Haro Strait/Oak Bay

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March 10, 2010
We left Transient orca T87 just off of Halibut Is., N. Haro St. at 4:45 heading toward Mandarte Is. going NW. I guess there were other Ts being heard on the hydrophones as we came in, but he was the only one that we were able to spot. We had found him a half an hour earlier just north of Kelp Reef.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya’s Westside Charters, San Juan Island


Another loud call on Orca Sound hydrophone – 3:20 pm.
3:30 pm: We’ve still been hearing Transient calls off & on, on both Lime Kiln & OrcaSound hydrophones.
4:50 pm – still hearing loud Transient calls on OrcaSound hydrophone!
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


Transients are back: 1344.
4:15 pm: animals going North of Kelp Reef (Haro St.) at least one male no id at this time.
4:30 pm: T87 and a few friends nearing Halibut Island, Haro Strait.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria, B.C.


2:12 pm: the transients are back! (off W. San Juan Island – on OrcaSound hydrophones).
Annika Bowden


2:09 pm: I’m now hearing the faint Transient calls at orcasound (NW San Juan Island).
Chrissy McClean, Pt. Townsend Marine Science Ctr.


Listen in to intermittent clear (Transient orca) calls now (14:08) at Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


Not sure if this has been reported. but Im hearing I think some transients quite clearly on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at 1:50 pm. it was very faint for quite some time but now they’re very audible.
Rose Hite


11:12 am: just started hearing Transient calls, faint.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


March 9, 2010
Great, clear transient calls (8:31 pm) on OrcaSound hydrophone! There weren’t any earlier auto-detections at Lime Kiln, thus far all LK detections have been fainter than at OS, and the prevalence of LK detections is increasing, so perhaps the source is southbound in Haro Strait? To me it sounds like the same calls nearly simultaneously on both streams, so maybe we have a single animal making nice loud calls?
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


Transient calls just started at Lime Kiln hydrophone, 8:06 pm.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


February 21, 2010
After receiving a report from Mark Malleson of L’s heading south along the Vancouver Island shoreline, Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research launched Starlet in Roche Harbor around 1530 and arrived on scene at 1610. The L12 subpod was traveling slowly south in Cordova Bay. Both L94 and L77 were traveling with calves and we were able to confirm that L113 was L94’s calf. L77’s calf (L114) was very young and still had fetal folds. Around 1700 near the south end of Cordova Bay, the L12s turned east and spread out and began foraging. Lots of taillobs, cartwheels and pec slaps out of L79, L85, and L89. L89 also breached twice and whales up ahead of us looked to be going after some fish. We left the whales at 1711 still spread out and heading east. Whales photographed were L12, L22, L25, L41, L77 and L114, L94 and L113, L79, L85, and L89.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island


I stumbled into the L12’s heading south along Island View Beach just south of Sidney, B.C. Cheers,
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales, Victoria, B.C.


The experience of finding J Pod in a resting formation at 2.15pm just off shore of Prevost Island was simply awe inspiring. Their slow, methodical misty blows were entrancing to watch in the spectacular light and calm conditions. We watched for a while and left them in the same resting pattern. It appeared by the large number of Orca that all members of the pod were there. Our magical day was not over even then. As we headed back to Victoria, just off Island View Beach we were surprised by more misty ‘blows’ and who should pop up but members of L Pod. Totally incredible and so unexpected. L 41, ‘Mega’ was the first to be ID by Mark. We had very little time with them as needed to be back in Victoria, but WOW , what an experience since my last three trips out, we had come up empty.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic. Prince of Whales, Victoria BC.


Approx. 9 orcas sighted off Island View Beach heading south from Sidney through the passage between James Island and Island View Beach and on towards Victoria, at around 3:25 PM, traveling fairly quickly. There was definitely at least one very large male, dorsal fin was very large in comparison to the others. There was also at least one calf with them, possibly two.
Chantelle LaRose


February 16, 2010
In the afternoon I found the T060’s and T02B south of Saltspring Island heading into Saanich Inlet.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales, Victoria B.C.


February 11, 2010
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called at 1440 reporting Transient orca calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones.


1324: A couple faint calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones, can’t tell who.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


February 5, 2010
6:35 am: Very faint calls at Lime Kiln hydrophone – sounds like the Transients again?
Suzy Roebling, Florida


Hearing faint calls on Lime kiln Hydrophones – 6:39 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


February 3, 2010
5:51 am: very faint transient calls being heard on Lime Kiln hydrophones, San Juan Isl.
5:58 am: loud calls on OrcaSound now.
8:12 am: There they are again.
8:33 am: visual on Transient orcas going down – 4+ miles from shore 1+ m south of Kelp reef marker – visual of 4 fins up at same time.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


7:40 am: The WHO_listener automatic detection started picking up orca calls at Lime Kiln at 4:21 this morning. By 5:03 the detections had shifted to OrcaSound where many calls were recorded up until 6:33.
Val Veirs, OrcaSound/The Whale Museum


I am a new user of the hydrophone network, but this morning, from about 0910 to 0920 Eastern Time (0610 – 0620 Pacific time), I heard some echolocation coming from the hydrophones at both Lime Kiln and the OrcaSound hydrophone on San Juan Island. The calls were stronger at the OrcaSound hydrophone, not Lime Kiln, but came in stronger at Lime Kiln towards the end of my listening bout. I am not certain these are killer whales; like I said, I am a new listener and cannot identify everything I hear. But this is the first time I have ever heard anything of note on the hydrophone network, and I am excited about it.
John Rohrback


Transient calls loud and clear on both Lime Kiln and OrcaSound hydrophones at 6:23 am.
Cathy Bacon, Marine Mammal Research Assistant


0615 PST – ORCA’S LOUD AT LIME KILN.
Lon Brocklehurst


February 2, 2010
At 12:16 I began picking up transient calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophones. Most were faint but within the next 1/2 hour the volume increased a surprising amount on a couple of the calls.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


1342 PST I hear faint Orca call at Lime Kiln. I have been hearing calls for about a hour or so - in and out depending on the back ground noise.
Lon Brocklehurst


January 29, 2010
J pod came south in Haro Strait this morning (Jan. 29 @ 0930) spread out over many miles as far as we could see. Dave Ellifrit, Jeanne Hyde, and Ken Balcomb headed out in r/v “Orca” to check on the new baby whales and evaluate body condition of pod members. By early afternoon the whales were traveling west in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca still very spread out with the nearest whale to shore (J26) about two miles SSE of Discovery Island, BC as we left them at 1230. We confirmed that J1,J2, and J44-47 babies were all present and in good body condition. The other whales were so dispersed that we did not find everyone, but there was no reason for concern given all that we saw appeared to be in good body condition. One Chinook salmon scale was found in trail of J1 later in the day after Mark Malleson saw him chase and catch a fish south of the Victoria waterfront. We did not see the whales catching many fish today they were mostly searching.
Center for Whale Research
Postscript: A little over a week later (Feb 8th and 9th), fishing was slow at the 2010 Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational with 43 salmon caught, and the biggest being a 16 pound hatchery Chinook. For perspective, compare that with the 1976 (all year) sport catch of Chinook salmon (all wild) of 55,248 fish from the San Juan Islands, and the 1986 (all year) sport catch of 30,208 fish from the islands! The commercial salmon fishery in Washington State landed 782,000 Chinook salmon in 1976, and 422,000 Chinook salmon in 1986. The average weight of a Chinook salmon commercially landed in those years was about 15 pounds, and derby winners in the sport fisheries routinely exceeded 40-50 pounds! Clearly, the times have changed for the salmon, and for the whales that depend upon the salmon for survival. Of course, things have changed for the fishermen, too.


We encountered J Pod this afternoon around 2pm, 2-3 miles west of the ODAS Buoy (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca). They appeared to be very spread out but when seen, they were traveling in close family groups. It seems there were babies everywhere especially when one counts J44 and J45, the yearlings. We saw J26 and Echo J42, breech off in the distance when we arrived. The J14 family group with J 30, followed and then some of the other family groups. We were unable to ID Granny, J2, nor J8. J Pod’s big boy, Ruffle, J1 was off by himself fishing. All in all, it was a fabulous trip out to see one of our favourite Orca Pods.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic, Prince of Whales, Victoria B.C.


J pod came south in Haro Strait this morning (@ 0930) spread out over many miles. By early afternoon they were traveling west in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca still spread out with the nearest whale (J26) about two miles SSE of Discovery Island, BC. We confirmed that J1,J2, and J44-47 babies were all present and in good body condition. The whales were so spread out that we did not see everyone, but there was no reason for concern given all appeared to be in good body condition.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island


This morning at 8:54 I began to hear sounds on the Lime Kiln hydrophones and there was definitely more than one whale vocalizing! It was J Pod and they were coming down from the north. They were spread out across Haro Strait. It was wonderful to see Ruffles with Granny and the rest of J Pod. I went out with Ken and Dave of the Center for Whale Research looking particularly for the new babies and to get IDs on as many as we could considering weather and time constraints. Here are a few pics (see above and photo of the day) and I have posted more on my blog. All babies accounted for!!!
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Sharon Grace called to say she’d watched J pod head south past Land Bank, spread out at about 11:20 am – it looked like one whale may have been heading west, but most appeared to be southbound. The “nursery” group was furthest out, she saw all 3 calves, 1 tail-slapping like a humpback! J1 and Blackberry were past Pile Pt. Also observed some breaching and foraging off Hannah Heights.


10:25 am: Ruffles is in the lead, Hannah Heights area, and Granny too.
Sandy Buckley, San Juan Island


9:59 am: Jeanne Hyde called to say J pod is coming down San Juan Island from the north, J1 & J2 present. J1 is now about a half mile offshore of the Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Sighs of relief and tears of joy!
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Ron Bates of MMRG in Victoria called at 9:40 am to report hearing orcas on both Lime Kiln & OrcaSound hydrophones.


OrcaSound & LimeKiln Hydrophone reports:
8:53 am: tell me those were calls I just heard on Lime Kiln hydrophones.
Nice S1 calls being heard at OrcaSound at 8:58 am.
Cathy Bacon


9:05 am: Definitely hearing S-1 calls, J-pod.
Laura Swan


9:08 am – OrcaSound hydrophone: Laura reported these first at Lime Kiln. Louder here now S1, J1
Eric McRae


9:09 am: Very clear calls with quiet background at OrcaSound.
Val Veirs, OrcaSound/The Whale Museum, San Juan Island


9:10 am: I agree— also nice and loud at orcasound.
Chrissy, Pt. Townsend Marine Science Ctr


9:20 am: Hello, just wanted to pass along that I am picking up calls on the orcasound hydrophone. It is 9:20 in the morning. It sounds like more than one individual.
Captain Pete Ancich & Erin Ancich, San Juan Excursions


9:21: J pod calls on Orcasound & Lime Kiln Hydrophones. 9:38 – multiple fins southbound at Kelp Reef, Haro Strait.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


9:26 am: I hear lots of nice vocals at orcasound but see no whales over a very flat calm sea. Vocals are on Lime Kiln and Orca Sound so perhaps the orcas are in between.
Val Veirs, SJI


9:40 am: Jeanne asked that I relay the good news to all listeners/locaters that Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research just observed Granny (J2) nail a salmon in front of the Center and Ruffles (J1) is with her!
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


9:45 am: I am listening to OrcaSound. Not sure who those calls belong to, but hopefully J Pod.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Victoria B.C.


9:56 am: now hearing better calls at lime kiln.
Chrissy McClean, PTMSC


12:19 pm: Still hearing calls at Lime Kiln Hydrophones, wonder if they are coming back North.
Cathy Bacon


January 27, 2010
For two days (January 26 and 27), J1 has been seen alone in Haro Strait, and heard on the Lime Kiln hydrophone making what sounds like plaintive repetitive calls (S42 and S40) when no other whales were in sight or hearing range of the Haro Strait hydrophones. Such a solo appearance was considered unusual, so on 27 January Dave Ellifrit and Ken Balcomb headed out in r/v “Orca” to check on J1’s condition. He was swimming steadily north in Haro Strait off Battleship Island taking four or five breaths at the surface and then diving for six or seven minutes when we found him. He paid little heed of us and appeared to be in good health with no apparent injuries, so we left him on his way off Stuart Island as he was apparently heading toward Swanson Channel.


OrcaSound/Lime Kiln Hydrophone reports from today:
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to alert us that calls began again on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at about 11:30. Sounds like the same calls as yesterday, but we also heard a different call in addition to yesterday’s call, and so far, sounds like just one whale again.
Susan Berta begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


I am hearing a slightly different call from yesterday. Yesterday was one short high pitched note followed by a longer low pitched note (the s-42), today I am hearing just one high pitched note – so far. Started recording at 11:34.
Laura Swan


11:47 am: Thanks, Susan. All quiet since your locate post, but here’s a link to a recording of calls detected by Val’s algorithm at Lime Kiln at 11:31. It’s got information all the way up to 18kHz on the two calls: S42 and the new one. Anybody want to chime in on the new call type? Also, there were no automated detections last night at Lime Kiln, Orcasound, or Port Townsend. Best,
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


The other call sounds like S40.
Monika Wieland, Portland


12:36: Calls being heard at OrcaSound Hydrophones. Sounds like the same S42 being heard.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


Seems like Ruffles is making the rounds, solo. Thanks to Laura Swan for this clip of 6 calls made at 11:34. Monika thinks the new calls we’re hearing are S40s. Here’s 3 examples from Ford/Osborne. One of those (S40) calls was recorded by the computer between two S42s. Here are two other automated detection recordings from Lime Kiln: 2 S42s An S2? Jeanne Hyde reports spotting only 1 fin, possibly rippled, way out in Haro northbound near/north of Sidney Island, so listen on Orcasound hydrophones, too, today. Laura/Cathy heard/recorded ~6 more S42s at OrcaSound at ~12:37.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


J1 has been seen alone before and it was in January. At 1330 he is now at Battlleship Is. going North, he is alone at this time but the first report was a male and female.
Later update: The second whale has not been reported since 1230. J1 at Turn Pt. going North at ~ 3 pm.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.


Today at about noon I saw Ruffles northeast of Sydney Island traveling from the north, coming ‘down island’. He soon changed direction to the east and then back again offshore and then changed direction again and moved north until finally disappearing from view. Hoping as I did, I did not see any other whales.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research reported he was with J1 today in Haro Strait, traveling north with him up to Battleship Rock off N. Henry Island. Ken left as J1 continued north, Mark Malleson continued on with J1 up to Turn Point, where J1 continued north – still making calls..
Ken had heard two orcas had been sighted earlier in the day off the west side of Moresby Island, but that report was not linked with J1.


January 26, 2010
Another wonderful trip with Prince of Whales Skipper, Mark Malleson this afternoon. We headed out west at 1pm, looking for the Transients that Mark has seen from his on shore look-out two hours earlier. We had to travel a fair ways out west to encounter these elusive animals, but there they were, just as Mark had hoped. The T30’s and T172 were identified, five animals in total. Encountered approximately 3 miles south of Sheringham Lighthouse along the west coast of Vancouver Island. They were play hunting with a seal, without taking it down. They created some sizable swells around the seal, but the little seal kept bobbing along the surface. When they tired of their game they headed further out west. Most interesting behaviour.
Marie, Orca-Magic, Prince of Whales.


Hearing faint calls at Lime Kiln hydrophones beginning at 12:21 p.m..
Suzy Roebling, Key Largo, Florida


That’s a very unusual repetition of a sort-of familiar call at Lime Kiln hydrophones. I think I’m hearing partial S10s even fainter. What do others think? Southern residents? Here is a link to a file auto-detected slightly earlier further to the north at Orcasound hydrophones. Cheers,
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


12:48 pm: Perhaps it’s just me, but it SEEMS to be just one animal making this call, does it seem that way to anyone else?
Laura Swan


1:20 pm: Jeanne just called reporting a single male passing the Lime Kiln lighthouse going south. She got photos and will attempt ID, but said he looked familiar. She is scanning for other whales based on our hearing other calls, substantially fainter, like this probable S10 caught by the computer. I think the repeated call sounds like an S37, slightly modified with a bit more of a high-frequency start.
For those who missed the live show before noisy ship, here is a recording (10Mb). Fascinating catch, Suzy!
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


Sounds T(ransient)-ish to me, but I didn’t get to hear the other distant calls.
1:28 pm: Okay I am going with Scott, sounds like a variation on the S37 call.
Jeff Hogan, Seattle


1:45 pm: Laura Swan suggested S42 for the repeated call, then Jeff reported Candi had also said it was an S42. Upon listening to this Ford-Osborne clip, I concur. Compare with the attached clip of today’s repeated call from Jeff. Monika (Wieland)‘s thesis associates S42 with all pods (past and present periods) except L pod presently, and also states: “S1, while still the most frequent call type made by J-Pod, fell from approximately 38% of all calls in 1978-1983 to 25% of all calls in 2005-2006. Other calls that underwent sharp declines in occurrence include S2, S4, S7, and S42, whereas S3, S10, and S37i drastically increased in occurrence.”
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


Jenny Atkinson also reported a lone male southbound: "We saw it too — lone male, traveling south. Watched him travel from Lime Kiln to Sharon Grace’s (Hannah Heights) - he kept going, we headed back to town. We did not see (or hear blows) signs of any other whales." And there’s a recording that Laura started 5 minutes before the one I provided previously.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


Quite a bit of excitement this afternoon. I saw Ruffles J-1 at about 12:45 coming south a couple miles from shore between Kelp Reef marker and Lime Kiln lighthouse. He was traveling in ‘his’ slow methodical manner – a few shallow dives and then a longer dive – heading down/south. I didn’t not see any other whales though I scanned for two more hours. The photos are just proof of presence that Ruffles was out there today.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Here’s a note from John Ford re the repetitive calls we heard today: “Interesting recording. The attached clip certainly appears to be a sequence of S42s, though the limited bandwidth cuts off the distinctive terminal high frequency component. I assume that the visual account of the lone male is to imply this was the source of the calls? This would make sense, as I’ve often heard whales that are traveling apart from the rest of the group repeat a single call over a long period in a similar fashion, though mostly just in the northern residents. This kind of repetitive calling is usually associated with high excitement levels.”
John Ford, Canada’s DFO Pacific Biological Field Station, forwarded by Scott Veirs


January 18, 2010
More Transient calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophones – very faint. They started again at 9:46 pm until 10:12 pm. The calls were getting long and drawn out – almost continuous – for a couple minutes, very unusual to me, then a couple of the same calls like we heard earlier.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


I believe I am again hearing very faint Transient orca calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones, beginning at 8 pm. They are so faint I have my speakers turned up all the way to hear them, but have now heard them several times, so think there are some orcas somewhere in the distance off west San Juan Island!
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


A few very faint Transient calls, same call sound as heard yesterday.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


January 17, 2010
1543 sounds like possibly transient calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophones – very faint and intermittent. Hearing them again and a bit louder at 1730.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


1730 - Just heard a few Transient orca calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


January 4, 2010
1352: J calls in distance in Lime Kiln hydrophones.
1437: Hearing more J calls now on Lime Kiln Hydrophones.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


1:52 pm – I’m hearing calls on Lime Kiln hydrophones- likely Js, with new babe J47!! Calls continued for 15 – 20 minutes, then nothing for awhile, then again at 2:36 we began hearing calls again at Lime Kiln.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


January 3, 2010
Sandy Buckley of San Juan Island reported a Gray whale off west San Juan Island, heading south about 200 yards offshore at around 5 pm.


January 2, 2010
0115 —- Orcas at Lime Kiln (W. San Juan Island).
RoboLON (Lon Brockelhurst)


Heard faint S2 calls (on the Lime Kiln hydrophone) for about 15min, from 00:43 til ~01:00. Then recorded louder calls from 01:18-01:38.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


January 1, 2010
We listened to J pod on the Lime Kiln hydrophones from about 6 – 6:10 pm, making intermittent calls.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


It’s the first day of the year, and the first whales I have heard for 2010 are J Pod!!! They have been vocalizing (Lime Kiln, W.San Juan Island) for about 30 minutes (from ~5:30 – 6 pm). Very faint calls, but I’ll take what I can get!
John Boyd (JB), San Juan Island


1733: Js in distance on Lime Kiln Hydrophones.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


December 22, 2009
I heard two faint calls at 7:57 pm and expected to hear more. However, for the next hour it was the noise of a ship. Then just at the end of the ship noise at 9:03 I heard a few very clear calls, for only a few seconds, and then no more.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
And from Scott Veirs of OrcaSound, in response to Jeanne’s recordings: Hi Jeanne, Thanks for the nice recording. I’ve uploaded it to OrcaSound here. Definitely some nice clear calls (I hear S2s and S10 [squeaky balloons]). I haven’t any reports of others hearing these.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


1957: first calls (So. Resident orcas) just heard on Lime Kiln hydrophones.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


December 13, 2009
0320 PST - Orca at Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Interesting calls.
Robo (Lon Brockelhurst)


0551: just now heard a clear call on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
More on the 5:53a.m. call: it was repeated 7 times over two minutes. Sounded like Ts. Then no calls for 5 minutes, and then a big ship passing.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


December 12, 2009
2040: Transient calls in the dark, dark night on OrcaSound hydrophones (NW San Juan Island).
Val Veirs, OrcaSound/The Whale Museum, San Juan Island


December 11, 2009
Beginning at about 4:25pm. and continuing for almost two hours the [orcas] put on quite a symphony over the Pt. Townsend hydrophones. Then at 10:58 p.m. they showed up on the Lime Kiln hydrophones, though this time they were faint. They could be heard until a little after 1 a.m.I posted a couple audio clips, one from PT. Townsend at the height of the symphony and another clip further toward the end and there was a call that I am not familiar with. I put an explanation of that call on my blog post as well as the audio clip. Hope your readers will enjoy the clips.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Calls at Lime Kiln hydrophone – midnight – 12:30, still going strong – sounds like a party!
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


December 4, 2009
Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales called at 10:10 am to report he was hearing J pod calls on the Lime Kiln, San Juan Island hydrophone.


It was Giles, and she said “LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW!” And lo and behold- J Pod!!!! The only whale I saw was J1, as the whales were spread 3-4 miles from shore past the midpoint of Haro Strait. They were heading southerly, at around 9 am.
John Boyd (JB), San Juan Island


Just saw at least 6 orca in Haro Strait near Low Island at 8:15 am. There were two males for sure. They were spread out and traveling steadily. There could have have been more. I’m listening to them on the lime kiln hydrophone right now (8:40 am).
Alan Niles


Calls and clicks on Lime Kiln and Orca Sound (NW San Juan Island) hydrophones now (8:20 am) thanks to Jeanne/Laura/Cathy. I’ve only been hearing S1s for last 10 mins though, so there’s some chance it’s J pod and K/L are still down- sound.
Jeanne sees them a “couple miles” off Lime Kiln as of 0810, probably heading southward. She thinks she may have heard some L pod calls earlier and maybe there are two groups on west side??
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


7:35 am – Lime Kiln, San Juan Island, calls still being heard, getting louder, and hearing multiple calls amongst ship noise.
Cathy Bacon


6:44 am – faint calls being heard on Lime Kiln Hydrophone.
6:53 am – residents I believe – getting louder though still in distance.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


OrcaSound’s (hydrophones on NW San Juan Island) automatic detection picked up its first orca call just before 5 am.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island


December 3, 2009
We saw two transient killer whales, one male and one female or juvenile male slow traveling East-South- East at 4:10pm past the Land Bank’s Westside Preserve on San Juan Island this afternoon. We saw two breath intervals then had to leave before they came back up after a long dive. Beautiful, flat calm water!!!
Giles, San Juan Island


December 1, 2009
Around 1500-1530, while I was at American camp, San Juan Island walking the dog, I saw 4-6 orcas waaay out there on the line from Eagle Pt. to Seabird Pt. on Discovery Island. The whales were probably several miles southeast of Seabird pt. and appeared to be moving west and were too far for any i.d.‘s but the group size suggests transients.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island


November 11, 2009
New Calf!!! Can you tell I’m excited. Will post story and more pics on my blog. Js and Ks on the west side with a new baby – WOW!.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Thanks to Scott’s hydrophone reports, I was able to head out to Lime Kiln (west San Juan Island) and look for the residents he heard. At about 2 PM we had Js and Ks head south, very spread out across Haro Strait. While its always exciting to see orcas in November, it was an extra special encounter since we saw J28 Polaris with what looks very much like a brand new calf! At the age of 16 this would make her a first-time mother (as far as we know). I wrote a little more about the experience and posted a few more pictures at my blog.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island


Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to relay a report of Js, Ks & L87 off Landbank, west San Juan Island at 2:40 pm, heading south.


1305: Jeanne Hyde called in sighting from County Park (NW San Juan Island) of Killer Whales heading south in Haro Strait “pretty far out, near the Kelp Reef marker.” Recorded S1 and S16 calls suggest it’s J and K pods. Hearing faint S4 calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 13:20.
1152: S1 calls on Orcasound hydrophone getting louder. Recording now; will post to OrcaSound after pass. I heard S16s earlier ~10:55. Not sure re direction, but maybe south.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound, Seattle


November 9, 2009
I glanced out at approx. 1:40 pm to see at least one – an adult male, possibly two orca whales – in these blustery seas off Eagle Cove, W. San Juan Island, heading east.
Judy Chovan, San Juan Island


October 27, 2009
L Pod came down Haro St. 1509 off Darcy Is. and rounding Discovery Is. at 1715. 1800 off Victoria going to Race Rocks.
Report of a Humpback in Oak Bay but not found in the afternoon.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.


1640 Orcas at Orcasound hydrohpnes (NW San Juan Island).
1505 Orca at lime Kiln hydrohpones (San Juan Island).
They are getting louder (5) 1520 PDT.
Robo (Lon Brockelhurst, Tumwater)


1517 - So. Residents heading north – Hearing them on OrcaSound only now, quite some whistles and calls, now after the boat noise. Still faint though.
1500: Hearing orca’s at both Lime Kiln hydrophone as on OrcaSound hydrophone, very faint though, and with lots of noise at the OS hydrophone.
Jette Hope


Faint calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone starting ~ 14:35.
Jason Wood, the Whale Museum, San Juan Island


October 26, 2009
Big minke whale off San Juan Island, between Eagle Cove and False Bay at 3pm; feeding amid the gulls and diving birds.
Liz Illg


8:30 am: Orcas northbound, slow, spread out NW San Juan Island with some vocalizations and one purse seiner.
Val Veirs, OrcaSound/The Whale Museum


0825: Calls on Orcasound network.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.


October 23, 2009
1330 Orcas at Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Robo (Lon Brockelhurst, Tumwater)


October 19, 2009
At about 3 pm we got a call that whales were on the west side of San Juan Island. It was K Pod!
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island

October 9, 2009
Haro strait I mile north of San Juan County Park. Two groups of about 8 or 9 Orca and about as many more spread out passed by around 2pm. They were very active with several breaches spy hops and lots of tail slaps.
Alan Niles


Besides J and Ks traveling north up Haro Strait, I was able to photograph (see my blog here for photos) most of the L pod whales that have been with J Pod and K Pod (minus the K-11s of course). These are the same L pod whales that had been in Blackfish Sound, then showed up in San Juan Channel on Tuesday and who met up with Js and Ks later, on Tuesday. They have been traveling together ever since they met up, so I wonder if the L pod whales at Race Rocks today are the rest of L pod – the L-12s, L-9 and L-35? can’t wait to find out! and maybe even the K-11s?
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Orca Network received a call from Malcolm Rooke- Bordin, reporting J pod off Hannah Heights at 1:10 pm, heading north – they had been off W. San Juan Island on the 8th as well.


I’m listening to delightful Southern Resident orca calls on the OrcaSound hydrophone – NW San Juan Island, (9:15 – 9:55 pm).
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island


1840 – Orca calls heard on Orcasound hydrophone. 2010 PDT – Well the Orcas are still at it. Lots of neat calls and sounds. You can hear sound echoing up and down the deep channel – the echos are over 3 sec. long. At this time the sounds are fading in and out – great session and recording.
2105 PDT – Orcas still hanging out at Orcasound. They almost sound like Humpbacks – no real calls – just little Orca sounds – continuously.
Robo (Lon Brockelhurst), San Juan Island


3:14 pm – J & K pod at Andrews Bay, San Juan Island, northbound. Calls and clicks on Orcasound.
Capt. BarbeRousse


October 8, 2009
2345 PDT – Orca callsheard at Lime Kiln, W. San Juan Island.Regards,
Lon Brockelhurst, San Juan Island


October 7, 2009
Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich Tiffany Humphrey of the Center for Whale Research encountered J’s in loose groups spread out from Kellett Bluff to south of Bellevue Point (48° 35.01 N: 123° 12.48 W) at 1:56 p.m. We later encountered K’s and L’s in mixed groups with more J’s. The encounter ended off Tip Top Hill (48° 40.13 N; 123° 14.25 W) with loose groups still spread out traveling north at 4:34 pm.
Center for Whale Research


1:45 pm, OrcaSound (NW San Juan Island): Orcas and whale watchers slowly moving northward with a few vocalizations.
Val Veirs, The Whale Museum/OrcaSound, San Juan Island


October 6, 2009
J & K pods had just passed Lime Kiln heading south. The whales had continued south and we soon found them out past Salmon Bank. They were very spread out and appeared to be foraging. We saw K12 with K37, then K16 with K35, then had a nice pass of K14 and 3 offspring which includes K26, K36 and K42. I could also see J1 and J27 much closer to shore. As the sun glistened on the water there seemed to whales in all directions off in the distance. It appeared that J’s were grouping up near False Bay slowly heading up the island. Then!!!!!!! we got news that 15-20 Orcas had been spotted in San Juan Channel heading south. It was the group of L pod that had been spotted up in Blackfish Sound a few days ago. They were traveling in a tight group which included the L43’s, L4’s, L21’s and L’26’s. L92-Crewser was in the lead with a few other whales. He rolled over to show us his Sea Snake, and seemed to be a busy guy.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor


Marty, Kim, Mariah, Judy, Monem, Dean and I went out with Jim Maya off San Juan Island and saw lots of orca, as well as impressive Stellers (see photo of the day, above). We did see Ruffles and Granny, said Jim.
Sandy Dubpernell, Coupeville


Calls, clicks, and whistles on the (OrcaSound.net) Lime Kiln hydrophone now at 0955, getting more intense since 0950. They made it from Orcasound to Lime Kiln (traveling south) in less than ~45 minutes.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


It is 9.30 am and I can hear high pitch whistles and lots of echolocation clicks on the Hydrophones at Lime kiln right now. Good to hear once again.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Victoria B.C.


8:59 am – Orcas spread out and moving slowly southbound (NW San Juan Island). There are some clicks on the hydrophone.
Val Veirs, The Whale Museum, OrcaSound, San Juan Island


October 3, 2009
J Pod came steaming down the west side of Henry and San Juan Island late morning just as I was headed down to the boat. By the time we all got onto the boat and out onto the waters of Haro Strait they were to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya’s Westside Charters, San Juan Island


Blackberry, J27 paused at the stern end of the Ocean Magic today at 2.30pm, and gave us a sweet pic of a spyhop. I saw J1 and J2 traveling together. L7 with her distinct tear in the top third of her dorsal fin, was traveling with Ruffles, and Granny. Interesting! K11, swam past too so it appeared there were members of all three Southern Resident pods off San Juan Island this afternoon. Some were well off shore of San Juan Island at Eagle Point and milling around. They were well spread out, although at other times we seemed to be surrounded.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic, Prince Of Whales, Victoria B.C.


Scott Veirs of Beam Reach reported J pod south of San Juan Island at 5 pm, heading west; and So. Resident orcas 5 nautical milies south of False Bay, San Juan Island at 3:36 pm, heading SW.


The Orcas were first seen coming south from Henry Island in Haro Strait. We met them off of Eagle Point. They were very spread out, lots of foraging going on and very long dives of 5 or more minutes. A mix of Killer Whales today – members of J & K pod – with L87 apparently being out there as well. We left them as they continued to move offshore.
Jaclyn, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


October 2, 2009
Viewed 7-9 orcas just south of Kellett Bluff traveling north at 1300 hours. They were well spread out and transiting at a moderate pace. We were able to identify L87 “Onyx” and possibly L77 “Matia”. Maybe it was a date. We motored with them until they came even with Spieden Channel, about 1 hour.
Tristen Joy, Naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


A nice surprise from some K Pod whales today. The whales I saw today going north along the west side of San Juan island were Georgia K-11, Onyx L-87 – who travels with K Pod, Skagit K-13, Spock K-20 and Comet K-38, Scoter K-25, Deadhead K-27 and Cali K-34.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


Hearing many S1 calls on Orcasound hydrophone (since 13:16) after hearing them earlier at Lime Kiln. Recordings will be posted on OrcaSound.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


[Orcas] (K-pod?) heard on Lime Kiln node at 12:30.
Jason Wood, The Whale Museum


Orca calls off Lime Kiln (OrcaSound.net) this afternoon featuring some loud and lovely S-16 calls, buzzes, clicks, and many other great noises. They were also reported being heard on the Orca Sound hydrophone shortly afterwards (so they must be heading north).
Tia Lurie


September 28, 2009
K Pod going south on the west side of San Juan Island.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


L Pod Orca were seen at San Juan off Lime Kiln Park by the Ocean Magic out of Victoria.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic POW.

0750 Orca at Lime Kiln. I hear Orca way off in the back ground. Orca sounds = 2 to 4, Man made noise = 0, Sea state noise = 2.
Robo


7:28 am – After Robo reported a call, there was over a half hour of silence. Now lots of S-1 calls and clicks being heard at Lime Kiln.
Laura Swan, Illinois


September 27, 2009
We met members of J & K pod a mile or 2 off of Eagle Point, San Juan Island. They were very spread out with frequent changes in direction – lots of foraging going on! Gulls were swooping in looking for scraps of salmon that the Orcas had left behind.
Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


We turned on the Orca Sound Hydrophones (NW San Juan Island) & began hearing loud calls at 10:45 am, with some light boat noise. Must be heading north ? as calls were reported on Lime Kiln earlier.
Susan Berta, Orca Network


9:54 am – I’m been hearing some outbursts/loud vocalizations and much echolocation at the Lime Kiln hydrophones.
Suzy Roebling, Key Largo, FL


September 26, 2009
L pod was around Lime Kiln. It was a beautiful day and great to see the whales, spread out and cruising.
Catherine Beard, Oak Harbor


We did encounter several members of L Pod at San Juan Island late Friday.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic POW.

I finally saw my Orcas, after loving them for so long and tracking them via your site for at least four. Caroline was the naturalist on our boat and thought perhaps the L’s or the splinter L’s. Think it was a “subtle” day out there, with them scattered. It was about 2-3 p.m. just off Lime Kiln lighthouse/park.
Laura Stone


September 25, 2009
Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich and Stefan Jacobs encountered J’s, K’s and L’s spread out in mixed groups off Mitchell Bay (48° 34.433 N; 123° 11.585 W) at 10:25 a.m. The encounter ended at 12:37 p.m.off Turn Point (48° 41.296N; 123° 14.762 W) with the whales still heading north.
Center for Whale Research


We headed out from Snug Harbor and out into active pass. The breaches and Ruffles were on the way there and the one with the BC Ferry was at the mouth of active pass. Boy did the orca go nuts when they got to that entry.
Cathy Scott, Bow, WA


September 21, 2009
Today J-2 Granny and K-11 Georgia, lead subgroups of the pods north along Henry Island, from 2:20pm to 3:15pm, keeping a fast pace against a mildly flooding current. Midway up island, the grand matriarchs headed offshore, and as J-2 headed northwest she breached! and did a few percussives. There were no vocalizations. Each near shore subgroup of 3 to 4 whales, including the J-14 and K-14 families, started heading offshore in line with the route J-2 and K-11 had taken. Except J-1 Ruffles, he was already about ½ mile offshore, taking his time, swimming in his distinctive leisurely way, like he knows he’s number one male!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions


12:44 – Just began hearing faint calls at Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Laura Swan


On the west side of San Juan island earlier today I think this may be J45 and his clan, but that is only my best guess.
Jane Cogan


As I passed the West Side Preserve, Orcas showed up literally out of nowhere and were swimming near San Juan Island! When we arrived in Haro Strait later in the day, the whales had rocketed up the coastline of San Juan and were fast approaching Stuart Island. We took our time to find a good place to stop and watch whales, and before we knew it we were looking right at K25 Scoter. He is a growing male still! Soon he was disappearing in the distance only to be replaced by a group of J Pod whales porpoising towards our boat! It was so cool to see this group of Js, as they were very active-porpoising and breaching. For our last pass, we were set up just past the Turn Point Lighthouse. The water was absolutely a sheet of glass, and we all stopped for a “Kodak Moment” of taking a picture of the lighthouse with Mt. Baker in the background. And then our first surprise- J2 Granny, the 98 year-old matriarch of J Pod came behind the boat in a series of very slow surfacings. It was as if she was enjoying the calm waters. And then on the other side of the boat came none other than the matriarch of K Pod, K11! It was like having a procession of orca “royalty” coming by to pay us a visit. The finale was having J14 and her family (J30, J37, J40, and J45) come by in a big rollicking group.
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN Marine Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor


September 20, 2009
Ken Balcomb, Astrid van Ginneken and Dan McSweeney of the Center for Whale Research encountered J’s, K’s and L’s, spread out off Lime Kiln State Park (48° 29.654 N; 123° 08.953 W) at 4:36 p.m. The whales were milling and traveling slowly north. The encounter ended just off Kellett bluff (48° 31.797 N; 123° 09.996 W) at 6:11 p.m. The whales were still spread out in loose groups and heading north.
Center for Whale Research


18:48 – Still hearing calls, clicks, whistles, some faint, some pretty loud on Lime Kiln (but not Orcasound) now and for the last 15 minutes. Maybe fading out, overall.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach/OrcaSound


16:52 Nice clicks on Lime Kiln hydrophone but no vocals just yet. Very spread out and heading N at the moment. Oh just heard fist calls 17:00.
Jason Wood, The Whale Museum, San Juan Island


15:45 – Orcas in resting pattern slowly going northward. No vocalizing at all.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island


The Resident Killer Whales (or Orcas) were moving south from Rosario Strait around Lopez Island. We came through Cattle Pass and were ahead of the Orcas, so we positioned ourselves offshore of the whales so we could parallel them in Haro Strait off the south end of San Juan Island. A tight group in the lead, maybe 6 to 8 Orcas including J1 (Ruffles). Then a single Orca K12 (Sequim) swimming; a few hundred yards behind her was K11 (Georgia) who was rolling on her side swimming just beneath the surface. Next in the parade was most of Skagit’s (K13) family. Now I get really excited about baby Orcas, which anyone on the boat would know by my enthusiastic squeals! We had a great look at little 1-year-old K42 with older brother Lobo K26 (his dorsal fin is huge) and sibling K36, mom K14 and aunt K16…I’m assuming 7-year-old K35 (Sonata) was there as well. The family was changing direction a bit – a lot of Orcas seemed to be foraging off of South Beach. Then we were surprised by J26 (Mike) who was swimming near mom J16 (Slick) with 2 year-old J42! Remaining shutdown, so as not to create any excess noise or risk disturbing the Orcas, we waited until they were far enough away to start up. The water was so calm and clear we had the special treat to view Mike underwater as he swam by. It is not everyday that we see this. Very awe- inspiring to watch an Orca gracefully swim underwater, then surface to breathe. Wow. We left all feeling a little humbled by the experience. It was time to move on to view other wildlife.
Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watch & Wildlife Tours


September 17, 2009
Dave Ellifrit, Astrid van Ginneken, Stefan Jacobs and Erin Heydenreich of the Center for Whale Research encountered J’s K’s and L’s about a mile north west of Bellevue Point (48° 32.544 N,123° 10.753 W) at 12:26 p.m. The whales were spread out from the point to False Bay, traveling north. We encountered mixed groups of J’s, K’s and a few L’s (L53, L7, L87, L22 and L79). The encounter ended off Tip Top Hill on Stuart Island (48° 40.39 N,123° 13.80 W) at 3: 16 p.m.
Center for Whale Research


1335 - Can hear very clear calls on the OrcaSound hydrophones. Still can be heard on Lime Kiln as well.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


1205 - Faint Killer Whale calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone.
Jason Wood, The Whale Museum, San Juan Island


Hearing great echolocation on Orcasound at Lime Kiln at 12:47pm.
Jana, Victoria


We are hearing the Orcas at Lime Kiln State Park at 12:24 pm, and have been for the last 15 minutes. Echolocation clicks, S1s and S2s, along with others.
Catherine


0450 PDT – Orca heard way off in the distance at Lime Kiln. Orca sounds = 2 to 4, Manmade noise = 0, Seastate noise = 2. 0550 PDT The Orca have been hanging out at Lime Kiln.
I have been hearing (my ears) and seeing calls on my SA, off an on, drifting in and out all night. Lots of fish sound.
Robo


September 16, 2009
Orca party on Lime Kiln Hydrophones 11:45pm.
Ruby KeefeCulver City, CA


Hearing many calls on both Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones, 10:47 PST. Sounds like Jpod, and perhaps K and L, too??
Barbara Ellingsen


2205 – Orca Calls seem to be moving North From Lime Kiln. Faint but clear in Orca Sound Hydrophones now.
Eric McRae


2220 PDT – Orcas at Lime Kiln AND Orcasound. 2135 PDT – Orca at Lime Kiln. Great stuff.
Robo


September 15, 2009
This is an Orca Listening report. About 10:30 Tuesday evening we heard a pod of [orcas] going east through Active Pass. Lots of tail slaps.
Karoline, Galiano Island, BC


Rob Comson called in a report of a pod of ~9 orcas, porpoising in a line, heading north off Henry Island at 5:45 pm. He was in a float plane, and observed a red/orange zodiac close to the whales, possibly one of the research vessels.


1656 - Nice Southern Resident calls being heard on OrcaSound hydrophones.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


1628 - Just started hearing Orcas at the Lime Kiln hydrophone. Faint, but quite a lot!
Jette, the Netherlands


We had heard that J’s and K’s were coming past Victoria heading east. As we were approaching the scene, the whales had come through Baynes Channel, we were treated to two groups of 6-8 Dalls Porpoise, including one Hybrid. As we approached we saw a couple of consecutive spyhops in the distance then we hooked up with a few groups of 5-6 animals each (K20, K38 and a lot of generic whales) as they crossed Haro Strait and went directly to Lime Kiln. These groups headed north as they neared the Island and we followed them for awhile. Eventually the rest of the whales that had stayed on the Vancouver Island side began to come across Haro Strait. We saw K21, then K26 and company. Each time we tried to exit the scene there were more whales much to our delight. J27, J31 & J39 approached with J31 doing 3 huge breaches. Absolutely amazing sight in the late afternoon sun and flat calm waters. By the third breach many of our passengers had a great pictures to share. Next we were surprised by L72,L105 and L95. This meant our reports of J & K pods had turned into a Super pod!!! Finally we watched the K16’s foraging before heading into Mosquito Pass.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, Friday Harbor


September 14, 2009
I was watching some L-Pod whales head south from shore near False Bay at about 2:45 PM when I spotted a blow that was way too big to be an orca. It turned out to be from a humpback whale! There were actually three humpbacks in the group, and they were heading north up Haro Strait. I saw them again from Land Bank at about 3:15 and they were probably about 2 miles offshore when I left at 3:30.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island


Three humpback whales off of Hannah Heights at 1430. Two adults and possibly one juvenile slowly feeding along the coastline. Our last view was of double flukes sliding into the water.
Tristen Joy, Naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


1905 PDT – Orca callsat Lime Kiln.
Here they come – The ORCA are gitting louder = 5 to 7 @ 1925 PDT.
Robo, San Juan Island


I was watching some L-Pod whales head south from shore near False Bay at about 2:45 PM.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island


Just began hearing faint calls at Lime Kiln EDT (7:10 p.m. PDT), lots of clicks. Amendment to earlier email, louder calls now at orcasound 7:15 p.m.
Suzy Roebling, Key Largo


K and L pod orcas were traveling down island (west San Juan Isl). We met them at False Bay and traveled with them until south beach where they moved offshore for ~1 mile and then turned southeast. K21, L41, L72, L105 and L26 were some of the animals present. As they moved offshore they grouped together and headed across the strait in 3-4 groups. There was also a minke whale traveling along with them. It had been feeding in the current lines, but changed it’s direction when the orcas arrived in it’s area.
Tristen Joy, Naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


12:24 – Starting to hear faint calls on the OrcaSound Hydrophones. Whales must be traveling northbound.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


1150 PDT Orca at Lime Kiln. The Orca are getting louder 1158 PDT
Robo, San Juan Island


11:45 am – Whistles and then S1 calls getting louder on Lime Kiln hydrophone. No calls earlier on Orcasound hydrophone, so they’re likely northbound.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach, Seattle


10:53 am – Faint calls just began on Lime Kiln hydrophones.


September 13, 2009
Evening recordings from the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. I started at 18:41 PDT, and split the recordings into 2 parts, with the second starting at 19:00.
Laura Swan


A gorgeous day on the water with superpod today! We had some great breaches and other activity.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver


Sounds like an epic gathering with amazing vocals and clicks at Lime Kiln now! (began hearing 6:50 pm PDT).
Suzy Roebling, Florida


6;50 PM – hearing orca calls and clicks at Lime Kiln.
Laura Swan


1837 PDT – Orcas at lime Kiln. Nice and quiet – lots of ORCA sounds.
Robo, San Juan Island


0008 PDT – Orca @ Lime Kiln calls.
Robo, San Juan Island


September 12, 2009
2330: No vocals on hydrophone. Lots and lots of blows coming to shore in the black calm night, NW San Juan Island. No movement, direction discernible. Blows coming from north, south and center!
Val Veirs, San Juan Island


On our morning trip, we had reports of most of L-Pod moving up the west side of San Juan Island. We were able to arrive just south of the Turn Point Lighthouse as the leaders approached. The whales were semi- spread, and it was interesting to watch several orcas approach and pass a purse seiner as he was setting his nets, with one female even doing a very high spyhop! As we watched, we were surprised to have L79 & L88 show up from a very deep dive almost touching each other with every surfacing. L79 was doing very high chin ups on ever surfacing. After the whales had passed, more L Pod whales arrived. L74 decided to announce his presence with a breath-taking breach! For the afternoon trip, we had a super pod of whales spread over several miles south of Point Roberts. The whales would come up in large groups, and appeared to be in a resting pattern. As the whales slowly moved along, we were able to get some IDs. In one large group we had J1 Ruffles, J2 Granny, J27 Blackberry, J22 Oreo, and several others that I couldn’t ID as Ruffles’ huge dorsal fin blocked their saddle patches! It was so incredible to see 20+ whales on the surface simultaneously. We left the whales just north of Alden Bank.
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN Marine Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor


9:50 am – Hearing calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones. Calls are fairly loud at this time.
9:57 am – Very loud calls amongst boat noise at OrcaSound Hps.
Cathy Bacon, Texas


Calls and echolocations, some mild boat noise at 9:30am PDT at Lime Kiln.
Suzy Roebling, Key Largo, FL


At 10 am and I can hear some great whistles, squeaks and other sounds on the Lime Kilm hydrophone.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic, ‘Prince of Whales’


J, K, and L pods were reported in the morning heading east past Trial Island. Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich, Astrid van Ginnekin and Stefan Jacobs, and Ken Balcomb encountered K’s and L’s at 10:26 a.m. in mid Haro Strait off False Bay (48° 26.468 N, 123° 08.993 W). Once the whales reached the west side of San Juan Island they spread out and headed north. We later found J’s off Kellett Bluff as well as more L’s. The encounter ended off Turn Point (48° 41.095 N, 123° 14.764 W) at 2:19 p.m. The whales continued north toward Swanson Channel.
The Center for Whale Research


11:08 – Currently hearing orcas among boat noise at Lime Kiln Point.
Laura Swan


From Hannah Heights on W. San Juan Island, we observed a pod of 8-10 orcas, including several adult males, about 5 miles out between Discovery Island and Salmon Bank, heading SE at 10:15 am. Then we noticed more spouts beyond this group, and then suddenly by 11, there were whales spread out everywhere, some closer in. From 11 – 11:30 we observed part of J pod heading N past Hannah Heights, fairly close in. At 11:40, 2 more orcas came by, foraging and heading north, then turning and heading back south. At noon, there was a large pod offshore again, and another pod closer in further south of Hannah Heights.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network


September 10, 2009
The orcas finally showed up around 4:30pm yesterday at Lime Kiln. They were too far out for ID shots.
Carole May, Bellingham


There are lots of really good calls on Lime Kilm today 1639 (4:39pm) Some so close almost sounds like they are right next to the micro phone.
Sandy Weideman


1625 Orcas are coming to Lime Kiln. 1550 PDT - Orca at Lime Kiln. I can hear the Orca in the boat noise @ 1610 PDT
Robo (Lon Brocklehurst)


Plenty of mixed up [orcas], so to speak, near Lopez. We are fairly certain we saw K21, Cappucino, and we definitely saw J1, Ruffles. The whales were grouping up and travelling in fairly stately fashion with a few breaches, pectoral waves and tail lobs.
Sandra Pollard, Freeland, Whidbey Island


September 9, 2009
On a return trip from Victoria B.C., J’s, K’s, L7 and L53 were encountered off Trial Island at 10:44 a.m. by Center for Whale Research’s Ken Balcomb, Marjoleine Roos, and Helen. The whales were spread out in mixed groups traveling north east. The encounter ended at 12:03 p.m. off Beaumont Shoal.
Center for Whale Research


About half of J-Pod heading north toward Henry Island, with a light flooding tide, from 2:12pm to 3:15pm. J-8 Spieden still makes her distinctive sounding blow; she passed with J-28 Polaris and J-33 Keet. J-1 Ruffles at the end of the groups, slowly making his way north, then he turned and headed back south. All the whales that had made Henry Island turned and followed J-1’s lead back south. J-17 Princess Angeline with J-44 were now the trailers and began porpoising to catch up! Little J-44 kept right up with Mom, leaping to clear the wake they were leaving! Harbor Porpoise, Dall’s Porpoise, Harbor Seals, and a Steller Sea Loin, all in Haro Strait off of Henry Island, made for a stellar September outing!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions


Just an observation, now that another report of J’s killing a porpoise has surfaced. While watching Ruffles, from the bluff of Westside Reserve, and several others from J-pod heading toward Hannah Heights, I saw distant splashing and leaping of propoises off the Heights to the south. There were several small boats and a large cruiser (which was way too close), near a group of Orcas, including, possibly Kari Koski in an inflatable, observing the behavior. It looked like the orcas were right in there with the porpoise. I was startled to see both species that close together. It did appear the porpoises were trying to flee the orcas. I was too far away to confirm what I observed. If, indeed the report of J-pod killing a porpoise is true I may have seen it happening, tho’ from quite a distance away.
Buz Peoples


We caught up with the [orcas] along the northwest side of San Juan Island and traveled back and forth with them from there and Kellet Bluff. The whales traveled back and forth, many were along the shorelines, and a few were offshore. We had some great views of J1 & likely J22. We also some some porpoising and apparent fishing action from J14 and her calf J44.
Ashley Naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours


We sped up to meet the Orcas heading eastbound across Haro Strait, presumably from Beaumont Shoals. The first group encountered were the J2’s, and they appeared to be headed directly for the shorline of SJI north of Pile Point. A little further to the south, we encountered the J16 matriline, and they appeared to be foraging along the shore. We heard that there may be T’s just a little further to the south, and on our way to that point, we spotted J17 having a little one on one playtime with J44. There appeared to be alot of nudging by mom from below and plenty of tail waves from J44. Unfortunately, a full underside view of J44 was never s