November 2017 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of November 2017 whale sightings.

November 30
5:11 a.m. - Very faint SRKW calls. They didn't have much to say within the Limekiln hydrophone range. -Jeanne Hyde
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November 30 - 2:44 p.m. - orcas sighted just north of Apple Tree Cove heading north bound, Kitsap side. -Darelne Moneypenny
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1:53 p.m. - off Jefferson Head visible from hill above Rolling Bay, 3-4 ind traveling at fairly rapid pace heading NE. -Paula von Weller
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1:22 p.m. - heading east along the shore towards Jefferson Head. Being followed by a large flock of gulls indicating they probably ate something. >1:00 p.m. - they are between Suquamish, Indianola and Miller Bay. Possibly foraging. T137s, T137 in Agate Pass - from Old Man House (Suquamish, WA). got photo of male dorsal. -Connie Bickerton
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12:45 p.m. - Jennifer reports seeing 2-3 orcas at the Suquamish docks heading east.
12:30 p.m. - Under Agate Pass bridge heading north. -Bob Rosenbladt
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12:25 p.m. - I just saw them maybe three, at least one big one, heading north in Agate pass still well south of the bridge. -Julie Gerke Middleton
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11:37 a.m - Two right now at Hidden Cove road end on Bainbridge Island!!! Breached! Adult and 2 or 3 babies. Milling around in circles and playing but slowly heading south toward Manzanita bay. Pretty close to shore. -Becky Whitlock
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We saw three orcas on Nov 30, 2017. They were out in the middle of Port Orchard Bay between Enetai beach and Waterman Dock (we were on the Enetai side). The orcas were traveling north - looked like heading toward Agate Pass. At least one orca had a very large dorsal fin. -Deborah Short
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They were off Manette at 9:00am headed East. -Jeffrey Calnan
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7:30 a.m. - ~4 orcas on the west side of Bainbridge Island, milling, no direction. Called in by Rick Chandler from the Bainbridge Historical Museum.
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This morning around 7:20 on Crystal Springs Dr. NE just north of Pt White Dock, heading South towards Rich Passage.
(FB video of who was later seen and ID'd by Connie Bickerton as the T137s - ALB) -Wendy F Dymoke

November 29
4:00 p.m. - passed South Marrowstone yellow channel marker. Getting a tad too dark to see from Bush Point...
3:35 p.m. - I'm at Bush Pt they are still a mile or so south near the hoods canal entrance still slowly trending north. Hope they get to BP before dark. -Marilyn Armbruster
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3:30 p.m. - just spotted them from 1 mile south of Bush Pt, between here and Foulweather Bluff/Hood Canal entrance, heading NW out Admiralty Inlet, doing some foraging it appears. -Susan Berta
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3:00 p.m. - see one male from Limpet Ln heading north towards Bush Pt.. -Marilyn Armbruster
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2:28 p.m. - Now heading leisurely NB at Double Bluff. I have to leave!
2:18 p.m. - At least six in the group, they appear to be foraging, No real direction. PNP
2:08 p.m. - large male near sight line from Point No Point. -Elyse Solitto
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2:03 p.m. - Orcas 10+ north of Hood Canal bridge swimming east, at least two large males. they were visible right off the bridge near Shine Rd. Definitely residents. -Renee Shearer
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1:18 p.m. - I have eyes on a group of 6 from Eglon near the shipping lanes headed towards Point No Point.
1:06 p.m. - still watching a group appearing to be foraging directly off of Eglon. Near the shipping lanes at least four in the group.
12:54 p.m. - I see the group from Eglon. Tail lobbing and surface activity! Not quite mid channel closer to west side. Slow nb. -Melinda Barajas
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12:58 a.m. - 5 or 6 off of Rose Point (just south of Eglon). Sticking close together, maybe feeding. -Rebecca French Gerke
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12:16 p.m - Now seeing a lot more than 3-4.
12:00 p.m. - the 3-4 that went NB from Kingston... lots of activity with tail lobs, flinging something... still just north of Apple Tree heading towards Eglon and PNP
11:52 a.m. - seeing more now, and three now NB again. At least 3 turned or different group?
11:45 a.m. - Southbound off Apple Tree Point, Kingston, spread out traveling. -Sara Frey
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9:09 am - Southbound Orca, 3 or 4 I believe, in the vicinity of Mutiny Bay. (Whidbey) -James Greenway
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Small pod of Orcas (looked like one male) off of Windmill Heights (Whidbey) mid channel traveling south about 9:00am. -Dennis Allen
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8:35 a.m. - Call from Ana SinghDeo at Bush Point seeing 3 orcas heading south but "about a dozen" following.
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November 29 - T137A in Port Townsend Bay this morning. Orcas in Port Townsend Bay this morning near Indian Island - my boyfriend took these photos. They were spotted in Port Townsend Bay at 8:00 am on November 29th, they stayed in the bay for about an hour before heading north. -Judi LaFuente
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November 29 - 7:20 a.m. - yep...just heard it a few seconds ago.
7:15 a.m. - there might be a humpback whale making sounds on the Lime Kiln hydrophones. Been hearing something, intermittently, for the last several minutes, so just in case... -Jeanne Hyde

November 28
4:35 p.m. - Three Orcas, two of them males, made their way back north past Blake Island. Still NB, West side of channel, some small breaches and fin slaps visible! -Pia VanHanen
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4:00 p.m. - Still spread out between Vashon and Blake. K33, one of the large leading males approaching Blake Island around 3:30.. Viewing from Lowman Beach. -Kersti Muul
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3:58 p.m. - Jeff Hogan reports 5 or more foraging orcas, apparently the trailers behind other groups, crossing the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane heading south.
3:02 p.m. - Jeff Hogan sees five or more fins mid-channel between Blake Island and Lincoln Park, West Seattle, heading south while circling and foraging.
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Scott at WA State Ferries called in a report of a large pod off Alki heading North at 2:45 pm. He reported they saw a pod of at least 10 earlier today, and that they've bee seeing a lot of whales this year!
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2:45 p.m. - Two males southbound mid channel in lead. I'm at Constellation at Alki. -Kersti Muul
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2:40 p.m. - see at least one fin southbound west of midchannel line of sight to Manchester viewing from Constellation Park. - Jason Lee Bell
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2:20 p.m. - southbound approaching Restoration Point off of southern Bainbridge Island. The ferry had to slow for them. -Paul Dudley
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1:59 p.m. - We have orcas in Puget Sound today. About 8 individuals have been in our shutdown zone since 1226 this afternoon. At least 3 have been identified as males. They are travelling slowly south and are on the Bainbridge Island side from Seattle. We are still in a shutdown mode as they were last seen south of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge. -Burt Miller, WSF/Assistant Environmental Manager
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1:00 p.m. - group was continuing southeast, sight line from Manitou Beach overlook heading toward fog line. -Sue Larkin
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Saw fins southbound from West Point light 12:45. Bad visibility so can't reliably give a number. -Whitney Neugebauer
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12:40 p.m. - Small group including 1-2 males, north of yellow mid channel buoy that is north of West Point, Discovery Park making some directional changes as if foraging. -Alisa
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12:30 p.m. - Just missed what appeared to be a big breach straight across from me (basically Discovery Point), Bainbridge side.... 12:33 - Active group right in front of red tug. -Sandra Prow
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12:10 p.m. - orcas spread across sound... leaders near tugboat heading south both east and west of tug. Another approaching Shilshoe/ Golden Gardens east of channel. -Sue Larkin
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10:15 a.m. - pretty spread out with trailers still around the Kingston ferry and still southbound. Breaches and some foraging.
10:00 a.m. - Whales going in different directions off Apple Cove Point, north of Kingston ferry dock. Several males. Not sure if foraging...but right off the point here...
9:50 a.m. - Lots! Spread out shipping channel to West side. Some feeding?
9:40 a.m - ORCA!!! Off Kingston, think southbound. At least one male approaching ferry line. K34 southbound off Kingston. -Sara Frey
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)

November 27
11:15 a.m. - Spotted 2 slow moving humpback whales from land, close to shore. Headed south. Secret cove District, Half Moon Bay, BC. (50+ miles NW of Vancouver BC) -Taylor Glover

November 26
4:40 pm - losing light, but thankfully they are now VERY close to the Whidbey side, we could barely see them over neighbor's fence - still traveling north, 1 mile south of Bush Pt, may get to Bush Pt. while there is almost some light to see them...I saw a tight group of 2 males and 3 - 4 others while Howie saw fins of 1 or 2 more further behind.
4:25 p.m. - yay - the fog and rain cleared enough to have a little visibility, and I just saw two splashes (one was breach-sized) and one male fin, 1 mile south of Bush Point, heading west out Admiralty Inlet - passing the entrance to Hood Canal, closer to the Whidbey side.
3:10 p.m. - we just spotted at least 2 male fins, looking like they are heading N straight toward Double Bluff or Useless Bay (watching from S. of Bush Pt, they are NE of the green channel marker, closer to the Whidbey side and heading closer to Whidbey). If they turn further E they will be out of our sight, if they head out Admiralty we should be able to see them better soon depending on visibility....(4:10 p.m. notes: Visibility here has diminished, can barely see Admiralty, and can't see Mutiny Bay. From my earlier sighting it appeared they were heading straight toward the Whidbey shoreline near Double Bluff, but not sure if they they turned toward south Whidbey/Possession Sound or west toward Mutiny Bay/Bush Pt. Will try to spot them again and hope this squall passes before dark!) -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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Just home after watching orcas northbound mid channel directly east of Pt No Pt. At least 1 male w/ female plus 1, and a single orca that passed within 400 yards of the point heading north. Very poor visibility - they came with the storm...yes, they should be heading into Admiralty I watched them from 2:10-2:25 pm all northbound hard to be sure as they disappeared into the mist but course seemed to be towards south Whidbey. They were spread across and N to S. I saw them from just east of Eglon almost to Possession Point. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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1:38 p.m. - Just south of Eglon boat ramp in northbound shipping lane. (heading directionally towards Admiralty) -Rebecca French Gerke
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12:30 p.m. - Apple Tree Pt Kingston - Northbound at steady pace. Multiple breaches, male +? -Sara Frey
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12:15 p.m. - orcas spotted on the Kingston Edmonds ferry run. -Laura Jensen
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11:44 a.m - Male and a female traveling north by Carkeek park. East side of channel. -Kevin Green
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11:24 a.m. - seeing one adult male (dorsal shape is like K33's or L92's) mid channel north of yellow mid channel buoy off north Richmond Beach/Presidents Point in southbound direction maybe foraging. I arrived at Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Richmond Beach and so did rain squall. Visibility getting worse. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:15 a.m. - Just saw one that appears to be heading south again. Off President PT, kitsap side,
11:00 a.m. - Trending north, spread out more mid channel. Some splashing. Heading toward Kingston.
10:53 a.m.- at least 8 on west side of sound by President Point (south of Kingston). looks like they may be feeding. milling about, slapping tails, trending north. -Joanne Graves
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10:50 a.m. - 4 orcas at the green channel marker off West point in Seattle. Getting info from my father in law Capt. Paul on My Girl. -Amber Stanfill
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10:45 a.m. - Jeff Hogan sees 4-5 roughly mid-channel, crossing the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry lane, heading north. (12:35 - Jeff Hogan reviewed his photos from an hour ago and found the male had an open saddle, meaning Residents. He saw 4 or 5)
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10:40 a.m - We just spotted three of them on the Bainbridge to Seattle 10:25 run. Exciting! We saw them at about 10:40 so I'd say halfway across. T hey were close to the ferry and headed west. -Carrie Corns
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9:20 a.m. - Megan Hale reported seeing orcas from the Bainbridge Island To Seattle ferry. They are in the middle of the Sound, meandering around the ferry but headed south. -Relayed by Susan Marie Andersson

November 25
Minke whales - 12:08 p.m. - One minke whale in Admiralty Inlet just north of Double Bluff. No direction. -Renee Beitzel

November 24


November 23


November 22
Only orca photo I got today, of K26 Lobo. K Pod was northbound past Point No Point this afternoon. I was grateful to catch them between squalls. -Photo by Connie Bickerton, November 22, 2017
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Wild, wet, windy Whidbey with boiling seas and flying spray - that's how the weather's been for a few days now. A break in the clouds at 3:35 pm this afternoon afforded a welcome photography opportunity as K pod passed Bush Point on their way north in Admiralty Inlet. From marrying up the time this picture was taken and watching a large male foraging closer to the Whidbey side, it seems we were engaging with K21 (Cappuccino). It's a long time since I saw this fabulous whale (though they're all fabulous) with the dramatic, bold saddle-patch, or any of K pod, so this was an early thanksgiving gift. -Sandra Pollard
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3:15 pm - watching K pod from 1 mile south of Bush Pt. as they are approaching, slowly, foraging and now some direction changes from some individuals but likely due to foraging, most are still slowly headed toward Bush Pt. Was lucky enough to see one juvenile do a full breach - always such a blessing to see them go by! -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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2:33 p.m. - We're seeing dorsals trending north and foraging mid-channel between Foulweather Bluff and the north side of Mutiny Bay. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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1430 - Chilkat leaving K pod still foraging (and appear to be finding fish!) as they move steadily but slowly northbound at Mutiny Bay.
1426 p.m. - K21 and K37 here with us now, Mutiny Bay. Definitely in some salmon! -Renee Beitzel
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14:10 - Orca Sighting. Spotted at yellow separation zone marker north of Foulweather Bluff. -Jim West
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1:27 p.m. - Ks are trending away towards Whidbey Island as they approach Double Bluff as viewed from Point No Point.
1:10 p.m. - watching from Point No Point as they move steadily north. -Connie Bickerton
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Approx 12:30 p.m. - we left Eglon (where we had no cell service to update) & the whales were very spread out, mid-channel with research boat in the middle. Whale boats approaching. Submarine and escort as we arrived about noon. -Kimberly Malzahn
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11:57 p.m - Seem to have decided to stay down for extended periods now. Chilkat in the rear, some ahead of the research boat. Very spread out. Occasional foraging type activity. -Sara Frey
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11:44 a.m. - Mike at WS Ferries relayed a report from the Walla Walla of about 1/2 dozen orcas crossing the Kingston/Edmonds ferry lane mid-channel, heading north.
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11:31 a.m. - BREACH right in front of westbound ferry!
11:25 a.m. - Many Orca surrounding research boat, trending north. Kitsap sode of mid channel. Now watching from bluff above and north of Kingston ferry. -Kimberly Malzahn
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11:27 a.m. - spotted approx 8 or so one mile north of Kingston, Apple Cove heading north towards Apple Point. So beautiful and majestic. -Darlene Moneypenny
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11:23 a.m. - Northbound in Kingston ferry lanes. Mid channel.
11:06 a.m - Just seeing lead female from Edmonds Marina Beach looking toward Jefferson Head. -Ariel Yseth, Whale Scout
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12 Noon - Rain lifted so I am still over here! Submarine southbound about Eglon. Probably intersecting leaders about now. Still have many mid channel while others further west and to the NW.
11:50 a.m. - confirmed K33 and K22 present (thanks Renee Beitzel)
11:48 a.m. - looks like trailers have made it to about Edmonds ferry dock/Apple Cove Point, Kingston mid channel. Others are further north and west trending NW on course more directionally towards Point No Point (as opposed to staying this side). Rain has come in. Observing from Edmonds Sunset Ave.
11:10 a.m. - FYI, Small research skiff just arrived on scene.
11:00 a.m. - Adult male (dorsal Scoter or Cappucino like) in lead mid channel off Kayu Kayu Ac park, Richmond Beach transect Kingston, Kitsap. Another male (dorsal Lobo like) veered over to the west towards several females/younger who are trailing a little behind and west of lead male. Another Male (dorsal Tika like) is east of mid channel trailing, with another male (4th) on west side with few other females/ young who are at the moment porpoising just south of Kingston (sightline). All steady northbound at steady pace across calm seas and balmy temperatures. Looking like K pod due to numbers whales and males but by no means from my distance can I confirm.
10:50 a.m. - single whale foraging just north of mid channel yellow buoy off Richmond Beach, King county/Presidents Point, Kitsap. Soon after spot more approaching just south of heading north, then two adult males traveling together coming up on the east side of yellow buoy. Calm seas. Basically seeing whales spread across and to the north and south of the buoy, steady northbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:17 a.m. - Spotted three orcas so far.
10:13 a.m. - one lone male spotted, appears to be off of Jefferson Point closer to Kitsap side...-Darlene Moneypenny
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9:38 a.m - Lone male headed north now off Shilshole Marina, mid channel.
9:22 a.m. - I see one male fin straight across from me, west of mid channel. That would be just about opposite Discovery Point. -Sandra Prow
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0918: watching from hill above Rolling Bay, can see ~12 ind spread out, one group of 4-5 closer to BI circling/feeding. -Paula von Weller
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9:15 a.m. - watching from Rolling Bay Walk on Bainbridge, severals males including at least 2 males, seem.to have stalled and are circling & hunting. -Kimberly Malzahn
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8:50 a.m. - Looks like about a dozen orca North Bound off Yeamolt Point on Bainbridge Island. Spread out across the water to Shilshole . Foraging between Bouy SG and Yeomalt Point. -Chris Slye
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8:30 a.m. - MUCH closer to the Bainbridge side, I can just see them with binoculars from my "perch" near the Ferris wheel. The occasional big splash and quite a few fins. Moving north. -Donita Gier
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0847 - a couple of individuals are east of Yaquina Ave now moving north, others spread out, group of 4-6 a bit south of Yaquina, mid channel, changing direction often, appear to be feeding.
0833 - visible from Yaquina, appear to be off Yeomalt point but angling away from Bainbridge, heading east towards Luna/downtown.
0808 Wed am - orcas just sighted off Alki/luna by another observer on our team, Just reported closer to Bainbridge heading north. -Paula von Weller
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8:08 a.m - I'm seeing about a dozen active killer whales on ferry from Bainbridge to Seattle! At least two large males, maybe three. -Erica Page
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We are working at the Seattle Ferry Terminal today, Wednesday, November 22, 2017. At 8:06 am this morning, approx. 8 Orcas were spotted by our monitors traveling north between Seattle and Bainbridge Island, closer to the Bainbridge side. No work was occurring at the time, and all in-water work is now paused until they are cleared from our monitoring area. Happy Thanksgiving. -Burt Miller, WSF/Assistant Environmental Manager
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November 22 - Single large orca spotted off Brown's Point (Commencement Bay, Tacoma) heading south at 8:40am. Fairly large, yes originally thought that it was probably an adult male. -Kalli Barker
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November 22 - 7:15 a.m - Saw two humpback whales in the San Juan Channel, near Cattle Point. They were mid-channel, so didn't get photos. They appeared to be resting in a fairly slack tide. Stayed near surface, sometimes slowly rolling over. 48 27'46" N 122 57'43" W. - Wade Guidry

November 21
1:42 p.m. - Residents! I distinctly saw an open saddle patch. Whidbey side of channel, south of Lagoon Point now, should be in view of Bush Point soon, if not already.
1:33 p.m. - Southbound
1:31 p.m. - Orcas Foraging off of Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island. At least 6. One male. Will try to observe saddle patches. -Margaret Marshall
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Coastal killer whales - November 21 - 12:45 PM - Jillian Anderson called to report 6 or 7 orcas heading south about 20' outside the breakwall in Depot Bay OR. No photos.

November 20
5:10 p.m. - Orcasound - Listen for Whales has been hearing SRKW vocalizations live on the Port Townsend hydrophone for the last hour or so. Sounded like Ks (making the S16 call often). -Scott Veirs
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1:52 p.m. - Foraging in front of Lagoon Point now. Impressively large males. -Margaret Marshall
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1:50 p.m. - One of the K pod males heading out. Taken from shore at Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island. -Photo by Sandra Pollard, November 20, 2017
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1:40 p.m. - K-pod, In between Lagoon and Bush Points, and spread east to west. -Scott Jacobson
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1:35 p.m. - whales are near Lagoon Point now. Too far for a count or id but I have seen 1 male at least. -Patriciat Prochaska
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Below are my photos of what I think was K pod (confirmed - ALB) K44 Ripple (born 2010)! Such a big handsome boy now. Here's a surface sequence of him while K pod was feeding and cruising north about 1pm today in Admiralty Inlet!...they were taken with my iPhone. We did a whale watch tour for our annual staff/celebration day. We were excited to see the whales and did have one helluva choppy ride back to Anacortes but totally worth it! :) I'm not sure of our exact location on the boat but know the whales were heading north through Admiralty Inlet when we crossed paths. There may have been about a dozen (hard to count) spread across the water and on either side of the boat. Small groups would cluster and swim, surface, splash and submerge in tight circles with mixes of tail flips and small breaches then continue swimming north to repeat this action again. It seemed like they might have been feeding? -Codi Hamblin
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1:05 p.m. - They are passing Bush Pt., spread out, some foraging, one barrel roll, moving steadily northward. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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12:20 p.m. - they are about 1 mile south of Bush Pt, much closer to Whidbey side. The Coast Guard cutter that was heading E must have spotted them, they just stopped and are out on deck.
12:07 p.m. - leaders have passed Foulweather Bluff, have seen some direction changes/foraging behavior, but mainly headed west out Admiralty at a good pace, closer to the Whidbey side now. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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11:57 a.m. - viewing from Shore Meadows (Whidbey). They appear spread out from Whidbey side to mid channel, headed NW at a steady pace. -Rachel Haight
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11:43 a.m. - Dorsals north of Point No Point (PNP), north of Hansville, spread out toward PNP. One backwards breach! Now dorsals between Mutiny Bay and Foulweather Bluff. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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9:50 a.m. - continued steady NB, aiming between Whidbey and PNP. Group - hard to count numbers. Guessing the group from yesterday?
9:25 a.m. - ok seeing them again, northbound - same general location. Heading north - on course for between Point No Point and Whidbey, guessing they will be more on the Whidbey side.
9:15 a.m. - orca spotted - 2 dorsal, mid-channel with line of sight from Apple Tree Point Kingston to S. tip of Whidbey. Unable to tell direction of travel. Saw once, have not seen again, still watching. -Sara Frey
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Humpback whales - November 20 - I finally got back out on the water this past Monday and ended up enjoying a visit with this humpback in the glassy waters of San Juan Channel. I liked the shadow of the dorsal fin in the blow in this shot. -Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, November 20, 2017
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3:45 p.m. - A humpback was reported in Griffin Bay, San Juan Channel, on the San Juan side, heading south. Called in by Nancy Butte.
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2:20 p.m. - Humpback sighted on east side of San Juan Island (not far from Friday Harbor). The whale wasn't doing deep dives... two breaths and then 3-5 minute dives, but no flukes! It was beautiful...-Mae Cannon
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11:00 a.m. - We just saw 3 or 4 humpback whales swimming south in President Channel. Very cool! President Channel between Point Doughty and Point Kimple (NW of Orcas Island, between Waldron and Orcas Islands.). -Christine Lee

November 19
3:40 p.m. - still barely visible (fog has moved in) from Rockaway heading north closer to West Seattle.
3:26 p.m. - visible from Rockaway Beach on Bainbridge, traveling north, closer to West Seattle side, visibility poor so I have yet to get a count. -Paula von Weller
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1:52 p.m. - Jeff Hogan had the good fortune of crossing back to Fauntleroy on the ferry when K pod crossed the ferry lane. Definitely K pod, mostly on the West Seattle side, still northbound.
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1:45 p.m. - still northbound now south of Blake Is. Not much surface activity and poor visibility due to rain.
1:31 p.m. - now three or four of them, at ferry route towards Vashon/west side of channel, northbound
1:11 p.m. - Male traveling northbound mid channel at Brace Point. -Pia VanHanen
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12:42 - They've flipped back northward at Dilworth. Open saddles, probable K pod. -via Jeff Hogan
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12:20 p.m. - Watching them trend South near Burien, spread out with a male doing 4 back flips! -Jan Kubat Staehli
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12:10 p.m. - Looks like several where heading south close to Dilworth on Vashon, we were watching from Arroyo Heights. -Christina Massimino
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12:05 p.m. - Jeff Hogan, now on Vashon, sees orcas still mid-channel, still heading south, all south of the Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry lane.
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Around 11:45 a.m. - watched group of about 6 still traveling South past Dolphin Point on Vashon Island. They were spread out across the channel. Happy whale watching! -Stacia Bennett Caughell
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11:55 a.m. - 2 males and 1-2 females or juveniles heading south, spotted from ferry route towards southern tip, near the shore.
11:32a.m. - Lone male crossing from southern tip of Blake Is towards Vashon.
11:14 a.m. - A big breach right at the north tip of Blake Island!
10:50 a.m. - Spotted a lone male at the north end of Blake Island, mid channel SB. -Pia VanHanen
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11:15 a.m. - just south of Vashon ferry dock, west in channel. Blows are impeding good pictures of saddles. I'm on shore miles away at Me Kwa Mooks (West Seattle). One had turned north at South end of Blake around 1100.
11:10 a.m. - passing Tilicum village SB West in Channel. Bad visibility from shore at Me Kwa Mooks. -Kersti Muul
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11:05 - Jeff Hogan is seeing 10-15 spread out and foraging, trending south, from about a mile north of Vashon almost to Bainbridge Is. No IDs in very choppy seas.
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11:02 a.m. - Several animals in view now and probably visible from Vashon Ferry leaving Seattle side...
10:50 a.m. - one lone male, trending south along Alki side toward ferry. Watching from Toe Jam on Bainbridge. -Kimberly Malzahn
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10:30 a.m. - There's a large male mid-channel. Lots of boat traffic with a tug towing a double hull. One juvenile right off Weather Watch (by La Rustica off Beach Drive, West Seattle). -Judy Krebs
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10:20 a.m - Near and on the EAST side of Blake island- appear to be milling about slowly southbound towards Vashon.
9:57 a.m. - (orcas) Seen from Bainbridge Island ferry. Between Alki Point and Blake island. Just west of mid channel. Headed toward Blake Island - can't tell if going up Rich Passage or towards Vashon. Good size group. A few big males. -Daniel Lipinski
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10:06 a.m. - At least three orcas heading south mid channel about a mile south of Alki Point, West Seattle. -Jeff Hogan
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9:06 a.m. - Orcas south bound at Yeomalt Point Off Bainbridge Island. At least 12 animals and several Males. At least 12 animals and several Males. -Chris Slye
(Shown later to be Ks who were in Juan de Fuca last seen aimed towards Puget Sound - ALB)

November 18
The K14's off Seabird Point, Discovery Island on November 18th. - Photo by Mark Malleson
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Southern Residents - November 18 - What a day! J Pod south of Victoria! - J27 Blackberry, J26 Mike.. -Photo by Jim Maya, November 18, 2017
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Js & Ks...Right before we left them they changed trend from west to southeast, south of Constance Bank in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Renee Beitzell
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Can't wait to look at the rest of my pic. Thought I had t2c2. But when Mallard said there were lots more than I had thought, I looked and found an open saddle!!
8:49 a.m. - There are several. Still way offshore and still north of kelp and still slowly coming down.
8:12 a.m. - Killer whales coming down island. Can see them from Lime Kiln. Far off shore out toward kelp reef but north of there.
8:02a.m. At least one big male and a few others. -Jeanne Hyde ( read Jeanne's November 18th blog entry HERE.)
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November 18 - K22 (Sekiu) feasting on a Puget Sound salmon she caught. -Photo by Renee Beitzel, November 18, 2017
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Minke Whale off Diamond Point - 10:00 a.m. - Minke Whale Sighted numerous time North of Diamond Point coming out of Discovery Bay. Traveling. -Alan Jogerst

November 17
My first ever DOUBLE SPYHOP!! Just north and slightly west of Protection Island Not the best quality but definitley the best moment from our surprise encounter with K's and Js today! I so was not ready for this and it happened so fast, I am surprised I was even able to get it somewhat in focus. This was part of a larger, very close knit group that seemed to be socializing and very surface active with a lot of rolling and splashing. Others were spread far and wide in foraging mode. Really wish we could have gotten a top-down look, they were also somewhat chatty on our hydrophone. That's K16 Opus spyhopping in the middle. Working on IDing the rest of this group...-Renee Beitzel
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Chilkat saw K pod and some Js milling on south end of Eastern Bank, around 15:30. No clear direction that we could tell. -Christopher Lewman
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Another busy night on the Lime Kiln hydrophones. A noisy humpback whale from way before 3:30 a.m....and now at 4:46 a.m. it just got quite loud. How long it will last??? And very faintly SRKW calls...extreme faint actually...both on LK and OS at about 4:41 a.m. At the moment ship noise is drowning out any possibility of hearing about anything. And I posted on my blog about more calls and the J Pod encounter from yesterday 11-16-17. -Jeanne Hyde
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Bigg's/Transient killer whales - November 17 - Haro Strait - Before we were surprised by southern residents on our way home, we spent some time with the T46's south of Victoria. T46D (born 2000), T46F (born 2012), mom T46 (born est 1964), T46E (born 2003). They are one of my favorite matrilines. Matriarch, T46, was once captured in Puget Sound in the 70's, but then released for being too big. I can't imagine not having this amazing family around. -Renee Beitzel
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Humpback - November 17 - Haro Strait - 6:17 a.m. - starting to hear the HB again...just now. Another busy night on the Lime Kiln hydrophones. A noisy humpback whale from way before 3:30 a.m....and now at 4:46 a.m. it just got quite loud. How long it will last??? -Jeanne Hyde

November 16
Haro Strait - Surprise November whales? Yes, please! Here's J16 Slick off Lime Kiln this afternoon. -Photo by Monika Wieland Shields, November 16, 2017
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. ..soon I went to Lime Kiln to watch them...still spread out all across the strait ...I only saw a few, Slick J-16, Scarlet J-50 'catching up' again, Echo J-42 who was with Scarlet for a while, then she moved offshore...I also saw Shachi J-19...several males in the distance...could only make out Mike J-26...-Jeanne Hyde's encounter report w/images & audio: J Pod Was Here Today!
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4:07 p.m. - J16s were close enough to take photos of and ID but not super close. More to the north offshore towards Kelp Reef and straight off LK now
4:04 p.m. - Just picked up more way way offshore
4:03 p.m. - Hearing more vocals on LK but so far only see one distant male to north. Most of J16s went by about 20 min ago.
3:30 p.m - Some approaching LK now 1530. -Monika Wieland Shields
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3:27 p.m - been listening to great J calls on Orcasound, just switched to Lime Kiln but nothing there yet. -Susan Berta
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3:08 p.m. - Calls on Orcasound hydrophone. -Jack Collins
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3:12 p.m. - Still listening to calls on Orca Sound.
2:52 p.m. - switched over to Orcasound, calls audible on both LK and OS.
2:49 p.m. - more calls...S4s on Lime Kiln (Sara had visual at County Park looking up island....whales spread)
2:23 p.m. - start listening to Lime Kiln, hearing J pod calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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November 16 - Admiralty Inlet - 9:20 a.m - 3 Orca whales (L84 pictured above) sighted west of Whidbey Island, Halfway between Pt. Wilson and Whidbey (Lagoon Pt). Mainly Traveling. Circling at times to play or feed? -Photo by Lachlan Pope, November 16, 2017
(ID confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)

November 15
Harry Louch reported seeing 2 orcas (including 1 male) southbound from the 4PM sailing of the Kingston/Edmonds ferry Wednesday November 15th. WSF stopped and announced , giving others the opportunity to observe.
(L84 was ID'd the next morning heading out of Puget Sound at upper Admiralty Inlet, it is possible this report on 15th was L54's blended -ALB)

November 14
A humpback yearling near Race Rocks on November 14th. -Photo by Mark Malleson
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Dolphins - November 14 - 4:23 p.m. - What kind of dolphins do we have this time of year? I just saw the biggest one I've ever seen here off Browns Point. (Tacoma). After further discussion: Absolutely bottle nose! I see a lot of commons and porpoises. This guy was massive in comparison. It was headed south, into Commencement bay. Surfaced 3 times before I lost sight. -Patricia Peachy Reagan
Puget Sound Bottlenose dolphins update - It's a match! Through many sighing reports (some submitted by many of you to Orca Network) Cascadia Research, in collaboration with their California colleagues, have matched one of the visting Puget Sound bottlenose dolphins to an individual known as "Miss". She is part of a California coastal stock and is well known to researchers, first photographed in southern California in 1983!

November 13


November 12
Coastal killer whales - November 12 - Hello!! I was at Cape Flattery in Neah Bay this morning around 10 am. We aren't sure how many there were but out in the distance we saw orcas passing up the Strait of Juan de Fuca behind Tatoosh Island....they seemed to be going up into the Strait. Under Vancouver island and north of the Olympic peninsula. I would say there had to be about 4? They were very far away, and I couldn't tell you if there were any males. As we were watching we also saw quite large pod of harbor porpoises in the numbers of probably 20-40. We also saw two large Stellars playing together below the cliffs! -Audrey Long
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November 12 - Hi All, Just saw a humpback take a deep dive at Eagle Point, SJI. 10:30AM Sunday. Traveling towards American Camp along with all the sailboats from this weekend's Round the County Race! Beautiful! -Jenny Wilson

November 11
Juan de Fuca - T072 in the Juan de Fuca Strait on November 11th. -Photo by Mark Malleson, 2017
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November 11 - San Juan Islands -...The T101s were in a tight group and they made a brief jog to the east before turning southwest toward the north Spieden Island shoreline...-See photos and full report at Center for Whale Research Encounter 102
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November 11 - Saratoga Passage - 1:00 PM - Orca, 4 I think. Feeding, I believe they caught and ate a seal. I have a place on S. Harrington Lagoon Road...Video screen grab photo by Jim Wiedman, November 11, 2017 (T137A as reported in our last Whale Sighitng Report dated November 11, 2017
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November 11 - Strait of Georgia - I would also like your help in reviewing another video taken last Saturday (Nov 11) of two transient Orcas hunting and injuring or possibly killing a young humpback calf. (video below) -CJ Johnson
Filmed off Vancouver Island (Qualicum Beach, 30 miles north of Nanaimo BC). Low light and very far away so I apologize for the video quality. But the real shocker is whether the Orcas took down a Humpback whale...- Video by Nancy Argyle, November 11, 2017 (submitted by her son CJ Johnson)

November 10
Southern Residents - Farewell for now K pod and L54s...to the north of Pt Wilson lighthouse, north Port Townsend, they have turned and now heading north towards Rosario...-Photo by Marilyn Armbruster, November 10, 2017
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3:55 p.m. - orcas are middle of the Strait, not close to PT or Whidbey, just way out in the middle heading north (directionally towards Rosario)
3:40 p.m. - they had passed through the ferry lanes heading more west towards Port Townsend.
3:35 p.m. - I see some are out from Fort Casey to the south. Whidey Side.
2:56 p.m. - I see they are angling over towards Fort Flagler.
2:40 p.m. - Got 4-6 northbound mid channel passing Lagoon Point right now, with some on the Whidbey side.
2:30 pm. - Whale spread out across the channel in Admiralty, at least a couple of miles. Have a few the may be the leaders pretty far out from Lagoon Point, barely see them. Have a few more heading this way mid channel. -Marilyn Armbruster
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2:30ish - I was very lucky to see Orca's today, not just any Orca's...RESIDENTS!!! Looking over at lagoon point from Fort Flagler. They are very far off and headed North. -Photo by Desiree Sauve, November 10, 2017
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3PM - Up from the south spread across Admiralty south of Marrowstone Island, Ks and L54s went through the sun streak and were straight out from Bush Point Lighthouse, where five Orca Network volunteers and three neighbors came out to see. Occasional breaches off on the horizon as these two came by. -Photo by Howard Garrett, Orca Network, November 10, 2017
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2:20 p.m. - Watched from Bush Point with Howard and Sandy. They were out towards mid channel, but mostly Whidbey side. They have passed Bush Pt, I am heading to Lagoon Point. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Elsa Leavitt called at 2:08 pm to report a whole bunch of orcas on the south side of Bush Pt, trending North, about half way out to the buoy.
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2:00 p.m. - Many went past Windmill Heights quite quickly. They must be at or close to Bush Point by now.
1:50 p.m. - Many blows visible from Windmill Heights, 2m South of Bush Point, heading North slowly. -Mike Meyer
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1:44 p.m. - whales powering north in Mutiny Bay. -Sandra Pollard
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1:25 p.m. - Orcas spread out from Mutiny Bay to Hood Canal heading north. With breaches. -Howard Garrett
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We watched a long line of Residents nb midchannel, from Pt. No Pt. - lots of surface activity including breaches, porpoising, between Apple Tree Pt & Edmonds, then kept eyes on as they were traveling NB past Possession Pt, Scatchet Head. Useless Bay, Double Bluff... left them at 1:15 pm out of sight but heading towards Mutiny Bay. Chilkat and another boat were with the leaders but there were many more following farther back. -Donna Green VanRenselaar
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12:25 p.m. - L54 ID'd just now, also L84 & L88.
12 Noon - We are with K pod foraging northbound just south of Point No Point. -Renee Beitzel.
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11:48 a.m. - We spotted our first orcas! We are growing in numbers at Point No Point. Whales heading toward us. Big breach by a whale a few minutes ago. -Dianne Dee Iverson
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11:43 a.m. - I'm with a group at Point No Point we saw a breach and several blows, mid channel between the tanker and the sail boat. -Melinda Barajas
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11:18 a.m. - Just south of Eglon boat ramp, still northbound, out pretty far - in northbound shipping lanes. -Rebecca Grench Gerke
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11:18 a.m. - still watching from Edmonds. Spread out heading NW, some close to and others heading towards Point No Point. Appear committed to Admiralty.
10:45 a.m. - spread mid channel to west side of Sound NW bound steady vigorous clip. Transect northside Edmonds Ferry to Eglon, Kitsap. At the moment if they keep course it appears Admiralty Inlet might be their destination but still too soon. Hundreds of gulls on Kitsap side shine bright in morning sun. And super high tide. Viewing from Sunset Ave
10:20 a.m. - one male took advantage of the freighters wake...breach! -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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10:30 a.m. - sighting of K21 passing Kingston. At least one larger group north of the ferry now, NB, one breach
10:20 a.m. - Seeing them now from Apple Tree Point. Still same general area NB. -Sara Frey
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10:05 a.m - Now many whales visible on the Kistap side of mid-channel, traveling north and approaching the Kingston-Edmonds ferry lanes.
9:40 a.m - Quite a number of whales (including at least one male) near a fishing boat just outside of Appletree Cove. Very active, and in the vicinity of the stationary boat's net. -Kate Stovel
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10:00 a.m - basically large number of them (at least 15, 4+ males) spread parallel across the Sound now stretching from Kingston to Point Wells. Steady northbound.
9:45 a.m. - Another group of at least 4 just east of and at mid channel northbound good clip out from North Richmond Beach approaching tank farm (Point Wells, Woodway) And more including 2 adult males parallel but west side of channel approaching out from Kingston. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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9:36 a.m. - three Orcas (one large male) spotted off of Applecove ferry terminal mid channel heading north. -Darlene Moneypenny
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9:20 a.m. - One male off President Point, Kitsap side, south of Kingston, heading north. -Joanne Graves
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8:28 a.m. - 3 orcas approaching Fay Bainbridge heading north. West of mid channel. -Sue Larkin
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8:02 a.m. - We just past a pod of orcas a bit south of Port Madison. 7-8 in pod. K21. Heading northbound. Yes, adult males. -Photo by Michelle Barnes, November 10, 2017
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7:40 a.m - Neighbor just texted me to say orcas going by Rolling Bay / Skiff Point on Bainbridge Island right now. No numbers, speed, or direction of travel yet but I've inquired. -Lynn Batson
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Bigg's/Transient killer whales - November 10 - Here's how my day was today ....heard that Biggs T137s were heading north in Saratoga Passage, so off to Shangrila Shores to watch them northbound ....to my house to see them continue north, to Harrington Lagoon where they were closer to shore, to Long Point to see them near Penn Cove, to the Coupeville Boat Launch to watch them enter Penn Cove, to the mussel rafts to watch them have lunch (seal) by the rafts, to the Coupeville wharf to see them begin their exit from Penn Cove, and then to TOBY's to watch them leave Penn Cove - from the nice warm Tavern. Such a tough life! And to meet up with so many Orca Dorks - more than I've ever seen watching whales along Whidbey Shores. Particularly Bonnie Gretz and Michelle Booker (and Daniel)! Then ... the dilemma - if we just have one drink at Toby's we'd have time to head to the west side of Whidbey to see K-pod and the L54s as they head north T137 - mom - born 1983...her offspring: T137A, T137D, T137B. hmmmmm. -Jill Hein
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4:05 p.m. - at Monroe landing heading out. -Cynthia Vick Allen
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3:10 p.m. - 3 orcas in the west end of Penn Cove by the mussel rafts, heading back out now. -Brian Miller
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2:15 p.m. - T137 and her youngest T137D. - Lovely afternoon with T137's.T137A born 2002. First saw them just off Long Point at the entrance to Penn Cove, then watched at the mussel docks as they made a kill, and then they took their sweet time heading out. Lots of people saw them and were so excited! Photo by Bonnie Gretz, November 10, 2017
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12:55 p.m. - They're passing my house (which is just south of Harrington Lagoon) northbound, mid-channel. -Jill Hein
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12:35 p.m. - see spouts and dorsals between Woodland Beach, Camano and Whidbey. They were closer to Whidbey side. -Krista Paulino
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10:10 a.m. - They are at Honeymoon Bay now.
10:00 a.m. - see them about a mile south of Beverly Beach across harbor north of Holmes Harbor Golf course, northbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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9:50 a.m. - Whales now heading north a bit more on east side of Holmes Harbor. Hope to have ID shortly.
9.40 am. - Milling mid channel below clear cut. Couple of cartwheels. Occasional logging. Two boats passed inshore oblivious! Sandra Pollard
T137A in Holmes Harbor this morning. -Photo taken from shore by Richard Snowberger, November 10, 2017
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9:27 a.m. - still splashing around mid Holmes Harbor. Too far away to get id.
8:59 a.m. - The are just passing it (barge) now, almost to the golf course. -Cindy Bowen
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Pod of Orcas spotted this morning (9 am) very close to Freeland park beach in Holmes Harbor! Friend called and told me (we have a house next to Freeland park they were staying at)- I'm in Scatchet head did not see. She said a male and some babies? Anyone else see? Only second time I've heard someone see them that close in Holmes Harbor, usually it's when there are shrimp to eat... cool! -Jessica Sokei Leon
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8:45 a.m - Orcas in Holmes Harbor! Seem to be transients hunting. -David Bieniek
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Dolphins - November 10 - Between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. - I was lucky and saw dolphins today at Jack Block Park in Elliot Bay! I could not tell if they were common dolphins or the recently reported bottlenose (yes bottlenose), but there were 2 swimming together. It looked like they were hunting as they stayed in a pretty small area between Salty's restaurant and Jack Block's Pier, circling. Unfortunately, I only got one picture before the battery in my phone died, and it is not very good, but here it is: -Annika Bowden
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10:39 a.m. - Watching 2 bottlenose dolphins milling/feeding around east Harbor Island in Elliot Bay last 20mins. Myself and other WSF PSO's are keeping track for Colman Dock Project. -Kelsey Sandoval
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9:58 a.m - 2-3 Dolphins off the Seattle waterfront, headed south. Potentially common dolphin, look a too small for Bottlenose. (confirmed Bottlenose). -Troy Hightower
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Unidentified cetaceans - November 10 - Deception Pass - At 2:25 pm Steve Rothboeck reported seeing at least one whale breach and spout while he was driving over Deception Pass Bridge! The whale(s) was about 100 yards west of the bridge.

November 9
They were in family groups foraging all directions. At 1:00 general trend south. The most northern group at S Kingston was foraging all directions trending N. 2 hours earlier the leaders passed us trending S with foraging.
12:30 p.m. - Spread out from West Point, Discovery Park (North Seattle) to Kingston mid to west of channel. 20 some whales open patches. L84 Nyssa. ...-Bethany Ryals
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12:32 p.m. - Chris of WSF reporting 20-30 orcas right off Apple Tree Cove among a couple of purse seiners. -Carey Kirkland
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12:37 a.m - Looks line 3 to 5 Orcas heading north towards Apple tree point.
11:55 a.m. - two Orcas spotted in front of Apple tree cove Kingston closer to kitsap side. Possibly heading north bound now
11:12 a.m - Two orcas Just passing channel marker (mid channel) adjacent to Appletree cove. Fog rolling in... no longer can see
10:46 a.m. - three just passed mid channel marker front of Kingston ferry terminal. Now see two or three mid Chanel in front of point wells heading south
10:14 a.m - one large and two smaller Orcas just spotted between Apple point and Apple cove heading south. -Darlene Moneypenny
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11:00 a.m. - several have flipped just south of Kingston/Point Wells west of mid channel now northbound. They may be foraging. Lots of purse seiners and some leaping salmon. From Kayu Kayu Ac Park, North Richmond Beach
10:38 a.m. - at least 4 (incl 2 males) widely spread in 1s, approx 1 mile south of Jefferson PT/south Richmond Beach, mid channel steady southbound. Seas are perfectly calm but rain makes for poor visibility. From Eichmond Beach Saltwater Park
10:20 a.m. - 4 th large male off Apple Cove Point. These are some very spread whales seen traveling just in 1s so far.
10:15 a.m - A lot of orcas spread. Original male below, female off same place about 5 minutes behind, and now another bull who just passed Kingston Ferry dock more mid channel, just west of. Another female and 3rd male west side of channel approaching out from Kingston dock.
10:00 a.m. - I see at least 1 male off south end Apple Cove pt steady southbound. Glassy calm seas Kingston north. But squall coming in from south. -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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9:30 a.m. - several orcas heading south in the shipping lanes between Edmonds and Apple Cove Point. -Sherman Page
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9:11 a.m - Passing mid channel by Point Wells. Group spread out moving slowly south bound. -Darlene Moneypenny
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8:55 a.m. - Large male headed south off south Possession now. -Toby Black
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Chris of WSF reported Orcas heading south as they left Edmonds at 0850. -Realyed by Carey Kirkland
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8:40 a.m. - Seeing orca's off the clipper southbound off Edmonds in the northbound traffic lane. -Jason Mihok
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Victoria Clipper found them at 8:39, southbound in the traffic lanes off Edmonds."Large group, widely spaced." -Stephanie Raymond
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7:45 a.m. - Kim Paige reports seeing two orcas, one male and one female, heading south between Eglon and Pilot Point.
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Unidentified killer whales - November 9 - 11:15 a.m - Shari Devlin at the Langley Whale Center reports seeing five orcas spread out between Whale Bell Park in Langley to Camano Island, mostly milling and tail-lobbing, but not traveling much. (No ID's on this group but very likely the T137s who were in on the 8th and the 10th - ALB)
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Reports from Kari Williamson, monitor for NW Environmental Consultants working for WS Ferries, this morning at 11AM that 3 orcas, including one adult male, were at one point 100 yds from the Langley marina and now across toward the south end of Camano Isl. No photos.
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November 9 - 12:30 p.m. - Just saw these guys off of Luna park! -Laura Bogaard
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9:50 a.m. - The pair of bottlenose dolphins is hanging out off West Seattle again this morning...just spotted off Me Kwa Mooks Park, southbound, and another watcher said they have been circling there for a while. (I got a good look at their beaks through binos, they were raising them out of the water as they surfaced. Solid grey, no eye stripe.) -Stephanie Raymond
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8:50 a.m. - As I was leaving Me Kwa Mooks a pedestrian told me his wife had called him fifteen minutes prior claiming "the same whales that were by Lincoln Park yesterday" had just passed by heading north. I tend to believe it was more likely the dolphins I'd been watching for 40 minutes, but thought I'd share anyway.
8:30 a.m. - I have been watching two dolphins milling and apparently feeding around the white floats at the south end of Me Kwa Mooks Park in West Seattle for about half an hour. I believe these are commons and not bottlenose. Sorry, the camera on my phone is inoperable. (I did not get a real look at beaks at all. I thought I saw an eye stripe but was having a very difficult time assessing coloration. Early morning sun was reflecting gold for sure, and may very well have been responsible for the "eye stripes" I thought I saw. Dorsals seemed less commanding than that of the single bottlenose I saw in same area a few weeks ago.) -Jason Lee Bell

November 8
It's been a while and I still have a ton of catching up to do with photo editing and posting, but here are some shots from today's orca encounters on the Chilkat Express! We met up with K Pod and the L54s all traveling together in a resting line just south of Seattle! So amazing to see so many whales in the same spot! We also saw a spyhop from K16 Opus early in the encounter just as they all grouped up and began their afternoon nap....From my photos, I was able to ID all extant members of K Pod, including K27 and K44 who I did not notice while we were on scene. -Justine Buckmaster, Chilkat Express
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A friend of mine works on one of the Seattle ferries, today she captured "K" pod down by Seattle. Here are her photos with permission to share them to you guys. Matriarch K12 Sequim. K12's 16-year-old son K33 Tika (right side). K33 Tika's left side. K21 Cappuccino (Sole survivor of the K18 matriline. Associates with the K16's - CWR). -Sent by Sandy Thompson Watne
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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We received a call from a gentleman onboard the 4:35 pm Bainbridge Island to Seattle ferry - they saw 3 orcas including 1 adult male, off the Starboard side of the ferry north of Alki heading west at about 4:45 pm. They saw the poster on the ferry to call and report whale sightings - thank you Washington State Ferries and your observant whale watching passengers!
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SRKW, about 8 headed north from Alki about 3:45 this afternoon. Project at Seattle ferry terminal shutdown. We quit for the day at 4:30. They were still in shutdown area headed NW at that time. -Burt Miller, WSF
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3:49 p.m. - Northbound now north of Alki lighthouse at 3:49pm - Pod of six with large alpha in rear. -Jim McDermott
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3:40 p.m. - Going past Constellation drive on Alki Point now. -Linda JRusch
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3:00 p.m. - 12 or so Orca headed north 1/2 mile offshore of 5400 block of Beach Dr SW. At first sleeping, travelling slowly together. Then dispersing, spyhopping, taillobbing. -Joshua Benoliel
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2:54 p.m. - spyhop off Me Kwa Mooks! -Jason Lee Bell
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Orcas in Puget Sound, seen from Lincoln Park in West Seattle. -Video by Ben Maund, November 8, 2017
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2:37 p.m. - Just passing Lincoln Park north end now. Still slowing heading north. -Dave Buchart
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2:00 p.m. - I'm across the road from ferry terminal. Definitely northbound, definitely east of midchannel now. Nearly to ferry terminal. 1:53 p.m. - I'm leaving Fauntleroy ferry terminal, looks like foraging behavior just east of midchannel. Chilkat left but NOAA research boat is joining them. -Jason Lee Bell
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1:43 p.m. - They have turned and are heading north, not moving very quickly, maybe foraging. The tour boat just left them. Still always south of the Vashon ferrry dock.
1:15 p.m. - Seeing many whales from Fauntleroy (they are close to Vashon), ten at least with 3 tall dorsals. They are in a tight group heading south at a good clip, with a tour boat following. -Jennifer Hammer, ON/WSN volunteer
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Around 12:20pm got on scene to find a very large group of tightly bundled up orcas just west of mid channel between Blake and Vashon Islands heading south. To the south could see a few orcas heading northwest bound towards the larger group. They soon tucked in with the others creating one beautiful large group. This powerful mass of lovely beings continued steady southbound in resting mode (save for with one spyhop, an inverted roll and occasional slight tail slap). By 12:55 they were south of the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lanes, by now had moved over to mid channel, trending even further east still heading southbound. By 1:25pm they they had made it as far as Brace Point where K21 then veered towards mid channel as he went under, others followed. On their next surface at 1:26 they surfaced going in the opposite direction, now all heading northbound a little spread out, but soon regrouped and for several minutes made little to no progress while logging. Last saw them about 1:40pm off Brace Point slowly heading north. All of K pod with the L54s, L84 & L88 in resting. Inexpressible...(Thanks to Justine Buckmaster for ID'ing K pod and the L54s). -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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Watching them now at 1250 of the Vashon/Fauntleroy 1245 run. Quite a few of them. Southbound. I think I counted 8. -Felicia Saathoff
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12:45 p.m. - Jeff Hogan reports at least 15 orcas seen from Lincoln Park, West Seattle, traveling south mid-channel between West Seattle and Vashon Isl.
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12:00 p.m. - Watched large group from south of Bainbridge Island heading south toward Vashon. 3 males. Maybe 10 others. -Linda J Rusch
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11:52 a.m - Southbound big group just south military ships between Bainbridge and Blake. We're at Lincoln Park pool. -Laura Bydalek Adams
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11:45 a.m - A party of five more, west end of channel, between Blake and Bainbridge.
11:35 a.m. - Spotted a male with either a juvenile or female, on the west side of the channel in front of Bremerton (Manchester), slowly traveling south towards Blake Island. Possible followers. -Pia VanHanen
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11:52 a.m - from my vantage point at Me Kwa Mooks at least one male appears to have reached ferry lanes (Vashon/Fauntleroy), may be closer to mid channel. Line of sight to the left of the Vashon ferry terminal anyway.
11:30 a.m. - Viewing Me Kwa Mooks. Appears to be two leaders including male line of sight to Southworth. Maybe a half dozen more following southbound line of sight to mid Blake Island. -Jason Lee Bell
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11:51 a.m. - 7-8 more in trailing group just passed Tillicum Village.
11:40 a.m. - Large male in lead just passed Tillicum Village (Blake Island). Southbound.
11:25 a.m. - Large leader has significant bend in tip of dorsal. They are very far west so make what you can of photo. Still milling and slow trending SB.
11:03 a.m. - One group still at end of Bainbridge Southbound, west in channel. Saw 5 fins including large male. Watching from Lowman Beach. -Kersti Muul
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11:00 a.m. - Approx 15+ whales. Many males. Seem to be resting, slowly coming up for breaths, many at a time. Gorgeous and peaceful sight. They are west of Alki. Watching from Rockaway Beach on Bainbridge. -Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn
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11:01 a.m. - now I'm seeing more, spread out between Blake and Bainbridge.
10:45 a.m. - Seeing 2 southbound orcas, one adult male, passing south end of Bainbridge Is. From south of Alki Point. -Stephanie Raymond
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10:35 a.m. - Tight pod of 8-10 line-of-sight to Port Blakely steady southbound on west side of channel. I'm viewing from north side of Alki.
10:27 a.m. - near Port Blakely, Bainbridge Island.
10:20 a.m. - Viewing from north side of Alki Beach, whales between Bremerton and Bainbridge ferry runs still southbound west side of channel. -Jason Lee Bell
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Orcas near Bainbridge, sighted from ferry at 10 AM 10/8/17. Perhaps 6 orcas. -Mary Tiffany
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10:00 a.m. - Orcas off Eagle Harbor looks like they are traveling south. (from ferry). -Kyle Arbour
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9:56 a.m. - Mike at WSF reports 8 orcas heading south at Tyee Shoals on the Bainbridge to Seattle run.
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9:45 a.m. - Found them. Between Eagle Harbor and Restoration Point, Bainbridge, west of mid channel. Some foraging behavior, but primairly southbound travel. At least 8-10 in two groups including at least 3 adult males. I would guess residents. Viewing from Magnolia Bluff. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Carey Kirkland relayed a report from Chris who works for WS ferries: "spotted orcas heading south off of Edmonds on our 0625 out of Kingston. There were 6-8. They were all small from what I could see (in response to if any adult males). Lot's of dorsal fins"
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November 8 - We were so lucky today! Not only did we get to see the majesty of Southern Resident Killer Whales in a resting line, we also witnessed and exciting high speed chase/hunt by Transient Killer Whales! These are the T137s and we were treated to a BIG spyhop and a couple of tail lobs from bull T137A! -Justine Buckmaster, Chilkat Express, November 8, 2017
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3:20 p.m. - T137 and her 2 youngest north side of Apple Cove Pt. Her adult son T137A has now moved over to the west of them and is traveling behind and more inshore on the Kitsap side still steady southbound. Soon they'll be in acoustic range of the residents
3:00 p.m. - look like chasing something. T137, T137B, T137D Currently west of mid channel out from Eglon heading directionally towards Apple Cove PT, Kingston. T137A is to the east and ahead of them, as if they are coralling some cetacean. They have been cruising at fast pace.
2:48 p.m. - this is T137s and look to be on or done with a kill. 2-3 miles south of Possession Point. spyhop, tail lobs, circling, chasing. But hauling southbound fast.
2:25 p.m. - From Possession Point spotted the pod south of us maybe 1-2 miles. Heading that way for better look and hopefully get IDs. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12 noon - WSF monitors just saw three orcas between the Mukilteo lighthouse and Hat Island, so just north of the ferry lane, heading north off Everett. They saw one adult male and one that looked small.
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11:59 a.m. - Orca just north of ferry, Mukilteo side. 4- 5 whales (1 male), very active with tail slaps. Too distant to identify. No binoculars or camera. I watched these guys from the NOAA building in Mukilteo, they had turned southbound and crossed the ferry line, then I lost sight of them. -Jill Hein
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November 8 - Watching from South side of TTP (Three Tree Point, Burien) and watching a large group of dolphins just off the point heading north but lingering off the point. -Kim Baumgartner November 8 - Not sure if anyone else saw a small pod of Orcas around 2 pm-ish in Elliot Bay immediately south of the ferry terminal, and very close to shore/piers - I was heading northbound on the viaduct when I saw them - not sure how I didn't wreck - I assume they were T's - saw 3 to 4 fins and a couple tail slaps and several gulls flying overhead that looked ready to share in the late lunch. -Tony Bahnik
(WSF monitors for the Coleman dock project did not see any orcas or dolphins in Elliot Bay at this time. They did have sea lions feasting on salmon - ALB)
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November 8 - K pod and L54's were in Puget Sound on November 8. Beautiful L88 Wavewalker, sole survivor of the L2 matriline, who now associates with the L54s. Off West Seattle. They were in resting mode and often surfaced in synchronicity...we have seen this pod less than five times this year, and for many others, even less than one. This is where they should be and....aren't. Luckily, the chum salmon had a much better run this year (comparatively) and that is what they are looking for right now. Hoping they come back soon! -Renee Beitzel

November 7
10:00 a.m. - A pod of orcas, looks like transients, off the east coast of Decatur Island, heading south down Rosario Strait. Several Breaches and tail flaps. Quite a sight for all the people on the ferry. 10 a.m. on Tuesday November 7th. Well I saw them from the ferry. I didn't get any pics and they were pretty far in the distance but they were heading south just in front of James Island east of Decataur. I got a somewhat reasonably good look at two males hanging close together and noticed their dorsal fins were very pointed, more like transients. I then saw females and calves in the distance cavorting around....I saw about 10 orcas at various times....hat is probably about the best estimate of numbers I can give (plus or minus 2-3)...That is about all I can say. I wanted to send it off to you right away so that whale watching boats might have a chance to encounter them. Did anyone go check them out? I'd be curious at what anyone found out about them. -Mariann Carrasco
(Ls were up north the day before and found in Juan de Fuca later this day. K pod showed up in Puget Sound the next morning, Nov 8th. No pods of Bigg's this size were documented around the San Juans - ALB)
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Mike from WSFs called in a report of 2 orcas southbound in Rosario Strait, N of James Island at 9:55 am.
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November 7 - 7:58 a.m. - So, on the Bremerton ferry now, and saw something I hadn't seen before (between commuting via ferry and my passion for boating, I've seen ALOT out here!) Just looked out (that little bay on the north side of rich passage just after the east entrance) to see 3 dolphins leaping in unison. That's a first...They leapt together probably 5 times like that. All the same distance apart and synchronized....Anyway, I remember reading on this page over the summer there were reports of a sighting of southern dolphins in Puget Sound. Perhaps these were them? -Rhonda RaderJungquist
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Coastal killer whales - November 7 - Dave Blair called after seeing a poster with this # on a pole, to report seeing 3 orcas yesterday, Nov. 7, on the north end of Depot Bay OR, milling about 150 yds off the shore for an hour from 3 to 4 PM. One was "much bigger" than the others.

November 6
16:50 on Nov 6 two orcas visible ~1500m from Lighthouse Pt., Alki, from Seattle-bound Bainbridge Ferry. Dorsal visible for ~20 seconds, then dove. PSO for Coleman Docks project reporting. -K.M. English
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4:50 p.m. - all now mid channel foraging north of Seattle/Bremerton run westbound lanes and south of Bainbridge/Seattle run eastbound lanes (folks on that run just got a look). Consistent directional changes while loosely spread. Some lazy tail slaps. Puget Sound waters glassy calm.
4:26 p.m. - one male is drifting SE bound towards mid channel, other male and family is closer to Bainbridge out from north of Restoration Point. All foraging many directional changes. All Still west side of channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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4:23 p.m - orcas trending north toward Eliot Bay off Alki/ West Seattle. Watching from Rockaway on BI. -Sue Larkin
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4:00 pm - see fins, blows and someone breaching off Restoration Point, south end Bainbridge. Viewing from Magnolia Bluff. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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3:36 p.m. - still watching from Constellation Point, slooooowly making their way towards Bainbridge, far west in channel. -Kersti Muul
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Was on the 3 pm from Bremerton too! Got to see them at a distance. They were very close to a small boat. -Patty Troup
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2:51 p.m. - L84 & L88 passing West Seattle. -Photo by Andrea Leigh, November 8, 2017
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2:31 p.m. - I can still see the NOAA boat and the two L Pod members all across the channel, near the Bremerton shoreline. -Pia VanHanen
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2:15 p.m. - see them (3-4 orcas in Blake group) from Lowman, heading North along Blake Island. No sign of Fauntleroy Orcas from here. -Trileigh Tucker
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2:00 p.m. - Foraging along the way but now close to north end of Blake island. I see them from South Lincoln Park, heading north bound. Research vessel is following. -Sonja Yates Seymour
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1:40 p.m. - Watching from Lowman Beach. Visible, but on west side of channel. Still Northbound. -Kersti Muul
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Maia at WA State Ferries called at 1:23 pm to report 3 - 4 orcas off Fauntleroy, near Brace Pt. heading north.
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1:08 p.m. - 5 mid channel between Fauntleroy and Vashon ferry line, Northbound. -Andrea Leigh
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12:42 p.m. - Update: confirmed residents from Kelly Keenan's photos: males L84 & L88 (they associate and travel with the L54s so presumably they are here too) confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, CWR. -Photo by Kelly Keenan, November 6, 2017
12:15 p.m. - I think I saw at least 6, maybe more. Definitely 2 males and a baby. They are still heading north, approaching Fauntleroy ferry. On Seattle Side.
11:44 a.m. - Heading North again.
11:37 a.m. -Seem to be foraging back and forth south of Three Tree Point, Burien.
11:30 a.m. - At least 6, including 2 males, all together. Southbound approaching Three Tree Point, Burien. -Kelly Keenan
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Amy Carey relayed report from Aimee Demarest 11:14 am two orcas off Dilworth, Vashon.
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7:29 a.m. - Reports of orcas off Vashon Passenger only boat, which was near Alki. Not much details on numbers- one person saw two fins, separated reported a male. 2nd hand report relayed by Amy Carey
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7:20 a.m. - This morning I saw at least 3 orca off Alki headed south at 7:20. There may have been more, but I was on the passenger only ferry headed from Vashon to Seattle. Any reports if these were SRKW or transients? -Burt Miller WSF/Assistant Environmental Manager
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November 6 - Bigg's/Transient T2C3 (born 2011), Plumper Sound (between Saturna & the Pender Islands). -Photo by Jim Maya, November 6, 2017
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November 6 - Just saw a few orcas. Time: 1250. Location: Bellingham Bay - N 48degrees 39.462' / W 122 degrees 33.789'. Seem to be headed north. -Debbie Ruttenberg

November 5


November 4
2:25 p.m. - 2 bottlenose dolphins - west entrance of Hale Passage, pretty neat. Wondering if that's what the Orca reports were, us and Chilkat haven't been able to acquire any orcas in Carr. I actually thought myself it was two young Orca on the first surfacing, easy to see how others may have been mistaken as well. -Captain Tyler Mckeen, Island Explorer 3

November 3


November 2
Southern Residents - 7:03 p.m. - moment of quiet after a lot of vocalizing by all.
6:33 p .m. - after quiet time, burst of L pod calls. Followed by about 25 minutes of continuous variety of calls by Js, Ks, and Ls that has been all too absent this year. A lot of Ks calls (S16, S17), many S1 calls, more S37s and some S40s?
6:24 some coming closer again.
6:21 p.m. - faint distant calls;
6:13 p.m. - distant percussive, vocals quieted for a few, now some medium loud calls.
6:08 p.m. - Loud percussive, sounded like breach, followed by 2 slight then another larger slap. A lot of vocalizations!
6:04 p.m. - wide variety of calls including what sound like S36s and S37s.
5:58 p.m. - vocals still very audible. Ks.
5:55 p.m. - series of percussives...breaches?
5:42 - 5:47 p.m. - S1, distant K pod calls, clicks. Maybe some S40 calls?
5:30 p.m. - Been listening to J pod at least (possibly others) for about 10 minutes on Lime Kiln hydrophone. Nice calls and what sounds like some breaches. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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This comment posted 1819 - Lots of percussives were still visible when it got too dark to see dorsals... I was wondering if they're finally having a superpod. Even though it was hard to see what all was going on it just had the aura of a superpod, with all the crazy splashing in every direction. At one point there was a triple breach - too bad it was 4-5 miles away!
1750 - They are all SB now. I've seen at least 25 whales but I'm sure there are more - poor vis with white caps and rain.
1745 - Far off ones were going north, now some maybe a mile out going south.
1738 - The only ones I see are at least a couple miles offshore.
1730 - Just got to Land Bank they are breaching like crazy offshore. They're also doing lots of weird surface activity making huge splashes with their tails, it's very bizarre
1708 - Sounding more like regular Js now, and getting a little louder. Actually sounded like Js and Ks.
1707 - they do sound bizarre! -Monika
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6:09 p.m. - The whales are a good distance from shore, maybe 4 miles...slowly going up, at the moment. I am hearing calls of all three pods, but they are too far offshore to know exactly who and now it's too dark. Lots of K (kitten) call but the L54s make that call too. Hearing also the L pod Up-Tick (S19) and lots of J calls too. Fun to think that maybe they are all here... Jeanne
4:32 p.m. - J Pod Lime Kiln now! -Jeanne Hyde
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Calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone 4:32PM. -Jack Collins

November 1
J46 Star and J40 Suttles off Bush Point, J36 Alki - Bush Point, Whidbey Island. Whidbey Island. -Photo by Howard Garrett, November 1, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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J35 Tahlequah - what does she see...Photo from shore, Bush Point, Whidbey Island by Richard Snowberger, November 1, 2017
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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November 1 - Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet - Day report: Fascinating pass yesterday, Nov. 1, by members of J pod were taken from Vista Way, Whidbey Is. from 11:33 to 12:28 then from the lighthouse at Bush Pt. from 12:37 to 1:08. I think I got the leaders heading north up Admiralty Inlet in the first shots, and the last ones were passing Bush Pt. at the end. The leaders were acting normal, very spread out with little surface action until 11:37. I thought they had all passed so I came back home to get the car to head to Bush Pt. when Susan saw the rowdy group through the bigeyes coming up slowly, close to shore. I went back out to the bluff and shot at less than a mile range from 11:50 to 12:28. Arrived at Bush Pt. at 12:37 where Dick Snowberger and Sandra Pollard had been for a while with the rowdy group approaching 1/2 mile south and less than 1/4 mile from shore in a tide rip. The closeups of intense group surface activity continued until 12:44 when the rowdy group disappeared and drifted westward and even south before trending back northward. At that point out past mid-channel about 5-6 of them started logging for several minutes. At least a couple of others were breaching way across beyond the south end of Marrowstone. J27 south of Bush Point. Whatever was going on with the intense tactile socializing remains a mystery. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Being fortunate in seeing members of the Southern Resident community tends to be a bitter-sweet experience knowing the continuing challenges they face. Living on Whidbey Island we were fortunate to enjoy a mesmerizing encounter with some of J-pod breathtakingly close to shore today and witnessed a range of social and tactile behaviors, including one 'surf whale' taking full advantage of a tanker's wake. The whales seemed to be in no hurry to exit Admiralty Inlet, often just logging at the surface and milling. After their prolonged absence this summer, it was a privilege to have them back again in Puget Sound. All the photos (below by Richard Snowberger) were taken from Bush Point early afternoon (between approx. noon and 1:00).
J pod cuddle w/J35 just right of center (visible saddle patch). J35 Tahlequah breaches off Bush Point. J39 Mako (born 2003) & J47 Notch (born 2010). J36 Alki (who sadly lost her young son J52 Sonic mid-September) travels alongside her younger sister J42 Echo (on right w/visible saddle). -Sandy Pollard & Richard Snowberger
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research)
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4:35 p.m. - Starting to hear calls on Port Townsend hydrophone. -Susan Marie Andersson
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4:30 p.m. - 3 or 4 more, south of Pt Townsend, slowly going north....too far for ids or pics, but yeah! I had a nice look at the leading group, even came a bit closer to Whidbey so I could see their saddle patches, but no id. Got too cold and dark....and there were one or two more behind
4:16 p.m. - At Ft Casey, see one male so far, mid channel, a few small boats, just south of Pt Townsend. -Bonnie Gretz
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3:48 p.m. - more (4 or more) passing Lagoon Point northbound.
3:21 p.m. - Saw whale from my house on Smugglers Cove Road (Lagoon Point) northbound. -Patricia Prochaska
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1:30 p.m. - some still passing Bush Point, 25-30 total. Very strange socializing by one group. (That trailing rowdy group that kept writhing around on each other and breaching and spyhopping close to shore right up to Bush Pt. then drifting off the west and even back south, then logging all together for maybe five minutes, while all the rest except those breachers across on the Olympic side just kept plodding north). Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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12:52 p.m. - Jan Bell reported 6 orcas off Bush Pt, mid-channel splashing and heading N in Admiralty Inlet
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12:10 p.m. - Orcas mid channel Admiralty Inlet, about 2 miles south of Bush Point, heading slowly North. -Mike Meyer
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11:55 a.m. - Karen Anderson called to report seeing the orcas from Windmill Heights, off N Mutiny Bay heading north in two small groups.
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12:04 p.m. - Very difficult to determine what's going on! lots of spyhop, taillobs, upside down and sideways swimming, direction changes, all in one very tight, tactile group. Howard and hopefully others are getting photos, so hope to have IDs soon. they are close to the Whidbey side, staying in same area just north of Mutiny bay.
11:45 a.m. - they are 1 mile south of Bush Pt. A tight pod of 5 or 6 has been hunting something for the last 15 minutes, behavior and fins look more like possible Transients, but unable to see the prey or saddle patches yet. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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11.30 a.m - Seeing whales heading north from Mutiny Sands mid channel. -Sandra Pollard
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11:25 a.m. - Got em, male dorsals, north end of Mutiny Bay heading north mid-channel. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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8:51 a.m. - Large pod by mid channel yellow buoy marker near Point No Point headed north (up Admiralty Inlet). They were really spread out...there had to be at least 8. -Whitney Gabrielle