Thu, Nov 20 - Orcas in Haro Strait 12:40 - Four orcas (with possible calf) headed toward Smugglers Cove. [Northbound from]: approximately 1/4 mile south [of Smugglers] when I spotted them. Definitely four individuals counted. [video showed them fairly close to shore] [Tricia via wssji] #wssjis

How is Puget Sound doing? The 2025 State of the Sound report from the Puget Sound Partnership takes a candid look at the progress and challenges driving Puget Sound recovery. Among the takeaways: "When we do invest in recovery, we see results." stateofthesound.wa.gov

“For those who may not know, a true Southern Resident superpod occurs when all members of the J, K, and L pods gather together in the same location. That’s 74 #whales!” cheknews.ca/all-southern...

Quintessential Seattle 💙🩵 T36B2 Greenfelder this afternoon with the @spaceneedle.bsky.social and snow-capped Cascade Mountains in the background #whalesky #orcas #salishsea #pugetsound

🩵 Wed, Nov 19 A size-able group of orcas was seen and reported by WS Ferries this morning. Possibly the group of Bigg’s who’ve been in the south end for a couple of days. 🌤️ Sun is out, hope you get to be too. 📸 Those Ts passing super close to Pt Robinson on Nov 16 by Brittany Kathryn. #psws

💜💗🧡 Sun, Nov 16 SRKWs, Bigg's, Humpbacks; it's been a lovely month w/whales & the Aurora! On Tuesday, people were fortunate to see J, K, & L pods (true superpod) exiting Puget Sound via Admiralty Inlet & soon after witness the Northern Lights. 📸 SRKW youngin & Aurora by Jami Cantrell #psws

💦♥️💦 Tue, Nov 11 Yesterday, all members of J, K, & L pod were together inland Puget Sound making for a true superpod! Today, orcas present in Central Puget Sound, behaving like residents, so looks like at least some stayed over. ♥️ 📸 SRKW breaches off Point Robinson on Nov 2. By Kas Alexis. #psws

🥺🩵🩵🩵True Superpod! All 74 Southern Residents present inland Puget Sound today! Thank you @orcabehaviorinstitute.org @whaleresearch.bsky.social

🌈🩵🌈Mon, Nov 10 Ks & Ls we’re inbound yesterday while J pod was exiting Puget Sound. Somewhere, sometime in the night they met up & at least some are back inland Puget Sound proper this fine Monday morning. Have a lovely day! 📸 Southern Residents off Point Robinson. By April Basham Nov 2. #psws

💥🧚💥 Sun, Nov 9 Humans enjoyed a lovely day w/J pod north & Bigg's south yesterday. Today, orcas found off Richmond Beach/Jefferson head area. Looking forward to seeing who is still here! Treat as Residents until confirmed otherwise. 📸 J pod male off Point No Point 11/8. By Catherine Soto #psws

As we near the end of our second week of field work with the @whaleresearch.bsky.social, here is a highlight clip which includes some drone footage and hydrophone recordings we captured just a few days ago of J-Pod, K-Pod, & L-Pod! Take a look and see if you can spot J45 snagging a salmon! 👀 🎣

We had a beautiful day on the water in Puget Sound today with the @whaleresearch.bsky.social and J-Pod. They were pretty quiet in the morning but started getting a little chattier in the afternoon. Here are a few photos from our encounter. #srkw #orcas #killerwhales #whalesky

🩵🤍🩵 Sat , Nov 8 Yesterday, Bigg’s T36/36Bs, T99B, & T137s we’re still inland & went south while Residents (J pod ) returned inland! 🩷 This morning Hat Island residents reported orcas, hopefully Js stayed over! Have an excellent day! 📸 Lovely L72 Racer off Vashon Nov 2. By Jami Cantrell #psws

🌖💛 Fri, Nov 7 Bigg’s orcas have held a presence this week. Today, a large number of inbound orcas upper Admiralty. Ressies? Bigg’s? We’ll see - either way, have a lovely day out there! 📸 L110 Midnight (w/lip flap) during SRKW pass at Pt Robinson last Sunday. By Amber Stanfill 11/2. #psws

🩵 🖤🩵 Tue, Nov 4 Beloved SRKWs did exit inland Puget Sound yesterday; today two groups of orcas being tracked with one in South/Central Puget Sound & the other up north. No IDs as of yet. 📸 A beautiful glimpse of when SRKWs passed by Pt Robinson. By Jami Cantrell Nov 2. #psws

👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️ Mon, Nov 3 Orcas in President Channel earlier: 08:39 - 2 Orcas heading north past West Beach on Orcas Island. Clearly visible from the beach. [WA app] #wssjis #wssji #psws

💦💚💦 Mon, Nov 3 Yesterday's SRKWs per @orcabehaviorinstitute.org & @whaleresearch.bsky.social: J-Pod, K-Pod, & greater L4s; 59 Southern Residents! Shout out to @ferries.wsdot.wa.gov for exemplary response to being enveloped by orcas in Dalco Passage. 📸 SRKW & WSF by Mervin Claxton 11/2. #psws

💥🧡💥Sun, Nov 2 A stormy yesterday made for some tough viewing, but in the end it was Js, Ks, & Ls❣️ Early morning hydrophone chatter & daylight visuals offer hope of an SRKW Sunday... 📸 SRKW streamed by in tight groups as sun rays beamed across the Sound. By Alisa LB from Richmond Beach. #psws

❣️♥️❣️ Welcome November & Southern Residents! Js & Ks reported audible on the hydrophones through to morning. No visuals, but they're inland Puget Sound. Rains & high winds forecasted so be safe! And, whenever on the water stay 1000 yards from SRKWs. 📸 J pod in September by Jami Cantrell. #psws

👻🧟‍♀️🎃 🕸️☠️ Yesterday, the 3 families of Bigg’s (T38C & E, T99s, & T137s) who came inland together days ago & went south, appear to have all made progress north by nightfall. Hopefully any/all stuck around overnight. 📸 Beloved T137A Jack launches himself in S Puget Sound. By Yifan Ling 10/30. #psws

🍁💛🍁 Thu, Oct 30 Yesterday, the T99s & T137s ventured as deep inland as whales can in Puget Sound. This morning, at least some remain in the southern waterways. Good luck out there! 📸 T137D Wright glides through Hammersley Inlet enveloped in golden autumn glow. By Becky Adams 10/29. #psws

🖤🤍 Wed, Oct 29 It’s a beautiful place we share w/magnificent megafauna. The Bigg’s orcas remained in the Sound through yesterday evening & appeared to be in no hurry to head north. Did they stay or did they go? 📸 T137A Jack breaching off Tacoma on Tuesday. By Amber Stanfill 10/28. #psws

❤️🧡💜 Tue, Oct 28 Those Bigg’s continued hanging around in South Puget Sound thru yesterday, likely they are still inland somewhere. Malachite might still be here too. 📸 Autumnal orca; from Saturday (10/25) around Tacoma when T137’s, T99’s, T38C, T38E we’re passing through - by Jason Cook #psws

🍁🐬🍂 Mon, Oct 27 Yesterday, T38C & T38E, T99s & T137s cruised southern Puget Sound all together again & were still down there by days end. Good chance some/all will be around today. 📸 One of the group members syphons between Tacoma & Vashon amongst colors of autumn. By Cherie StOurs 10/25. #psws

💦💜💦Sun, Oct 26 Bigg's orcas T38C & T38E, T99s & T137s moved south yesterday, splitting into 2 groups, but eventually all ending the day in Carr Inlet, meanwhile the T34s &T37s came down Admiralty Inlet. And, humpback Malachite now in his 5th week! 📸 T99s off Tacoma by Mervin Claxton 10/25. #psws

Over the next 4 weeks, we will be in Puget Sound with @whaleresearch.bsky.social for our second season of pairing drone observations of killer whale behavior with localized hydrophone recordings. Here's a look at what a day in the field is like on this project, filmed last year! #whalesky #orcas

Between ship noise, a listener detected humpback non-song vocalization around 9pm this evening (10/25). This is a first for Orcasound Lab in Haro Strait this fall! (& will provide valuable test data for the DAS4oras project...) live.orcasound.net/bouts/bout_0... #wssjis #psws

☔🌬️💨 Sat, Oct 25 Yesterday, Bigg's orcas T99s, T137s, & T38C & T38E moved down Admiralty Inlet together. Today, orcas reported around Elliott Bay. Bundle up & go have some blustery day whale viewing fun. 📸 A member of either the T65As or T137s breaching near Purdy in June. By Randy Witter #psws

Join us for our next chapter meeting on Tuesday November 4 at 7:30pm at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Joe Gaydos of SeaDoc Society will be our guest speaker. RSVP at www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

A brand new class for spring 2026: 50 Shades of Gray Whale! Through a combination of expert lectures and field trips we will dive into discussions on complex topics including the recent UME, friendly whales, subsistence whaling, and more. Learn more: www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-univer...

💜💦 ☔Mon, Oct 20 Humpback Malachite's held his presence through yesterday. His prolonged stay in Central Puget Sound is approaching a full month. Let's see if this beloved whale is still around today. If you see him or any whales would love an update. 📸 Malachite by Mervin Clayton 10/19. #psws

🌊☀️🐋Wed, Oct 15 The whale we all love held his presence in Dalco Pass thru yesterday. Earlier this beautiful morn, a tail-slapping humpback (presumably) off West Seattle. Bundle up, put on your shades, grab your binos & immerse in the wonderment…🩵💛 📸 Malachite by Jason Cook (earlier in Oct) #psws

Don't forget this Wednesday at 430pm PDT (Pacific time) we have a great free webinar for you about monitoring Orca health with Dr. Holly Fearnbach of @sr3sealife.bsky.social and Dr. Deborah Giles of @seadocsociety.bsky.social! Register today! foundation.wwu.edu/event/photog...

💙🩵💙 Mon, Oct 13 It’s a beautiful sunny blue-sky day here in the PNW, a superb one for an excursion to spy a whale. A humpback has been spotted in Malachite’s preferred location, presumably it’s him. 📸 Malachite in Dalco Passage yesterday (10/12) by Steve Czyzyk #psws

💦🐋💦 Sat, Oct 11 Our beloved darling Malachite continues his weeks-long stay in a fave place in Central Puget Sound, Dalco Passage. This is fortunate news for many to have another opportunity to 👀 him. 📸 Missing orcas? Here's Bigg's T37A4 Crinkle (F, born 2015) by Amber Stanfill 8/22/2025. #psws

Sat, Oct 11 - Lone orca reported in Haro Strait 09:45 - Just now - from the campground by Lime Kiln one orca moving north pretty fast. [Gergana via WSSJI] #wssjis #wssji

☔️💕💜 Fri, Oct 10 A whale who has the hearts of many, Malachite continues to inhabit the waterways of South & Central Puget Sound. If still here today, we hope you have a chance to see this lovely being. 📸 Malachite launches in Dalco Passage. Taken from Owen Beach on Oct. 6th by Jason Cook. #psws

🌕🧡☀️Tue, Oct 7 It’s a wonderfully gorgeous day after that gorgeous full Super Harvest Moon. It would have been amazing to see 🐋 Malachite the humpback swimming around in moonlit waterways. Sighting chances today under sunshine are positive! 📸 Malachite by Jason Cook earlier this month. #psws

Here's our September Salish Sea orca sightings map! For once it was a busy month not just on the Bigg's killer whale front, but for both Southern and Northern Residents as well! Read all the details here: www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/sightings-ma... #whalesky

💦💙💦Mon, Oct 6 Reports today tell us Malachite the humpback continues to hold court in and around Dalco Passage. 📸 Being in the presence of Malachite in general is delightful, and extra fun to bear witness to enthusiastic bursts of tail-lobbing. Photo sequence by Cherie StOurs Oct 4th. #psws

🍂☀️🧚‍♂️ Sun, Oct 5 Lovely Malachite's prolonged stay continued through last night. This morning a humpback, likely Malachite, reported by Sound Action in the same general area of S Vashon/Gig Harbor... 📸 Humpback Hemlock's fluke & pectoral fins (🧡) Juan de Fuca Strait - By Janine Harles Oct 2 #psws

🩵🚀🩵 Friday, Oct 3 Our beautiful friend Malachite the humpback has been keeping a presence around S Vashon/Tacoma/Gig Harbor & looks to be extending their stay. Like yesterday, a humpback was breaching out there a short time ago. 📸 Malachite breaching by Haley Ameline Thursday 10/02. #psws

💦💙🐋💦 Tue, Sep 30 On this last day of September we celebrate Malachite, the humpback who has the hearts of many. Malachite continues to spend time around S Vashon/Tacoma/Gig Harbor & places to the south, hope you all have a chance to see this beauty. 📸 Malachite - by Sarah Winter 9/27. #psws

👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️ Sun, Sep 28 Bigg's T123s & humpback Malachite were still inland Puget Sound as of last night, let's see about today... 📸 Another stunning image from J pod's first foray inland Puget Sound this season, and 1st to South Puget Sound since at least 1976. Triple porpoise by Jason Cook, 9/20 #psws

💦🦋💦Sat, Sep 27 Bigg's orcas the T123s & humpback Malachite have been keeping a presence in the Tacoma/Vashon/Gig Harbor area, other humpbacks in more northern areas of Puget Sound. This morning, reports of orcas in Port Susan. T123s? 📸 Humpback breaches off S Whidbey by Seema Shetty 9/25. #psws

♥️ Fri, Sep 26 Beloved T123s spent yesterday in/around the Tacoma area, feeding, socializing & slowly trending north. In 2011, Sidney (pregnant w/Lucky @ the time) & Stanley live-stranded on a sand bar in BC! We ♥️ happy endings! Hope to 👀 them today. 📸 3/4 of the T123s - Amber Stanfill 9/25. #psws

🦋 Thu, Sep 25 Month is flying by, just like this spunky little orca (believe is J63). Looking forward to the next time she & her pod are back inland. Yesterday, the T123 family (Sydney, Stanley, Lucky & Darcy) moved S in Puget Sound - good chance they're still in. 📸 Catherine Soto 9/20. #psws

🤍🧚🤍 Wed, Sep 24 Late last night J pod was audible on the hydrophones off the west side of San Juan isl - did they stay, head west or back toward Puget Sound? Is humpback Malachite still hanging around Dalco Passage? Let's see! 📸 5-1/2 month-old J63 - Tacoma Narrows - By Jami Cantrell 9/21. #psws

😳🥹 sounds magically wonderful!

💦🐋💦Tue, Sep 23 Our lovely humpback friend Malachite (CRC19820) is back inland! First confirmed yesterday in the Tacoma/South Vashon area, he's still present this morning. Malachite is the 2021 calf of Slate (CRC-16011). 💙 📸 Malachite in Dalco Passage. By Jason Cook, Sep 22. #psws