May 31, 2023

T71B2 is missing the left pectoral flipper.

photo by Bart Rulon, May 22, 2023

SUMMARY

Sightings through May 30 include:

Southern Residents - On May 30, J pod was heard on the Lime Kiln hydrophone in the late night hours.

In next report: On May 31, J pod went north through Active Pass then made their way back south, eventually heading down the west side of San Juan Island in the afternoon.

Bigg's Killer Whales - On May 23, the T71Bs & T124Ds were spotted in central Puget Sound in the early evening, and made their way north.

On May 24, the T71Bs & T124Ds made their way north through Saratoga Passage and spent some time in Penn Cove.

On May 25, the T71Bs & T124Ds spent the day in Puget Sound.

On May 26, the T71Bs & T124Ds made their way around Vashon Island, heading north up Colvos.

On May 27, the T71Bs & T124Ds were spotted northbound in Admiralty Inlet. T11A spent time in Sooke Basin.

On May 28, the T71Bs & T124Ds were spotted heading west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. T123s were in the San Juans.

Humpbacks - Several humpbacks spotted in the area in this report, including: Big Mama, Iota, Kelpie, Scuttle, Split Fluke, Spotlight, & Valiant.

Gray Whales - Sightings continue to wind down. CRC21 Shackleton, CRC53 Little Patch & CRC2356 Stalwart were spotted in Puget Sound still.

EVENTS

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 AT 3 PM – 5 PM

Orca Month Kick-Off, Hybrid Virtual/Whidbey Island

Langley Whale Center

Join Langley Whale Center, Orca Network and the Orca Salmon Alliance for a hybrid in-person/virtual Orca Month Kick-off event!

Visit the Langley Whale Center from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to explore our exhibits and gift shop and learn more about the endangered Southern Resident orcas. Then join us for presentations from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Agenda:

3:00 - Welcome

3:10 - Virtual visits from Orca Month Kick-off events in Seattle, Friday Harbor, and Sidney, B.C.

3:30 - Presentation from Jay Julius of Se’Si’Le and the Lummi Nation. Jay will be joining us remotely from San Juan Island.

4:15 - Presentation from Florian Graner of Sealife Productions. Florian will be joining us in person at Langley Whale Center.

This event is also available as a Zoom webinar for those unable to attend in person. Register for the webinar here.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 AT 1 PM – 5 PM

Orca Month Kick-Off, Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor

Join Orca Network, Wild Orca, Friends of the San Juans, and the Orca Salmon Alliance for an Orca Action Month Kick-Off event in Friday Harbor!

ORCA DORSAL FIN PARADE: Meet at the San Juan County Courthouse lawn at 1:00 to grab a life size dorsal fin or two. We will walk as a pod on a sidewalk parade route through Friday Harbor, ending at the San Juan Island Grange at 2:00.

EVENT AT SJI GRANGE:

2:00 - 3:00 - Social time, refreshments, storytelling

3:00 - 5:00 - Hybrid In-person/virtual event

Agenda:

3:00 - Welcome

3:10 - Virtual visits from Orca Month Kick-off events in Seattle and Sidney, B.C.

3:30 - Presentation from Jay Julius of Se’Si’Le and the Lummi Nation. Jay will be joining us in person at the Grange.

4:15 - Presentation from Florian Graner of Sealife Productions. Florian will be joining us from remotely from Langley Whale Center on Whidbey Island.

This event is also available as a Zoom webinar for those unable to attend in person.

If you are near Seattle, Whidbey Island or Sidney, B.C. check out additional Orca Month Kick-Off events here.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 AT 1 PM – 4 PM

Orca Action Month Kickoff Celebration: Seattle

El Centro de la Raza

Join the greater Seattle community for a free event to celebrate the start of Orca Action Month on Sunday, June 4th from 1-4 pm at El Centro de la Raza in South Seattle. This year’s Orca Action Month theme is Lasting Legacies. Through this theme, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and honor notable Southern Resident orcas who have left a lasting legacy. Storytelling from Nora Nickum author of Superpod, Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales; Music by Erika Lundahl, Right as Rain; Education booths from WA Department of Fish & Wildlife, NOAA, Seattle Aquarium, Endangered Species Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington Conservation Action, The Whale Trail and more; presentations by Jourdan Imani Keith (Seattle Civic Poet), Ken Workman (Duwamish Tribal Councilmember)and kids activities including face painting, chalk art, orca coloring, and crafts.

Tue, May 30 - Haro Strait (J Pod)

23:10 - Calls as early as 23:10 [on TWM livestream], probably earlier as well.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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22:59 - Sweet! Thanks Monika! Reviewing, heard some calls as early as 22:59:26, and maybe faint prior. Night viewing is one mesmerizing cool abstract etch-a-sketch film.

Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network [WSSJI]

Sun, May 28 - San Juans (T123s)

19:10 - Northbound abeam Spieden Channel in Haro.

Sara Hysong-Shimazu [WSSJI]

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18:10 - T123s southbound off the west side of Henry Island.

Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

T71Bs & T124Ds - Family Notes

We have certainly had a great chance to get to know the T71B and T124D pods with their long stay in Puget Sound this spring. Recently on some of our Puget Sound Express trips we realized that T71B2 (Tasli) is somehow missing a pectoral fin and has unusually upturned tail flukes. We also figured out the gender reveal for some of the pod members that were previously unknown. On May 2, naturalists, Justine Buckmaster and Kyla Bivens, got some photos showing the missing pec fin, and we’ve been able to get even more photos showing it since then including those I have here. We are not sure exactly what caused the abnormalities for T71B2 but we have been affectionately using the nickname “Nemo” for this little four and a half year old orca. Earlier this week, on May 22, when the T124D pod and T71B pod were hunting a rhinoceros auklet we got great looks at the undersides of some of the pod members whose gender wasn’t known. It was fun to reveal the gender of those two whales on the spot with our passengers and share the exciting moment with them too. We also send the photos to killer whale researchers so that they can update their ID catalogues with that information too. This week I was able to figure out that both T71B1 (Zengo) and T124D3 are girls! Check out the notes in my photos to see for yourself. T124D3 was circling around the auklet (shown in the picture) with her mom when she came out of the water at the perfect angle and T71B1 did the same thing later in the encounter. More photos here.

Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express

photos by Bart Rulon, May 22, 2023

Sun, May 28 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T71Bs & T124Ds)

Bigg’s/transient killer whales (T71Bs & T124Ds) on the hunt from Race Rocks to south of Sooke, B.C.

Sooke Coastal Explorations

photos by Paul Pudwell, May 28, 2023

Sat, May 27 - Sooke Basin (T11A)

I've been wanting to see him since I moved to Victoria and it finally worked out today. The photos aren't as clear as I would have liked due to the heat distortion and it seems like I missed most of the close passes, but he was still incredible to watch. Definitely worth the trip out to Sooke!

photos by Serena Tierra, May 27, 2023

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Followed T11A Rainy today from shore. Spotted him from seven locations between Sooke and Shirley. Shaky video from Shirley Lighthouse.

photos by Seth Thomas, May 27, 2023

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One of if not the biggest orca on the West Coast, "Rainy" T011A was in Sooke Harbour again today, minutes from our docks at Sooke Coastal Explorations hunting the many seals for a quick lunch!

Sooke Coastal Explorations

photos by Paul Pudwell, May 27, 2023

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So cool to see him today!

photo by Hayley Widhalm, May 27, 2023

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13:43 - He passed Whiffin Spit heading out. I last saw him westbound south of the spit at 13:55.

Serena Tierra, Orca Network

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12:58 - Doing circles hunting seals right now, in Sooke Basin.

Paul Pudwell

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Whale Sighting Network team member Serena got to spend time this morning with a very lovely whale. With reports of a lone orca in the Sooke, BC area Serena made her way to Billings Spit around 11:35 to watch T11A Rainy who was swimming around a place he knows well and has spent many days. Serena reports Rainy was last traveling eastbound. 

Sat, May 27 - Admiralty Inlet (T71Bs & T124Ds)

20:15 - At least three but lots of blows so probably more.

20:06 - Spotted at Lagoon Point south now.

Christina Wheat

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19:50 - Three to four orcas headed north from South Whidbey State Park towards Lagoon Point right now. 

photo by Fran Reeves, May 27, 2023

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18:00 - I was with PSE and we were able to see a pod of six orcas. They zigzagged for about 15 minutes and eventually committed to northbound travel with long down times.

photos by Bre Oakley, May 27, 2023

Fri, May 26 - Gulf Islands, BC

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Fri May 26 17:00:41 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.86713,-123.59646 [Westside Saltspring Island]

Number Sighted: 8

Reported Animal Status: Live

Submitter Name: Vanessa

Whale Alert App

Fri, May 26 - Puget Sound (T71Bs & T124Ds)

From [a] magical day with these beautiful and interesting whale families.

photos by April Basham, May 26, 2023

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Orca pods T71Bs and T124Ds playfully travel north up Colvos Passage, WA.

T M Maddox Photography

video by Mike Maddox, May 26, 2023

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We waited for hours for orcas to approach the beach area just below Olalla Bay Market late afternoon on Friday. It was fun hanging out with everyone and eventually sharing some amazing views of breaching!

photos by Robyn Riley, May 26, 2023

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21:38 - They have officially reached the Southworth ferry dock still northeast/northbound slowly. 

April Basham

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21:31 - Just passing Point Southworth. Still northbound. Hard to see in the light. Very close to the Kitsap side.

21:19 - They appear to be on the move, headed north about halfway between Driftwood Cove and Point Southworth. Moved closer to the Kitsap side. We’ve lost sight of them because of trees.

21:04 - Still basically at Driftwood Cove, have stalled out, no direction. Maybe hunting.

20:24 - Passing Driftwood Cove, still northbound. We’re viewing from Point Southworth and can see them with binos. Mid-channel still, but closer to Kitsap side.

Hunter Sasser Oetinger

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19:35 - Just passed Fragaria heading north, looks like six total.

Matt Apone

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18:08 - Off of Anderson Point Park.

Brian Livingston

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18:13 - They are hanging out just south of Anderson Point having a very fun time.

18:00 - Northbound slowly passing Olalla, heading to Anderson Point, hugging Olalla shoreline.

Amanda Herberger

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17:55 - So much surface activity in front of Ollala! How incredible. No longer visible from Ollala, still traveling north mid channel.

back of camera photo by Bre Oakley, May 26, 2023

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17:51 - Out of sight from the market, northbound.

17:29 - Viewing from beach next to Olalla Market, they are milling.

Robyn Riley

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17:22 - Looks like they are headed northbound again. Viewing from Lisabeula, still solidly mainland side.

Ellen Weir

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17:16 - They are almost to Al’s, we can see them. From the deck.

Kelly Townsend

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16:55 - Appear to be hunting just south of Al's, lots of breaching.

Robyn Riley

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16:54 - Viewing from Lisabeula, lots of surface activity closer to mainland side, straight out. Stalled, with cartwheels and tail slaps galore!

Ellen Weir

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Seana Wohlfeil

Date of Sighting: May 26, 2023

Time: 4:45 PM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 7

Where seen: Olalla Bay in Colvos passage heading north

Direction of travel : N

Behaviors observed: Breaching, feeding, playing

If orcas, any males?: Too far away to tell

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Baby orca was spotted as well

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

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16:42 - They are in Colvos passage headed north. Slowly. They are almost to the Ollala Point (Al’s).

Katrina Flowers-Piercy

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16:38 - Heading north toward Ollala.

Billy Watson

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16:30 - Left the scene, they were still killing in that same cove then.

16:00 - In a cove just north of Point Richmond. Very close to shore. A number of vocalizations I’ve never heard before. Just milling in the cove with no direction.

Stace Gordon

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15:47 - Stalled a bit south of Lisabuela, way over on the mainland side, drifting very slowly northbound.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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15:35 - They are passing Point Richmond still northbound hugging the mainland side!

Candace Gavin

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15:15 - Pod of Orcas going north in Colvos passage heading towards Olalla.

Krissy Ecklund Mettlach [PSWS]

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15:11 - After a hunt they are slowly trending north still. Spread a little bit but still mid channel to mainland side. Just north of Sunrise.

Candace Gavin

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15:06 - Still milling and hunting in the same spot. A little north of Sunrise. Still viewing them from here. 

14:46 - Currently hunting. Some breaching. One boat went right in the middle of them breaching.

Seeing them from Sunrise. Mid channel traveling north in Colvos. 

Bre Oakley

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14:26 - Mainland side currently.

14:12 - They flipped! Now northbound towards Colvos.

Candace Gavin

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14:03 - Seemed to be committed to the Narrows. 

April Basham

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13:48 - They look to be trending towards the Narrows.

Mollie Segall

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14:00 - Right in the middle of Dalco at this time. Could go any direction now really. A couple of them close to Point Defiance now, seem to be committing to the Narrows.

Stace Gordon

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13:48 - Fast paced southbound towards Point Defiance!

Candace Gavin

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13:48 - Now heading south into the Narrows. 

13:36 - Now in front of ferry dock on Vashon. Trending towards Point Defiance.

Stace Gordon

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13:35 - Approaching the Tahlequah ferry dock, Vashon side.

April Basham

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13:34 - Passing Quartermaster, continuing southwest at a quicker pace. Three white boats with them.

Mollie Segall

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13:25 - Headed west across Quartermaster Harbor approaching the southeast tip of Vashon.

Candace Gavin

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13:13 - Picked up their pace. Headed towards Dune Peninsula.

13:00 - Now crossing in front of entrance to Quartermaster. 

12:45 - Leisurely pace headed towards Quartermaster - not in a hurry.

Stace Gordon

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12:28 - San Juan Clipper leaving T71B's and T124D's right off Piner Point, still trending southbound [approx. 47.350062, -122.440992].

Allison Montgomery

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12:08 - Orca headed south at Gold Beach on Maury Island.

Burt Miller

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11:41 - They’ve hit the Gold Beach area.

Laurie Lambert

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11:41 - Generally headed south with lots of directional changes and surface activity, plus two whale watching boats on the scene.

Janna Ignatow

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11:23 - Just off Maury Island Marine State Park. Mid channel to island side. Still southbound at a leisurely pace.

Candace Gavin

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11:14 - They are moving south. I stopped south of Robinson and they swam right past [approx. 47.383029, -122.378367].

Billy Watson

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10:44 - Pod is now south of Point Robinson. Still continuing southbound mid channel.

Candace Gavin

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Joy Goffena

Date of Sighting: May 26, 2023

Time: 7:10 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: Seen from the Southworth to Fauntleroy ferry between West Seattle and Vashon

Direction of travel : SW

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?: No

Photos available?: No

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06:30 - This is a second hand report, orcas a mile south of Tango buoy headed south.

Sarah Sing

Thu, May 25 - Haro Strait (T123s & T124As, T124A1, T124A4s)

05-25-23 Biggs Transients including T123A, T123C and T124A4

07:53, 6-7+ transient orcas traveling down island/southbound, 1/3 mile from shore. They were in a tight group including T123A trailing kelp, T123C and T124A4. They didn't surface often on the flat baby blue early morning water. T123C and T124A4 ID courtesy of Brittany Noelle- thanks Brittany! Viewing from 1 mile south of Landbank.

10:53 - 12:40, a tight group of 6-7+ Biggs Transients orcas traveling up island, 4 miles from shore. Because they were so far out I had sight of them for a long period. They slowly came closer in to shore as they traveled to the north. Viewing from 1 mile south of Landbank. Brittany Noelle kindly ID'd T123C and T124A4.

Michelline Halliday, SJI

T123C Lucky & T123A Stanley

photo by Michelline Halliday, May 25, 2023

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Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #22:

““Orcinus” left Snug Harbor at 0745 and headed down the west side of San Juan Island. The whales were spotted inshore towards the south end of Hannah Heights and the encounter began at 0805 between Hannah Heights and Pile Point. The whales were in a single tight group moving slowly down island. The matrilines were the T123s and T124As (minus the T124A2s) and they appeared to be resting…”

Read more here at the Center for Whale Research Encounter #22.

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19:40 - Seen from Suquamish ferry at Turn Island.

Cindy Hansen, Orca Network [WSSJI]

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17:40 - Southbound mid-channel off Reuben Tarte heading towards Friday Harbor.

15:10 - North of County Park still northbound.

13:15 - Paul Rudd reports they are approaching Lime Kiln.

09:15 - Visual well offshore of Eagle Point as viewed from American Camp heading southeast (not down Island); CWR on scene.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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07:10 - About ten orca southbound from County Park.

Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing [WSSJI]

Thu, May 25 - Puget Sound (T71Bs & T124Ds)

20:55 - Three orcas southbound at Maxwelton close to buoys at sunset! Now they moved to mid channel southbound.

Jayn Goldsen

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14:20 - Heading more south then west. As of now heading towards Edmonds. 

14:10 - Leaving Possession Sound into the triangle. At least two small groups spread about quarter mile apart. I think about seven or so I saw?

13:45 - They’re passing Chennault Beach, Whidbey side of midchannel heading south.

Alice Thuy Talbot

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13:50 - San Juan Clipper leaving them still trending south towards Possession Point.

Allison Montgomery

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13:20 - Approaching Glendale southbound Whidbey side.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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13:17 - I have binoculars on them south of the Clinton ferry dock and north of the whale watching boat. Surface activity. Viewing from Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.

Linda Raines Tyner

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13:15 - The Clipper is closer to Clinton but facing Mukilteo, and there are people on the front deck. I just saw them. Directly in front of the Clipper.

Jodi Krause Poissant

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13:03 - Viewing from Edgewater Mukilteo. From this viewpoint, they are now south of the Clinton ferry dock southbound.

Tamara Kelley

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12:50 - Approaching Clinton dock close to Whidbey southbound.

12:45 - Off Brighton close to Whidbey side.

12:30 - Approaching Brighton Beach area Whidbey side of channel.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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12:10 - Rounded Sandy Point southbound. Fairly close in and near Whidbey.

12:00 - Orcas just north of Sandy Point, heading southeast bound [approx. 48.048710, -122.382853].

Marilyn Armbruster

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10:34 - [orcas] moving fast - near Bells Beach.

10:30 - Viewing from Camano Island State Park. [Orcas] [southbound] moving quickly passing Fox Spit, Camano side of channel.

Linda Aitkins

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09:42 - Off Camano Island State Park mid channel.

09:34 - [orcas] Still heading south just passed Cama Beach.

09:25 - Group of orcas heading south, mid channel Saratoga Passage, one and half mile north of Hidden Beach [Whidbey]. 

Aaron Gill

Wed, May 24 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage/Penn Cove (T71Bs & T124Ds)

Nice to see the T071Bs and T124Ds back yet again in Penn Cove, several times they’ve visited in the past week. They were on the ‘other’ side, but still a treat to see them from a distance! 

photos by Jill Hein, May 24, 2023

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Beautiful backlit blows from Long Point.

photos by Kat Martin, May 24, 2023

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Today was spent almost entirely with the T71Bs and T124Ds. This was a day well spent. I could not believe some of these shots I captured too. To see them in Everett and then go all the way to Penn Cove made for quite the day. I needed this today. 

photos by Kat Martin, May 24, 2023

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A few shots of T71Bs and T124Ds in Penn Cove late this afternoon. Shot from the wharf in Coupeville.

photos by Jeff Cook, May 24, 2023

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19:23 - They disappeared behind trees for me, but I think they’ll go south in the passage. Seemed to go from Long Point to Snakelum.

Mary Hand

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18:45 - They are out from Long Point right now.

Kat Martin

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18:30 - Eastbound past wharf now.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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18:04 - Eastbound now. Almost across from wharf, mid channel. 

Tiffany Jo Cheyann Waldner

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17:35 - Leaders almost to eastern most mussel raft, still westbound. Others trailing.

17:28 - Some further west and closer to south side.

17:25 - Westbound past Monroe Landing midchannel.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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17:00 - Westbound into Penn Cove, mid channel. 

Jill Hein

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17:00 - Florian Graner called back to update T71Bs and T124Ds are officially entering Penn Cove, heading westbound from the entrance, really spread out at the moment. They had been resting the past half hour. Witnessed a kill earlier off Camano Island.

16:40 - Florian Graner called to report T71Bs and T124Ds are trending toward Penn Cove, currently between Madrona Beach and Long point off Penn Cove, by green channel marker trending toward Penn Cove.

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16:00 - Spread out - passing Rockaway Beach, heading north towards Madrona. Very close to Camano side.

15:40 - Just caught a glimpse of them - it looks like they've just passed Onomac northbound, Spirit of Orca is with them. I'm viewing from Whidbey, they appear to be very close to Camano.

Jill Hein

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15:16 - Still northbound slowly. Less than a mile south of the Inn.

15:04 - Camano side near Cove Beach.

Smith Siromaskul

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14:49 - Drifted back toward Camano side, same general area.

14:35 - Bigg's T71Bs and T124Ds are now between Hidden Beach and Cama State Park Camano side, but maybe drifting more mid channel heading north/northwest.

13:20 - Sneaky Ts in Saratoga Passage, per AIS sure looks like current location is between Bells Beach, Whidbey and Mabana, Camano heading northbound.

Orca Network

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Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:

Sighting Time: Wed May 24 10:06:00 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.94527,-122.31375 [Mukilteo Lighthouse Park]

Number Sighted: 5

Submitted Comments: moving north by lighthouse park

Submitter Name: Kim

Whale Alert App

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Luanne Kunz

Date of Sighting: May 24, 2023

Time: 10:03 AM

Species seen: orca

Number of animals seen: 5

Where seen: off beach of Mukilteo

Direction of travel : north

Behaviors observed: traveling

If orcas, any males?: not sure, though very visible fins from shore

Any unusual markings?: not noted

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They appeared to have two much smaller orcas with them

Photos available?: No

Tue, May 23 - North of Powell River, BC

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Tue May 23 14:39:44 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.89076,-124.62804

Number Sighted: 6

Reported Animal Status: Live

Submitter Name: Infinity

Whale Alert App

Tue, May 23 - Puget Sound (T71Bs & T124Ds)

This whale came under my SUP last night, looked up at me, made eye contact, and then headed south. Photos taken by Stephen Benzon from his SUP near The Cove in Normandy Park. There were two large ones and one small one.

Matt Parker

photos by Stephen Benzon, May 23, 2023

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20:31 - Southeast Blake Island way west in channel view from Lincoln Park, northbound.

Mary Hartmann

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20:29 - I saw a group swim right under the Fauntleroy ferry headed to Vashon. They’re still northbound but haven’t seen them in about 15 minutes. Much closer to Vashon side of the eastern passage.

Amy K. Webb

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The ferry had almost arrived in Vashon and I thought I missed them when they suddenly surfaced very close. I hope this helps with IDing.

back of camera photo by Hongming Zheng, May 23, 2023

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20:21 - Northbound west in channel by Southworth dock view from Lincoln Park.

Mary Hartmann

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20:08 - Whales passing through Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lanes, northbound.

Brittany Noelle

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20:03 - Northbound way on Vashon side, south of Dolphin Point, view from Lincoln Park in West Seattle.

Mary Hartmann

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19:57 - Viewing from Vashon ferry, still south of the ferry lanes. Mid channel, short surface times but appear to be headed east, away from the island.

Meaghan Baumgartner

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19:31 - Traveling loosely in two groups, straight out from Glen Acres now, five to six including one to two littles, did not see any adult males with these groups, all mid channel, northbound. Heat haze distorting fins quite a bit, but can hear their breaths above the soft evening waves.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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19:16 - Seeing them from north side of Three Tree Point! Traveling north near Vashon side.

Amy K. Webb

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19:09 - Seeing them north of the mid channel buoy, (just north of KVi and north of Three Tree) moving towards mid channel, still traveling northbound.

19:15 - Look to be hunting, lots of surface activity and directional changes.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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18:20 - Seeing them just north of the power lines up close to Vashon. Heading north slowly.

Scott Hieronymus

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18:13 - Seeing them due south of KVI/Point Heyer traveling at a good pace, northbound, very much on the mainland side of channel.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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17:51 - They are now at Point Robinson heading north.

17:24 - I am seeing orcas, they've been in front of Gold Beach (Vashon) for quite a bit. Now they went from Point Robinson slowly moving south, but must be feeding and playing quite a bit. One really big one, two smaller ones, and now they're meandering further south, they were kind of mid channel now closer to Maury.

Mitzi Gligorea

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17:24 - Seeing five orcas off Point Robinson! We are excited! Traveling south on the mainland side from us. Can see large pectoral fins with naked eye! Definitely one was larger than other four.

Jennifer Bull

Mon May 22 - East Point, Saturna Island, BC

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Mon May 22 12:33:46 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.78524,-123.04505

Number Sighted: 5

Submitted Comments: Rounding east point headed south

Submitter Name: Adam Errett

Whale Alert App

Wed, May 17 - Saratoga Passage (T71Bs and T124Ds)

20:08 - Florian Graner called again to report on the T71Bs and T124Ds who have been spread milling around between Baby Island and Onamac Point to Greenbank to Hidden Beach all mid channel the last half hour (7:30-8:05pm) and currently are still doing so - milling in wider areas, very surface active, socializing, etc. 

17:33 - Florian Graner called to update on the Port Susan orcas. T71Bs and T124Ds rounded Camano Head at 17:05, briefly dipping into Saratoga then turned toward Sandy Point, mid channel with the option of still turning up into Saratoga Passage. 

Sat, May 27 - Washington Coast

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Justin Stoddard

Date of Sighting: May 27, 2023

Time: 7:45 PM

Species seen: Orcas

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: 1 mile north of Paradise Point [Willapa Bay, WA]

Direction of travel : facing south but not moving. Surfaced for air several times but seemed to stay in same area

Behaviors observed: surfacing slowly in channel

If orcas, any males?: 1 for sure. Wavy dorsal fin. With 2 females

Any unusual markings?: None seen.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: As above they surfaced slowly 5 times over 20 minutes but did seem to progress.

Photos available?: No

Tue, May 30 - San Juans (BCX1068 Split Fluke & BCX1480 Spotlight)

The two humpbacks were Split Fluke and Spotlight!

Pete Ancich [WSSJI]

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13:38 - They’re in Cattle Pass closer to the Lopez side, still southbound.

10:15 - Approaching Point Caution southbound.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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09:20 - Christina Deierling, Outdoor Sea Kayaking called to report seeing two baleen whales southbound between Jones Island and Reuben Tarte, San Juan. Whales were first northbound at 08:20 then headed west between McConnell and Jones Islands and have since flipped southbound. Really smooth and blows are visible so sounds likely they are humpbacks. Currently on the south side of Jones Island. 

Mon, May 29 - Puget Sound 

13:29 - San Juan Clipper is with a southbound humpback close to Mukilteo side of channel, aligned with Possession Point.

Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network

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09:42 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 10:03 to report: 0942hrs: Vessel SPOKANE reports via 800MHz they've spotted a single humpback whale just off the dock at EDM, heading northbound. 

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07:10 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 07:46 to report: 0710hrs: Vessel SPOKANE reports via 800MHz they've spotted a single humpback whale just outside of Apple Tree Cove in KING. No definitive direction of travel.

Sun, May 28 - Strait of Georgia

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Humpback Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun May 28 10:35:44 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.42170,-123.65135 [Roberts Creek, BC]

Number Sighted: 1

Reported Animal Status: Live

Submitter Name: Carley McCarra

Sat, May 27 - San Juans (BCY0324 Big Mama & BCX173 Valiant)

photo by All Aboard Sailing, May 27, 2023

Humpbacks BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant” pass Friday Harbor – May 27, 2023 - A gorgeous day with moderately strong winds for sailing. With reefed sails we worked our way up the channel. We met up with a pair of humpback whales who were now southbound from the NE side of San Juan Island at Limestone Point. The humpbacks were identified at BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”. They had come down from East Point, Saturna Island. Backlit blows and spray made them easy to...

The Howitts, All Aboard Sailing

Read more and see more photos here.

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Valiant and Big Mama!

Pete Ancich [WSSJI]

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19:20 - Aiming for Cattle Pass.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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17:30 - Passing Point Caution.

Cindy Hansen, Orca Network

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16:40 - Now heading down San Juan Channel near Mineral Point on the San Juan side.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

Sat, May 27 - Admiralty Inlet (Iota)

17:37 - Good afternoon. There was an unidentified humpback off of Point Wilson. East traveling in the separation zone. Per Shannon Heuvel, this whale was identified as Iota, the 2022 calf of Phi!

Shannon Heuvel

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16:33 - We saw a humpback spout several times this afternoon off Fort Worden. It came through Admiralty Inlet and headed towards Victoria. Time of original sighting was approximately 15:00.

Dick Schulte

Fri, May 26 - Strait of Juan de Fuca

13:03 - Second humpy two miles north of the other one. Also eastbound.

12:38 - Humpback eastbound slowly [Strait of Juan de Fuca - approx. 48.196256, -123.350763].

Smith Siromaskul

Wed, May 24 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (BCY1276 Kelpie & other)

It was a great day with two humpbacks near Race Rocks Lighthouse. One was identified as Kelpie (BCY1276) by Tasli Shaw. One was very active but didn't get a picture of the four to five breaches.

Sooke Coastal Explorations

photos by Paul Pudwell, May 24, 2023

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Maeve McAlea

Date of Sighting: May 24, 2023

Time: 1:30 PM

Species seen: Humpback

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Seen from Cabin Point, East Sooke Regional Park between here and the Olympic mountains 48.3127, -123.74644

Direction of travel : SW

Behaviors observed: Milling

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: We spotted it because it was being tailed by the Prince of Whales ship, they were pretty far out with the whale in the deep water off the coast, the humpback was breathing at the surface and diving, showing its tail. Its hard to tell from so far away but the Prince of Whales seemed to be following the animal more aggressively than I'd of liked and getting too close.

Photos available?: No

Tue, May 23 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (BCX1795 Scuttle)

Found humpback whale BCX1795 "Scuttle" between Dungeness and Port Angeles on Tuesday and Tufted Puffins near Smith Island!

photos by Janine Harles, May 23, 2023

Sat, May 27 - Depoe Bay 

Some whales playing in Depoe Bay.  

photo by Julie Streib, May 27, 2023

Fri, May 26 - Port Susan

10:18 - Some greys in Port Susan this morning, posts in Camano whale watching. Currently one moving south near Mountain View Beach.

Thomas McKane 

Fri, May 26 - Saratoga Passage

17:49 - Seeing a single blow north of Mabana at entrance to Elger Bay. Hanging out at the sand bar at the point.

Gary Leonard [CWW]

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13:47 - The whale stopped mid Saratoga Passage about ten minutes ago and hasn't moved. Out from Summerland.

13:26 - One gray approaching Pebble Beach from south.

Peg Boley [CWW]

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13:30 - This guy/girl rounded the corner at Pebble Beach. Shot with my cell into the sun, but I'm hoping we can get an ID. It stopped mid Saratoga Passage and seemed to be resting. Blew some bubbles. Then I lost track.

photos by Peg Boley, May 26, 2023

Thu, May 25 - Saratoga Passage

12:40 - San Juan Clipper just left him still trending northwards just shy of Elger Bay.

Allison Montgomery

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11:06 - Still slowly making his way north.

Sara Baldwin

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10:40 - Grey whale feeding back and forth. Camano side of mid channel and south of Summerland [approx. 48.078193, -122.399655].

Marilyn Armbruster 

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07:05 - Good morning! Two grays coming in to feed south of Summerland.

Diana Guild [CWW]

Thu, May 25 - Puget Sound

14:37 - San Juan Clipper just spotted a second gray whale northbound in southbound traffic lane by South Madison [approx. 47.694249, -122.472036].

Allison Montgomery

Wed, May 24 & Thu May 25 - (CRC21 Shackleton & CRC53 Little Patch)

Notes from John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research “Just for a quick report back. We did end up finding Shackleton both days (Wed and Thurs) in both Port Susan and Saratoga Passage and Little Patch on Thursday in Port Susan. Did not find or confirm anyone else but our search was not of the entire region. "

See Cascadia’s website for more information on the North Puget Sound grays. 

Wed, May 24 - Central Puget Sound (CRC2356 Stalwart)

17:00 - 18:30 - Stalwart the gray whale was back in the Narrows.

photos by Ryan Dicks, May 24, 2023

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17:15 - There was a gray milling around at the south end of Colvos Passage.

Ethan Allen

Tue, May 23 - South Puget Sound

09:30 - It looked like a grey, milling about near Evergreen, moving back and forth.

Todd Haywood

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08:02 - We saw a whale spout four times at Rocky Point in southern Eld Inlet. Not an orca. Maybe a young gray whale.

Tony Leung [PSWS]

Tue, May 16 - Port Susan

16:15 - 17:45 - I am attaching some frame grabs from the three feeding gray whales working the shallow north end of the inlet in the mid channel area. Two of them also met up twice rubbing bodies then continued to feed. I don’t recognize either of these whales but I am sure you do. Taken under NMFS Permit 26599 

photos by Florian Graner, May 16, 2023

All taken under NMFS Permit 26599 

Tue, May 23 - Guemes Channel

08:36 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 09:07 to report; 0836hrs: Vessel CHELAN reports via 800MHz they've spotted a single humpback whale located 1/4-mile NW of the ANAC terminal, heading eastbound toward Guemes Channel. NOTE: Per Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI], another secondhand source reports this was likely a minke whale.

Fri, May 26 - Puget Sound

22:00 - We saw a couple blows and caught the tail end of a dive. Assuming it was a baleen whale because there wasn’t a huge dorsal fin when it surfaced. But the sun was going down and was hard to see. He was *so* close to the [Narrows] marina.

Lauren Setten

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21:48 - Baleen heading south, just passed across from Fox Island, very close to shore on mainland side. Heading toward Chambers.

Sarah Scharmen Bratsch

Mon, May 29 - Puget Sound

10:15 - We saw a sea otter near Jefferson Point, south of Kingston. Super cute! But didn't realize they come down to the south of Puget Sound. Lens 300mm Nikon D3400.

photo by Lisa Corona, May 29, 2023

Sun, May 21 - Gulf Islands

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Minke Whale Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sun May 21 13:47:31 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.78220,-123.04629

Number Sighted: 4

Reported Animal Status: Live

Submitted Comments: Possible minke whale or dolphins around the side of East Pointe at Saturna Island

Submitter Name: Corinna