We found out that Orcas were headed North today on the West Side San Juan Island at 7:30 this morning. My passengers got there early, but it was still 11:45 before we got off the dock. I headed up Swanson Ch. because in the past I've seen them up there in Feb. Just North of Moat Pt. I saw a big splash in the distance, but kept quiet till I saw the blows for sure. We also went by Speiden Island, and Sentinel Reef. The new calf was there. So was J1, J2, J26, J27, and many more.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
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Faint calls being heard off Lime Kiln Hydrophones now (2020)
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
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Orca Network received calls from Jeff Hogan & John Boyd that J pod had been heard on both OrcaSound hydrophones early morning off west San Juan Island, heading north.
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I woke up at 7am today to hear a few soft calls at lime kiln - the calls got much louder, so i went outside to look and didn't see anything. I went back to listen to Orcasound.. and then i heard them on that hydrophone (further north)... finally i looked out in the middle of the strait and there they were! at 8:05am they were aprox 2-3 miles south east of Kelp Reef Headed north pretty quickly. It was a pretty good group with at least 2 large males, if i had to guess i would say J's.. but too far to know for sure... I called Dave Ellifrit from the center and hope they got a chance to go see who's here! take care!
Traci Walter
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Offshore by 2+ miles, J Pods calls heard at 7:45 am. traveling fast in a group, 2 very large male fins - possibly Ruffles J-2 and Riptide J-30 only because their fins are the broadest at the top.
Jeanne Hyde, The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
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Hearing lots of J-pod (and more?) calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 8 am.
Val Veirs, Orca Sound/CC/The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
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This morning while on Facebook, I was alerted that one of my friends was listening to whales on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sure enough, I tuned in and after a brief moment was able to hear vocalizations loud and clear. Ran upstairs to the scope and began scanning the Haro Straits. After approximately 15 minutes, we were able to spot two large fins three or four miles offshore, headed north at an amazingly fast clip at 8:21 AM. It certainly looks like the boys have been growing this winter!
Sandy Buckley, San Juan Island
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Hearing calls on Orcasound HPS amoungst Ship noise, 8:34 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
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Orca Network heard J pod was near Swanson Channel by mid-day, continuing north.
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11:59 am: Turned on the hydrophone during our "sound underwater" class for 3rd graders and heard orca calls. Visually confirmed with at least two individuals in Admiralty inlet. Update at 12:20: ship just passed; still seeing them near Marrowstone Island; they seemed to be traveling south, but may be milling/socializing, including breaches.
Chrissy McClean, Port Townsend Marine Science Center
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