Orca Network recommends:
The Lost Whale, by Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisolm
An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.
To learn more about orcas:
Orcas in Our Midst,
Vol. 3: Residents and Transients, How Did That Happen?
Click here
to order YOUR copy!
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The bestseller about orcas in captivity.
Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby
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Click here
to learn about L pod
orca Lolita/Tokitae,
captured in Penn Cove,
Whidbey Island, WA
in 1970, somehow surviving in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium ever since.
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| August 14, 2014
We are watching and visiting the whales in their home~
Please observe, love and respect them from a distance.
Having trouble viewing this Sightings Report? Archived Reports can be found HERE.
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Pea-soup fog probably doesn't make much difference to the whales, but views of them have often been clouded in mist for the past few days. Though there have been orcas seen around the Salish Sea most days since the end of May, only portions of pods have usually been seen, and the overall numbers have usually been smaller than most past years. The Skagit salmon runs, including Chinook, are better than last year when they were extremely scarce, but still far below even recent historical averages. The fall Chinook run from the North Pacific to the Columbia River along the continental shelf is on track to surpass records kept since the first dams went in around 1938, largely due to court-ordered spillage during outmigration of juvenile salmon in years past. That may help explain where the rest of the residents have spent much of the summer.
Among the fantastic photos below you'll find photo-documentation of a new Biggs/Transient calf, and some crazy breaches.
In news about captive orcas, on Tuesday SeaWorld reported a drastic loss of revenues for the second quarter of 2014, triggering a massive collapse of stock value, leading to widespread speculation that the brand has run its course unless the company reinvents itself with a business plan that does not include captive whales and dolphins. The company plans to announce future plans tomorrow.
The apparent decline of SeaWorld brings to mind the plight of Lolita, the L pod female held captive in Miami since 1970. Singer/songwriter and friend of Lolita Robbyne Kaamil has teamed up with producer Daniel Azarian of Underdog Entertainment to produce two amazing videos telling Lolita's story and how she could retire in her native waters. Robbyne reaches out to all of America and beyond with her great talent and her deep realization that Lolita is a captive slave to entertainment.
Music Video: "Let the Girl Go"
And interview: "Robbyne Kaamil's hopes for Lolita"
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Photo of the Day
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August 13 | |
There's something very ethereal about watching orcas come out of the fog. They simply appear and vanish just as quickly - the only thing alerting you to their presence is the sound of their blows. The lighting out at Lime Kiln was nothing short of extraordinary this evening! This is J26 Mike and this might be my most favorite photo of the summer so far...
Photo by Katie Jones.
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Southern Residents
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August 14
Ken Balcomb at the Center for Whale Research reports that "Group A" of J pod went north along the west side of San Juan Island today, and the Adam U reports hearing K pod calls from Tatoosh, west of Neah Bay, while on a NOAA Fisheries research cruise.
August 13
 | J Pod in fog at 11 am Western Explorer Trip.
Video by Traci Walter.
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August 13
I live in the kind of place where you can be at home in the early evening in your pajamas, but then a friend tells you there are whales heading for the west side. So you leave the house and arrive at your favorite park, where you find yourself on the rocks surrounded by friends old and new. The orcas appear and disappear through the fog, a couple bait balls come by, as do a Steller sea lion and a minke whale, and a great blue heron fishes off the kelp in front of you. The lighting? Ethereal. And why not a wedding for good measure. I love this place.
Monika Wieland
August 13
 | From the rocks at Lime Kiln Point State Park.
Photo by Monika Wieland.
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August 13
7:00 pm. - Whales on Lime Kiln hydro. Mostly echolocation clicks.
James Gresham
August 13
7:36 pm - Faint intermittent Orca calls were being heard on Lime Kiln Hydrophone (and some echolocation clicks). Looks like J Pod made it to the west side of San Juan Island. I wonder where they'll head next! L Pod returned to the Salish Sea AND brought the L12's with them!! This is only the SECOND time I've seen the L12's this summer (which should concern you). All of the pods have been socializing together, and splitting up usual matriarcal groups. Some days it just seems like mom's are a little less protective, and anything goes. It's like an Orca soap-opera!!
Heather MacIntyre
 | J2 Granny with L87 Onyx yesterday. It was funny to see them ROCKET by L41 Mega's group, who were lollygagging in the kelp, and cruise north, as Granny is wont to do.
Photo by Monika Wieland. |
August 12
 | Resident Orca Traffic jam!
Photo by John Boyd. |
August 12
 | | Photo by John Boyd. |
August 12
 | | Photo by John Boyd. |
August 12
Lindsay spied a humpback nearby. Captain Jeff got us in a great position for viewing while Tom and I started our humpback spiels. Rush found another humpback, and this one was surrounded by killer whales! We were initially frightened that they were transients (no one was prepared to see our well known humpback friend Split Fin, meet his demise at only 8 years old), but thankfully they turned out to be residents. They did harass Split Fin for a while and he let out several disturbed "trumpets" before proceeding to cartwheel and tail-slap continuously for 20 minutes.
Jennifer Dickson, Prince of Whale Whale Watch
August 11
 | L85 with students on a field trip at Lime Kiln.
Photo by Whitney Neugebauer.
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August 11
 | | Photo by Whitney Neugebauer. |
August 11
 | J37 at Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
Photo by Whitney Neugebauer. |
August 11
Some days you have an encounter with whales that is stunning not for the breaches, spyhops and other exciting surface behaviors, but because you realize that you are the only boat watching 40 whales in Rosario Channel...was so beautiful to watch the whales on the "orca treadmill", where they were swimming about 5 mph into a 5 mph current for over an hour... Thank you Ivan Reiff for yet another fantastic Monday on the Western Explorer.
John Boyd
August 11
 | Had an amazing day on the water yesterday, with maybe 40 Orca around breathing and very active, we were around San Juan island area.
Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Stephen Ellwood. |
August 11
 | Tika (K33) kelping. Taken from shore at Lime Kiln.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu. |
August 11
 | Saturna (K43) in the fading light. Taken from Land Bank.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu.
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August 11
 | T'ilem I'nges (J49) coming in to play in the kelp. Taken from shore at Lime Kiln.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu.
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August 11
 | My addition to the awesome encounter just outside Mitchell Bay.
L41 Mega possibly showing off for the J pod females he was traveling with.
Photo by Kevin Culmback. |
 | I thought the Orcas were going to come into Snug Harbor Resort and Marina and have a latte! Orca viewing from the dock!
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya. |
August 11
Early in the morning on August 11th, J-Pod (and a couple K-Pod whales, I think) came down Haro Strait and met up with the L12s who had been hanging off the south end of San Juan Island the day before. I saw this mixed group with members of all three pods head north on the west side between 1 and 2 PM, with L41 Mega's group tight in shore with the J22s. I wondered where all the other residents had gotten to, as I believe everyone but the L54 sub-group has been "in" inland waters the last couple of days. Tonight I heard from John Boyd they had about 40 residents in Rosario Strait this afternoon, so that explains it!
Monika Wieland
August 11
 | I used to see more of the L12 sub-group than anybody else, but not this year! Today was only the second time I've seen them this season, but it was fantastic! I've got lots of photos to share, but had to start with this (uncropped) shot of the big guy: L41 Mega. Photo taken from shore on the west side of San Juan Island..
Photo by Monika Wieland. |
August 11
 | A huge cartwheel from L94 Calypso yesterday of Land Bank's Westside Preserve on San Juan Island.
Photo by Monika Wieland.
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August 11
Monday 10pm - Can't see them but can hear them. Orcas going past East to West, Flint Beach, Lopez Island. Monday 10pm. Gentle sounds of waves on the beach with blows from orcas, quite nice!
Sally Reeve
August 11
 | Damn, we're getting so bloody spoiled around here...
Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 11
 | | Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 10
 | K35 Sonata. Orca shots taken from land (vicinity of E Point, Saturna).
Photo by James McLarnon.
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August 10
 | K22 Sekiu.
Photo by James McLarnon.
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August 10
 | K21 Cappuccino.
Photo by James McLarnon.
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August 10
It was an eventful day today with our resident whales along the west side of San Juan Island. We were greeted by both members of K Pod and L Pod for our afternoon trip on the M/V Sea Lion. We first met up with these whales at Battleship Island and then followed them north towards Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island. I always love being able to see them at Turn Point because Mt. Baker, the lighthouse, and the whales, will occasionally line up perfectly for the ultimate whale watching shot.
Naturalist Caitlin, San Juan Safaris and Outfitters
August 9
 | J34 Double stuf. Orca shots taken from land (vicinity of E Point, Saturna).
Photo by James McLarnon (Vancouver). |
August 9
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Transients/Bigg's Whales
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August 14
 | It was just an incredible day on the water with a dense fog layer in the beginning of the day, that always makes for interesting whale watching. None of these images are black and white, this is just how it looked. Calm, serene, and stunning. This was a gathering of several groups of Killer Whales and they sure seemed to enjoy frolicking and socializing with one another.
Photo by Traci Walter. |
August 14
 | Going in for the kill. Right after I clicked this image, some sort of small creature went sailing through the air. Not sure what it was, but these kiddos promptly had some lunch.
Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 14
 | The two babes. "Hey! Watch this!"
Photo by Katie Jones. |
August 12
 | In Howe Sound.
Photo by Gary Sutton
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August 12
Meanwhile in Howe Sound (North of Vancouver) .... One for the memory bank. 18+ Bigg's killer whales!! Including the T124's new calf, who I am unofficially saying is T124Ds calf (a first for her!). In attendance at various points in the day: T34s, 36, 36Bs, 37, 37Bs, 90s, 99 + 99C, 101s + 102, 124s (minus 124C). Tasli Shaw August 12
 | Front to back ...T36B2, T124D1, T124D, T124, T37, T124E.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T36 tail slapping over T124E.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | Calf!! T124D1 (unofficially) with T124D and T124.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T124e-, 37, T124d, 124d1, 124.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T124E and his pretty eye patch.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T99 with T124D1 (unofficially).
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T36 about to tail slap with T124D and T124D1 (unofficially).
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | Landing a breach.
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
 | T102 suddenly making this summer camp paddle a lot more interesting ...
Photo by Tasli Shaw.
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August 12
Ron Moody reports seeing 7-8 orcas northwest of Vancouver near Bowen Island (Howe Sound) at about 11 am and again at about 6 pm. | New Biggs calf!! Looks like the mom is T124D. We had a beautiful encounter with them and the T36B's, T101's, T90's, T34's and T37's in Howe Sound! Here are a couple shots of the calf.
Photo by Gary Sutton. |
August 12
An amazing morning watching transient Killer Whales attack a large Humpback Whale right off Sooke...after the humpback tail lob, fin strike and trying to breach right on top of the Orca...they finally left him alone... Also K14's resident killer whales were visiting the Sooke area....WOW! Sooke Coastal Explorations August 12
6:45pm this evening - at least 4 orcas headed east to west in the distance, maybe a mile offshore of Flint Beach on Lopez Island. Tom Reeve August 12
Orcas sighted off Rosario Beach beginning at about 2:00 pm. Looks to be about three of them, including one large male. Chanel Giles August 9
Around 7:45 PM I saw the T65As heading south from Lime Kiln, a couple miles offshore. Monika Wieland
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Humpbacks
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August 12
Not only did we find humpbacks, and not only did we find killer whales, we found them side-by-side! And not only were they side-by-side, they were interacting!
Prince of Whales Whale Watch
August 11
There were three humpback whales heading very slowly north in Haro Strait off Land Bank from 12:30-2:00 as well.
Monika Wieland
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ABOUT ORCA NETWORK
Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network involves citizens in helping researchers track the movement of whales, and encourages people to observe whales from their homes, businesses, ferries, and beaches.
Whale reports are sent in to our Sighting Network and emailed out to researchers, agencies, and citizens on our network, and posted on our website (MAP of sightings also on website). Whale reports and observations are sent in by a variety of sources, and Orca Network does not guarantee the accuracy of any report or whale identification.
TO REPORT WHALES, CALL: 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2638), email [email protected], or post sightings on our Orca Network Facebook page.
*BE WHALE WISE! BOATERS - NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS OF MAY 16, 2011:
"The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect May 16 and apply to all types of boats, including motor boats, sail boats and kayaks, in Washington"
For more information on the new Federal Regulations, visit the NOAA Fisheries website.
To report harassment of whales in US waters, call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964;
In Canadian waters, call DFO's Observe Record and Report (ORR) Violations Hotline: 1-800- 465-4336
Report the boat name &/or a description of the boat, & get photos if at all possible.
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