November 2021 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of November 2021 whale sightings.

November 30
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Thu, Nov 30 - Strait of Georgia (Js) - 12:44 - Who did we JUST see go down the Strait of Georgia (from shore on Galiano Island BC)? J27 Blackberry!
12:00 - J pod went southeast in the strait at Active Pass at 12:00pm. -Rachelle Hayden, SSOS
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Tue, Nov 30 - Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue, Nov 30 @ 8:55:00 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.95164,-123.18773 [Tsawwassen ferry lanes]
Number Sighted: 5
Submitted Comments: heading south east
Submitter Name: Jonathan Hunter
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GRAY WHALES Tue, Nov 30 - South Puget Sound - 18:00 - [gray whale] I wanted to update what I had. Yesterday (11/30) we were without sightings all day, but one islander said she heard/ "saw" Shrimp around 6pm near the buoys. -Belen Schneider

November 29
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Wed, Nov 29 - Gulf Islands/Active Pass, BC (Js) - J pod, 11/29 morning. video - "J pod in Active Pass" https://youtu.be/F-9ghZDU2YE -Rachelle Haysen, SSOS
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Wed, Nov 29 - Haro Strait (Js) - 03:20 - 11/29, Lime Kiln hydrophones busy in the early hours today. 03:20 J Pod calls, very faint and some echolocation clicks, very faint, so not possible to tell their direction. Then at about 05:53 a humpback, intermittent, vocals lasting about a half hour. -Jeanne Hyde
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 29 - Hood Canal (T68Cs) - (~13:43) 14:12 - [orcas] We saw 3 heading south about 30ish mins ago, same area in general [McDonald Cove] -- a little further over the Kitsap side -- and heading south. -Stuart Wood
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11:36 - Seal lions and orcas right out front of Black Point today. 5 of them heading north, towards the Dose just south of Pleasant Harbor; they were about 1/2 mile off shore so not close in. Traveling together for sure. -Paul Endzell
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10:47 - [orcas] They just went past again heading north of us [McDonald Cove] just happened to take a break from work and saw them out our sliding door window ... we got some photos but were not quick enough as they pretty quickly did a deep dive and didn't surface (till presumably around the point). -Stuart Wood
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Nov 29 - San Juan Islands - 09:30 - Humpback passing Mineral Point heading south very close to SJI shore. -Dan Shelley
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Wed, Nov 29 - Haro Strait - ~05:53 - A humpback, intermittent, vocals lasting about a half hour. -Jeanne Hyde
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Mon, Nov 29 - South Puget Sound - 15:30 - Humpback surfaced one time (with fluke) heading south into Budd Inlet. Deep dive. I have been watching and listening ever since. Nothing. Can hear sea lions breathing and small birds water waling on super calm water. -Kim Merriman
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GRAY WHALES Mon, Nov 29 - South Puget Sound - We already have sightings rolling in for today 11/29 - as of 10:45am: Shrimp was in the middle at 8:00, then swam along east side of bay to Cole Point around 8:10. Now I think he's back in the middle, 1/2 way between Jacob's and Cole Points. -Belen Schneider

November 28
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 28 - Hood Canal (T68Cs) - 13:06 - [orcas] 3 of them came past about 500 yards out [McDonald Cove, Brinnon] bloody fekking awesome to see... My wife was jumping up and down with joy. We had the zoom lens ready so hope we got some photos of them. We saw all 3 take a big big breath and they dived deep and disappeared around the point. What a treat to see them. They were heading north last we saw them. -Stuart Wood (Brinnon Cmmty FB & email follow up w/photo set) [T68Cs ID'd by ALB]
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Sun, Nov 28 - Strait of Georgia (T123s) - Orcas at Georgia Beach today. [T123s confirmed by Martin's photos. -gs] -Martin Davis Sunshine Coast FB group
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Sun, Nov 28 - Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun, Nov 28 @ 12:00:00 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.39316,-123.48429 [SW Keats Island]
Number Sighted: 6
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Amanda
Whale Alert App
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Nov 28 - South Puget Sound
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting:
Sighting Time: Sun, Nov 28 @ 9:58:51 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.21558,-122.93834 [west of north Squaxin Island]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: I believe it was a baby. It was only about 30 feet in length and was about 25 yards off shore traveling south
Submitter Name: Katie C
Whale Alert App
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GRAY WHALES Sun, Nov 28 - South Puget Sound - 15:00 - Linda Dugger: S/he was spouting off Cole Point around 3:00
14:00 - Corey Feldon: Heading into the bay toward Lyle's. Lots of fluke while out in the bay.
13:45 - Corey Feldon: From last viewpoint in Jacob's Point Park - Shrimp is in front of the viewpoint, diving with full fluke 2/3 way down from Jacob's point to Oro Bay Marina
9:30 - Ann Fitzmaurice: the gray started at our dock on the west side of the bay and headed straight out towards the mainland. It has dove deep and is now just south of the Dupont wharf on the line between Cole Point the south tip of Oro Bay [47.134754, -122.672716]
08:46 - Sheryl Wepfer Schmidt: Shrimp is feeding off the East side of Jacob's Point. Reports relayed by Belen Schneider
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08:00-16:30 - [gray whale] Shrimp's Oro Bay Adventures for November 29th: Our reports began with Shrimp at 8am in the middle of the bay, meandering over to Cole Point by 8:10. By 9:30, Shrimp was deeper in Oro Bay (the west side) midway between Lyle's Old Store dock and the inner buoys, touring over to between Jacob's Point and Cole Point by 10:45. We picked up our zippy friend again around 12:15, where s/he delighted islanders with about an hour in front of Lyle's Old Store dock, swimming back and forth in the bay inside the Yacht Clubs' marina line, coming up about every 5 minutes. By 2:30, I had made it to Lyle's Old Store dock and Shrimp was on his/her way out into the wider bay, near the outer red buoy. Shrimp went pretty far out past the red buoy - maybe 200-300 yards and did a lot of deep diving, showing off a lot of fluke, staying down on the longer side of 5 minutes with each dive. By 3:51 s/he was mid-channel of the inner bay, inside of the red/green buoy line and about 130 yards from the Jacob's Point shore (Marina Overlook). At 4:17pm, Shrimp was ending the daylight hours back at the end of Lyle's Old Store dock, just as I saw him/her on Friday, and heading out of the inner bay by 4:30. I'm so happy for all of the islanders who had the chance to see Shrimp today! -Belen Schneider

November 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 27 - North Puget Sound (Js) - 16:08 - Saw at least what seemed to be two males past fort Casey heading north.
15:46 - Looking from Fort Worden - can't see much but saw two huge splashes assuming breaches at Fort Casey. -Erin Merklein
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15:45 - I've seen several pass Fort Casey, 3:45 pm, northwest direction, mid channel. -Jill Hein
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15:50 - They are very spread out and we just saw another pass the north end of Fort Casey.
15:40 - [orca] Some have passed Fort Casey heading north on the Whidbey side. -Emily Calkins
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15:39 - [orca] Just saw a breach and dorsal fin at Fort Casey. -Debora Toro Osh
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15:30 - [orca] We saw at least two pass Marrowstone Point at about 3:30! -JM Machak
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15:02 - [orca] At Lagoon Point now. -Christina Wheat
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14:40 - Solo orca spotted off Bush Point (facing SW) at 2:40 pm. -Jen Wuest
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13:45-14:15 - Watching from 1 mi. south of Bush Pt., from 1:45-2:15, have seen about 6 so far, spread out, most headed N but foraging going on with some directional changes, not in a hurry, closer to the Whidbey side. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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~14:30 - Got to enjoy a bunch of the J Pod cruising by Bush Point around the 2:30 hour with the gang. Suspect they continued north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca!
13:42 - One is past the entrance to the Hood Canal area! Going north!
13:24 - [orca] I can see one from Frank Robinson Park that just rounded the point! Headed north. -David Haeckel
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November 27: After spending Thanksgiving Day in Puget Sound, a spread-out J-pod filtered north in Admiralty Inlet in choppy seas, exiting mid-afternoon. Although there was some foraging along the way, the orcas wasted no time after passing Bush Point in maintaining a consistent pace as they headed toward more open water. We look forward to welcoming them back again soon after an uplifting few days of their inspiring presence. (Photos Richard Snowberger) -Sandra Pollard
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As J pod headed north past Bush Point today. -Rachel Haight
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14:30 - Passing Bush Point. Loosely spread north and south by a few miles..nb.
13:24 - Viewing from Limpet Lane, I see at least 6 + NB. At least 2 big males in the bunch.
13:05 - Saw big male mid Double Bluff Beach Park, he was moving in NB direction. Can't tell with the others what's going on. I'm now at Limpet Lane in case they do travel northerly. Will keep an eye out here.im just north of Double Bluff and am not able to view south of here.
13:05 - Marilyn Armbruster messaged: She quickly stopped at Double Bluff Park and could see Js. Big male heading north at that time, close to Whidbey side mid-way up Double Bluff. She's moving to the north side of Double Bluff for closer viewing. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:45 - Trending north now, mid-channel but slightly closer to Whidbey side. Some big splashy cartwheels.
13:04 - Big thanks to Bart and to the little breacher who made a splash big enough to see at 4 miles in the rainy haze. Still off Double Bluff, spread to mid-channel, non-directional. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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12:20 - Confirmed J-pod off Mutiny Bay very spread out and multi directional. We are slowly making our way around them very carefully to pass them by. It looks like the northernmost orcas are off Mutiny Bay just south of Double Bluff. Good luck out there from shore everyone. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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~12:15 - We saw them from Pt. No Pt. Lighthouse about 12:15 with binoculars, way across. Very spread out and changing directions. Didn't know it was J pod til we got home and saw this. How special! -Elizabeth McManus
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 27 - South Puget Sound (pos. T46s +) - 14:58 - Just spotted a pod - 6 at last count but not certain of number - passing me by on Horsehead Bay heading north toward Raft Island. At least one male. Moving quickly, lots of seals all around them but they haven't slowed down. They only surfaced briefly when they were close to me, most of the pictures were taken from a good distance away and are heavily cropped.
---- Here's a few that I managed to catch as they passed by me earlier - unfortunately couldn't get great quality pictures due to rain, dull conditions but definitely counted 6! What an amazing surprise - didn't expect to see them out here at all! Taken at 2:55pm, Horsehead Bay heading north towards Raft Island. ["T046s and others" -Brendon Bissonnette] -Jennifer Swenson
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~11:45 - Saw them for a brief moment in Henderson Bay and then lost sight. Must've turned around. Looked like a group of three. 11:45ish and approaching the Purdy Spit area but appeared to turn around there. -Becky Murray Horkan
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Sat, Nov 27 - Hood Canal (T68Cs) - 14:00 - 3 Orcas heading southbound from Tidelands in the Hood Canal as of 2pm. Southeast of the bridge. Inland heading towards Jackson Cove and Brinnon. -Holley and Ben Turley
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GRAY WHALES Sat, Nov 27 - South Puget Sound - Also, reports had Shrimp in the bay from 12-3 for sure [including some]:
14:00 - Shrimp, the Gray at Marina at 2pm 11-27-2021. It even went into the empty slips on the end�
12:30 - It's presently feeding just off the south end of Cole Pt. Watching from the brickyard. I can add a few more details. It was anywhere from 50-100ft from the end of Cole Point. We watched it dive to feed 5 times. Each time it was down for roughly 3 minutes. It would take 3-4 breaths between dives. Saw the fluke twice. Left at 12:30. -Reports relayed by Belen Schneider

November 26
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 26 - North/Central Puget Sound (Js) - 16:00 - Saratoga saw many killer whales between Scatchet and Point No Point, milling. Did not stop, assumed it's SRKW.
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12:12 - From Sara's, Apple Tree Pt., male heading into Kingston ferry lanes close to Kitsap side. photo - J26 12:10-Donna Green Van Renselaar
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12:10 - Male with an R open saddle. J26?
12:00 - More in front of Apple Tree Point. Foraging. Sheriffs boat with them.
11:40 - Sara Frey called to report she (& her family & Donna) are still seeing whales off Apple Tree Point. Sounds like more males showing up as other had already passed (unless circled back). And others foraging still. Visibility limited, foggy conditions out there.
11:30 - Nore foraging now. Close to Kitsap shore.
11:20 - Male SB off Apple Tree Point, Kingston. Far west side of shipping lanes. Female too. photo - J26 @ 12:10, ID confirmed by Renee Chamberland-Sara Frey
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10:47 - Hearing really faint echolocation on the Sunset Bay hydro. -Ariel Yseth
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10:40 - [SRKW] I think I've heard a few faint calls on the Sunset Bay hydrophone the past few minutes. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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09:30 - [SRKW] Can definitely hear them on the Bush Point Hydrophone. -Cherie StOurs
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08:50 - Viewing from Shore Meadows. Orcas surfing inbound Matson container ship on Hansville side. Good visibility but a bit wet for cameras and binoculars. Trending south.
08:25 - Seeing adult male plus a couple of others milling south of Bush Point, looking toward Foulweather Bluff. Big splashes. -Sandra Pollard
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08:00 - Karen Scott called to report seeing at least two orcas, male and smaller one, south of Bush Pt., Whidbey side of mid channel, heading southbound.
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07:55 - Saw at least three orcas, mid channel, south of Bush Point, traveling south. Saw one breach. -Bill Pippine
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07:15 - [SRKW] Loud calls, Bush Point hydrophone. -Rachel Haight
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 26 - NW Strait of Georgia - 11:20 - Orcas off Comox. We see three so far. - Update: Orcas first seen between VI and the north end of Harwood Island. What caught our attention was a lot of splashing (which we thought was the Humpback Whales we had been watching since around 9:00 a.m.). The orcas moved south fairly quickly and we could see continued splashing and tail slapping as they travelled. -Patti and Mark Perepeluk
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Fri, Nov 26 - San Juan Islands (T167s) - 12:05-12:25 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #89: "Turn Point was considered a good potential option to re-find the whales, so Dave turned northwest toward Stuart Island. After maybe ten minutes of heading in that direction, he saw a large splash offshore of Tiptop Hill on Stuart Island. Shortly after, he spotted fins where the splash had been, and the encounter began at 1205. The whales were in a tight group heading north about three-quarters of a mile south of Tiptop Hill, at which point they submerged again before "Orcinus" was anywhere near them. When they came up after a dive lasting four and half minutes, they were closer to shore and still in a tight group moving up the Stuart Island shoreline. Dave got just close enough ..." [See CWR Encounter #89 for full summary and photos] https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-89
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Today we got to meet some new-to-us Bigg's killer whales, the four T167s who are uncommon visitors to the Salish Sea. They are seen more often in SE Alaska. This group of Ts broke off from the Stuart Island shoreline and swam directly at a freighter heading up Boundary Pass. Occasionally orcas will surf freighter wakes or even bow ride on large ships, but today, these whales just meandered right over to this ship as they zig-zagged through the channel, surfacing right next to it, when they easily could have gone in the opposite direction. [See Monika's full write-up] https://www.facebook.com/orcabehavior/posts/2763064080664234 -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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13:00 - They've been zigging and zagging with 3-4-minute dives and worked the Stuart Island shoreline up to Turn Point. Now as of 1PM, heading back south and possibly to Spieden whence we picked them up having pinniped brunch.
10:30-11:00 - T167s milling and killing in Spieden Channel. My first time seeing this family and these kids are big for their ages!
----Follow-up to my 11/26 sighting of the T167's in Spieden Channel (San Juan Islands). Aboard Maya's Legacy, we were the first humans to happen upon this family of top apex predators in Spieden Channel on Friday morning. It was quite the ID conundrum for a while as these orcas are so rare in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. Coupled with their uncommon appearances was the fact that this family puts the "BIG" in Bigg's ecotype. We were convinced for a long time that the sprouter male we were looking at was more like 15 (he's ELEVEN!) and the calf was like a three-year old and it is just ONE! But April Ryan's ID skills were superb and this was later confirmed by other naturalists and CWR. When we arrived, the presence of gulls getting scraps and the tell-tale aroma of a fresh kill made it apparent that this family likes to eat. I believe they probably had another couple of predation events given the surface activity before we left them. It was one of the most fun encounters I've ever had as well because these guys would dive for 4-5 minutes and where they came up was anyone's guess. Zigs and zags were the order of the day. photo - "T167C surfaces behind matriarch T167 in Spieden Channel." photo - "T167A is an 11YO sprouter male that will undoubtedly rival the largest Bigg's bulls when he is full grown." photo - "View of T167 dorsal, saddle and rake marks. This entire family had very bright white saddles." -Debbie Stewart
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Fri, Nov 26 - Central Puget Sound - At 14:20 I saw 3 Bigg's killer whales heading west along Alki Ave., maybe 50-75 yards from shore just west of Cactus. I drove around the corner and caught them at Constellation Park heading southwest. By 14:35, they'd flipped north midchannel line of sight to south Blake Island. Long down times after that, last sighting 14:54 heading north just west of the Tango buoy off Alki Point. I usually don't even bother with my phone, but they were fairly close. I also regret not taking a few still photos. Video shot at 14:24. -Jason Lee Bell
[I think you likely have at least 5. I see two females surface at the same time, at the end, and 2 young ones near the same time distance apart, and the bull. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Fri, Nov 26 - Central Puget Sound - 14:00 - Just off Golden Gardens/Shilshole Bay Marina. Follow-up: I think there were 5, looked like they were feeding. Lots of birds on the water for a long while after they headed south. Thought I saw red in the water at one point. Thought they may have got a seal?? -Korey and Mandy Knote
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Nov 26 - Central Puget Sound - ~16:20 - [HB] I'm fairly certain we had some Anderson Island folks see this whale today around 4:20. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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09:04 - Humpback close to Dune Peninsula Park in Tacoma, it was just a couple feet off from Dune Peninsula. He hugged the shoreline east to west, then disappeared near the black-over-red cargo ship. -Jason Cook
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Fri, Nov 26 - (San Juan Islands) - ~16:00 - We were alerted to the presence of a couple of humpbacks just south of Friday Harbor. In fading light about 4PM, with blows hanging in the chilly air, we saw Raptor (BCY0660) and another animal we were unable to ID. The second animal would not show fluke despite several surfacings and subsequent deep dives. They were traveling southbound in San Juan Channel very cozily side by side. It is utterly amazing how two animals weighing 30-40 tons each can swim in perfect synchronicity like the most practiced ballet dancers. Gal pal, male suitor or family member we may never know. But it was fun to think they might be heading to Haro Strait to join the singing chorus heard on the hydrophones as of late. -Debbie Stewart
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GRAY WHALES Fri, Nov 26 - South Puget Sound - 16:25-16:35 - But it did seem like the [gray] whale was indeed in that shallower area I previously described. According to the timestamps on my photos, it appears we saw 3-5 surfaces from just before 4:25 to about 4:35. Then it presumably headed towards the eastern end of the bay [Oro]. -Terence Lee
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REPORTS BELOW relayed by Belen Schneider: I spent 3.5 hours yesterday [Nov 26] with Shrimp and I have so much more information about what he got up to. He took us on a tour of Oro Bay, from one side to the other and back, with much more proximity to shore. I'll have map and photos later today, along with a few videos that may help with body condition and proximity to shore, along with another islander's photos who was across the water from me in a kayak, so we have two angles. In the meantime, here's the sightings I've had or had reported since the last one:
22:00 - Paige reported, "Scrimp (my androgynous name) has been in one spot to the left of me for 20 minutes with no movement. If it was stranded, I would assume I'd hear splashing? (a few minutes later, she heard it moving and splashing right under her house)
13:38-16:15 - My husband David and I were on shore at Jacob's Point Park. When we arrived, [gray whale] Shrimp was already deep in the west inlet (Oro Bay proper) and further in than the Oro Bay Marina. We got some very close shots and then it headed out into the main bay pretty fast, across to Cole Point, stayed off the point, then came back along the shoreline of east Oro Bay - close to shore (within 100 yards, I'd guess), and then moved fast again across the bay, lingered in the middle across from Jacob's Point and then took off for the west shore, got very close again and by the time we left, it surfaced right in front of the old dock at the old store, way deeper in than I expected. As we left, it was headed back out of the depths of the bay at a good speed. Again, I'll map all this, but it was really interesting to see so much slow and fast behavior, close and away from shore. [Belen's firsthand report]
13:00 - Paige deSaro Banks (Cole Point) messaged me to say [gray whale] Shrimp was in front of Jacob's Point, close to shore, going back and forth.
12:00 - Bryan Schmidt at Jacob's Point Park: It's presently feeding just off the south end of Cole Pt. Watching from the brickyard. I can add a few more details. It was anywhere from 50-100ft from the end of Cole Point. We watched it dive to feed 5 times. Each time it was down for roughly 3 minutes. It would take 3-4 breaths between dives. Saw the fluke twice. Left at 12:30. Reports by & relayed by Belen Schneider

November 25
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Thu, Nov 25 - Central Puget Sound (Js) - 16:10 - Point Robinson rainy, quiet, beautiful pass northbound, island side. Musical exhalations cutting through the gathering dusk as they passed in loose groups and singles to close out the evening. Leisurely pace with some foraging. Three beaches, three whale species, and three passes today, feeling very grateful. Have a wonderful holiday y'all. -Marla Smith
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16:00 - [orca] Just off Pt. Robinson. Visible from Des Moines. -Tim Vagen
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15:36 - Another male and female just passing by Gold Beach. Further out than the 2 in my other post.
15:29 - Two males off Maury Island at Gold Beach. Trending north slowly. About 400 meters off shore. -Burt Miller
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15:11 - [orca] I counted at least 10. Headed to Point Robinson. -Sean Rourke
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15:06 - [orca] My guess of 20 individuals heading north at Dash Point. 2 large males. Lots of tail slaps. -Lynn Erich Noah
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15:05 - [orca] Watching from Dash Point Pier beach, 3:05, heading northbound on Vashon side. -Rowena Mills
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14:45 - I saw a pod of what I counted to be at least 11 Orcas just off Dash Point, looking to the west from the east. They were moving from southwest, around Commencement Bay, to northeast, towards the Seattle area at 2:45pm on November 25th, 2021. -Johnny Matias
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14:10 - Came across on the 2:10 ferry. Saw two blows prior to the ferry by the container ship. On the ferry, the blows appeared to have moved north. No other evidence of orcas were visible on the ferry ride. Swung by Chinese Reconciliation Park for about 30 to 45 minutes. No blows, surface activity, or dorsal visible. -Ashley Whitman
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13:58 - [orca] Heading east towards the moored cargo ship out from Dune Peninsula. -Erik Sarvela
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14:27 - Two groups. First east, northeast towards Browns Point, 2nd eastbound passing Old Town Dock (Tacoma).
14:10 - East towards Commencement Bay & The Port. Lots of splashing and a couple breaches.
13:49 - [orca] Approaching south end of Vashon. 1:49 from Dune/Tacoma. From Katie Downs looking north. (Along Ruston way -Tacoma) -Jason Cook
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13:44 - [orca] Spotted them by Browns Point. -Alicia Gehring
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13:18 - Visible from our house just above Dash Point Pier. We see multiple adults and at least 2 smaller (baby?) whales. They're heading towards N Tacoma. -Jen Meredith
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13:07 - [orca] Visible from Dash Point. Way out there, 1:07. Still southbound, moving towards N Tacoma/Vashon ferry route. -Eric Elgar
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13:30 - A few are just about to pass the entrance to Quartermaster Harbor (as viewed from above Harbor Lights on Ruston)
13:04 - [orca] Traveling west past Gold Beach. 1:04. -Eileen Mccaffery-Lent
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14:25 - They must all be in Commencement because a few of us just came back across on the ferry to Tacoma side & saw zero orcas.
12:45 - Just had one more adult male pass us at Pt. Robinson.. & a Humpback. Pretty spectacular. Kelly Burns Keenan ID'd trailing Males as Mike, then Blackberry bringing up the rear. -Melissa Bird
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12:38 - Beautiful close J pod pass, trailers have just cleared Point Robinson. Travel mode southbound in three groups with some singles, followed by the humpback close to shore and J27. -Marla Smith
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12:36 - [orca] In front of Pt. Robinson Lighthouse. Heading toward Tacoma. -Jess Smith
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12:17 - [orca] First 2 groups past [Point Robinson]...more on the way. -Christopher Dawson
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12:14 - [orca] Passing Pt Robinson. -Walter Smith
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12:00 - Photo taken at noon during their SB pass at Point Robinson Lighthouse. -Brittany Philbin
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[SRKW] Saw these from Vashon looking out over Tramp Harbor Pier. Orcas were heading south towards Point Robinson. Saw a nice breach but didn't get video of that. -Scott
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11:41 - [orca] Seeing blows just north of KVI towers heading south. Viewing from Redondo Beach. -Steve Brown
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~11:40 - Just left Three Tree Beach 10 minutes ago. Orcas heading southbound closer to Vashon's coast. First sighting of male solo orca was about 11:40am. -Kylie Williams
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11:03 - Orca just north of Wingehaven [Trail, Northeast Vashon Park] close to east shore, 11:03. Looks like just solitary; It was one of the largest dorsal fins I've seen! Must be separate from pod that's further south. Also heading south. -Bradley Kramer
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10:55 - Large group of orca cleared Dilworth, SB, mid channel and near Vashon shore, very spread out. -Cindy Eckes Waddington
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12:39 - Amy Carey, Sound Action, messaged: J pod now passed Point Robinson [southbound]. Humpback right here just offshore. Stunning.
11:03 - Orcas passing Dilworth. Leaders already to the south nearing Three Tree.
10:48 - Amy Carey, Sound Action, verified this group of orcas is Southern Residents per Jeff Hogan, Killer Whale Tales.
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10:41 - [orca] Nice breach just past northern tip of Vashon Island. Very spread out and traveling on west side of the shipping lane. Heading south. Too far out to ID. -Shari Tarantino
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10:12 - About 6-8 orcas headed south of Fauntleroy ferry close in to the shore right now. -Gordon Cook [PSWS]
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10:00 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed report: 1000 hrs: Master reports one (1) bull orca & one (1) humpback travelling SB [southbound] in the vicinity of Vashon Head. [North end Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lanes area]
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, Nov 25 - Central Puget Sound (T68, T68A; T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5; and T166A1) -Ashley Whitman
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10:57 - At 11:18 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: MV CATHLAMET Whale Report: 1057 hrs: Master reports, via 800MHz radio, a pod of five (5) orca, (at least one bull male & 3 juveniles) NB just north of Colvos Pass.
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11:00 - [orca] Just passed Southworth. -Terri Sue Samuels
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10:54 - [orca] I'm on Southworth Point, just saw them go by on Vashon side. East side of Blake. -Rebecca Alder Sorter
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10:55 - Mid channel passing ferry lane, northbound.
10:54 - [orca] Approaching Southworth ferry lane. -Brandi Marie
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10:43 - Just passed Peter Point: Fern Cove, Vashon, NB toward Southworth. -Jen Huntley
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10:40 - [orca] Out from Wilson Creek, mid channel, 10:40, NB, fast moving. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
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10:15 - [orca] Saw 4 NB pass Anderson Point (from Vashon) mid-channel. -Laurie Moore Thorpe
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09:54 - [orca] Approaching Lisabuela mid channel towards mainland side, some porpoising fast northbound, grouped up. -Marla Smith
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09:51 - [orca] Saw spouts halfway across at Lisabuela. -Emily Vinding Nyden
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11:21 - Can confirm 7 orcas in this group.
10:00 - 6 here at 10am with one trailing by 75 yards. Yes, just short of Olalla. Spyhop at 9am off Clay Banks at Point Defiance. -Ryan Dicks
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09:51 - Headed northbound Colvos Passage. Between Al's [Market, Ollala] and Sunrise Beach. -Katrina Flowers-Piercy
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09:38 - [orca] Now out of sight from point Ruston, heading NB to Colvos. -Julia Vollmer
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09:35 - [orca] Still northbound toward Colvos Passage. Viewing from Dune Peninsula. -Dylan Kane
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09:21 - Appear to be traveling with 4 grouped together and two based on blows counted.
09:25 - Still north-northwest, trending towards Colvos. Appear committed, but can't say for sure.
09:15 - Several out front, group together trending north northwest. Still quite a bit of surface activity and circling birds.
09:08 - One spy hop!
09:06 - Five or six. Definitely looks like hunting behavior. Saw a tail slap and milling around close together. One male dorsal visible, at least one or two females and one youngster. [Tacoma] -Ashley Whitman
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10:00 - Steady NB past Al's [Market, Olalla] just after.
09:05 - Oh maybe stopped for a snack, at least 4. I'm at Gig Harbor ferry landing and they look to be in front of Dune from here.
09:00 - [orca] In Dalco at 9:00. Confirm they look to be NB. Passed Colvos already. -Stacey Crofoot
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09:15 - Still viewing with binoculars from Dune Peninsula: they started moving north again towards Colvos, still seeing at least 4 between Point Defiance and Vashon.
09:06 - They did seem like they were going towards Colvos but are now stalled out and circling just off of Point Defiance. Can see one large male.
08:59 - [orca] Can see 4 from Dune Peninsula with binoculars. They seem to still be headed north. They're just off the tip of Point Defiance. -Sally Milligan-Smith
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09:17 - Heading north close to west side of Vashon, viewing from Gig.
09:06 - Still middle of Vashon and Pt. Defiance. 5-6. Between the two boats. Viewing from Gig Harbor.
08:56 - [orca] 3 heading north between Pt. Defiance and Vashon. (viewing from Gig Harbor) -Shannon Joosten Schlecht
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08:47 - [orca] Heading north past Salmon Beach. -Gill Chard
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07:58 - Two orcas northbound Narrows Bridge. -Gina Summers
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07:56 - Orcas just went under the Narrows Bridge NB near the West Tower. Headed towards Salmon Beach, possibly. -Karen Caldwell
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, Nov 25 - South Puget Sound - 12:30-13:00 - I got to spend about 30 minutes with our gray friend today. -Belen Schneider
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10:45 - the whale is actively in front of Paige's [DaSaro Banks] house on the east side now at 10:45. Distance wise, she estimated its a couple hundred yards out from her bulkhead. So, I got more info on a couple of things: Paige lives on the east bank near Cole Point, and she's the one that's hearing it at low tide every night, close which to shore that she hears blows and water splashing. It happened again last night [Nov 24] around 11:45pm. Map of her location below that I'm comparing to the topographical map. And someone in the same area (East side where the bluffs are) caught video of it at 8:45 this morning [Nov 25] and posted it to Puget Sound Whale Watching on FB. via Belen Schneider
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07:55 - This was taken 10 minutes ago, Anderson Island, Oro Bay. Grey whale. video on PSWS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pugetsoundwhalesightings/posts/1279929959141659/ -Christine Watts [PSWS]

November 24
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Wed, Nov 24 - North Puget Sound (Js) - 15:43 - [orca] Been watching some blows periodically from Kitsap side at Eglon. Only seeing with binoculars and seem to have long down times now. South tip of Whidbey area. -Shannan Van Houten
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14:20 - Last saw them around 14:20 heading south pretty quickly. Lost them since then.
14:04 - From where I'm at, it looks like they're at Scatchet Head now.
13:56 - Still trending south, hugging closely on the Whidbey side. South end of Possession Point. Waiting to see what direction they will go. Viewing from Sunset Avenue in Edmonds. Too far out to see with the naked eye, need binoculars. Two boats with them. -Tamara Kelley-Woods
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14:09 - Getting very active. Breaching, etc.
13:36 - Approaching the green buoy south of Possession Point.
12:54 - [orca] Viewing from Picnic Point. They're coming in to better view now with a white boat following behind them for sure this time. Still. SB and closely grouped.
----Two really not great photos of breaching J pod members south of Possession Point. I was viewing from Picnic Point, with my lens at 600mm, and still could barely see them. So glad to have been able to see them yesterday and share that experience with the few others that joined me on the bridge. -Matty Leaman
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12:01 - [orca] Mid channel still moving south. Past ferry lanes now. -Alina Chris Sherrett
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15:00 - Last laid eyes on them in same general area, they looked to be foraging some. Heading home to warmth. Good luck.
14:50 - They appear to have stalled. Making some directional changes. They are as Marilyn described in her 14:33 post, due south of Scatchet Head, Whidbey - wide expanse Possession triangle . Definitely need binoculars, even then can be difficult to see.
14:19 - Still grouped, appear in resting so maybe not everyone woke up. In resting travel mode continuing southwesterly, still east of Scatchet Head green buoy.
14:08 - They are waking up! Breachfest south of Possession Pt./Cultus Bay. Pod has been trending slightly southwesterly. From high elevation at Stamm Overlook, Edmonds.
13:15 - From south Mukilteo with elevation. Seeing leaders approaching Possession Point steady southbound west of mid channel. (They are currently heading toward and north of the sailboat with colored sail coming from the south and well away from the pod). At this time appears they are staying course toward Edmonds.
12:15 - Seeing what looks to be 20-24 orcas here, including 4 noticeable males, In resting line with some large groups breaking surface at once. Breathtaking! All steady southbound nearing Glendale, Whidbey.
12:05 - Stunning, even from across the waterway! Now with elevation (above Mukilteo beach) can see entire group tightly bunched steady southbound now south of all the homes heading toward Glendale. Very much in Whidbey side. Numbers look good for all of J pod.
11:55 - [orca] Beautiful group of fins steady southbound, Whidbey side, halfway down houses along Clinton, south of ferry terminal. Elevated viewing would be best from mainland side. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Whale Happy Thanksgiving! 11/24 with dear J pod!!! Ran all the way down to Clinton/Brighton Beach and saw them a bit far out but so lovely to see the whole family, grouped up....so many big and little fins together!!! They headed past the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry lanes and we watched them mid-channel from Glendale Beach. -Bonnie Gretz
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11:47 - [orca] Saw them from the Mukilteo to Clinton ferry arriving at 11:47am, captain call it out. They were heading east, north of the ferry lane. -Jill Tuttle
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Wed, Nov 24 - North Puget Sound - 11:39 - Jackie White of Freeland called to report seeing orcas. She was traveling via Clinton ferry and spotted ~5-6 closer to Hat Island traveling east. Definitely orcas - they were excited to see them.
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11:31 - and I'm thankful for lunchtime passes. J Pod close in to Whidbey in leisure travel mode in small tight knit groups. I need a whale bell which would be more pleasant than me screaming "ORCAS!" for all my neighbors to hear. I feel like a kid again. It's been way too long seeing these amazing beings. -Debbie Stewart
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11:07 - [orca] Heading south towards Clinton ferry just passing Hat Island now. -Jon Rosenberg
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14:33 - Viewing from westend Scatchet Head, barely see fins with binocs, but appears they are at a SW angle.
11:50 - Have just cleared ferry lanes, SB.
11:30 - Approaching Clinton Mukilteo ferry lanes SB.
10:30 - [orca] Heading south now and have rounded Sandy Point close to Whidbey shore. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:51 - The orcas are south of the Possession Point green marker buoy, in traveling mode, and appear to be southbound.
11.35 - Beautiful formation of closely grouped Southern Residents moving in total harmony but with purpose toward ferry lanes.
09:44 - Believe J27 Blackberry just passing Sandy Point fairly slowly.
09:35 - About a dozen whales, one or two at a time, have passed Sandy Point and are steady northbound in Saratoga Passage mid-channel/Camano side, with some occasional foraging.
----November 24, 2021: A feast for the eyes and the soul - that's the only way of describing today's gift, on the eve of Thanksgiving, of a welcome visit by J-pod. Avid whale-watchers, hungry for a glimpse - or more - of this mesmerizing population of orcas, enjoyed many hours of quality whale watching from the shores of Whidbey Island. After passing through the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lanes early in the morning, the whales made their way north in ones and twos into Saratoga Passage, foraging along the way, before turning back south and picking up the pace as they closed ranks and assembled in their family groups. Seeing them traveling in perfect symmetry with one another, against a backdrop of snow-dusted mountains, was a sight to behold as they passed Brighton beach and Glendale on their return journey toward Possession Point and beyond. (Photos Richard Snowberger/Sandra Pollard. -Sandra Pollard
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11:27 - All have passed south of Brighton Beach. Will cross ferry line soon! Southbound. Moving pretty fast.
09:37 - At least 6 orcas incl 1 lg male have passed Sandy Point NB. Should be getting close to Langley soon. b.o.c. J27 photo ID: Brendon Bissonnette-Donna George
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10:17 - Looks like the group has turned around and is heading SE towards Sandy Point and out of Saratoga Passage. One is still over by Camano. >09:28 - They are heading NW up Saratoga Passage mid-channel but tending closer to Camano.
09:19 - [orca] They are splashing around right at Sandy Point. Not sure if they are hunting but their general direction seems to be heading NW into Saratoga Passage. -Luanne Seymour
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09:03 - Can see one male south of Langley. -Rachael Kvig
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11:12 - David Haeckel called. Group of them watching from Brighton Beach and see J pod members (at least a dozen) tightly grouped between them and Hat Island, they thought closer to Hat. Still heading southbound.
10:43 - At Brighton Beach. They are directional south coming toward us.
10:17 - Heading south fast! South of Camano now with a small boat behind them!
09:05 - David Haeckel called back to report at least 1-2 of the orcas have entered Saratoga Passage heading northbound. One breached - others are still out in the middle waters between south Whidbey and Camano Head. He's on the bluffs above Sandy Point with Sandra Pollard and Donna George who thinks she sees an open saddle patch.
08:50 - They are near Sandy Point now in the triangle!
08:47 - David Haeckel called to report some of the orcas are between Sandy Point and closer to tip of Camano Island. Couple leaders out in middle of triangle look to be milling - glimpsed spyhop and some porpoising. Couple of slow movers. Viewing from a distance so can't confirm any open saddle patches.
----What an amazing day watching our beloved J Pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whales! What a treat to enjoy the day before Thanksgiving with Orca friends! Enjoy the pictures, mostly taken from Brighton Beach area and above Sandy Point. b.o.c. photo - J39 ID: ALB - b.o.c. photo - J27 ID Brendon Bissonnette -David Haeckel
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12:37 - Just passing Glendale now. Mid channel if not a little closer to Whidbey. Still tightly grouped heading south.
11:44 - So pretty. Just passed the Clinton ferry dock very close into Whidbey. Heading south.
11:26 - Just getting ready to pass the Clinton ferry dock heading south.
11:12 - Back in my view again. All grouped up in travel mode heading south. Closer to Whidbey side. Viewing from above the Clinton ferry dock.
08:28 - Still seeing quite a few northwest of Hat Island. Still traveling north and west. That is about the limit from my viewpoint here.
08:08 - Seeing them all along this line. Very spread out. Some milling activity and directional changes but northbound progress.
08:02 - I am thinking one of the resident pods based on how many whales I am seeing. They are still passing the ferry slip and then hugging the shore of Hat Island. I'm up to about 12-13 whales now.
07:59 - So I'm seeing multiple groups of orcas spread out. 2 males leading. 2-3 smaller group of 2-3 orcas trailing. Let me get bundled up and head outside for a better view.
07:56 - Straight out from the ferry dock heading north. Looking to pass between Hat and Whidbey. In slow travel mode. I have yet to see any males but I'll keep looking.
---- Here is the best video I was able to get of the close pass by the Clinton Ferry Dock by J-Pod on 11/24/21. Happy Whalesgiving!!!! - https://www.facebook.com/OrcaNetwork/posts/10166180750275601 - Danielle Pennington
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07:10 - AT 07:21 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: 0710 hrs: Master reports four (4) orca, at least one (1) male, milling about just off traffic lanes on the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry route. They are mostly staying at the water line.
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Nov 24 - Hood Canal (T68Cs) - ~16:00 - Pod of Orcas in Hood Canal at about 4:00 pm on November 24, located near Hama Hama and working south as we watched for about half an hour. [Both Monika Wieland Shields & Sara Hysong-Shimazu have ID'd these whales as the T68Cs. -alb] -Lee Rentz
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~15:30 - Someone saw two of them playing in the water off 101 around Eldon at about 3:30. Direction prior to that was northbound but unsure if they continued north. -via Tisa Annette
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We watched at least 5 orcas today in Hood Canal just north of Lilliwaup. To my eye it looked like several very small babies. -Becca Lupton
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09:47 - Two orcas just swam by our place heading from Belfair toward Tahuya. We're a few miles east of Tahuya. They appeared to be on the move as opposed to hunting. -Marianne Gagliardi Floyd
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Wed, Nov 24 - South Puget Sound (T68, T68A; T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5; and T166A1) 15:00 - [orca] They are southbound just north of Reach Island. At least 5, one big one! -Emily Shields Merrell
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15:00 - Southbound out of Victor. Probably about the north end of Treasure Island now.
13:55 - Traveling South toward Vaughn Bay, 1:55. -Ryan Campbell
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14:23 - Map for them still northbound [just south of Rocky Point]. We are no longer watching them now.
14:13 - They flipped northbound from my last post.
14:05 - Update. Still southbound [west of Vaughn Bay].
13:42 - T68, T68A, T68B, B3, B4, B5, and T166A1 are southbound from my map [NW of Rocky Point, mid channel]. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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13:30 - Happy Thanksgiving early. Three orca heading south out of Case Inlet at 1:30 pm. One large male. -Beverly Lynch McCallum
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13:22 - Orcas are around Victor area, 1:22 pm. -Alayna Oury Vuylsteke
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10:23 - Shawn Gisriel, MMO on Harstine Marina project, called to report orca sighting again today around Harstine Point. ~7 orcas, including male, smaller, and young heading northbound grouped together through the channel [Pickering Passage] heading back out towards Stretch Island, in the channel outside Harstine Point. Look to be heading in deep zone next to Stretch Island. Many seals taking refuge on shore.
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10:00 - Just passed Jarrell Cove, headed toward Case Inlet at 10 am, 4 adults and a calf. -Katje Hansen
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09:30 - Just had a group pass in front of our place on Sun Point/Orchard Beach [Pickering Passage], headed south toward Harstine Island Bridge. At least 2 big dorsals, a small one, maybe 6 orca total, it's hard to tell. But inspiring as always. -Erika Aust [PSWS]
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Nov 24 - South Puget Sound - 15:00 - One gray whale in Oro Bay, Anderson Island. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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01:00, 11:00, & ~23:45 - had a report at 11am at Cole Point (other side of Oro Bay) and Paige DaSaro Banks messaged me a confirmed time of 1am this morning that she heard it in closer proximity, so it seemed like it was circling the bay. That's notable because that was at the lowest of low tide. Paige lives on the east bank near Cole Point, and she's the one that's hearing it at low tide every night, close which to shore that she hears blows and water splashing. It happened again last night [11/24] around 11:45pm. -Belen Schneider

November 23
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 23 - Central Puget Sound (Js) - Brad Hanson, NOAA/NWFSC, messaged us to confirm just J Pod today. Candi Emmons, NOAA/NWFSC, confirms they observed all matrilines except J17s, who may have been there; they just didn't see them since whales were spread so wide.
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20:00 - Hearing so many blows straight out from Wilson Creek! And the occasional splash, breach?
19:50 - They sound pretty spread out, north to south. Hear splashes! Leaders likely at Southworth in 10 to 15 minutes.
19:28 - [SRKW] I hear them approaching Driftwood Cove, 7:28. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
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18:21 - [SRKW] They are passing Lisabuela, Vashon, still heading north. -Kelly Burns Keenan
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16:53 - [SRKW] Group including one male and young foraging/milling south of Quartermaster Harbor. -Glenn E. Johnson
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16:43 - The ferry should be getting a great show. Right in the lanes it looks like heading west still.
16:38 - [SRKW] Heading west between Vashon and Pt. Defiance still. Very spread out. Saw 1 breach! -Mollie Segall
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting:
Sighting Time: Tue, Nov 23 @ 16:03:00 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.30788,-122.53096 [Point Defiance]
Number Sighted: 6
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitted Comments: Southern resident orcas spread out, saw 6 but around 13-17 confirmed
Submitter Name: Brianna
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16:00 - Breach yesterday [11/23] evening at 4pm in Tacoma. -Ryan Dicks
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15:49 - [SRKW] In Commencement Bay, 3:49, heading east towards the port, seeing 3 near kayak.
---- What a glorious 3 1/2hr visit yesterday from the SRKW's here in Tacoma! So much fun meeting and seeing people enjoying these beautiful Orcas. They were everywhere, back and forth and forth and back! Not a bad spot anywhere at the dunes no matter what direction you were looking! So much for us to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving week! video - https://www.facebook.com/cherie.stours/videos/637964640907864/ -Cherie StOurs
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15:39 - [SRKW] Watching from Old Town Dock. Several trending eastward into Commencement Bay. -Angela Batie Carlin
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15:38 - [SRKW] They are well into Commencement Bay - nearly to the port. And also in front of Dune park! -Kimberly Arentzen Rau
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15:34 - Approaching Port of Tacoma. Eastbound, 3:34.
15:03 - 2 groupings. Eastbound now. Away from ferry lane. seeing @ least 5. Spread out in front of Dune. Mid channel. Milling back & forth.
14:35 - Large male still in front of Dune, milling. Mid bay. -Laureen Claggett
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14:28 - One in front of Owen Beach. Make that 2!
14:26 - [orcas] Trailing 2 headed up Colvos. -Sara Geiger
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13:50 - [SRKW] Orcas in Commencement Bay, all over, 1:50. -Julie Davis
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13:50 - Appear to be headed towards the south tip of Vashon - 1:50pm.
13:35 - [SRKW] Point Ruston, 1:35pm, 11/23 - 300 yards north of Dunes Park, looks like they have a sea lion encircled. -Phil Caldwell
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Tue, Nov 23 - Central Puget Sound - Beautiful 3-1/2hr visit from SRKW's at Dune Peninsula Park, 11/23/21. [video] https://www.facebook.com/cherie.stours/videos/428717255508992/ -Cherie StOurs
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On November 23rd, we happened to be at the Dune Peninsula [Tacoma] when 5 members of J-pod went by. I now know to check Orca Network for future opportunities. The pictures are highly cropped and sharpened by software. It was especially exciting to see one leap out of the water. -Karimah Judy
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13:35 - [SRKW] Still seeing them off Ruston Way east of Pt. Ruston. -Reid Wilkes
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13:10 - Photo from Dunes @ 1:10.
----A fun day with our beautiful Southern Residents from Dunes at Ruston! photo - J19 ID: Brendon Bissonnette -Noelle Morris
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13:10 - Just left Browns Point Lighthouse. Saw milling about.. bull passed and saw a breach! Still steady southbound, haven't seen for a few minutes. -Emily Spanjer
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Tuesday when J pod was circling Dalco Passage all afternoon. photo - J19 ID: Ellie Sawyer -Jessica Richter
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15:05 - 2 orcas eastbound in Dalco, west of ferry landing on Vashon side.
14:15 - A couple groups porpoised west in Dalco Passage and are milling at the west end.
13:47 - A few milling back and forth on E side of Point Defiance to Vashon ferry lane.
13:20 - It seems everyone has turned and headed back toward Commencement.
13:04 - [SRKW] Tail lobbing mid channel in Dalco Passage, seen from Point Defiance Marina. Others spread, with directional changes. -Gayle Swigart, Orca Network
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A glorious day at Dune Peninsula. So many whales in the sunshine. 11/23/201. -Stacey Crofoot
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13:00 - [SRKW] Looks like they are heading right towards Ruston and Point Defiance, ahead of the research boat, watching from Gig Harbor side, at 1:00pm. Fishing boat near PD getting a real show! -Michele Riley Campbell
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13:34 - There are 3 between the cargo ship and Point Defiance Marina.
13:29 - Milling about at the mouth of Commencement Bay, looks like some may have turned northbound (maybe).
12:54 - [SRKW] Leaders just starting to pass Point Defiance Marina, some steadily southbound, some milling about. Spread well across the channel. -Robyn Dally
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12:45 & 13:45 - 12:45, pod of Orcas in Commencement Bay spotted. Have been circling between Point Defiance but closer to Browns Point and Ruston & still here at 1:15. -LeeAnn Wilson Cummins
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12:42 - [orcas] Big breach right off Southern Maury. Trending south. -Amber Stanfill
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16:25 - Nice breach a moment ago as they continue west.
16:00 - At least three have headed out of port area and heading somewhat north but still south of Browns Point.
12:30 - [orcas] Passing in front of grain ship near Quartermaster Harbor ahead of research boat. -Eileen Mccaffery-Lent
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13:07 - Circling in the ferry lane near Pt. Defiance. Others near the cargo ship, and yet another group closer to Dash Point.
12:41 - More approaching the Lady I cargo ship anchored off of Maury Island.
12:27 - Watching from Pt. Ruston. Just let some visitors catch their first Orca sightings! Love that excitement! -Jason Cook
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12:18 - [orca] Viewing from Dune Point. Saw one fin out from Dash Point. Unsure of direction. -Jim Schmaltz
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~12:00-~13:45 - I was able to view the Southern Resident Orcas on Tuesday 11/23 from Dune Peninsula in Tacoma, I got there about noon, orcas were still far off in the distance at that point but steadily traveling south; they kept getting closer and closer but were all spread out from Dalco Passage to Browns Point. There was one large male that I mostly saw near Browns Point/Commencement Bay, and at least three other individuals (but very spread out so it was hard to tell, possibly more), one looking pretty young. A pair of individuals (one of which was the younger looking one) seemed to stay more in front of Dune Peninsula and Point Defiance and circling Dalco Passage. I had to leave around 1:45pm, but they were still all spread out throughout Dalco Passage and in front of Browns Point/Commencement Bay. It was an amazing day to be out there and to witness the Southern Residents; I will never forget it! -Sally Milligan-Smith
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Footage from Point Robinson yesterday morning! Truly special to see our southern residents and their new baby so close. video - https://www.facebook.com/OrcaNetwork/posts/10166180300585601 -Amalia Moore
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11:10 - From Point Robinson. -Jami Cantrell
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16:57 - From Dune..seeing some individuals up against Vashon near ferry terminal traveling towards Colvos. Losing light quick.
16:24 - Some crossing Quartermaster Harbor entrance, back towards Dalco Passage.
16:13 - From Northern Fish Pier, we're not seeing much. Watched some pass Browns Point, back towards Dalco Passage. Not seeing anything deep in Commencement.
15:48 - A few actively foraging just off Dune.
15:37 - Think the final trailers are passing us at Dune now.. Eastbound into Commencement Bay. Some deep in Commencement. Lots of breaching & foraging.
15:16 - from Dune it seems like most have traveled into Commencement Bay. Had an older calf breach its way across the channel right in front of us at Dune.
14:59 - There's a steady stream of Orcas passing us at Dune towards Commencement Bay.
14:31 - They are still spread out all over Dalco Passage: foraging, breaching, halting the ferry. Absolutely breathtaking day here too.
14:09 - Adult male coming from Ruston towards Dune.. off Pt. Ruston boat now.
13:46 - From the 1st viewpoint on Ruston next to Pt. Ruston, I have one mid channel exiting Commencement Bay, male behind.
13:33 - At least 5 individuals entering Commencement Bay. Including adult male.
13:29 - Traveling down Ruston right off shore into Commencement.
13:00 - At least 3 off the tip of Pt. Defiance.
12:20 - Adult male (I think) & calf traveling together passing Gold Beach now. A bunch near south channel marker buoy.
12:12 - Have at least one adult male passing Maury Island Marine Park, approaching Gold Beach. Southern leaders are off the front of the grain ship moored off Quartermaster Harbor.
12:05 - Some have reached south tip of Maury Island, research vessel is with them. Others still streaming down East Channel, mostly close to Vashon shore. Foraging activities.
11:46 - [SRKW] From Browns Point Lighthouse, can see research vessel & individuals at Gold Beach. Blows & others breaching further to the north. Southbound. -Melissa Bird
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13:10 - 3-4 Right in front of Point Ruston, with large male.
12:40 - Big male near sailboat NW of Dash
12:26 - Spread-out all-over Commencement. Got the research boat on the run.
11:28 - [SRKW] Viewing from above Pt. Ruston. Blows approaching Gold Beach, Vashon. -Ed Rickert
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11:10 - [SRKW] Trailers have cleared Point Robinson, large spread, porpoising southbound in small groups, some foraging in singles and doubles. Beautiful close pass this morning with these beauties.
----Tuesday brought just the Js to my surprise, but was able to spend most of the day with them in the cold late fall sunshine, jumping from beach to beach to catch a glimpse. The Point Robinson pass was wild, as they were porpoising so fast, it was hard to see them through the spray, but oh, so cool! Got a sweet picture of sweet little Crescent and a saddle pic of J26 with a new big scar that I didn't see last year, making him all the more handsome. photo - J41 & J58 ID: Brendon Bissonnette -Marla Smith
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Some photos I took this morning of the orcas visiting Point Robinson. photos - J41 & J58 ID: Ariel Yseth Happy Thanksgiving! -Jim Diers
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16:34 - Our resident friends continue foraging out In the wide expanse as light fades. No definitive direction at this time. So far today only Js have been IDd.
16:25 - Well...this group moved westerly and is now a little spread. Still due west of Browns Pt., but further west but well east of ferry traffic lanes. And more whales beyond spread.
16:15 - Orcas who ventured into Commencement spread out have now formed a lovely group, loosely grouped, and are in resting mode leaving Commencement Bay. At least a dozen...due west of Browns Pt. NE bound at the moment.
15:28 - We at Browns Point are viewing quite a few spread out foraging, sightline Dune Peninsula Park/Point Ruston. No committed direction, just back and forth at this time.
13:10 - Still viewing whales foraging west of Browns Pt. as far as eye can see to the west toward ferry traffic lanes. Male this side of channel, dorsals shimmering in the sun as he makes consistent directional changes looking for salmon.
12:45 - Still viewing several passing in front of north side Browns Point. One male this side of channel, another male to the SW and more in between. Steady travel. Others foraging out in middle between here/Ruston Way/ S Vashon.
12:15 - Lone male just passing by Dash Pt. now out and north of Browns Pt., or shortly. Well east of mid channel. Steady travel. Others in distance looking west toward anchored tanker.
12:08 - Looks like someone is close to mainland. Just caught splash of what premise was huge breach just bit north of Dash Point Pier! (which is closed)
11:02 - Another group, includes a male, close to shore just north of Point Robinson, steady southbound.
10:50 - Gorgeous large group, super close pass at Point Robinson! Mix of adults, female, males and young. Another offshore foraging, another male offshore mid channel traveling SB. Others trailing.
10:40 - Singles, pairs groups someone porpoising. Mid channel to Vashon side. Going to be beautiful pass. From bluff in Des Moines. With some trailers breaching more mid channel. And others further back about a mile mid channel steady powering southbound. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:00 - All whales appear to have passed Three Tree Point, continuing southbound travel. Mid to west of mid channel. -Brittany Noelle
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10:39 - Whales just north of Point Robinson, spread across channel. Near tug boat and white skiff. Appear to still be southbound.
09:45 - Sound Action reports residents are now past Dilworth, continuing their southbound travels.
09:06 - Sound Action reports orcas nearing Dilworth, still heading southbound. -Amy Carey
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07:59 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: 0759 hrs: Master reports, via 800MHz radio, 6-8 orca heading SE in the traffic lanes just off VASH. [this is north end Vashon]. Note: Earlier reports had orcas southbound off Seattle/Bainbridge run, so could be spread out whales
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08:04 - They are spread from Manchester to south of the Vashon ferry now.
07:45 - Also I am seeing a few closer to mid channel now. Spread put all along eastern Blake, foraging!
07:39 - Ok, got bigger binos and can now see some females out there too. They are very close to Blake shore, nearly to south end now.
07:31 - They stayed! There are whales southbound, east of Blake Island right now, saw one male (maybe Lobo?), going for a better look. -Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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05:25-05:45 & 06:30 - orca calls Edmonds hydro...I believe I heard intermittent faint calls between 5:25-5:45 but unsure. At 630, I heard two whistles. Not much else though. About to head out to look! -Rachel Haight
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 23 - South Puget Sound (T68, T68A; T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5; and T166A1) - 14:00-15:00 - [orcas] Saw them on the north side of Harstine Island playing from 2 till 3 o'clock, heading slowly north at the time, towards Vaughn. Lots of playing at the time. I was able to watch through my binoculars but pics on my phone weren't that great. -Casey Garrett
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13:00-13:20 - Shawn Gisriel, MMO on Marina project, called to report seeing the South Sound orcas again. 5-6, including a male, south of the narrows at Dougall Point, north end Harstine Island. They are in same channel, east of Stretch Island, as earlier location co-worker called in this morning. Time viewed was from 13:00-13:20. At the time, they were playing around and there were a lot of gulls so presumed feeding. He lost sight, but they did not head back towards them at the point.
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12:47 - [orcas] 1st pass, before they turned around and headed back north. -Ken Donald
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16:27 - Orcas in Case Inlet on the Grapeview side, south of Vaughn Bay. Very active on the surface!
14:00 - Seen by the spit off of Vaughn Bay at 2. Heading south.
12:05 - [secondhand orca report/PSWS] that they are now heading north and are just south of Stretch Island. -Leslie Hanks
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11:09 - Cammy LaRiviere reports seeing orcas between north end Harstine Island and pile driving project at the Harstine Marina.
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11:25 - Griffin Hoins called again to report at least 5 seen now, and they are now heading southbound in Pickering Passage (west side Harstine Island)
11:06 - Griffin Hoins called to report at least 4 orcas: male, 3 med, 1 small, north end Pickering Passage, north end Harstine Island, hanging out the past 20+ minutes.
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Tue, Nov 23 - Hood Canal (T68Cs) - 09:47 - Two orcas just swam by our place heading from Belfair toward Tahuya. We're a few miles east of Tahuya. They appeared to be on the move as opposed to hunting. -Marianne Gagliardi Floyd
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08:00 - Sighting of two, what look to be, orcas out of the Great Bend in Tahuya, Hood Canal, at 8:00 this a.m. Direction: Toward Belfair, so south at that point when/if they get around the bend, east. Mom lives next door and saw them. I'll be heading out soon and will see if I can find them. -Kimberly Smith
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Nov 23 - South Puget Sound - 16:51 - deeper in the bay. Foraging. Down between 2-5 minutes, usually 3-4 breaths when up, had 5 twice. We watched for 45 minutes with 10-12 surfaces.
16:00 - I have the gray in Oro Bay right now. At 4, we were on the beach at the far side near west Oro Bay when I heard a blow. The second time I heard it, I saw it's back and we hauled it down the beach.
----Today was a joy, through and through. In recent days, we've had a juvenile (I think) gray whale visiting Oro Bay to forage. It was a gloriously sunny day, so we picked Jacob's Point Park to hike in, hoping that we might get lucky and see the whale from one of its many overlooks onto the bay. We hiked the whole shoreline with no sightings from 3pm on, and at 4, we found ourselves on the beach on the West side. I heard a blow but thought it might just be a seal surfacing. Then I heard another and saw the gray's back about halfway up the beach from where we came. We hauled it down the beach and spent the next 45 minutes at eye level with this beautiful creature before hopping up onto the bluff for some final fading light surfaces. I couldn't stop grinning as we hiked the mile back to the car in the dark. I have a feeling that this whale might be coming to the bay to forage when tide is 9+ feet (it arrived around that level as tide was rising). It certainly seemed to be foraging, staying down between 2-5 minutes, taking 2-5 breaths when it was up. As it moved into the bay and the water got shallower, we stopped getting fluke views as it dove. -Belen Schneider

November 22
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 22 - Central Puget Sound (Js and Ks) - 17:09 - They passed Point Robinson still heading south.
----After almost a full year absence, we finally got a visit from the Southern Resident Orca J-pod and K-pods. It was blistering cold, wet and windy, but it is all worth it when you see those beautiful black fins coasting through the water towards you. We got the most unexpected, close pass, from J35-Tahlequah, J57-Phoenix, and K35-Sonata as they were chasing fish close to shore. I threw one in of my favorite boy, J27-Blackberry, at the end. -Kelly Burns Keenan
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16:25 - Many whales, at least 5 southbound between KVI and Point Robinson right now, viewed from Three Tree Point (with scope). Whales are approximately here: 47.4169710, -122.4162139. -Raphael Fennimore
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16:11 - Now multiple directly east of KVI.
15:58 - [orcas] Visible from KVI looking north, at least 3 moving eastward. -James Rempt
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15:55 - Trailers have now passed Dilworth, big spread, lots of foraging, and a whole bunch of whales! Some closer to shore but mostly mid channel, southbound in lots of loose small groups.
----So lovely to see the SRKW's again, their long absence was most certainly felt. We waited for them as the gathering dusk brought in foggy rain and glistening dorsals late Monday with just enough daylight left to snap a couple pictures. The spread was so wide as they poured down the channel, we thought most were too far from shore for pics until Sonata (I think, couldn't get a good saddle) appeared out of seemingly nowhere, making us scream out of surprise and delight followed by Tahlequah and others. The chop was so high, the only saddles I saw was J38 and J27 as the darkening skies swallowed them up as they powered south. -Marla Smith
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15:27 - Viewing from Seahurst, at least 4 SB past three to towers at Dilworth. Research boat trailing, so guessing they are following rest of pod. -Cindy Eckes Waddington
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15:33 - Whales everywhere! Passing Dilworth. Generally southbound but direction changes and foraging.
15:20 - Leaders now passing Dilworth.
15:10 - We can see some between Dolphin Point and Dilworth. Research boat still with them. No direction we can tell. -Amy Carey
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14:32 - Some just headed south past the Vashon ferry on east side of channel (side with channel between Burien and Vashon). Baby with this group. [From Jami's back-of-camera image: "That looks like J19" -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute'] -Jami Cantrell
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14:30 & 14:35 - At 14:44 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed w/ 2 reports: 1430 KITTITAS Master reports a pod of orca headed SB off Vashon Head; 1435 Cathlamet Master reports another pod or orca headed SB off Vashon.
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14:15 - Very spread out now. One group (with male?) milling vicinity Tillicum Village on Blake Island, one group west of Vashon ferry dock, one individual east of traffic lanes north of Point Williams.
13:45 - Group of at least 5 KW west of the traffic lanes vicinity, north end of Blake Island (between Blake Island and VTS), southbound, about 5 knots. 1 male confirmed. Seen from West Seattle shoreline, too far for photos or ID. -Robert Reeder
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13:28 - [orcas] They are moving south, currently between Blake and BI (in front of Manchester). Small research boat following. -Paul Steyn Benade
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14:08 - South of Vashon ferry dock, as seen from Emma Schmitz Park in West Seattle, 14:08, mid channel.
14:00 - Off northeast tip of Vashon, sb, east of mid channel.
13:50 - South of Blake Island, research boat trailing.
13:25 - North end of Blake Island on east side of island, visible from West Seattle, sb, mid to east channel.
13:16 - Southbound fast now just north of cargo ship Manchester.
13:10 - [orcas] SB Restoration Point, just north of red buoy, mid channel, view from Constellation Park in West Seattle. -Mary Hartmann
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12:52 - At least 7 orcas nearing Blakely Rock, SB. Mostly travel mode, some milling & a couple breaches.
12:48 - Sea-BI ferry is stopped to let 7-8 SB orcas pass by. -Jim Reitz
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~12:45 - Not a great photo but saddle is visible. From the BI ferry that stopped for them about 12:45. The ferry captain even reversed the boat to try and stay out of their path. -Heather Paar
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12:48 - 3 orcas pass in front of the stopped 12:20 Seattle to Bainbridge ferry today. What a thrill for all the passengers and land-based orca watchers!
12:44 - 2 orcas southbound, just crossed in front of stopped westbound BI ferry.
12:30 - Orcas southbound nearing SEA- BI ferry lanes (closer to Bainbridge side).
11:45 - Watching at least 6 whales passing west of a West Point Lighthouse from Rolling Bay on Bainbridge Island.. moving quickly and very spread out. -Sue Larkin
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11:20 - They are traveling fast!! They just passed Fay Bainbridge. Kitsap to mid channel. Continuing south at a good pace. Saw several breaches. They are really spread out too. I think 4 maybe 5. It was so hard to keep track with the waves. One large male for sure. photo - K33 ID confirmed by Melisa Pinnow; photo - K22 ID by MP. -Tisa Annette
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At 09:51 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: Master reports, via 800MHz, they have slowed due to two (2) orca SB [southbound] just off Apple Tree Cove.
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08:55 - Sara Frey called to report seeing orcas off Apple Tree Point, Kingston, heading southbound, west of the southbound shipping lanes. She is seeing at least 5 orcas including a male, female, and a little one. They are still north of the ferry. Seas are choppy, fierce south wind. Sometimes down for long periods. Little one definitely hard to see in the chop without binoculars.
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 22 - South Puget Sound - 16:50 - [orcas] They passed underneath the Harstine Bridge. -Erin Pedersen
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15:23 - They are still traveling in slow motion, with deep dives. Heading northwest across from the far shore of Budd Inlet, angling toward Hunter Point, Squaxin/Harstine/Hope and Steamboat islands. I totally missed where they came from - before an alert from someone on Cooper Point.
15:10 - At least five orca (one large bull) heading north out of Budd Inlet, passing in front of Boston Harbor Marina. Slow, leisurely surfacing series. Close to shore. Sea lions have dispersed from the tip of Cooper Point, except for one silly and tough one in front of my bank with a giant fish! -Kim Merriman
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~14:15 - Approximately at 2:15 pm, spotted three to four orcas swimming Dana Passage between Harstine Island and Henderson Inlet/Fishtrap Loop. One of the orcas was much larger than the other orcas - extremely large fin. They were headed south towards Boston Harbor/Olympia waters. Currently, we also have a group of sea lions taking up residence at the head of Henderson Inlet. The group of 12 to 15 (?) sea lions were not disturbed by the orcas passing, as the orcas were closer to the Harstine Island side of the passage rather than to Henderson Inlet. The sea lions took up residence about three weeks ago right near our house. Nobody in the neighborhood can remember sea lions doing this before. We have seen them swim by before in the winter but never take up residence in Henderson Inlet for presumably the winter. We are always so excited to see the orcas as they don't make it to the South Sound very often. -Jacquelyn L. Jacobs
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10:58 - [orcas] We just saw them, just south of Vaughn Bay heading north in Case Inlet. There were at least 5, including the small one! -Leslie Hanks
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10:08 - Cammy Malm LaRiviere reports seeing 6-8 orcas, including at least one very small one in upper Case Inlet heading into Allyn. She is viewing from Grapeview, directly across from north end Harstine Island. [Photos are at least good enough to confirm T68 and her son T68A (large male). -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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~12:15 - At 12:30 Griffin Hoins called again to report seeing the pod of 7 orcas again at around 12:15 in Case Inlet. Orcas were heading southbound, still north of Herron Island grouped up. They were a little surface active; he reports seeing little tail lob and a spyhop while group traveled in general south, much closer to the Key Peninsula side. He's viewing from north end Harstine Island.
10:07 - Griffin Hoins called to report orcas at the northern end of Pickering Passage, north end Harstine Island, heading northbound. He reports 7 orcas, including male and little one. He is part of a crew working on the marina at Harstine Point which includes pile driving. Marine mammal observers are on sight, and they do suspend work when whales are in the zone.
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10:06 - My neighbor just texted me at work that they are by Harstine Point right now. -Leslie Blaisdell
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09:43 - Orcas headed north out of Pickering Passage in Grapeview. Large pod of them! 9:43 am Monday 11/22. -Andrea Simpson Donald
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Mon, Nov 22 - South Puget Sound (T68, T68A; T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5; and T166A1) - 07:00 - Sighting in Hammersley Inlet, right near Mill Creek. We saw at least 7 orcas the morning of Nov. 22nd around 7am. They were traveling back towards Squaxin Island. -Sandi Miller
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COASTAL ORCAS - Mon, Nov 22 - CA Coast - 15:35 - 10-12 orca off Pt. Arena Peninsula 1500. All 2-3 miles out. Too far even for my 600 lens. Going north. -Scott Mercer

November 21
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, Nov 21 - Hood Canal - 13:15 - Orca in front of Scenic Beach Park, Seabeck, headed north. -Kathy Cole
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13:00 - Orcas in Hood Canal, mid-channel, by Scenic Beach State Park Milling around. Last seen heading toward Dabob Bay. All the seals/sea lions staying close to the beach! Looks like a group of 5-6. For SURE a male. So majestic! Looks like a couple of females and at least one little one. -Tina O'Brien
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Sun, Nov 21 - South Puget Sound (T68 & T68A +) - 16:20 - Orca sighting 11/21 at 4:20 pm, at least 1 big male and 2 females, 2 babies traveling towards downtown Olympia in Budd Inlet. -Bianca D'Allesandro
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16:15 - [orcas] I saw them going south in Budd Inlet near Gull Harbor at 4:15. Were still going south and out of sight now. -Anita Martin Stohr
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16:00 - [orcas] Just went through Boston Harbor heading into Budd or Eld Inlet now, 4:00 PM. -Suzanne Castillo
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16:22 - Past Burfoot now, still headed to Olympia.
15:57 - [orcas] We saw them from Zangle Cove headed for Olympia, well inside Budd Inlet. -Tim B. Smith
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We saw them at Boston Harbor; I think we saw 4. Way cool. -Julie Davis
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15:54 - [orcas] We are watching from Boston Harbor now! Looks like 5. (They were heading south.) -Colleen Taylor
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15:42 - [orcas] Heading south from Hope towards Eld Inlet now. -Brad Stephens
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15:50 - They passed by us again - headed toward Boston Harbor.
14:45 - [orcas] Just came through Squaxin Passage, 2:45 pm, headed towards Hope Island. -Merrilee Honey Kenyon
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15:22 - I think there might be a second group? What I was seeing off Zittel's is too far out to be what Kim was seeing [from Cooper Point]. I definitely, for sure, saw a full body out-of-water breach off Zittel's.
14:43 - Additionally, there are some off Zittel's Marina. Breaching even.
14:38 - [orcas] With the cooperation of the sun lighting up blows, and binoculars, I can see them from Joemma, across the waterway between Harstine and mainland, direction unknown. -Melissa Bird
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16:00 - They are currently heading south into Budd Inlet - after crossing east across from Hunter Point, to Boston Harbor Marina (heading under Mt. Rainier) and now are slowly heading into Budd where I have lost sight due to stupid land!
14:50 - There are five in this group as they headed north out of Eld Inlet passing my front yard!
14:35 - They are heading north out of Eld Inlet angling toward Hunter Point. Still at a leisurely pace.
14:25 - Orca are heading south into Eld Inlet. Slow surfacing series....lazy travel. Heading south on the Cooper Point side of Eld Inlet.
----NOTE! My husband has 6 fins/animals in several of his images. -Kim Merriman
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11:52 - They are back! 4-5 on the Key Peninsula side heading north.
09:50 - Pretty foggy here but counted 2 orcas headed south. They paused to hunt, but I have lost sight of them. At that time, they were out from Zittel's Marina at Johnson Pt. -Joan Ahre
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~07:30 - I've had a secondhand report of orcas off Hunter Point/Carlyon Beach area (Olympia/Eld Inlet) at around 7:30 a.m. So timing would dovetail the sighting off Zittel's Marina/Johnson Point. -Kim Merriman
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun, Nov 21 - Haro Strait - 15:30 - Humpback about a mile off of County Park. -Kevin George
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14:00 - Other HBs spread off the south end of San Juan from Salmon Bank to False Bay, maybe 3-5 animals total. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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12:15 - Humpback, mid Haro, adjacent Lime Kiln, moving south.
06:10 - Humpbacks on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Fred Horn
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MINKE WHALE - Sun, Nov 21 - Central Puget Sound - 14:15 - Spotted a Minke whale on 11/21/2021 at 2:15pm, mid-channel Puget Sound, headed south towards Golden Gardens, viewed from Meadow Point. -Michael Hamm
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Nov 21 - South Puget Sound - 17:15 - Dave McGoldrick observed the whale in Oro Bay again.
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16:28 - It's back in the channel between the 2 sections of the [Oro] bay, heading into the marina. Also, the last nights I have heard it clearing it's blow hole. It was dark of course, but it's a pretty specific sound. I'm hoping it is OK?? It doesn't look very big, and it's staying in roughly the same place. Back and forth mid channel and in front of the point at Jacob's. Seems somewhat lethargic? -Paige DaSaro Banks
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~09:00-10:00 - Here are photos of the gray whale that was along Agate Beach Drive in Oro Bay, Anderson Island, from about 9-10 this morning. It appeared to be feeding pretty close to shore. It headed south towards Nisqually. -Ann Fitzmaurice
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Sun, Nov 21 - E Strait of Juan de Fuca/NW Whidbey Island - I got your info from the South Whidbey Record. I believe I saw a Beluga whale last weekend. I was launching a kayak from my friend's house next to Moran Beach and saw it swimming north toward Deception Pass. My girlfriend spotted it too. It had a round head and the ridge on its back. I was a little confused because it was dark grey and I thought they are white but the other features convinced me it was a Beluga. The date was 11/21. -Bryan E (King Bee)

November 20
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 20 - Central Puget Sound (T68, T68A, T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5; and T166A1) - 19:30 - I made one more stop on my way home hoping to see them cross into Rich Passage. Imagine my surprise when they headed deep into Sinclair Inlet. We watched for them in the moonlight and could hear them until 7:30 we lost them in the noise of the incoming ferry. -Stacey Crofoot
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19:00 - After listening and catching glimpses of them by the shipyard, they have headed back out from there. They were swimming back and forth since 5pm. Amazing!! Location was Bachmann Park. -Tisa Annette
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting: Sighting Time: Sat, Nov 20 @ 16:27:10 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.62212,-122.59472 [N of Illahee]
Number Sighted: 4
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Faryn Seal
Whale Alert App
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16:00 - [orcas] Past Brownsville heading south and "hauling ***" according to my husband who saw them. Research boat still with. -Susan Marie Andersson
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15:00 - We live at the end of Virginia Point, in Poulsbo. At 3:00 on Saturday afternoon, five orcas swam into the bay. There was a research vessel and four power boats with their engines off. The whales were heading towards Poulsbo, but turned around and headed back out past Keyport. I am sorry my photos aren't better!! -Kari MacKenzie
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14:16 - [orcas] Brownsville, still heading north. -Lara Adams
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T166A1 present. -Brendon Bissonnette
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T68, T68A, T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5 identified, plus T166A1. -Yifan Ling (on Saratoga)
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13:58 - Approx. five killer whales, one male and some smaller ones heading north between Crystal Springs and Illahee. -Ben Blankenship
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13:31 - [orcas] 3-5 off Point White Pier, 1:31. -Robin Warshaw
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~15:30 - Exiting Liberty Bay.
14:47 - On my kayak now just South of Keyport and it looks like they have committed to Liberty Bay.
13:22 -[orcas] Right off of Crystal Springs on City of Bainbridge Island, Washington.
----It was quite a magical day to see these guys from the Point White Pier about 1:30pm... Ran home, hopped on my kayak and paddled from Manzanita Bay to Keyport and had them pass me upon exiting Liberty Bay about 3:30pm. video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOkfpdp7XY -Kimberly Sylvester
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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting: Sighting Time: Sat, Nov 20 @ 13:16:00 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.59207,-122.56980 [Pt. White]
Number Sighted: 4
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Charisa Moore
Whale Alert App
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13:06 - [orcas] Just passed my house on Rich Passage heading north toward Point Glover. -Jan Fuller
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13:05 - [orcas] We just had 4 or 5 pass by in Manchester State Park. -Jackie Keleher
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16:30 - Amazing sighting!!! They came down from Brownsville to Illahee dock. Mid channel but pretty narrow here. They are still continuing south. Moving pretty good still. Research boat is not with them.
14:24 - They are heading up towards Poulsbo. Really coming up out of the water as they are traveling now too.
14:12 - Straight out from Brownsville - Bainbridge side.
13:26 - Looks like they are heading up Port Orchard Inlet. Not 100% sure on commitment to that direction yet though.
13:20 - Just passed Rich Cove Beach Club. Possibly start of some hunting behavior.
13:05 - [orcas] They just passed Manchester State Park. They are with Saratoga and a research boat. -Tisa Annette
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13:20 - Seem to be cutting in north around Bainbridge towards Illahee, NOAA with them, 1:30.
13:15 - Watched them enter Rich Passage from Manchester; now watching from Waterman Pier Pt. Orchard, traveling NW along Bainbridge shore, 1:15.
12:55 - Donna Green Van Renselaar called to report orcas entering Rich Passage heading north. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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12:51 - [orcas] Just entering Rich Passage now. -Brian McGinn, PSE
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12:52 - Updated map [entered Rich Passage, Manchester S.P. side], still northwest bound.
12:33 - T68, T68A, and some of the T68Bs are northbound. See my map [west side of Blake Island].
----On Friday the T68s, T68Bs, T68Cs, and T166A1 swam into the sound as a big group, but they eventually split off into two groups by the end of the day. On Saturday we found 7 of these Bigg's killer whales (T68, T68A, T68B, T68B3, T68B4, T68B5, and T166A1) traveling together near Blake Island and Bainbridge Island. It's always a treat to see orcas that we don't see very often down here in Puget Sound! -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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15:15 - They exited Liberty Bay 3:15. I don't know which way they went.
14:50 - They just passed the Keyport Marina heading into Liberty Bay towards Poulsbo. 2:50.
13:26 - They are headed north [Port Orchard Passage/Channel].
12:16 - [orcas] On the west side a Blake Island heading west-northwest. -Jim Pasola
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Happiness is orca chasing!!! It's been a hot minute but I finally had a chance to hunt them down for a few hours today with Brea and the help of Orca Network!! Never a bad day getting to enjoy the beauty of the PNW but even more rewarding when you get to see these gorgeous creatures in their natural environment!! 1 male, 3 females and even a baby!!!! photos - at Harper Recreational Fishing Pier -Anika Blake
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12:00 - [orcas] Just saw them. Made my day!! Southworth Point, noon. -Rebecca Alder Sorter
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They were so close! (Southworth). -Jenelle Walter
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~12:00 - At Southworth Point around noon. Big guy, can't remember if this is T68A? 3 other Orcas with him.. at least one was a juvenile.
---- Some of the moments with the [Bigg's] transients on Saturday, Nov. 20th, as they rounded Point Southworth headed north out of Colvos Passage! We followed them most of the day to Manchester and Poulsbo. What a beautiful day! -Jessica Richter
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~12:00 - From our sighting around noon at Southworth. -Ryan Richter
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As orcas exited Colvos and one from Rich Passage with the gold of autumn leaves reflecting on the water. -Ashley Whitman
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11:58 - [orcas] Just passed Southworth, northbound at a good pace. 5 tight together, 1 large male, 1 small baby plus 3. -Noreen Ferris
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11:50 - 4 orcas at 11:50 on 11.20.21. NB Colvos with 1 large male, couple females, and 1 youngster close to west shore, 1 mile S of Southworth. Great viewing weather. -Tim Ferris
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13:36 - Headed north up Port Orchard Passage towards Agate Bridge..just passing Illahee, 1:36.
12:00 - Just passed Southworth point, 12:00, 4 orcas in front [of] ferry dock now.
11:37 - [orcas] I see them off Fragaria heading north towards Southworth. -Noelle Morris
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11:36 - [orcas] Just passed Driftwood Cove, northbound, at 11:42, towards Southworth ferry dock. 3 or 4? At least one big male. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
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We alerted WS Ferries (& all commercial shipping) to the presence of the northbound orcas in Colvos Passage and noted MV Issaquah was heading southbound which is not the norm: At 11:20 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops replied: "They are Sea Trialing. I made an 800 Mhz announcement. Master reports he saw two just now." -ALB
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Followed them from Colvos Passage to Blake 11am to 1:00pm. -Ryan Dicks
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10:52 - Orcas, headed north up the Colvos Passage, just passed AL's [Market]. -Nalia Schwanger
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09:47 - Kelly Keenan relayed report of a large pod of orcas at the south end of Vashon near ferry terminal, heading westbound towards either Colvos Passage or Tacoma Narrows (group was not committed at the time).
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 20 - Hood Canal - ~09:00 - At least four Orcas in Dabob Bay this morning, about 9AM, photo from our neighbor. -Lynn Stewart
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Nov 20 - Strait of Georgia
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Humpback Sighting: Sighting Time: Sat, Nov 20 @ 11:30:12 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.38427,-123.49526 [SW Keats Island]
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Amanda
Whale Alert App
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Sat, Nov 20 - Haro Strait - 13:13 - [HB] They are back on Lime Kiln hydrophone now! -Dusty DeLange
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10:45 - Humpback just spotted heading south past the county park. -Isabelle Martin
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09:47 - [HB] Great sounds continuing at Orcasound Lab. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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09:36 - [HB] Coming through clear on Orcasound now! -Amy Nesler
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09:10 - Faint Humpback song on LK hydrophone. -Fred Horn
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Sat, Nov 20 - Central Puget Sound - 15:30 - Humpback: 3:50 two humpbacks seen near the shore with Saratoga ... off of north Edmonds by Stamm Overlook Park. Not apparently moving in any particular direction! -Christina Lee
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15:30 - We spotted a young humpback whale off Edmonds on our way back to the dock today from the MV Saratoga. Currently the whale is aiming west. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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Sat, Nov 20 - Haro Strait - 09:47 - [HB] Great sounds NOW at Orcasound Lab. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Nov 20 - South Puget Sound
12:10 - Gray whale has left Oro Bay around Cole Point and headed east.
11:49 - it seems to be milling around. Spouting. Seen 32 minutes ago.
09:58 - There is a gray whale spotted in Oro Bay. Anderson Island @ 9:58am. -Toni Hi
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~09:50 - I have reports from Anderson Island that at about 9:50, a gray whale was frolicking in Oro Bay. I haven't made it out to look and no pictures, but I know you had one in Central Puget yesterday. -Belen Schneider

November 19
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 19 - Haro Strait (Js) - 11:10 - Orca blows almost out of sight, traveling to the southwest.
10:48 - Southbound 1 - 2 miles south of landbank. The closest, a lg male, is at least a mile off shore. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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10:25 - Not hearing anything else on LK hydro or seeing any blows north of Mt. Douglas from my perspective at Lime Kiln. All whales appear to be heading south/ down island, closest whale was J27 1/2 mile offshore. Report of orcas inbound from Sooke, no ecotype ID.
10:05 - J37 southbound about a mile offshore of Lime Kiln, other blows visible, wide spread.
09:45 - Visual from Lime Kiln of whales between here and Sidney Island heading S/SW.
09:11 - S4s.
09:08 - Just heard a whistle on Orcasound. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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09:00 - I hear what sound like echolocation clicks on both Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones! No other vocals yet. -Justine Buckmaster
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 19 - NPS/Admiralty Inlet (T68s, T68Bs, T68Cs, T166A1) - On Friday the T68s, T68Bs, T68Cs, and T166A1 swam into the sound as a big group, but they eventually split off into two groups by the end of the day. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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When we set out on MV Saratoga from Edmonds, we never know what we're going to find on the Salish Sea! Today was a wild adventure that first took us north to Race Rocks near Victoria, BC where we encountered 3 Humpback Whales including BCX1239 "Towers" and her calf. We were well on our way home when we suddenly encountered the T68 pod of Transient Killer Whales near Marrowstone Island in Puget Sound! This was the entire extended family of matriarch T68 including her adult son T68A and her daughters T68B and T68C with their offspring. -Justine Buckmaster, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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15:45 - At 15:57 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, email report: 1545hrs: [MV] SALISH - Whale Report 11/19/2021. Vessel reports via 800MHz six orca southbound, west of the traffic lanes, abeam Marrowstone Island.
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16:07 - We found more whales to the south. IDs to come, but about 12 total.
15:34 - Saratoga has killer whales southbound, just north of Marrowstone Point. ["It was just the extended T68 family minus "Wilder" (T68B3 I think?) and plus 2 young calves, one calf with T68B and one with T68C." -Justine Buckmaster, PSE]
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Fri, Nov 19 - Strait of Georgia - 14:37 - Orcas near Comox. We see two so far. [2-3 per video by Mark] -Patti and Mark Perepeluk
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri, Nov 19 - Strait of Georgia - 14:37 - Humpbacks popped up while viewing 2-3 orcas near Comox. [looks like 4 HBs from video by Mark. -gs] -Patti and Mark Perepeluk
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Fri, Nov 19 - San Juan Islands - 16:30 - I saw these 3 at Shark Reef Sanctuary [Lopez Island/Cattle Pass] 11/19 @430 pm heading south. -Devin Mozee
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14:25 - [HB] Southbound outside Friday Harbor. -Marti McConnell
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13:24 - Southbound just off Yellow now.
13:13 - 2 HBs between Yellow [Island] & Reuben Tarte [County Park], SB. -Pelagic Charters
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Fri, Nov 19 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - When we set out on MV Saratoga from Edmonds, we never know what we're going to find on the Salish Sea! Today was a wild adventure that first took us north to Race Rocks near Victoria, BC where we encountered 3 Humpback Whales including BCX1239 "Towers" and her calf. -Justine Buckmaster, Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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GRAY WHALE - Fri, Nov 19 - Central Puget Sound - 15:30 - Torrey Hall Volk reported to us a gray whale off Golden Gardens [North Seattle], 1/2+ mile off the beach heading north, steady pace...-spouting about every 25 seconds. Looks small and whitish/gray.

November 18
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Thu, Nov 18 - Haro Strait (J pod) - 12:45 - More calls/clicks on the LK Hydrophone but nothing seen from the camera. -Fred Horn
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13:18 - Still hearing nice echolocation sequences intermittently at Orcasound Lab hydrophone.
13:00 - Hearing faint calls and slow clicks intermittently on Orcasound Lab hydrophone.
12:30 - Echolocation at Orcasound Lab. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/BeamReach
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1200 - [orcas] Saw about 7 pass the San Juan County Park northbound, spread and between 0.5-2 miles from shore. Visibility limited with rain. -Michelle Savoie
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11:24 - Calls starting to come in on Orcasound Hydro.
10:13 - Louder on LK.
09:40 - [SRKW] Calls on LK hydro. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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09:30-11:30 - Spread out and traveling quickly in small groups, all 17 members of J-Pod northbound 1 mile south of Landbank Westside Preserve. A large male was the leader but too far out to identify. A few ventured closer in and saddle patches could more easily be seen. J37 Hy'Shqa then 20 minutes later J41 Eclipse withJ 58 Crescent. J58 bounced high out of the water and kept up with her Mother's fast pace. At 10:20, lovely to see big brother J47 Notch traveling tight, side by side with little brother J57 Phoenix. J35 Tahlequah was a few orcas lengths ahead of her sons. At 10:56 J56 Tofino with Mom J31 Tsuchi. J26 Mike was farther out. J56 swam a bit ahead of J31 and twice smacked the surface with her fluke just in front of Mom. The trailing male was the great J27 Blackberry, his pure white saddle patch bright against the grey sea. Photographed from shore, cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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13:33 - Loud calls again on OS hydro.
11:33 - He's [J27] passing LB now, presumably as the trailing whale. (Between everyone's reports sounds like all of J-Pod is here! No one other than Js seen.)
10:06 - J16, J19, J37 and a couple others milling off Land Bank. Still trending north.
09:20 - Others as well, very wide spread.
09:07 - Visual on a male coming across Haro, aiming for maybe False Bay. Still miles offshore of San Juan.
08:43 - Consistent S1s now.
08:26 - Sounds like faint S19s. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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08:26 - [SRKW] Hearing calls! -Matty Leaman
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07:25 - [SRKW] Hearing faint calls.
06:55 - Hearing EL clicks on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. -Fred Horn
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Thu, Nov 18 - Central Puget Sound - Could it be possible that I saw a minke whale at Dune Peninsula in Tacoma today, 8:45am? I heard a blow and saw a hooked dorsal fin, gray back. It surfaced so quickly and was moving fast. I saw it surface once more, but too far away to ID. Just curious in case anyone else might have seen it. Follow-up: I saw just the back surfacing. It was moving fast when I saw it, headed west along Dune Peninsula. I saw it headed west through the Point Defiance ferry lane. It wasn't an orca or a harbor porpoise. Maybe 15'-18' long? Hard to tell. But the dorsal fin was that sickle shape and the size of my hand and forearm. -Nathalie op de Beeck
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Thu, Nov 18 - South Puget Sound - At 9:00 am on Thursday, Nov 18th, on the east side of Eld Inlet across from Flapjack Point, I heard a seal barking loudly. I went out and saw the seal surface a few times, barking, then disappear and saw a single small Orca fin surface for a moment and then they all disappeared and I saw nothing further. Follow-up: Well after I sent the report, I saw a posting on next door about a seal in our inlet who had gotten trapped in some netting. It could have been the seal with his fin poking up. It was a distance from me. The seal was distressed. Others reported the seal so hopefully someone was able to help. There definitely was a pod of orcas feeding on seal here in August, but I would say it wasn't what I saw yesterday. -Margie Wark

November 17
UNIDENTIFIED ORCA - Wed, Nov 17 - NPS/Admiralty Inlet
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Orca Sighting: Sighting Time: Wed Nov 17 7:46:00 PST
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.99379,-122.53456 [Mutiny Bay]
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter name: Lisa
Whale Alert App
[Follow-up w/ALB: It was moving south and I only saw it breach a couple of times. I live up the hill and so it was at a distance but given the proportions definitely an adult male. Thanks for reaching out. Lisa]

November 16
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 16 - Haro Strait (Js) - 15:25 - Large male, mid channel-ish, southbound off Landbank. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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14:08 - [orcas] Visual at San Juan County Park, 1/4 mile off shore, spread out to mid Haro. -Sarah Bernstein
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14:09 - Val at Orcasound Lab on bluff texts: "I see a blow or three way south, off County Park and more blows farther offshore, possibly across line in Canada." Still hearing calls and slow clicks on Orcasound Lab hydrophone, but getting fainter.
13:54 - Lots of SRKW calls on Orcasound Lab hydrophone, including unusual rapid repetition of S01s, extended S10s. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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Tue, Nov 16 - (J pod) - 11:50-14:05 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #87: "We saw our first whales around 1150 halfway between Gooch Island and Tiptop Hill on Stuart Island. The encounter began at 1155 with J27 traveling down mid-Haro Strait by himself. The whales were very spread out. About a quarter mile to the northwest of J27 we saw J26 also traveling down Haro. J16 was about 100 yards to his east. J26 briefly turned east before continuing south again. J27 was then seen chasing a fish to the east of us." [See CWR Encounter #87 for full summary and more photos] https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-87 -photo - J31 and J56 by Dave Ellifrit
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13:22 - [orcas] Got 'em, at least four still SB but north of Lime Kiln about 200 yards out. Fishing, I hope, lots of stalls, circles, and direction changes. -James Richardson
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13:32 - More frequent vocals and clicks on LK hydrophone now.
12:36 - [SRKW] Can also hear on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Matty Leaman
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12:26 - [SRKW] Can hear them on Orcasound [Lab]. -Linda Hahn
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15:10 - Aiming offshore now.
14:56 - Looks like they've all passed Lime Kiln, spread east-west across Haro. J16, J42, J26 among the whales closer to San Juan.
14:16 - One or more approaching LK from the north, 1/4 mi. offshore.
13:50 - Distant visual from Lime Kiln of a male mid-Haro, still well north of here. Also, a splash relatively closer to San Juan.
~11:15 - Report of orcas southbound from Turn Point on Stuart Island; description sounds like SRKW.
----J-Pod came down Haro Strait this afternoon and while many of them were far offshore in Canadian waters, the J16s were closer to San Juan Island. Here's J16 Slick approaching Lime Kiln heading south. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Tue, Nov 16 - Boundary Pass (Js) - Hello! Today I was lucky to see a number of SRKWs in Boundary Pass (from land). I understand this was most likely J pod. -Kath Durant
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HUMPBACK WHALE - Tue, Nov 16 - Haro Strait - 17:34 - Also on OS [Orcasound - Orca Lab] Haro Strait!!
17:33 - Humpback on the Lime Kiln hydrophone!!! -Matty Leaman
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Nov 16 - South/Central Puget Sound - 10:00 - [gray] Watching from GH side, it just passed the Point Defiance beacon, headed towards Dalco. -Michele Riley Campbell
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09:48 - Small gray whale just swam by my house on Salmon Beach in the Tacoma Narrows heading north towards Point Defiance. -Erica Griffith Nelson
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Tue, Nov 16 - South Puget Sound - Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. We keep our sailboat on our private buoy at: LAT. N 47 07.481 LONG. W 122 46.401. I heard a blow and caught a brief glimpse, observing the whale from shore as it passed northbound, following the contour of the beach between our boat and shore. I went down to the beach and heard another blow from the area of Dogfish Bight. I was on our beach north of Big Slough (Tolmie State Park). Judging by the tide and location, I would guess it was in 10 to 15 feet of water. -Barry James

November 15
GRAY WHALES - Mon, Nov 15 - South Puget Sound - 16:30 - From the east shoreline of Harstine Island I saw, and heard, a baleen whale surface in Case Inlet very close to Fudge Pt. on Harstine. Only saw it surface once, but size and shape were unmistakable. Seemed to be heading south. Was just inside the bay north of Fudge Pt. I stuck around till dark, but no further signs. From the shape of the back, I'm guessing it was a gray. Sorry, no pic. -Dave Berliner

November 14


November 13
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 13 - Gulf Islands, B.C. (Js) - It was a gorgeous calm morning and we had no idea J pod was incoming (north into the Strait of Georgia). We were sitting outside taking advantage of a dry calm morning when we heard whale blows in the distance heading our way! *confirmed to be Jpod by Brendon Bissonette. -Rachelle Hayden, SSOS
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COASTAL WHALES - Sat, Nov 13 - OR Coast - At ~10:00 while out surfing off Newport, OR, near the south jetty/south beach area, pretty close to high tide, ~2 hours into ebb. Stated he was 80% sure he spotted a beluga whale which seemed very strange, but then he found/read the article on the beluga in Puget Sound. He reports, seemed to be on its own, it surfaced probably 100 feet from him, head & face came out of the water. Head had such a distinct beluga head & face, and animal was white. Says he doesn't know any other porpoise or dolphin with those features, definitely not a seal. Approximately 13-14 feet in length. Came up for a moment, saw its head then submerged. Pretty close to shore, just outside where waves were breaking.

November 12
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 12 - San Juan Islands (T36As) - We spotted a new calf in the T36A pod yesterday from the M.V. Saratoga, Puget Sound Express! It's rare to be the first to document a new calf so we felt very fortunate to have this exciting experience, and it almost didn't happen if it wasn't for some unusual behavior from a bunch of sea lions at the south end of Lopez Island, Whale Rocks. The calf was surfacing right next to T36A during most of our visit with the pod, and it's very likely that she could be the mother. We will wait for the researchers to make that final determination on who the mother is, and they will likely need at least a few more encounters to make that decision. Usually, the mom is the one who the calf surfaces next to the most consistently in those first several encounters, but it's not always obvious right away. I'll be sharing the photos from our encounter to help them make that determination. At the very end of our visit with the pod It also appeared like the calf was nursing right behind T36A, and lingered behind her for a few seconds appearing to feed at the surface after T36A went under. Also, T36A2 and T36A3 were back with the family again! Earlier in 2021 this sibling pair (a 9-year-old and 6-year-old) split off from the family for a long stretch and they spent a lot of time traveling with the T137 pod instead of their mom. It's nice to see them back with the family again. All photos were taken with a super-telephoto lens (960mm equivalent), and cropped, and all whale watching regulations were followed. -Bart Rulon, Naturalist, PSE
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15:55 - [orcas] Milling right outside Cattle Pass. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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14:20 - [orcas] Milling in Cattle Pass. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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13:45 - Small group of Orcas off Cattle Point at 13:45, Friday, Nov 12. Feeding? -Jeanne Sept
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At 11:53 Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Master reports via 800MHz a pod of three (3) orca, one (1) baby, headed NB off Pt. George. [Shaw, across from Friday Harbor]
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Fri, Nov 12 - Strait of Georgia - 13:04 - First seen off Kye Bay. Now midchannel (closer to VI) between Harwood Island and VI.
12:44 - Just spotted orcas. -Patti Perepeluk
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Fri, Nov 12 - California Coast - Report to Orca Network: We saw about 80 Orca yesterday, Nov. 12, at Monterey Bay. Huge transient pod. [These orcas were the offshore ecotype per Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project (see below). -gs] Athena Rose Wang
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Report by Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project: - 12 November 2021 - Offshore Killer Whales Encounter
Total #: 80-100
On 12 November 2021, we arrived at 3646.45 N, 12154.55W at 10:59. Approximately 80-100 killer whales were spread over 2-3 miles, in at least 12 subgroups averaging 5-6 whales. We observed lots of tail slapping (aka lob-tailing, a favorite behavior seen during most of our offshore killer whale encounters) and milling. The whales were moving west, following each other. Some dispersed, some picked up speed with rooster-tailing and bow-riding, and others were very curious and dove close to the boat. Over the next two and half hours, new sub-groups appeared and others left (some headed SW and others NW). It was reported that some were carrying a shark carcass!
Among hundreds of photos that we are still going through, we identified multiple whales including O87 (the first identified offshore killer whale in CA) and her daughter O231.Others present included O77 and O79: this is very likely their first confirmed sighting in California! These "O" (for offshore) ID numbers were originally established by Graeme Ellis (DFO: Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and colleagues. We are currently working with Graeme to ID more individuals, and will do a follow-up post.
*O87: The first known offshore killer whale sighting in California: in Monterey Bay during the ACS (American Cetacean Society) Biennial Conference whale watching trip on 6 November 1992, 29 years ago! Our CEO & Director of Research Nancy Black and Lead Research Biologist Alisa Schulman-Janiger were on board. They saw 20+ whales - including O87! Capturing IDs was very difficult, as they were racing at high speed during this encounter!
*O87: Long-distance match! Alisa has matched O87 and her daughter O231 from Dana Point, California to the Bering Sea!
*Fun Facts! **24 years ago, on 12 Nov 1997 - 50 offshore killer whales visited Monterey Bay!!
**One of the last times they were documented in Monterey Bay was on 13 December 2016, when Monterey Bay Whale Watch drone footage captured them carrying and feeding on a sevengill shark: the first time that this prey species was ever confirmed!
**There was a shore-based sighting in January 2021, where we identified the female O111! Thanks to Kate Cummings and Tim Huntington for submitting those photos.
A fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone! Photo credit: Monterey Bay Whale Watch intern Ella Mckhann. Here is a link to our 2008 publication, "Eastern temperate North Pacific offshore killer whales (Orcinus orca): Occurrence, movements, and insights into feeding ecology" link: https://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/offshoresdalheim.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1u-h_o4BhFzHNO1EJPo6t-i199fnGWQviMsHohE08nKj6MSQphbWNtcCs
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Nov 12 - South Puget Sound - 14:26 - There is a gray (I assume from the blow) heading deep into Budd Inlet toward Olympia. Heading south. I have seen video (far away) and heard it. It surfaced twice while my friend was watching it. -Kim Merriman

November 11
UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Thu, Nov 11 - San Juan Islands - 09:00 - Killer whales right outside of Friday Harbor. Comes from a reliable source. At least one big male that he saw but did not have time to hang around. They/it was headed north. -James Mead Maya
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, Nov 11 - South Puget Sound - ~14:00 - I saw what I believe to be a gray whale between Anderson Island and very close to the DuPont shore line around 14:00hrs. The whale slowly went north and south in about a half mile circle. The water was no more than 20 ft. deep in that area with the tide being high at the time. I could see sediment come up with the whale as it surfaced to breath. I assumed a type of feeding behavior. It did this for at least 20 minutes while I sat on the ground, in the rain, with a stupid smile on my face, that's still here right now. -Stan Fields
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~13:00 - I spotted this guy/gal at the beach at the end of Sequalitchew [Creek] Trail [DuPont]. It was about 1300. Follow-up: I forgot to mention that the whale wasn't moving in one particular direction. I was walking with the whale down one-way just following him while taking video, and then he busted a U I went back the other way. My neighbors reported he was still there after I had left for at least an hour or two. -Krista PlantPusher
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Thu, Nov 11 - Central Puget Sound - 14:05 - Grey whale, Pier 70, pointed north. Very small animal, likely 1-2 years old. Super low-profile surfacing, and staying really shallow during dives. -David Scott
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14:03 - Sitting near Pike's market, just saw a large all black whale off Pier 68 heading north. -Vickie Cariello
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13:45 - [gray] I believe I saw this same whale from the aquarium deck around 1:45pm today - I saw the heart-shaped blow and also thought it looked small. But it was a ways out. (Pier 59). -Juliana Tadano
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11:45 - Natira McGee reported seeing what they thought was a humpback heading southwest from Alki while dining at a cafe. In following up with her, she says could have been a gray; they didn't get a good look just saw the spouting.
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~09:30AM - Gray Whale off Point Williams, West Seattle, this morning around 9:30. Slowly moving north about 100 to 200 yards off shore. Several "heart" shaped blows were seen. Follow-up: Sadly, no images. All I can tell you is the whale was much bigger than an Orca, although when surfacing it did not show full body length in one moment. When blowing, it clearly showed two blow holes. -Stephen Nielsen

November 10
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Nov 10 - Gulf Islands, B.C. (T46B1s, T123s) - A handful of Bigg's cruised through Active Pass this afternoon, along with a couple of gulls riding a log in the ebb tide. (Bottom left). (T123s and T46B1s per Brendon Bissonnette) -Rachelle Hayden, SSOS
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Nov 10 - Haro Strait
10:25 - Seemed to have stalled, taking long dives.
10:16 - [HB] They are coming north. Almost across from my house between the two turnouts on Landbank. -Carol Kinkelaar Skully
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10:06 - Humpback heading south off Land Bank [Westside Preserve]. Possibly 2. -Jason Gunter
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Nov 10 - Central Puget Sound - 13:55 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: [MV] KITTITAS - Grey Whale Sighting 1355hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz 1 grey whale, 1/4 mile north of the VASHON terminal [north end], moving north.
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Wed, Nov 10 - Haro Strait - 08:15 - Humpback? Mid channel Haro Strait approaching Henry Island (northbound). -Peter Van Deventer

November 9
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 9 - North Puget Sound (Js, Ls) - Here's a glimpse of a few members of J and L pods taken today - from several locations. Looks like they headed out of Admiralty Inlet in wickedly windy conditions, they were probably loving it. After 3 days of looking for them, these are the best pics I could muster, along with a few of our other beautiful local residents. -Jill Hein
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12:45 - [orcas] Seeing dorsal fins at Ebey's Landing. Breaching, but moving fast. -Molly Manfredo DeCroes
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12:19 - [orcas] Good calls at Port Townsend. -Jim Pasola
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12:10 - [orcas] Viewing from Fort Worden. Multiple fins and blows heading north, approaching PT to Coupeville ferry lane. -Jesse Avery
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12.37 - Orcas are passing Point Wilson fast northbound. Viewing from Fort Casey. Some whales trending more in the direction of Protection Island so maybe the pods are splitting.
12.07 - [orcas] Spotted two blows and dorsal of adult male northbound Whidbey side passing Coupeville ferry dock. Viewing from boat ramp at state park. ---- Rolling seas and flying spume accompanied members of J and L pods as they passed Bush Point mid-morning on their northbound exit from Admiralty Inlet, following a three-day sojourn in Puget Sound. The tumultuous conditions (with a typhoon warning to the south), made spotting the whales challenging, but J26's (Mike) distinctive leaning dorsal fin and open saddle patch was visible among the whitecaps. With the whales moving fast, timing was of the essence to reach Fort Casey in hopes of seeing them from a higher vantage point. We were not disappointed - at least a dozen streamed past Point Wilson toward the open water and their next destination. Wherever that may be, here's hoping they find all the nourishment they need. -Sandra Pollard
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12:19 - Good calls at Port Townsend.
12:08 - SRKW calls (S19s) as ferry noise dies off.
11:59 - Orcasound - Listen for Whales listeners hearing SRKWs calls at both Bush Point and Port Townsend! -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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11:51 - I just heard the faintest of a squeal on the hydro! [Bush Point]. -Kim Merriman
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~11:40-1145 - At 11:48, Kit Turner called. She is observing from the north end of Lagoon Pt., Whidbey. At ~11:40-11:45 she was seeing orca whales heading northward on the Marrowstone/Port Townsend side; there were many but she couldn't get a count because seas are so choppy. There was also a large male, mid channel, heading north. They all seem to be traveling quickly.
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11:35 - [orcas] Northbound, mostly, but a couple of turn backs. Must be fishing. -Bill Setter
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11:50 - Distant fins splashes from high bank Lagoon Pt.
11:10 - 2 males passed Bush Pt., mid channel, very windy!
---- Out to Bush Pt. and caught J26 Mike (I think!) and another male mid-channel powering north through very rough water. Up to high bank at Lagoon Point and saw a few splashes/breaches mid channel with Ft. Flagler in the background. Then raced up to Ft. Casey and just caught a glimpse of a few dorsals as they headed northwest. Some fins are better than no fins! -Bonnie Gretz
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10:57 - Hard to count due to chop but see 6-7 northbound mid channel, halfway between Marrowstone/Bush Point. -Jan Bell
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11:40 - CALLS ON BUSH PT Hp NOW!!
~10:45 - We were on a zoom meeting so I only had a few chances to look, but saw several pods/groups of orcas bunched up much more than yesterday, in fast travel mode - they were all past us by ~10:45. I would guess there were at least two dozen, but given I wasn't able to watch continuously, and was challenged by huge white caps and sunglare, that is a guess. They were definitely in travel mode, headed NW out of Admiralty fast!
10:20 - Looks like Js & Ls went up Admiralty Inlet! We are seeing orcas spread all over about one mile south of Bush Point out front ON headquarters heading NW in travel mode moving fairly quickly. -Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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09:40 - Heard what sounded like faint echolocation and calls but now boat noise is drowning it out.
08:36 - Faints calls and intermittent echolocation on Edmonds hydro. -Ariel Yseth
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At 07:45 Monika Wieland Shields reports hearing L pod calls: S19 and S2iii (L12s).
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07:50 - I believe hearing faint calls.
06:00 - SRKWs are still in inland Puget Sound waters! Hearing probable Js at least! Just before 6am, tuned into the new test hydrophone in N Edmonds, hosted by Orcasound - Listen for whales, and could hear what I thought was faint calls, but a tug was passing through masking the calls. By 06:15 I was clearly hearing S1 calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

November 8
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 8 - Central/North Puget Sound (Js, Ls) - 17:46 - Still no SRKW signals on the BP hydrophone, though ambient noise level is lower now... It seems they are loitering in this extended quasi-slack period. Will they ride the big ebb out, or fight their way back in to Puget Sound?
16:36 - Still no SRKW signals on Bush Point hydrophone (just tug boat noise). -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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16:30 - Orcas still south of Bush Point in no particular hurry, foraging and milling, couple of breaches. One whale mid-channel turned south. Others trending generally north as light fades.
---- What a difference a day makes.. After Sunday's high winds and stormy seas, Monday brought forth calm conditions and the welcome news that J and L pods had stayed overnight in Puget Sound. Throughout the morning and afternoon, they slowly made their way north in Admiralty Inlet, foraging and socializing, breaching and spy-hopping, drawing shore-based whale-watchers from far and wide to the mesmerizing parade. The whales' arrival just short of Bush Point at sunset, with a couple of whales turning south as the light faded, raised the big question - would we have the pleasure of their company again tomorrow? (Breach sequence occurred in less than 3 minutes) -Sandra Pollard
*
15:53 - Still viewing the whale parade from Limpet! Absolutely beautiful in the sunset. Lots of rolls and slaps. We think the last of them are going by now.
15:03 - Several more approaching Limpet.
15:00 - 12-15 orcas have passed Limpet Ln., NB. Pretty far over on Kitsap side. Saw a nice breach! Baby with this group. -Donna George
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15:00 - 3 pm, seeing leaders passing N end of Skunk Bay area, headed NW toward Foulweather bluff, way over on the Kitsap side. Watching from 1 mile south of Bush Point. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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16:55 - Left Bush Point Lighthouse where about 6 or so folks were enjoying the amazing views of Mt. Rainier and Orcas at a distance. When we left, they were hanging out around the area circled. Hopefully they will stay in town for another day. So happy to see you all today!!!
14:49 - At Mutiny Bay, Frank Robinson Park. At least 2 Orca coming around point, mid channel! NB. -David Haeckel
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13:58 - Sighted 1 male in between PNP Lighthouse & Double Bluff heading north. -Carol Johnson DeRusha
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16:35 - I just left the bluff 1 mi. south of BP. There are a few moving very slow NB pretty far out mid-channel.
14:00 - Still gradually trending NW but milling and foraging as they go. Zero boats with them.
13:28 - Seeing many blows spread out between Scatchet Head and 1/2 way toward Point No Point, still far south of Double Bluff, trending NW. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Double breach huge wave after this....PNP today. -Noelle Morris
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photos from Point No Point. -Jim Pasola
L108 & L82 IDs: ALB
J45 IDs: MP
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13:16 - From Maxwelton a see some blows close to PNP. NB. -Jayn Golsen
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14:40 - Still watching from PNP. There is a group foraging in the midpoint of Double Bluff near research boat and more in middle of Cultus Bay. Most others went north into Admiralty after we had some great passby's within (guessing) 300-400 yards of shore. Are pretty far over now.
12:40 - Update multiple whales around Scatchet Head from Cultus Bay heading NW - I'm going to head to PNP, at Apple Tree Pt. now. - KOMO chopper is with them, plus research boat. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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~16:00 - Donna, Amanda, Teresa and her mama pretty much watched the trailers, around 6 of them, both sides of channel northbound with a few intermittent foraging stops. Line of sight was Limpet Lane public beach and maybe 1 mile south of Bush Point/southend Marrowstone Island. 2 large males in this group.
13:37 - I think most are mid channel ish from my vantage point. I'm now at Maxwelton. I see the research boat and a few just passing Kitsap side of the Pt. No Pt. yellow buoy channel marker.
13:10 - Near Scatchet Head green buoy channel marker and still heading north. Group that I'm watching.
12:40 - Viewing from Scatchet Head and see quite a few loosely spread south and north of Eglon and, I want to say, middish channel. The at least dozen or more that I have my eyes on are NW bound.
---- I absolutely love the fall color and Olympic Mt Snowy backdrops. Also, the pinkish skies that reflected onto the waters, sun was going down, photos taken from 2-4. Most taken from Limpet Ln area. At the same time, we were seeing orcas south of Double Bluff in line with Hansville and blows about 1 mile south of southern tip of Marrowstone. That is probably like 5-7 mile spread south to north. Many of the orcas were mid channel with some on Kitsap side and some on Whidbey side. To see the Residents fills my heart with joy...and they all looked pretty happy out there. Most photos are zoomed, most are cropped. -Marilyn Armbruster
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12:20 - From Apple Tree Point, seeing whales spread from north Edmonds to tip of Whidbey. Those appear maybe be trending north but a lot of foraging.
12:00 - Seeing a male definitely traveling SB off about Eglon on the Kitsap side. Saw another possibly heading NB. -Sara Frey
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14:05 - Still some visible from Point No Point, although most are already continuing north. Lots of action, including some VERY friendly socialization (male laying on back with pink serpent visible).
13:20 - Viewable off of Point No Point. Research boat is trailing. Still lots of breaching, cartwheels, spyhops, etc. A few trailing the research boat to the south (large male and a few others).
12:50 - Large male trailing the others northbound. He is currently south of the research boat and west of mid channel.
12:35 - So far out from me at Eglon. But lots of breaching. Further east of mid channel.
11:59 - Seeing some south of the Edmonds ferry still. Large male traveling south just north of ferry. Mid channel. He turned and is heading north again. Viewing from Eglon. -Tisa Annette
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11:54 - Multiple groups of orca in the general area [Possession Triangle], both east and west of the research boat. 2 large males west, southbound and mid channel. -Tanner Sment
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14:12 - Viewing from Double Bluff beach. West side of channel, northbound.
12:19 - Viewing from Possession Point [orcas SW of there, between Eglon and Kingston]. Some appear to be moving NW. Lots of splashing.
11:48 - [orcas] Seeing distant blows, looking SW from Possession Point. -Tiffany Jo Cheyann Waldner, Orca Network
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12:32 - Still at Cultus Bay, looks like some are northbound... still way over to the west
11:41 - [orcas] Looking across toward Kingston from Cultus Bay, spread out, no obvious direction...very far but lovely. -Bonnie Gretz
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10:53 - Orcas in view from Haines Landing in Edmonds closer to Point No Point from our view. Spread out. Super cool! -Karen Kotowicz Mason
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10:45 - Group slowly moving south approaching Eglon closer to Eglon side. Seen from Picnic Point, orcas with snowcapped Olympics as a backdrop. -John Carroll
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10:26 - [orcas] Large group active right off Skatchet Head. No direction. Just lots of activity! -Donna George
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10:20 - Eyes on them at 10:20 from Possession Lane near Picnic Point. They are mid channel south of the green channel marker. Very active, breaching. Appear to be slowly heading NE towards Point No Point. -Mark Gronau
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12:35 - Group heading north, directionally toward Point No Point! Along Kitsap side!
10:07 - [orcas] Watching from E. Possession Shores. Going NE and lots of splashing and some breaches.
----Amazing day with the Southern Resident Orcas. (J and L Pods) Watched them from multiple places on the South end of Whidbey along with other Orca friends! We live in a wonderful place and so grateful to be able to enjoy this beautiful nature every day! -David Haeckel
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09:45 - Viewing from Scatchet Head. Large group appear to be in travel mode NE bound. Visible through binoculars and some also surface activity with the unaided eye. -Durand Dace
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11:52 - A few spread out in front of Browns Bay. Closer to the Edmonds side. Trending north.
09:45 - [SRKW] Large group trending north in Cultus Bay and Possession Point. Whidbey side. -Tamara Kelley-Woods
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09:36 - Sounds like Js and Ls to me right now 9:36. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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09:21 - [SRKW] We can still hear them! Wondering what kind of boat we are hearing in between!? Sounds like a jet! -Kath Durant
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09:29 - Calls continuing.
09:16 - [SRKW] More calls during and after boat noise. Nice and clear currently. -T.L. Stokes
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10:10 - I can see a handful of them appear to be trending east towards me in Mukilteo. Just south of green buoy. I lost the rest.
09:00 - [orcas] I see them foraging, milling in Possession Triangle. Lots of directional changes. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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08:58 - [orcas] Seeing blows straight out from Eglon. Still northbound. -Tisa Annette
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08:46 - Orcas off the Edmonds Pier (looking west towards Kingston). -Rebecca Houseman
photo - J26 ID: ALB
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08:32 - [orcas] I'm back on the hill above Kingston, everything I've seen this north Edmonds ferry terminal well spread out again, lots of surface activity. -Jim Pasola
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08:30 - [SRKW] Can hear calls [Edmonds test hydrophone]. -Joe Dreinmiller
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10:10 - Still lots of repeated S19 calls (L pod favorite).
10:05 - SRKW calls still clearly audible, but increased vessel noise could be coming from Foss tug out of Everett, northbound bulker, or the "Harbor Gem" out of Gig Harbor that seems to be actively fishing now off Apple Tree Point...
08:44 - Near continuous calls, some overlapping, mostly S01s, but also S10s, S16s, buzzes.
08:24 - Faint but clear calls including S01s and a few S16s so far. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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13:04 - From my vantage point, north Edmonds. The viewpoint is spread from south of Eglon to PNP, midchannel. Foraging.
11:14 - Seeing them mid channel from Haines Wharf with Eglon in the background. Generally headed south. Research boat on scene. [via Whitney Neugebauer]
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10:50 - About 2 mi. north of Haines Warf headed south, currently, but kinda hanging out. [via Whitney Neugebauer]
08:21 - [SRKW] Calls and echolocation on the Edmonds hydro. -Ariel Yseth
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Hello there! Here is my photo of the big wavy fin guy. Taken from Edmonds Beach by the dog park yesterday morning. Pointing west at the south end of Kitsap. Thank you for talking to me yesterday on Sunset Ave. and letting me hear the hydrophone. I almost cried hearing that sound for the first time. -Amanda Thornton-Dewitt
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11:52 - Whales widely spread now moving northbound and still foraging, making directional changes. Most southerly whales are at the tideline with others spread in all directions wide to the north. Basically, still south of Possession Point.
11:15 - Orcas definitely making progress southbound. Sightline leaders are between Stamm Overlook and Point No Point, directly south of Possession Pt. East side of channel.
10:50 - Much foraging with slow trend south. All whales I am viewing are east side of channel. Research skiff (looks like Sears) coming on scene.
10:45 - Likely 50+ residents spread approx. 1+ miles south of South Whidbey: Possession Pt. to Scatchet head. Larger group of at least 30 is more to the east with others lined to the west. All appear to be moving Southwesterly with still some directional changes, breaching. etc.
10:25 - From Stamm Overlook, Edmonds, seeing at least 30 orcas grouped. Sightline Cultus Bay so likely just south of Possession Pt. Breaching and surfacing of up to dozen at a time. Foraging and directional changes. But moving south. Beautiful!
09:50 - Been watching them in northern reaches since last update. Fins in all directions foraging, lunging, and lots of porpoising! Sightline from Sunset Ave. Edmonds to southeast of Useless Bay to Possession Pt.
09:10 - At least 6 are SE of Possession Point, much closer to Edmonds side foraging. Likely directly out from hydrophone! Calls getting much louder.
09:00 - Continue to see male and a few others foraging off Edmonds Dive Park while moving northbound. Others, as described by other humans, mid channel spreading, trending, and traveling northbound. So excellent hearing who we are watching.
08:20 - Seeing larger group with males east of mid channel due west of Edmonds ferry dock, northbound. Just now, 09:28, whales just outside Edmonds Dive Park, just out from Brackett's Landing north.
08:31 - more blows to the south, south of Edmonds ferry terminal east of mid channel. Heading north maybe foraging. Hearing lots of SRKW calls on the hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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0855 - Continuing to move north, and believe all are north of Edmonds now, but continue to hear on the hydrophone. Overall, over nearly 1.5 hours, saw dozens of whales spread out midchannel moving NB. Lots of breaches, a spyhop, etc.
08:20 - Seeing a bunch of blows/fins on Kitsap side closer to Point Wells to Picnic Point. Northbound.
08:15 - Mostly north of the Edmonds terminal. Mid channel moving north. Occasional breach. Spread out. Many blows.
07:58 - Sara Frey called to report she and Donna Van Renselaar are seeing at least a dozen whales all grouped between Point Wells, Woodway (tank farm), and Edmonds Marina moving northbound mid channel, still south of the ferry traffic lanes. Seeing a lot of blows at once, couple of males are to the west of the group. -Sara Frey
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08:35 - So many whales! Spread S to N - Just N of Edmonds ferry to Possession Triangle, mostly midchannel, one male closer to Kitsap, travel mode plus fish chasing.
07:35-07:40 - [orcas] Multiple blows in front of tank farms and a bit north of there, south of Edmonds towards midchannel. Viewing from Apple Tree Pt. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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07:47 - [orcas] more are on the way. Just saw 6 or so off Point Jefferson, south of Kingston. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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07:50 - Leaders passed the Kingston ferry terminal.
07:37 - Picked up the orcas headed northbound, mid channel. Viewing SW from Edmonds fishing pier. Too far to get a count yet. The weather is SO much better. Lots of blows. -Michelle Goll
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07:10 - [orcas] 8? 9? just south of Kingston heading north at a good clip. They were really close to the Kingston side and now moving closer to middle of the channel. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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07:46 - Several more, closer to Kitsap side, heading north.
07:36 - More orcas off President Point, mid channel, heading north, 7:36. At least three.
07:00-7:30 - Orcas off President Point, Kitsap side. I just saw them heading north. All told, probably a dozen. They kept going by in groups of two and three between 7:00 and 7:30. Great way to start the day. -Joanne Graves
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Nov 8 - North Puget Sound
Sighting Time: Mon, Nov 8 @ 16:08:14 PST
Sighting Device Location (Lat/Lon): 47.91934,-122.56712
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.91934,-122.56712 [west of Hansville, WA]
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Report Generated: Mon Nov 8 16:13:02 PST 2021
Submitter Name: Mary Bingham
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Mon, Nov 8 - Central/South Puget Sound - Mary Moreno called to report a whale and was wondering if beluga is still here. Whale was described as light gray, bulbous head. Surfaced 4 times then went on a dive and was down for some time. She saw it surface again, same surface dive pattern further south. She did see a spout that time. Location was the very south end of Colvos Passage off Sunrise Beach Park. The whale was southbound close to Kitsap shoreline. Sighting was somewhere around 11-Noon. Follow-up call: She did say could have been a Gray when asked about that possibility based on her description. No photos or video.

November 7
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sun, Nov 7 - Central Puget Sound - [SRKW] They didn't pass President Point; they were there until dark, and I just saw them heading north this morning [11/8] about 7:00am. Last night I counted 12 up at one time. -Joanne Graves
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17:04 - It's almost dark...but for the last half hour I have been watching several orcas breaching and huge tail slapping in the rough water just off Point Jefferson, Kingston. Wish it had been light because I would have gotten some good photos!!! They were heading southward. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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14:09 - We just saw two pods of orcas heading south past us at President Point, close in on the Kingston side. In the first group there were at least 8 and just behind them another 6. A very exciting rainy Sunday. -Judy Kimelman
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11:49 - [SRKW] Still hearing faint calls in the distance. -Janet Moody
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10:38 - Report of 3 orcas off President Point, Kingston. No direction included. -William Gurley (Whale Alert App)
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14:34 - Nothing more since [on Edmonds test hydrophone].
14:26 - I'm still hearing faint intermittent calls on the Edmonds hydro.
11:14 - Still hearing consistent faint calls on Edmonds hydro.
10:38 - [SRKW] Constant calls on Edmonds hydro. -Ariel Yseth
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10:38 - Very faint whistles on the Orcasound [Edmonds] test node. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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10:25 - Seeing a large male mid to west side of the channel between Apple Tree Point and Edmonds. Conditions are terrible with whitecaps and swells. -Sara Frey
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10:09 - [SRKW] Hearing faint calls on Edmonds [test] hydro. -Rachel Haight
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10:14 - I hear them on the Edmonds test hydrophone.
09:50 - [SRKW] Can see them from Sunset in Edmonds, just behind the coming in ferry. -Danica Templeton
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09:12 - See a couple of males north of the yellow buoy from Kayu Kayu. One closer to eastern side. -Michelle Goll
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09:50 - In the last 5 minutes I've seen a male between me and the Edmonds ferry dock west of mid channel, and another well south of point Wells also west of mid channel. Tough viewing with the wind blowing me around, difficult to keep track of them
09:42 - Now seeing a lone male directly between me and the southernmost fuel tank about mid channel.
09:28 - Seeing a group northbound, north of Point Wells fuel tanks. From here look like close to east shore.
09:05 - [orca] From the hill above the Kingston ferry just saw one breach quarter-mile south of the yellow buoy between yellow buoy and the east shore. -Jim Pasola
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09:00 - Ended up seeing a few groups spread in same general area all northbound. All in east side of channel. Rain has moved in making viewing a tad difficult!
08:45 - Seeing small group which includes at least one male, between Carkeek and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park steady northbound, east side of the Sound. Mostly seeing blows, but see dorsal of the male. White cappy seas, biting wind. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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08:49 - At least 3-4 that were very close to the mainland side and a couple more that were farther out.
08:26 - [orcas] They're passing Blue Ridge (just south of Carkeek Park) right now, heading north, way east of mid-channel. -Kevin Green
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At 07:07 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: [MV] CHIMACUM reports the vessel has slowed for a pod of 3 Orca, mid channel heading North-East near Tango Buoy. [between Alki and Restoration Point, Bainbridge]
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Nov 7 - South Puget Sound - 11:00 - Baleen, possible grey, sighting southwest side of Anderson Island. Heading south to Nisqually. 11am, Sunday. -Joanna Clark

November 6
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, Nov 6 - North Puget Sound (Js, Ls) - 16:50 - Both Js and Ls audible on this hydrophone. [Sunset Bay/North Edmonds test hydrophone node]. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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16:38 - They are now south of the ferry. The ferry was close to them as it was coming in to dock. Lost sight of them behind the ferry. Lots of surface activity and splashing. Close to Kingston side now.
16:06 - [orcas] Close to ferry lane [Edmonds/Kingston], going southbound. Saw 1 breach. Mid to west channel. -Danica Templeton
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16:24 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report whales!: 1624 hr SPOKANE reports about 5 orca headed NB in the NB lanes off of Edmonds.
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15:57 - I hear faint calls on it!!!! [Sunset Bay/North Edmonds test hydrophone node]. -Matty Leaman
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15:39 - Looking from North Edmonds (Sunset Ave. approx.) and I see orcas! Southbound. Line of sight is Point No Point. Really close to Edmonds side. -Michelle Goll
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14:00 - [orcas] Seeing blows mid channel from Edmonds, looks to be out from Richmond Beach heading north. -Janine Harles
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11:22 - Add to that a couple of breaches.
11:18 - At least 4 orcas midchannel, south of Discovery Park, headed S or maybe SE. mostly quick travel mode. Viewing from Creosote Point on Bainbridge. -Jim Reitz
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11:10-11:40 - Orcas off Bainbridge. 6-8 spread, heading south, west side of channel; then 5-6 circling close, jumping out of water for about 15 minutes, more or less, east of Yeomalt Point; and then 2 headed north and disappeared. Not sure direction of others. Thrilling! -Jane Rein
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15:08 - Js, at least, are in northern Puget Sound somewhere. Scott Veirs first started hearing faint calls on the test hydrophone in north Edmonds ~14:35, and I've been hearing calls since but have yet to lay eyes on any orcas again since my 12:24 sighting.
12:24 - Relocated to southern end Shilshole Bay and just spotted at least one male east of mid channel heading northbound, medium pace, out from Golden Gardens.
11:49 - At least 6-8, including that male and a young one are all just west of Elliott Bay Marina, out from Magnolia Bluff, facing northbound. Loosely spread.
11:35 - Foraging male moving over towards Magnolia side.
11:25 - Seeing several spread out, general area middle Sound, mid channel between Magnolia Bluff (viewing from), Yeomalt Point and Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge. Lone male foraging just east of mid channel. Winds picking up, biting cold and skies getting dark again, squalls coming from the south.
10:45 - Seeing at least a few, looks like including male; powering through choppy seas; southbound; south end Rolling Bay; north of Skiff Point, Bainbridge; west side of channel. Some breaches. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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10:15 - Large group of orcas at least 8 1/2 mile south of Fay Bainbridge southbound! Visibility terrible. Well west! Open saddle patches!
10:04 - 2 orcas well west of southbound shipping lanes passing Shilshole. Too far out for ids. Watching from Fay Bainbridge area. -Sue Larkin
photo - "L105 and L72 in the first two photos. Then L86 and L106. Then L72 again " -Melisa Pinnow
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09:18 - [orca] I just saw one breach off Point Jefferson, Kingston....just as the aircraft carrier Nimitz was going by. Started raining real hard and difficult to see anything now. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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11:17 - Viewing from Sunset Hill Park. Seeing whales from south of Discovery Park to north off Shilshole. All SB. Good amount of surface activity!!!
09:09 - [orcas] Spotting some WAY on west side of channel. Viewing from Sunset Hill Park. They're east of Port Madison area. -Matty Leaman
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08:32 - [orcas] Report to Whale Alert App by William Gurley has at least 2 adults heading southbound from about President Point, Kingston (south of ferry terminal).
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At 08:10 Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report [MV] SPOKANE Reports a Big Ol' Pod of about 10 Orca near the KING terminal.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sat, Nov 6 - San Juan Islands - 15:04 - HB's in San Juan Channel possibly mom and baby moving slowly SB. Point caution area mid channel. Split Fin and Vanta. -James Richardson
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Sat, Nov 6 - Haro Strait - 11:18 - Two whales spotted off San Juan County Land Bank [Westside Preserve]. 11:18, heading south. [per Monika Wieland Shields, OBI: humpback (from screenshot by Adam).] -Adam Nguyen
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10:41 - Haro strait, north of San Juan park, 2 humpbacks headed south about middle of the channel. -Mary Josberger
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MINKE WHALE - Sat, Nov 6 - North Puget Sound - 09:13 - Spotted a minke whale headed north on east side of channel of Golden Gardens. -Matty Leaman
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Sat, Nov 6 - Port Susan - 17:15 - Port Susan Whale Watchers is tracking one or two NON-Orca possibly Grays moving South from Mckees Beach toward Sunny Shore at 5:15PM. Confirmed by 2 people. One saw a fluke. Getting too dark to track at this point. -John Storbeck

November 5
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Fri, Nov 5 - San Juan Islands (J pod, L pod, K12s) - We were lucky enough to see a superpod of Orcas head through Cattle Pass late Friday afternoon. We were told that there were around 60, traveling south together. We understand that these were likely resident pods. [not a true superpod, as all SRKWs were not present -gs] -Peg Bill
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16:45 - Now about to round past the channel marker.
16:38 - [SRKWs] Trailers still visible from FHL (1M + 2F/subA) milling on the far side of channel. Most have rounded the corner of Turn Island southbound. -Stephanie Reiss
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14:50-16:17 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #86: A little to the north of L85, L105 milled with J49 and another juvenile. J37 crossed the stern of the boat on her way to somewhere. L86 and L125 were also seen traveling quietly down the channel by themselves. Dave then saw a small group to the north near the Shaw Island shoreline and headed over there. This was the L22s, L91s, and J47 traveling together. J35 and J57 passed by on the other side of the boat not too far from another pair that turned out to be J46 and J53. The SR3 team had reported seeing the K12s at the beginning of their encounter with the lead whales. Dave never thought he made it to the leaders and did not encounter any K pod whales." [See CWR Encounter #86 https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-86 for photos and full summary]
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17:23 - Fins visible from Cattle Point!
17:05 - But looks like they may have just picked up speed!
17:03 - Visible from the Griffin Bay overlook about 1/3 of the way down the bay - gonna be a race against the daylight at Cattle Point!
15:49 - Js and Ls in front of Friday Harbor now still heading south.
14:35 - Lots of blows and splashes visible well north of Point Caution - whales heading south.
----It was at least J-Pod, the greater L4s, and the L12s, which would be 53 whales! There were A LOT of fins out there! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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14:11 - [SRKW] They're here between Ruben Tarte Park and Jones Island. -Mary Josberger
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13:50 - Several orcas about a mile west of Point Disney being followed by small boat. Saw a full breach. Can't tell the direction they're heading. Update: They're heading south on the west side of Jones Is. There appears to be at least nine. -Dan Shelley
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13:19 - SRKWs north Jones [Island] headed for Reuben Tarte/San Juan Channel. -Pelagic Charter

November 4
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, Nov 4 - San Juan Islands (T123s) - T123's through Cattle Pass. -Fred Horn
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15:40 - Finally made it to Cattle Pass - the T123s.
14:47 - Making a little more progress now toward Cattle [Pass].
14:35 - Got em mid Griffin Bay very slow south. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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13:10 - At 13:24 Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: [MV] CHELAN reporting 4 Orcas, 11/4 1310hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz four orca whales, two adults and 2 juveniles, transiting southbound between Turn Island and Cattle Pass.
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08:35 - 4 orcas heading north past Cape San Juan Thursday 11-4-21 at 8:35am. Looked like 1 male, 2 females and 1 calf, on Lopez side of channel. -Jeanne Sept
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Thu, Nov 4 - Central Puget Sound - 05:00 - This morning while out Aurora chasing, I heard a whale @ 20 ft. offshore on Alki. It was surfacing with blows frequently and sounded like Orca blows. Only one. I looked for the dorsal in the dim light pollution but didn't see one so had to be a small dorsal. Water was super calm. It was hugging shore toward lighthouse from Alki Beach (westbound). Heard about 30 blows on the quiet water. At first thought it was just a seal or sea lion, but it was methodical loud blows. Only about 15 seconds apart. -Kristen Alvarez

November 3
HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed, Nov 3 - San Juan Islands - 16:20 - BCY0837 Tempest & youngster, SB in San Juan Channel. -April Ryan
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16:12 - Mom and calf humpback whales sighted north of Friday Harbor heading south. About 1/2 mile off shore. -Mary Josberger
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14:42 - At 15:56 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: [MV] TILLIKUM Humpback Whale Report 11/3/2021 1442hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz one humpback, near Yellow Island, moving west.
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Wed, Nov 3 - Haro Strait - 14:10 - Chiyoktn (Cheokten), Protectors of the Salish Sea, called to report while aboard Tsawwassen, Vancouver to Swartz Bay, Victoria ferry run, he looked out the window and saw a humpback ~300 feet off the port side of the ferry, flipping tail strait up in the air. Run was getting close to Swartz Bay at time of the call. No direction, whale was milling and went on deep dive, presumably feeding. He tried to shoot video but was just able to get a sliver of the tail as the whale went down.
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13:59 - [HBs] Just saw them next to Edwards Point. -Pat McEvoy
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13:07 - 2 humpbacks northbound off Landbank (probably about 300 yards out). -Carol Kinkelaar Skully
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04:48 - Humpback calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Getting to be a regular thing! -Fred Horn
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Nov 3 - Central Puget Sound - 11:28 - Grey whale spotted here at Shilshole Bay, close to West Pt. 11:28am. No particular direction but was pointed south at the time. I'm 100% confident it was a Grey whale. -Peter Sergeeff, WDFW
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALES - Wed, Nov 3 - Central Puget Sound - Orca Network follow-up with Tracy McPhee: it was a large baleen whale, just off Blakely Rock, Bainbridge Island. Whale in general was heading southwesterly and was slapping tail repeatedly for a time.
Cascadia Region Whale Sighting
Unspecified Sighting:
Sighting Time: Wed, Nov 3 @ 13:25:37 PDT
Sighting Device Location (Lat/Lon): 47.62958,-122.46852
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.62958,-122.46852
Number Sighted: 1
Reported Animal Status: Live
Submitter Name: Tracy McPhee
Whale Alert App

November 2
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Tue, Nov 2 - Haro Strait (Js, Ls) - 15:55 - Seeing one killer whale headed north, 1/4 mile offshore of Madrona Dr. Heading towards Henry Island. -Peter Van Deventer
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15:31 - One big male came by traveling north at a pretty steady pace closer to shore. More seem to be milling north further out.
15:20 - [orcas] Some are passing county park now. Closer to shore. -Sarah Garbett
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15:14 - (orcas) Also on Lime Kiln @15:15, along with vessel noise [tanker]. -Nancy Eriksson
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14:18 - [orca] Call on OrcaSound Lab hydrophone. -Lucy Quayle
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14:12 - [orcas] Have a visual of a few way offshore at Land Bank headed north. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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15:50 - Calls getting a little fainter and more infrequent now as the whales presumably move north. More than 2/3 of the SRKW discrete call repertoire was heard in the last 45 minutes, plus some great whistle samples, including SW2!
15:15 - At least 10 different discrete calls in the last 10 min!
15:05 - Great S19s (L-Pod) and more on the Orcasound Lab hydro. At least Js and Ls based on acoustics.
13:50 - More clicks and calls on Lime Kiln, some a little louder - S1s, S3s, S10s, S19s, S36s and more.
13:45 - S36s too - this could very well be more than Js by the sounds of it!
13:41 - Possibly a few S19s as well? Calls remain faint 13:41.
13:30 - A few faint S1s.
12:16 - Just heard Js were eastbound from Victoria this morning! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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14:02 - Getting louder!!!!!!
12:57 - Lots of calls and clicks now!!!
12:00 - Hearing some possible orca calls on the LK hydrophone...pretty quiet and intermittent, but getting more frequent. -Matty Leaman
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Nov 2 - Haro Strait - 19:53 - Replayed the Lime Kiln Hydrophone audio at 19:53 and I hear what sounds like very distant Humpback calls. -Fred Horn
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BELUGA - unconfirmed - Tue, Nov 2 - Anacortes - Erin Gless, PWWA, texted that a water taxi captain in Anacortes thinks he may have seen a beluga in Burrows Pass, Anacortes, shortly after 13:00 today, November 2nd, heading out. When I [Alisa] asked Erin his level of confidence, she said no not yet, she just knows he (Capt.) was going in and asked if "we get belugas around here". He had to leave so Erin went over and scouted from highest point, but did not see the whale. If whale rounded the corner and headed into Rosario, she would not have seen it.

November 1
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 1 - Gulf Islands, B.C. (T123s) - T123's made an appearance in Active Pass this afternoon! -Rachelle Hayden,
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Mon, Nov 1 - Haro Strait - 11:48 - Humpback just passed Kellett Bluff northbound and rounding Westside of Henry Island. -M Elise Cannon
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02:00 - Monday, Nov 1st, humpback vocals on the Orcasound Lab hydrophone! -Nancy Eriksson