September 2001 Whale Sightings
Sunday, September 30, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Between Sooke, BC & San Juan Island
Species: Minke, Dall's Porpoise, Pinnipeds
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comments:My day was from Sooke to Lime Kiln, dall's, minke's, and pinnepeds. Ron MMRG
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Saturday, September 29, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Active Pass
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan Well as they all went south yesterday morning, they all went north today. Out of Puget Sound early this morning and north all day, into Active Pass in the late afternoon, looked like all of them. Ron Bates MMRG
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Saturday, September 29, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Cindy Hansen, Mosquito Fleet
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan, All 3 pods were back at the west side of San Juan again today, headed north. Lots of feeding and playing behaviour going on. There were close to 100 fishing boats right next to Lime Kiln so the whales were further out from shore, which made it a little nicer for the whale watchers. It was really nice to have them close to us in Everett but I know how hard it is for the others to reach them when they're down there. For everyone else's sake, I'm glad they're back up north. Cindy
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Friday, September 28, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Race Rocks, Vancouver Island
Species: Dall's Porpoise, Stellar & Calif. SeaLions, Elephant Seals
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comments:200 Steller and 200 California sealions at Race Rocks also 2 Elephant seals in the afternoon. Very hyper Dall's S.E. of Race Rocks. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Friday, September 28, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Cindy Hansen, Mosquito Fleet
Location: Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan, We got to spend a lot of time with the whales today. They led us down Admiralty Inlet and almost all the way back home. All 3 pods were present and accounted for with L12's lagging a little behind the others. We were the only boat with them for most of the time until they encountered the fishing boats, and they were very active and playful. We finally left them very spread out and foraging between Edmonds and Kingston. Hopefully they'll stay down here for a few days. It's great to have them closer to home! Cindy Hansen Mosquito Fleet
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Friday, September 28, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Susan Berta/Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
Location: Double Bluff, Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:We went to the west side of Whidbey, & were able to see the whales just south of Double Bluff around noon. They were closer to the opposite shore, so impossible to make ID's or see them closely, but we saw at least one male, & later at 12:15 as they were further south (across from Scatchet Head) there was lots of breaching & tale lobs going on. We left them at 12:45 - across from Possession Pt, where they appeared to be very close to the opposite shore, still heading south.
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Friday, September 28, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Elsa Leavitt
Location: Bush Pt, West Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Southern Residents
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:I'm not an expert, but three distinct groups of orcas just passed Bush Point, heading south. First group had lots of whales, pretty spread out, hard to count--but well over 12, including one large male. Second group was a few minutes behind and contained perhaps 8-10 whales, one with a larger dorsal fin. Third group was another few minutes behind the second group and had even fewer whales. I was beginning to think they'd never come down this way, though I do know that they passed by here last October, heading south. --Elsa
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Friday, September 28, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Salmon Bank, So. San Juan Island
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members: 2 minkes
Direction:
Comments:At least 2 minkes on Salmon Bank in the am. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Friday, September 28, 2001 08:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:Makes for a long day when we hear of whales going south off Port Townsand at 0830. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Thursday, September 27, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Boundary Pass
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan On the 27th with J, K and Lpods in Boundary Pass in the afternoon. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Thursday, September 27, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Tom McMillan, Salish Sea Charters
Location: East Pt, Saturna Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:27 September 2:07pm All three pods of the southern resident Orcas are just now rounding East Point on Saturna Island and are heading south toward San Juan Island. Captain Tom McMillen Salish Sea Charters
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Thursday, September 27, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Port Renfrew
Species: Orca
Pod: , Southern Residents
Members: 30+ whales
Direction: east
Comments:Had a call of 30+ whales off Port Renfrew in the morning going east. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Wednesday, September 26, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Turn Pt/Boundary Pass
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:J's, K's & L's off Turn pt. at 1600 hrs. going into Boundary Pass.
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Wednesday, September 26, 2001 13:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Pile Pt,/West San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan Not a great day for me. Just let me say J's, K's and L's were off Pile Pt. going north at about I was in heavy rain all morning and saw nothing! but rain. Ron Bates MMRG
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Tuesday, September 25, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:At 1533 had J's, K's and L's south of False Bay milling, there most of the afternoon. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Tuesday, September 25, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Pile Pt,/West San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Southern Residents?
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Had reports of many whales off Pile Pt. area in the fog in the am.
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Tuesday, September 25, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Becher Bay, Sooke, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T11, T11A and a third unknown ID
Direction: east
Comments:Hi 3 transients going east off Sooke in the am, picked them up off Becher Bay at 1040, T11, T11A and a third. Lost the third whale in minutes, no id.
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Monday, September 24, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Lime Kiln Point, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Last report I had at 1845, J's, K's & L's were just north of Lime Kiln going north.
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Monday, September 24, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members:
Direction: east to San Juan Island
Comments:Sept.24 L12's came out of the fog south of Victoria at noon and spent the afternoon going to San Juan Island Ron Bates MMRG
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Sunday, September 23, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Susan Berta/Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:Noon - L-12's passed the Center for Whale Research, SJI, heading south. Susan Berta/Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
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Sunday, September 23, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Haro Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members:
Direction: north in morning, south in afternoon
Comments:L12's in Haro St. all day N. in the am South in the pm. Ron MMRG
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Sunday, September 23, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Susan Berta/Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:9:40 am - L-12's passed the Center for Whale Research, west side of SJI, headed north. Susan Berta
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Saturday, September 22, 2001 18:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Texada Island/Strait of Georgia
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Most of the residents near Texada island last evening (22nd) going North. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Saturday, September 22, 2001 17:00
Reported by: Candi Emmons, Ctr. for Whale Research
Location: Griffin Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: 6 transients: T142, T143 identified, 1 calf present
Direction: north
Comments:17:00 - 6 Transients, including 1 calf, in Griffin Bay, San Juan Island, headed north. T142, T143 identified. Candy Emmons Center for Whale Research
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Saturday, September 22, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T20, T21, T142, T143, T144 and at least 5 more
Direction: east into Haro Strait
Comments:Hi Folks - T20, T21, T142, T143, T144 and at least 5 more went past Victoria at 1600hrs and into Haro Strait. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Saturday, September 22, 2001 13:00
Reported by: Center for Whale Research
Location: Bellevue Pt, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members: L41 + others
Direction: north, then turning south
Comments:13:10 - L41 + others (L-12's) off Bellevue Pt, headed north, turning south at 13:45.
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Saturday, September 22, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , L-12 sub pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:L12's off the west side of San Juan Island Ron Bates, MMRG
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Friday, September 21, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Pile Pt,/West San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members: L-12's + other L's
Direction: south
Comments:L12's and a few more L's going S. from Pile Pt. at 1515hrs. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Friday, September 21, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Turn Pt.
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan This afternoon J's going N. off Turn Pt. Ron MMRG
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Friday, September 21, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Kellett Bluff, Henry Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:K's and L'5 and some other L's off Kellet Bluff going N. slowly. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Thursday, September 20, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Lime Kiln Point, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south in a.m, NE in p.m.
Comments:Today J, K and most of L pod popped up off Lime Kiln this morning going S. They spent most of the day from Salmon Bank to West of Hein Bank and were going back N.E. in the late afternoon.
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Wednesday, September 19, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Otter Pt, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient, SE Alaskan Transients
Members: 7+ Alaskan Transients
Direction: west
Comments:HI Susan Was with 7+ S.E. Alaskan Transients going W. in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, they were west of Otter Pt. in the afetrnoon. Ron Bates MMRG
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Tuesday, September 18, 2001 18:00
Reported by: Derek Holzapfel
Location: South Pender Island, Brooks Pt.
Species: Orca
Pod: , Southern Residents
Members: 11-13 orcas
Direction: west
Comments:Hello; Super whale sighting tonight at 7:30 as the sun was going down. South Pender - Brook's Point, approx. 11-13 Orcas went by 20-30' from shore. The male had the largest dorsal I had ever seen (seemed to be two toned with black & grey, from the field guide it looked like one of the large "L" pod males????), and mother & calf were in the group as well. Heading towards Saturna Island. Best of all, not a boat in sight :-) Regards Derek Holzapfel
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Monday, September 17, 2001 17:00
Reported by: Sharyn Mellors
Location: Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island
Species: Orca, Orca or Dall's Porpoise?
Pod:
Members:
Direction: north west
Comments:Dear Susan I just saw at least 10 whales (or porpoise) swimming about headed from ledgewood beach area towards admirals cove. They were closer to shore than they have been in the past. it is hard to tell how close since I am so high on the hill, but this time they disappeared through the trees between me and the beach. It seems that every time I see them the waters are calm and there are an unusual number of birds on the water. But make no mistake these are definately fins attached to bodies that arch out of he water and back in. The fins are black and so are the bodies for the most part, This time I was able to detect some white on the bodies because they were so close. Sharyn Mellors
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Monday, September 17, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Eagle Pt/West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction: south toward Salmon Bank
Comments:Most if not all the L's going from Eagle Pt. to Salmon Bank. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Monday, September 17, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members: L-12's + other L's
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan To day L12's and some other Lpod whales between False bay and Eagle Pt.in the am going north very slowly. Ron MMRG
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Saturday, September 15, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Andrews Bay, west San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:J and K pod going North off Andrews Bay, Lpod reported to be south of them going north at 1600 hrs.
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Saturday, September 15, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
Location: Lime Kiln Point, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north, then south,then K's south & J's north, then J's south near Bellevue Pt.
Comments:At around 1600 K's and J's were lined up abreast in a slow resting pattern, moving north out in mid-Haro strait, a little north of Lime Kiln Lighthouse. They stayed up for a few minutes, with blows lined up for a hundred yards like a picket fence at times. Then they came up all heading south, still lined up abreast. Then they disappeared for several minutes, and when they surfaced, K's were still headed south, still lined up but moving at a pretty fast clip. J's had turned around and were now heading north, not quite lined up but in tight groups, still far out in mid-strait. After coming a mile or so north, J's went down again for several minutes and when they came up they were once again headed south, but this time they turned slightly in so that they were close to the cliffs of Bellevue Point, just north of Lime Kiln. K's stayed abreast in small groups far out in mid-strait. At last sighting, around 1730 both pods were still moving south, J's along the shore, K's way out in the middle.
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Saturday, September 15, 2001 13:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Discovery Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T14
Direction: north
Comments:Transient T14 off the east side of Discovery Island at 1300 hrs going N. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Saturday, September 15, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Trial Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: east
Comments:First from Ron Bates of Victoria: Hi Susan J's K's and most of the L's going east off Trial Island this morning. They went into the fog and were found off and on. Best wishes Ron MMRG No reports of L12 subpod
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Saturday, September 15, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Tom McMillan, Salish Sea Charters
Location: Trial Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: east toward San Juan Islands
Comments:15 September 10:07am All three pods of the southern resident Orcas are near Trial Island at this time and are heading east toward the San Juan Islands. Captain Tom McMillen Salish Sea Charters
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Friday, September 14, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan Yes whales, J's K's and some L's off the West Side of San Juan Is. They stayed most of the day from Andrews Bay in the N. to Salmon Bank in the South. Wishing you all the best. Ron MMRG
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Thursday, September 13, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Diane McBain
Location: South Pender Island, Gowlland Pt.
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: 1 male, 7-8 females
Direction: west
Comments:2:30 pm: A small pod ( one large male and about 7-8 females) just passed Gowlland Point, South Pender travelling toward Saturna. They were closer than we have seen all summer. They stopped and circled a small island of rocks, and we saw at least on seal taken...what an amazing sight. Diane McBain
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Thursday, September 13, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Howard Garrett, Orca Conservancy
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod, L-25's
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:J's, K's & L-25's reported by Howie Garrett off the west side of San Juan Island, heading north, passing the Center for Whale Research at approx. 1:45pm
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Thursday, September 13, 2001 13:00
Reported by: Captain John Stone, Cutty Sark
Location: Lawson Reef, NW of Whidbey Island
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Susan, We saw a minke just north of the Lawson Reef buoy at 1329 on Thursday the 13th. Fair Winds, Captain John Colby Stone Master, S.V.CUTTY SARK Proprietor, The Captain Whidbey Inn
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 21:00
Reported by: Brian Lowey
Location: Langley, Saratoga Passage
Species: Gray Whale
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comments:A Langley resident reported seeing a gray whale feeding in the shallows off Langley Wednesday night at 9:30. I was skeptical, but low tide this morning revealed a series of long indentations in the intertidal zone typical of those made by gray whales.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T-11's
Direction: west
Comments:A late report of T11's coming east from the Sooke area at 1900hrs.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: Unknown Residents
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:Residents reported Going S. at the top of Rosario St. at 1500hrs. Our part of the world goes on, our mutual love of a international group of marine beings transends boundaries and my wish is that we all enjoy the whales forever. My best wishes to you all. Ron Bates
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria, Discovery Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T20 and T21
Direction: southeast
Comments:Hi Susan A transient day over here T20 and T21 in the morning and afternoon. They were going S.E. but slowly from Discovery Island Ron MMRG
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Tuesday, September 11, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Haro Strait/Kelp Reef
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: 2 transients, no ID
Direction: north
Comments:2 transients no id as yet off Kelp Reef going N at about 1530. 250 california sealions, 150 Steller sealions and 2 small Elephant seals at Race Rocks.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Boundary Pass, East Pt/Saturna Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: East
Comments:Hi Susan Kelley's report was correct but the whales kept on going around Turn Pt. and into Boundary Pass, passed East Pt. before 1400 hrs. The day dawned with warmth and hope, night falls over a new world outlook and the "cry they must not win." I and my family sincerely wish you and all Americans all the best. Ron MMRG Susan Berta
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Tuesday, September 11, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Orca Conservancy
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Hello Susan, could you relay this to all our friends. Under the heavy cloud of this morning's tragedy, may I offer a report of whales to add a bit of sunshine. J's, K's, and L's cruised up the west-side of San Juan Island in a boisterous display of foraging and cavorting, clearly following large schools of salmon. The hydrophones were a'chatter with strong and continuous echololcations as they came by the Center for Whale Research in groups of 5-12 every two or three minutes apart. One group in particular was video taped actively tail-lobbing as a group, and as they moved north the whole group turned tight to the right in towards shore and circled tighter and tighter into themselves, probably catching all the salmon we've seeing "jumping" in the past few weeks. It was a beautiful morning of playful whales, and a peaceful sunny day dawned here in the islands. I truly hope this may add a small touch of cheer to you all on this very dark day!
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Monday, September 10, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Southern Haro Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan J's K's and L's Messing around in Southern Haro Strait all day. Ron Bates
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Monday, September 10, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Race Rocks, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T20 and T21
Direction:
Comments:Out west were T20 and T21 all so messing about between Otter Pt. and Race Rocks. Ron Bates
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Monday, September 10, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Dan Kukat, Springtide Cruises
Location: Lime Kiln Point, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:1005 Lime Kiln, orcas hdg South. (most if not all of the residents) Dan Kukat
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Monday, September 10, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Tom McMillen, Salish Sea Charters
Location: Pile Pt,/West San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:10 September 9:15am - Orcas sighted off Pile Point heading north along the west side of San Juan Island.
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Monday, September 10, 2001 08:00
Reported by: Dan Kukat, Springtide Cruises
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Sep 10, 2001 Orcas near False Bay heading north(most if not all of the residents). Cheers Dan Kukat
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Monday, September 10, 2001 06:00
Reported by: Dan Kukat, Springtide Cruises
Location: Eagle Pt/West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Orcas 0630 3-4NM So. of Eagle Pt hdg N (most if not all of the residents)
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Sunday, September 09, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Salmon Bank, So. San Juan Island
Species: Orca, Minke
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members: All 3 pods + 1 minke
Direction:
Comments:When J,K & L pods were in the Salmon Bank area this afternoon they were joined by a Minke who was going back and forth through the massed whales.
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Sunday, September 09, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Penny Stone
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Just wanted to share some more sunshine from the whale-watch side - we had a most glorious day on our last day (Sunday the 9th) with all the whales by False Bay - i have to say it was almost as if they came by to give us an awesome send-off - they had all been absent and unaccounted for the two days before, so we were thrilled to see them back on our last day. The highlight was when a group of about 30-40 lined up and started porpoising towards our boat and made a high speed high porpoise pass right next to us - perhaps the most singularly beautiful sight all summer!! our Cappy Grant has a video of it also! then they pretty much put the brakes on and slowed
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Sunday, September 09, 2001 08:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: east
Comments:Hi Susan J, K and Lpods going east off Victoria at 0800 hrs. They were off the Southern half of San Juan Is. most of the day. Ron Bates MMRG
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Saturday, September 08, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Race Rocks, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T14
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan Had transient T14 off Race Rocks this afternoon, sealions about the same as last but only 2 very small Elephant seals. Ron Bates MMRG
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Friday, September 07, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Hein Bank
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members: 3 - 6 minkes
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan Minkes on Hein bank 3-6 all day. Do you have anything South off Seattle? (no, unfortunately) About 350 sea lions at Race half each, 7 small Elephant seals, 1 large male. Ron MMRG
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok
Location: Haro Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comments:Susan, Now (1900 hrs) the entire J, K, and L-pod is southbound spread out across the Haro Strait and there are LOTS of fish jumping, and the whales are surface active, with breaching, taillobbing, and lots of social behavior visible from the inshore groups, just ~200 yd.s from shore...They're also very vocal.
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod
Members: Most of all 3 pods
Direction: north
Comments:Hi Susan Am confused by the report from "Sharyn" about whales off Whidbey at 1600hrs. This may have been a subpod as all the rest of J's, K's And L's were North of False Bay at that time. This is what makes it interesting. Ron MMRG
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Sharyn Mellors
Location: Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Dear Susan I just finished watching about 10 minutes of whales again between Ledgewood beach and north Port Townsend. They seemed to be going north (4 pm). I don't know how long they were there I just happened to walk by the window and take a peek in the telescope. I have lost them again. Sharyn Mellors Ledgewood Beach
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Candi Emmons, Ctr. for Whale Research
Location: Lopez Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: northwest from Iceberg Pt. to Bellevue Pt.
Comments:Candi Emmons at the Center for Whale Research reported that the whales went from Iceburg Point (south end Lopez) to Bellevue Point (just south of us) in one hour flat!!! That's twenty miles!!! Then blew past the CWR as well.
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Fred Terrell
Location: West Beach/West Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 5 - 7 orcas
Direction:
Comments:Noon: From Fred Terrell of West Beach Rd - 5 - 7 orcas, about 4 miles out off West Beach Rd. Too far off to get accurate counts.
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Rudy Deck
Location: West Beach/West Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members:
Direction:
Comments:11:30 am: From Rudy Deck - Orcas off West Beach Rd, west Whidbey Island
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Al Lunemann
Location: Pt. Wilson, Port Townsend
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 6+ orcas,
Direction:
Comments:10:27 am: Small group(approx half dozen - tho difficult to tell) of orcas just west of the lighthouse at Ft. Worden(grey silver power boat was motoring right behind them for a short time). I'll keep an eye out for others, but it's quite a way off from Whidbey. Al Lunemann
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Al Lunemann
Location: Pt. Wilson, Port Townsend
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 12 + orcas
Direction: southeast
Comments:10:39: Another dozen or so(in addition to the first half dozen I noticed) tightly-bunched orcas west of Ft. Worden lighthouse moving slowing against the tide heading south east. Al Lunemann
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Thursday, September 06, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Tom McMillan, Salish Sea Charters
Location: Pt. Wilson, Port Townsend
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, J Pod, and maybe K's?
Members:
Direction: southeast toward Seattle
Comments:Thursday, 6 September, 9:30 a.m. Whales spotted passing Point Wilson near Port Townsend, heading towards Seattle. Could be "Superpod" - but for sure J's and L's. Captain Tom McMillen Salish Sea Charters
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 20:00
Reported by: Scott Harkin
Location: Lagoon Pt, West Whidbey Island
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members:
Direction: north
Comments:Howdy, We were fishing on the south end of the Logoon Point Beach at about 8pm on Wednesday the 5th. We saw a single Minke moving north about a mile off shore. Cheerio! Scot Harkins
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Lime Kiln Point, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod, and L-5's
Members: J's, K's & L-5's
Direction: south
Comments:Then a report of J's K's and at least L5's passing Lime Kiln going S. Met them at 1620 going S. had to leave but they all met up and a great deal of vocalization took place as played over the VHF radio. Ron MMRG
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: San Juan Island, south end
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Found most of Lpod at Eagle Pt. Ron Bates
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Haro Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Picked up T14 near Little Zero Rk. ( west side of Haro St.) at 1500hrs. Ron Bates
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location:
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T14
Direction:
Comments:T14 off the Victoria waterfront. Ron Bates
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Wednesday, September 05, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Hein Bank
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Lpod in the area of Hein Bank in the AM.
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Tuesday, September 04, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Boundary Pass
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan I hope you have more detailed reports re the whales on the west side of San Juan as mine are hearsay, but my understanding is most of the whales went into Boundary Pass late this afternoon.
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Tuesday, September 04, 2001 12:00
Reported by:
Location: Victoria
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T11 and T11A
Direction: south
Comments:On the retun picked up the whales just So. of Albert Head still going slowly south. Ron Bates
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Tuesday, September 04, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria Harbor
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T11 and T11A
Direction: south
Comments:I was with T11 and T11A right at the mouth of Victoria Harbour when they made a kill at 1020hrs (seal) they slowly made there way out of the harbour and went south. To give the whales a break we went to Race Rocks, 150 California sealions, 150 Steller sealions and 4 Elephant Seals, did not count seals.
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Sunday, September 02, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Bruce Bryson
Location: Sequim, WA
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 4 orcas
Direction:
Comments:Sept. 2nd: 4 whales were reported off Sequim by Bruce Bryson of Coupeville, 7 p.m. on Sept. 2nd.
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Sunday, September 02, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: San Juan Islands
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comments:Hi Susan There has been a "Superpod" the last few days but it seems to be weakening, groups wandering all over. J's and K's today with L's all over the sea. Not able to photo L12, had L41 but no grandma.
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Saturday, September 01, 2001 14:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: San Juan Island, south end
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members: Superpod
Direction:
Comments:Super pod near the S. end of San Juan Island in the afternoon, whales everywere.
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Saturday, September 01, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient, Plus possibly Alaskan orcas?
Members: 15 Transients - T41, T41A and T44 in the afternoon, maybe T11 and T11A in the morning
Direction:
Comments:Hi Odd day, at least 15 Transients off the Sooke area in the day. T41, T41A and T44 in the afternoon, maybe T11 and T11A in the morning; also a number of what appear to be Alaskans, some left side photos taken Ron MMRG