We observed a small pod of orcas near Point Retreat.  There were three to five animals in the pod.  They were elusive and difficult to track.  We also observed three humpbacks and a pod of Dall's porpoise (no photos) in the same general area.  

These were transient (mammal eaters) orcas. T065A and T65A2 have been identified.  Many thanks to Northern Resident Orca Population for identifying these whales for me.

A pod of five orcas were observed near Point Retreat.  As we came into the area we noticed a large number of gulls flying around and landing on the water.  After a few minutes we realized there were orcas in the same area as the gulls.  We quickly determined that the orcas must have recently made a kill, which attracted the gulls.  As we were moving closer to the area, but still approximately 200 to 300 yards away from the pod, we were shocked to see one of the orcas making a beeline for our boat.  We quickly put our motor in neutral and watched in amazement as it circled our boat for two to three minutes.  It then left and went back to the rest of the pod.  The pod stayed in the area, clearly feeding based on the bird activity.  At times they appeared to be celebrating and socializing with breaching and tail slapping.  As we were watching the orcas, a humpback whale surfaced and passed by.   

The pod has been identified as the T124Ds and T124A2s.  These are transient (mammal eaters) orcas.  Many thanks to Northern Resident Orca Population for identifying these whales for me.

This was a new experience for us.  One we surely never will forget.    

I took a lot of photos and decided to post them separately . 

He has been identified as T040, aka Captain Hook.  Photos are blurry due to distance.        

A small pod of orcas were observed near Vanderbilt reef.  Unfortunately the pod separated before we could get near them, and I was only able to photograph a juvenile male.  He was difficult to track, as he was moving quickly, zigzagging, and porpoising out of the water.  Suddenly he began slapping his tail and breaching.  A flock of gulls appeared out of nowhere and began circling the area.  I believe he made a kill.  
We eventually made our way into north pass of Shelter Island and saw two humpbacks.  
On two separate occasions throughout the day we saw pods of Dall's porpoise near Vanderbilt reef.  

AG pod of the Alaskan residents were encountered (again) in Chatham Strait near Mansfield Peninsula. Individual whales have been identified.  Many thanks to Northern Resident Orca Population for identifying these whales for me.
At least three humpbacks were seen lunge feeding in the same area that the orcas were observed. There was so much whale activity going on in the area at the same time, it was hard to know which way to look.  We also encountered several humpbacks throughout the day, and saw a group of possibly six who were cooperatively feeding together near Sisters Reef.  I was only able to get long distance photos of three of the whales.  It was a great day to be on the water!    

A pod of orcas were observed in Lynn Canal close to Gull Island.  As we sat and watched them, the pod approached us and swam underneath our boat.  It was an amazing experience!  There appeared to be a young calf with the pod.  It was very small and still had a peachy coloring to it.  A positive ID has not been made, but I have reason to believe the orcas were AG pod of the Alaska residents.  
​Throughout the day we saw six humpbacks near Shelter Island.  We also saw a pod of Dall's porpoise, although I was unable to get any pictures of the porpoise.  

The two species were seen at the same time.  The orcas were spread apart and very elusive.  The sighting lasted for roughly five minutes.  The photos are blurry due to distance 

From the west side of Douglas Island, a pod of orcas were observed.  The sighting was very brief and they were at least one mile away from me.  Photographs are blurry due to distance.  

We spent some time in our boat in Fritz Cove and immediately spotted a humpback upon our arrival. After watching it for a few minutes it dove and disappeared.  Approximately ten minutes after the humpback dove, I observed a pod of orcas.   We watched them in Fritz Cove for roughly 20 minutes. They were last seen swimming toward the west side of Douglas Island.  The orcas have been identified as the T37As and T38s.  They are transient orcas.  Many thanks to Northern Resident Orca Population for identifying these whales for me.   

Photos were taken with a 600mm telephoto lens.