Watch for whales and more

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Fall is also whale-watching time on the western banks of Whidbey Island, and the state parks offer prime viewing. For about the past six years, resident orca pods J, K and L have been venturing south for the fall and early winter months, traveling past Whidbey and chasing salmon runs into Puget Sound. All three pods were seen returning northward Sept. 18 from Kingston back to the San Juan Islands, skirting the west side of Whidbey, after their first observed southerly foray of this season, reported Orca Network, a Greenbank-based whale-monitoring group.

You can help in whale-tracking efforts by reporting orca sightings. Observers are asked to note the location, time, direction of travel, approximate number of whales, and if there are any adult males (with large, 6-foot dorsal fins), as well as observed behavior (breaching, feeding, etc.). Report sightings to a toll-free number, 866-ORCANET (672-2638) or by e-mail: info@orcanetwork.org. More information: www.orcanetwork.org.

Fall events on Whidbey Island

Saturday-Sunday: Whidbey Island Kite Festival, Fort Casey, 360-678-9358

Saturday-Sunday: Tour de Whidbey bike race, 360-321-7656, ext. 4020

Sept. 30-Oct. 3: West Coast Django Music Festival, Langley, 360-221-8268

Oct. 9-25: Scarecrow Corridor Display, Coupeville, 360-678-5434

Oct. 9-10: Harvest Festival & B&B Tour, Coupeville, 360-678-5434

Oct. 9-10: Uniquely Whidbey Trade Fair/Home Show, 360-678-6889

Food
 
If you're not doing all your cooking on the barbecue or in the camper, head into Coupeville and try the steamed Penn Cove mussels ($10.95) at the Mad Crab (360-678-0241), 10 N.W. Front St. A typical order includes about 30 to 35 of the black-shelled bivalves.

If you're coming or leaving Whidbey from the north around breakfast time, stop by Valley Cafe (360-416-6892), 12996 Avon Allen Road , Mount Vernon (just off Highway 20, 2 miles west of Interstate 5) where the biscuits and sausage gravy ($4.95) will fill you for an entire day.

More information

Island County Web site: www.donothinghere.com