Recent whale sightings in the Salish Sea

In and around the Salish Sea, including Puget Sound, Northwest Straits, Gulf Islands and Georgia Strait, and along the Pacific coast.

To find viewpoints along shorelines from Deception Pass to Olympia, go to:
Whale Sightings Viewpoints Map Page

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

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

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

November 8
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Mon, Nov 8 - Central/North Puget Sound (Js, Ls) - 17:46 - Still no SRKW signals on the BP hydrophone, though ambient noise level is lower now... It seems they are loitering in this extended quasi-slack period. Will they ride the big ebb out, or fight their way back in to Puget Sound?
16:36 - Still no SRKW signals on Bush Point hydrophone (just tug boat noise). -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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16:30 - Orcas still south of Bush Point in no particular hurry, foraging and milling, couple of breaches. One whale mid-channel turned south. Others trending generally north as light fades.
---- What a difference a day makes.. After Sunday's high winds and stormy seas, Monday brought forth calm conditions and the welcome news that J and L pods had stayed overnight in Puget Sound. Throughout the morning and afternoon, they slowly made their way north in Admiralty Inlet, foraging and socializing, breaching and spy-hopping, drawing shore-based whale-watchers from far and wide to the mesmerizing parade. The whales' arrival just short of Bush Point at sunset, with a couple of whales turning south as the light faded, raised the big question - would we have the pleasure of their company again tomorrow? (Breach sequence occurred in less than 3 minutes) -Sandra Pollard
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15:53 - Still viewing the whale parade from Limpet! Absolutely beautiful in the sunset. Lots of rolls and slaps. We think the last of them are going by now.
15:03 - Several more approaching Limpet.
15:00 - 12-15 orcas have passed Limpet Ln., NB. Pretty far over on Kitsap side. Saw a nice breach! Baby with this group. -Donna George
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15:00 - 3 pm, seeing leaders passing N end of Skunk Bay area, headed NW toward Foulweather bluff, way over on the Kitsap side. Watching from 1 mile south of Bush Point. -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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16:55 - Left Bush Point Lighthouse where about 6 or so folks were enjoying the amazing views of Mt. Rainier and Orcas at a distance. When we left, they were hanging out around the area circled. Hopefully they will stay in town for another day. So happy to see you all today!!!
14:49 - At Mutiny Bay, Frank Robinson Park. At least 2 Orca coming around point, mid channel! NB. -David Haeckel
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13:58 - Sighted 1 male in between PNP Lighthouse & Double Bluff heading north. -Carol Johnson DeRusha
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16:35 - I just left the bluff 1 mi. south of BP. There are a few moving very slow NB pretty far out mid-channel.
14:00 - Still gradually trending NW but milling and foraging as they go. Zero boats with them.
13:28 - Seeing many blows spread out between Scatchet Head and 1/2 way toward Point No Point, still far south of Double Bluff, trending NW. -Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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Double breach huge wave after this....PNP today. -Noelle Morris
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photos from Point No Point. -Jim Pasola
L108 & L82 IDs: ALB
J45 IDs: MP
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13:16 - From Maxwelton a see some blows close to PNP. NB. -Jayn Golsen
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14:40 - Still watching from PNP. There is a group foraging in the midpoint of Double Bluff near research boat and more in middle of Cultus Bay. Most others went north into Admiralty after we had some great passby's within (guessing) 300-400 yards of shore. Are pretty far over now.
12:40 - Update multiple whales around Scatchet Head from Cultus Bay heading NW - I'm going to head to PNP, at Apple Tree Pt. now. - KOMO chopper is with them, plus research boat. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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~16:00 - Donna, Amanda, Teresa and her mama pretty much watched the trailers, around 6 of them, both sides of channel northbound with a few intermittent foraging stops. Line of sight was Limpet Lane public beach and maybe 1 mile south of Bush Point/southend Marrowstone Island. 2 large males in this group.
13:37 - I think most are mid channel ish from my vantage point. I'm now at Maxwelton. I see the research boat and a few just passing Kitsap side of the Pt. No Pt. yellow buoy channel marker.
13:10 - Near Scatchet Head green buoy channel marker and still heading north. Group that I'm watching.
12:40 - Viewing from Scatchet Head and see quite a few loosely spread south and north of Eglon and, I want to say, middish channel. The at least dozen or more that I have my eyes on are NW bound.
---- I absolutely love the fall color and Olympic Mt Snowy backdrops. Also, the pinkish skies that reflected onto the waters, sun was going down, photos taken from 2-4. Most taken from Limpet Ln area. At the same time, we were seeing orcas south of Double Bluff in line with Hansville and blows about 1 mile south of southern tip of Marrowstone. That is probably like 5-7 mile spread south to north. Many of the orcas were mid channel with some on Kitsap side and some on Whidbey side. To see the Residents fills my heart with joy...and they all looked pretty happy out there. Most photos are zoomed, most are cropped. -Marilyn Armbruster
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12:20 - From Apple Tree Point, seeing whales spread from north Edmonds to tip of Whidbey. Those appear maybe be trending north but a lot of foraging.
12:00 - Seeing a male definitely traveling SB off about Eglon on the Kitsap side. Saw another possibly heading NB. -Sara Frey
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14:05 - Still some visible from Point No Point, although most are already continuing north. Lots of action … including some VERY friendly socialization (male laying on back with pink serpent visible).
13:20 - Viewable off of Point No Point. Research boat is trailing. Still lots of breaching, cartwheels, spyhops, etc. A few trailing the research boat to the south (large male and a few others).
12:50 - Large male trailing the others … northbound. He is currently south of the research boat and west of mid channel.
12:35 - So far out from me at Eglon. But lots of breaching. Further east of mid channel.
11:59 - Seeing some south of the Edmonds ferry still. Large male traveling south just north of ferry. Mid channel. He turned and is heading north again. Viewing from Eglon. -Tisa Annette
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11:54 - Multiple groups of orca in the general area [Possession Triangle], both east and west of the research boat. 2 large males west, southbound and mid channel. -Tanner Sment
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14:12 - Viewing from Double Bluff beach. West side of channel, northbound.
12:19 - Viewing from Possession Point [orcas SW of there, between Eglon and Kingston]. Some appear to be moving NW. Lots of splashing.
11:48 - [orcas] Seeing distant blows, looking SW from Possession Point. -Tiffany Jo Cheyann Waldner, Orca Network
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12:32 - Still at Cultus Bay, looks like some are northbound... still way over to the west
11:41 - [orcas] Looking across toward Kingston from Cultus Bay, spread out, no obvious direction...very far but lovely. -Bonnie Gretz
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10:53 - Orcas in view from Haines Landing in Edmonds closer to Point No Point from our view. Spread out. Super cool! -Karen Kotowicz Mason
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10:45 - Group slowly moving south approaching Eglon closer to Eglon side. Seen from Picnic Point, orcas with snowcapped Olympics as a backdrop. -John Carroll
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10:26 - [orcas] Large group active right off Skatchet Head. No direction. Just lots of activity! -Donna George
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10:20 - Eyes on them at 10:20 from Possession Lane near Picnic Point. They are mid channel south of the green channel marker. Very active, breaching. Appear to be slowly heading NE towards Point No Point. -Mark Gronau
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12:35 - Group heading north, directionally toward Point No Point! Along Kitsap side!
10:07 - [orcas] Watching from E. Possession Shores. Going NE and lots of splashing and some breaches.
----Amazing day with the Southern Resident Orcas. (J and L Pods) Watched them from multiple places on the South end of Whidbey along with other Orca friends! We live in a wonderful place and so grateful to be able to enjoy this beautiful nature every day! -David Haeckel
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09:45 - Viewing from Scatchet Head. Large group appear to be in travel mode NE bound. Visible through binoculars and some also surface activity with the unaided eye. -Durand Dace
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11:52 - A few spread out in front of Browns Bay. Closer to the Edmonds side. Trending north.
09:45 - [SRKW] Large group trending north in Cultus Bay and Possession Point. Whidbey side. -Tamara Kelley-Woods
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09:36 - Sounds like Js and Ls to me right now 9:36. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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09:21 - [SRKW] We can still hear them! Wondering what kind of boat we are hearing in between!? Sounds like a jet! -Kath Durant
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09:29 - Calls continuing.
09:16 - [SRKW] More calls during and after boat noise. Nice and clear currently. -T.L. Stokes
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10:10 - I can see a handful of them appear to be trending east towards me in Mukilteo. Just south of green buoy. I lost the rest.
09:00 - [orcas] I see them foraging, milling in Possession Triangle. Lots of directional changes. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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08:58 - [orcas] Seeing blows straight out from Eglon. Still northbound. -Tisa Annette
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08:46 - Orcas off the Edmonds Pier (looking west towards Kingston). -Rebecca Houseman
photo - J26 ID: ALB
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08:32 - [orcas] I'm back on the hill above Kingston, everything I've seen this north Edmonds ferry terminal well spread out again, lots of surface activity. -Jim Pasola
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08:30 - [SRKW] Can hear calls [Edmonds test hydrophone]. -Joe Dreinmiller
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10:10 - Still lots of repeated S19 calls (L pod favorite).
10:05 - SRKW calls still clearly audible, but increased vessel noise could be coming from Foss tug out of Everett, northbound bulker, or the "Harbor Gem" out of Gig Harbor that seems to be actively fishing now off Apple Tree Point...
08:44 - Near continuous calls, some overlapping, mostly S01s, but also S10s, S16s, buzzes.
08:24 - Faint but clear calls including S01s and a few S16s so far. -Scott Veirs, Orcasound/Beam Reach
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13:04 - From my vantage point, north Edmonds. The viewpoint is spread from south of Eglon to PNP, midchannel. Foraging.
11:14 - Seeing them mid channel from Haines Wharf with Eglon in the background. Generally headed south. Research boat on scene. [via Whitney Neugebauer]

10:50 -

About 2 mi. north of Haines Warf headed south, currently, but kinda hanging out. [via Whitney Neugebauer]
08:21 - [SRKW] Calls and echolocation on the Edmonds hydro. -Ariel Yseth
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Hello there! Here is my photo of the big wavy fin guy. Taken from Edmonds Beach by the dog park yesterday morning. Pointing west at the south end of Kitsap. Thank you for talking to me yesterday on Sunset Ave. and letting me hear the hydrophone. I almost cried hearing that sound for the first time. -Amanda Thornton-Dewitt
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11:52 - Whales widely spread now moving northbound and still foraging, making directional changes. Most southerly whales are at the tideline with others spread in all directions wide to the north. Basically, still south of Possession Point.
11:15 - Orcas definitely making progress southbound. Sightline leaders are between Stamm Overlook and Point No Point, directly south of Possession Pt. East side of channel.
10:50 - Much foraging with slow trend south. All whales I am viewing are east side of channel. Research skiff (looks like Sears) coming on scene.
10:45 - Likely 50+ residents spread approx. 1+ miles south of South Whidbey: Possession Pt. to Scatchet head. Larger group of at least 30 is more to the east with others lined to the west. All appear to be moving Southwesterly with still some directional changes, breaching. etc.
10:25 - From Stamm Overlook, Edmonds, seeing at least 30 orcas grouped. Sightline Cultus Bay so likely just south of Possession Pt. Breaching and surfacing of up to dozen at a time. Foraging and directional changes. But moving south. Beautiful!
09:50 - Been watching them in northern reaches since last update. Fins in all directions foraging, lunging, and lots of porpoising! Sightline from Sunset Ave. Edmonds to southeast of Useless Bay to Possession Pt.
09:10 - At least 6 are SE of Possession Point, much closer to Edmonds side foraging. Likely directly out from hydrophone! Calls getting much louder.
09:00 - Continue to see male and a few others foraging off Edmonds Dive Park while moving northbound. Others, as described by other humans, mid channel spreading, trending, and traveling northbound. So excellent hearing who we are watching.
08:20 - Seeing larger group with males east of mid channel due west of Edmonds ferry dock, northbound. Just now, 09:28, whales just outside Edmonds Dive Park, just out from Brackett's Landing north.
08:31 - more blows to the south, south of Edmonds ferry terminal east of mid channel. Heading north maybe foraging. Hearing lots of SRKW calls on the hydrophone. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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0855 - Continuing to move north, and believe all are north of Edmonds now, but continue to hear on the hydrophone. Overall, over nearly 1.5 hours, saw dozens of whales spread out midchannel moving NB. Lots of breaches, a spyhop, etc.
08:20 - Seeing a bunch of blows/fins on Kitsap side closer to Point Wells to Picnic Point. Northbound.
08:15 - Mostly north of the Edmonds terminal. Mid channel moving north. Occasional breach. Spread out. Many blows.
07:58 - Sara Frey called to report she and Donna Van Renselaar are seeing at least a dozen whales all grouped between Point Wells, Woodway (tank farm), and Edmonds Marina moving northbound mid channel, still south of the ferry traffic lanes. Seeing a lot of blows at once, couple of males are to the west of the group. -Sara Frey
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08:35 - So many whales! Spread S to N - Just N of Edmonds ferry to Possession Triangle, mostly midchannel, one male closer to Kitsap, travel mode plus fish chasing.
07:35-07:40 - [orcas] Multiple blows in front of tank farms and a bit north of there, south of Edmonds towards midchannel. Viewing from Apple Tree Pt. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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07:47 - [orcas] …more are on the way. Just saw 6 or so off Point Jefferson, south of Kingston. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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07:50 - Leaders passed the Kingston ferry terminal.
07:37 - Picked up the orcas headed northbound, mid channel. Viewing SW from Edmonds fishing pier. Too far to get a count yet. The weather is SO much better. Lots of blows. -Michelle Goll
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07:10 - [orcas] 8? 9? just south of Kingston heading north at a good clip. They were really close to the Kingston side and now moving closer to middle of the channel. -Chris Beamer Otterson
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07:46 - Several more, closer to Kitsap side, heading north.
07:36 - More orcas off President Point, mid channel, heading north, 7:36. At least three.
07:00-7:30 - Orcas off President Point, Kitsap side. I just saw them heading north. All told, probably a dozen. They kept going by in groups of two and three between 7:00 and 7:30. Great way to start the day. -Joanne Graves
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HUMPBACK WHALES - Mon, Nov 8 - North Puget Sound
Sighting Time: Mon, Nov 8 @ 16:08:14 PST
Sighting Device Location (Lat/Lon): 47.91934,-122.56712
Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.91934,-122.56712 [west of Hansville, WA]
Number Sighted: 2
Reported Animal Status: Live
Report Generated: Mon Nov 8 16:13:02 PST 2021
Submitter Name: Mary Bingham
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UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES - Mon, Nov 8 - Central/South Puget Sound - Mary Moreno called to report a whale and was wondering if beluga is still here. Whale was described as light gray, bulbous head. Surfaced 4 times then went on a dive and was down for some time. She saw it surface again, same surface dive pattern further south. She did see a spout that time. Location was the very south end of Colvos Passage off Sunrise Beach Park. The whale was southbound close to Kitsap shoreline. Sighting was somewhere around 11-Noon. Follow-up call: She did say could have been a Gray when asked about that possibility based on her description. No photos or video.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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