SOCKEYE - is named for a deformity of his jaw that mimics the Sockeye Salmon. Sockeye's smaller upper jaw actually fits down inside his huge lower jaw, creating a whale-sized underbite! Sockeye was first sighted in 1984, and has grown into a healthy adult male. His odd jaw has definitely not impaired his feeding ability!

For the past few years, for reasons unknown, Sockeye has spent the part of his summers in the waters off Nova Scotia! He was observed in the area off Brier Island in the middle of the summer. He was observed feeding among other adult humpback whales. Where he has been spending the rest of his time is a mystery! There are several feeding areas more than 100 miles offshore that humpback whales can utilize, and we assume that's where Sockeye has been spending much of his time!

OWL - named for two black dots on either side of her tail, resembling owls' eyes. Owl was first sighted as a calf in 1986 with her mother, Falco. Owl gave birth to her first calf in 1993, and her second in 1998.

In 2005 Owl was observed on several occasions on Stellwagen Bank, just off the coast of Massachusetts. She appeared to be very healthy and very likely pregnant. Since humpback whales have a year-long gestation and give birth on average about every 2-3 years, we are fairly sure we'll be seeing Owl with a brand new calf in 2006! Only time will tell!

SHARK - is named for the black markings on the tip of the right side of her tail that resemble the profile of a shark's face. Shark was first sighted as a calf in 1983 with her mother, Apex. Shark has had four calves.

Shark was observed this summer in the Bay of Fundy by the researchers at Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises.

She was also observed over the summer by the folks at the Center for Coastal Studies off of Provincetown, MA. It is not unusual for humpback whales to do a lot of traveling during the summer - sometimes they can be seen as far south as Nantucket Island and then days later as far north as Nova Scotia!

BADGE - is named for the black markings on the left side of the tail that look like a badge on a military uniform. Badge was first sighted in the feeding area off of Gloucester in 1987 - small at the time, he was probably a calf in 1986.

Badge was observed in an area just northeast of Gloucester, MA called Jeffrey's Ledge. She was seen later in the season up north off of Brier Island, Nova Scotia. Still no calves to report from Badge, which is very unusual since she is at least 20 years old at this point!