Rosario Strait north

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December 5, 2009
At approx. 3 pm we observed a large pod (many spouts over a mile wide area) of orcas from the lookout on the Fragrance Lake trail in Larrabee State Park. I saw one dorsal fin with my binoculars, which i suppose was a male. The spray from their exhalations was held aloft by the strong north winds which ade it easy to spot them from so many miles away. the pod was moving south between Lummi Island, Sinclair Island and Barnes? Island.
Michael Chiavario


September 23, 2009
I was on the Western Prince and we saw Southern Residents at Village Pt., Lummi Island. They were heading north. In the morning I had heard there were whales at the south end of Rosario St. and I assumed that is was J and K pods and L-7, L-53 and L-87 who are now common visitors with Js and Ks. But I was very surprised when the first whales we saw were the L-2s – Grace L-2, Gaia L-78 and Wave Walker L-88. There was a large group way ahead and they were the L-9s – Tanya L-5, Flash L-73, Saanich L-74 and Nyssa L-84 and the L-35s – Ino L- 54, Indigo L-100 and Coho L-54. Throughout the encounter we saw representatives of the following groups: L-43s (Racer L-72 and Fluke L-105), the L-4s (Kasatka L-82), and the L-26s (Baba L-26 and Crewser L-92). The L-21s – Marina L-47, Moonlight L-83, Midnight L-110 and Muncher L-91 were traveling with The Cookies – the J-22s – Oreo J-22, DoubleStuf J-34, Cookie J-38 and Rhapsody J-32. With them were Tsuchi J-31 and Mako J-39. Of course there were many many whales to the north that we did not see, we could only see their blows way in the distance.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island


A K pod whale (not sure which individual) was around Orcas island in Rosario strait around 2 pm with a superpod.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver


Large pod traveling NE from south side of Cypress island around the NW point of Guemes. Several males and many mothers with calves alongside. Dorsal fin saddle marks on the large ones were brownish speckled rather than white. Many were breaching. They were stretched out with about 4-5 in the lead, about 15 in the mid section and 5-8 bringing up the rear. Some veered off and went close to shore over near Guemes.
Barbara Eldredge, RN, SSIC/AAA


September 22, 2009
J pod at sunset leisurely passing west side of Lummi Island about 7 p.m. – we heard blows from our deck and went down to watch J pod traveling south in resting mode at sunset. Nothing more beautiful – flat calm water, moon hanging over Orcas Island, sunset, whales breathing percussively. J1 easily ID-ed from shore – 2 adult-size male fins (J26 & J27?) and another (J30?) close behind.
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


September 18, 2009
A gorgeous autumn day showed J’s and L’s in Rosario Strait off of Lawrence Point on Orcas Island, from 2:25pm to 3:14pm. The whales spread across the strait in several small and large groups, as they foraged south against a strong flooding current. L-22 Spirit in the lead, passed close to the Orcas shoreline, leaving us wondering where her ‘boys’ were. J-8 Spieden, J-19 Shachi with J- 41 Eclipse, passed a little further offshore. That’s when we noticed L-22’s son L-79 Skana, in hot pursuit of J-31 Tsuchi! Hot as in there was rolling, lunging, and splashing going on with L-79 showing his ‘pink floyd’! The encounter went on for about 10 minutes, when L-79 headed east and J-31 continued south. Our impression was J-31 was rebuking L-79’s advances! Maybe 15 to 18 months from now will tell a different ending?!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions


July 29, 2009
On the morning trip, we met members of all three pods in the Strait of Georgia. We left them off Lummi Island after having observed them for about two hours. They were very active. Lots of tail lobs and breaches – and even a cartwheel. I can’t remember who all we saw – other than Ruffles, Granny, Blackberry and Mike. I was clearly not listening well. We headed back to Anacortes, unloaded and reloaded and then met the whales again basically where Guemes Channel dumps into Rosario Strait. Still members of all three pods. We watched them for hours – all the way to NAS Whidbey. J42 put on quite a show – nine goofy baby breaches and she spyhopped us – right off the stern – with kelp in her mouth. We also think we may have witnessed some mating behavior off the Burrows Lighthouse. The whale poop scoopers were REALLY close, so they might have more info on that.
Annette Colombini


July 24, 2009
Out on the boat today, from roughly 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm, we followed Jpod from Bellingham Channel down Rosario Strait and around Lopez as they headed North towards San Juan Island. We were able to indentify J1 and J27. There was a lot of active surface behaviors. For most of the day, they were traveling in tight groups.
Cathy Bacon, San Juan Island


J pod was spread apart and doing a few breaches and as we followed them down Rosario to Cypress Island, they all joined up! They were doing lots of tail slaps and spyhops. It was amazing to see the whole pod so close together and playing with each other and to see Ruffles and Granny right at the front leading the pod!
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver


10:45am – I am watching the whales (orcas) go south past Lummi Island just north of Fern Point. Looks like 5-6 of them. Moving right along!
judy roberts


July 12, 2009
Gato Verde sighted 1 pod of harbor porpoise at 5:30. We were at 48.37.44N 122.44.22W 1.4nm NE of Towhead island (north of Cypress Is.) in Rosario Strait. There were 3 or 4 animals, probably feeding. We saw lots of Auklets with fish in the same area and I assume they were feeding on the same schools.
Captain Todd Shuster, Gato Verde Adventure Sailing


July 11, 2009
We had a call from Nadja Baker at 10:10 am, who was kayaking in Bellingham Channel with a pod of orcas , including several males. Spread out from Guemes to Cypress Isls, hdg. south slowly to Rosario. 2 Whale Watch boats were with them. She called back at 11:10 am with an update – whales now between Burrows & Allan Islands & S.Lopez Island, foraging slowly south down Rosario. All 3 pods present. A misbehaving power boater was stopped by Straitwatch.


Allen Carbert called to report a pod of 20+ orcas at 8 am off Carter Pt, the southern tip of Lummi Island. The whales were heading north up the west side of Lummi, breaches & tail-lobbing observed.


June 4, 2009
I want to report that several orcas were spotted this morning before heading into the Anacortes ferry terminal (5-10 minutes out) in front of the 11:15 am ferry from FH to Anacortes. It was about 12:20 pm.
Shannon Bailey, Pacific Catalyst II, Inc.


May 14, 2009
One of my friends is on her way to Victoria on the ferry out of Anacortes. She and her husband spotted J-Pod with the new baby off Blakely Island at 8:15 AM today, northbound. She said the ferry slowed to a crawl and the whales were pretty close to the boat.
Vicky Miller, Marysville


May 10, 2009
Their dorsal fins and exhalations came into view just south of Lummi Rocks. We slowly approached seeing the tall dorsal with the unmistakable wavy trailing edge belonging to none other than Ruffles! Quickly I began searching out Granny and it was no surprise that Ruffles was being a “good son” on this beautiful Mother’s Day staying very close to J2. Then a flash of the most beautiful orange caught my eye- it was little J45 surfacing by Samish and surrounded by the rest of their family (see photo on Orca Network’s Photo Page)! I can’t describe just how amazed I was to see the growth the youngster has gone through in the past few months. 11 year old Doublestuff (J34) is really coming into his own as well as Riptide (J30). Not to mention seeing Echo (J42) in contrast to the newest members of J Pod, to think she was that small only 2 years ago! I was able to identify a handful of K Pod whales that were amongst J Pod (Spock K20, Comet K38, and Scoter K25).
Kate Janes, Naturalist, Island Adventures


Mother’s Day whales off west side Lummi Island right around noon! Looked to be J pod – a few small groups ambling pretty close to shore, with a baby tucked in close in one of the groups. Didn’t see J1 – he may have been off by himself, farther out.
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


May 8, 2009
There are still four Gray Whales in Boundary Bay. Three of the animals we observed today have been there since at least the middle of April, and at least one also visited Boundary Bay in 2007. As with our other encounters with the Grays in Boundary Bay, the whales seemed to be swimming in large circles. No foraging events were observed today.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch



May 7, 2009
Got a call from Shane about a report of orcas in the south end of Bellingham Channel headed south. Went upstairs to the scope and saw at least three groupings of orcas cruising past Fidalgo Head toward Burrows Island lighthouse in Rosario Strait. Saw Ruffles and two other sprouted males, a tiny babe, and some activity: spy hops, tummy-up tail lobs and pec fin slaps. They were going at a pretty good clip, I’m guessing with the ebb tide.
Shane & Jennifer Aggergaard, Island Adventures, Inc., Anacortes


December 18, 2008
8:20 AM – The ferry Chelan called in a report of 5-7 orcas heading east at Thatcher Pass, between Lopez and Blakely Islands.


December 5, 2008
We just got in (about 2 PM) from watching about 5 or 6 orca for about 45 minutes feeding in front of our house and slowly making their way south. We are on the east side of Orcas on Rosario Strait looking out at the Pea Pod Rocks. One female breached twice. Lots of sea birds overhead and orca actively fishing together. There was one male and several females and a calf.
Ann Jones, Alyson Stephens, Will Stephens


October 19, 2008
I thought I would send you a photo of K42 in Rosario Strait. This was during his multi-breach session while he was swimming along with K26. In this photo you can see him doing a breach that looked much like a back flip. I took the photograph from the Island Explorer 3.
Naturalist, Bart Rulon


Between 11 pm and about 12:15 a.m. it sounded like K Pod was traveling down the west side. I listened to the Lime Kiln Hydrophones, then called a friend to the south and she listened to their blows from the shore, as they passed by in Haro Strait. Here’s another picture from Sunday of K-42, showing us his belly. When he was with big brother Lobo (K-26), the breaching would be happening, that’s where so many of us got lucky to get those belly shots! A couple times, when Lobo would dive, just seconds later K-42 would burst through the surface – looked like some kind of play behavior maybe! Then K-42 would surface with mom for a while and the breaching activity would no longer happen.
Jeanne Hyde, Friday Harbor


At 1610 hrs., we encountered a very spread out K-pod and L-87, 1.5nm Northeast of the Peapod Islands in Rosario Strait. The whales were foraging the entire time spent on scene (lots of eco- location on the hydrophone). The Orcas were traveling Northeast against the current heading towards Village Pt., Lummi Island. We left them at 1720 hrs., 2nm Northeast of Lawrence Point, Orcas Island. Also, we heard a second hand report from Simon (Ocean Ecoventures) that J-pod (approx. 30 whales) was seen today up in Campbell River (Cape Mudge) headed South.
Jeff Lamarche, Seafun Safaris


K-Pod! After wandering off for a week, K-Pod showed up in Rosario Strait heading north. As we sat and waited for the whales to make their way towards us, we noticed they were spread nearly shore-to-shore in Rosario. Our first sighting was of K25 Lobo, traveling with K42. And this lead to a very exciting discovery by us, K42 is a BOY! He must have breached 24 times or more while we observed him. The first few breaches were with his back to us. The whales were also traveling with honorary K-Pod member L-87, who has been seen with the K’s most of the summer. On our trip home, we heard a report that J-Pod had been spotted near the Campbell River.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince


September 17, 2008
We had an interesting encounter today with the T18s, not only because of their behavior, but because we could catch a glimpse of a research vessel in action as well. We saw the T18s in Rosario just outside of Thatcher Pass. The research vessel Phocoena was on scene. The animals moved from Thatcher Pass up Rosario and then back through Peavine Pass and we left them in Upright Channel. It was difficult to predict their movements today because they were making long dives and swimming in no particular direction. They would dive going one way and surface somewhere completely different! Typical Transients!
Megan Young, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris


August 16, 2008
We encountered the “T-19’s” in Rosario Strait, fairly strong mid flood tide, at about 2pm. T-19, T- 19B (B for big boy!), T-19C, and T-18, stayed close to each other, taking long 5 minute+ dives, unpredictable surfacings and directional changes, 1/4 mile distances from where they dove. Seemed to be heading west, doubled back, then west in a somewhat transect pattern. They kept all the boats and a research vessel turning every which way they did!, not sure if the researchers had already attached the satellite tracking tag on T-19B. As the Orcas headed through Peavine Pass, Ferries were on both ends, all vessels and whales navigated safely through. On to Harney Channel, with the chrome lighting of the overcast skies, we saw the beauty and power of the killer whales exhalations. At 3:30pm, time for us to backtrack and head home.
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions


Afternoon : There was a pod of T’s in Rosario Strait, one of my favorite places to view wildlife. We headed east with the news that the T’s were making headway up the strait with the incoming tide. As we rounded the top of Sinclair Island we came upon the T101’s. Captain Ivan decided to focus on watching T101 and T102 as the others split off and headed north. These two whales zig zagged back and forth then all of a sudden we saw a few small splashes about 50 yards ahead of T101. She quickly moved in with T102 joining her. There was some splashing then they surfaced several time in the same spot as a “blood slick” formed on the surface. T101 then did two beautiful slow motion spy hops. We were all very excited to see these powerful predators in action. They then seemed to speed off after something else. No apparent kill but then T102, a mature male breached twice. Next they checked out Viti Rocks seeming to pass by many nervous harbor seals. To end our encounter we watched them travel quickly along the dramatic Lummi Island Shoreline with each surfacing their wet dorsal fins glimmered in the sun and rainbow colors formed in their blows. We peeled off at Lummi Rocks as they joined two more T’s and passed by more seals.On the way home we stopped to look at a Bald Eagle on Pea Pod Rocks.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, Friday Harbor


5:30 p.m.- small group of orcas (5-6) traveling north mid-channel west side Lummi Island – very close together – all females and/or sub-adult males – resting type mode – surfacing together and long dives – a couple Vancouver whale watch boats and a few small recreation boats.
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


August 13, 2008
On the east side of Lummi Island, a tight group of orcas decided to take the narrow channel, Hale Passage, heading west-northwest with a strong flood tide. We were thrilled to spot L-111 tucked in between L-83 and mom L-47, along with L-110, L-55 & L-103, L-86 & L-106, and L-72 & L-105. I think there were at least 3 more whales with them that we couldn’t ID. We watched all those moms & calves from 3:10pm to 3:45pm. At first they were traveling fairly slow at about 3.5 knots, then when they passed the red mid channel buoy, the youngsters started tail lobing, breaching, a few headstands and cartwheels, while the moms lifted their heads, as if taking a look!!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions


A small group of orcas reported traveling north in Hale Passage about 4:30 p.m.- east side of Lummi Island! (very unusual to see orcas there).
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


July 7, 2008
Another boat from Vancouver called us to say they had found J-Pod, right above the top of Lummi! The whales had actually gone briefly to their old routine of the “25 hour circle” around the San Juans. So we didn’t have to go far to see J-Pod along with L-57 Faith. Whales were spread in 3-4 groups, and moving along at a fairly good clip. We saw L57, J1, J28, J19 with J41. As the group headed down the Strait, we saw about 8 breaches, a few other surface percussives, but no vocalizations. During the afternoon trip, the whales began slowing down a bit until they passed the Burrows Lighthouse near Anacortes, and began to spread out more. Most of the boats were up with the leaders about 4 miles ahead of us, but we were content hanging back with L57, and a group of 5 J-Pod whales.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince


We met up with J’s in Bellingham Channel spread out in the early afternoon. We came down Bellingham Channel with a small group, while other whales went down the west side of Cypress. We continued south with J’s and met up with L53, L7 and later L57 who apparently are still hanging out with J pod. We then left them at the north side of Whidbey to check out a minke that appeared to be chasing L57. All we saw was L57 suddenly shoot out of the water with the minke surfacing behind him.
Katherine Ayres, Center for Conservation Biology, University of Washington


Katherine Ayres was with the southern residents. The orcas were traveling south in Rosario Strait between the confluence of Bellingham and Guemes Channels (at 2 pm) and mid-Strait WSW of Deception Pass (at 5 pm).
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School


As we came out of Peavine Pass, we were quite surprised to see one minke whale (confirmed), and sighted a second, much larger cetacean off in the distance. It was doing the somewhat typical minke dive ratio of about 4-6 breaths at the surface, and then off on a long dive of 5- 7 minutes.
John Boyd, Western Prince


June 22, 2008
4+ orca sighted at N 48 53’ 35.30" W 122 59’ 26.08" (off Boundary Bay, upper Rosario Strait), traveling south, 1300- 1320, including an adult male.
Mark A. Jablow
This location is near where the reports of J, K & L pods were on the 22nd, so these whales were likely Southern Residents – S & H


We had a rough trip to Birch Bay and saw some of all 3 pods, very rough and difficult to ID, but lots of whales again, quite a few breaches, spyhops and tailslaps. They appeared to be heading towards the shore, and south towards Lummi.
Jill Hein, Coupeville, Whidbey Island


June 15, 2008
As we were heading north, we had the opportunity to view something most people don’t see: a large standing wave at Boiling Reef (Saturna Island) where the flood tide was meeting the power of the Fraser River. It was interesting to see not only the color change, but the jump in water temperature (10 degrees). As we waited south of the coal docks, we saw the tall and stately dorsal fin of J-1 Ruffles as he worked a tide rip. He was doing “casual” surfacings, not seeming to be in any sort of hurry. He was being a good son and traveling close to mom J2 Granny. We also saw J26 Mike and J27 Blackberry, as well as J17 Princess Angeline. All seemed to be intent on foraging and a few times we saw foraging-type activity with lots of directional changes and a few lunges.
In our evening trip, we were once again with J-Pod, but further down Rosario. The whales were slowly working against the flood tide and were quite spread out. While shut down, we were able to hear J8 Speiden’s distinctive blows echo over the water. The whales then got a bit frisky with J2 and J28 Polaris doing surface percussives (tail slaps) and then Granny did a huge beautiful breach (especially impressive when you consider she’s 97 years old!) There were breaches by J27 as well, and lots of other tail slaps, a few spyhops, and it was so peaceful and beautiful in the late afternoon sunshine.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince


We were just south of Point Roberts when we encountered J and L pods. There was a lot of breaching, cartwheeling and spy hops. J1 and J2 were cruising together. They were spread out for miles in the open waters of Georgia Strait. There was a lot of fish foraging with the salmon jumping right out of the water with the whales right behind! It was a great day out there with the sun shining, finally.
Victoria Souze, Island Mariner Cruises, Bellingham


Our AM trip had us battling large waves in the Strait of Georgia to visit with some members of both J Pod and L Pod north of Sandheads (South Arm of the Fraser River) travelling southbound. When we first arrived on scene, the larger group of whales (some of J Pod) appeared to be resting, while 3 whales (L Pod members) were more active and moving as a separate group. The active group spyhopped several times while travelling through the rocking waves. We eventually determined that the L Pod whales present were L57 (Faith), L7 (Canuck) and presumably L53 (Lulu). We also ID’d some members of J Pod J1 (Ruffles), J2 (Granny), J8 (Speiden). As the whales approached the South Arm of the Fraser River, the J Pod whales became very active, breaching, carthwheeling and spyhopping. We observed several foraging sequences with whales lunging at fish, often clearing the water while doing so. We also observed J1’s big fin sharking through the water as he pursued breakfast. We left the whales Southbound at approximately 10:45 AM. The PM trip was a huge contrast to the AM. We met up with J Pod in the almost glassy calm waters of the southern Strait of Georgia. The whales were very spread out, travelling gradually southeast towards Cherry Point on the mainland. Ruffles and Granny were moving in regal style at the southern edge of the group, with the others spread north and east of them. We observed one foraging event along a tideline that involved J8, J29 and J41, and some very distant breaches. We left the whales at approximately 16:15 hours, still moving gradually southeast.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch


Orca parade off Lummi Island heading south from about 6:30-8 p.m. – once again, spread WAY out, for miles – some close to shore and some out mid-channel in small groups – must be J’s again – heard a wheezy one (J8 Speiden?) – couple of breaches near shore – gorgeous evening.
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


June 10, 2008
One of our construction guys reported blows by the Anacortes Ferry just now (11:22 am).
Cathy Scott, Bow


June 6, 2008
Orcas (J pod +?) spread out for miles passing by Lummi Island on their way south from 6:30 on until after 8 p.m. They spent some time circling and lunging in the rips north of Village Pt. with a couple of toddler breaches to add to the excitement.
Penny Stone, Lummi Island


We had to travel quite a distance to find the whales south of Point Roberts, however, the time it took to get there was worth the trip. After our journey out, we found J Pod traveling towards the Rosario Strait. For much of viewing, we traveled alongside J26, Mike. Mike was much more easy to distinguish because of his large dorsal fin. While cruising back to harbor, a few guests spotted harbor porpoises swimming along.
Ashley Chapman, Naturalist (San Juan Safaris)


June 4, 2008
We headed east to Lummi Island. From about 1:30pm to 2:30pm, J, some of K & L spread out, seemed to be in travel mode utilizing the last of a strong ebb tide, then they slowed down near the southern end. Small groups near shore, a few breaches and spy hops. Able to ID the distinctive dorsal fins of J-I Ruffles majestically slicing through the water, and J-57 Faith. We were quite a distance from all the whales, as were the few boats in the area, so couldn’t ID other whales.
Caroline Armon, Naturalist, San Juan Excursions


Orcas near Anacortes ferry terminal, heading south at 17:45.
Jason and Scott of Beam Reach.


May 23, 2008
Susan Hetrick called with a sighting of about 6 orcas in Lummi Bay at 10:10 this morning. They were between Sandy Pt. and Lummi Island, swimming non-directional, just “happy to be where they are.”


May 18, 2008
J-Pod had been seen just around Alden Bank at the top of Rosario Strait. Once in Rosario, we noticed that the J’s were spread out from side-to-side in a swath of maybe 1 to 1 1/2 miles across. It was so cool to see J22 Oreo traveling with her two kids Doublestuff (J34) and Cookie. J34 was feeling mighty frisky as he did several half-breaches, and one very large breach that had him completely out of the water. The big surprise of the day came when we were watching a small group of orcas and I noticed a minke whale swimming amongst the orcas. We last left the whales just at the northern end of Bellingham Channel.
John Boyd (JB)
Marine Naturalist, Western Prince


Afternoon we saw J’s out by Alden Bank (upper Rosario Strait).
Darcie Larson
Naturalist on Clipper III


1:30-2:30 ish p.m. – J pod off Lummi Island – very very spread out and heading south towards Rosario Strait and Lummi Rocks – couple of good size sprouter boys out there – wow!
Penny Stone
Lummi Island

L57 in Rosario Strait
January 13, 2008
Amy at the Whale Museum just forwarded us this amazing report of 12 to 20 orcas in Rosario Strait, 9:45-10:15 am, including L57. Location: Rosario Strait between Burrows Island and Bird Rocks (just SW of Anacortes), stretched out about 2 miles east to west and ½ to 1 mile north to south, moving south at about 8 mph. Every now and then they would circle around in one spot. Pod was spread out with a couple of small groups; three females with a juvenile, two females, a male and a female, and others within a couple hundred yards of each other. There were at least three males with very tall dorsal fins, one appeared to angle slightly forward and the two in the photos, which I am pretty sure were different ones. At one point we stopped and were watching several swim by a couple hundred yards away when all of a sudden the male in the close-up picture surfaced near us zig- zagging and making sharp circles as if chasing fish.
Ed Fisher, Decatur Island


January 4, 2008
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called at 11:50 am to relay a 3rd hand report of a pod of orcas in Rosario Strait near James Island, heading north.


Around 1200 hrs I got a call from Bo Brando. He was on the ferry near Thatcher Pass/James Island watching some Orcas going north up Rosario Strait. He thinks they might have been J Pod.
Jim Maya, Maya’s Charters, San Juan Island