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J pod was seen May 22 around noon off the Sekiu River, about 12 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. J26 Mike was photographed (see Photo of the Day), but despite searches J pod was not seen again. Apparently they just poked their heads in and turned back out to the wide Pacific. Hopefully they're finding lots of big juicy Chinooks out there.

Transients/Bigg's Killer Whales have been patrolling the nooks and crannies daily from the

An unidentified gray whale was in Puget Sound and Possession Sound for at least four days, and on May 22 came in close to shore and was photographed near Edmonds.

A humpback was seen this morning in Howe Sound north of Vancouver BC.

A coordinated rash of Empty the Tanks demonstrations broke out today in dozens of cities worldwide, including Seattle and Miami, where about 300 people lined the road and sidewalk all across the entrance to the Seaquarium. Our missing L pod member Lolita/Tokitae has been stranded there since 1970. See the Orca Network facebook page for a video of the demo in Miami. These demos send a clear message to the new owners of the Seaquarium that people worldwide are watching and care very much what happens with Lolita.

Another Empty the Tanks demo was held today at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which has 7 captive belugas - Mauyak (F), Naya (F), Kayavak (F), Bella (F), Miki (M), Nunavik (M), and Kimalu (F). Following Empty the Tanks in Chicago tonight will be a lavish banquet, festivities and silent auction, with appearances by Carol Ray from Blackfish and Melissa Sehgal from Sea Shepard, plus a skype session with Orca Network from the Langley Whale Center at the  Spring Fling for Lolita in Chicago (Facebook link). For those who can't get to Chicago, check out the ONLINE AUCTION, where you can bid on over 300 beautiful whale and nature related items until May 26th.

Wow what a day! Great encounter with Bigg's Killer Whales. After we got on scene with the whales a second family of Orcas showed up. Between Nanaimo and Parksville with the T086A's and some of the T124's and T124A's.
Simon Pidcock

I just love seeing this whale, T124A1. She's a good reminder of how mysterious these animals are. She's often seen separated from her matriline and swimming with other groups. It is pretty rare for them to be swimming with no family members. We saw her a few weeks ago swimming with her mom and siblings and now she's off on her own again swimming today with the 86A's......such an awesome whale! Photo by Gary Sutton, May 23, 2014

Transient killer whale U39 west of Port Angeles. Photo by Mark Malleson, May 22, 2014.

A most splendid evening! Beautiful conditions on the water in the Strait of Georgia. Combine that with being the only boat with orcas and hanging out with some of my most favorite people in the world. Perfection! Photo by Katie Jones, May 21, 2014.

Ts near Sucia Island. T100, T100C, T100E, T101, T101A, T101B, T102 were seen. Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, May 21, 2014.

Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, May 21, 2014.

Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, May 21, 2014.

Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, May 21, 2014.

T101A today! Surprised us off the back of the boat. Photo by Andy Scheffler, May 21, 2014.

T103 northeast bound off of Victoria. Photo by Mark Malleson, May 20, 2014.

T10's east bound off Victoria's waterfront. Photo by Mark Malleson, May 20, 2014.

T010C off of Victoria, BC. today. It was great seeing this little family again. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, May 20, 2014.

T010B off of Victoria, BC. this afternoon. He was with his mother, T010 and brother, T010C. T103 was also seen about a mile ahead of this group, all headed east. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, May 20, 2014.

T100's T124's and T124a's, Nanaimo area. Sweet afternoon! I received a tip of killer whales 3 hours into our tour. We extended the tour and got to see 12 Bigg's Killer Whales in False Narrows this afternoon. We found them just north of Dodd's Narrows heading into False Pass where they hunted seals and socialized for 45 minutes. Another great day in the Salish Sea!
Simon Pidcock, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay

Photo by Simon Pidcock, May 19, 2014.

Photo by Simon Pidcock, May 19, 2014.

Photo by Simon Pidcock, May 19, 2014.

Photo by Simon Pidcock, May 19, 2014.

Matt Hill called to say he saw four orcas on the "Garbage Dump" (Koitlah Point) off Neah Bay and Tatoosh Island, just outside the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There were two females, one adult male and a juvenile, heading NW toward the outer coast of Vancouver Island.

Fun seeing a Gray Whale slowly making his way around Puget Sound today!! From Edmonds looking northwesterly over Puget Sound with south end of Whidbey Island in the background. Photo by Stu Davidson Photography, May 22, 2014.

2:10 - trolling between ocean ave and picnic point... east of midchannel.
2:06 - He's turned...heading east towards shipwreck...still trending north....
Janine Harles

A gray whale moving north in Possession Sound off Edmonds. Photo by Janine Harles, May 22, 2014.

The gray whale was only about 200' off the beach. Photo by Janine Harles, May 22, 2014.

The whale raises his head. Photo by Janine Harles, May 22, 2014.

Passengers get a look at the gray whale near the Edmonds ferry dock. Photo by Janine Harles, May 22, 2014.

Noon - Janine Harles called in a report of a gray whale about 200' off shore of Edmonds' Marina Beach, heading north.

8:21 - Whale spotted earlier mile north of Edmonds ferry terminal turned and is slowly heading north.. Probably out from talbot by now.. Not too far off from shore (east side). Got some puff shots.
Stu Davidson

7:30pm - Whale! Perfect timing! My wife (Jackie) spotted a "puff" out in the Sound while we were making dinner. Watched "him" playing around out from our place..(a dozen or more puffs) heading south one minute, then turned and slowly started north towards Mukilteo following the tide convergence. Photo taken from Edmonds, looking west over the Puget Sound, Kitsap /Kingston in the background. Photo by Stu Davidson Photography, May 19, 2014.

My sister Briley Neugebauer saw what she thinks was a gray whale at 4:50 today from Picnic point headed towards Whidbey island.
Whitney Neugebauer

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 info@orcanetwork.org, 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.