Orca Network officials said this week that southern resident orca pods are likely to show up “any day” now from near Admiralty Inlet to Vashon Island.

The endangered whales will have six calves in tow, which is good news after two and a half years of no successful births. The pods have spent most of the summer in the San Juan Islands and started chasing chum salmon runs this month.

Observers should call in whale sightings immediately and when possible photograph the whales for IDs. To report a sighting, call 1-866-ORCANET or the Vashon Hydrophone Project at 463-9041.