October 2019 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of October 2019 whale sightings.

October 31


October 30


October 29
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Tue Oct 29 - Haro Strait - Js & Ls coming down from the north. -Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, Oct 29, 2019
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Tue Oct 29 - Haro Strait - Dave received a call from Tom Cogan saying that they had Js and some L pod whales off Turn Point. Dave then called Katie and they met at Snug Harbor in the early afternoon. We got on scene off TipTop Hill on Stuart Island just a little before 1330. J pod and the same Ls that were encountered on October 24th were spread out in singles and groups across Haro Strait heading south. J26 was the first whale we encountered as he traveled southeast along the Stuart Island shoreline by himself. About a half mile behind him was a group that included the J22s, J35s, L47s, J27, J45, and L90 and they traveled down Haro Strait in a tight group...Full summary and images at Center for Whale Research Encounter 89.
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In case you missed it: J-Pod and a few whales from L-Pod made their way down Haro Strait this afternoon. While I was taking behavioral data on shore, our volunteer Heitor Crespo was recording their vocalizations via the streaming hydrophones all the way from Brazil! I'm thankful he was, because the vocals were great - here's a 3 minute sample. Hearing these calls sure brightens up a chilly autumn night! L91 Muncher off Lime Kiln this afternoon. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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19:55 - Still loud at 5:55, lots of sweet calls and whistles, such lovely sounds to listen to while making soup on this very fall-ish evening. -Marla Smith
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18:05 - just heard a few calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone again - yes! Some more now, listen in to the hydrophone below, and we believe they are headed N up San Juan Island, so later they will likely be heard on the OrcaSound hydrophone. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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17:03 - Lots of ship noise but still hearing them. (LK)
16:48 - Hearing them loud and clear. (LK) -Alexander Simenstad
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16:26 - Calls on Orcasound hydrophone.
15:41 - Calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Jack Collins
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15:23 - Happened to be demo-ing live.orcasound.net/orcasound-lab at the Oceans 2019 conference in Seattle when we heard SRKW calls at 2:00:37 PM today. Best demo ever! Still hearing echolocation clicks and distant calls. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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13:40 - Southern Residents southbound near Stuart Island in Haro Strait - likely Js and Ls who have been up north. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue Oct 29 - Haro Strait...We headed across the strait toward a couple of blows near Halibut Island that turned out to be a pair of humpbacks. Another humpback had traveled up mid-Haro Strait through the southern residents a little earlier...Center for Whale Research Encounter 89 (encounter link in SRKW section)

October 28


October 27
Sun Oct 27 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - A quick few shots from today's adventure...we were excited to find 4 Humpback Whales from Sooke to Race Rocks, with BCX0470 Hecate...Paul Pudwell
(Fluke ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)

October 26
GRAY WHALES - WA COAST - Sat Oct 26 - Haven't been able to identify yet but either gray whales or humpback RIGHT near Damon Point, Ocean Shores WA!! SO close! There is at least three, possibly four! ...we are loud from excitement. -Caty Blakely
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MINKE WHALES - Sat Oct 26 - 15:13 - Minke whale N of Point No Point just now. Feeding/milling...in the current where they converge. -Arthur Clair Hagar

October 25
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Fri Oct 25 - Discovery Bay, WA - Alisa, I have telephoto pictures of mom and baby orca playing in Discovery bay today around 1:45 to 2:45 pm. My name is Becky Hogle and I reported my sighting to Langley Whale Center and they suggested I contact you.. used my Sony RX10 camera which takes great pics. but you must still ZOOM in on the pictures,but then the pictures and markings are quite clear. I have around 40 good pictures, but will first send 12 pictures to start with so you can identify the pod and baby . and then let me know if you would like further pictures. I will send my pictures in an attachment a few at a time because of the size. -Sincerely, Becky Hogle
(Fortunately Becky managed dozens of great images we forwarded to the Center for Whale Research, but due to distance and resolution they were not optimal for solid IDs on all orcas present. ID notes by Dave Ellifrit: " The T137s, T137A and others... are certainly in there but I can't tell who the others are." Below we've included just a few from Becky - alb)

October 24
Thu Oct 24 - Strait of Georgia - Dave was working in the CWR Photo-ID office when he heard on the radio that someone had found SRs near the Belle Chains heading southeast toward East Point. The weather was nice so Dave headed down to Snug Harbor and left in the boat at 1430. Dave arrived on scene about a mile north of Tumbo Island at 1520 to find J pod, the L47s, L72s, L90, and L87 heading slowly southeast towards East Point. They had been reported to have been really spread out earlier but had begun forming up in groups prior to arrival. Now there were several tight groups coming together to form one big loose group....Full summary and images at Center for Whale Research Encounter 88.

October 23
Wed Oct 23 - Strait of Georgia - Photos of the Southern Resident orca today, taken at Singing Sands by Sarilyn Parent - thanks for sharing these beautiful photos with us. (See Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook Post)
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Hi Susan and Howard: First Some Ls were off Comox on Oct 23. I was on the water with T137s and HBs. I wasn't with the Ls but I was located in the area and wonder just how many SRs were here? Didn't look like all 3 pods. Did you hear any exact numbers? The Ts were in the same area as the Ls a few hours earlier. -Peter Hamilton
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Wed Oct 23 - Strait of Georgia - First Some Ls were off Comox on Oct 23. I was on the water with T137s and HBs. I wasn't with the Ls but I was located in the area and wonder just how many SRs were here? Didn't look like all 3 pods. Did you hear any exact numbers? The Ts were in the same area as the Ls a few hours earlier...I will be taking stills out of the 4K video. Photos did not show the right side and fluke area but video does. He was actively participating in the foraging. That included several repeated forceful fluke slaps. He was interacting a lot with 137D. 137D would constantly surface facing him. He was as active as all of the others with the exception of 137D who Head Viewed and Breached. I will have to look more closely and lighten the images on that dark cloudy day but the injury looked smaller. I will send details as soon as possible.
And this report sent with images: T137A, born in 2002, was the orca who was seen in September with a large undetermined wound by the fluke. On October 23 Lifeforce found him actively participating in the family's foraging off Comox Valley. That included several repeated fluke slaps. He was interacting a lot with the youngest 137D who was born in 2012. It was interesting to see 137D and him often surfacing facing each other. He was as active as all of the others with the exception of 137D who was also Head Viewing and Breaching. Lifeforce had an approximate one hour observation period. Lifeforce was able to take photographs and video to document his progress. The wound appears to be healing well. He looks and acts normal. He is now apparently doing fine. -Peter Hamilton
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Wed Oct 23 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - He came across the T046B's ~7 miles south of Discovery Island traveling south east at a steady 6 knots. The T046B1's, with T46B1B Tl'uk were grouped up a quarter mile to the north of the rest of the T046B's who were slightly spread out. They were difficult to track as they were doing long dives and started trending northwards. Mark finished off the encounter at 1614 as they grouped up ~15 minutes prior and then disappeared. He had last seen them heading north for Oak Bay. -Fulll summary and images at Center for Whale Research Encounter 87.
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Transient / Biggs Killer Whale family T046B1's & Grey "Tl`uk" T046B1B South East of Sooke today. Always great to sea this special little calf! -Paul Pudwell
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Wed Oct 23 - Here are a few more photos from Southern Residents off Comox on October 23rd - reported in our last sighting report. Photos of Southern Resident orcas taken at Singing Sands. -Photos by Sarilyn Parent, Oct 23, 2019

October 22


October 21


October 20
HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun Oct 20 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - We had a wild adventure today! With strong gusts blowing from the southeast, we made our way west in search of calmer seas. This worked out well, because as it turns out this is also where all the whales were reported to be today. Our search took us deep into Canadian waters, but we were rewarded for the effort, because we found humpback heaven. There must have been over ten humpbacks where we were, with more scattered throughout the western Strait. Amongst the humpbacks present were Slalom (MMZ0006), Uluka (BCXuk2017#8), and MMX0028. -See full report and more images at Island Adventures

October 19


October 18
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Fri Oct 18 - Was an awesome day today with the T099's and T037A's in Trincomali Channel, Matriarch T37A, T37A2, T37A3, T37A5!...They made multiple hunts and were doing tons of social behaviour! Sea lions are back in full force in Cowichan Bay too!...Gary Sutton, Ocean EcoVentures WW
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Our journey took us all the way up to the Turn Point Lighthouse, as this seemed to be the place where all the whale action was unfolding. Two humpback whales, Big Mama and a companion, were circling the area, likely foraging at depth. Meanwhile, not half a mile away, two pods of Bigg's killer whales were busy socializing. It turned out to be the T37As and T99s, ten orcas in total. We cruised with the pods as they continued north into Canada, spread out across Swanson Channel in groups of two or three. When we made our turn south, we met back up with Big Mama and her friend, who gave us several good looks at their flukes. -Day reports w/images at Island Adventures
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10:00 - Orcas. Seen from WSF on way to Sidney from Anacortes today, we were heading west and they were heading west. There were at least 5 whales. (T37As & T99s, T37A5, Matriarch T37A, T99, T99D westbound Spieden Channel - see photos below) -CeCe Celia Aguda
(ID help by Melisa Pinnow, CWR and Sara Hysong-Shimazu)
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UNCONFIRMED KILLER WHALES - Fri Oct 18 - Rosario Strait - 14:10 - Brad WSF Ops called to relay report of 3-5 orcas Anancortes area near James island on Rosario Strait. Normal behavior.
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Fri Oct 18 - Gulf Islands - Our journey took us all the way up to the Turn Point Lighthouse, as this seemed to be the place where all the whale action was unfolding. Two humpback whales, Big Mama and a companion, were circling the area, likely foraging at depth...When we made our turn south, we met back up with Big Mama and her friend, who gave us several good looks at their flukes....
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Fri Oct 18 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - 12:36 - Humpback just now, 3 nm due west of Smith Island. Full breach 200 yards from the boat. Apparent heading west. Terminal dive after 4 blows and not resighted. -Gary Carter
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Fri Oct 18 - Admiralty Inlet - 10:42 - Just watched 2 whales (unknown species large blows visible from worden, not orcas) go north through Admiralty Inlet. PSE Saratoga is watching them. -Katie Day Arbuckle
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09:52 - Brad WSF Ops called to report: 2 gray whales near Marrowstone Pt heading south in Port Townsend area. - (Secondhand report was that these were humpbacks, not grays - Monika Wieland Shields)
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Fri Oct 18 - Puget Sound - On the Victoria Clipper V we saw a humpback at 0847, just north of Kingston. It was on the west side of the channel, and I believe it was moving generally south, but not sure of direction. Have a great day! -James Greenway

October 17
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Thu Oct 17 - Admiralty Inlet - 14:26 - Leaving Fort Ebey now. They are trending North. Out of view now, but I don't have my binoculars with me.
14:11 - Orca about mid channel viewable from Fort Ebey. -Lacie Anne
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13:45 - The orca have gone too far north for our binocs now, but now we are seeing a humpback in the same spot the orcas previously were, close to Whidbey side viewing from Fort Worden.
13:25 - At least 4 orca northwest of Point Wilson, on the Whidbey side. One out front, others behind, one breach. Heading north last we saw. -Debbie Mahder
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12:55 - Hearing faint calls on Pt Townsend hydrophone. -Katie Davis Watkins
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12:58 - Orcas: 3-4,? At Ft Worden north bound....big breach but bad viewing with wind and waves.
12:50 - Orcas. Members of J pod w/L87 passing Fort Casey on their way out of Puget Sound. Blows in Ferry lane just south of Pt. Townsend. Mid channel north bound. -Bonnie Gretz
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11:54 - Orcas. Headed north, very close in to Lagoon Point. Not sure how many. -Cheryl Connor
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11:39 - There are some distant calls on the Bush Point hydrophone @ 11:39. Not consistent. Happened to hear them as soon as I turned it on. -Meg Sellers
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10:45 - Appears to be J pod foraging non-directional but trending north between Foulweather Bluff and Mutiny Bay, mostly mid-channel. -Howard Garrett
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10:34 - J pod north of Foulweather Bluff foraging and slow north. -Trevor Tillman
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Thu Oct 17 - Admiralty Ts - 12:05 - We are just now leaving Port Townsend. There is a whale watching boat out in the bay and the whales are directly ahead of it. The whales look like they're in between Port Townsend, Indian Island, and Marrowstone Island. Out in the middle. It is 1205, the whales I saw were on the west side of Marrowstone Island, in the Port Townsend bay. I don't think you can see him from where you are....My direction is a little turned around. They were right off of Marrowstone Island heading down towards Indian Island....
11:40 - I am seeing a pod of orcas right off of Marrowstone Island between Marrowstone in Port Townsend. It is about 1140 - from the American Constellation cruise ship. We're heading out now. -Tanya Jackson Esparza
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11:42 - Transient orca Fort Flagler going into port Townsend bay! -Trevor Tillman
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Thu Oct 17 - Admiralty Inlet - 15:43 - Maija with WSF Ops, called: Kennewick captain reports small pod of at least 5 orcas off Point Hudson headed north. (Js & L87 were exiting and a pod of Transients were in the area as well - alb)
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Oct 17: On the 17th I saw reports they were near Port Townsend. We were camped at Fort Worden for the week so we drove to port to try to view them, with no success. The next report I saw was they had traveled north, so we returned to Fort Worden and saw them for a few moments while we were near Pt Wilson. They were heading north closer to the Whidbey side and way too far to identify. Regardless, seeing them not only made our week of vacation up there, but it really has been the best thing this entire year for me! -Debbie Mahder

October 16
(Oct 16th: A stormy day. No images have surfaced to confirm IDs on any of the orcas reported in 4 locations inland Puget Sound. Jpod & L87 had been inland since the 12th and exited on the 17th so presume they were here. Times & locations suggest others (Bigg's? Ls?) were in Puget Sound as well - alb)
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Wed Oct 16 - Admiralty Inlet - 08: 15 - Orca (single?) passing Bush Point southbound 100-ish yards offshore. -Gregory Roeben
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Wed Oct 16 - Possession Sound/Port Susan Group - 14:15 - what I think I saw was activity south of Tulare Beach, thought maybe they were having luck fishing the "bubble", I'm still watching
13:40 - I just took a long scan from the north end of Hat Isl. thought I saw them south end of Port Susan close to mainland, but really far off. so not calling it official. -Lori Christopher
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11:28 - Port Susan orcas: Big group now closer to our beach 2 shores
11:20 - Port Susan: Country Club Beach 2 mid channel two Orcas spotted with binoculars. -Linda Campbell, camano WW
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9:40 - 4-5 orcas northbound, mid channel between NE Hat Isl and Tulalip. No pics this morning, too far off, but two large adults (no males) and one or two smaller ones for sure. -Lori Christopher
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08:18 - Small group of orcas just north of the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry lanes heading south. Very far off from where I'm viewing on the hill just above the Clinton terminal, headed south, so looks like more Mukilteo side. No males visible yet, but cartwheeling and breaching witnessed. Seen at 8:18am. -Amand Colbert, Orca Network
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Wed Oct 16 - Puget Sound - Edmonds/Kingston group - 17:45 - Orcas. We found them! At least 6 including a baby, 2 males and 2 females heading south from Apple Tree Cove on the ride home we saw them and had to cut the engine on the Kingston fast ferry. Breaching! So amazing. -Amanda Godinez
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17:00 - I'm sure that I saw orcas through my binoculars this afternoon off Edmonds. They were about half way across the Sound, and some white splashes caught my attention, then through my binoculars I could see the large black fin. They were headed south at around 5:00 pm. -Steve Zimmerlund
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09:15 - Orcas. NB with line of sight from Apple Tree Point Kingston to Mukilteo. At least 8 with one large male. Long down times. Mid channel too far for saddles. -Sara Frey
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08:55 - Orcas. The group is working their way towards Eglon. We watched them pass our Edmonds bound ferry. -Kelli Finnigan McNees
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08:53 - Brad WS Ferry Ops called: They are out there today, report from ferry Spokane on the Edmonds/Kingston run, ~4 orcas heading northbound.
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08:00 - I'm probably about the 500th person to report this today, but we had a pod visitation on the 8:00 Mukilteo ferry this morning. I don't know which pod it was, but I estimated at least nine members or more, and to my uneducated eye, many appeared to be youngsters. They crossed right in front of our eastbound bound such that we had to stop to let them by (northbound), and I believe they had passed in front of the westbound boat just beforehand, too. This happened to be my first-ever pod sighting, and to quote the person who stood next to me, it was magical. And no, I didn't get any pictures to speak of, but I saw many cameras and phones out, so I'm sure somebody did! -Colin Hempstead
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Wed Oct 16 - Central Puget Sound - 10:26 - I am staying at the Mediterranean Inn in Seattle, and was just on the roof deck when I spotted an Orca swimming in the Sound. A Marine Biologist staying in my Inn confirmed the sighting. (Edit w/direction: "Surprisingly it was heading toward Downtown). -Warmest Regards, Helga Schauer

October 15
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS Puget Sound & Haro Strait Oct 15 - Tue Oct 15 - Haro Strait - 18:00 - L Pod calls, faint, over the Lime Kiln HPs. They lasted only a few minutes...nothing else since then. It was soooo good to hear from them!! -Jeanne Hyde
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Oct 15: Taken from the dock at Langley harbor marina on 10/15....We viewed them from about 5:45 p.m. for less than 10 minutes before they disappeared out of sight heading south, south of Camano Island. -Photo by Debbie Mahder, Oct 15, 2019
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Tue Oct 15 - Puget Sound - Crazy whirlwind of J Pod orcas past few days. watched them this later afternoon from north of Clinton ferry until they came into Saratoga Passage for just a short while (about a half mile in) and then flipped directions heading back out and south again while I stood above and just north of Sandy Point watching. My camera has not been working and in need of repair. but my smaller one is. got a few photos especially when they came in very close to Sandy Point around 6 pm this evening. -Marilyn Armbruster
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J pod & L87 entered Saratoga Passage then pulled U turn and rounded Sandy Point and headed back southbound as pictured here. -Photos by Marilyn Armbruster, Oct 15, 2019
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18:15 - Orcas. Very close to Whidbey midway from Langley to Clinton at easy pace southbound, some milling. -Lori Christopher
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18:07 - Orca pod just passed Sandy Point. Absolutely beautiful! -Deborah Abbott
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17:55 - Orcas. We counted 7 heading south, viewing from Langley Marina, out of view now. -Debbie Mahder
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17:42 - Orcas. They are not committed. Two tall dorsals and 6-8 others all synced up and moving back toward the channel marker heading out in front of Camano Head. Moving quickly. Still viewing from Seawall Park at 5:42p.
17:25 - Orcas. Group of 4, including one large male, has turned north into Saratoga right at Camano head. Lots of tail slaps and a couple spyhops. They are not moving as quickly as they were before, and it might be too early to tell how committed they are, but there are a few all the way over on Camano side. Viewing from Langley side, Seawall Park, at 5:25p. -Amanda Colbert
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17:47 - Orcas north of Sandy Point still in passage (Saratoga) mid channel heading south.
17:10 - J pod off Hat Island., Camano in background, they turned north heading up Saratoga Passage now.
16:46 - Two groups of orcas northwest of Hat Isl., first group of 3-4 trending towards Saratoga, the second group of 4 (including male) is between Hat and Camano trending east. -Lori Christopher
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17:27 - Orcas. Others have followed Camano side of Saratoga Passage.
17:18 - Orcas. Looks like they are heading into Saratoga Passage. I'm sitting above Sandy Point and one has turned into the passage with others at Camano Head. NW bound.
16:45 - Viewing from South side Sandy Point high bank group of 5 north side of Hat Island traveling north. They are out at least mid channel so don't know at this time their commitment. This group is not moving too fast. But are active. -Marilyn Armbruster
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16:15-16:35 - Orcas. At least one or two individuals still on south side of Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lanes. Mid-channel, closer to Clinton (viewing from Mukilteo lighthouse grounds). Saw dorsal fin multiple times and pectoral fin came out of the water as one dove down. -Erin Sams Cooper
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16:00 - I see at least 4-5 out from Brighton Beach more so on Whidbey side and at least one male heading NW between Whidbey and Hat Island. J26 Mike passes by Brighton Beach, Whidbey backdropped by Hat/Gedeny Island. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:59 - Saw 4 orcas and 1-2 calves while taking ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo. This video unfortunately doesn't show all of them. -Jess Copley Lucero
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15:58 - Maija w/WSF called to report 8-10 orcas between Mukilteo and Clinton terminals heading north.
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15:52 - 5-6 orcas seen by Mike Kocmieroski just north of Clinton ferry run, headed west toward Whidbey. -Danielle Pennington
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15:44 - Just got a call from Susan Ehrlich, an observer for WSF in Mukilteo, to confirm Residents in the hood. Pile-driving had already been suspended. She was excited, pile-drivers not so happy she said.
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15:20 -15:51 - A very spread group of roughly 10 members out in front of Clinton to Mukilteo ferry lanes; members from mid channel over toward Clinton side. Just passed right in front of the waiting 3:30 ferry departing from Mukilteo. One large male in the group, pretty sure I also saw J31 and J56. Moving at a steady clip north but haven't seen them make the turn toward Saratoga side. -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
Hi Alisa, Just getting around to looking at some photos I took on 10.15.19, around 3:20pm in front of Mukilteo Lighthouse. So far I've been able to ID J31 and J56, J22 & J35, and J38. Thought J26 was in the mix, too, but that photo is super far off and blurry. Those 5 I'm pretty solid on, though. It was so nice to finally be in the vicinity to "stumble" upon them. I never did get photos of that Humpback, but Cindy saw it too, and then some of the ferry crew confirmed, also. -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
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15:20 - Orca. They are in Possession, probably at or past Mukilteo Lighthouse now. Moving pretty quickly northbound.
14:45 - Orca. Spotted them at the south end and east side of Whidbey headed north. We're out on the water. -Kyle Bingham
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14:40 - Orcas. Northbound between Mukilteo and Whidbey. If anyone is near Mukilteo lighthouse they're heading that way now!
13:30 - Breaching south of Whidbey mid channel more on east. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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13:35 - found the Edmonds group. 2 males plus ~ 1 mile NW of Brackets Landing, Edmonds. Traveling steadily northbound. Keeping this side of channel. (not towards Admiralty)
13:30 - Not sure where the Edmonds group went stalled or long dive....They were hugging Edmonds side but didn't show up off Brackets Landing north of Ferry dock. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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13:08 - Orcas. Doing long dives, aiming toward Admiralty inlet 1308, 3 nm NW of Edmonds. -Christopher Hanke, Puget Sound Express
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13:00 - Orcas. Some are well north of the ferry now. Steady NB. Saratoga with them. Mid channel.
12:45 - Orca. See at least a male approaching Edmonds/Kingston ferry line. Mid channel NB -Sara Frey
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12:45 - One group of 4 + orcas (incl. 2 males) are traveling on the Edmonds side about 1/4 mile offshore steady northbound. Staying under for long periods at times.
12:15 - Seeing many orcas out from Point Wells, Woodway (tank farm) across to Kingston side steady northbound in choppy seas. -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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I was fortunate to see some members of J-pod - in choppy seas - as they foraged northbound by Point Wells (south of Edmonds). They were very spread out, we ID'd J27 Blackberry, J26 Mike, J42 Echo, J16 Slick, J39 Mako and possibly L87 Onyx. Others were present but too far for positive ID's. It's so humbling to see these amazing mammals, they're like part of our own family. Thank you Puget Sound Express. -Jill Hein
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11:32 - Orcas. Have seen many more now. Spread out group trending northward probably 10 or so individuals and at least 2 males. Didn't get to see any breaches but I'm sure glad I checked this thread this morning to see them pass by!!
10:51 - Orcas. We are above Golden Gardens and just spotted two still headed north. Just a bit east of mid channel. One is def a male. -Jennifer Greiner Clark
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11:22 - J46 has a small calf with her!! I didn't manage to get a photo and J47 and J53 were also nearby, but the wee one was too small the be either of them. Would love for someone to get out there to confirm. She may have been babysitting J56 for all I know but I didn't see J31 nearby. Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
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11:00 - Pod is 1.7nm north of West Point, west of Shilshole spread across the sound, slowly northbound and also foraging. -Christopher Hanke, Puget Sound Express
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10:53 - Orcas. Watching from Sunset Hill, group is spread out, slowly trending north but lots of milling/direction changes, surface activity and what looks like (hopefully) foraging. Terrible picture, but one of the big boys breached quite a bit. -Danielle Carter
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10:50 - Spread out resident orcas traveling northbound with some directional changes out from Shilshole/Golden Gardens east of mid channel. Earlier saw 3+ males and at least 15 others. From Shilshole Marina parking lot. -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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10:15 -10:45 - Orcas. Watched the group traveling northbound past West Point. Saw at least 3 males, would guess 12+ total. Approx. 10:30 (I had no timepiece) a coast guard boat came right through the group at high speed, seemingly unaware. -Sophie Mazowita
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10:20 - Southern Resident orcas J pod & L87 - Puget Sound - Spread out orcas off West Point, Discovery Park mid channel to east side of Sound on the south side of the point. Lovely tail lobs, inverted rolls breaches etc in choppy seas as they travel slow steady northbound in groups of 1-4s. Many inside the buoys off West Point (including group of 4+ w/male J38 Cookie) while others spread across (at least to mid channel). 3 adult males total seen (two coming up in rear separated) and 15+ other whales as they disappeared to the north around West Point. (Video below includes J38 off West Point (& possibly J39 parallel to him to the west), L87 in video off Edmonds). -Alisa Lemire Brooks
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09:34 - Just saw splashes behind the research boat. North of Alki near the obelisk, near where ferry is crossing. -Kathleen Fife
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Hey Alisa, Just wanted to let you know that 2 pods were sighted in the sound from the ferry at 9:32am (I was on the 8:45 Bremerton boat. ). This always makes my day! -Thank you, Tad Standing Bear
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09:26 - Heading North. Currently near the ship ping lanes about halfway between Alki and Magnolia. -Greg Snyder
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09:10 - Group passing Charles Richey Viewpoint, steady NB. Male present. Lots of breaching, tail lobs and having fun! -Brittany Noelle Philbin
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08:50 - Brad at WSF called to relay report: Captain reports 7-10 killer whales 1/2 mile off Fauntleroy dock, normal behavior, slow moving in northbound direction.
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From our VCN page: "Pod of orcas heading North off Lincoln Park at 8:30AM 10/15 seen from the ferry. Looked like residents. One male, several females and smaller animals. Maybe 10 total." -Kelly Keenan
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Spotted a large Pod of Orcas this am off Of West Seattle in front Fauntleroy dock. -Philip Herink
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08:38 - Good morning! Just got a report of whales (orcas) headed northbound at Lincoln Park. -Amy Carey
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08:36 - Orcas north bound. Just slowed the ferry off Fauntleroy to let them pass. They just passed the point off Lincoln Park. -Michelle Erickson Kline
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UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES - Tue Oct 15 - Admiralty Inlet - 13:17 - Seems like one group kept traveling north while another is still hanging around, just north of the ferry route between Port Townsend and Coupeville ferry route.
12:45 - Seeing orcas off Fort Casey State Park. They are heading north. At least two groups of 3. In the middle of the channel...Visiting from out of town and so appreciative of this page and group! This is so special. -Lindsey Nenox
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Wed Oct 15 - Possession Sound - 09:43 - Humpback on the move southbound from Glendale, very close to Whidbey. Visible with naked eye...Durand Dace
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Tue Oct 15 - Spieden Channel - 11:35 - Brad at WSF called to report 3 humpbacks off Danger Shoal (W Spieden channel) No direction.
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Tue Oct 15 - Possession Sound - 17:25 - Saw a Humpback about 50yds north of the 5.10 Mukilteo to Clinton ferry, about 5.25pm half way across crossing. -Stuart King
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16:15 - Hi! There is also a humpback in the middle of the Clinton to Muk ferry heading north into Possession. Hard to tell size, but possibly looked small (juvenile). It's been under for a minute and it fluked so I imagine it will be down for 5/10 minutes. -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
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Tue Oct 15 - Puget Sound - 17:40 - Just saw something breach off Eglon (on the east side) - judging by the size of the splash its most likely a Humpback. -Casey Burns

October 14
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS Puget Sound - Mon Oct 14 - Puget Sound - 19:06 - Almost dark. Group of 4 orcas out from Golden Gardens moving southbound, 2 ahead of this group.
18:45 - Orcas have picked up speed moving south.
18:30 - Orcas. Group feeding east off Indianola, Kitsap side of channel. -Sue Larkin
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18:00 - Several orca just off Pt. Jefferson, Kingston moseying south. Appear to maybe be eating. Couple big males and some smaller. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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17:15 to 17:45 - Orcas. Watched one large male and three or four others amongst the fishing boats Kitsap side off channel off Apple Tree Cove, Kingston. Long down times. Some surface activity and directional changes. Still on slow, southbound course. -Susan Marie Andersson
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17:45 - Looking from Edmonds Marina Beach. Seeing SRKW still south bound at the yellow buoy between Jeff Head and Pt Wells. On track toward Fay Bainbridge. -Ariel Yseth
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17:43 - Just saw the 1 male heading southbound from the intersection of the Kingston fast ferry and Edmonds ferry lanes. I'd say near Indianola. -Andrea Godinez
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17:15 - Seeing 1 male orca mid channel just south of Edmonds ferry dock. He is heading south bound. -Carol DeRusha
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17:07 - On Edmonds to Kingston ferry and they (orcas) were traveling the opposite direction of us. They passed by us about one mile from Kingston dock. -Kelli Finnigan McNees
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16:56 - Looking due west from Edmonds Marina Beach to downtown Kingston- SRKW southbound mid channel. -Ariel Yseth
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17:00 - Orcas. All have cleared the ferry line. Male in the rear. Didn't see as many as in previous days unless the rest were too far east to see . Bit of foraging by the male but mostly in travel mode.
16:45 - orcas. More coming. Middle of shipping lanes. Steady travel southbound. Some at the ferry now or beyond.
16:25 - Orcas. Some mid channel north of Edmonds. ~ 16:45 - J26 Mike passing Kingston backdropped by Edmonds and WS Ferry.. -Sara Frey
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16:20 - Orcas. SB towards Kingston ferry near Apple Cove, Kitsap side....I see maybe 3 leading and 1 or 2 trailing behind. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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16:15 - Orca seen from Kingston/Edmonds ferry looking north more on Kitsap side - pretty far binocular views/blows: could only make out 2 Orca. Also seen another large baleen whale, presume humpback mid-channel closer to ferry lane headed east. -Daniel Lipinski
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16:14 - On board the Kingston to Edmonds 4:00 ferry. From mid channel could view a large splash of a whale breaching about a half mile south of Point No Point but too far to identify. -Tom Rider
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16:12 - Orcas. We saw them from whale watching boat, Red Head, this morning and afternoon. Last we saw them heading south. We also saw 2 juvenile humpbacks near PNP and 3 minke north of the humpbacks. -Debbie Mahder
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Oct 14: We were with Puget Sound Express on the Red Head on 10/14. When we arrived at this spot just south of Bush Point, the Saratoga was already there and they were watching orcas to the northwest, closer to Marrowstone side. If you zoom in on the boat, you'll see no one is even looking at the orcas that eventually approached from the south, initially anyway. Once those nearby orcas passed by, Saratoga backed up and left.
The orcas were trending north, spread out, and some were very active. We saw a couple breaches, a couple cartwheels, tail lobs, and I think I have a pec slap photo somewhere in here. The captain said the one group of them were in a resting formation. Some of the names I heard mentioned were Tsuchi, Tofino, Kiki, Blackberry, Mike, Onyx, and Shachi. I *think* I was able to identify Mako, Notch, Tsuchi, and Tofino so far, but it's my first time seeing them (but been following for years) and trying to identify them.
We were in this area, south of Bush Point, from 10:37 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. (according to the timestamps on my photos) then we left because the captain said he wanted to try to find some humpbacks, which we did find 2 juvenile humpbacks further south, off Hansville but closer to the Whidbey side. Then we had to head back to Port Townsend and on the way back saw the orcas again for about 5 minutes at 1:35 p.m.. They were now further north, near Lagoon Point, but they were moving south at this time. J31, J56, J49, J47 Notch, J37, J39 Mako. -Debbie Mahder
(ID help by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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15:58 - Orcas. Viewing from Whidbey in the area of Scatchet Head and can see a good succession of blows as they maintain along the Kitsap side of the channel. Hazy conditions and sun make it hard to see, but they are pushing toward Eglon. -Durand Dace
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15:55 - Orcas. Large group of them east of Eglon, east side of shipping lane. Moving east south east at a good pace. -Austin Iles
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15:23 - Just saw a group of 5-7 orcas in a line immediately north of Point No Point, heading east/southeast in two groups. -Sylvia Field
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15:25 - Most of the orcas have passed the Point No Point yellow channel marker. Lots of beautiful blows!!! Still southbound.
15:15 - Orcas north of Point No Point traveling southbound, moving fairly quickly mid channel-ish. Viewing from Dave Mackie Park, Maxwelton, Whidbey. -Marilyn Armbruster
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14:45 - Group of 7 to 8 orcas steady southbound off Mutiny Bay. -Sandra Pollard
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14:45 - Orcas. Also just observed at 2:45 (from 1 mile south of Bush Pt) a long resting line heading toward Hansville - counted at least a dozen blows; then they now seem to have broken up and saw some foraging and direction changes, but still headed south, now nearing Point No Point. YAY! They're Baaaaaccckkkkk.
14:22 - Orcas. Fins headed south off Mutiny Bay, mid-channel, spread out. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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14:01 - Orcas southbound @Bush Point. Whidbey side mid-channel. -Gregory Roeben
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13:20 - Becky Livingston reported at 1:20 pm she observed five orcas going south off Lagoon Pt. - wonder if they were just foraging with directional changes, or they have turned and are headed back in?!
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13:10 - Orcas. Seems they've either turned Southwest or stalled out...they are not closer to Ft Casey.
12:31 - Orcas. Just seeing blows south of Ft Casey, still pretty far but on Whidbey side. -Bonnie Gretz
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12:00 - Viewing from Lagoon PT high bluff see a few orcas that are mid channel, a few Whidbey side of mid channel , and some across Marrowstone Island side, pretty spread out...northbound.
11:20 - Orcas. Leaders about a mile south of Ft Flagler & trailers just north of Marrowstone Island yellow channel marker - northbound Marrowstone side. -Marilyn Armbruster
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October 14: As I post these photos taken of northbound Southern Residents, J26 Mike, passing Bush Point, Whidbey Island, at a fast clip this morning, the whales still have us on the run as it seems they've slowed the pace and not yet reached Fort Casey. Time to go out again (photos below by Richard Snowberger). -Sandra Pollard
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10:10 - Mid-channel just north of Mutiny Bay, slightly on the Whidbey side, many orcas meandering NB, lots of direction changes, tail lobs, spread out. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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10:23 - Lot of good surface action. Some fantastic breaching going on!
10:06 - Dana Andrew watching the same from the other side. Defiantly headed north. -Dan Gulden
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10:07 - Orcas. Larger group trailing just to the south but same general location on Whidbey side of Admiralty. I just counted 4 orcas in that trailing group but could be more. Headed North.
09:58 - Orcas are trending north again. Viewing from Port Ludlow, I am still only seeing two fins.
09:40 - Orcas are circling around Mutiny Bay, Whidbey. I can see two dorsal fins. they are changing direction going back south, but lots of directional changes. -Dana Andrew
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08:55 - Jason Mihok, Victoria Clipper V, reports many orcas between Point No Point, Kitsap and Double Bluff, Whidbey, foraging but moving north.
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Mon Oct 14 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Thankful to be on the water today! We found over 10 humpback whales and had the pleasure to experience breaching and mugging whales...it was a great day for October! MMY0042 Hydra (fluke), MMY0063 Hornet, MMX0012 Tulip. -Paul Pudwell
(IDs by Alethea Leddy)
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Mon Oct 14 - Puget Sound - 16:15 - Orca seen from Kingston/Edmonds ferry looking north more on Kitsap side ...Also seen another large baleen whale, presume humpback mid-channel closer to ferry lane headed east. -Daniel Lipinski
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16:12 - ...We also saw 2 juvenile humpbacks near Point No Point and 3 minke north of the humpbacks. -Debbie Mahder
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...We were in this area, south of Bush Point, from 10:37 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. then we left because the captain said he wanted to try to find some humpbacks, which we did find 2 juvenile humpbacks further south, off Hansville but closer to the Whidbey side...Debbie Mahder
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MINKE WHALES - Mon Oct 14 - Admiralty Inlet - 16:12 -...We also saw 2 juvenile humpbacks near Point No Point and 3 minke north of the humpbacks.

October 13
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS Puget Sound - Sun Oct 13 - ~18:40 - J pod & L87 continue their southbound travels out from Elliott Bay early evening illuminated by the rising moon and twinkling lights of downtown Seattle's ferris wheel & city skyline. -Photo by Ashley Whitman, Oct 13, 2019
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Sun Oct 13 - Puget Sound - 19:50 - Orcas. Four females and one male just passed very close by Restoration Point. Steady pace southbound and then turned at Point west along Bainbridge coast. The kids were bathed and in PJ's in their stroller for a truly Magical moment. We could see them under moon light and really hear their blows. -Becca Tiger Musser
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...The kids were bathed and in PJ's in their stroller for a truly Magical moment. We could see them under moon light and really hear their blows. -Photo by Becca Tiger Musser, Oct 13, 2019
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17:52 - Saw them against far shore near sailboats from Blue Ridge Beach Park, seemingly foraging and milling about, near Port Madison. -Steve Smith
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18:00 - Orcas just passed Fay Bainbridge park. Southbound slowly. A few stragglers left. Saw their white patches with the naked eye.
17:20 - Viewing from Fay Bainbridge. Orcas mid channel, possibly closer to this side. Still looks like they're SB. 17:29 - Looks like they're possibly foraging now, saw 2 breaches. -Ashley Whitman
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17:45 - J31 and daugher J56 navigating busy waterways of Puget Sound. -Photo by Ashley Whitman, Oct 13, 2019
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17:20 - Lone male orca Kitsap side straight out from bluff north of Kingston ferry terminal. Steady south bound pace. -Susan Marie Andersson
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17:12 - Far side from Richmond Beach. Several orcas heading south. -R Michael Stout
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17:00 - Seeing them from Richmond Beach now, still far away but actually easy to see with the light now. 2 males and a female, southbound
16:35 - Viewing from Kayu Kayu Ac Park 4:35, they're very close to the other side. -Natalee Bozzi
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16:22 - On the 4 o'clock ferry and one jumped up out of the water. But the ferry headed to Kingston kept going. -Scott Pockett
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16:14 - Daughter is on the 4:00 Kingston to Edmonds, just now texted me that the orcas are putting on quite a show! -Jen Holt
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16:27 - On the ferry headed to Kingston and saw one pec fin/roll combo. The rest was just porpoising. Closer to mid channel. Very spread out. Still trending SB.
15:57 - 2 orcas directly across the channel from Edmonds ferry dock. Closer to Kitsap side. Saw one breach. -Ashley Whitman
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This was around 4 pm, south of the Kingston ferry. -Photo by Ashley Morris, Oct 13, 2019
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16:00 - Orca Sighting heading south past Kingston. Location: Kingston ferry. -Photo by Jesse Avery, Oct 13, 2019
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15:50 - Breaches mid channel from Kingston. Steady southbound. We're trying to get home but they kept us hostage. Much appreciated! What a day.
15:41 - Southbound crossing Kingston ferry dock spread from Apple Tree. -Melinda Barajas
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15:25 - Orcas. Viewing with binoculars from Edmonds Fishing Pier towards Eglon. They are southbound. -Kristin Kreifels
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15:55 - Orcas. Front groups with baby well past ferry. Members of J pod still passing Apple Tree Point and approaching ferry (southbound). Several males in back.
15:18 - Orcas approaching Apple Tree Point, Kingston now. In shipping lanes, probably more to the west side. Foraging. -Sara Frey
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15:06 - Several orcas, at least one male heading SE past Scatchet Head. Long way out mid channel, Viewing from Eglon. J27 backdroppped by Scatchet Head, S Whidbey. -Photo by Jim Reitz, Oct 13, 2019
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15:25 - Group near Kitsap shore approaching Kingston/Apple Tree at least 5 individuals.
14:44 - Out from Eglon we are mid channel. Maybe around 10 individuals now spread, trending southeast. They came up around us. We cut engines. Will update more later. -Melinda Barajas
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13:51- Orcas. At Point No Point and definite direction change, headed south now. -Becca Tiger Musser
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13:25 - At least some of the orcas are making directional changes transect between Point No Point and Maxewelton on the west side of the channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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13:40 - The Maxwelton Orcas set appear to be flipping south.
13:37 - From Norwegian Pt I still see 2-3 orcas at south end Maxwelton Beach (sightline) milling while others are further south around Scatchet Head lots of directional changes.
13:25 - Orcas. And some milling/directional changes/tail slaps in front of the bluffs and just in the south end of maxwelton beach looks like foraging 1:25 plus a larger group super active btwn pnp and scatchet!
13:15 - From Norwegian Pt at least 6 traveling north into Admiralty passing the bluffs at Scatchet Head approaching Maxwelton (sightline) on Kitsap side of orange buoy// large ship passing them now. -Donna Green van Renselaar
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13:28 - Most of the orcas are now trending south. Mid channel.
13:18 - Residents heading north in front of Point No Point. At least 8. -Carol DeRusha
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13:16 - Orcas. Quite a few seem to be logging near the yellow buoy. Apparently they're moving north again though.
13:04 - Orcas. From Point No Point they are heading north and almost to the yellow buoy near Dave Mackey Park. Michelle Goll
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12.55 - At least 3 Orcas south of Point No Point northbound on Kitsap side. One breach. As seen from Cultus Bay, Whidbey. -Sandy Pollard
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13:05 - Orca. I just popped over to Norwegian Point and see at least 3 w/a male passing Scatchet Head northbound with at least two more coming up behind.
12:45 - Orcas are well north of Edmonds sight line Point No Poiint to Picnic Point-ish, but spread north to south pretty far. About 12 are grouped up and all surfaced at the same time! Followed by some surface activity. I'm leaving now as they are pretty far over east.
12:30 - Watching from Point No Point, orcas spread out north of Edmonds - seeing a group of 5-6 with 3 large males mid channel NB/NE-ish. -Donna Green van Renselaar
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13:00 - What a day! 1:00 and watching our beautiful Southern Residents from Point No Point.
11:47 - Most of J pod whales are now north of Eglon, though spread out. 2 still just across from Eglon Beach. whales are heading NW. Big male just breached near a kayak. The whales near the big vessel along the coast of whidbey. Heading NW passing Cultus Bay.
11:13 - Orcas. They're visible off Eglon- big blows! Saw one breach. Just left N of crab pots but more to E . 3 boats there now. Looking into sun crying! One is heading south again. -Lisa Reynolds
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12:07 - Folks at Point-N-Point should get views now shortly! Guy here / Eglon got a solid picture of J-27 Blackberry. He's going to post pictures later! He also has picture of J-31 (guessing J-31) & calf J-56!!!
11:35 - Saw J-56 jumping around after dives w/ mother!!! Humpbacks and big male orca also in close proximity!!
11:19 - One or two humpbacks or greys also 1/4 mile south of Eglon! Saw huge tail in the air!!! Southern pod more towards Kingston, humpbacks (believe humpbacks) or greys more towards Eglon!! (They were humpbacks -alb)
11:07 - I'm a 1/4 mile South of Eglon. Can see the pod w/ binoculars. Between Kingston & Eglon. Spread out fishing - one breached 3+ times. They look happy!! -Andre Muehling
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11:00 - Orcas. Just west of mid-channel and north of Kingston ferry, now approaching Eglon, so headed north. Very spread out. -Susan Marie Andersson
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10:35 - Orcas. Some past the ferry now. NB spread out west side of channel. Some foraging. -Photo by Sara Frey, Oct 13, 2019 (10:40)
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10:25 - Yay!!! Thank you! Would never have seen them without your msg! One just "sky hopped" (not my lingo, another guy just showed up) thinks we might be looking at Blackberry and co. Baby J56 next to mama! Sweet baby. Boats are being cool and staying put. Big male coming back south a touch. Eating it seems. Breach!
10:14 - Orcas. Watching 4! Swimming north at about mid channel. Watching from bluff in Kingston! Chris saw one breaching. -Lisa Reynolds
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10:00 - Now see a 2nd male west of male #1 and west of mid channel and another group of 4-6 including a 3rd male trailing male #2. All steady north bound with one breach from someone in the larger group.
09:55 - Just pulled up to Kayu Kayu Ac park, so far I see one male orca steady northbound between Point Wells and Kingston. East of mid channel. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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08:48 - Just saw orcas near Shilshole. The Victoria clipper nearly stopped as it passed through a pod. At least 5 of them showing dorsal fins. -Lael Kimble Cassidy
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08:30 - San Juan Clipper found orcas about 8:30 am off Shilshole Bay, northbound, very spread out across shipping lanes and toward western shore. Presumably J pod but no positive IDs. -Stephanie Raymond
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Sun Oct 13 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - 12:17 - There are about half a dozen orcas visible through binoculars south of Iceberg Point, headed south or southeast. -Tom Reeve
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Sun Oct 13 - Rosario Strait - 12:34 - Our boat just caught up with them (Rosario group). Sounds like 35A's, 38A's, and T123's. -Erin Johns Gless
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11:32 - Just spotted a pod of about 9 orcas in Rosario Strait, anyone know which pod this is? I saw one eating a seal!...They were heading west. I have a really cool video where you can clearly see one of the big ones eating a seal. -Cameron Alavi
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Sun Oct 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Hello! We crossed the Straits this morning from Lopez Island down to Port Townsend in our sailboat. Just wanted to report a couple whales we spotted today. First, we saw a humpback midway through the strait, hanging out, meandering Eastward. A couple breaths and then a deeper dive. S/he did this several times until we were out of sight. Then, near the west end of the VTS circle north of Port Wilson, we spotted a Minke whale surface to breathe several times before diving down. Much more of a purposeful eastward movement to his path. Including the only 2 photos that we took. Sorry, they're not great. Thanks! Hoping those orcas continue northward to Port Townsend today!! -Be well, Rachel Messerschmidt
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Sun Oct 13 - Puget Sound - 12:25. Seeing the blows of two and one fluke of the humpbacks north of Eglon. As viewed from across the Sound in Edmonds. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:19 - One or two humpbacks or greys also 1/4 mile south of Eglon! Saw huge tail in the air!!! Southern pod more towards Kingston, humpbacks (believe humpbacks) or greys more towards Eglon!! -Andrew Muehling
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Sun Oct 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Hello! We crossed the Straits this morning from Lopez Island down to Port Townsend in our sailboat. Just wanted to report a couple whales we spotted today. First, we saw a humpback midway through the strait, hanging out, meandering Eastward. A couple breaths and then a deeper dive. S/he did this several times until we were out of sight. Then, near the west end of the VTS circle north of Point Wilson, we spotted a Minke whale surface to breathe several times before diving down. Much more of a purposeful eastward movement to his path. Including the only 2 photos that we took. Sorry, they're not great. -Be well, Rachel Messerschmidt
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Sun Oct 13 - Puget Sound - 14:30 - Viewing from Sunset Hill Dr Possession Shores Whidbey - possibly seeing the Minke just south of Scatchet Head green channel marker northbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:05 - Minke whale west of mid channel heading north from Eglon, Kitsap. -Photo by Jim Reitz, Oct 13, 2019
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UNCONFIRMED BALEEN WHALES - Sun Oct 13 - 15:42 - Also just saw a whale. Don't know what kind though. Mid channel (nearing Kingston). -Alice Thuy Talbot
(could be either the humpback or minke, both were confirmed in general area - alb)

October 12
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS Puget Sound Oct 12 - Sat Oct 12 - Puget Sound 18:27 - On the ferry just pulling into dock at Mukilteo and spotted lovely huge male orca out from south end Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach! Watched him rise and submerge a few times. He is southbound well on east side of channel. Will check for more once off Ferry. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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15:15 - I am at Point No Point now, and have been watching for around 3 hours. I have not seen anyone go north of PNP much beyond Maxwelton. Around 2:00 there were 3 males pretty close together looking like they'd committed to traveling N up Admiralty roughly off Maxwelton. From Norwegian Pt around 3:00 I could see 3 blows off Possession Pt, but they were way over on the east side of the shipping lane, north of Edmonds, I could not tell what direction they were headed, as I only saw the blows a couple of times. I did go back to PNP one more time, but saw nothing from there. -Laurie Arnone
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15:00 - Two or three orcas appeared to turn back south before reaching the yellow marker (south of PNP). Has anyone on Kitsap side seen whales pass Point No Point? Wind getting up and sea conditions a bit choppy here on Whidbey making whales harder to spot.
14:30 - Viewing from Maxwelton Beach. Dorsals and blows passing yellow marker south of Point No Point as whales continue north.
13:00 - Seeing blows and dorsals northbound on Kitsap side plus research boat. Viewing from near Cultus Bay on Whidbey. They are heading toward Point No Point. -Sandra Pollard
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Distant Southern Residents (J pod) northbound on the Kitsap side of Admiralty Inlet as seen from Maxwelton Beach, Whidbey Island. Some did pass Point No Point and apparently foraged for a couple of hours or so (thanks Sara Frey) while others turned round before reaching the yellow marker south of the point. -Reports by Sandra Pollard, Photo by Richard Snowberger, Oct 12, 2019
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Message 14:21 - Yes! Sorry, super busy day but we definitely had Js and we left them foraging but generally trending north between Point No Point and a Possession Point. We confirmed ID of J27, J31, J56, J40, J16, and J42. They were very spread out. -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
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14:33 - Donna and I are freezing but one male is teasing us by coming slowly west. Trying to last out here to see if he keeps coming. Leaving... too cold. They are still out there. Very slow trending north. Lots of foraging
14:21- Orcas. Still out in front of Point No Point. Yes I'd say committed (to Admiralty). Very little progress north.
14:10 - Orcas. Now moving north again mid channel. Lots of foraging still.
13:45 - Minke is here too! They (orcas) are really stalled at Point No Point. J27 and L87 northern Puget Sound proper backdropped by South Whidbey. J pod came by the house late yesterday afternoon and then again this morning. I followed them up to PNP and watched them forage for several hours until my fingers and toes had enough of the cold north wind. They were still there feeding when I left so hopefully they stick around for a while. -Sara Frey
(IDs confirmed by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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13:45 - Orcas. 3 males milling and a minke just north of Cultus Bay.
13:25 - Orcas. Some directional changes over by research boat, others northbound Kitsap side of mid channel- they are kind of spread out without a clear purpose
13:16 - Multiple blows near research boat, Male and female Kitsap side of midchannel, large male leading btwn PNP and possession Pt looks committed to Admiralty but still pretty far out - binocs or long lens required
12:25 - From Point No Point orcas mid channel south of PNP way N of Edmonds/Picnic Pt. breach and blows/surface activity and directional changes. Looks like possible research boat w/ them but they're too far over to confirm that- multiple blows around that boat. Plus more orcas well south of us more on Kitsap side. -Donna Green van Renselaaar
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12:13 - Eglon. 3 orcas. 1 male. Heading north towards west side of Whidbey. (Video posted shows J26 -alb)
12:05 - We are on our boat in between Point No Point & tip of Kingston. They're here. Heading west towards Whidbey. I'll update if I can get a better view. -Courtney Castle Adams
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12:05 - Orcas. I can see them now south of Point No Point. At least 1 large male mid channel NB.
11:42 - Sppotted a group of 3 more orcas, east side of shipping lane, all trending north east
11:30 - Saw one lone orca surface, Far East of shipping lane. Straight out from Eglon. -Austin Iles
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12:49 - One group east with I think research boat. Big group SW of that with males. It was a male with large finger saddle on left side that I was watching.
11:58 - Definitely residents. Saw saddles for sure. Saw either L87 or J27.
10:50 - Orcas north of Edmonds/ Kingston ferry. Breaches. Spread out west side of Channel northbound. -Sara Frey
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09:40 - Single orca off Jeff Head 0940 northbound. (Jefferson Head, Kingston). -Chris Boucher
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Sat Oct 12 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - during a tour with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching, we were fortunate to spend time observing the T46B's, including gray T46B1B (Tl'uk), due south of Race Rocks. I'm posting some pictures of the encounter, partly just out of general interest, but also because I am wondering about the extensive scarring I noticed on T46B1B. In particular, there appear to be areas of broken skin on the top of the tail/fluke. Any idea about the probable cause of the body scars and apparent tail wounds? -Dave Berliner
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...out into the greater Strait of Juan de Fuca. It was near the Rock Pile that we found a T-party to rival all T-parties. What was likely over thirty Bigg's Orca were making their way into the Salish. It was hard to know where to look. We spent some time with the T37As, a pod of six with a new calf in the mix. We also confirmed that the T123s and T99s were present. In communicating with the other naturalists that were on scene, in total it sounds like the T35As, T38As, T49As, T51, and some exotics from California were also in the mix...WHAT. We got to spend some time with these three California Transients...See full Island Adventures report
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Sat Oct 12 - Active Pass - Hi, Alisa, Around 3:30 pm, a lone humpback transited quietly and quickly eastward through Active Pass. Photos taken from the shore of Galiano Island. Humpback whale Hecate BCX0470 (known female) Active Pass. -Karoline Cullen, Salish Sea Orca Squad
(ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network)
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Thu Oct 10 - Puget Sound - 9:45 - Kim Page reports seeing a humpback about a mile south of Pilot Point, on the Kitsap side. It should be easy to spot on this bright day.
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MMZ0007 Anvil - ~16:00 - Humpback in Strait of Juan De Fuca, east of Race Rocks. -Photos by Dave Berliner, Oct 12, 2019
(ID by Alisa Lemire Brooks, ON)

October 11
Fri Oct 11 - Puget Sound - 21:35 - We think we heard some blows around 9:35 in Colvos Passage heading south. Not many, but sure sounded like Orcas breathing. About a mile south of Southworth ferry. -Roxane Jackson Johnson
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18:40 - correction. Large group of at least a dozen east of mid channel out from Richmond Beach. Looks like many of mid groups and the trailers bundled up together. Super beautiful in waning light.
18:35 - Lead orcas are mid channel between Jefferson Head and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park slow trend southbound while still foraging, others trailing all spread out doing same. Good night residents of all type.
17:45 - Leaders are just south of Kingston dock area southbound in southbound traffic lanes. Others spread north and east. A LOT of foraging/ directional changes while continuing slow trend south. I have now seen 3 males so far. I do believe they are residents, which ones remains a mystery for now. I've not seen any east of mid channel.
17:15 - I've seen at least 2 male orcas out here. One foraging off Apple Tree Point, 2nd male more towards mid channel northeast of Apple Tree Point with the 3rd group. He is steady southbound so tall and regal looking.
17:05 - I just spotted a third group of at least two orcas even further north of the 2nd trailing group. All groups making directional changes while trending southbound from my vantage at Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Richmond Beach Sure acting like residents. We notified WSF earlier.
16:58 - At 16:40 I starting seeing who looks to be lead group of at least 4 orcas northeast of Apple Tree Point steady southbound ( with few directional changes) in southbound traffic lanes. They've continued on...There is a second group 1/4-1/2 mile trailing...this group is now approaching Apple Tree Point at 16:58. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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17:05 - Orca. Seeing the male well in back of the group and well north of the ferry. Steady SB.
16:50 - A couple orcas passed the Edmonds/Kingston ferry. Several still north. Trending SE with some foraging. J19 off Apple Tree Point backdropped by Edmonds Marina...and J22 passing Apple Tree Point, Kingston. -Sara Frey
(IDs by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)
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16:45 - Off Apple Tree Point soutbound plus directional changes/ foraging. Some more east mid channel to Edmonds, others clearly Kitsap but trending SE. -Donna Geen van Renselaar
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16:30 - I saw four orcas with 1 male heading south in the shipping lane approaching Apple Cove Point. -Sherman Page
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15:59 - 2 to 3 orcas milling around west of mid channel straight east of Eglon. Witnessed a couple directional changes. Don't seem to be heading any direction. -Austin Iles
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15:15 - Orcas. I'm watching them from the American Constellation cruise ship. They are west of mid channel. Spread out, just south of Point No Point. When we passed them they were definitely traveling southbound. Very spread out with leaders in front. I saw what looked like some smaller individuals. Saw one large dorsal fin in the group. -Tanya Jackson Esparza
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14:45 - Orca. Right as I walked up I saw a tall Male dorsal slowly going down just off Point No Point, but lost it heading southbound. Yes (directionally toward Kingston) but I only saw it once - but clearly and slowly submerging - southbound - a tall male dorsal. -Donna Green van Renselaar
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1:58 - Orcas. At least 9 fins southbound between Mutiny Bay and Foulweather Bluff mid channel. Spread out. Breaching off Hansville. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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13:50 - Jan Bell just reported 4-5 orcas in Admiralty Inlet southbound at Bush Point, Whidbey NOW!
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Fri Oct 11 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - my last day of the season on Glacier Spirit. First we found an elusive minke off McArthur Bank, then two lovely humpbacks mid Strait of Juan de Fuca, off Dungeness. One for sure is Two Spot (MMZ0013) and the other we couldn't pin down. Beautiful layers of clouds and mist on the Olympic Mountains. "Breaking News".....2nd whale is most likely Divot (BCX1057) with a lot of sun glare on her tail fluke. -Bonnie Gretz
(Divot ID'd confirmed by Erin Gless, Island Adventures)
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13:29 - Video from Puget Sound Express this afternoon (10/11). Two humpbacks; the naturalist on board identified one as Two Spot, the other was not identified. Approximately mid channel between Victoria and Port Angeles at 1:29pm. -Abby Albright
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Fri Oct 11 - Puget Sound - 15:00 - I saw a humpback surface 3 times between Point No Point and Double Bluff, Kitsap side this afternoon at 3 pm, slowly trending N/NW. Saw it while I was orca scouting. - Donna Green van Renselaar
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13:20 - Huge splash from north Edmonds and our 2 humpbacks. Closer to Edmonds side. Both just dove and were pointed to the west. -Michelle Goll
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11:30 - Just saw them (humpbacks) heading north on the west side of the Sound, just north of Kingston. Maybe 1.5 miles. -Ryan Wright
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09:12 - Hi Orca Network! The San Juan Clipper just left 2 small humpbacks near Edmonds. They were traveling north at a swift pace. -Lauren Ryan Booth

October 10


October 9


October 8


October 7
SOUTHERN RESIDENTS - Mon Oct 7 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - 16-year-old J38 Cookie, with his beautiful distinguishing rounded dorsal, gliding the waters off Sooke. -Photo by Paul Pudwell, Oct 7, 2019
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Mon Oct 7 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - With a call from one of our many marine friends that some Orca were off Sooke this morning we came across members of J Pod, J27 Blackberry and Seven-year-old J49 T'ilem I'nges, J38 Cookie once again feeding heavily but after a few minutes of looking at the first pictures we left the scene and notified the amazingly responsible members of the Pacific Whale Watching Association to continue our stewardship with cooperation with Transport Canada to ensure the best outcome for these special endangered Killer Whales! Somewhat bitter sweet...Paul Pudwell
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Thu Oct 3 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Word is some of the Southern Residents were eastbound off Sooke this afternoon - the question is, which way will they go? Could be a good night to tune into the Lime Kiln and/or Port Townsend hydrophones to try and find out! -Monika Wieland Shields

October 6
BIGG'S TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES - Sun Oct 6 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - From Georgia Strait we went all the way down to eastern Juan de Fuca Strait to be with the T18's and T37A's Bigg's orcas. The first sight on scene were the two big males in the T18's. These guys are GIANTS...The Bigg's were mostly traveling with little surface activity but there was a little lunging/porpoising...The orcas are 29-year old T19B (born 1995) who is the largest male orca I have ever seen with six-month old T37A5 (born spring 2019). Love when the big guys get babysitting duty...At about 5:45 PM we left the T18s and T37As at the south end of Eastern Bank angling toward Admiralty. Whidbey Island may want to keep an eye out. -Debbie Stewart
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Sun Oct 6 - Straits of Georgia and Juand de Fuca - The first humpback we encountered in Georgia Strait (British Columbia) was BCZ0345 - Victoria. Further north in Georgia Strait we encountered BCZ0345 Victory, BCZ0345, BCX1358 - Frankenstein. "Frankie" was a complete hoot. He was doing some feeding behaviors using his entire body -- pecs, tail, etc. to spiral and twist to round up food. He was also trumpeting.
As we were ready to depart Frankie another humpback started approaching from the south. We stopped and waited just to see if the two animals would come together. Next thing we know... Frankie who was several hundred yards to the north of us and the animal who was approaching from several hundred yards to the south were together at our boat! We got mugged by TWO humpbacks. There was one on either side of us. It was absolutely incredible. Every time we thought they had tired of holding us captive and started to ease off, they were right there again. I've never experienced anything like it. The second humpback involved in the mugging was MMY0079 - Scratchy. I got one fluke shot of him and he was pooping! -Debbie Stewart
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Sun Oct 6 - Puget Sound - 08:26 - Janine Harles called to report a humpback thought to be juvenile foraging around in the area off North Edmonds to Possession Bar (South Whidbey). Originally thought there was a 2nd but she could not confirm other than just the one.

October 5
Sat Oct 5 - Puget Sound - 18:40 - Humpback about a mile WNW of the Edmonds ferry terminal headed north. -Sherman Page
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15:15 - Janine Harles called with two baleen whales to report, both in close proximity to one another in same general: the juvenile humpback (BCX0870's 2018 calf) is east of mid channel approx 1 mile north of the Edmonds ferry lanes. and who she thought was minke. While on the phone she could confirm it is in fact a minke foraging out there. Juvenile humpback BCX0870-calf 2018 between Edmonds and Possession this afternoon.
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09:25 - The San Juan Clipper just spotted the juvenile humpback that has been hanging out in Puget Sound lately. It was east of Possession Pt at 9:25 trending north. -Lauren Ryan Booth
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MINKE WHALES - Sat Oct 5 - Puget Sound - 15:15 - Janine Harles called with two baleen whales to report, both in close proximity to one another in same general: the juvenile humpback is east of mid channel approx 1 mile north of the Edmonds ferry lanes. and who she thought was minke. While on the phone she could confirm it is in fact a minke foraging out there. photos: So surprised we found a Minke Whale between Edmonds and Kingston this afternoon! Lost it soon after we found it, seemed to be heading towards Kingston from Edmonds...Janine Harles
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2nd hand report - 10:20 - Neighbor says Minke is back, just north of Apple Tree Point close to shore. -Sara Frey
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Sat Oct 5 - Hood Canal - Hello, I was kayaking about 7am Saturday Oct 5th and saw 2 whales breech several times just a little north of Kitsap Memorial Park. They were headed out of the bay. Thanks for the great website!...FOLLOW UP: I'm confident they were orcas. They broke the surface, not breach. Thanks for clarifying. I'm not so good at estimating but would put height of fins at 3-5, and both were same height or very close. I was between orcas and shore and a small sea lion came swimming quickly toward shore (me) with a fearful look on its face. It was Tuesday when I finally had opportunity to look up more online and found your site. I live in Montana but grew up in Washington...this is the first time for me to see an orca in wild. Thanks for the site and information! -Lora Kruse

October 4
BALEEN WHALES - SPECIES UNCONFIRMED - Fri Oct 4th - Puget Sound - 21:46 - Grey whale (I think) at the bow of the Turner Joy in Bremerton... to dark to see for sure, but a single whale coming up several times for air. Pretty awesome! -Jason Jbone Swanson
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Yesterday morning (Oct 4) at 7:45 am my husband and I saw a whale headed south in front of our home about 100 yards from shore. Location: between Redondo and Dash Point, just north of Dumas Bay, north of Tacoma. I am not sure what kind. Not orca for sure. I don't think it was humpback either. Through the binoculars it appeared to be a light grayish brown. More brown than gray. It spouted a few times and was traveling near the surface with just a small area above water so it is hard to judge its size. It seemed 30 feet or less but there could have been more beneath the surface. It blew 3 times swimming near the surface and then dove. No fluke appeared when it dove. It was down for a few minutes before appearing again. Repeat. Then gone. I tried to find a photo online of something that looked similar but no luck. Can you recommend a resource for photos that would help?
ADDITION: No dorsal fin was visible. I am certain of that. I realized I had t mentioned that after I sent and almost added it in a separate email. I would say it was probably a gray if not for the seemingly smaller size. Though as I said, I may have seen the tip of the iceberg. The coloring was modeled. I saw a gray here in March for sure that was only 200 feet from me and I could see the barnacles. It seemed much bigger than this one though. -Thanks, Barbara Nus

October 3


October 2
Wed Oct 2 - San Juan Island - Yesterday's newsletter was so wonderful, Alisa! Thanks to everyone who sent in observations and photos. Biggs Transients T18s, Haro Strait, SJI. (Many thanks to Orca Behavior Institute for confirming T19B's ID)
4 orca including 2 large males observed from shore, 1:25pm - 1:50pm, T18 - Hannah Heights - 13:30, T18 and T19C - Hannah Heights - 13:35 just north of Hannah Hts. Close in at first, the family was grouped together and making long dives. It looked like they were hunting/foraging for a few minutes before they left as a group moving away from the island to the west until out of sight. Close up - those fins - remarkable! -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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13:20 - T18s just passed Land Bank southbound, still close to shore (couple hundred yards). I saw all 4. -Monika Wieland Shields
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12:41 - T018s are just a few miles north of Lime Kiln Light close to shore. Should be there between 1:00 and 1:30. If they don't change direction. -April Ryan
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Wow! What a day on Chilkat! We started the day with a seal and a lion's mane jellyfish in the Edmonds Marina, then we headed up to the San Juans! We stopped at Whale Rocks and spent some time with the Steller Sea Lions (pics to come), there were also a mated pair of eagles there and one took flight (flight sequence included). Then we stopped at Spieden Island where we saw some of the exotic animals on the island Mouflan Sheep, Fallow Deer and a Sika Deer! Around the corner we found the transient orcas T18 & T19s! On the way home we stopped near Lime Kiln lighthouse and played with some Dall's Porpoise! Great day on the water, thanks Captain Christopher!! -Janine Harles
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10:17 - T18s taking Spieden Channel now.
09:55 - T18s - they're almost to Reuben Tarte. -Cindy Hansen,
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9:30 - T18s heading north up San Juan Channel towards Reuben Tarte County Park, close to San Juan shoreline. -Monika Wieland Shields
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Wed Oct 2 - Puget Sound - 17:00 - Humpback whale currently just north of Edmonds ferry (5:00 p.m.) Not traveling in any clear direction, not overly active, just hanging out. -Tom Rider
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Wed Oct 2 - Puget Sound - Hi all, Pretty sure this is a Minke. It was off Apple Tree Point on 10/2/19 going northbound. It was close to the Kitsap side...maybe 200-300 yards off shore. Behavior was like the Humpbacks, up 5-6 times in a row and then a deep dive and down for 5-10 minutes. My neighbor said she saw it out in the channel last evening but didn't know what it was. -Sara Frey Photos by Sara Frey, Oct 2, 2019
(Both John Calambokidis & Frances Robertson confirmed minke.)
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DALL'S PORPOISE - Wed Oct 2 - Haro Strait....On the way home we stopped near Lime Kiln lighthouse and played with some Dall's Porpoise! -Photos by Janine Harles, Oct 2, 2019

October 1
Tue Oct 1 - Strait of Juan de Fuca - With Island Adventures out of Port Angeles 10/1/2019. Calm seas, beautiful weather for the first day of Oct, this was a trip I will never forget. We got mugged by 2 humpbacks, Stitch and Aerie (CRC-15994 & MMY0106). Stitch then had to show off and blow bubbles. mimicking the noise of the generators exhaust. He was so funny! Renee our Naturalist first spotted the both of them, we were out a few miles north and east of Port Angeles. Capt Shane turned off the boat engines, we were well over the 100 yd minimum protocol. but these 2 humpbacks decided they were going to check us out, and did they ever. Stitch especially....and I think he took a liking to the young ones on board. I could see and just feel it. They were adorable with him, melt my heart, thats' for sure. I had only wished I had my smaller camera as they were so close, touching and under our boat. I did the best with the lens I had 55mm-300mm. sure didn't need to zoom....wow! i think Im still in disbelief. -Marilyn Armbruster
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My daughter works for Outer Island Excursions and had an amazing encounter yesterday with a Humpback. I will confirm who and where it was and let you know. Here is a video of it. The Humpback video is of Stitch by Race Rocks by Victoria. -Alexandra Cannon took the video. -Holly Cannon
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Tue Oct 1 - Puget Sound - 10:24 - BCX0870-calf 2018 heading south, east of mid channel straight out from Edmonds ferry dock. -Janine Harles