September 2016 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of September 2016 whale sightings.

September 30

September 29
9:40 a.m. - saw two whales frequently blowing water spouts over by Salmon Beach. Could see all the way from the Gig Harbor side! They were pretty tall spouts!! Could not see the bodies, but they were moving fairly quickly and headed south towards the Narrows Bridge. (Humpbacks?) -Gaby Kinnear

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For approximately one week, back from Monday, we've had 3 to 5 dolphins traveling back and forth through Hammersley Inlet during the day and night. A lot of activity. Not sure what was see in Oakland Bay in Monday. -Brenda Rix

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11:19 a.m. - I'm watching at least two porpoises swim between Dash Point and the south end of Vashon. I feel fairly certain that they were porpoises because of the quick way they were swimming and their small size...the size and shape of the their dorsal fins looked much more like a type of porpoise. -Heidi Vincent

September 28
We had the pleasure to have J and L pods - L25 Ocean Sun - all day foraging around Sooke, BC today with a couple of Humpbacks and a Gray whale. -Paul Pudwell, September 28, 2016

September 27
10:29 p.m. - Calls on Orcasound! - Vickie Doyle

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10:06 p.m. - Lovely orca calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Steve Smith

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As the sun was setting, a pair of humpbacks surfaced in Welbury Bay, no more than 20 meters off the south shore of the Scott Point peninsula. Pretty delightful. -Peter Reiner, Salt Spring Island

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A pair of humpback whales passed within 100 feet of shore at Lime Kiln Point State Park on Tuesday. They were headed north at 12:45 pm. One had a nick in its dorsal fin (as clearly visible in one of the photos). It would be interesting to know if it is individually known by that feature. -Andrew Redding

September 26
1:13 p.m. - L or K resident breaching by the humpback whales off Beecher Bay. -Clint Rivers, September 26, 2016

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Ks & Ls heading west in Juan de Fuca. All photos taken with telephoto lens and cropped. K13s, L55s and L47s all intermixed with other groups spread out farther. K36, K25, K44, K27, L103, L91, L122 made a foray into this group. -Ariel Yseth

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K25 Scoter and mom K13 Skagit - WOW! Again we get to see our Southern Resident Killer Whales around Sooke today! -Paul Pudwell

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8:39 a.m. - Katrina Brewer called to report seeing juvenile orcas (possibly common dolphins) off Shelton WA, from Route 3.

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8:39 a.m. - Orcas (possibly common dolphins) in Oakland Bay, Shelton WA. Visible off Rt. 3. -Tonya Fowler

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8:37 a.m. - Visual confirmation of 4 orcas (possibly common dolphins) in Shelton's Oakland Bay. -Tami Mathiesen

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Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, mid strait, Humpback whales between Race Rocks and Port Angeles. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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6:00 p.m. - Saw a humpback off of Redondo Beach or Woodmont Beach near Redondo - Puget Sound, and then watching it still as its moves south down by Dash Point. There was a small and irregular dorsal fin and he/she was a big. It surfaced real close and to our Woodmont beach a few times that I saw before he went south. It was one of those I was at my house looked out the window and there he was He stayed over by Dash Point/ Brownspoint area for quite some time we could see his spray. -Mitzi Gligorea

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11:15 a.m. - A Humpback just went south about 100ft off the Edmonds Pier to the delight of all. -Josh Adams

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11:06 am just on outer white buoy of scuba park almost to ferry now
11:00am - humpback very near shore shallow dives heading south - not too far from Edmonds ferry terminal. -Stu Davidson

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10:00 a.m. - Mark Mallard of WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife reports a probable humpback seen about a mile north of the Edmonds ferry terminal, about 150 yards off shore.

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Yes another glorious calm, sunny day for Mystic Sea's scenic trip through the San Juan islands to Salmon Bank, where a plethora of sea-birds gathered to feed on nature's bounty. Not only sea-birds but seals and Minke whales (smallest of the baleen whales) kept passengers intrigued with their appearances and disappearances as they made a number of directional changes. It's not often we are fortunate to see the beautiful tapered head of the Minke whale, but today's lunge-feeding provided that golden opportunity. Cruising on to Smith and Minor Islands we spotted another Minke, which has sustained wounds in front of, and on, the dorsal fin. Hopefully these wounds will heal with time... Growling Steller sea-lions jostling for a place on Whale Rocks greeted us as we sailed past their haul-out, giving it large with attitude! -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist.

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Minke whale lunge feeding - caught his exhalation! Salmon Bank Monday Sept 26th. -Jill Hein

September 25
Once the K16s were identified, "Orcinus" headed north and, ten minutes later, found more spread out whales in Swanson Channel around 1030. J46 and J54 were foraging together mid-channel and looked like they might have been either chasing a salmon or sharing one. J44 moved north past this pair while they were foraging. J54 still looks too thin for his age but it was encouraging to see him try to catch fish with his older sister. -See full summary and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 103.

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The oldest male in all 3 pods, Mega (L41) in all his beauty kelping in Active Pass. The L12s traveled through Active Pass today, currently not a usual route for this family. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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Windsong (L121), Calypso (L94), and Ocean Sun (L25), Mega (L41), Joy (L119), Spirit (L22) and Matia (L77). Sunday we were privileged enough to watch the L12s go through Active Pass. It was incredible! -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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It has been well over a year since I have had a good encounter with the L12s, L77 "Matia" L94 "Calypso", L121 "Windsong", L25 "Ocean Sun", L41 "Mega" kelping beside L121 "Windsong" . We so rarely get to see them up in our neck of the woods anymore so (Sept 25) was pretty awesome getting to watch them come through Active Pass behind J pod, J27 "Blackberry", J34 "DoubleStuf", J17 "Princess Angeline" and J53 "Kiki". -Gary Sutton

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Summer may be officially over, but it didn't seem that way today as Mystic Sea cruised through glassy seas and warm sunshine to Salmon Bank near San Juan Island. Here we encountered members of K and L pod whales from the endangered Southern Resident community, including Scoter (K-25), his sister Spock (K-20), Racer (L72) and her 'sprouter' son Fluke (L-105), traveling within close proximity to one another as they searched for their traditional food, Chinook salmon. Hopefully the energized breaches and vigorous tail-slapping we saw mean they are finding enough of those energy bars before they begin their forays into Puget Sound in the fall in search of Chum salmon. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist. Photos Richard Snowberger, Crew (zoomed and cropped).

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3:44 p.m. - Calls on OrcaSound hydrophone. -Monika Wieland Shields

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Js and some Ks in Boundary, K12s and K14s foraging north and south of Lime Kiln, others still off sound end as of 1045. We had K12s foraging off Lime Kiln from 10-1, K14s north, Ls south. All spread foraging not going anywhere pretty much. K12s were still off LK when we left. Only other whale I saw was L92 off Land Bank but then he went back south, as we left looked like boats between False Bay and Eagle as well. -Monika Wieland Shields

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1:21 p.m. - They're still echolocating.
12:15 - Lots of echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. And it's quiet (ship wise) as well. Very cool! -Kim Merriman

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12:35 p.m. - Loud calls and grunts. Geez.. from about 12:35 to around 1:00 they made all kinds of cool sounds and calls. Hope that's them celebrating catching some fish! -Melissa Burke

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12:25 p.m. - I am hearing Ks loud and clear as I type. Beautiful fall day to be out there I can only imagine
10:58 a.m. - fairly loud S16 or S17 K calls.
10:45 a.m. - more intermittent calls, sounds like K calls.
10:37 a.m. - turned on Lime Kiln, hearing faint calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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We were the first and only to find the sometimes elusive L54 matriline, with L88 Wavewalker, another lone male who who lost his mother and brother both in 2012. He now travels with of the Southern Resident Killer Whales today just west of Sooke, B.C. Vancouver Island. -Paul Pudwell

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5:54 a.m. - Orcas on Lime Kiln hyrdophone. -Ursual Renteria

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I reached the eastern shore of Puget Sound off north Edmonds just shy of sunset to watch this humpback who primarily was engaged in some excellent pec (pectoral fin) slapping most of the time I was viewing her/him. One breach, a few long dives, and more pec slapping then the whale was off, northbound entering Possession Sound aiming towards Clinton/Mukilteo in the waning light. Here's a peek at the pecs. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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6:55 p.m. - Another dive, this one about 7 minutes. Surfaced now heading steadily northbound towards Mukilteo/Clinton. Still south end of Possession Sound. Thats where I leave her/him. Sweet.
6:39 p.m. - This looks like a young whale. S/he is pec slappin her/his way north. I got here in time to see one breach in between repetition of dives and pec slapping. Currently on a dive between north Edmonds and Possession Point.
6:24 p.m. - humpback is off north Edmonds pec slapping! -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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6:23pm humpback repeatedly breaching north sound - line of sight between north Edmonds and Scatchet head - it's heading north to the east side of Whidbey island . Will post videos of breaches and side flukes slaps. Very active Humpback Whale passing Edmonds Washington this evening slowly heading northbound. Long distance videoing from North Edmonds shoreline looking west over north Puget Sound. -Stu Davidson

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I watched two or more humpback whales off Edmonds last night 9/25/16 for 30 minutes. At 5:50 they were opposite the ferry dock, going north. They breached frequently. Without binoculars I watched them continue toward Double Bluff on Whidbey Island. Seen until 6:20. -Ron Hebron

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Received a call from Vicky Hone Smith at 5:50 pm, reporting a Humpback whale off Edmonds. Vicky was off Pt. Edward looking out across the marina. They had been watching it awhile, seeing blows and one pec fin slapping the water, it was logging on the surface and not diving or traveling and they were concerned it might be entangled or in distress. As we were talking, it breached, then again, and again! It seemed to be moving NE, and perhaps was just resting or doing pec slaps.

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5:45 p.m. - Humpbacks off Edmonds. -Elyse Sollito

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2:50 p.m. - We just saw a whale in Elliot Bay, not sure what type. Feeling blown away and super lucky! I first saw it between W Seattle and Myrtle Edwards. Since then, we've seen the spray as the whale heads west. -Chelsea Myers

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Watching from West Seattle just saw spray. Just at the tip of Vashon. 12:35 pm. Going North. -Dana Sheppard

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At about 11:45 AM on 9/25/16 - Humpback whale in Colvos Passage! We saw a single, small humpback whale traveling about 40 ft offshore moving north. We were eating breakfast by the water and heard it breath and it was right there! We saw it surface 3 times until it was out of sight. -Julie Jacobsen

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11:33 a.m. - One whale sighting, Sunset Beach on Colvos! So close to Vashon shore, maybe 300' out! -Kristy Hegnauer

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11:21.. there may still be something off Ruston, by the Tacoma Yacht Club and the Grain Ship "Tiger Lilly". I saw something dive about 20 minutes ago, haven't seen it since. Could be on the other side of the ship though (on Vashon side) I didn't hear it breathe however, and I'm fairly confident I would hear it, it's pretty quiet out here, can hear music from the boats pasding. -Melissa Burke

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10:34 a.m. - Mid channel of Colvos Passage having just entered from Narrows/Point Defiance. Seeing it with binoculars from Pt. Defiance. -Ryan Rooks

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10:10 a.m. - Heading up Colvos Passage.
10:02 a.m. - Pretty much at the tip of Point Defiance now still heading north. -Lisa Durbin Charbonneau

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9:40 a.m. - Humpback just passed by Salmon Beach in Tacoma traveling north. -Zeno Martin

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9:39 a.m. - It's at Salmon Beach It's traveling fairly slow, still heading north. -Lisa Durbin Charbonneau

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8:45 a.m. - Whale heading North under Narrows Bridge now! -Karen Caldwell

September 24
We love Sooke in September! We had the pleasure of visiting J Pod and others with 7 Humpbacks South of Jordan River TODAY! -Paul Pudwell

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T109A's off Victoria, BC today. Sad to see them without T012A who swam with them until his recent passing. -James Gresham

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Cool and overcast as we left the marina, but luckily with smooth waters and no wind. With no reports of whales at first, we headed south west, but shortly heard that a group of Transients (Bigg's), were heading north east, moving fast, past San Juan Island. We caught up with them at Kelp Reef in Canada, after a long but beautiful trip, waving to a pod of harbor porpoises on the way. There were about 7-8 whales, in two groups, with one male (T60C), one fairly small juvenile, and the rest females. They were relentlessly porpoising north west,showing the incredible power of their speed, though with some directional changes. We had heard they had made a kill or two earlier, so seemed determined to plow on. With beautiful glassy water, big clouds, and the ever-beautiful Salish Sea scenery, we left them by Big and Little Darcy Islands. There were a few Steller Sea Lions in the water, but they were not on the menu today. The sun came out and everyone enjoyed the trip inter-island, through Pole Pass and home. All pictures taken with a 300 zoom and cropped. -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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Sequential shots of humpback dive taken from south shore of Saturna, near East Point - Boundary Pass. Humpback activity in these waters is relatively infrequent. -James McLarnon

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Hello: Possible Minke? (confirmed humpback by others) We observed a whale (1-2. I saw one, others reported 2) in northern Case Inlet off of the north side of Herron Island - Puget Sound. Folks said that pictures confirmed as a Humpback, but as the whale blew, it surfaced in a sinuous motion, seemed narrow, and the dorsal fin was far to the rear; no flukes were displayed. Blows and surfacing were followed by dives lasting a few minutes. The whale did not breach...rather resembled a sea serpent. -Christine Mohr

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5:25 PM.. Whale headed 1/4 mile north of Harstine Island bridge. Two big, noisy, blows but did not surface much. -Gretchen Stewart

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1 Humpback departing Totten Inlet 4:30ish pm towards Hope Island. Circled the Island on the east side and turned around heading back towards Shelton. Several blows and a nice show of the full tail! Beautiful...-Tracy Parascand

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Apparently around 2:30 at least one of these animals ended up near Burfoot Park (Budd Inlet) and then traveled across from there to Hunter Point (Eld Inlet). It is flat calm. Unfortunately I didn't see it and it passed right in front of my house! -Kim Merriman

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We just saw one humpback in front of Steamboat Marina at Eld Inlet on the Hope Island side about 2:30pm. It was headed north. -Dee Ann Clayton Larsen

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Approx 10:30 a.m. - There were 3 (humpbacks), one big and two small in Case Inlet. They were at the end near Herron island. Our ferry boat had to stop. They were headed south down the west side of the island, between Herron and Harstine Islands. -Suzy Fountaine

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9:00 a.m. - Received a call from Dennis Ryan reporting a humpback whale in the channel between Coupeville and Port Townsend - Admiralty Inlet. Seen from the ferry at 9:00. Heading north. Was gray to black in color, seemed normal. -Sandra Dupbernell

September 23
Challenging sea conditions failed to deter Mystic Sea's resilient passengers today as one of our known humpbacks, BCY0409 (Yogi - also seen in Hawaii), zigzagged among the whitecaps off Flattop Island, another of the wildlife reserves in the San Juans. Flying spume hit the decks along with the 'sweet' smell of whale breath carrying on the wind, as Yogi made several directional changes keeping everyone guessing as to which way next... Three breaches in a row caught photographers by surprise when we arrived on scene - did anybody out there get that shot? -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

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5:30 p.m. - Humpback whale seen traveling 23Sept16 (and 22Sept16) in Dana Passage between Hartstene Island and Fish Trap loop. -Gary Stiegler

September 22
Late in the day on September 22nd, the Js and Ks we saw go north on the 21st were making their way back down. First came the K12s and K13s in the late afternoon passing the west side in harsh sun glare. By the time the others made it down a couple hours later, the sun was already low in the sky. (More photos and encounter reports Sept 18-22nd at Orca Watcher Blog). -Monika Wieland Shields

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2:35 p.m. - My sister, Wendy Sines, is seeing orcas and boats south of Lime Kiln, I think she's at one of the Land bank pullouts. -Susan Berta, Orca Network

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1:51 p.m. - fins in the upper part of the web cam. And, all is quiet...no other noises except for the periodic vocals!
1:39 - new (returning) calls on Lime Kiln hydro. -Kim Merriman

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10:25 a.m. - Hearing calls and clicks on the Lime Kiln hydrophone now. -Andrea Vance

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8:49 a.m. - Lime kiln hydrophone is active this morning - distant calls and echo locating - not sure who's in the vicinity. -Tony Bahnick

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8:48 a.m. - saw a fin at the top of the screen on the Lime Kiln webcam. -Jason Lee Bell

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8:21 a.m. - Incoming! Calls on Lime Kiln just started! S19 L pod call, plus S16 (K pod?). -Ali Barratt

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Certainly 5, perhaps 6 or 7, killer whales were off of Bullman Beach (western Juan de Fuca - east of Neah Bay) this afternoon between 3:50 and 4:50 pm, the date being 9-22-16. Playing and feeding, again in the kelp, near what we call Rat Rock, directly off our beach, east of Sail and Seal...There was also one or two grays in the area. The grays don't seem to be showing up for us in their typical numbers this year. I have had a hunch that others here left in the past week and a half to follow the humpbacks. Could that be so?... -Maureen

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5:00 p.m. - a single humpback headed south from Dana Passage - south Puget Sound, closer to the eastern shore passing Boston Harbor, Cooper Point and into Budd Inlet where I lost sight of it. It was moving very rapidly and surfaced heartily approx. 8 times (between Boston Harbor and the entrance to Budd Inlet) before it swam out of sight. Cascadia Research knows. -Kim Merriman

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4:38 p.m. - Saw large whale in south sound (Devils Head) moving north toward Johnson Point. (west side of reach). Large - could be Humpback. -Robin Matthews

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12:38 p.m. - Spotted probably the same humpback as Jake headed north between Fort Ebey and Port Townsend - Admiralty Inlet just a minute ago! -Erin Graf

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11:15 a.m. - Spotted 1 Humpback 1/2 mile off Marrowstone / Port Townsend, heading North. -Jake Carter

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...There was also one or two gray whales in the area. (Bullman Beach, east of Neah Bay) The grays don't seem to be showing up for us in their typical numbers this year. I have had a hunch that others here left in the past week and a half to follow the humpbacks. Could that be so?...-maureen

September 21
2:45 p.m. - Maybe not (flipped). Milling.
2:20 p.m. - Some have flipped off County Park. -Monika Wieland Shields

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2:47 p.m. - still hearing vocals on OS.
2:15 p.m. - faint S1 calls turned into burst of loud S1 calls.
1:37 p.m. - switched over to OrcaSound hearing echolocation and distant calls. then louder including S3 calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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A nice afternoon at Lime Kiln with J, K, and L pods passing by. Too many to name until I review photos later but lots of active foraging, a breach or two, and a stellar sea lion making a very close pass by the lighthouse startling us all with his abrupt arrival. -Steve Smith

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1:24 p.m. - lots of underwater movement...quiet calls then louder S38 calls.
1:16 p.m. - J pod calls
12:59 p.m. - Few loud K calls.s
12:47 p.m. - calls getting louder...S1 calls.
12:43 p.m. - Faint calls Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brook

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It was a beautiful superpod kinda morning on the west side! K21 Cappuccino, J35, J47, L85...and someone else.
12:58 p.m. - J & Ks heading north now - Lime Kiln.
12:47 p.m. - J26 and J27 milling offshore of Lime Kiln.
10:52 a.m. - The northern whales did come down to join these guys - we've got the rest of J-Pod in our offshore photos. So everyone together potentially!!
10:02 a.m. - All whales south of Hannah Heights now, slowly southbound. -Monika Wieland

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Members of J, K, & L pod - Ken was delivering "Chimo" to its new base of operations in Port Angeles when he encountered whales at the confluence of Haro Strait and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca at 1139. The lead whales were already spreading out and heading up Haro Strait, and as usual J2 "Granny" and her escort L87 were in the lead. -Photos and full encounter summary at Center for Whale Research Encounter 102.

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So many dorsal fins! With all the Southern Residents around, we've been getting odd groups of mixed up whales every day, making it really fascinating, though really hard to ID who is where! Today we spent some time with a group of about 15 whales made up of matrilines from J, K, and L Pods. J17 Princess Angeline and J53 Kiki this afternoon - for those wondering, J17's oldest daughter J28 Polaris wasn't far behind, and was traveling with her two offspring. She is still looking thin, but the fact that she's made it this long proves she's a fighter! -Monika Wieland Shields

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15-year-old J37 Hy'Shqa launches as Js and Ks make their way in Haro Strait, San Juan Island. -im Maya

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L119 hold up young lifeless harbour porpoise after L77, L113, and L119 drown it after more than an hour of harassment. Afternoon of September 21st at Middle Bank. -Mark Malleson

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2:30 p.m. - A pod of orcas seen off the coast of Clover Point in Victoria, BC. They were breaching, spouting etc for about half an hour. Unsure of how many in the pod as they were quite far off shore. -Holly Wilson

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6:30 p.m. - 2 male orcas seen heading north from Fay Bainbridge to Tank Farm (Pt Wells, Woodway) sight line, mid channel. -Sue Larkin

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Saw a lone adult male orca from the Schooner Adventuress today at 2:45pm just 3/4 mile nautical miles NNW of Blake Island! He breached a few times, both full and half and was tail and pectoral slapping. Looked like he was having a ball! Best educated guess from our ID guide is that it was T49C. -Jennifer Smith

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This young sickly looking humpback was encountered this morning traveling southbound mid channel in Admiralty Inlet, near Bush Point. -Janine Harles

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Was on my SUP 1/2 mile off Three Tree Point, Burien- central Puget Sound, ... large whale w/large spout (15') heading south. One whale, humpback whale type dorsal fin! -Matt Parker

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This morning, while walking in Lincoln Park (West Seattle) at around 8:45, saw 4-6 harbor porpoises heading north. So exciting! -Anne Paisley

September 20
Members of J, K, & L pod - "Orcinus" got underway again around 1055 and arrived on scene around 1130 off the north end of South Beach. The whales were very spread out again in singles and small groups. J36 was seen chasing a salmon and K25 came over to her briefly before traveling south. A small group closer to shore included the J35s and L85. J44 and J46 may also have been with this group briefly before dispersing....-Photos and full encounter summary at Center for Whale Research Encounter 101.

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L88 and a humpback cross paths in the morning off the west side of San Juan Island. -Mark Malleson

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9:02 a.m. - Calls again at Lime Kiln after silence for a couple of hours.
5:48 a.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone behind extremely obnoxious vessel noise. Sometimes I think they are having to yell over the noise, and this is why I suddenly hear them, as there has been no audible vocalisations until now. Either that, or this vessel does a really good impersonation of orca! -Ai Barratt

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7:40 a.m. - heard faint calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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7:23 a.m. - Good morning Jpod Orcas on the hydro (Lime Kiln). -Christina Tregoning

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7:22 a.m, - Orcas on Lime Kiln webcam.
7:12 a.m. - Distant calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Jack Collins

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6:35 p.m. - We spotted a young humpback whale traveling alone northbound off Ebey's Landing, approximately 50 yards from shore. This is the second time we have seen this whale, the first time being Sunday evening, September 18th, traveling in the same manner (steadily northbound, close to the shore, and with many spyhops) and at the same time of evening--around 6:30 pm. The stubby dorsal fin was clearly seen through binoculars verifying a humpback. Spyhopping; traveling. -Laura Golden

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Gray Whale CRCID 30 (left side & blow holes) - Cattle Pass (South end of San Juan Channel), heading south into Straits of Juan De Fuca. -Connie Bickerton, September 20, 2016 (all photos zoomed and cropped)

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11:50 a.m. - Adult gray whale CRCID 30 in San Juan Channel. One full breach, otherwise traveling. -Breck Tyler

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Sandy Dubpernell received a message from Marty Crowley at 10:34 a.m. who was on the ferry to Port Townsend and reports a whale of some sort (not an orca) off the port side of the ferry mid channel between Keystone and Port Townsend.

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September 18 & 20 - 6:35 p.m. - We spotted a young humpback whale traveling alone northbound off Ebey's Landing, approximately 50 yards from shore. This is the second time we have seen this whale, the first time being Sunday evening, September 18th, traveling in the same manner (steadily northbound, close to the shore, and with many spyhops) and at the same time of evening--around 6:30 pm. The stubby dorsal fin was clearly seen through binoculars verifying a humpback. -Laura Golden

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Saw a gray whale, CRCID 30, from the 10:45 ferry pulling into Friday Harbor. It surfaced right in front of the bow twice, then surfaced again far off in the distance behind our stern. -Peter Moe

September 19
Members of J and K pods headed north past CWR in the morning while K and L pods members had been sighted heading in toward San Juan Island behind them. We delayed our departure to let a heavy rain squall blow through before heading down to Snug Harbor..."Orcinus" saw K43 heading south by herself off Pile Point at 1148. The whales were very spread out in singles and small groups so the next group Dave encountered was J28, J46, and J54 at 1205 off of American Camp. This threesome was in a tight group heading slowly southeast. J28 and J54 were still looking very thin. -Photos and full encounter summary at Center for Whale Research Encounter 100.

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L72 Racer Monday afternoon at Salmon Bank and Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, doing what he does best. -Richard Snowberger

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J28 and her offspring 7-year-old J46 and 9-month-old J54 near Hein Bank. 10-month-old L123 nestled between mom L103 (fore) and L106 Pooka, near Hein Bank. J17 and her 11-month-old daughter J53 near Hein Bank. -Sara-Hysong-Shimazu

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5:57 p.m. - Lots of whales visible from American Camp heading north, for the moment anyway. Some close to shore. -Monika Wieland Shields

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Breathtaking - there's no other word to describe today's encounter with the Southern Resident orcas. Dampness soon gave way to sunshine and sparkling seas after we left the dock, passing Colville Island on our route to the south side of San Juan Island where members of L-pod, including Mega (L-41), the exquisitely marked Racer (L-72) and her son Fluke (L-105) ranged freely with their family, grouping up for a photo-shot as they passed under the watchful eye of Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research. These are the most studied whales in the world, and the Center has been responsible for photo-identification studies on this endangered population since the start of Orca Survey in 1976. In addition, the orcas are currently being monitored by hexagram under NOAA's permit to collect images for health assessment. Chinook salmon is what they need to survive - and plenty of it. Our return route took us past Bird Rocks, which not only provides refuge to our feathered friends but also to Pacific Harbor seals and Steller sea-lions, one of which looked as though it had learned to fly! -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist.

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11:08 a.m. - Orcas visible on Lime Kiln webcam. One seemed to be going north.
10:23 a.m. - Vocals on San Juan Hydrophone (OrcaSound). A few still on Lime Kiln hydrophone, too.
10:07 a.m. - Echolocation sounds are gone or overshadowed by a ship going past. Still a few vocals at 10:10am.
10:02 a.m. - Hearing Orcas on Lime Kiln, now. -Helen Scamek

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9:30 a.m. - Echolocation and faint calls on Lime Kiln hydro! Some vessel noise. -Amy K Fowler

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L88 during a rain squall in the morning at Pile Point, San Juan Island. -Mark Malleson

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Here are a few photos of the T100 and T65B transient (Bigg's) killer whale pods attacking a Steller sea lion between Point Hudson and Whidbey Island on Sept. 19 2016. The killer whales appeared to attack the sea lion by ramming it head first, and by striking it with their tail flukes over and over again. They were using a technique that seems to be pretty common when they target a Steller sea lion. They start with a frenzy of attacks, then they swim away (100-300 yards) as if they've decided to move on, then they circle back and start another frenzy of attacks. Then they swim away again, and circle around for another attack. They repeated this "attack, leave, circle back, and attack again" sequence over and over again! The sea lion must have been significantly injured, judging by his labored rolling around at the surface, but somehow he found shelter in a mat of floating bull kelp. He wrapped himself in the kelp as much as possible, and this seemed to be a relatively successful strategy because the killer whales were more cautious with the tangle of bull kelp in their way. I've seen this on multiple occasions, where seals or sea lions take shelter in or on bull kelp and it always seems to hinder the effectiveness of the killer whales attacks - at least for a while. The killer whales don't seem to want to slash right through the kelp. It looks like they try to create powerful currents with their bursts of speed, and tail fluke kicks, to wash their prey away from the kelp. On this particular occasion T100 seemed to be doing most of the really hard work, but T65B also played a significant roll in the attack. Occasionally the younger pod members would slash at the sea lion, as if they were mimicking their mother's work. 14 year old male, T100C, didn't appear to be involved very much, if at all, in the real attacking work at the surface. -Bart Rulon

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A few minutes from our docks in Sooke we start seeing Humpback Whale blows towards Otter Point and to our surprise there was at least 60+ a few miles off shore...Just so amazing to see again! On our way to Race Rocks Lighthouse we came across the T11 & T11a Transient / Biggs Killer Whales right out front of Sooke Harbour...but they did not go in this time...Wow September is Great! -Paul Pudwell

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4:00 p.m. - Unidentified killer whales - this afternoon, and group of four Orcas (including possibly on adult male) were playing in Brown's Bay, North of Campbell River. They were on the east side of the bay, which is unusual for this spot; they are usually in the middle of the channel. They stayed mostly at the surface, blowing and even vocalizing! They stayed for about 15 minutes and then continued south. -Laura Grandmont

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Female humpback CS631. A few minutes from our docks in Sooke we start seeing Humpback Whale blows towards Otter Point and to our surprise there was at least 60+ a few miles off shore...Just so amazing to see again! -Paul Pudwell, September 19, 2016

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7:00 p.m. - Puget Sound - I saw a single Humpback whale off of the north side of Blake Island around 7pm on Monday September 19th. I watched it circle around back and forth diving for short periods for approximately 1 hr. until it got dark. -Paul Ruppert

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2:53 p.m. - Just passed another humpback heading south on Colvos Passage just south of Pt. Richmond. Given path of travel for the first, it's likely two different whales. -Andrea Hennings

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We also came home to find these reports of the first humpback from Mark Mallard of WDFW at 1:20 pm, in front of the Ram Restaurant in Ruston, in Commencement Bay; and a call from Maia of the WA State Ferries, reporting a humpback at 1:40 pm near the Pt. Defiance dock.

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1:33 p.m. - Humpback just off the Ram Restaurant on Ruston Way in Tacoma. -Andrea Hennings

September 18
We received a message from Arlene Solomon calling from Village Bay, Mayne Island, BC Canada, reporting a pod of 10 orcas with one calf passing by at 4:48 pm, heading toward Active Pass or maybe Trinconelli Channel. Then at 5:48 pm they saw three more adult orcas pass by.

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We spent time with members of all 3 southern resident pods today. Notably L41, K35, L85 and the J17's. I did not see J28 or J54 though. Still have to go through pics but I didn't notice her and was looking for her, although I heard she was sighted today. This is L41 Mega in close to the boat. At 39 he is the oldest and also the largest of the southern resident males.-James Gresham

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A magic moment. Today we spent time with members of all 3 SRKW pods at Hein Bank. As we drifted with engines off J47 Notch decided to pay us a visit. He came directly to the boat then turned and passed along the rail just under the water before surfacing right at my feet. Here he is just beginning to lift the surface film as he comes up. -James Gresham

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5:41 p.m. - There are still some milling off South Beach and further offshore.
4:43 p.m. - We're here with them now, about 7 whales...2 males so must be some Ls? Or I guess K33 and K21 is possible (Via James Gresham at least the J17s, L12 sub-group, and K16s/K21 in southern group). -Monika Wieland

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3:45 p.m. - the overlook above South Beach. There are now 5-6+ whales tightly grouped foraging. Lots of activity. It's pretty cool even though they're not super close.
3:02 p.m. - Whales off South Beach now very slowly northbound. I just see three whales at southbound now. Kind of milling or maybe very slowly northbound. -Cindy Hansen

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2:09 p.m - The rest of Js and K13s and K14s are north of LK
12:53 p.m. - More approaching now
12:29 p.m. - Only half of Js and some Ks have passed, wonder if that's all that's here
11:40 a.m. - Some have passed, others approaching Lime Kiln. K20 Spock and her mom K13 Skagit passed Lime Kiln State Park. -Monika Wieland Shields

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Lime Kiln area from 11:30am until about 12:30. I followed this pod up the west side of San Juan Island from Deadmans Bay to Lime Kiln and San Juan Park. -Gary Peterson

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6:25 PM - Eating dinner near N. End ferry dock Vashon island saw large male surface twice heading north. -Bob Underwood

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I left Lowman Beach (West Seattle) at 3:30 as they were nearing Vashon Ferry dock, was hard to see at that point with the sun angle. -Kersti Muul

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2:33 p.m. - They are now close to the Vashon ferry.
2:15 p.m. - spotted several going southbound near Blake Island. -Jennifer Farley

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1:55 p.m. - from Magnolia bluff We're seeing splashes to the northeast of Blake island traveling towards west Seattle whales seem to be near a small sailboat. -Leslie Goodman

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1:36 p.m. - 3 orcas just seen from Bainbridge ferry. Halfway across headed towards Bainbridge island! One looked pretty small. -Bebeth Schenk Steudel

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12:50 - WS Ferries reports 4 orcas heading east from Bainbridge Is. toward West Point, north of Seattle.

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12:47 p.m. - Just seen off the Bainbridge ferry! Washington State ferries are great for whale watching if you are one of the lucky few, or time it just right. -Kristina Goetz, September 18, 2016

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12:40 p.m. - The ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle stopped mid way through its voyage to allow a pod of 4-5 Orca (including adult male) to pass in front of us. They were heading towards Bremerton. Feeding. -Jake Reynolds

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11:45 AM - Single orca seen while on ferry. Half way Bremerton to Seattle. Not traveling. Staying in one spot for 10 min. -Thomas Minter

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11:24 a.m. - Got the T100's as well, over by Restoration Point. -Brian McGinn

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11:08 a.m. - Stalled out but heading across the way to the rest that we've spotted and also already reported above. Look to be milling but trending north. -Renee Beitzell

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11:00 a.m. - Orca northbound off Alki, about the center of the lanes. Couple more off Restoration Point. (Bainbridge Island). -Rick Oppegaard

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10:58 a.m. - 2 male killer whales, T101A and 101B, just west of Alki in West Seattle. -Brian McGinn

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10:00 a.m. - at least 1 orca near Bainbridge-Seattle ferry mid-crossing, traveling. We saw a dorsal fin/orca surfacing twice about 30 sec. to 1 minute apart. Not sure if it was more than one orca. Large dorsal fin but unsure if tall enough to be male. (More whales just reported by ferry captain to the south of 11:25 ferry near Bainbridge (Sept. 18 at 11:40). -Haley Lhamon

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9:30 a.m. - Orca sighting. One orca, looked like adult male while walking north at Discovery Park (Seattle). Orca was traveling away from land going past the lighthouse at discovery cove. -Sarah Schoenthal

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7:30 a.m. - large whale sighting off of Eastern side of Bainbridge Island off of Fay Bainbridge Park. Some whales still remaining at 8:30 am. They were in a line traveling. -Kim Koenig

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Humpback in the Juan de Fuca on September 18th. -Mark Malleson

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4:09 p.m. - Puget Sound - It was just along the shore, north of the mouth of Gig Harbor, heading south. -Michele Riely Campbell

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3:00 p.m. - My wife and 7 year old spotted likely the same humpback near Sunrise Beach in Colvos passage. -Peter Kreishman

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About 1:00 this afternoon humpback spotted from Sunrise beach in Colvos passage... It stayed very close to Vashon side, traveled South into Dalco Passage, then turned, came very close to Sunrise then back over towards Vashon. Was North of Sunrise (closer to Vashon) when we left around 1:30. -Heidi Powers Armstrong

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Beautiful image of humpback and human this morning off Dash Point, Federal Way. -Jay Altman, September 18, 2016

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10:09 a.m. - Spotted! Just dived. South of Brown Point lighthouse. Heading into Commencement Bay and towards Port of Tacoma! Multiple dives. -Ryan rooks

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Whale sighting Dash Point. single whale, moving slowly into Puget Sound. I noticed barnacles on tail. Surfaced 3 or 4 times in the space of 10/15 minutes, saw blow air and seemed to dive straight down. Whale was heading south. -Stephen Willoughby, September 18, 2016

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9:50 a.m. - Just saw him heading south past Dash Point Pier. Closer to mainland. -Linda Tyson

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6:20 a.m. - WS Ferries reports a humpback heading south along the east side of Vashon Island.

September 17
7 miles south of Salmon Bank, we picked up Transient/Biggs killer whales - T100s, T101s, T102, and T65B's, what a find! We enjoyed watching these amazing mammals as they leisurely traveled SE back towards Smith Island. Homeward bound, we checked out Steller sea lions on Bird Rocks, an unusual haul-out for them. -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist.

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6:25 p.m. - Humpback, just saw it surface twice just south of Picnic Point headed north. -John Carroll

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8:55 a.m. - Tony Woelke from WS Ferries just called to report a breaching humpback 1-1/2 miles out from the Edmonds ferry dock. It is now traveling southbound and is currently between the two ferries.

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4:51p.m. - Single Whale of some type surfacing North of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, heading towards Salmon Beach. Looked too small to be Humpback too big for Porpoise. -Melissa Burke

September 16
J22's west bound past Sheringham Lighthouse in the afternoon. -Mark Malleson

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Distant calls on Lime kiln behind loud vessel noise. 12:40am PT. -Ali Barratt

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One, maybe two orca whales off President Point Kitsap side heading south about 11:30. May have been hunting.seemed to stay on surface longer than usual. Lost sight of them about noon. One adult male. Very large dorsal fin. came up twice. -Joanne Graves

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6:30 p.m. - At least one, possibly 2 humpbacks southbound east off Point No Point off Whidbey Island - Maxwelton area. -Connie Bickerton

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Big flocks of sea birds on the water (known as bird piles) usually means food...Today was no exception, and after passing Colville Island, where numerous Pacific Harbor seals were hauled out on the rocks, Mystic Sea headed for Smith & Minor Islands Aquatic Reserve where we spotted a couple of Minke whales (the smallest of the baleen whales) dipping and diving to take advantage of the rich nutritional offerings in the marine ecosystem. A Steller sea-lion showed off his catch when surfacing, and we were treated to a fleeting glimpse of two Pacific White-Sided Dolphins (also known as Lags) as well as Harbor porpoises, the smallest of the cetaceans we see here. The season may be drawing to a close, but every trip offers something different and no two days are ever the same. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

September 15
Summer is lingering in the Salish Sea, with another beautiful, warm, sunny day as we left the marina a little early...which was good as the reports came in of J pod way north of the coal docks (BC) but heading south. After a 3 hour cruise through Georgia Strait, we caught up with them, slowly heading south. In the group of about 20 orcas, we enjoyed a great visit with J36 Alki and calf J52 Sonic, J16 Slick and calf J50 Scarlet, J42 Echo,big males Mike J26 and Blackberry J27, J47 Notch and his mom J35 Tahlequah, and others in the J17 group. They were foraging, with some breaching, tail slapping, and nice roll overs. At first they were fairly well spread out, but they grouped up tightly, which is such a beautiful sight to see! The water was glass smooth, perfect orca appreciation conditions! With a fond farewell, we head home through the sparkling late afternoon, catching a look at some harbor seals steaming in the sun. Another fabulous day on Mystic Sea! -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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10:43 a.m. - Keystone/Coupeville on Whidbey. It's "BCY 0458, Raptor" - humpbackand he/she is lunge feeding! Heading toward middle now south of Marrowstone point.
10:26 a.m. - Found one north of Lagoon but still south of ferry terminal. Heading south. -Renee Beitzell

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7:40 a.m. - Two humpback whales off Lagoon Point, Whidbey Island headed south! -Margaret Marshall

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3:10 p.m. - Common dolphins in Hammersley Inlet now heading towards Shelton. -Pamela S Burger

September 14
..."Orcinus" next encountered K27, J17, J44, and J53 spread out near the south end of Kellett Bluff. J44 and J53 were working together in a slow chase of a salmon. A little farther north up the bluff, K13, K20, and K38 were in a tight group moving south a few hundred yards west of Kellett. Another whale was traveling alone closer to the bluff and this was J28. She was looking thin as she moved slowly south down Kellett Bluff. "Orcinus" only spent a few minutes with J28 before helping the NOAA research boat get on her... Photos and full summary report at CWR Encounter 99. -Center for Whale Research Staff

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The beginning of an open-mouthed half breach by J53 this afternoon (September 14). Social Js and Ks intermingling in Open Bay. The rest of her family was nearby - including her big sister J28 Polaris and her offspring J46 Star and J54! J27 Blackberry as he passed by...J's and K's heading for Salmon Bank. -Monika Wieland Shields

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We went up to the San Juans and spotted a number of orcas at the mouth of Haro Strait, west of San Juan Island. I didn't keep an accurate count of how many we saw - hard to do if you don't know them apart, and many of them were at a distance, but I'd guess we probably saw between 10 and 15 whales, not counting some transients... -Winston Rockwell

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5:35 p.m. - From shore, I've got them spread at Lime Kiln to Land Bank, southbound. -Cher Renke

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5:17 p.m. - Turned Lime Kiln on and hearing loud vocalizations. Ks and maybe some Ls?. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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3:40 p.m. - A few calls on Orcasound. Nothing on Lime Kiln yet.-Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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3:15 p.m. - Still milling Kellett Bluff but some of the northern one's came back to join them.
2:28 p.m. - Some have stalled out at Kellett for the last hour. -Monika Wieland

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1:18 p.m. - K pod S16/17 calls
12:53 p.m.- turned on OrcaSound hearing faint echolocation and S1 calls. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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12:50 p.m. - Js and Ks, missed first half of them but got the trailers, all Lime Kiln and north of here, northbound now.
12:46 p.m. - All J28s here. -Monika Wieland

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12:35 p.m. - many different repeated S1 calls
12:31 p.m. - whistles
12:25 p.m. - followed by S17 calls of Ks.
12:22 p.m. - J pod - loud S4 call followed by S1 calls.
12:17 p.m. - hearing faint echolocation on Lime Kiln hydrophone. - Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Went on an epic adventure westward exploring the Strait of Juan de Fuca today! We did 151 miles and went all the way out to Sombrio Point on Vancouver Island. Wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery galore out there! I have so many photos to get through but wanted to pick one that summed up our day. Group after group after group of Humpback Whales. Such a beautiful day in the incredible Salish Sea. -Traci Walter

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The fluke of a magnificent Humpback Whale! Taken in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Traci Walter

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Victory and Split Fin, Humpbacks travelling together, just a half mile or so North of the T037's, near Dungeness Spit. -Janine Harles

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2:30 p.m. - Flight of two of these guys in Hammersley Inlet. Heading west. I have not seen them return so I believe they are still in Oakland Bay. -Pamela S Burger

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There have been at least five of the common dolphins in the area over the past many days. The last sighting was of them heading north out of Budd Inlet. That makes a visit to Hammersley Inlet a high possibility. -Kim Meriman

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9:20 a.m. - A report by Diane Nelson of "two juvenile orcas" (Common dolphins) in Hammersly Inlet at the cove inside Cape Horn for at least 1.5 hours.

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9:00 a.m. - From the land, We saw two Harbor porpoise (possibly Orca, saw dark black fish with fins, floating up and down into the water) between Fox Island and the south tip of Gig Harbor (Wollochet) about 7pm on Sept 13. More close to the south tip of the Gig Harbor (Wollochet). They seemed to stay in the same area. In the morning of Sept 14 (about 9am), we saw three in the same area again. They are on the boat routes and we did see boats crossing near the area where porpoise were seen....I googled porpoise and it looks like what we saw could be porpoises. (intially reported as orcas, with further discussion believe to be porpoise). -Qin Zhang

September 13
T011A on the afternoon off Victoria's waterfront and in Becher Bay . -Mark Malleson

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Another great morning to be the first to find Transient / Biggs Killer Whales (T11's) minutes from our docks...This Mom and Son are the ones that like to come into Sooke Harbour and Basin...Today they went deep into Becher Bay...Wow! And still Humpback Whales everywhere! -Paul Pudwell

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9:10 a.m. - Harbor porpoises feeding off of Blake Island just east of Manchester. They can be seen from the Bremerton ferry. -Dianne Dee Iverson

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4 to 5 dolphins played and fished just north of Harstine bridge several times during the day. -Gretchen Stewart

September 12
With over 50 Humpback Whales around Sooke today, Cpt. Dan found these two very active ones breaching like CRAZY! -Paul Pudwell,

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Solo humpback sighting headed north between San Juan County Park and Snug Harbor at 8:00 pm. -Charyn Pfeuffer

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Lone Humpback Northbound in Haro Strait, county park 1935. Either male or juvenile based on smaller size. -Ariel Yseth

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Found a Northern Fur Seal at Salmon Bank (off south San Juan Island) today! Only the second one I have seen in 13 years. -Ivan Reiff

September 11
Started my shift as the naturalist at the San Juan Island Land Bank just as members of K and L pods came in close to shore, others were spread out to mid channel. Positive IDs for L55s, L90, K44 Ripple, L92, K13s, K14s. One lone humpback also got in on the fun. Could actually hear the HB and some Ks vocalizing above water! -Ariel Yseth

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7:00 a.m. - J26 and other members of the southern resident clan in the early morning calm. Near Washington Park, Anacortes - off Burrows Bay, Rosario Strait. Spotted several Orcas at approximately 7 am on both ends of Burrows Bay along the Rosario Strait (near Washington Park). They were very active. Could not count all of the whales, but there seemed to be upwards of 20 throughout the Strait and Bay. Playing and feeding. 1 total breach. -Neal Wychock

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Surprising us all, members of J-pod were found off-shore of Lopez Island, very spread out. First whale we spotted was J-27 Blackberry, born in 1991. We stopped to watch and found there were whales spread on both sides of us, close to shore and way out west. Others we found were the J17s, some J16s, J-27, and towards the end of our viewing a few L-pod whales! What a great day we had with these amazing mammals, such a privilege to see them! -Jill Hein, volunteer naturalist

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1:40 p.m. - They were spread across Haro. Trailers off Land Bank Southbound now, -Monika Wieland

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12:30 p.m. - SRKWs on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. -Connie Bickerton

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I saw them again as they traveled south past the park between 11:45 - 12:15, then I went down to the Land Bank Westside Preserve, and finally American Camp, where they headed out southwesterly into open water. Took a few photos, will share later if any of them came out at all! -Donna Green Van Renselaar

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My husband and I were on our private vessel and saw whales. ...This was about noon, a little north of Lime Kiln, a little south of Mosquito Pass. We killed our engine and drifted for over an hour while whales swam by on all sides. We heard blows, turned to see one whale, heard another blow, turned to see another, like whirling dervishes trying to see them all. Somewhere between one and two dozen. Also had our hydrophone in the water an hour earlier and heard them in the vicinity. Magical experience! These photos taken by my daughter Adrienne Domingus. -Cathryn Rice, Olalla, WA

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12:10 p.m. - Moving very slowly very spread none have passed the light yet. From Lime Kiln I only saw the K12s, K13s, K14s, and L91s I think.
11:43 a.m. - First whales in sight from Lime Kiln.
11:08 a.m. - Just started hearing faint vocals on the OrcaSound hydrophone. Assuming southbound. -Monika Wieland

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Crew and passengers witnessed a remarkable phenomenon described by scientists in a new study published just this summer-humpback whales interfering with hunting transient killer whales. Doesn't seem to matter what species they're hunting, the humpbacks don't like it. Scientists continue to debate the reason for this "vigilante" behaviour, which has been documented at multiple sites around the world over decades. Now they can add southern Vancouver Island to the list...The T100 and T65B families of transient killer whales. Five whales in total....4 humpbacks we think. Several times, the orcas retreated to regroup as if they were contemplating their next move. Or waiting for the humpbacks to go away. The stand-off ended with the transients swimming off, apparently deciding that four angry humpbacks weren't worth the trouble. Score: Team Humpback 1, Team Orca 0. It's not known whether Team Sea Lion survived its injuries or was attacked again later. -Eagle Wing Tours

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An orca cruises past the humpbacks, trying to get to the sea lion hiding among them. The humpbacks grouped together, blocking access to the sea lion, thrashing their tails and exhaling forcefully in an aggressive or agitated behaviour we call trumpeting. They repeatedly advanced on the orcas. -Valerie Shore, September 11, 2016

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Members of each team are visible here. Two humpbacks in the foreground, the sea lion floating in the background (probably not feeling so good by this point), and an orca heading toward it. -Valerie Shore

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Also an interesting thing we observed today at Lime Kiln: a humpback whale came north into the southbound residents and started trumpeting with every surfacing as it came within a few hundred yards of the whales. It was fluking on every surface and then turned west and wasn't seen again....Just ID'd the HB as BCY0409 - Yogi. -Monika Wieland

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...and definite humpback traveling North in front of Land Bank West Side Preserve on Sunday between 1:00-2:00 pm... it was maybe 150 yards yards off shore. -Donna Green Van Renselaar

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10:14 a.m. - pod of 5 to 10 porpoises heading north in Admiralty Inlet, possibly some infants or young. Spotted originally near Lagoon Point, Whidbey. -Rachael Alyson

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9:00 a.m. - Spotted an Elephant seal near Edmonds Marina (north of) today while on a bird watching tour as part of Bird Fest. Looks like a juvenile or female- not sure. -Terry Nightingale

September 10
Headed out from Snug Harbor at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 10 hoping to see southern residents. We knew some were down south and started to head that way but then got a report of whales up north which was closer and probably calmer conditions. We caught up with the J16's on the south side of Saturna Island, leisurely, and I mean leisurely (about 1.5 knots), traveling along. Also present were J27 and his sister J31 of the J11's and I believe J28, J35 and J47 of the J17's. I didn't have any images of the J17's until the end and I presume J54 was tucked down in as there were calves present. They were grouped in two very tight groups for the most part interchanging groupings periodically. They seemed very relaxed and unphased by a large container ship directly in their path. We were hoping the kiddos would get rambunctious but even they were perfectly content with their leisurely weekend swim through the beautiful Salish Sea. Here is the big guy J26 and little sister J36 swimming in perfect unison and harmony. -Debbie Stewart

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5:39 p.m. - L12s and L54s flipped at Land Bank...L12s in a resting line! L12s are now southbound off American Camp. -Monika Wieland

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With whales (the L12s) in Haro Strait. Tight family group, lots of big boys in the mix, exhales blowing in the breeze. Magic. Today was definitely different - and worth the swells, spray, and salty decks. -Barbara Bender/David Howitt, All Aboard Sailing

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The infrequently seen L54 matriline with I think L84 Nyssa in this shot. This afternoon as they crossed Haro Strait inbound towards San Juan Island. The L54's came in early this afternoon and we (Island Adventures) caught up with them off Victoria and came across Haro with them. As they crossed in resting pattern, little L117 Keta was swimming with big, L88 Wave Walker. -James Gresham

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Left the marina with a mild breeze and sunshine, but with a definite fall feeling in the air! With reports of many resident orcas heading southwest down Haro Strait, we eagerly headed out to Salmon Bank to catch up with the leaders, who were moving pretty fast, with pauses to fish and play. We had a great visit with males L89 Solstice (23 yrs old) and L85 Mystery (25 yrs old), females L77 Matia (29 yrs old) and her young daughter L-119 Joy (4 yrs old), as well as female L-22 Spirit (est. 45 yrs old). There were some big breaches, spy hopping, rolling around, tail slaps, and pec slapping, though overall they seemed pretty intent on heading southwest. On the way home, the wind died down as we got some great looks at the magnificent Stellar Sea Lions on Whale rocks, and enjoyed the beauty of the small islands around Lopez. All photos taken with a 300 zoom lens and cropped. -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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J16s were also there so they weren't alone. Sounds like whales basically spread from offshore of Salmon Bank to Swanson Channel and across both sides of Haro. We saw lots of active foraging. J46 was babysitting J54 which was nice to see, and they were splashing around together so he had energy
12:45 p.m. - Just found all the J28s off Kellett.
11:58 a.m. - We're alone with some Ks and Ls off Battleship, all Js plus more Turn Pt and further north. -Monika Wieland

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Saturday (Sept 10) between 9:30 am and 12:00 I watched approx 40 SRKWs traveling Northbound past San Juan County Park. They were spread out over several miles and all across the channel in small family groups, pairs and singles. Single male was on the trailing end. -Donna Green Van Renselaar

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9:00 a.m. - I want to report seeing about 10-15 orcas between 9 and 10 am Saturday morning on the west side of San Juan Island by County Park... they were in that area for a bit then continued Northward. -Shawn Hendricks

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8:35 a.m. - Calls on Lime Kiln, just started! -Ali Barratt

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Humpback whales feeding west Juan de Fuca Strait near Neah Bay. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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4:50 p.m. - Observed numerous breaches by large whales, presumed to be humpbacks. Observed from W Beach Rd bluff a half mile north of Hastie Lake, Whidbey Island. -Kevin Knight

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8:00 a.m. - Humpback at Useless Bay (Whidbey). We spotted a humpback in front of our house at 8:00 am this morning at Double Bluff, Useless Bay, Freeland, WA. Rolling, maybe feeding, then headed out to the inlet. -Terry Smith

September 9
T123A Stanley - We had the pleasure with Transient Killer Whales and 50+ Humpbacks around Sooke! It amazes us every day! -Paul Pudwell (ID by Alethea Leddy)

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BCYuk2015#1 (Smiley) - in MERS catalogue (first recorded sighting 2015). CS121 off Sooke, BC. 50+ Humpbacks around Sooke! It amazes us everyday! -Paul Pudwell (ID by Alethea Leddy)

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Yep, we saw one (humpback) in Skunk Bay - Admiralty Inlet, traveling East around 7:00pm. -Lora Davis

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Just received a message from a woman reporting one, possibly two whales, in Skunk Bay at 6:50 pm, heading SE toward Point No Point, Kitsap Peninsula, WA. Possibly the humpback(s) reported earlier today in this area.

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1:39pm - My brother in law just let me know that he spotted a humpback diving 300 yards off shore at Point No Point today. Heading northerly but could be hanging around the area. -Sue Surowiec Larkin

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The crispness of fall soon replaced the early morning fog as Mystic Sea navigated between the scenic San Juan islands towards Kelp Reef, Haro Strait, where two humpbacks (which we identified as BCZ0219 and BCY0523) were traveling sedately south in calm seas towards Victoria, B.C. -Sandra Pollard, Author/Naturalist

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Received a message from WA State Ferries, from 10:46 am, the ferry Chelan reports a sighting of two whales, not orcas - one adult and one juvenile, westbound in Spieden Channel. (turned out to be humpbacks)

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3 humpbacks went thru Spieden Channel heading NW between 9:30-10 a.m. .Past Sentinal. What a way to start my day! -Peggy Mauro

September 8
It might have been a true Super Pod, cuz right at the end of the trip, along comes the L11s (L12s) and Mega, L41. Sunsetting at Race Rocks, BC. -Capt. Jim Maya

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The leading group of Southern Residents, streaming out to Hein Bank from San Juan Island. A spread out "super pod" was reported, with small groups of all three pods moving quickly. We caught up with K35 Sonata, K33 Tika, K21 Cappuccino, K44 Ripple, L47 Ripple and her daughter L91 Muncher, with her calf L-122. They were actively fishing at times, with some playful breaches, spy hops, and tail slaps. After spending some beautiful time with them, we headed east toward home, stopping to see the imposing Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks, and enjoying a trip through the rocky islands around Lopez. -Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist

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Sure was beautiful out there today with orcas everywhere! L91 "Muncher" was in a breaching fit today! -Traci Walter

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Orca vocals and echo on Lime Kiln (hydrophone)...listening from Loveland, Colorado 10:00 am Mountain time. Christina Tegoning8:30 a.m. - Still hearing a few clicks on Lime Kiln.
8:15 a.m. - turned OrcaSound back on (off due to ship/boat noise) still hearing vocals.
7:20 a.m. - turned on Hydrophones, Southern resident echoing distant vocals can be heard on both Lime Kiln and Orca Sound! - Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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Calls on Lime Kiln 6:40am PT. I've been hearing them for around an hour but they were heavily obscured by vessel noise. They must be much closer to the hydrophone now! -Ali Barratt

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Approx 6:00 a.m. - They actually passed by! -Elyse Woda

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Looks like the Humpback Whales that were out west are moving east...10 minutes from our docks we found 20+ just off Sooke Bluffs to Otter Point this morning! WOW! -Paul Pudwell

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11:26 a.m. - lots more pec and tail slaps before a long dive, popping up now south of Port Townsend ferry lanes - Admiralty Inlet - traveling southbound. I've got to head home now, good luck!
11:05 a.m. - just drifting south active! Lots of tail and pec slapping.
10:52 a.m. - viewing from Ft Casey lighthouse, traveling, several breaths then deep dive.
10:39 a.m. - still southbound along Whidbey shore about 1/2 mile out. It's fluked a few times and a slight tail throw. 8 minute down times at one point. But, when it's up, easy to spot from shore. I'm headed to Ft Casey.
10:25 a.m. - Female Humpback 'Two Spot' CS631 southbound along Ebeys Landing, Whidbey shore, 1/2 mile offshore. -Rachel Haight

September 7
Beautiful Mega L41 southbound in Haro Strait, passing by Lime Kiln Lighthouse this afternoon. Solstice L89 - Haro Strait this afternoon. -Traci Walter

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6:58 a.m. - calls at first faint and by 7:03 a.m. hearing whistles and J calls. Soon after vocals erupted in volume and variety, it was stunning. Around 7:25 noted I'd been listening to S2iii calls typical of L12 sub pod. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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6:00 a.m. - Pod of 5+ orcas heading north this morning. -Elyse Woda

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4:00 a.m. - K pod mews.
3:14 a.m. - Much louder now. J and L pod calls, I think.
3:03 a.m. Pacific time - Distant calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone. -Ali Barratt

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The T069D's taunting a harbor seal before they eat it in Oak Bay this morning. -Mark Malleson

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Saw 2 orcas (including 1 adult male) chasing seals at Chin Beach, BC (west Juan de Fuca between Port Renfrew and Jordan River) at 8am Wednesday September 7. -Chris Hoban

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Received a report from Don Bower from Sept. 7, about 1:30, of 8-10 orcas just outside Makah Bay, about a 1/2 mile off Cape Flattery. He said there were two adult males and three juveniles, splashing as they headed NE toward Vancouver Island. Unidentified Atlantic killer whales

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3:00 p.m. - EDT pod of orcas playing seen from shore at Assateague, VA. At the beach in Assateague Park, VA was standing on a small berm and saw what I first thought were surfers in black wetsuits UNTIL I saw their black dorsal fins! Then they began breaching the surface and I clearly saw the white ventral surfaces...OMG it was breathtaking. There were approximately six fins (that I could see from shore) lots of blowhole activity and after about ten minutes they swam away. They were a majestic sight and I felt privileged to see this. Few beachgoers were paying attention as it was right after Tropical Storm Hermine. No photos - they looked like orcas. I saw black fins on all of them. feeding and playing. -Liz Omps

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Humpback BCY0057 in the Juan de Fuca Strait on the afternoon of September 7th. -Mark Malleson

September 6
...Although the resident orca used to come all of the way into the Salish Sea in large groups with complete pods, they now typically spread out over a large expanse of water by the time they pass by Race Rocks. I surmise this spread is due to a spread or low density of prey (Chinook salmon) in recent years as compared to decades ago. After all, there were 1.5 to 1.9 million Chinook salmon caught per year by humans (WDF Technical Report No. 76, 1983) from stocks utilizing the Strait of Juan de Fuca in those early years of Orca Survey, and the average fish was 15-17.5 pounds;... -Center for Whale Research staff CWR encounter 95

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Great to see a "Super Pod" J, K, & L of the Southern Resident Killer Whales off Sooke, BC today. Feeding, mating, and highly energetic this afternoon! -Paul Pudwell

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WOW! Super Pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales coming east past Sheringham Lighthouse this morning! We also had a super "POD" of 60+ Humpback whales just south of the same area... WOW! This might be the most epic total whale sightings we have ever seen around Sooke, BC. -Paul Pudwell

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Incredible night with the T60s. They were continually on the hunt and made several kills. That didn't stop when they reached Colville Island (SE of Orcas Island) where T60, T60E, and T60F entered the small cove/crack on the southeast side of the island. I didn't even realize a whale could fit in there, let alone three! ...light was fading, but it was so cool to watch T60E face off with two seals, have mom come out of the cove and appear to push her kiddo (who was probably blocking the entrance), and then moments later the youngest zoomed out of the cove as well and followed her mom and older sibling off to check out other seals hauled out nearby. -Sara Hysong-Shimazu

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3:55 p.m. - Just left 4 (maybe 5) orca headed due south in Griffin Bay between San Juan and Lopez Islands toward Cattle Pass. Easy to find as 6 whale watching boats are traveling with them. -Deb Varner

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Encounter with a pod of about 4 Orcas in West sound around 1pm. We were very far away watching thorough binoculars with engine off and they eventually swam past us. -Kimberly Lynn Wickens

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10:00 a.m. - Maia of WSF called to relay a report of 6-8 orcas in San Juan Channel. No directions given.

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Admiralty Inlet - T34s, T36s, T37s, T65As, T99s - Early morning reports had orcas northbound in Puget Sound. Approx. 10:00 am we first caught sight of three lovely groups spread loosely gliding along in the calm waters of morning. T65As just north of Point No Point and the two larger groups surfaced more inshore. Their northbound travels continued, mostly just in travel mode, surfacing in regular intervals then longish dives, every once in a while staying down for 6-7 minutes or longer. The T65As most of the time hung to the outside to themselves. At one point a large group surfaced after a very long dive heading for shore in a line...it was breathtaking. This directional change and movement had every look to be pod on the hunt, but that did not happen. That group then cruised well inshore as others stayed more offshore in the lead. No kill was witnessed in my time on scene. Watching so many fins surface at once so tightly clustered in their home waters pierces ones soul. We left for a time and returned to find them again further north. We left them still northbound off north end of Marrowstone around 12:55 p.m, left superpod of Ts (including T37s, T65As, T99s) in couple of groups powering northbound nearing Fort Flagler, very much Flagler side of Admiralty.. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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1:30 pm - the orcas passed Point Wilson Lighthouseas they continued north before disappearing into the fog. -Sandra Pollard

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Another pod making big splashes, porpoising. North of beach, Marrowstone. heading north - just went past Marrowstone point about 12:55.
12:27 p.m. - Just spotted a fairly large pod of orcas north of East Beach park, Marrowstone island, heading north. Edmonds whale watch following behind. -Heather Lapmeier Cramer

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10:44 a.m. - viewing from south Mutiny Bay, whales look to be headed straight west, slightly northerly, from my line of sight looks like they're aiming for Foulweather bluff. -Rachel Haight

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10:37 a.m. - Dave Anderson called to say he was seeing orcas across Admiralty Inlet near Foulweather Bluff.

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10:30 a.m. - They commited to Admiralty. First in 3 groups loosley spread with T65As further east. Now in two large groups either side of mid channel northbound out from Double Bluff, Whidbey side and Skunk Bay, Kitsap side. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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9:29 - Just saw 10-15 orcas just southeast of Point No Point, heading north or east. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network

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8:15 a.m. - 30 feet off shore of Apple Tree Point. So many, I couldn't count. What a wonderful surprise! -Gina James Vigna

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Saw them just North of Kingston on the 7:55 a.m ferry. -Doug Hayman

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8:00 a.m. - Tony Woelke from WS ferries called from the Puyallup and reports 6-8 orcas (including 1 male, couple of females, and young) first southbound, then northbound 1/2 mile off and south of Apple Cove Point, Kingston. Surface activity and some directional changes, not looking to be going anywhere.

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7:16 a.m. - I just woke up to the sound of whales swimming by! Orcas heading north toward Kingston passing by President Point. Maybe eight or so disappeared in the mist. -Julia Milller

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...Sheringham Lighthouse this morning! We also had a super "POD" of 60+ Humpback whales just south of the same area... WOW! This might be the most epic total whale sightings we have ever seen around Sooke, BC. -Paul Pudwell

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1:35 p.m. - Unidentified whales - A dark grey or black whale just passed the North end of the Bangor Base (Hood Canal) at the old de-gassing dock. He was going South. Was swimming right into an area with about 30 or more crab pots. He didn't breach high enough so I could see his entire body. Not certain. He didn't breach high enough. Could see that he was dark grey or black. It was a small curved dorsal. The color wasn't as black and shiny as an orca. It appeared dark gray. In fact, it looked more like a pseudorca than any of the other pictures on your site. It was probably about 1/8 mile away and I looked through my high-powered scope and saw it surface about 4 times, but it was fast and I couldn't see as much as I would have liked. -Carole Baker

September 5
Georgia Strait - A great encounter today with Bigg's Killer Whales! T19 and T19C finally caught up with T18 and T19B after being separated for most of the day by two very long islands. T19 and T19C were vocalizing the whole day trying to find T18 and T19B and finally tracked them down in the Georgia Strait after 20 miles of searching and almost a whole day apart. Once they were in acoustic range T19 and T19C high speed porpoised for 8 miles to meet up with T18 and T19B. We could hear both groups calling back and forth on the hydrophone when they were two miles apart. Super cool encounter! -Simon Pidcock, Ocean EcoVentures WW

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9:28 a.m. - San Juans - Orca - Sighting North of Friday Harbor east of Roche! 48 degrees 37.125, -Meris Lehecka

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7:54 - Admiralty Inlet T65As off of Windmill Heights heading south almost mid channel. -Dennis Allen

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7:45 - Saw them briefly from south of Bush Point, still heading south about a mile from shore. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network

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7:33 p.m. - Just passing Bush Point. We were with these whales off Eastern Bank earlier today. They get around. -Sandra Pollard

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7:17 p.m. - Watching from Bush Point. They're just south of Lagoon Point, Whidbey side. -Aden Ritter

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7:10 p.m. - T65As are mid-way between Lagoon and Bush Points still heading south, Whidbey side of mid-channel. Lost of porpoise around, but they appear uninterested in hunting. -Bart Rulon

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Two adults and one calf headed south past Lagoon Point Monday, Sept 5 approx. 7 p.m. -Dianne Bratz

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6:40 p.m. - Stephanie Raymond reports the T65As are in Admiralty Inlet, heading south off Lagoon Point, on the Whidbey Island side.

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6:25 p.m. - Puget Sound - Visible from Saltwater State Park (Des Moines). Closer to Vashon/Maury. Trending south towards lighthouse. -Jennifer McKee-Johnson

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5:53 p.m. - Des Moines Marina. Still southbound. -Melody Dimaggio

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5:14 p.m. - Just south of SeaTac control tower - closer to mainland. Saw them in binoculars from KVI beach on Vashon. Headed south. -Carrie Power

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Taken between 4 and 5 p.m. from my deck just a little north of Three Tree Point. One of the boats with a canopy and two men seemed to follow very close and place itself in the path of the Orcas. As I note below in my email to Scott at the Burien Blog, the pictures were very poor as the Orcas were on the west side of the Sound. And I hoped the boat was researchers. -Elston Hill

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4:38 p.m. - he whales are right off of Three tree point midchannel ....closer to the Vashon side. As of right now they are in a south easterly direction.
4:20 p.m. - we are out on a boat right in front of the radio towers off Dilworth. We just spotted some orca in front of us. -Tanya Jackson Esparza

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4:25 p.m. - Still going slowly south. Past three radio towers and headed towards Vashon at Tramp Harbor. -Jennifer J Burton

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Approaching Three Tree Point at 4:14pm. Whoever is in that white boat needs to stop chasing them!!
4:01 p.m. - approaching Dilworth Vashon heading south. -Kelly Burns Keenan

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We saw the whales at Three Tree Point at about 3:30-6:30 on Sept. 5. There was 7 of them and the baby was adorable. He kept going on his side and waving his "arm". -Melody Dimaggio

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3:36 .pm. - Orca under Mt Rainier. - 1/2 way down Vashon still headed south. 1 mile off shore. -Adam Bock

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3:26 p.m. - just received this text from a friend out boating: Whales between Alki and 3 Tree Point, headed south. -Robin Mann

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3:15 p.m. - whales passing through Arroyos beach area (West Seattle) closer to Vashon Island. -Chris Frankovisch

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3:10 p.m. - Saw them directly in front of the Vashon/Fauntleroy route heading southwest at a fast pace. So amazing! -Angie Edgmon

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3:02 p.m. - East side of Vashon still. At north end. Milling around.
2:39 p.m. - Just saw them by Vashon ferry headed SW still. -Jennifer J Burton

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2:47 p.m. - Spotted from on deck Vashon ferry. Orcas are next to Blake. -Ari Gerdes

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Here's the first of the photos I was able to catch from Lowman Beach about 2:30 pm. Behind the orcas is the north tip of Blake Island. They were sometimes headed north, more often south. -Trileigh Tucker

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2:05 p.m. - Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales called and reported the Transient orca pod is just north of Alki, still heading south.

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2:00 p.m. - What a wonderful day, with these beautiful beings...I mean look at them, such purpose and greatness. Watching Transients northwest from Alki Point while on the rocks at the lighthouse. -Kersti E Muul, September 5, 2016

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1:40 p.m. - between Alki Point and Blake Island heading southwest at a rapid pace. -Jill Hadji

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1:38 p.m. - At Alki heading towards Blake island, turned south again.
1:33 p.m. - Whales spotted. Just north of Alki point. Milling but Trending SW. Looks to be 4 or 5. -Neil Hathi

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1:00 p.m. - we've been watching orcas from Bainbridge for last hour. Group of 8-10? Traveling steadily south in Elliot Bay. Approaching Alki now. -Susan Marie Andersson

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11:45 a.m. - Just saw them middle of the sound, more than 10 traveling in 2 groups headed south and approaching West Point/Discovery Park. -Mara Barckert

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My wife and I were out crabbing on Monday, Labor Day, right off of President Point just south of Kingston. At approximately 11am, we had the thrill of observing a pod of Orcas swim by headed south in the south bound shipping lane. They stopped twice to fish and slap their tails. The gulls went nuts picking up the leftovers. There were ~12 whales and they were spread out over ½ mile in the shipping channel. -Regards, Michael Toomey

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9:33 a.m. - maybe 10 or so Orcas in this group - line of sight Apple Cove from North Edmonds.
9:17 a.m. - South east of Eglon now still moving at a good pace south. Few stops for breaching and tail waves and slaps.
8:56 a.m. - They are moving fast nearing north of Eglon
8:41 a.m. very active pod of Orcas just east of Point No Point - breaching, tail slaps etc. look to be heading south near shipping lanes. -Stu Davidson U.S. Homeland Security crew taking time to enjoy some humpbacks in the Juan de Fuca Strait in the afternoon. -Mark Malleson

September 4
Consecutive images of two resident pod members taken around 11 am. Orcas heading westerly direction off Saturna island. -James McLarnon

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Js and Ks were very spread out heading north in Haro Strait in the morning and the J17s including J28 passed directly in front of the CWR porch... see Center for Whale Research Encounter 94 Summary

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5:50 p.m. - I have been listening with glee for about an hour to the Lime Kiln hydrophones and have been treated to some of the most wonderful range of vocalizations. Don't know who it is, but there's a whole lotta talking going on. Clicks. Whistles. Squeals. Still going strong and with no distractions.
4:36 p.m. - faint calls on Lime Kiln hydro! -Kim Merriman

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3:47 p.m. - more are southbound at Lime Kiln.
3:23 p.m. - they seem to be milling at Hannah Heights.
3:15 p.m. - Residents at Land Bank now. First moving up island now moving down island. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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10:43 am. - GREAT vocals on Lime Kiln hydrophone right now. Loud and clear! -Kim Merriman

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9:31am - Orcas on Lime Kiln Webcam. -Laurie Arnone

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9:28 a.m. - Hearing orca on the Lime Kiln hydrophone now. -Colleen Moore

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8:35 a.m. - Js on Lime Kiln.
8:15 a.m - hearing faint K pod calls on Orca Sound hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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7:30 a.m. - Lime Kiln hydrophone - Orca! -Laurie Arnone

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Superpod of Transients worked their way south from Lawson Reef (off Deception Pass) late afternoon. It was the T34s, T37s, T36s, and T99s. -Bart Rulon

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5:15 whales continue southbound, viewing from west beach Deception Pass state park.
4:25 p.m. - viewing from Rosario Beach. They are NW from here southbound. -Rachel Haight

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T-37 family grouping taken by Cypress Island, Sunday Sept 4th. Many groups of transient whales were in the area, including T18, T19s, T36s and T99s between Cypress and Burrows Islands. -Jill Hein, September 4, 2016

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1:56 p.m. - Main group is off Anacortes ferry. T18's broke off and headed towards Burrows Island....They were in Guemes Channel. Off the ferry now. Headed back out.
1:35 p.m. - 18's, 36's and 99's. Off Anacortes now. -James Greshman

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Members of the T36's, 36B's, 37's and 99's headed into Guemes Channel in Anacortes on Sunday. The T18's were also traveling with this group but had broken off when this was shot. -James Gresham, September 4, 2016 (ID's by Michael Colahan, Island Adventures)

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Transients passing by Anacortes. -Roger Rickets, September 4, 2016

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1:15 p.m. - Been watching a group of orca mill off SW point of Cypress Island. Since noon. Another pair just came in from the west, heading to meet up with other group I assume. From Washington Park. -Rachel Haight

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Visitors to Langley Whale Center reported seeing 4 Orcas from Pt. Townsend Ferry, 11 am this morning. -Wendy Sines, Orca Network

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Orcas at Sucia Island. Saw two orca whales this morning at 8:30 am headed north past Shallow Bay. Saw them again at 9:15 headed south past Echo Bay. -Elizabeth Hartsoch

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Orca Pod, 5-6 (including 2 males, appeared to have one calf) Sighted just north east of Guemes Island Sunday Sept 4th around 4:30 pm. Just traveling. -Loran Davis

September 3
Members of K pod eastbound in Active Pass, passing the shore of Galiano Island early this evening 5:30 pm. -Karoline Cullen

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J2, aka "Granny", passed CWR at 1145 heading up Haro Strait, and she was followed a short while later by J19 and the J16s, and then the K13s and K14s who finally passed by at 1305... For photos and full report see Center for Whale Research Encounter 94 Summary

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Sweetness from 4:00p.m. trip to Active Pass with some residents. (which included the J16s and J2 Granny and L87 Onyx) -Capt. Jim Maya

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Great day with resident orcas. This is K13 Skagit spyhopping in Swanson Channel with her daughter, K27 Deadhead and grandson, K44 Ripple in the background. K37 Rainshadow surfacing near False Bay on San Juan Island from Saturday morning. Rainshadow was born in 2003. He is at an age where he will start going through a noticeable growth spurt. His dorsal fin will begin to sprout and grow taller, his pectoral flippers will increase in size, and his tail will begin to curl on the ends. All apart of growing up and enduring the gawky teenage years! It will be very fun watching Rainshadow grow over the next 10 years. -Katie Jones

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Js & Ks up west side of SJI - saw J2 and K13s for sure. The groups were widely spread & most crossed into Canada by 3pm. Also heard reports of some Ls around Eagle Pt, but did not get to see them. Hope they stuck around today! -Michelle Leann

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L92 Crewser passing by Lime Kiln lighthouse. Members of all 3 pods were there. -Breanna Elsea Cena

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Dreams do come true, I have always wanted to see whales in their natural environment. Rented a Skiff from Van Riper's Resort in Clallam Bay, Seiku, Washington. We saw a Orca and several Humpbacks in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -Ian-Laura Coyle

September 2
Juan de Fuca - Sooke - Transient / Biggs Killer Whales right out front of Sooke today. T46 and T46E, T46D . -Paul Pudwell

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When we headed over to Vancouver Island this morning, we never could have imagined we would be seeing a couple transients so close from shore in Saanich Inlet! Here's T2B off the beach in Mill Bay this afternoon. -Photo by Monika Wieland

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Western Juan de Fuca - A pod of 3 orca (including 1 male) 1 mile north of Sekiu River, Sekiu, WA 3:00PM heading west, just outside of kelp line, traveling slowly. Taken from shore. -Paul Blake

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Rosario - We received reports from Sandra Pollard of 4 Transient orcas in the Partridge Pt/Partridge Bank area this morning - 1st report at 10:23 am, with an update at 10:55, location was 5 miles SW of Smith Island, doing a lot of milling, but seeming to move in a southwesterly direction when they were moving.

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T60C (L) and family. -Richard Snowberger

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We ended up with a gorgeous day of sunny, blue skies and a glass calm sea....Mystic Sea departed Anacortes at 10:45am with reports of transients near Smith Island traveling south. Once we arrived at Lopez Island, we went 15 miles due south to catch up with our first group of transients for today, the T60s. We stayed with this group for about half hour, when we saw in the distance another group of transients who seemed to be having lunch. Captain Monte cruised over just in time to see this group, the T65s, while they finished off a seal. We stayed and watched as they continued to feed on other seals, and even got a mouthful of seagull! This group included a large bull with a 6 foot dorsal fin, and several females and calves...-Amy W., Mystic Sea

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Juan de Fuca - Peninusla Daily News shares on their Facebook page a report of A pod of Orcas seen out near Ediz Hook in Port Angeles on Friday. Thanks to local photographer Jay Cline.

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11:00 a.m. Watching a couple Harbor porpoise feeding at Johnson Pt. -Joan Ahre

September 1
Another Special day just south of Sooke with the T11`s, T37`s & T60`s transient Killer Whales coming together to check out a couple Humpback Whales...Not sure if they were in hunting mode or just checking them out but it was sure an exciting encounter! -Paul Pudwell

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Sub adult humpback launches - Juan de Fuca Strait. -Mark Malleson