Libbey Pt looking southwest. I saw a male and tail lob barely through haze. They are NE of Protection Island, likely still moving SE.
2:19 - They are just slightly north of Point Wilson. Another breach.
2:15 - At least 6 more behind. They are definitely west of midchannel. Long down times steadily moving south.
2:08 - I'm watching them from Ebey's Landing. Ft Casey is next spot. Tight knit group of at least 5 now just south of Ft Worden heading south at a steady pace.
2:01 - they're definitely appear closer to that (Port Townsend) side. I see one nearing Fort Worden now. -Rachel Haight

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J & K pod, taken from Ft. Flagler today. If I make any wrong ID's, please correct me.
2:50 - I'm on the ferry. They are north of the ferry lanes still going south. -Rachel Haight

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10:08 - Justine Buckmaster on the Victoria Clipper just called with a report of "lots of Southern Resident orcas" heading SSE (toward Admiralty Inlet) on Eastern Bank, which is south of Cattle Point, the southern tip of San Juan Island.

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Started hearing Orcas on LK 7:10 am -Selena Rhodes Scofield

November 18
Saw approximately 15 orcas in Active Pass @ approx 10:30 AM traveling east on the flood tide. -Lorelei

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T103 northbound in Haro Strait near Kelp Reef late afternoon. -Mark Malleson

November 17
From 10:45-11:30 we watched some very spread out residents head slowly south in Haro Strait offshore of San Juan County Park. Whales were foraging and doing long dives, but I saw for sure J2, K21, L72 and L105, and L84. After passing the west side at night several times, it was awesome to finally have the residents come by during daylight hours! With the whales so spread, however, it was confusing trying to figure out who was where and it sounds like the rest of J-Pod was MIA during that time, until being heard on the hydrophones overnight between the 17th and 18th. -Monika Wieland, San Juan Island

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T123 and T123A west bound past Trial Island. T038A, T035A's and the T123's passed south through Oak Bay in the morning. -Mark Malleson

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I saw K pod off the west side of SJI this morning!!! Although, all three pods are here. Huge thank you to everyone who helped keep me informed!! - Heather MacIntyre

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Today was pretty amazing. I had been staying on Stuart Island for the past couple days and I knew the Southern Residents had gone north. Hoping for a return trip down past San Juan Island, we took a chance and went out at 8:30am. We scanned north and turned to Turn Point to look down and we came around the corner and there they were! I'm not sure if all members from all 3 pods were there as they were super spread and doing longer dives, but it was amazing. We were the only boat out for a long period of time. We followed along until Kellet Bluff where we got to see some good fishing action! The Center for Whale Research also was out today, so I'm hoping they could confirm everyone was there. Beautiful day on the water! - Traci Walter

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Traci and I had a nice little visit with Granny (J2) this morning off Kellett Bluff! - Chris Teren

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10:26 - Such amazing calls! I thought I had left my sound tutor on for a minute there. - Susan Marie Andersson

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10:05 - On LK too now. - Rachel Haight

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9:37 - lots of call activity - and getting louder! - Kim Merriman

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8:45 am - Southern Residents vocalizing on OrcaSound hydrophone. - Gayle Swigart

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T123 and T123A west bound past Trial Island. T038A, T035A's and the T123's passed south through Oak Bay in the morning.

November 16
4:00 PM - Two to four orcas, including at least 1 male seen directly west about 1/2 mile of parking lot at Devil's Kitchen SP, Bandon, Oregon. Unsure, at least 2, maybe 4, traveling. -Bill Bridgeland

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Unidentified orcas were seen heading north through Active Pass this morning. There are chum hatcheries in Georgia Strait that may have produced fish that are returning down Johnstone Strait about now, so hopefully they're finding enough up there for a few days, but we expect a return trip to Puget Sound soon.

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Fun (cold) day on the water today with six different humpbacks. Three pairs. Two south of Race Rocks, two between Race Rocks and Victoria, and two just offshore from Victoria. - Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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10:33pm - My family and I saw what looked like just one orca not far off the shore in Tacoma off Titlow beach. Heard it blowing and saw the tail come out of the water. It was around 330pm. Amazing! - Jennifer Curry Hahn
Possibly a humpback?

November 15
So. Resident calls were heard on Lime Kiln hydrophones all evening until past midnight.

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6:15 pm - Very faint orca vocalizations coming threw on the lk hydro, started to hear them at 6:15 p.m. under the annoying rhythmic ticking sound. - Selena Rhodes Scofield

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While visiting Ft. Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island today my partner and I observed a group of Orca Whales from the bluffs just south of Pt. Partridge. There were a minimum of 9, and possibly as many as 20 Orcas traveling north, spread out from 400 yards to 1 1/2 miles offshore. The time was between 3:50 and 4:15 p.m. The whales appeared to be traveling with purpose. There were at least 3 large males (very tall central fin) and numerous medium sized and a few smaller individuals. We were able to observe 9 individuals either surfaced or spouting at one time. Clearly, there were numerous others as they appeared shortly after at other locations amidst the pod. Lighting was perfect with low angle sun backlighting the spouts. There were a couple of groups of 2 or 3 traveling close together with the rest of the individuals spaced more widely apart. One large male was closest to shore and the audible sound of his spouting was what initially drew our attention. Several of the whales passed very closely by the vessels (within 2-300 yards) without appearing to alter their course. - Dave Schmalz

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3:20 - Squeaks, calls and whistles on the Port Townsend hydrophone! - Susan Berta

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A whale-a-palooza of an afternoon at Ft. Casey! 30+ orcas, along with a nice group of harbor porpoises and big old Steller Sea Lions...lovely to see my orca friends, with their backlit blows as they headed north past Pt. Townsend....makes my heart happy! - Bonnie Gretz

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Whales everywhere, too many to count... Blows first seen across Admiralty Inlet from Mutiny Sands, Whidbey Island, at 10:30 am on a crisp, bright morning turned into an unforgettable day on the water with the Southern Residents as they headed north out of Admiralty Inlet. Ken Balcomb, CWR was on scene as was Brad Hanson, NOAA, while we had our own expert, Howard Garrett, on board to photograph and ID foraging, porpoising, spy-hopping, breaching, tail-slapping, raspberry blowing (yes, really!) orcas in our midst. For the second day running we watched their blows disappear into the sunset, some turning west and others north, to meet up again who knows when, and where? - Sandra Pollard (Author of Puget Sound Whales for Sale)

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2:00 - What a spectacular, cold but amazing day out on the water off Bush Point with whales seemingly in every direction. Although there were multiple breaches which I was lucky enough to see, I didn't capture any of them on camera -- but there was plenty of foraging, porpoising, spyhopping, tail lobs, fluke waving, and other wild activity! - Steve Smith

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About 2:00 we saw spouting near Marrowstone Island - eastern side. We boated over and turned off the engine. Several orcas had already passed us by, but looking south there was pod after pod all headed north. I say pods - but I don't know. groups of 5-10. 2 jumped and turned belly upward. One group of 6 was diving and emerging all together over and over. Some seemed to swim by themselves. The sound of their breath all around was amazing. One came right at the boat and turned and passed us just a few feet from port side. We sat about 30 min, and when we left they were still coming in groups but now were more in the center of the channel. - Sally Gecas

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Visiting with my daughter from Gig Harbor and we just got to Marrowstone Point in time to see some breaching way out in the distance. Would love to see more, but I live in Fort Worth,Texas and can only visit up here. - Joeanne Carter

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2:46 - Just watched the last of them
1:57 - Have orcas spread from Lagoon Point to south of Bush Point (Whidbey) as viewed from Ft Flagler.
1:26 - some orca north of Bush Point lighthouse, look to be close in, more still south and further out from shore.
1:20 - Finally seeing orca from Ft Flagler (Marrowstone Island). They are south east of the bluff were I am sitting (south of Marrowstone Point) Appear to be near Mutiny Bay and on east side of channel south of Bush Point, maybe near Mutiny Bay. Orcas are still northbound. - Connie Bickerton

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1:15 pm - We are sitting on cliffs at Fort Casey looking across Admiralty - both have seen a few big breach splashes over mid channel by Indian island in past 15- 20 mins. - Nadja Baker

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1:05 - trailers are now just off south end of Marrowstone Island. Some breaching but still headed NW out of Admiralty. - Susan Berta

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Watching the orcas from our neighborhood bluff, south of Bush Pt, Whidbey Island, WA, as Southern Resident orcas foraged and traveled NW out Admiralty Inlet. - Susan Berta

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12:50 - there are several males, they are quite spread out, now just south of Bush Point.
12:42 - Whales off Adams Rd., Freeland, quite spread out, several males, can't id through my binoculars. - Christina Baldwin

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12:45 - Orcas off of Windmill Heights (1 mile south of Bush Point) heading north. - Dennis Allen

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12:05 - 1 male now off Foulweather Bluff
12:02 - Update on Admiralty Inlet orcas - Leaders have not quite reached Foulweather Bluff/Hood Canal entrance at noon. Spread out down to N Hansville not moving fast and some changes in direction but still trending NW. Definite foraging going on - - lots of tail lobs - happy to see that!
11:35 - leaders are south of Bush Pt and off Foulweather Bluff, Kitsap. Some direction changes and foraging, but still trending NW. - Susan Berta

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11:22 - watching from Shore Meadows on Whidbey and see many on Kitsap side, north of channel marker approaching Foul weather bluff. - Michelle Goll

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Viewing from Shore Meadows. 11:49 - 2 orcas still in between channel marker and Foulweather Bluff.
11:20 - Ok they are near Foulweather Bluff and channel marker. - Marilyn Armbruster

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11 am - Saw them in Hansville at Skunk Bay this morning. I definitely saw 4. This our first sighting. What a thrill! - Andrea Matulich Rowe

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11 am - seeing at least a dozen orcas east of the buoy between Pt. No Pt. and Double Bluff, likely heading NW, but also seeing spouts closer to the Kitsap side, so possibly moving south? Will keep watching! - Susan Berta

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10:50 am - Sandra Pollard reports seeing the orcas from Shore Meadow Road, Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Isl, heading north, closer to the Kitsap side.

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10:30 - Marilyn reports the orcas are spread out from Hansville to Double Bluff, still trending north

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10:10 am - Patty Michak reported the whales passing Point No Point, heading NW, spread out in a long line between Kitsap and Whidbey, has seen at least 8 orcas go by.

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10:08 - They are north of PNP now.
9:55 - Large group spread out at Point No Point. Some are close to Point No Point some are midchannel, lots of spouts, trending north. - Elyse Margaret

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9:19 - A call from Marilyn at Point No Point of many orcas heading north. Many ooooohs and aaaaahs while speaking. She said they were at Eglon 1/2 hour ago.

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Capt. Spencer and I found two humpbacks traveling north yesterday in Haro Strait. It's amazing that they're still around so late in the year. One of the whales was MMY0028, but I'm not sure who the other one was. - Heather MacIntyre

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On ferry from Friday Harbor to Anacortes, spotted a humpback off Frost island, northeast side of Lopez. Spouted several times, dove for about 5 minutes, spouted a few more times and dove again showing dorsal fin. About 2:30pm. Such a treat! - Rebecca Sherwood

November 14
Possession Sound: Orca between Mukilteo and Clinton. I'm a deckhand with WSF, working on Kitsap and Kittitas. From 2:30p until dark, there was a group of orca in the area between Mukilteo and Clinton, staying generally south of the ferries routes. South of Clinton were a group of maybe 6 females and young ones? Close to the Mukilteo lighthouse were maybe 4 or 5 larger males. The captain informed Ops and the other ferry of their location and we stayed clear. Passengers were very excited, as was I! - Chris Stevens

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Admiralty Inlet: We got tired of waiting for the whales to come to us, so got to Bush Pt. at about 4:55 pm and saw them just after they had passed, heading south! Ran back home, and at about 5:10 was pretty sure I saw and heard spouts in the near dark, right at the north end of Mutiny Bay and on the Whidbey side, still heading south. - Susan Berta

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Admiralty Inlet: 4:47 - Sandra Pollard called to report the orcas had passed Bush Point, still heading south, and she was pretty sure she saw J27 Blackberry.

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Admiralty Inlet: 4:15 pm - from Sandra Pollard - the last of the pod is passing Lagoon Pt and continue south, she has ID'd one of the trailers as Blackberry from J pod. Another 15+ orcas have headed south and should be near Bush Pt - we're looking for them!

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Admiralty Inlet: 4:00 pm - Group from Port Townsend should be near Mutiny Bay about now. Watched from Fort Flagler for about 45 min. Foraging with a few breaches. - Susan Marie Andersson

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Possession Sound: 3:45 pm - Danielle called to report seeing some orcas from the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry, the orcas were in between the ferry lanes and HEADING EAST toward Mukilteo. Sounds like they are continuing foraging in Possession Sound, possibly spread out since some were reported heading up the east side of Langley 20 minutes ago!

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Possession Sound: 3:25 pm - I'm seeing two orcas heading north up the east side of Whidbey. Moving slowly, lots of splashing! - Cassandra Miller

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Admiralty Inlet: Bush Point around 4:15 pm with one final farewell breach (see above) as the sun set behind the Olympics on yet another breathtakingly beautiful day.
More than a dozen members of J Pod today, including Blackberry (J27), foraging and porpoising near Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island, at 3:40 pm. We watched several breaches and a couple of spy-hops, plus a continuous round of tail-slaps by one determined Southern Resident intent on finding dinner. The whales continued steadily south.
3:20 pm - passing Lagoon Pt. where they slowed to do some splashing/porpoising and foraging, but are now on the move again headed south toward Bush Pt. - Sandra Pollard.

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Admiralty Inlet: Jill Hein reported at 2:50 pm: At least 12 orcas at Marrowstone point, heading south towards Fort Flagler.

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Possession Sound: 2:44 - John Rogstad of WA State Ferries relayed a report from the ferry Kitsap of a large pod of orcas north of the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry lane, toward Hat Island. He said they were milling around and not showing any direction of travel.

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Orcas near Possession Pt. on Friday (note the open saddle patch, indicating a So. Resident orca, possibly K20 Spock). - Toby Black

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Admiralty Inlet: 2:25 - They're heading to Marrowstone from Port Townsend, on the PT side. Difficult to see as we're looking straight into the sun (from Fort Casey). Spread out - at least a dozen, heading slowly south. - Jill Hein

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Admiralty Inlet: 2:08pm - Very very talkative - Port Townsend hydrophones. - Else Jean Jensen

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Admiralty Inlet: 1:48 - We have audible orcas on the Port Townsend hydrophones. - Orca Network

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Admiralty Inlet: 1:45 - Beautiful calls on PT hydrophones - j's and k's? - Susan Marie Andersson

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Admiralty Inlet: 1:36 - Erika Winner at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center just called with a report of about 13 orcas heading south past Pt. Wilson, at the top of Admiralty Inlet. No IDs yet, but this sounds like residents.

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Admiralty Inlet: 1:30 pm - I saw a large pod as I was taking the ferry to Port Townsend yesterday. They were about a mile N mid crossing. Large pod and breaching. - Jen Chapin

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Admiralty Inlet: 1:00 PM - 16 orcas spotted off the coast of North Beach, Port Townsend. - Sally Chapin

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Juan de Fuca: 10 am - Ken Balcomb reports "possibly" J pod milling undirectionally, off Sooke (~25 miles SW of Victoria).

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Possession Sound: 1:25 - Relocated to Stamm Overlook on north Edmonds for much better views. 3 Orcas still heading north. Nearing Possession pt.
1:11 - I just had a fun time north of Edmonds. Way out. Two whales at least. Headed north. They'll come up the east side of Whidbey at this trajectory. - Josh Adams

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Possession Sound: 10:45 - Two orcas just north of Kingston ferry heading north. Ferry appeared to try to avoid them. Viewing from north beach at kingston ferry terminal. - Dianne Dee Iverson

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Possession Sound: 10:25 - Tom Harris called in a sighting of at least 4 orcas heading north off President Point (about a mile south of Kingston).

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Possession Sound: 9:43 - I saw at least three, still moving north towards Kingston.
9:21 - two off President Pt, way out there. Closer to the Seattle side, beyond the channel marker, moving north. - Joanne Graves

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Possession Sound: 10:00 - taking a bite out of President Point. 9:44 - Heading north, closer to Jefferson Beach/mid-channel. Something between four and a million.
9:41 - dang! Good thing I watched Sesame Street this morning: Make that four. Four magNIFicent whales!
9:39 - stalled kind of near the ONLY BOAT off Jeff Head.
9:31 - I'd like to amend that to three. Three little orcas. Pretty close to a UW research Boston Whaler (ahem) with two orange colored men who are seemingly oblivious to their surroundings and are instead messing with some science buoy. But I digress.
9:20 - Now the big male is between Meadow Point and the old degaussing station on Jefferson Beach, the second orca bringing up the rear closer to Jefferson Head (from my perspective on Meadow Point at 70' elevation) heading NE.
9:10 - Psyche! He's heading NE Again. Smaller (female?) in tow.
9:07 - And... one big male just turned around as soon as I posted that. He probably is following these posts on his iPod.
9:02 - The two heading steadily north are mid-channel between Meadow Point and Jefferson Head, now stalling and pointing more NE. - Ben Blankenship

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Possession Sound: 9:13 - What a nice way to start the day! Just looked quick from my perch on the bluff above Golden Gardens and spotted 2 of this group... heading north, mid-channel, NW of GG beach. - Jennifer Greiner Clark

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Possession Sound: 10:30 - I leave watching adult male just passed Kingston ferry nearing Apple Tree Pt moving steadily northbound west of mid channel
10:05 - from North Richmond Beach two females sightline mid channel Pt. Wells and Kingston milling/Foraging? Large male south andvwest of them. still NB.
8:55 - at least 6 spread out mid channel between Port Madison/Carkeek...still trending northbound. - Alisa Lemire Brooks

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Possession Sound: 0835 ... spotted spouts East by Northeast from the north end of Fay Bainbridge Park. Heading north. Didn't get a good count ... lots of water chop and they are swimming north roughly in the southbound shipping lane. There is a boat trailing along behind them but not interfering. Will post pics later.
0810 ... looking south from Fay Bainbridge Park ... I saw 2 spouts and dorsal fins ... appear to be heading north on the west side of the southbound shipping lane. - Tim Cuddy

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Possession Sound: 8:39 - Still seeing dorsal fins across the sound, north of Shilshole, heading north and east. 8:18 - Heading north, now mid channel and heading east toward Seattle side.
8:06am - Orcas still due east of Fay Bainbridge, foraging, changing directions.
7:59 - 3-4 orcas just passing Fay Bainbridge heading north. - Sue Surowiec Larkin

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Possession Sound: 7:48 - Sandy Soloman called from Log Rd. at Rolling Bay on Bainbridge while seeing and hearing at least two orcas.

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Possession Sound: 7:35am - just spotted a second female. They stayed down for a rather long period of time, before coming up to surface 3-4 times in a row again. Still heading slowly North Rollingbay on Bainbridge.

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Possession Sound: 7:20 am - just spotted a male and a female orca swimming north on the Bainbridge side viewing from the south end of Rolling Bay - looking for more but nothing yet... - Lynn Batson

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5 pm - five humpbacks off Race Rocks. - Josh McInnes

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8:26 am - Kyra Laughlin called in this bright sunny morning while watching a small humpback swim past the Mukilteo lighthouse about 50 feet offshore, heading north.

November 13

November 12
Ken Balcomb reports two humpbacks went south down the west side of San Juan Island this morning, and were approximately at Lime Kiln about 9:15 am.

November 11
Mexico Coastal orcas - Rare killer whale sighting off Tijuana. 12 Orcas sighted at US border with Mexico - very rare. About a dozen Orcas appeared November 11, 2014 at the beach in the small surfing town of Playas, right at the Mexican border with US, about 10 miles south of San Diego. This has "never happened before" - nobody ever saw an Orca here. There were two groups of 4 to 7 Orcas each which played separately about 50 yards/meters apart from each other, just outside the first surf break, within 100 yards from the beach itself. A surfer and some others reported that they "ate a dolphin" and described them holding it in their mouth and "throwing it about", which sounds typical behavior. I didn't see it, but the gulls and scavenger birds were swarming to feed on some leftovers of something, and there are or were plenty of dolphins here. The Orcas fed and played and trained their babies for about an hour then headed due west. This is out of your main geographic area of interest, but it was a fantastic show, and might mean some "change" in behavior. Air and water temp were both 69 degrees F, so 20.5 Centigrade, weather was overcast, tide about mid-tide, wave-face about 4 feet, with shallow sloping sandy beach. A surfer in black wetsuit was in the water, and 3 large Orcas approached him in a semicircle to about 30 yards/meters and each in turn did a "spyhop" maneuver, wherein they surface in a high vertical posture and hover high up for a few seconds - perhaps threatening? or perhaps just to look, or to announce their presence or claim territory, it was quite beautiful, and he got out quickly. Their colouring was less bright and high-contrast black&white colorful than Shamu, more camouflaged, not so instantly recognizable, with dark top, pale creamy grey accents, and pale tan saddle, very pale belly, and the unique big tail-flukes of an Orca, which gave them away from a distance. They were up to 15-20 feet long (5-6.5 meters) and sleeker more streamlined than Shamu, and had tiny babies. They made a wonderful show. 12 (approx) in two groups - 1 group of 6 or 7, and 1 group of at least 4. At least two had the high proud triangle of the adult male dorsal fin. Feeding, playing, teaching babies. Babies were very small like 1/4 to 1/3 the size of their mommy that they swam alongside. Each group, or at least 4 in each group swam in very very tight/very close formation. - Alan Williams

November 10
I live for these days! Jeanne Hyde calls at 10:30. Orcas in Haro Strait. We leave at noon. No Orcas. A sail boat near Discovery Island, BC. I stop and chat. Whales? Yep, over by Beaumont Shoals, the sail boat captain says. We head there. Yep, over by Beaumont Shoals! We are thinking Ts. Nope. The L12s. All present and accounted for, including Big Daddy, L41 Mega. We never got close to him, but he was there. - Capt. Jim Maya

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We sailed with 8-10 orcas from Discovery Island to Trial Island at about 5:30 pm as the sun was setting. They were outbound when we left them. Epic. - Keith Provan

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T123A in the Juan de Fuca. I came across the T123's west bound south of Race Rocks in the morning. - Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

November 9
Andrea Foster, naturalist interpreter at the Heceta Head lighthouse, Oregon, called with a report of at least two and possibly one or two more orcas, milling with no clear direction of travel, about 1/4 mile off shore. She said many sea lions were looking very nervous.

November 8
Here are three photos of Humpback whales taken by Chris Hamilton, while the whale was in South Sound. Budd Inlet and then heading north past Johnson Point. It looks skinny to me...and it looks like there is a scar or something along its spine in the second image? - Kim Merriman

November 7
I saw 6 humpback whales. There was a group of 3 south of Bechey Head heading west and a mother and calf east bound near Trial Island which passed by BCY0409 heading west. All 6 humpbacks seen have been spotted throughout the area over the last few months. - Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

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BCY0409 ("YOGI") south of Trial Island. - Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

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I saw 1 whale today at 3:15 near Lobster Shop in Tacoma. All I know for sure is it wasn't an orca :). I have a short video but can't see a way to upload it. - Tiffany Russell

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10 am - Humpback - President Pt Rd NE - Kingston Wa, traveling north - my first sighting of a humpback. - Margaret Steen

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I came across the T123's late morning east bound off of Sooke. In the afternoon the T046C's turned up mid Juan de Fuca Strait south west of Race Rocks. I left them westbound south of Sooke late afternoon and watched the T123's pass by the entrance to Victoria harbour at sunset traveling north east bound for Trial Island. - Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

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Three transients west of Race Rocks via Tom Mitchell. - Josh McInnes

November 6
Today at ~12:05 pm I saw a humpback (?) in front of our house (we live in a neighborhood above Shenanigan's in Tacoma) slapping it's fluke on the surface. It stayed in the same place for ~5 min. displaying this behavior, then a small white boat approached from the west. The boat stopped to observe from a distance. The whale then left the surface of the water and headed west - towards Point Defiance. Then it started to rain so hard I completely lost sight of it (& Puget Sound!) - Mollie Heilesen

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7:30am - Humpback in Burien out from Seahurst park. - Heather Aquino

November 5
3:30pm - orcas traveling north up Rosario Strait. sighted from land from Sinclair Island. - Kenneth Bothman

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4:45pm - Humpback sighting off Duwamish head. Very cool. Took the girls down to see their very first humpback whale. - Wade Harper

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4:35pm from the (still docked) Bainbridge ferry. A large whale passed in front of the boat, then spouted and fluked (no discernable markings other than dark overall hue) by the ferris wheel, then sped away toward West Point into the darkening rain. Those who saw it couldn't agree on the species, but it seemed like a Humpback to me. - James Rufo Hill

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3:13 - Still surfacing every 5 mins or so. I'm at Alki point. At 1450 it's right at the mouth of Elliott Bay breaching every few minutes since 1410. Alicia Toney

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3:11 - It was headding into Elliott bay as of five mins ago in front of the old grain mill. - Cailey Dullum

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John Rogstad of WA State Ferries called at 2:17 to report what they thought was a gray whale, but was the humpback reported above, off Alki - great that ferry riders are getting to see it too!

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1:59 - Now it's over by the Elliott Bay Marina, heading in toward the Seattle Waterfront. - Stephanie Raymond

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Stephanie Raymond called at 1:20 pm to report one humpback whale off Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, south of Alki Pt, Seattle, heading north very close to shore! Great time to get out for some shore-based whale watching in Seattle - to see the best places to watch for whales, go to our Whale Sighting Viewpoints map!

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10:40 - Humpbacks in San Juan Ch. and near Speiden Is. right now. - James Mead Maya

November 4
9:35 - Picking up faint Humpback vocals on Orca Live hydrophone. - Josh McInnes

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Maia of WA State Ferries reported a pod of 5 - 10 whales off Pt Caution, NW of Friday Harbor, at approximately 10:30 am this morning.

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Humpbacks near Kelp Reef, Haro Strait. - Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales.

November 3
Sighting of a single Orca off Sierra on the west coast of Whidbey Island. At approximately 11:35 am on 11/3 directly out of our window which faces NW from Sierra (near Coupeville, west side of Whidbey Island). We live on the bluff. It was heading South toward Partridge Point. I only saw it 2x's during its journey. I had to use the binoculars to identify it, but initially I saw some white like a spray and then grabbed the glasses to see it break the water. Initially heading NW and the next time SW from our home. - Rosemary Denson

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At 9am outside Hat Island Marina, saw a blow & tail flip a couple times. Not close enough to see a positive identification (this was believed to be a humpback). Headed NW around Hat Island. - Barbara Conwell

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3 days in a row, gray whales (2) have been working the kelp 1 mile west of Sekiu river. - Bruce Reddish

November 2
We found half a dozen transient killer whales on nearby Constance Bank! - Prince of Whales

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Orcas off Ft. Ebey/Pt. Partridge, Whidbey Island, 7:30 am this morning. Caller Chris Marin was surfing there and saw about 8 orcas less than a mile from shore, milling and taillobing. The whales moved slowly NW, toward San Juan Island.

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10:12 am - Two Humpbacks off Lime Kiln! - Simon Pidcock

November 1
Susan MacKay saw J Pod Killer Whales heading South mid Georgia Strait passing Little River/Powell River ferry line.

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The California Transients from Saturday. I think this is CA166 and CA173. - Selena Rhodes Scofield

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CA166 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Port Angeles, WA. - James Gresham

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A female swimming with CA166. The Cali T's were changing directions constantly. CA166 and the female with him were eastbound when we picked them up. Then they reversed and headed west. The others were heading southeast towards Sequim then reversed and had headed towards Victoria when we left them. - James Gresham

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Some California Killer Whales were identified near southern Vancouver Island, including CA166, CA172, and CA173 - by James Gresham. CA166 was first sighted in Monterey Bay in 1997. These three whales (and their associates) have been sighted off of southern Vancouver Island for the past four years in October: so very interesting! - Alisa Schulman-Janiger

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1:21pm - Just saw a large whale off/around Pt Defiance, from our boat. Not an orca. (probably a humpback) - Holly Bukes