February 16, 2023

T49A1 Noah breaching off Fox Island.

photo by Jami Cantrell, February 6, 2023

SUMMARY

Sightings through February 13 include:

Southern Residents - About 50 SRKWs were spotted inbound on the evening of February 10. Members of J Pod were heard on the hydrophones in the late night/early morning hours as they went north past SJI. They went through Active Pass the morning of February 11.

On February 14, J Pod was seen going north through Dodd Narrows! Link to FB video.

Bigg's Killer Whales - T49A1 & T124A2s made a big splash off the Fox Island fishing pier. T46s spotted in Admiralty Inlet. T87 & T90s were seen by Vancouver.

Humpbacks - Few reports with no IDs.

Gray Whales - CRC22, CRC53, & CRC2440 still here and busy feeding. We anxiously await the arrival of more Sounders any day now!

ARTICLES:

Orca Moms Pay a High Price to Feed Large Adult Sons

by Elizabeth Preston

"To learn what it costs mothers to feed their enormous sons indefinitely, Dr. Weiss and his colleagues looked at nearly four decades’ worth of census data on mothers of reproductive age and their families. Those simple statistics told a dramatic story. Mothers with a living son were about half as likely to reproduce each year, compared with mothers with a daughter or with no offspring. “The effect here is huge,” Dr. Weiss said." Read more here.

EVENTS:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 AT 4 PM

Langley Whale Center Youth Zoom-Whale Love

Online event

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, join us for a free virtual zoom lesson on ways that whales love and care for each other, with a special focus on mother/calf relationships. The lesson will be followed by a super fun and unique art activity. We will use the techniques of "Zentangle" to create an art piece.

As always, our youth events are free to join, but you must register to get your unique link.

Click here to register.

Sat, Feb 11 - Haro Strait/Active Pass (J Pod)

07:45 - J-Pod just went north through Active Pass per Salish Sea Orca Squad.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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03:10 - Hearing calls on Orcasound Lab Haro.

T.L. Stokes

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01:40 - Nice clear slow clicks. Interesting that there have been no calls, only clicks, in the past 10-20 minutes!

01:24 - Orcasound Lab: high SNR clicks, faint S04 calls.

Scott Veirs, Orcasound

Fri, Feb 10 - Haro Strait (SRKWs)

23:59 - Nice job reporting hearing orcas at Orcasound Lab! Confirming these are J pod calls. They seem to be northbound, based on hearing them currently and earlier at the Lime Kiln hydrophone.

Scott Veirs, Orcasound

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23:53 - Lime Kiln.

Fusako Nozaka

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23:35 - Hearing them at Lime Kiln.

Haley Angel Frachiseur

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23:02 - Calls started again.

21:37 - Hearing calls on Lime Kiln.

Linda Aitkins

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21:39 - I can hear them on Lime Kiln’s feed.

Shannon Day

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18:00 - ~50 orcas, almost certainly residents inbound from Race Rocks this evening. 

Orca Behavior Institute

Sun, Jan 15 - Admiralty Inlet (J, K, & L Pod)

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Jan 15 13:49:00 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.03453,-122.64480 

Number Sighted: 20

Reported Animal Status: 

Submitted Comments: Not sure exactly how many. moving slowly north. approximately 1mi east of Nodule Point, Admiralty Inlet 

Submitter Name: Kit Moffitt 

Whale Alert App

Mon, Feb 13 - San Juans

11:40 - I could see blows from Jackson Beach towards Cattle Point.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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09:54 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 10:35 to report: Log entry 0954hrs: Captain, ANAC/SJI B watch, reports a pod of 8 orca, including 2 juveniles, heading in an easterly direction at Turn Island - seen from YAKIMA.

Sun, Feb 12 - San Juans (T46s)

Pod is heading southbound. They are reported as Bigg's transients T46s by Tyler McKeen.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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13:30 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: YAKIMA@1329: Captain reports 4 Orca near Shannon Point. 1-Adult and 3-juvenile.

Fri, Feb 10 - Vancouver Harbour (T87 & T90s)

T87 Harbeson

T87 Harbeson

T90B Piglet

09:25 - Pair of orcas westbound in Vancouver, BC harbour approaching Lion's Gate Bridge.

photos by Perry Edwards, February 10, 2023

Wed, Feb 8 - Puget Sound (T49A1 & T124A2s)

T124A2 Elkugu, T124A2B Litton, T49A1 Noah

T124A2 Elkugu & T124A2B Litton

[From] Ollala.

photos by Rachel Bernal, February 8, 2023

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17:55 - Viewing from Harper's Pier, northbound, hugging Blake Island.

April Basham

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17:38 - Appear to be headed up the west side of Blake Island.

17:35 - Just passed Point Southworth, still northbound.

Hunter Sasser Oetinger

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T49A1 Noah

T124A2B Litton

T124A2 Elkugu

T124A2A Agafia

17:05 - From Southworth, finally seeing blows again in distance heading north. I saw blows 30 minutes ago not too far away from where they are now and then they disappeared.

photos by Jim Pasola, February 8, 2023

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16:10 - Passing Olalla.

April Basham

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T49A1 Noah

16:07 - Passing Olalla (just south of Anderson Point), heading more to mid-channel, northbound. Looks like 4 of them: one is a big male!

photos by Amanda Herberger, February 8, 2023

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15:57 - Seeing them from Ollala now. Mid channel traveling north.

Bre Oakley

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15:42 - Hugging mainland side, looks to be pretty close to shoreline, looking directly across the channel from southern edge of Lisabuela (Vashon) over to the mainland. Steady, stealthy northbound travels.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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15:41 - Sea View Terrace, south of Olalla Bay Market.

photo by Pat Regan, February 8, 2023

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14:22 - Turned north at Gig Harbor toward Colvos Passage.

Stephen Curran

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14:14 - Started south in Narrows, stopped for a seal and are now trending northwest toward the Gig Harbor shoreline. Very short stealth hunt, one splash, one semi-breach, and then back to normal surfacing with long down times as they slowly travel.

photos by Ashley Whitman, February 8, 2023

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14:10 - Now milling mid channel between Gig Harbor and Point Defiance. Diving and possibly hunting?

14:05 - Headed toward Narrows. (Looking from Gig Harbor). Closer to Point Defiance side of channel.

13:52 - They had cleared Sunrise Beach southbound as of a few minutes ago. Long down times in travel mode. Appear to have committed to Narrows.

13:42 - Mid Dalco Passage, southbound towards Narrows, approaching Sunrise Beach.

Melissa Bird

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13:10 - Just passed south edge of Quatermaster Harbor. Southwest travel along Vashon shoreline.

Brittany Noelle

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13:15 - Moving west.

Ed Rickert

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13:08 - Same place! Still hunting or feeding. Still active.

12:33 - Still hunting, a little more north & east of where they have been. I think they are on a second hunt. I'd put them west of mid channel, maybe off Dash Point-ish, from Dune.

Melissa Bird

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12:28 - Still milling west of buoy.

12:08 - Large male traveled significantly west of yellow buoy, now appears to be milling/moving eastward again at least for the moment.

12:01 - Visible with binoculars from Tacoma (old town area), just west of yellow buoy of south end of Maury Island, much closer to island than mainland.

James Rempt

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11:56 - Still hunting same general area east of Piner Point! Very active.

11:38 - Look to be hunting in the same general area east of Piner Point [approx. 47.332543, -122.447422]. 

11:30 - Off southeast tip of Maury (Piner Point) eastbound towards Browns Point. They are still west of the buoy, but headed that direction.

Melissa Bird

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11:26 - Milling near the yellow buoy as seen from Browns Point.

Mollie Segall

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11:15 - Viewing from Dune Peninsula, eyes on orcas, west of mid-channel, still well north of Commencement Bay. Appear to be milling.

Brittany Noelle

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10:25 - Three orcas off Gold Beach.

Tami Thomas Brockschmidt [PSWS]

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T49A1 Noah

T124A2B Litton

T49A1 Noah, T124A2A Agafia, T124A2 Elkugu

09:46 - Have cleared Point Robinson still headed southbound, verrry long downtimes, transiting now from mid channel closer to island side of channel.

09:26 - Orcas are passing southbound in front of Des Moines Marina, mid channel to closer to mainland side. 

photos by Marla Smith, February 8, 2023

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08:45 - Orcas south of Three Tree Point, Burien heading southbound. Not confirmed yet, but video posted by Soderlind Guy's on PSWS looks to be female, couple smaller, and a large male which fits make up of T124A2s and T49A1.

Tue, Feb 7 - Admiralty Inlet

14:04 - I have eyes on this group. I am viewing from Bush Point. They are Marrowstone side of mid channel. Viewing with binos. Too far for ID. Traveling south [approx. 48.019749, -122.658457].

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Robert Clouthier

Date of Sighting: 2/7/2023

Time: 2:00 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 4

Where seen: Just off Fort Flagler

Direction of travel : S

Behaviors observed: Multiple breaches

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:

Photos available?: No

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11:50 - Four Bigg’s transient orcas announced and seen from the slowing ferry underway to Port Townsend. One large adult male, two probable females, and one juvenile, heading south mid channel.

Howard Garrett, Orca Network

Tue, Feb 7 - Puget Sound (T46s)

17:25 - Pretty certain saw exhalations in general at marker in map [approx. 47.604781, -122.420071]. Hopefully enough light for others to see from ferry or West Seattle. 

17:00 - General location of the group [approx. 47.655621, -122.442736]. At least one of the brothers, if not both, traveling more east others who are basically in line but just a bit west of. All southbound quickly. Still looking if any others.

16:50 - One of the big boys at least has cleared West Point, now south of the green channel marker off the point. Traveling quickly east side of the Sound. Steady southbound, still powering through the chop. Will look for others now.

17:29 - Definitely spread as noted in my previous update. Pod is powering through the chop steady southbound toward West Point, Discovery Park in North Seattle. Mid channel and just either side of.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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14:47 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Log entry 1436hrs: Vessel KALEETAN reports via 800MHz spotting a pod of 6-7 orca heading in a south bound direction located mid-channel.

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16:20 - I think pod is split up, there are distinct blows west of those on map. Maybe couple, mid channel or slightly westbound with others east side [approx. 47.686749, -122.437659].

16:10 - Pod is directly off north end of jetty at Shilshole east side of mid channel loosely grouped. Steady southbound in beautiful but choppy seas. For a bit was just tracking poofs, but seeing clear male dorsal believe leading. Gorgeous PNW day.

15:26 - Seeing blows bit further south of map marker [approx. 47.746141, -122.443439], either same or maybe split a little? Exhalations are dissipating quickly in Breezy conditions. Choppy seas make for not optimal viewing as well. Southbound travel east of mid channel.

15:16 - From Kayu Kayu Ac park just saw blows approximately between Richmond Beach Saltwater Park and Jefferson Head.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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14:30 - Large male and female southbound fast from Apple Tree Point. Female close in. Male west shipping lanes.

Sara Frey

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11:45 - Continued south nearing Double Bluff, Whidbey side.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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11:25 - At least three dorsals, including large and small, steady southbound toward Foulweather Bluff across from Robinson Beach, on Whidbey side.

Sandy Pollard

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10:50 - Just in view at Shore Meadows, Whidbey side, slow southbound.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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T46E Thor

T46E Thor

10:35 - Cindi Crowder Rausch called back to report that she has seen at least 4, including one male and female or juvenile who have now passed by Bush Point southbound close in. She is moving down island now.

photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, February 7, 2023

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10:27 - Ana Sing Deo and Pip Gordon called to report seeing the orcas in Admiralty Inlet. They have seen at least three bull orcas and three additional adult orcas off Bush Point Lighthouse heading southbound, moving pretty quickly. The first orcas they saw were two bulls leading.

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T46D Strider

10:25 - Just rounding Bush Point southbound. One about 75 yards out. At least two others about 200 yards from shore.

photo by Gregory Roeben, February 7, 2023

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10:23 - Cindi Crowder Rausch just called. She found the orcas, at least 5 including one bull, north side of Bush Point traveling southbound along Whidbey shoreline.

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09:46 - Just saw 2-3 orcas (includes one male) heading south. Right off the south beach Lagoon Point [Whidbey Island]. 

Cheryl Connor

Mon, Feb 6 - Puget Sound (T49A1 & T124A2s)

T49A1 Noah

T49A1 Noah

T49A1 Noah

photos by Jami Cantrell, February 6, 2023

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Link to video taken by Jami Cantrell from Fox Island fishing pier.

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Swamp X

Date of Sighting: 2/6/2023

Time: 5:00 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: Between Steilacoom and McNeil, biased toward the Steilacoom side

Direction of travel : Southerly toward Anderson Island at a leisurely pace, crossing the ferry lane

Behaviors observed:

If orcas, any males?: 1

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Good day to be on the 5pm ferry to Anderson.

Photos available?: No

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T49A1 Noah

17:00 - Southbound headed toward the passage between Ketron and Anderson Island.

back of camera photo by Ashley Whitman, February 6, 2023

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17:05 - Southbound east side of Anderson Island.

16:35 - Circling near the channel marker east side of McNeil.

16:23 - Continuing southbound approaching McNeil [approx. 47.206053, -122.624367].

Jason Cook

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16:03 - Southbound approaching Chambers.

Robyn Riley

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15:54 - Looks like they’re hunting below Fox Island Pier.

15:49 - See blows near a white building on Fox. Viewing from Chambers Bay Bridge of Locks [approx. 47.224443, -122.590378].

Jason Cook

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15:17 - Just saw them pass by the Narrows.

Scout Scout

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15:15 - Heading south from Titlow.

Cherie StOurs

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14:22 - Just saw 2 or 3 individuals heading south near Sunrise Beach.

Margaret Nichols

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T49A1 Noah

11:30 - Near Ollala Market.

photos by husband of Carlee Sutherland, February 6, 2023

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12:15 - Just starting to see from Owens Beach, no direction, but still in Colvos.

Cherie StOurs

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12:00 - Just viewed off of Preston Lane [south Ollala]. Close to Vashon side.

Tammy Woolley

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Ian Beswick

Date of Sighting: 2/6/2023

Time: 11:55 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Ollala/Colvos

Direction of travel : South

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?: 1

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:

Photos available?: No

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11:42 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Log entry 0857hrs: C/M, F/V/SW A watch, reports three orca, 1 male and two female, heading south in Colvos Pass - spotted from ISSAQUAH.

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11:43 - Southbound, mid channel.

11:26 - Just passing Ollala now.

Sherry Petersen

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T49A1 Noah

09:45 - Southbound! Into Colvos Passage. 

09:33 - First spot was mid channel, now very close to Kitsap side, just off the tip of Point Southworth. Still no defined direction of travel.

09:25 - Off Point Southworth, on a kill likely. Lots of slapping and breaching. No direction of travel at the moment.

photo by Hunter Sasser Oetinger, February 6, 2023

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08:58 - Big straight tall fin. Wife saw it also. It was about a few hundred yards off south end of Blake Island and about 300 yards north of the ferry lane from Southworth. It was heading in a southeast direction and only saw once.

Brian Winking

Sun, Feb 5 - Puget Sound (T49A1 & T124A2s)

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Feb 5 17:10:00 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.39272,-122.32487 [Des Moines]

Number Sighted: 4

Submitter Name: not provided

Whale Alert App

Sun, Feb 12 - BC

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Ted Goshulak

Date of Sighting: 2/12/2023

Time: 4:00 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 2

Where seen: 48.885701, -123.283099 (approximate)

Direction of travel : SW

Behaviors observed: Travelling

If orcas, any males?: No

Any unusual markings?: No

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: On BC Ferries' Coastal Celebration ... seen very briefly

Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org

photos by Ted Goshulak, February 12, 2023

Thu, Feb 9 - BC

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Peter Meidal

Date of Sighting: 2/9/2023

Time: 2:10 PM

Species seen: Orcas

Number of animals seen: 8

Where seen: Between Grey Rocks and Belcarra up Indian Arm.

Direction of travel : East

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?: Yes

Any unusual markings?: Not close enough

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: We were in the water doing our cold water plunge, so close to shore and not able to get a good assessment of numbers but we noticed a definite variety of dorsal sizes.

Photos available?: No

Sun, Feb 12 - Admiralty Inlet

09:45 - Single whale, humpback, 150 feet from our bulkhead [Lagoon Point] slowly heading southbound.

Bill Setter

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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Humpback Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Feb 12 9:36:51 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.07336,-122.61358 [Lagoon Point]

Number Sighted: 1

Submitter Name: Bayley

Thu, Feb 9 - Possession Sound

14:35 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 14:40 to report: KITSAP Humpback Report 2/9/2023 1435hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz 1 humpback, SB, just east of the CLIN terminal.

Sun, Jan 15 - Admiralty Inlet 

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Humpback Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Jan 15 13:09:00 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.05136,-122.64515 [between Marrowstone and South Whidbey State Park]

Number Sighted: 1

Submitted Comments: Northbound

Submitter Name: Kit Moffitt

Whale Alert App

Mon, Feb 13 - Saratoga Passage

15:45 - We had a gray whale zoom through our area today! It was heading from Mariner’s Cove, past Polnell Point, and toward Coupeville. Sorry, we didn’t get any ID photos.

Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA

Mon, Feb 13 - Port Susan (CRC22 Earhart)

13:35 - She [CRC22] was last seen heading along the Stilly [Stillaguamish] Delta drop-off towards Country Club in high winds and a rainbow. Usually takes an hour before we spot her on the Camano side.

12:58 - Earhart is in Port Susan swimming a counterclockwise loop first spotted at Tulalip Shores now north of Kayak Point. Near shore heading north.

John Storbeck

Sun, Feb 12 - Saratoga Passage (Two Grays)

14:41 - Both grays flipped southbound Camano side.

14:05 - Slowly northbound along Camano.

photos by Jason Cook, February 12, 2023

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14:00 - 2 grays still on Camano side off Langley, moving slowly north.

Tammy Ash

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13:50 - Two whales currently across from Langley on the Camano side swimming toward Camano.

Mere Crafton

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13:44 - Come down to the beach at Langley, Dina has a bag of binocs for viewing. Couple of grays mid channel, milling.

Dina Blackstone

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13:18 - Allie Hudec called to report a gray in Saratoga Passage off downtown Langley traveling southbound mid-channel.

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13:17 - Two whales moving southeast towards Camano north of Langley.

13:02 - Just saw a couple blows just north of Langley, Langley side.

Tammy Ash

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11:00 - This morning saw 1 or 2 gray whales close to shore at Bells Beach heading south. Saw one go by close to shore, then 5-10 minutes later saw another go by in the same direction. Not sure if the same whale doubled back or if there were two.

Mary Ann Vachher Elbert

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08:43 - He came back again [gray whale] same location [East Point on Whidbey] and direction [headed east towards Camano].

Shannon Moore Kavanaugh

Sat, Feb 11 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (Possible CRC2440 but too distant to confirm)

16:00 - Still feeding near NAS Whidbey.

15:15 - Another gray southbound passing Naval Air Station Whidbey, viewing from West Beach.

photos by Jason Cook, February 11, 2023

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14:49 - Jason Cook called/left message to report another gray whale north of Deception Pass heading southbound. Viewing from West Beach, Whidbey. 

Sat, Feb 11 - Saratoga Passage (CRC53 Little Patch)

15:57 - Gray heading mid-channel in the direction of Langley Harbor. Long down times and moving slowly.

15:39 - There’s a gray heading northwest toward mid-channel from Sandy Point area. Moving slowly away from Whidbey bluff.

Luanne Seymour

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12:52 - Gray whale just north of Hat Island.

photo by Mark Severson, February 11, 2023

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11:58 - Between Camano and Hat islands now.

Jon Rosenberg

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Gray whale CRC53 Little Patch, Langley.

photos by Erin Kester, February 11, 2023

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11:36 - Moving across towards Camano now. 

11:19 - Moved south from Langley now. Feeding off shore. 

Forrest Wendt

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11:14 - Slowly feeding and heading southeast toward Sandy Point.

11:08 - Just spotted a gray near the bluff just a bit north of Sandy Point.

Luanne Seymour

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CRC53 Little Patch

10:58 - Southbound just past seawall.

09:46 - Still munching.

photos by Jason Cook, February 11, 2023

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08:46 - Whale is trending southbound towards Seawall Park while continuing to feed.

08:30 - Alisa's niece and nephew Leah and Billy McNabb are watching a gray whale feeding just north of Langley Seawall park. 

Fri, Feb 10 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart)

16:48 - Just saw two blows of one presumed gray just south of Mabana, mid channel.

Linda Raines Tyner

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15:05 - The gray between Mabana and Pebble Beach is Earhart CRC22. She has been logging waiting for high tide. Up for three breaths then down for a few minutes.

John C Storbeck

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13:35 - One gray reported in Saratoga Passage heading southbound off Summerland, Camano Island which is between Mabana and Pebble Beach.

LJ Ringstad [CWW]

Thu, Feb 9 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & CRC53 Little Patch)

CRC53 Little Patch

photos by Thomas McKane, February 9, 2023

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17:38 - Viewing from Camano Island State Park. Seeing two blows on Whidbey side just north of Fox Spit going southbound slowly.

Linda Aitkins

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16:00 - Two grays reported feeding about 1/8 miles offshore south of boat launch at Camano State Park.

Chris Haas [CWW]

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CRC22 Earhart

11:20 - Gray whale heading south 1.5 miles [north] from Hidden Beach, Whidbey side, moving fairly quickly.

photo by Aaron Gill, February 9, 2023

Wed, Feb 8 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart)

CRC22 Earhart

16:45 - Back again Whidbey side, heading south a mile north of Hidden Beach

15:40 - By Hidden Beach.

15:05 - Heading south, not far from bay next to Hidden Beach.

14:46 - Feeding right off the shore.

14:25 - One and a half miles north of Hidden Beach, Whidbey side currently heading north.

12:39 - Seeing blows off Camano Island State Park.

photos by Aaron Gill, February 8, 2023

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09:31 - Thanks to Shannon Moore Kavanaugh who sent message with report and lovely videos of a gray whale in Saratoga Passage feeding off East Point, Whidbey. The whale has now headed east toward Camano Island. 

Tue, Feb 7 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart)

17:05 - Freesia Krogstad called to report a gray whale who is milling around feeding off Lowell Point, Camano Island State Park. In front of the boat launch, south end of the park.

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CRC22 Earhart

13:45 - Last saw heading south by Hidden Beach but further out, not in the bay.

13:20 - Gray whale, one and a half miles from Hidden Beach, Whidbey side, currently headed south.

photos by Aaron Gill, February 7, 2023

Mon, Feb 6 - (CRC22 Earhart & CRC2440)

19:26 - Hearing blows again.

18:15 - Heading south, will have to listen, too dark to see.

17:45 - Back again, making its way north feeding.

16:50 - Still heading south towards Hidden Beach. I’ve run out of room on the beach to walk.

16:35 - Heading south now towards Hidden Beach.

16:15 - Gray whale heading north, Whidbey side right off the shore, 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach.

14:25 - Fully in the little bay by Hidden Beach now.

14:15 - One mile north of Hidden Beach right off the shore, doing a little feeding.

14:05 - One and a half miles from Hidden Beach, Whidbey side headed south.

Aaron Gill

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13:30 - I spotted a solo gray whale heading west, on the Whidbey Island side right out front of Bells Beach feeding then diving and heading towards Fox Spit.

Kristin Carlson 

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CRC2440

CRC2440

CRC2440

CRC22 Earhart

CRC22 Earhart

CRC22 Earhart

CRC22 Earhart

10:15 - Cama side gray.

10:10 - [Gray whale] headed up Saratoga, north of Cama Beach, headed north. 2nd gray right off the shore, Whidbey side, 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach no direction. 

photos by Aaron Gill, February 6, 2023

Sun, Feb 5 - Saratoga Passage (Two whales, one close to Whidbey and one close to Camano)

10:41- Paul Belanger called from Camano Island State Park to report a gray whale, possibly the one from Elger Bay earlier, now heading northbound from the Island County boat ramp at the park, about 100 yards off shore. 

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Kathy Daberko

Date of Sighting: 2/5/2023

Time: 10:40 AM

Species seen: Killer whales [confirmed gray]

Number of animals seen: 4

Where seen: Saratoga Passage off of Hidden Beach

Direction of travel : N . Hunting group was circling around a flock of birds on the water. The birds kept losing & disappearing

Behaviors observed: Hunting.

If orcas, any males?: No

Any unusual markings?: Not that I could see

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:

Photos available?: No

Sat, Jan 28 - Juan de Fuca Strait

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Gray Whale Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sat Jan 28 15:57:08 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.39899,-123.98609 [between Sheringham Light and Jordan River]

Number Sighted: 3

Submitter Name: Al Gill

Whale Alert App

Wed, Feb 8 - Puget Sound

11:00 - Minke continued west past Owens Beach towards Point Defiance & the Narrows. Looked like a close pass for those on the beach!

Brooke Casanova

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10:46 - Minke whale, [by] Dune, heading west.

Cherie StOurs 

Sun, Feb 12 - Possession Sound

17:53 - I was outside taking photos of the sunset and heard something below me! I’m on Marine View Dr in Mukilteo and a single baleen (not sure if gray or humpback) blew and I saw ripples. He’s close to Mukilteo shoreline heading north towards the Lighthouse Park.

Jodi Krause Poissant

Sat, Feb 11 - Rosario Strait

14:00 - We spotted a frequently surfacing gray or humpback off Sares Head (Sharpe Point Park). Although we are fairly certain it’s a humpback but not sure.  

Chuck Howell & Charlene Day 

Fri, Feb 10 - Admiralty Inlet

15:22 - Silver Hubble found another one! This one is out in front of Fort Worden. Can’t tell species or direction of travel. Suspect a baleen whale as there was a large, single exhale. Wind picks up the exhalations to make out shape [approx. 48.155875, -122.738717].

Tamara Kelley 

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15:07 - Silver Hubble just spotted exhales in Admiralty Inlet. Possible a baleen whale? We both saw a big splash. Not sure on the species or direction of travel. We are viewing from Fort Casey seeing activity south of Fort Flagler [approx. 48.105781, -122.647772].

Tamara Kelley

Thu, Feb 9 - Puget Sound

16:37 - I saw the spouts first. Southern tip of Whidbey heading south towards Edmonds. Can’t tell what kind.

Jodi Krause Poissant

Mon, Feb 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca

10:12 - I’m Seattle bound on a tug and saw a decent sized pod of Dall’s Porpoise in the Strait of Juan De Fuca, I don’t know how useful the info is to you, but thought I’d share. There were probably 15-20 individuals, and they appeared to be feeding. In the vicinity of Clallam Bay (48°18N 124°15W). We saw them at 1012 this morning. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any photos.

James Greenway

Sat, Feb 11 - Holmes Harbor/Saratoga Passage 

11:00 - 2 Dall’s porpoise just south of the entrance to Oak Harbor, close to the shoreline. Almost positive they were Dall’s, saw the white tip on the dorsal.

Mark Severson

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09:44 - Long-time volunteer Sandra Pollard phoned to report who she is certain were two Dall’s porpoise mid way up Holmes Harbor on the Greenbank side heading northbound. She saw their white tip dorsal fins. Sandra thought they'd likely be near north end of the harbor by the time she called if they continued north.