Recent whale sightings in the Salish Sea

(Puget Sound, Northwest Straits, Gulf Islands and Georgia Strait)

Sightings Summaries Archives

Sighting report archives

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To report whales please go to the Orca Network Sightings Report Page, or email Orca Network.

The purpose of Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network and Education Project is to encourage observation and increase awareness and knowledge about the Southern Resident Community of orcas (J, K and L pods), and foster a stewardship ethic to motivate a diverse audience to take action to protect and restore these orcas' critical habitat.

The orcas' steep population decline of 20% from 1995 to 2001 is a reflection of the problems and issues facing the greater Puget Sound marine and watershed ecosystems: declining salmon runs, PCB contamination, and the effects of a rapidly increasing human population including habitat loss and resource depletion. Through a volunteer Whale Sighting Network, sightings and observations of this orca community are gathered and disseminated to researchers and volunteers, and posted on our website.

For information on the Southern Resident orcas, go to Orcas of the Salish Sea.
Click here to find out about Northern Resident orcas,
and here to find out about Offshore orcas,
and here for information on Transients.
Click here to learn about Gray whales.
Click here for Canada's catalog of Humpback whales.

Commonly found marine mammals of Puget Sound

Other sightings networks can be found on the Orca Network Links page.

Or this link to the Center for Whale Research ID Guide

To hear orcas underwater in real time when they're around, go to
OrcaSound - real-time underwater sound

To better understand how to operate a boat among orcas, please become familiar with the
Be Whale Wise Guidelines and Regulations

To report stranded marine mammals, please contact
Marine Mammal Stranding Network

For whale watch information, contact the
Whale Watch Operators Association - North West

Summarized Sightings map HERE

For charts of the Salish Sea and Pacific Ocean, go to:
NOAA Nautical Chart On-Line Viewer - Pacific Coast

May 19

1:51 - J Pod on the west side of San Juan around False Bay/Eagle Point....yeah! And to quell the rumors--the "new" calf is nearly 1 year old--J49. No new calves yet.....yet!
John Boyd
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12:20 - J pod on Lime Kiln phones now.
Pam Ren
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12:20 - Killer whale calls on Lime Kiln!
Dave Haas
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12:09 - J Pod just passed Mitchell Point (San Juan Is.) southbound.
Kris Hoyt
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11:55 AM - J pod currently on Orcasound hydrophones.
Pam Ren
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Stephanie Raymond on the Victoria Clipper reported a pod of 4 - 5 Transients, with a small calf, traveling north in Possession Sound this morning at 9:24 am. They stopped and mingled around the Clinton Ferry dock, it appeared they may have made a kill there; then they continued north bound.
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9:20 am - Matt Malone reports 3 orcas heading north in Saratoga Passage past the Clinton ferry dock, about 1/4 mile rom shore on the Whidbey side.
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9:07 am - Julie White reports 3 orcas in Totten Inlet, near 3200 block of 90th Ave., Olympia, (2 small, one adult female) just milling, no direction given.

May 18

No idea what J pod had been up to before they made it back to the islands, but we have watched them resting literally hours - 4 and counting if not more...And they are doing the west side shuffle while they rest....they have not been out of sight since early this afternoon. Super tight group or two, up down, up down. Some of these fisherman out here have had the experience of a lifetime. Sigh.
Sandy Buckley
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Today the Mystic Sea did a complete circumnavigation of the San Juan Islands, covering about 100 miles! We finally found the whales at Hannah Heights, heading north very slowly. It was a great show with 20+ Orcas from J pod - we saw several fluke shots and tail slaps and even a couple breaches! We also saw several Bald Eagles, some Harbor Seals, lots of Harbor Porpoise, and even had a quick visit with a California Sea Lion.
Naturalist, Leizel Grant
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16:00 - Saw J Pod from the air. Just off coast near Lime Kiln. Totally surrounded by boats.
Susan Marie Andersson
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3:12 - J pod reported headed south in Haro Strait.
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1:20pm - It looks like J Pod quickly heading south in Haro Strait. Just passed us at Mitchell Point!
Tom Hoyt
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We are on the Queen of Cumberland pulling into Otter Bay (North Pender Island) and passed some killer whales heading the other way (going south). There was a large male and at least 2 smaller fins, though we didn't have much time. If you know who they are, I would be interested.
Sherry Kirkvold
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Saw 5 orca just off the coast in campbell river headed north.
Susan Booth
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We noticed three orcas at 5:00 p.m. heading north out of Eld Inlet. Then they dove. When they surfaced again, they had turned around under water and headed back south into Eld for 30-40 minutes. Then they came out again. They did that same routine (at least 4 times) until 8:30 - when they headed the furthest north since 5:00. Last sighting was as they were heading north toward Squaxin Island and then hung a "west" and headed toward Hope Island.
Kim Merriman
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3 Orcas sighted Saturday 8:00p.m. Top of Eld Inlet heading north. Must of come from Totten Inlet from the day before.
Paula Salewsky
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4:12 - They are currently over by qtr. masters harbor.
Angie Ginther
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Kayaked today and saw 3 orcas near Boston Harbor, Puget Sound.
Dominique Bachelet
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Three transients, most likely, off Boston Harbor, Budd Inlet, about 4:00. Milling around. Two females and one male.
Hans Dunshee
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A small group of three or four orcas were sighted in Dana passage yesterday around 2:30pm. They were diving and surfacing infrequently near the southern tip of Squaxin Island. Could be seen from Boston Harbor marina.
Sky Myers
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2:20 pm - a pod of 5 transient orcas were reported headed into Commencement Bay.
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We saw 3 orcas this morning traveling south toward Boston Harbor/Olympia - it looked like one large one and 2 small ones. They were moving pretty fast and swam right past Harstine Island.
Janet Singler
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Dave Davenport reported a minke whale off Cattle Pass, south of Lopez Island, at 12:45.
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4:20 - Just saw two blows from pt no pt seems to be heading north towards Marrowstone Island. 3:25 - HB is heading north towards driftwood keys / twin spits. Just saw it blow.
Connie Bickerton
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3:10 - the humpback is reported near the Hood Canal bridge heading toward Pt Gamble.
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2:45 - Humpback whale. Salsbury park. - north of Hood canal bridge. Saw it three times, then it fluked in what appeared to be a deep dive. Last seen headed towards Port Gamble. The whale was heading north out of Hood Canal and surfaced maybe 30 feet off shore. I of course was looking at my phone. I heard it, and the kid yelling so grabbed my camera and headed around the point. The whale continued around the point still 30-40 ft off the shore, past the dock and the three boat launches. The boat launches were stacked up with shrimpers waiting to pull their boats in. The whale surfaced again, 10 ft off one of the waiting boats. It surfaced one last time, and this time did a deep dive, and by the time I got my camera organized, I barely captured it's flukes disappearing. I saw it surface two more times as it headed out of the bay, and then three times from Point No Point before it disappeared headed north.
Connie Bickerton
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I saw one whale today at 2:18pm as I headed west on the Hood Canal Bridge! I was approximately 1/4th the way across the bridge heading west & I saw the whale to my right, on the north side of the bridge, heading south, on its way under the bridge. It's huge body rolled & then its huge tail fluke came out of the water. The bridge obstructed any view of head. I'm not familiar enough with types of whales to determine what type of whale this was, but the tail was a grey color & classic shape. Humpback? Unfortunately, I was unable to pull my car to the side of the rode to continue to watch him to see if there were any markings, what he was doing, get photos, etc. I have lived in Port Ludlow for 15 years & cross the bridge on practically a daily basis & have never seen whales there before (at the Hood Canal Bridge), so I thought this might be of interest to you. Also, I am concerned that he was going in the wrong direction & may be lost?
Sheila George
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Type: Humpback
Location: Port Gamble, WA on Hood Canal just north of the mill site along the breakwater
Time: 6:48 AM
Number of whales: 1
Health: No perceivable problems, looked healthy
Activity: Feeding
Direction of travel south towards Hood canal Bridge
John Kuntz

May 17

3 orcas, including one male, were seen about 70 miles north of the Columbia River, ten miles offshore, reported by Ralph Perez.
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Just got back from Encounter #20. J pod showed up off Iceberg Point on the south end of Lopez at around 11 a.m. this morning.
Center for Whale Research
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6:30 pm - Ken Balcomb reports J pod heading north between Lime Kiln and Snug Harbor, in a slow resting line, moving toward Kellet Bluff.
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My husband thought he saw 2 orcas in Totten Inlet near Arcadia Point around noon, heading north. We have not seen orcas here before.
Mary Knackstedt
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7:20 - We saw one large and two smaller orcas on the Pickering passage side of Harstine point. They were moving slowly up the passage and faded away.
Ruby Luby
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1:45 - 2:15 - 3 transient orcas hunting a sea lion at Lakota Beach. Traveled south towards the mouth of quartermaster harbor after the sea lion was able to beach himself.
Laurel Shimer
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Observed 3 adults traveling south along cost of Maury Island from vantage point on Dash Point fishing pier....Whales appeared to change direction several times near entrance to Quartermaster Harbor and then disappeared....Might have entered harbor.
Steven Palmer
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My mother-in-law watched three orca chase this poor guy around between Dash Point and Maury Island earlier today. He sought refuge on the beach only to die a few hours later. Fish and Wildlife are performing a necropsy tomorrow.
Heather Jo Gulian
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I FINALLY saw one! Right now there is at least one to the right of the Tahlequah ferry dock (if you are facing PT. Defiance.) I couldn't get a pic but saw it jump and spray a couple of times.
Lori Eastman
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Chad Clinton called from near the mouth of Totten Inlet to say 3-4 orcas are working the 100' deep middle of the inlet at about 10:15 this morning.
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8:30 am - Looked about 5-7+ headed south in colvos passage towards the end of Vashon, moving pretty leisurely. We'll see where they go..!
Meaghan Luchau
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6:50am - we woke up to orca this morning. this time they are playing - stationary. we have seen several tails out of the water - tail slaps? i think the same pod as yesterday.
steve rees, pt richmond beach, gig harbor
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This morning off of steamboat island olympia, at least 3.
Kellie Shincke

May 16

7:40 - 4 to 5 whales off lighthouse park, Point Roberts right now.
Paul Sewell
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Another two species day!! This year has been incredible so far with Humpbacks hanging out in the Strait of Georgia. The day was a bit strange though. Everyone was expecting to find J pod but, despite everyone's best efforts, they were no where to be seen. Transients, as they have all year so far, saved the day! T63 and the T65's around East Point cruising down Boundary Pass. It was my first time seeing T63 "Chainsaw" and his unique fin....It was awesome!. On the way home we ran into a Humpback whale lunge feeding in the Strait.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver
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Brad Hanson of NOAA's NW Fisheries Science Center reports identifying T185 and her offspring near Commencement Bay this afternoon.
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It was a phenomenal day aboard the Mystic Sea today! We had 15+ Transient Orcas off of Point Lawrence heading southbound in Rosario. They split into 3 groups and were all lunging, rolling and feeding and we even saw one do an amazing spy hop. The grand finale was when we saw a Humpback in the middle of the T's just east of Thatcher Pass! We followed the whales down to Bird Rocks before turning and heading home to Anacortes. We had fabulous warm weather and flat, glassy waters .
Leizel Grant
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5:04 - Headed towards Fox Island Bridge/Hale Passage. 4:50 - Under the Narrows Bridge headed South FAST right now.
Melissa Bird
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3:15 - Closer to owens beach now. 2:57 - Two adults and a baby south end vashon milling around now.
Rick Oppegaard
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3:47 - Dave Davenport called with a report of a single male orca heading south from the south tip of Lopez Island, toward Smith Island.
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At about 3:30 pm I saw three adult female orca with one juvenile about 1/2 mile west of Browns Point in outer Commencement Bay. They were traveling east toward the mouth of the Puyallup River. I sighted them from my sailboat while sailing. There were no other boats around at the time. My friend took pictures which I will provide after he sends them to me. I have seen Orca in nearby Dalco Passage before and reported them several years ago.
Ken Slattery
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4:39 - Last saw them heading south towards narrows bridge, look for small boat with person in red jacket following the pod.
4:07 - Milling around about 1 mile south of Gig Harbor light house.
3:47 - Heading south towards narrows bridge.
Russ McPhee
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2:35 - we had 5 orcas headed east past the south end of Vashon.
Holly Bailey
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orca sighting at point richmond (gig harbor) 1:50pm: 15ish orca spotted headed south at moderate pace. there was at least one "baby"in the group and all of the others appeared to be females??
steve rees
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10:38 - Brad Hanson of NMFS reports two groups of orcas are in south Puget Sound now. One group of 4 or 5, including 2 or more males are off the south end of Vashon Island, and another smaller group is off the north end of Vashon Island.

May 15

Spent much of the day on the west side of San Juan Island watching J pod make their way from the south end near Salmon Bank. They paused for a few hours milling and foraging at Middle Bank, then late afternoon resumed their travels northward. Nestled in a beautiful resting line approaching Land Bank they were fairly close to shore but moved off shore a distance where they remained as they continued past Lime Kiln. Last we heard they were off Henry Island still northbound in resting mode.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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J pod came in today! All appear to be there. J8 and L87 led the pod up the west side of San Juan Island. J2 traveled by herself offshore of the others and about midway between Group A and Group B. J28, J37 and her calf J49 are whales I was concerned about. They all look good. Lots of socializing, some apparent foraging, and many surface active behaviors. Good to have J pod back!
Sharon Grace
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Today was amazing. Breaches, spyhops, cartwheels, surface and underwater vocals galore. So much play behavior. J Pod sure seems to be happy to be in familiar waters! I shot 877 pictures and videos.
John Boyd
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Finally, J Pod returned this morning after a long absence of over 70 days, and all of them are there! First it was two transients west of Victoria, and then they turned into 7, and then...J POD! We left them at Henry Island headed north this evening. Joyous return! They were sure having fun!
Capt. Jim Maya
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6:06 - It's a J pod party on the San Juan hydrophone right now!!! Some large ship noise starting in though...
Heather Polverino
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6:45 - still hearing very faint calls on OS. 5:56 - so loud and awesome! Alisa Lemire Brooks
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6 pm - Sounds like they are having a party on orca sound!
Connie Bickerton
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5:32 - Pretty vocals on OrcaSound right now.
Sara Troyer
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5:20 pm - Hearing them on OrcaSound now!
Gayle Swigart
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5:15 - Whale report from Ken Balcomb: J pod is passing the Center for Whale Research heading north up Haro Strait. All of J pod is present, and no new babies were seen. They all made it through the winter.
End: 16:06 - Aboard Research Vessel Shachi Latitude:48.48496 Longitude:-123.13301
Mid-point: 14:30 - Shachi Latitude:48.41987 Longitude:-123.24710
Start: 13:40 - Shachi Latitude:48.39781 Longitude:-123.29253
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5:02 - Clicks at Orcasound.
Harald Yurk
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Beginning to hear faint calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 4:20 pm!
Susan Berta
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12:10 pm - Jpod is inbound from the Victoria waterfront!
SanJuanSafaris
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11:48 - Five Star Whale Watching: Woohoo, just got confirmation that J pod is off Victoria waterfront:)
Blackberry (J-27)
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25+ T's. What a trip this afternoon! Over to Malaspina Strait area (northern Georgia Strait), Grief Point for a large gang of Transients. I believe we had the 002C's, 18-19's, 63, 100's, 101's 102, 123's and possibly more!
Nick Templeman
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7:50 am - Whale passing South at Lagoon Point (Whidbey Island), probably minke??? 30 ft long, small dorsal fin, surfaced again about 5-7 minutes later further out in the Sound.
Merilyn Ohlson
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WSF ferry Issaquah repoted gray whale off tie up slip at Vashon heading north thru Manchester.
Wayne McFarland

May 14

We had another incredible encounter with the T49Bs and T65As yesterday on the west side of Portland Island (Southern Gulf Islands, BC). They were attacking a Steller Sea Lion from about 12:45 until 2:45. The Steller ended up getting away after all that.
Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours
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@ 19:15 We reported seeing two Transients in Sooke Harbour, BC off Vancouver Island. T-20 and T-21 have been in the area for a few days between Sooke and Victoria, but never in Sooke Harbour. This is fantastic news because in the 5 years I've lived here I have never heard of or seen any Orca activity near Sooke Harbour.
Discover Sooke
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We received a message this afternoon from Jessica, reporting seeing 5 orcas at Chambers Bay (south of Tacoma), at around 10:30 or 10:45 am this morning. There were also porpoise that seemed to be staying in one spot, close to shore. The orcas were heading south toward Steilacoom.
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Scott Feist called with a sighting of 4 orcas a couple of miles off Westport WA. He said he thought there were 3 male dorsal fins, but no photos.
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9:44 - Sammye Kempbell heard from a neighbor that there is a gray whale in front of the Capt. Whidbey Inn, in Penn Cove, Whidbey Island.

May 13

I had a very interesting encounter with the T49Bs and T65As in the morning. Pelagic from Deer Harbor Charters found the whales near Crane Island at about 8:30 AM. I headed out on the Western Explorer to see them in San Juan Channel, near Yellow Island, then Pelagic left. At one point, as the whales went down for a long dive (about 5 minutes), a 45'-50' power boat came up the channel at speed. The boat passed me at about 100 yards to my offshore side, throwing about a 3' wake. As the boat continued on its way the whales suddenly surfaced in the boat's wake and began surfing it. This continued for about 2-3 minutes until the boat's captain finally seemed to notice and stopped the boat, at which point the whales went back to traveling up the channel. Later that morning, near Speiden Island they attacked a Steller Sea Lion, which managed to make it safely to shore.
Ivan Reiff, Western Prince Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
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For the third day in a row, Orcas! T65As, T49Bs and T49A2. They have been traveling a lot. Just today they went from the Orcas Ferry Dock, USA, to the Swartz Bay Ferry Dock, BC.
Capt. Jim Maya
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6:41 am - Marie Waterman of WSF relayed a report from the captain of the Elwha of 5 orcas seen from the Lopez ferry dock, heading west.

May 12

Mother's Day - what a treat seeing transient orcas T49B's and T69A's off Iceberg Point, Lopez Island, around 1:30 pm on a glassy calm day. The two groups... were extremely active with spy-hops, breaches, cartwheels, and some surface vocalization to celebrate a recent kill.
Sandra Pollard, Naturalist on "Mystic Sea"
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12:30 p.m. - MV Mystic Sea reporting 7 Transient Orcas off the South end of the San Juan Channel! We have identified that three of the whales are T49Bs [revised] and 4 whales are T69As. It is a phenomenal show with the Transients breaching, rolling and jumping. There are two immatures and the elder whales seem to be teaching the young ones to make a kill. We have calm seas, mixed fog and blue sky and incredible conditions. What a BEAUTIFUL show!!!
Kristen Kogler
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Transients in Oak Bay, Victoria at 7:30 am, and near Pt. Caution, San Juan Channel, heading toward Wasp Island at 4:30.
Alan Hobbes Buchanan
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2:31 - Orca headin up San Juan Channel toward Friday Harbor!! Moving pretty fast...about 5 total.
2:16 - Looks like they are heading into San Juan Channel...
2:14 - Spotted 3-5 orca off Cattle Point Lighthouse right at the entrance to San Juan Channel. Heading toward Lopez...about 6 boats with them.
Vickie Doyle
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4:40 pm - my little sister, Siri Love, spotted either a gray whale or a humpback (she isn't sure) in the water just off of Fort Ward park Bainbridge island.
Abbie Love
We're guessing this is a humpback
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approx 3pm - Possible humpback sighting off Fauntleroy ferry terminal heading south, large spray and exposed back/spine area....dark in color.....
Wayne McFarland, WSF
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Got a text around noon from Bob Fields and Holly and I flew out the door and caught up with three orcas near the Empire boat ramp, inside Coos Bay OR, at about 1PM, we saw them off and on for an hour and finally lost them near Charleston, a male, mother, and calf it appeared to me. Very cool- a lifer for Holly, I have only seen them in the bay one other time but they occasionally come up, but I usually hear about it after the fact.
Tim Rodenkirk
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My little sister, Siri Love, spotted either a gray whale or a humpback (she isn't sure) in the water just off of fort ward park bainbridge island.
Abbie Love

May 11

We spent approx 1 hr with T018 and T019-19B-19C, as they made there way south with the flood tide. Nice to see this gang, first time this year for us.
Nick Templeman
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I found T068, T068A, and the T111's west bound east of Pillar Point (approx. 30 west of Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca) in the morning.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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T49Bs and T65As encountered going through Porlier Pass into Trincomali Channel (Gulf Islands). We observed two kills, the first was definitely a harbor seal (as confirmed by photos from another boat) and the second kill appeared to be a seal as well. It was interesting to watch T65A and T65A4, who were several hundred yards north, come porpoising at high speed to the rest of the group, where they were subduing a harbour seal. T65A and T65A4 then joined in the feast. It was like they were being called for dinner!
Tasli Shaw
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Well all I can say about today is WOW! We found the T49B's and T65A's heading down Trincomali Channel (Gulf Islands, approx. 25 miles south of Nanaimo). Along the way they got hungry, we shut our boat down and they put on one hell of a show. 25 minutes of playing with the seal before finishing the job...it was one if the coolest things I have ever seen.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver
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Today there were at least 4 Minke Whales at Salmon Bank.
Western Prince Whale Watching
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1:20 pm - Angie Gleason saw a humpback only 40 feet off Richmond Beach in Shoreline, heading north.
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Fred Benedetti, a volunteer at the Seattle Aquarium, was at Richmond Beach today and saw a humpback spyhop off Richmond Beach in Shoreline, between 1 and 1:30 today.
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1:15 - Small unidentified black whale [probable humpback] with small dorsal fin heading north from Shilshole. Blows witnessed.
Cassandra Renee Santiago
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9:10am - Humpback whale just off end of Fauntleroy ferry dock, flippering (pectoral slapping) the water. Possibly moving slowly north. I was too far away to get a photo before the whale submerged, but the shape and size of the flipper (12'-16') and the slapping of the water were unmistakable Humpback traits. People on the ferry said that the whale had been very close to the boat (while docked at the pier). I watched the water for an additional 5 minutes until the ferry left, but sadly didn't see the animal again. Absolutely phenomenal experience - I never expected to see a Humpback in Puget Sound.
Devin Petersen from Seattle

May 10

I'd like to report a sighting of killer whales that my family and I had this morning. We witnessed what seemed to be between 2 to 3 orcas off the coast of Fort Bragg, CA. This happened around 11AM. We were taking a walk on the paved coastal trail in MacKerricher State park, and had a very good view over the water. We discovered what seemed to be at first, a greyish -brown big belly floating up and thought it was a grey whale. But suddenly those heads popped up, which were clearly black with the white round marking around the eye and more white marking down the side. We now believe the greyish thing, may have been seals, they were feeding on? We could see the spouts and all. At one point there seemed to be 3, but definitely 2 different heads visible. They were about half a mile north of the area where part of the beach is sectioned off due to the baby seals in the area, and about a quarter of mile away from the beach. They were swimming north. Sorry, we don't have pictures.
Angela Ramos
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We received a call from Minda from the Marine Mammal Institute in So. Beach, OR at 3:15 pm, relaying a report from Bob Aldrich, reporting a sighting of 3 orcas, then observing 2 orcas attacking a mom and calf Gray whale south of Newport, OR, where Beaver Creek meets the ocean, at Ona State Park.
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Fran Matthews with Marine Discovery Tours of Newport OR called at 10:35 am to relay a report from a fishing vessel, 3 miles south of Newport, OR in 7 fathoms of water, of 2 orcas feeding, one of them approached their fishing boat so they were quite excited! The whales were heading generally north.
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Orca in Yaquina Bay OR. I understand this happens from time to time, but I've never seen it until today.
Demian Bailey
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I just returned from a 3 week trip. My neighbors say that one gray has been here at Kayak Point (in Port Susan, east of Camano Island) every day for about two weeks. There's one here right now, 7:30am.
Gary Lingenfelter
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Around 8am at East Point/Fox Spit there was a gray who hung around for an hour. It was rolling around on its side, moving slowly probably abut 40 yards from shore. My husband watched it from south of the point on our deck then walked down to the beach and saw watched it head north.
Sara Young
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8:30PM - Whale breaching in Elliott bay off Seattle tonight.
Austin G Watson
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Not sure if anyone else reported this... The video (I think) speaks for itself. This seemed to be a lone Humpback traveling south along the downtown Seattle waterfront at approximately 9:30pm. I did not see it surface again after sounding just off Pier 66. This is the first Humpback I have seen in Elliott Bay (assuming my ID is correct?).
Matt Cryan
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About 5:30 p.m. several of us saw a whale off Edmonds Marina Beach. Today when talking with a NOAA volunteer at a festival, we are thinking it was a humpback. This whale was black, it blew a large plume of water, and it dove down showing it's V-shaped tail.
Vivian Murray
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We had a wonderful day with a humpback whale today off East Point, Saturna Island. We heard the humpback was near East Point around 12:30 and when we left the scene at about 3:15 he was still in that general area, pointing North. There was lots of surface activity including lots of pec slaps, a mini cartwheel, and even a breach! We also got some great fluke shots. I'd love to know who it was we saw out there today!
Brittany Bowles, Marine Naturalist San Juan Excursions

May 9

Five Star Whale Watching's album: Gray Whale near Becher Bay! Patch, beloved gray whale #49, appears to be headed back out to the big beautiful Pacific ocean after spending a couple of months foraging in the inland waters of Salish sea. Safe and happy voyages to you big guy, was nice spending springtime in your presence, see you next year!
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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From Bainbridge Island, approx 6pm, about 2 miles south of Agate Pass, I was kayaking with a friend in completely quiet and still water and we heard a big SPLASH... Looked over and there was the top of a whale, about 30 feet long & approx 500 feet away. Didn't get a good look as the sun was setting behind it, but thinking it to be the lone humpback that has been sighted in the area??? Watched for a few minutes but didn't see it surface again. What a privilege.
Kimberly Sylvester-Malzahn
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A gray whale was just off shore at Harrington Lagoon today @ 1. It was an amazing sight to see its fluke as it dove down! It was headed toward Penn Cove.
Karen Cleveland

May 8

We had a gray whale right in front Greenbank beach about 1:30 pm. It was going north.
Ken Urstad
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Just saw a gray in Penn Cove between Long Point and Snakelum!
Maureen Denny
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Kelly Stadler of Coupeville called to report one or two Gray whales feeding off of Madrona Way (Penn Cove) at 7:30 am - they fed back and forth for awhile very close to the shore (20' out), then headed toward the Mussel dock off the Hwy, then back toward Coupeville. They also saw Gray whales in Penn Cove two weeks ago.
Minke whales
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Center for Whale Research staff with killer whales at this location and time (south Georgia Strait).
End: 17:46 PDT Latitude: 48.83665, Longitude: -122.89340
Start: 16:39 PDT Latitude: 48.79925, Longitude: -122.89493
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Awesome day in the southern Strait of Georgia! We encountered a significant group (at least 11, likely more) of Bigg's (transient) orcas, spread out approximately one mile off the eastern shore of Tumbo Island (east side of Saturna Island). There were at least two main groups of animals (1/4 mile apart) heading south east, with what appeared to be the signature ragged edge dorsal of T63 about several hundred yards out from the nearest group (other boats on scene confirmed the presence of T63). Our boat was fortunate enough to spend time with the T2Cs, T123s, and T102 who were traveling in a closeknit group, surfacing in unison at a leisurely pace. T102 broke off from the group to travel on his own, while T123A and T2C1 (aka "Rocky") were seen engaged in some "touchy feely" tactile behavior (I saw T2C1 upside-down at one point with T123A rolling on his side in unison). T123A has some discoloration on the right side of his dorsal (like a grey sunburn) ... something to take note of next time he is seen. Very beautiful and so exciting to see multiple Bigg's killer whales in one area! I feel very lucky to have seen them.
Tasli Shaw
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Best EVER encounter with Transients tonight 10 minutes from the dock...Unbelievable Transient Orca Show in Samsum Narrows. I have never seen Transients so social and airbourne. At one point there were four orcas completely out of the water at the same time. Lots and lots of surface vocalizations and even vocalizations while they were breaching. The Orcas blows and surface vocalizations were echoing off the rock bluffs at Bold Bluff in Sansum Narrows. They were still going off non-stop when I left at dark. It was the T049B's and the T065A's, totaling seven animals.
Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay
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We had an amazing encounter with about 15-20 Transients Orcas. We had T63, the T123s and the T2Cs for sure. Many others as well. We were with them 2 miles north of Patos Island at 3:00 PM. Ken Balcomb was heading out there as we were coming in. So he should have a full list of IDs.
Western Prince Whale Watching
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Big pod of orcas in Cowichan Bay, BC....lots of little ones.
Erin Klatt

May 7

We have had some very interesting whale sightings around East Point, Saturna Island this past week. There have been 2 separate confirmed sightings of pilot whales. Those of us that live out this way have never seen them here before, at least in the past 5 years (I don't know of the years before that). The first sighting was two or three - the report was made by John Gahn on your site (I asked him to post with you). John is formerly from Oregon and is familiar with pilot whales in those waters and has spent a lot of time on the water. He was in a kayak and couldn't get an overview. The second report was my neighbours', Rick Graham and Kevin Leslie, who saw 2 very close to our shoreline close to East Point Park. Rick used to work at the Vancouver Aquarium. It was rather funny because the day before I told them about the pilot whale sighting and they didn't believe me :) The next day they saw them and confirmed that they truly are pilot whales. Then a rare occurrence of a humpback whale in Boundary Pass on Friday, May 2, breaching and showing off it's huge pectorals. And, a grey whale close to Tumbo Island - not very common here either. The transient orcas have been seen almost everyday. It's been a great week of fantastic sightings!
Maureen Welton
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At about 7 pm, Bonnie Gretz of Coupeville called to relay a report from Dan Miranda, of a Gray whale splashing around in Penn Cove, Coupeville, near the boat launch.
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Clarence Hein called to relay a report he'd received from a friend who was at the Front Street Grille in Coupeville, watching a Gray whale spy-hopping in front of the restaurant - wow - Coupeville is getting a show tonight!!
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We received a call from a woman in Greenbank, who was watching a Gray whale feed off "downtown" Greenbank (the beach directly across from Bakken Rd) at 12:50 pm.

May 6

I'd like to report the sighting of 2 Orcas, one male and one female, traveling north from Narvaez Bay, Saturna Island around East Pt. and continuing north in the Georgia Straight. Sighting them from kayaks we watched them for about an hour and one half from 9:30am until 11:00am.
They were traveling at a leisurely pace taking long dives and then a few breaths on the surface. Once they entered the Georgia Str. they both engaged in tail slapping on each surfacing. It was a beautiful day with flat seas and clear conditions. The whale blows could be heard from a considerable distance away.
John Gahn, Saturna Island, BC
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We searched the flat calm waters for almost 5 hours before finally seeing T20 and T21 break the surface in the Strait of Georgia. The views of the coastal mountains were unbelievable and water conditions couldn't have been better. Another great day out there!
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver
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7:44 - Seeing spouts just past Jetty island. We're at the marina in Everett they are between Mukilteo and hat island. Pretty sure it's Greys! :)
Megan Taylor
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Grey whale sighted off of the point by Ft Casey about 1000 yards off the coast 1230. Sea gulls were flocking towards it as it came to the surface. Is it normal for the sea gulls the dive and peck at it?
Kevin Funk
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10:55 - Saw a [humpback] whale this morning, cruz'n Olalla (Colvos Passage).
Lori Sirovy
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Just sighted a humpback heading north in Colvos Passage in the Olalla area (about 10:45 am). I was working in the yard and quickly turned around when I heard the blow - just in time to see his/her back and a nice fluke. He/she dove for quite a while then did a quick surface before heading out of view. Perfect day!
Sandy Alferness Jeter
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[A humpback] came up the West side of Colvos Passage Northbound at 10:40 this morning. The attached photos were taken from my deck in Prospect Point.
Phil Wilson
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On a truly glorious spring (more like summer) day, one young Minke whale kept passengers on "Mystic Sea" guessing where he (or she) would surface next in the glassy sea off the west side of San Juan Island. A school of harbor porpoise in Cattle Pass, sunbathing Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks and a watchful nesting eagle in Hughes Bay made for a perfect trip.
Sandra Pollard, Naturalist on Mystic Sea
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I'd like to report the sighting of 2 to 3 Pilot whales North of Tumbo island. They were maybe a quarter of a mile away but appeared to be feeding and moving north up the Strait of Georgia at 10:30am to 11:00am.
John Gahn, Saturna Island, BC
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Christy Palmer reports seeing two Risso's in Totten Inlet while kayaking near Little Skookum, south of Steamboat, from 3 to 7 pm.

May 5

We encountered a small pod of orcas traveling towards Nanaimo between Thetis island and Valdez. Approx 12 orcas we counted. We can't say for sure if they continued any further as we were heading the opposite direction. What a great experience!
Sean Dupuis
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4:15 - fantastic [gray whale] spyhop awhile ago..all three have move west away from the Snohomish delta to deeper water continuing towards Gedney.
3:25 - from Legion Park (north Everett) seen three whales blows so far. Two off the north end of Jetty Island sloshing :) around...so most likely feeding. Third one out from middle of Jetty Island (direction of travel unknown...distracted by many Osprey flying over our heads).
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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Sighting of what I think were two greys just southwest of Hat Island, around 0915. The ferry slowed to keep a distance from them. Was there a baby grey? I saw one spray from a blow hole...the spine/body, then another spay from different whale next to the spine, then fluke from whale of first spray. I did not see the fluke of the second whale. So exciting and we were so close. I have been keeping an eye out all spring and this is the first time to spot a grey. They're so beautiful!
Anna Winquist
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Not sure if its the same one but about 8 pm walking down Ruston way (Tacoma)- most positively saw a humpback jump out of the water- completely out of the water- about maybe 200 yards off shore- unfortunately there was no one else around- accept a guy driving by on a motorcycle- that saw it as well and pulled in and stopped to watch- I must say- it was AWESOME-
Beth Hudson
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Spotted a single humpback whale surface and dive along the edge of Dumas Bay in Federal Way at ~6PM. Whale was swimming north and moving quickly.
Steven Palmer
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Possible humpback sighting off Fauntleroy ferry terminal heading south, large spray and exposed back/spine area....dark in color....appprox 3pm.
Wayne McFarland, WSF
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Not sure if you got any reports but haven't seen any on your site or the West Seattle blog- yesterday we were in the car line on the Ferry dock at 3pm, looked up and saw a large whale (think it was a humpback from shape, coloring and small hump) come out of the water then followed with the tail out of the water. Maybe 100' off of shore in Lincoln Park, 100' N of the dock. Just saw it 1x, then drove onto the ferry. Went up onto the deck and several people up there saw it going S on the other side of the ferry dock, again maybe 100' off of the shore (we could see the trail in the water). Disappeared from view after the point. Happened too fast for us to get a pic, but I'd be surprised if some Orca Network or WSB readers didn't have a pic or video. Truly awesome, unexpected, and amazing how close in it was.
Tom Milne
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Humpback sighted ~200 yards NNW of West Point Lighthouse (at Discovery Park) at approximately 14:30. The whale was moving quickly south.
Greg Chapdelaine
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We received a call from Sandy Charbonneau, who reported watching many Gray whales spouting a mile or two offshore of Ocean Shores, WA on Sunday and again Monday; and on Sunday while they were watching the Gray whales spouting & fluking, they also spotted two black triangular fins that looked like orcas - very likely some Transient orcas following the Gray whales.

May 4

A gray (Eschrichtius robustus) whale has recently been photographed in Walvis Bay, Namibia. This is the first record we are aware of for the species in the South Atlantic or Southern Hemisphere and likely represents one of, if not the longest movements of any mammal. The animal has been seen around the bay by marine tour operators since the 04 May 2013. A more detailed back story and photographs confirming species identify are available for viewing on the Namibian Dolphin Project blog.
Simon Elwen
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A humpback was traveling north very close to the beach at Marina Park, Edmonds around 6:00pm. It was moving pretty fast for a humpback ;)
Renee Ramirez
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We were lucky enough to spend some time with a Humpback Whale in Haro Strait. This photo was taken at 1:30 PM at the top of Haro Strait, heading towards Swanson Channel.
Ivan Reiff

May 3

My wife announced about 10:30 that she saw a couple big dorsal fins [about a mile south of Little Skookum in Totten Inlet, where the two Risso's dolphins were seen May 6]. Of course I had to look so I grabbed the camera and headed for the lawn to take a few shots. I called John Calambokidis at Cascadia Research and he said a pair of Risso's dolphins have been in south sound for a year or so. Then he reminded me I called about this time last year ! So quickly I forget!
Duane Fagergren
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1900 - Killer whale spotted in the Siuslaw River in Florence Oregon swimming inland by the crab dock.
Pat Hogan
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8:17pm - At least 5 Orcas off Decourcy Island headed north for Dodd's Narrows.
Renate Wilson
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Single male killer whale heading north past Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves (San Juan Is.) today around 12:30pm or so. My field assistant Casey saw four or five surfacings - northbound. No boats in the area, though several hours later saw Peregrine (Maya's Whale Watching) heading back north.
Doug McCutchen
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1:50pm - There is at least one gray whale on the east side of Gedney island right now. I can see it from Howarth park in Everett. Looks like it might be between camano and gedney but still to the east.
Sara Troyer
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11:44 - greys in the Everett delta now.
Island Adventures Whale Watching
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8:45 - Humpback straight out from pier 55, Seattle.
Susan Marie Andersson
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8:26 - Spotted the Humpback twice, just north of the grain silos and Elliot bay fishing pier. Taking long dives.
Heather Polverino
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7:45 - Just saw it (the humpback) off West Point, headed towards Elliott Bay!
Billy Hartung
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Spotted it (the humpback) at 7:20pm from Sunset Hill Park, still headed south. It was just offshore near the Discovery Park Lighthouse. It was blowing regularly and made a couple of dives, showing off its tail nicely.
Steven Dare Lundholm
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Just got a third hand report of a kw seen breaching from Rays boathouse (Shilshole marina) right around sunset - supposedly observed by several people.
Brad Hanson
Note: this fits the time and place for the humpback.
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6:45 - It wasn't blowing regularly, but I just saw a blow from Carkeek to the south. It must have passed us I the sun. Just saw it again from Edmonds Marina Beach park @5:10 still heading south. Moving really fast. Close to shore.
Sara Troyer
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5:07p - Humpback off edmonds marina park.
Stephanie Chang
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3:03 - No doubt about it. Humpback in Mukilteo!!! Surfaced a couple times. Heading south quickly. Seen from Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.
2:32 - I think I just saw the humpback at Howarth Park (between Mukilteo and Everett). It surfaced, made a horn like noise then I saw a gray colored back with a small but distinct dorsal fin. Close to shore heading toward Mukilteo.
Sara Troyer
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We Spotted a humpback whale this afternoon about 3 pm off Mukilteo Beach, heading south. Never saw the head or flippers but it had the humpback-shaped dorsal fin and tail. It surfaced 4 or 5 times. About 20 minutes later, saw it moving back north (assumed it was the same whale).
Diane, Girl Scout troop 41342=

May 2

A humpback whale in Boundary Pass, breaching and showing off it's huge pectorals.
Maureen Welton
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T063 "Chainsaw" off of Mittlenatch Island, upper Gulf of Georgia. Looking at others' photos from the day, it looks like we had 25+ Transient KW's in the area! 063 was with 065B's and 023's. also saw pics of T100's and 101/102's. and T069D. We left them spread in a line 3 miles wide headed south between Salmon Point and Mittlenatch last night at 2000hrs.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
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The Mystic Sea found two Transient Orcas about 3 miles south of Trial Island, south of Victoria. We identified them as brothers; T93, born in 1963, and T97, born in 1980. The two Transients were travelling fairly fast, making about 7 knots. They were veering apart and then coming back together . . . then Captain Monte Hughes shut the engines off for a while and it was such a treat to watch their huge dorsal fins rise up out of the water together, when the only sounds to be heard were of the water lapping up against the hull of the boat, and the mystical sound of the Orcas' blows! When it was time for the Mystic Sea to start heading home the whales were off of Constance Bank heading east towards Whidbey Island. On the way back towards Lopez Island we had a great sighting of a large group of Harbor Porpoise (almost like mini-Orcas!) playing on the surface near the weather buoy.
Leizel Grant
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T93 and T97, west of Hein Bank at 3:30 PM, headed south toward Pt. Townsend. There were four groups of Ts today. I love our whales and our mountains.
Capt. Jim Maya
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I came across T093 and T097 in the morning 9 miles south of Victoria, zig zagging around after harbor porpoise but generally traveling east.
I also spotted T040 "Captain Hook" 2 miles south of Race Rocks also traveling east 6 miles behind them.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
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At 11am this morning, two Orcas, one following the other a good distance apart and not far from shore, headed east past Eagle Cove. From 11:05 am to 11:35, one lone orca was hanging out fairly close to shore, first at Eagle Cove and then at Eagle Point, feeding, before heading west. Nothing dramatic, only one minor tail lob. It's so wonderful to have them back! Again, all of these were late this morning at Eagle Cove/Eagle Point.
Alex Shapiro
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8:30 AM - Sitting by the Clinton ferry watching "sprays" heading south of Mukilteo close to the shore there.
Gwendine Ellis Norton

May 1

3:31 - Humpback heading north through Saratoga Passage, Camano Island side just about at Cama beach close to shore:)
Danelle Murphy
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7:19 - Two more gray whales heading south now. Mid to east channel Saratoga. Across from Breezy Point heading towards Camano park. Looks like grey's this time, moving s...l....o.....w!
Danelle Murphy
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6:55 - Just got the call - Gray Whale in Penn Cove.
Gwen Samelson
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4:00pm - Grey off Kayak Point county park right now. Just North. I can see him blowing from the dock. Looks to be heading to warm beach. The whale actually came within about 50 yards of the Pier. Really close to shore at on time.
Nate Trujillo
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We watched the gray whale off of Hidden Beach/Greenbank for almost an hour. He went south about 9:40AM. So cool!
Cindy Dean Prahl
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9:24 am - Gray whale heading south from Hidden Beach, Greenbank, about 30 minutes ago.
Nancy Culp Zaretzke
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We started off May with a bang! A two species day! We had a juvenile Humpback in the Strait of Georgia who was pretty active (see below)....lots of cartwheels. After hanging out with him/her for while we headed into Active Pass and found the T124A's heading south towards Prevost Island. We were excited to see a new calf with the group (T124A2's first calf so I guess that would be T124A2A....getting complicated now haha). It was a perfect way to start out May.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver
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Great day on the water this afternoon! In calm seas and sunny skies we went out in search of a Minke Whale spotted at Constance Bank and ended up finding TO65A2 just south of Trial Island:) We followed this lone male Transient Orca as he slowly moved Eastward leaving him a few miles south east of Oak Bay Flats!
Andrew Lees