November 10, 2022

T36 & T36Bs swim through Canoe Pass. Taken from Deception Pass Bridge.

photo by Tami Kannenberg, November 1, 2022

SUMMARY

Sightings through November 6 include:

Southern Residents - On November 6, J, K, & L pods were seen very distantly from SJI and later that night heard on the PT hydrophone, heading into Admiralty Inlet. On November 7, members of J, K, and L pods were spotted southbound in Puget Sound, and on the following days, November 8 & 9, have been shuffling back and forth in Puget Sound, going as far south as the north end of Vashon Island (still no Point Robinson visit!), and as far north as Possession Sound as seen from Whidbey Island. As of this evening, Thursday, November 10, members of J, K & L pods are making their way northbound at the southern reaches of Admiralty Inlet and are being heard on the Bush Point hydrophone. Will they officially exit Puget Sound, or flip back south and stick around tomorrow? Please report and share any sightings with us! Stay tuned for the next report to read more in depth details on their forays into Puget Sound!

Bigg's Killer Whales - After their south sound travels, on October 31, T36 & the T36Bs made their way up into Rich Passage and out Agate Pass. The next day, they were spotted in Upper Saratoga Passage and headed towards Deception Pass. They surprised everyone by heading out the smaller Canoe Pass instead! What an exciting day!

Other matrilines seen include: T2Cs and T123s. Included photos from a sighting of T65A, T54A3, T65A4, and T65A6 in Hood Canal on October 19.

Humpbacks - Malachite spotted in Henderson Bay, south Puget Sound!

Gray Whales - Few sightings still trickle in, but no IDs.

EVENTS/ARTICLES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022

3 PM – 4 PM

Langley Whale Center Youth Zoom Event: A Celebration of Marine Animal Relationships

Join us as we celebrate the season of being together by learning about different relationships marine species have here in the Salish Sea. Did you know that some marine animals make lifelong friendships? Did you know that some species are known to "adopt" other species? We are always fascinated to learn how marine animals relate to one another and the bonds that form. A fun activity will follow the presentation. Click here to register!

Whale Watching in San Ignacio Lagoon & Sea of Cortez Baja, Mexico

Baja California, Mexico

Join Orca Network on our NEW expanded eight day Expedition February 10 - 17, 2023 to Baja, Mexico!

FEB 10, 2023 AT 6 AM – FEB 17, 2023 AT 3 PM PST

"This year we offer an expanded guided trip with the best of both Baja coasts!

The trip begins in Loreto, Mexico, then travelling to the west side of the Baja Peninsula to visit the Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon, one of their mating and birthing lagoons; then back to the Sea of Cortez side, to see blue and humpback whales, staying in luxury waterfront hotel accommodations in the quaint and historic town of Loreto. See and learn about these incredible whales, see dolphins and other marine mammals, and learn about the amazing ecosystems of the Baja Peninsula. This trip raises much needed funding for Orca Network while providing an amazing opportunity to learn about the gray whales on the southern end of their migration, and see the largest of all whales, the Blues!

Cost: $4105 (includes biosphere & airport fees, etc)

Trip begins in Loreto, Baja, Mexico (you are responsible for getting to and from Loreto via commercial airline or ground transportation). From Loreto the trip includes transportation from Loreto to Campo Cortez on San Ignacio Lagoon and back, hotel in Loreto and cabin at Campo Cortez, meals, Happy Hour and snacks, and whale watching twice daily (seven total Gray whale watches, two Blue/Humpback whale watches)."

Sun, Nov 6 - E Juan de Fuca (J, K, L Pods)

Excerpt from the Center for Whale Research Encounter #77:

“They arrived on the scene with the lead group slightly east of Staines Point at 1332. The whales were tight together and heading east, while more fins could be seen behind and to the southwest. The first whale identified was J27, who was traveling closely with J31, J56, and J53. Moments later, the J14s, J17s, and J22s surfaced in tandem after a long dive, while the J16s surfaced parallel but further to the north…”

Read more here at Center for Whale Research Encounter #77

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23:50 - L-Pod calls for sure, maybe others as well - pretty faint.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

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23:30 - Activity on the Port Townsend hydrophone.

Cindi Crowder Rausch [WSSJI]

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16:05, Viewing from 1 mile south of Landbank's Westside Preserve I could see a line of orca fins to my south. The Southern Residents were inbound just north of Pile Point, traveling slowly southeast about 1.5 miles from shore. Surfacing often they were in small groups, the groups close together in a line. At 16:20 they adjusted their direction heading south away from shore in the general direction of Hein Bank. By enlarging the photos I was able to get a fairly accurate count of 15 and probably a few more. Monika Wieland Shields reported seeing "easily 20 - 30 orcas off South Beach" miles from shore at 15:50. These two sightings could represent 45 orcas. The orcas were monitored by a small CWR research vessel.

Michelline Halliday, SJI

photo by Michelline Halliday, November 6, 2022

Sun, Nov 6 - Haro Strait (T2Cs)

Video clip of the T2C matriline of Bigg's Killer Whales in Haro Strait. Filmed at 2:57 PM Sunday, November 6, 2022: Click here

Gerald Graham

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15:00 - Northbound from County Park between 1/4 and 1/2 mi offshore now.

13:20 - T2Cs heading north up mid Haro.

13:00 - T2Cs eastbound from Discovery aiming across Haro.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute

Thu, Nov 3 - San Juans

13:18 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine OPs emailed at 13:27 to report: Log entry 13:18hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHZ spotting 5-6 orca whales milling about at Upright Head in the vicinity of LPZ ferry terminal. WRAS updated - reported by TILLIKUM.

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11:15 - Orcas northbound outside Friday Harbor.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

Tue, Nov 1 - Deception Pass (T36 & T36Bs)

My sister stopped at my house on her way to the dog park to use my bathroom. On a whim, I checked Orca Network. Asked my sister if she wanted to take her dog to Ala Spit. Saw fins there, went to the bridge and got REALLY lucky! We were there from about 1:45 to 2:30. Sooo fintastic to see them from the bridge.

photos by Tami Kannenberg, November 1, 2022

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Thank you so much Rachel! Here are a few [photos] I grabbed.

photos by April Ryan, November 1, 2022

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17:15 - [approx 48.469575, -122.719167] still NW bound. Final update, good night whales!

16:23 - NW bound [approx. 48.449951, -122.692747].

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Charlene Hall

Date of Sighting: 11/1/2022

Time: 15:46

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 4

Where seen: (48.4312132, -122.6763453)

Direction of travel : North

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

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

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

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[I] was walking in Sharpe Park in Anacortes and got close to cliff overlooking the sound, when I heard them first surfacing and blowing. I had to look through the trees but sure enough I saw them. There could have been 4-6. They were surfacing and following the shoreline for a minute or two and then must have dove because it went silent.

photo by Charlene Hall, November 1, 2022

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15:32 - North of Deception Island now, headed northwest.

Michael Shroyer

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15:22 - They've drifted southwest of Deception Island, lots of gull activity now.

15:05 - They are on a hunt south side of Deception Island. Visible from West Beach, Deception Pass State Park.

14:50 - Now trending south behind Deception Island. 

14:47 - Big direction change. Now eastbound approaching NW side of Deception Island.

14:40 - Well west of Deception Pass heading west. Can see with binos from Rosario Head.

14:20 - They went out Canoe Pass.

14:05 - Stealthy but approaching the bridge now finally. Still east of.

13:12 - Northbound passing Ala Spit.

12:31 - Seeing blows well north of Borgman Road as they approach Dugualla Bay and disappear quickly out of sight. 95% sure it’s 36/36Bs.

12:15 - Northbound approaching Borgman Road.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

One on the right has a seal in their mouth!

T36B3 Chip and T36B Tattertip

T36B3 Chip and T36B Tattertip on left

photos by Rachel Haight, November 1, 2022

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11:30 - I happened to look up from my treadmill just in time to see some big fins in the water! Orcas dressed up as sharks for Halloween. Looks like 4-6 orcas heading northbound past Mariner's Cove [Whidbey Island], not too far out in the channel. Moving fast and disappeared quickly. 

photos by Marianne Parry, November 1, 2022

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09:30 - My sister and I were at Holmes Harbor and several whales were out there. Seemed to be feeding on something. Then we watched several whales in lines that eventually swam out the inlet. It was amazing. We did see what to me, appeared to be a semi young orca that had breached closer to East Harbor Road. Some had large black dorsal fins and some smaller.

Toni Cooper

Mon, Oct 31 - Puget Sound (T36 & T36Bs)

T36B1 Bhotia

T36B3 Chip and T36B1 Bhotia

18:00 - Watched from Old Man Beach in Suquamish. Moved quickly into the bay heading toward Jefferson Head.

17:38 - Orcas entering Port Madison Bay north toward Suquamish pier.

17:30 - Four orcas passed under the Agate Pass Bridge. 

photos by Sue Surowiec Larkin, October 31, 2022

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16:57 - Continuing north hugging Bainbridge, looks like they're headed for Agate Pass.

16:14 - They're just passing Brownsville Marina long down times.

photos by Jim Pasola, October 31, 2022

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15:56 - Off Fletcher Landing Road end now on Bainbridge.

Helgi Hoffman

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15:40 - I'm at Illahee dock, they're well north of me, heading for Brownsville mid-channel.

15:26 - I'm at Manette, I saw them at the mouth of Rich [Passage], ran to get my camera, haven't found them since. That was 20 minutes ago.

Jim Pasola

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15:05 - [Approx. 47.590221, -122.562061] westbound.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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15:09 - Heading toward Bremerton on the Port Orchard side of the channel. I think there’s at least 6.

Alison Hatletveit

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14:10 - They came across Yukon Harbor, and looked like they were maybe heading west into Rich Passage.

Stacy Hammrich

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14:30 - Added info: Maybe 5-8? I’m not entirely sure, we only saw them briefly before they disappeared behind a stand of trees that was blocking our view. They went up the east side of Blake island, headed north.

13:41 - Big group of orcas heading north just passed Point Southworth. At least one male and one baby.

Hunter Sasser Oetinger

Sun, Oct 30 - Puget Sound (T36, T36Bs)

On the Ham tonight! They gave me the goodbye tail as the three of them (that I saw) drifted into the sound. Thanks for your reports to help us track them. 

photos by Pamela S Burger, October 30, 2022

Sat, Oct 29 - Puget Sound (T36, T36Bs)

15:45 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Walla Walla Master reports 5 orca head West in Rich Passage.

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12:07 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 12:10 to report: KALEETAN@1207 Captain reports 4-5 Orca East Bound near Elliot Bay waterfront.

Fri, Oct 28 - San Juans (T123s) 

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Killer Whale (Orca) Sighting:

Sighting Time: Fri Oct 28 10:25:00 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 48.61937,-123.13537

Number Sighted: 3

Submitter Name: Sondra

Whale Alert App

Wed, Oct 19 - Hood Canal (T65A, T65A3, T65A4, T65A6)

T65A Artemis, T65A6 Callisto, T65A4 Ellifrit

T65A3 Amir

17:15 - The pod was seen traveling south in the Hood Canal and was observed for about 20 minutes as they went under the floating bridge. They were viewed from the Shine Tidelands State park area. My photos will confirm there were at least 4 individuals. One had a very large dorsal fin and there was at least one juvenile. They seemed to be feeding at one point based on their behavior.

photos by Sean Miller, October 19, 2022

Fri, Nov 4 - BC

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Orca Sighting:

Sighting Time: Fri Nov 4 10:00:28 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 49.53503,-124.82260 [Denman Island, BC} 

Number Sighted: 3

Submitted Comments: Seen from Hornby Island Ferry Terminal (Shingle Spit) looking South West - around 3-4 individuals with one large male seen milling in various directions. Five times varied between 2 minutes and 5 minutes. Eco type unknown. 

Submitter Name: Sarah Coulter

Whale Alert App

Thu, Nov 3 - San Juans

11:18 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 11:41 to report: [MV] SAMISH spots an Orca, 11/3 Log entry 1118hrs: Vessel reports via 8ooMHz they've spotted a single orca located 1/2-mile S/E of Reed Rock, heading toward FHBR. 

Sun, Nov 6 - San Juans

14:44 - 2 humpbacks off Turn Island State Park, San Juan Island. 

Lauren McManus

Sat, Nov 5 - Admiralty Inlet

Cascadia Region Whale Sighting

Humpback Sighting:

Sighting Time: Sat Nov 5 16:17:02 PDT

Sighting User Reported Location (Lat/Lon): 47.99404,-122.53544

Number Sighted: 1

Submitter Name: Lisa Tweter

Whale Alert App

Sat, Nov 5 - Puget Sound

16:15 - One humpback spotted off Edmonds, circling around. We didn't get much of a look at the flukes, but it wasn't Malachite. 

Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express

Sat, Nov 5 - South Puget Sound (Malachite)

Ingrid Shumway sent more images for sighting Saturday, November 5th of Humback in Henderson Bay again. We could match dorsal to that of CRC-19820 Malachite (2021 calf of Slate)

Fri, Nov 4 - San Juans

13:12 - Just north of Goose Island in Cattle Pass. 

Julie Gralow [WSSJI]

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10:57 - Got to see them with my binoculars! Sweet! Headed south.

Jennifer Hubble Peter

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10:12 - Donna Sanders, WSF Marine OPs emailed at 10:13 to report: 2 Humpbacks breaching near Reed Rock and Brown Island - reported by CHELAN at 10:12. 

Thu, Nov 3 - South Puget Sound (Malachite)

13:00 - Feeding and milling around with a whole bunch of active sea lions. Observed milling/feeding, surface active then drifting northbound at that time. In Henderson Bay, southern Puget Sound. 

photos by Ingrid Shumway, November 3, 2022

Wed, Nov 2 - South Puget Sound

From Kopachuck late this morning.

screen grab from video by Jane Durnbaugh Thompson, November 2, 2022

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11:15 - Saw a humpback in Carr Inlet about 1/2 mile south of Kopachuck State Park heading south. Was only 125 yards off our deck! But then headed mid-channel, moving slowly. 

Sarah Richey Guenther

Tue, Nov 1 - Admiralty Inlet

15:10 - Humpback 150 feet from shore, southbound fast off of Lagoon Point. 

Bill Setter 

Sat, Oct 29 - Puget Sound

15:45 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops emailed to report: Solo humpback whale off Elliot Point [Mukilteo] southbound - reported by SUQUAMISH.

Thu, Nov 3 - Possession Sound

08:52 - Gray whale feeding about half way between Hat [Island] and mainland to the north!

Kim Vest Gleason [HIWS]

Tue, Nov 1 - San Juans

09:36 - Laura Baker, WSF Marine Ops emailed at 09:54 to report: Captain, ANAC/SJI B watch, informs Ops the vessel has come to all-stop due to a single grey whale located at the entrance to FHBR, heading southbound to Turn Island.

Sun, Nov 6 - Puget Sound

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Christine Hamstra

Date of Sighting: 11/6/2022

Time: 12:41

Species seen: ?

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: off Sunset Beach in Edmonds

Direction of travel : stuck

Behaviors observed: slowly drifing?, couple spouts

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Any reports of whale stuck off Sunset Beach?

This behavior is not normal.

Photos available?: No