Encounter Summary: 

Quinlin Noble and Ken Balcomb departed Snug Harbor in “Chimo” at 1050 in response to a report that T65As had been found near the west end of Speiden Island. By the time we got on scene (1111) the whales were nearing the east end of Speiden Island and then they proceeded to Lonesome Cove on San Juan Island before rounding Limestone Point and heading down San Juan Channel. There being quite a number of boats on scene, including Soundwatch and WDFW Enforcement, we made our way cautiously before shutting down for a quick set up just north of ONeil Island; and, then we departed at 1145. We returned to Snug Harbor at 1215. For the rest of the day the whales continued down San Juan Channel to Griffin Bay and thence through Cattle Pass before heading generally soputheast into the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca. My guess is that they will be in Puget Sound tomorrow, but I only say that because it is fun to be wrong about which way Transient killer whales will go. As I write they have turned out toward the slop at Hein Bank. It has been glass calm for much of the day and now the evening westerlies are picking up. Mallard and Hanna were taking “Mike 1” out west with the residents past Sheringham Point today, and I hope they have a comfortable ride back to Victoria.