February 21, 2024

Seven year-old T30B2 Capella lunges after a sea lion on a hunt in Swanson Channel.

photo & ID by Monika Wieland Shields, February 18, 2024

SUMMARY

Sightings through February 20 include:

Southern Residents - On February 16, J Pod was first spotted in the San Juans and eventually headed north in Haro Strait.

On February 19, J pod was spotted southbound in the Strait of Georgia.

In next report: On February 21, J Pod arrived in Puget Sound - they went south down the east side of Vashon Island and then back up north in Colvos Passage.

Bigg's Killer Whales - On February 17, T18s, T60D & T60E were spotted in Rosario Strait. T36, T36Bs, T90s, T99s, T124A2s, T124C, T137s were seen near Powell River, B.C.

On February 18, T18s, T30Bs, & T117Bs took part in a sea lion hunt in the Gulf Islands, B.C. T60D & T60E were spotted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

On February 19, T36, T36Bs, & T137s were seen in Puget Sound.

On February 20, T36, T36Bs, & T137s spent the day in Port Susan & Possession Sound.

In next report: On February 21, T36, T36Bs, & T137s were spotted in Port Susan. T46s & T46Bs spent the day in Saratoga Passage.

Humpbacks - No reports.

Gray Whales - There should be a correction to the February 14 Whale Sighting Report: it was erroneously reported that one of the grays present was CRC2446; that ID is incorrect - the correct ID is CRC2246. The same four whales keeping a presence include: CRC53, CRC56, CRC2246, CRC2441.

EVENT:

Dreaming of warmer days, gray whale encounters, including beautiful evening walks shoreside where you can listen to grays under an ocean of stars? If so, we still have a couple of spaces for our early March trip to San Ignacio Lagoon. 

DETAILS: 5-day Gray Whale Trip 

DATES: March 3-7, 2024

LOCATION: San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja, Mexico

DETAILS & REGISTRATION: https://www.orcanetwork.org/events/baja5daygraywhaletrip

Filmmaker John Gussman joined Orca Network on our March 2020 excursion to visit the Gray whales on the southern end of their migration. 

San Ignacio Lagoon is one of three birthing mating lagoons for Gray whales in Baja, Mexico, and the local people there have created an amazing eco-tourism with the whales who come back each year. Beginning in the 1970s, the Gray whales in Baja began interacting with local fishermen, coming up to their small boats, or pangas. This behavior has continued, with Moms often bringing up their young calves to meet the humans in these little boats who come to visit them. We have never seen such an excellent example of well regulated and controlled whale watching - the entire lagoon is in a biosphere reserve, with only a portion of it open for boats of any kind, and whale watching only takes place in a very small portion of the lagoon, and each boat is timed as they enter and exit the whale watch area, to make sure they don't go over the allotted 90 minutes. The ecotourism helps the local economy, and the locals worked with environmental organizations to keep a large corporate salt mine from being developed in the lagoon. This is a very special place, and the encounters with the graceful gray whales in Baja is a life-changing experience. To learn more about Orca Network's annual trips to San Ignacio, email us at [email protected].

New webshop item: Whale Sighting Alerts Subscription 

Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network and Education Project is now offering our whale sightings phone/text alerts by annual subscription. 

Cost is $25.00 every 12 months. If finances is a hardship please email [email protected].  

Real-time, or near real-time, call/text alerts create opportunities for people to connect with and observe the whales in their natural habitat from shorelines and other platforms around the Salish Sea. And for those who wish to contribute to Community Science you can report your sightings to our Whale Sighting Network team who vets, records, and disperses collected data to researchers, scientists, agencies, educators, public, etc. 

Mon, Feb 19 - Strait of Georgia (J Pod)

Pleasure to see J19 “Shachi” this afternoon. We spotted a male orca way out in the distance from Galiano Island’s shoreline. We suspected it could be J’s as Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings saw them up their way yesterday. As we scanned we could see several more orcas spread across the Strait of Georgia making their way southeast towards the San Juan Island’s. Thank you @brendonbissonnette for ID’ing. 

Salish Sea Orca Squad

Fri, Feb 16 - Haro Strait (J Pod)

J-Pod in the morning, J-Pod in the afternoon! Our day started with a lovely line of backlit blows in San Juan Channel as J-Pod headed north, and concluded with spread out Js heading south down Haro Strait on the opposite side of San Juan Island. Here's J31 Tsuchi under the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. A gorgeous sight, but also a concerning one, with the Olympics having only 30% of their normal snowpack for this time of year.

Orca Behavior Institute

photo by Monika Wieland Shields, February 16, 2024

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20:25 - Clear J pod calls on Orcasound Lab hydrophone (in center of about thirteen minute candidate with many SRKW calls. Replay the candidate with human annotations here.

Scott Veirs, Orcasound [WSSJI]

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19:50 - I heard them too and possible echolocation clicks. 

T.L. Stokes

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19:10 - I heard them!

Elsarape Rodriguez

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18:40 - Still hearing J pod calls through the ship noise in Haro Strait. And a reminder, if you miss the live event, you can go back and listen to clips tagged by listeners as interesting via this reports page - https://live.orcasound.net/reports.

Scott Veirs, Orcasound 

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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Fri Feb 16 18:00:17 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.45861,-123.28323

Number Sighted: 9

Submitted Comments: Approximately one mile east of Ten Mile Point in Haro Strait.

Submitter Name: Gerald Graham

Whale Alert App

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17:43 - Peeked in from Iowa - very vocal.

Pixie Lheureux

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17:39 - J pod calls still audible and getting louder.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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17:38 - Still hearing them. 

Joe Dreimiller

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18:00 - Still continuous J vocals on the Orcasound hydrophone.

17:14 - Calls getting a bit louder, friend at Lime Kiln has a visual on them heading up Haro but far over on the Canadian side.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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17:00 - Calls getting louder again on Lime Kiln hydrophone. 

Orca Network

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16:35 - Report of possible flip northbound near Beautmont Shoal.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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16:25 - So wonderful to hear J pod calls for so long. Still some audible on Lime Kiln hydrophone/webcam.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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16:00 - They are still visible on the cam & fairly vocal. The contrast between water & mountains today is so cool! Saw a breach around 15:56 mark.

Melissa Bird

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15:56 - Some spotted southbound towards the Discovery Island lighthouse. Exiting?

Fred Horn [WSSJI]

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15:49 - What a thrill to see them live, even if it's via webcam from my living room in Minneapolis. Such joy! Thank you!

Kate Hopper

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15:45 - Thank you for sharing! I popped into the webcam between my lessons and was able to see them. Heart is full.

screengrab from Lime Kiln webcam by Chloe Ross, February 16, 2024

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15:20 - We just saw two orcas by Sunset Point on San Juan Island. They were headed south west.

Diana Rizzo Talley [ONCG]

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15:33 - Loud echolocation and loud calls. Some of J pod closer to Lime Kiln side. Glassy calms seas, serenely beautiful view via webcam.

15:19 - J pod pretty far offshore as they continue south, but maybe shifting slightly more east. And one male at least just popped up well east of the others on the webcam!

15:15 - Calls and J pod audible/visible still. Such a beautiful back drop on the webcam as they head south, especially when the snow capped peaks in view.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network

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15:32 - At least one close in just north of Lime Kiln.

15:18 - A couple a bit closer to Lime Kiln just surfaced.

15:12 - Leaders passing the Kelp Reef mark. Southbound. Still on the Canadian side of the strait.

14:36 - On the cam now. Mid haro, westbound. North of Lime Kiln.

14:31 - Faint calls and clicks on Lime Kiln hydrophone.

Fred Horn [WSSJI]

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10:40 - Confirmed J-Pod by the Center for Whale Research who is now on scene with them as they head north off the west side of Waldron.

08:35 - Picking up speed now, guessing J-Pod off number of whales but too far for 100% confirmation.

08:15 - Resting line of at least a dozen whales on east side of channel between Reuben Tarte and Jones, still northbound.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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07:30 - Pod of orcas off Spring Point, Orcas Island. No ID but definitely a male there, three to five individuals.

Joy Hughes [WSSJI]

Tue, Feb 20 - Qualicum, BC

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: John Delves

Date of Sighting: February 20, 2024

Time: 12:04 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 4

Where seen: Qualicum

Direction of travel : In bay

Behaviors observed: Hunting seals

If orcas, any males?: 2

Any unusual markings?:

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

Photos available?: No

Tue, Feb 20 - Discovery Bay

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Stephanie Miller

Date of Sighting: February 20, 2024

Time: 10:39 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 5

Where seen: Top of Discovery Bay off Cape George across from Diamond Point

Direction of travel : S-SW

Behaviors observed: milling

If orcas, any males?: no

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Two small calves with three females

Photos available?: No

Tue, Feb 20 - Port Susan/Possession Sound (T36, T36Bs, T137s)

T36B4 in the middle

T137A Jack

So exciting to see the baby today - kept missing the close passes but so glad to see orcas back in Port Susan. Link to more photos. 

photos by Charvet Drucker, February 20, 2024

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T137A Jack

T137 Loon

T36B1 Bhotia

T36B Tattertip & T36B4

IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network

15:30 - After about one month of not seeing any whales, I made an impulse decision to go to Camano Island to try and see the orca report that came in. The whales were doing a great job at sneaking right under our noses and popping up where we least expected them. Around 15:30, the T36Bs, after not being spotted all day, showed up in front of Tillicum Beach. We got a quick glimpse of the new little baby! Link to more photos.

photos by Kat Martin, February 20, 2024

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14:40 - We can see male from Cavelero now, still a ways out but still appears to be heading north.

Ryan Horner

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13:23 - Confirmed 137D with 137A. Now north of Tillicum closer to midchannel.

13:16 - Lead group is off Tillicum, northbound on Camano side. T137A and a female, likely T137D.

Serena Tierra, Orca Network

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12:48 - The rest of the crew is hugging the mainland side, spread out a bit and headed toward Port Susan.

12:36 - Seeing the adult male and one female/juvenile entering Port Susan closer to Camano Head. Watching from Sandy Point, others have not come into view yet.

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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12:15 - Heading north/northwest - in front of the small white boat [approx. 48.041689, -122.310144].

Alice Moyal

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12:07 - The group has continued north and is out of view on the east side of Hat Island.

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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11:37 - We see maybe two whales breaching and active! Viewing from the pier, too far to get photos but an ok view through binoculars [approx. 48.008314, -122.262341].

Suzy Higham

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11:35 - Seven to nine-ish are generally still at the dropped pin [approx. 48.010663, -122.270927], milling and eating. A large male and at least one more are at the star [approx. 47.996248, -122.306679], circling, sharking, not contributing at all.

Sara Montour Lewis Our Wild Puget Sound

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11:26 - From my perspective at Madrona the group is quite spread from the barge all the way to left of Providence. Generally moving north/west with some directional changes. Surface active.

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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11:20 - Watching a male orca off of Hat (from Howarth). He looks to be heading north now.

Holly Bailey Aprecio

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Calf is T36B4

photo by Tamara Kelley, February 20, 2024

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11:19 - LOTS of breaching and hunting. Closer to seven to nine-ish whales [approx. 48.009685, -122.265881].

11:10 - There’s a gray and at least one large male on the southeast side of Hat now, but one just popped up that looked like a female. There’s also a group of four-ish way further east, line of sight is Harborview to east of Tulalip.

11:00 - Seeing four to five-ish group up just east of the Hat Island channel marker, milling and generally heading southeast.

10:50 - Can see one male, presumably Jack, southbound off the northeast side of Hat Island [approx. 48.017227, -122.3000082].

Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound

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T137D Wright & T137A Jack

A little beyond my camera range as they were heading south in Port Susan.

photos by Susan John, February 20, 2024

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09:40 - They’re leaving my range of sight, about even with Spee-Bi-Dah, closer to mainland side, still headed south at a decent clip. 

09:25 - Orcas are about even with Sunny Shores Road on the mainland side moving at a decent clip southbound. Should be approaching Spee-Bi-Dah shortly. There’s a little one in the group, four to five females, and an adult male.

09:05 - Viewing from Tillicum Beach and the group is between me and Kayak Point, slightly more mainland side than Camano side. At least one adult male, and five to six others - it’s hard to tell from this distance. They’re trending south but also making some directional changes, possibly hunting.

Amanda Marie

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07:27 - Going north and east past Mountain View Beach.

07:09 - Per PS chat five to six orcas reported in Port Susan heading north from Tillicum and Pirates Cove (just north of Tillicum), close to Camano side. 

PSWW chat

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06:58 - This pod off Tillicum Beach Camano Island - taken from a land based PTZ Camera [video in FB comments].

John C Storbeck

Mon, Feb 19 - Puget Sound (T36, T36Bs, & T137s)

Absolutely a treat to get to see them all tonight with Kimberly Sylvester!

Leann Mullender

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17:50 - Watching from Old Creosote on Bainbridge. The orca have changed direction and are now traveling northeast.

Kimberly Sylvester

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17:38 - At least four orcas moving south past entrance of Eagle Harbor, close to Bainbridge side maybe one mile offshore. One male. Viewing from Eagle Harbor.

photo by Jim Reitz, February 19, 2024

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17:15 - Two pair orcas moving southward close to shore east side of Bainbridge Island.

Jane Rein

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16:53 - Watching from Rolling Bay, They are now south of the Discovery Point lighthouse on the Kitsap side - travel mode.

Kimberly Sylvester

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16:30 - The mountain and orcas from Bainbridge Island.

16:20 - At least three orcas southbound moving quickly. Past West Point now.

photo by Sue Surowiec Larkin, February 19, 2024

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15:56 - I'm seeing at least two, west side of the sound (middle more than edge) across from Golden Gardens. One hundred percent a calf with them with its little sweet self.

Fi NiMhuirgheasa

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15:45 - Viewing from Richmond and saw a male and female headed south [approx. 47.700972, -122.476243].

Brooke Thompson

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15:31 - Seem to be around Port Madison pier or thereabouts.

15:13 - We are at Richmond Beach and they are south of the ferry now, well on the west side of the channel.

Ryan Horner

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14:49 - Just spotted a small group of orcas on the 14:30 Kingston to Edmonds ferry north of the ferry lane west side of mid channel headed south - at least four to five but too far out for photos or ID’s.

Tony B

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T137B Tempest in middle, T137 Loon on right

T137 Loon

T137B Tempest

14:20 - Sara Frey also called to report the male is further offshore but she just had three females close in shore off Apple Tree Point, Kingston; two about 50 yards off the beach and third maybe 30 yards off the beach slowly southbound at leisurely pace. They've now disappeared, hoping they pop up again.

photos by Sara Frey, February 19, 2024

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14:15 - Approaching Apple Tree Point. At least one large male. Steady, slow southbound travel with some down periods. West of mid channel.

Sara Frey

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13:48 - They're still southbound, some in front of Eglon and another one north of Kingston, closer to Kitsap. 

13:31 - I can see them north of Eglon Beach.

Catherine Alvarado Soto

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13:12 - Viewing from Scatchet Head, see blows and fins distant, southbound, from my view between Point No Point & Eglon. They are Kitsap side of midchannel.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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T137A Jack

12:56 - Spotted a group of six off Point No Point heading south. This first video clip does not include the one (presumed male) with the tallest fin (see second clip). Was awesome to see so close to shore!

photos by Susan Comes, February 19, 2024

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12:31 - I saw like three fins north of Hansville, southbound.

photos by Catherine Alvarado Soto, February 19, 2024

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08:44 - Spotted them 07:45 circling [off Beckett Point, Port Townsend], I assume hunting for one hour, they’re starting to leave now heading northeast. We saw five up at once, there may be more. This is the first time we have seen them so unsure of their behavior but they were circling for about and hour and kept doing deeper dives, one breached. 

photo by Vic Hannah, February 19, 2024

Sun, Feb 18 - Gulf Islands, BC (T18s, T30Bs, T117Bs)

T30B2 Capella leaping next to T30B1 Vega

T19 Nootka

T30B Lyra with her new calf T30B3

Not many orca encounters leave us speechless, but today was one of those days! We left the dock with our friends at Maya's Legacy Whale Watching without any whale reports in the area, but you never know what you'll find unless you go out and look. After a couple hours of searching, we found the T18s heading north in the the southern Gulf Islands. Suddenly, they made an abrupt course change and started traveling at speed. Shortly after saying, "They're acting like they're going to meet up with somebody" we spotted more dorsal fins ahead. The T18s came in to join the T30Bs and T117Bs who were in active pursuit of a Steller sea lion. It was incredible to watch the tactics on both sides, with the whales circling wide and taking turns coming in to lunge at and ram the sea lion, and the sea lion spending a lot of time upside down to look for the next attack. Before we left, the sea lion attempted to take refuge behind the boat. The whales fell back, and as we tried to depart the area, the sea lion was keeping pace right alongside us; what was perhaps most amazing was that he showed no apparent injuries at that point despite the beating he had been taking! The action was incredible and the emotions were running high all the way around. Jason will have an epic video of this encounter to share in the week ahead, but for now here are a few still images of one of our most memorable Bigg's encounters of all time. 

Orca Behavior Institute

photos & IDs by Monika Wieland Shields, February 18, 2024

One thing that constantly amazes me about Bigg's killer whales is that calves are always right in the thick of the hunt, regardless of their age. A newborn orca calf weighs about 400 lbs - only 16% of the weight of an adult male Steller sea lion! One wrong move during a hunt and a calf could be seriously injured, but that didn't stop T30B Lyra from having her ~1 month old T30B3 participate in the sea lion pursuit we saw last weekend. One thing I noticed upon going through my photos in detail is that the calf always seemed to be on the outside of mom relative to the sea lion, as you can see in the photo (the sea lion is partially visible in the foreground). Imagine the awareness it takes from the mother to maintain that position during the chaos of the hunt, and the discipline in takes from the calf to stay where it belongs! To my human self, it would seem that the risk of having the calf partake at such a young age would outweigh the benefit of having it participate. It's too small to help in any significant way, and too young to be eating solid food. But clearly killer whales think differently: teach 'em young!

Orca Behavior Institute

photos by Monika Wieland Shields, February 18, 2024

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Sea lion hunt with the T18s, T30Bs, and T117Bs.

video by Jason Shields, February 18, 2024

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15:33 - Currently docking at Pender Island, BC from Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island. Small pod of orcas viewed from the ferry just off the east coast of Salt Spring, somewhat near Ruckle Park. Two small crafts and one sailboat enjoying the show. Too far away for pictures, but definitely a good male dorsal fin that keeps popping up! Lots of splashing and tail slaps, etc!

Ashley Meadows

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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Feb 18 14:47:08 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.80908,-123.34160

Number Sighted: 3

Submitted Comments: Off of Salt Spring Island, Beaver Point

Submitter Name: Brigitte

Whale Alert App

Sun, Feb 18 - Victoria, B.C. (T60D & T60E)

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Feb 18 14:47:15 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.40959,-123.34239 [Victoria, BC] 

Number Sighted: 2

Submitter Name: Suzanne Crawley

Whale Alert App

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14:22 - For all of you in Victoria, BC today, the T60 brothers are moving east along Beacon Hill Park close to shore. 

George Hamilton [WSSJI]

Sat, Feb 17 - Powell River, B.C. (T36, T36Bs, T90s, T99s, T124A2s, T124C, T137s)

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Christina Waterton

Date of Sighting: February 17, 2024

Time: 10:16 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 9

Where seen: Powell River, Bc

Direction of travel : South

Behaviors observed: Travelling,

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

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

Photos available?:

Sat, Feb 17 - Rosario Strait (T18s, T60D & T60E)

11:30 - 12:45 - I was on scene with them from James Island down to Lopez Island T18's with T60 D&E.

Tyson Parker Reed, Island Adventures

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11:44 - Per Serena Tierra, Orca Network relayed from discord chat: “A couple of pods are southbound in Rosario [Strait]. Watching from Washington Park, a couple miles out, almost to Bird Rocks.”

Thu, Feb 15 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca 

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Rich Jude

Date of Sighting: February 15, 2024

Time: 3:00 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 7

Where seen: Protection Island

Direction of travel : West to East

Behaviors observed: Lots of juvenile tail slaps, spy hopping, breaching

If orcas, any males?: Yes

Any unusual markings?: No

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Lots of exuberant activity. Young juveniles out front breaching and tall slapping.

Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to [email protected]

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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Unspecified Sighting: [orcas per Orca Network follow up]

Sighting Time: Thu Feb 15 13:05:09 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.00870,-122.86172

Number Sighted: 5

Submitter Name: Pamela

Whale Alert App AND Orca Network follow up: Hi there, thanks for the email. Yes, they did look like orcas with the black fins and tails. They were spraying water in the air. There were two whales ahead, and then it looked like the other three were behind a bit of the rest. The front (two) looked like a juvenile or a bit larger whale. The back three whales had a larger one in it. Hope this helps! I was in shock and awe.

Pamela Allain

Tue, Feb 13 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T123s)

Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #15:

“The animal appeared to be milling so Mark trolled Mike 1 slowly in the direction of it it with hopes of another sighting before all light was lost. With another binocular scan he saw a cow and bull appear within 1/4 nm that appeared to be hunting or prey sharing a likely seal. Mark was able to confirm it was the T123s and watched them finish up their prey before the four of them grouped up and picked up the pace on an eastward track. The brief encounter was ended 11 minutes later at 1811 as they made a line for Enterprise Channel at 8.5 knots with the building flood current behind them.”

Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #15.

Sun, Feb 11 - Gulf Islands, BC

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun Feb 11 23:55:00 PST

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.84049,-123.33363 [NW Mayne Island, BC]

Number Sighted: 5

Photos: See below

Submitter Name: Stephen Delaney 

Whale Alert App

photo by Stephen Delaney, February 11, 2024

Sat, Feb 10 - Strait of Juan de Fuca 

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Samara Cockburn

Date of Sighting: February 10, 2024

Time: 12:15 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: East Sooke, seen from Cabin Point on the East Sooke coast trail

Direction of travel : SE, slow

Behaviors observed: feeding

If orcas, any males?: 1 male?

Any unusual markings?:

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

Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to [email protected]

photos by Samara Cockburn, February 10, 2024

Tue, Feb 20 - North Admiralty Inlet

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Christina Brinch

Date of Sighting: February 20, 2024

Time: 4:15 PM

Species seen: Orca pod

Number of animals seen: 10

Where seen: By bright red buoy between halfway from North Beach close to Fort Worden and Whidbey Island

Direction of travel : Both east and west back and forth like searching for seals? Not sure

Behaviors observed: Perhaps hunting. Smaller orcas jumping with lots of tail sightings and splashing

If orcas, any males?: Yes, at least one to three

Any unusual markings?: Too far away but definitely some juveniles

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They stayed around for quite a while 45 minutes or longer going back and forth

Photos available?: No

Tue, Feb 20 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC2441)

CRC2441

10:25 - CRC2441 still feeding/milling in the same area. 

09:46 - Gray still feeding with lots of directional changes. North/northwest of English Boom.

09:30 - Gray flipped west right after last update, feeding around here again [approx. 48.273432, -122.441382].

09:15 - Gray feeding, trending east now.

09:03 - I'm back at English Boom. Gray is still here, west of earlier location.

07:38 - Definitely feeding, trending southeast. I got a dark and blurry photo of the fluke that looks possible for 2441.

07:34 - 07:37 - Gray whale blow seen due north of English Boom on Camano. Possibly feeding but not super close to shore. 

back of camera photo & ID by Serena Tierra, February 20, 2024

Tue, Feb 20 - Saratoga Passage (CRC53 Little Patch & other)

15:24 - Now west of Baby Island, moving slowly south towards Rocky Point.

14:57 - Appears to be one gray whale. First spotted north of the Baby Island navigational buoy. Heading very slowly south towards Baby Island.

Martha Poppy Sinclair

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15:20 - I think they are both feeding over there.

15:18 - Friend reports: whale right off the southwest side of Baby Island, heading west!

14:41 - Friend reports: Just heard the second one! Back by me!

14:39 - Friend reports: Saw Little Patch's patch and fluke!

14:38 - Friend reports: [CRC53 approx. 48.106158, -122.529487] big blow and a north/northwest travel from Little Patch!

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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14:10 - At least one gray milling, pointed north across from Camano Island State Park, Whidbey side of Saratoga. Line of sight from the bluff at Camano Island State Park to the south end of Baby Island.

Serena Tierra, Orca Network

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14:09 - From a friend: two grays traveling north of East Point facing northwest, Whidbey side of midchannel, in line with or south of Baby Island.

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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13:43 - Seeing a couple blows come up together just south of Baby Island. They look like grey blows to me but I’m looking from Camano Island State Park. I believe the red pin is where they are at but the sun is right in my eyes so I can’t be certain [approx. 48.102364, -122.505121].

Kasey Shepard

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05:45 - It’s [gray whale] still in the same area, blows about every three to five minutes. 

05:11 - Listening to a gray off Summerland. Heading north. Frequent blows.

Jennifer Feldman Spanton [CWW]

Tue, Feb 20 - Possession Sound 

11:00 - There are either two grays or the first one booked it west, closer to Hat Island and westbound now.

10:55 - One gray whale, eastbound off the northeast side of Hat Island. Just east of this marker where I spotted the killer whales [approx. 48.014786, -122.297655].

Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound

Mon, Feb 19 - Upper Saratoga Passage

11:53 - Just got back from English Boom Park and there's one [gray whale] still feeding thirty five minutes ago... and going back through these recent posts makes it four days in row!

Pet Wilson [CWW]

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11:39 - It’s [gray whale] still there [English Boom park, Camano].

Jenn McBeath [CWW]

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09:09 - It was just feeding when I was there, but it must be moving west with the tide to deeper water, I’d think. The birds give it away.

09:03 - Grey whale feeding this morning out by English Boom Park.

Dean Kayler [CWW]

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08:16 - I see a gray. Viewing from English Boom. Appears to be heading east or northeast. 

Terese Drummond 

Mon, Feb 19 - Saratoga Passage (Two grays)

16:35 - [Gray] just passed us down here on the southwest end of Camano, Gull Way. Very close to shore. Looks like it is heading around the south head, towards Port Susan? Could not get an ID.

Mike Moberly [CWW]

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16:00 - Gray! Mid channel heading south toward Langley/Pebble Beach! Blows about five minutes apart.

Jennifer Feldman Spanton [CWW]

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13:49 - Gray heading into Elger Bay.

Susan John

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12:55 - Viewing from Hidden Beach, spotted three big blows one after the other fair way south of Elger Bay. Appear to be closer to Camano. Could be one gray whale or more. Probably easier to see from Bells Beach.

Sandy Pollard

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11:56 - Friend reports they are Whidbey side midchannel & now aiming northwest.

11:44 - Friend reports two grays traveling together southeastbound approx. hereish [approx. 48.111647, -122.522158]? Very slow trend though, maybe milling. Now sees them facing west.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

Sun, Feb 18 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC56 Stardust & other) 

16:18 - We are seeing two of them from Maple Grove far away. One mile northeast [approx. 48.273131 -122.492830].

Tomoko Boerman

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16:19 - Finally seen it! Heading out was directly across from Mariner’s Cove on Camano side heading northeast still. That was my first time seeing a grey!!! So awesome!

Lorena Perezcarlos

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16:04 - 4000 feet due north of Maple Grove heading east/northeast four miles per hour.

Smith Siromaskul

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CRC56 Stardust

16:06 - Currently here-ish [approx. 48.264838, -122.510932]. 

15:40 - Still eastbound in between Maple Grove boat launch and Polnell Point, Camano side.

back of camera photo by Sara Montour Lewis, February 18, 2024

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15:39 - Viewing from Maple Grove boat launch - gray whale half mile northwest of Maple Grove boat launch. Direction of travel northeast.

Linda Aitkins

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15:35 - Great traveling north from Rocky Point towards Maple Grove boat launch, Camano side.

Emily Wandres

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15:12 - Whale feeding in Saratoga Passage, north end of Camano at Rocky Point.

Karla Myers [CWW]

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14:24 - Change of direction. Back along the east side heading north. Almost to the commissary.

14:14 - Southwest bound and picking up speed [approx. 48.263398, -122.626053]. 

Smith Siromaskul

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13:19 - Whale off Polnell is #56 Stardust.

12:46 - Saw a couple blows a little ways off English Bay just now; have another gray off Polnell Point.

Tyson Parker Reed, Island Adventures

Sun, Feb 18 - Saratoga Passage

09:04 - Grey whale south of Bells Beach, heading south toward Langley! Viewing from Beach near Strawbridge Lane.

Nancy Feld Leigh

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09:05 - One gray whale feeding in Saratoga passage just northwest of Langley on the Whidbey side heading towards Langley.

Anna Greenwood

Sun, Feb 18 - Possession Sound

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Steve Hinton

Date of Sighting: February 18, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM

Species seen: Grey whale

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Mission Beach area, about 300 yards off shore

Direction of travel : Traveling East toward Snohomish River Delta

Behaviors observed: Milling

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

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

Photos available?: No

Sat, Feb 17 - Upper Saratoga Passage 

07:38 - Whale feeding off English Boom [County Park on north Camano Island] this morning. 

Leah McKenzie Patterson [CWW]

Sat, Feb 17 - Saratoga Passage (CRC53 Little Patch)

16:50 - 17:10 - Spotted the gray whale from the air, right at the last reported location just north of Baby Island! Frequent surfaces and no significant movement, was last headed away from Greenbank towards Camano.

photo by Matt Gilbert, February 17, 2024

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16:40 - Seems to be circling the same spot. Anyone’s guess to which direction he’ll choose. I’m heading out.

16:27 - Zigzagging! Doing 180 turns but trending south/southeastward maybe? Roughly a mile directly north of Baby Island.

16:25 - Direction change again. Pointed back towards Camano State Park. Picked up speed a bit.

16:05 - Direction change. Now pointed west-southwest. Pointed right at Greenbank. Very slow travel, roughly two miles per hour. Shallow surfaces; could be dozing.

15:15 - Still moving against the tide north/northwest. Can’t tell exactly how much west he’s pointed, but travel is slow and steady [approx. 48.118500, -122.519542].

13:55 - CRC53 off East Point trending northwest. Whidbey side.

Sam Wallace

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13:30 - CRC53 milling off of East Point, now on the Whidbey side.

Emily Wandres

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12:40 - CRC53 is circling around slowly at my map spot. Currently pointed northbound [approx. 48.099658, -122.472056].

Bart Rulon Art & Photography

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CRC53 Little Patch

12:30 - Milling in the same spot as last report, midchannel just south of Fox Spit/East Point.

12:09 - Now just south of Fox Spit, still slowly northbound on Camano side of midchannel.

11:56 - Continuing northbound slowly on Camano side of Saratoga, between Fox Spit and Bells Beach on Whidbey.

11:39 - Trending northwest now [approx. 48.097685, -122.452906].

11:26 - CRC53 now westbound.

11:15 - CRC53 feeding, trending south. The tide is too high to get closer, so he may go out of view for me if he continues around the point [approx. 48.103617, -122.440480].

11:10 - Gray is still in the same area, south of Sara's map from earlier. Only saw one blow as I was walking, not sure if traveling or feeding.

back of camera photo & ID by Serena Tierra, February 17, 2024

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10:25 - One gray milling just south of Elger Bay [approx. 48.115625, -122.460446].

Sara Montour Lewis, Our Wild Puget Sound

Sat, Feb 17 - Possession Sound 

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: John Shackman

Date of Sighting: February 17, 2024

Time: 1:50 PM

Species seen: Possibly Gray

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Lat 48.0022 long -122.2928

Direction of travel :

Behaviors observed:

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

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

Photos available?: No

Fri, Feb 16 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC56 Stardust) 

13:15 - Gray heading out of Polnell Shores. Heading south [approx. 48.264059, -122.556761].

Terra Parham 

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11:13 - Between Mariner’s Cove and Brown Point two grays closer to Camano slowly moving northward.

Paul E. Belanger

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11:08 - Volunteer Paul Belanger called to report seeing two grays southeast of Mariner Cove Whidbey, between there and eastern Utsalady Bay, Camano. They appear to be trending north, approaching Brown Point, Camano, mid channel to maybe closer to Camano side.

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09:15 - From Mariner’s Cove, I'm watching spouts way in the distance to the east - I can see two grays through my binoculars. It looks like they are heading south toward Camano, but they are not in any hurry.  

Marianne Parry

Fri, Feb 16 - Possession Sound (CRC2246)

12:40 - Gray whale CRC-2246 is eastbound from my blue map spot [approx. 48.001477, -122.297148].

Bart Rulon Wildlife

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: John Shackman

Date of Sighting: February 16, 2024

Time: 8:50 AM

Species seen: Possibly a Gray

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Possession Sound

Direction of travel : North

Behaviors observed:

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Between Jetty Island Hat Island and Priest Point

Photos available?: No

Thu, Feb 15 - North Saratoga Passage (CRC56 Stardust)

21:00 - A quick report now? It's night-time, but I just came in from being outside spending some quality time in the dark with one of our gray pals - 21:00, Mariner’s Cove, southbound. I first heard the puff from inside, so hustled out there to check it out. There is something so magical about a calm, quiet night and hearing a gray just barely off the beach feeding. You can hear the blow followed by the inhale, and gentle (and not-so-gentle) splashing - just so cool! Anyway, I'm going to guess that it's Stardust because of the power of the blow - to me, it seems louder and more forceful than the other grays I've seen, and it's the first thing I've noticed about that particular whale in these last few sightings. Just a guess though since it's dark and I can't see anything.

Marianne Parry

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15:00 - Grey whale close to shore going eastbound very close to Utsalady Point Park.

Scot Sebelsky [CWW]

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CRC56 Stardust

We had this beautiful visitor today in Oak Harbor, WA (Polnell Point).

photos by Greg & Terra Parham, February 15, 2024

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09:51 - [gray] Back here in Polnell Shores.

09:40 - [North Saratoga gray] Whale headed southeast from Mariner’s Cove [Whidbey].

Terra Parham

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CRC56 Stardust

08:45 - This gray seems to like hanging out here for breakfast the past few days. Feeding very leisurely at south end of Mariner’s Cove/Oak Harbor, and slowly heading south toward Polnell. 

photo by Marianne Parry, February 15, 2024

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08:15 - Good morning! There is one gray feeding right off the beach [by] Mariner’s Cove [Whidbey].

Tyler McKeen

Thu, Feb 15 - Saratoga Passage

17:10 - Still moving slowly northwest, now about two-thirds of the way between Baby Island and Hidden Beach.

16:45 - Appears to be one gray whale. First spotted northwest of Baby Island, closer to the Greenbank side than the Camano side of Saratoga Passage. Heading slowly northwest towards Hidden Beach.

Martha Poppy Sinclair

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14:10 - 14:15 - Grey headed north passed Fox Spit.

photo by Amber Noel Conley, February 15, 2024

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12:14 - Doing some deep dives staying about due east of Bells Beach.

12:05 - Langley Whale Center staff watching gray whale off Whale Bell Park in Langley, northbound, but might be looping back south.

Katie Davis Watkins, Orca Network

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08:17 - Per Amber Noel Conley gray whale was still in same general location south side Fox Spit community feeding.

07:45 - 08:04 - Thanks to Amber Noel Conley for messaging earlier and updating now about a gray whale first seen off Fox Spit, Whidbey who then "headed south to Bells Beach. It is still here in between Fox Spit and Bells." 

Wed, Feb 14 - Possession Sound (CRC2246)

CRC2246

12:30 - Slowly eastbound.

photo by Rachel Rodell, February 14, 2024

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12:20 - Grey whale southeast Hat Island.

Trevor Tillman, PSE

Tue, Feb 13 - Saratoga Passage (CRC53 Little Patch)

Best way to end (or start) the day. Little Patch CRC53 feeding off of Hidden Beach at sunset. Link to videos.

photo by Emily Wandres, February 13, 2024

Sun, Feb 18 - South Puget Sound

09:30 - We live in Grapeview right across from the north end of Harstine Island… no whales lately but we saw two dolphins in front of our house today. They were with a group of twelve to fifteen sea lions. Sea lions were flopping around on the surface and the dolphins were leaping way out of the water. I didn’t know what type of dolphins they were but we rarely see dolphins in Pickering Passage.

Cammy Malm LaRiviere

Sat, Feb 17 - Rich Passage

13:45 - We may have just seen a whale going along Manchester- toward Port Orchard/Manchester Park. Headed From Southworth/Pomeroy Park toward Manchester port fuel station - about 13:30 - 13:45. The boats followed it past Manchester fuel station toward Bainbridge Island. We couldn’t see past there from the shore.

Nadek