Orca Behavior Institute

10/06/2026

Registration is now open for our all-ages art nights! This new Whale U class will take place over 4 fully virtual 1-hour sessions in November and December.

✏️ Learn the basics of drawing and identifying individual Bigg's and Southern Resident orcas

🎨 Brief tutorials will be followed by ample guided time drawing with fellow orca-lovers of all ages and abilities

🖍️ Discover tips and tricks to understanding orca anatomy, including the methods researchers use to tell individuals apart from one another

Class fee is per household, so your whole family is welcome to join in, and your registration also includes a special new T137s sticker sheet that will be mailed to you. No special art supplies or skills are needed, just a drawing utensil, some paper, and a willingness to learn. Close out the year with this creative and cozy class!

Dates and registration details can be found here:
https://www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-university-classes/all-ages-art-nights

10/05/2026

Some days, you just run out of superlatives. Such was the case yesterday when conditions allowed us to go west - way west - on our second of two all day trips with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching for our Fluking Around with Humpbacks class.

Southeast of Sombrio in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, about 20 miles from the open Pacific Ocean, we encountered what local naturalists refer to as "the herd" - a huge congregation of humpback whales that forms here in the early fall to feed prior to migrating to their respective breeding grounds. We estimated there were at least 300 humpback whales within 5 miles of us, but it becomes impossible to count when you can see a wall of blows in every direction. One student looked through binoculars in one direction for 30 seconds and counted 16 whales just within her field of view.

Another student had a wish to see BCZ0366 Caspian, a particularly unique looking whale with unusual patterning on his body and one of the more unusual looking flukes. Amazingly, shortly before departing, we found him: the whale in this photograph. You might not think of an animal weighing over 50,000 pounds as being hard to find, but it very much felt like finding a needle in a haystack!

Jason will be putting together a video of the experience that we will share as well. We ended the day with a feeling of pure gratitude that such incredible sights are out there to be seen anywhere, let alone right here in the Salish Sea.

10/04/2026

Got to meet the newest member of the T36A1s today! This little one, who has received the designation T36A1B from Bay Cetology, was first documented on September 26th and appears to be a few weeks old.

10/02/2026

TGIF! Here's hoping your weekend brings you moments like this one 🤩

This photo was taken last Sunday as T19C Spouter and T65A3 Amir rounded the north end of Henry Island. With lots of orcas around this week and some awesome early autumn weather in the forecast, we can't wait to see what this weekend has in store!

09/29/2026

Earlier this month, the House Natural Resources Committee approved HR 9621, the "Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026", which would allow for additional exemptions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act broadening where, when, and how pinnipeds could be lethally removed in the name of protecting listed salmon stocks.

Christopher Dunagan's latest article goes into this issue in depth. It's a long read, but well worth it to learn about all sides of this controversial topic.

A proposed amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act has renewed a debate over the merits of killing seals and sea lions to protect salmon. Proponents say it will help some endangered salmon populations while opponents say the legislation is misguided and likely to be counterproductive.

09/29/2026

Two bulls on Saturday (T49A2 and T49C), and two different bulls on Sunday!

We were lucky enough yesterday to catch up with the T19s in Spieden Channel, and T65A3 Amir was traveling with them. The group was split into pairs and it was fun to see 19 year-old T65A3 traveling in close association with 25 year-old T19C Spouter for the duration of our encounter.

Male-male social associations are common across both ecotypes of killer whale, and always fun to watch, not to mention impressive when you see two towering dorsal fins surfacing side by side.

09/27/2026

LAST CALL on the OBI auction!

Bidding is open until 10 PM tonight. There are still some great deals to be had, and also some tight bidding wars on a few of the most popular items 👀

Check it out and participate via the link below.

https://www.32auctions.com/OBI2026

(If you’re not interested in bidding, you can still help us reach or surpass our goal by contributing via the green donate button on the page!

09/26/2026

Of all the dynamic duos we see, this one may very well be my favorite: T49A2 Jude and his uncle T49C Neilson. This is the fifth year in a row we've documented them meeting up in the San Juan Islands, always either in March/April or September/October.

Today, however, was not a good afternoon to be a seal on the east side of Orcas Island. At a minimum, we think they took four seals over the course of 50 minutes! 😳 They had a clear strategy in play and it worked for them again and again. It was impressive to watch!

09/26/2026

There's just under 36 hours left in our online auction! If you haven't had a chance to browse yet, this is your official invitation to take a look.

With a wide array of gift cards, gift certificates, and gift baskets, this a great opportunity to support our work while making a purchase you might make anyway for a restaurant, hotel stay, massage, wine-tasting....the list goes on and on!

Our fundraising goal is within sight; please help us get there!
https://www.32auctions.com/OBI2026

09/25/2026

Support our ongoing work while also snagging yourself the opportunity to get on the water to enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the Salish Sea by bidding on one of the whale and wildlife experiences available in our online auction!

Gift certificates are available from four different departure locations:

➣ 2 tickets from Victoria, BC with Orca Spirit Adventures
➣ 2 tickets from Seattle, WA with Victoria Clipper
➣ 4 tickets from Anacortes, WA with Outer Island Excursions
➣ Multiple options from Friday Harbor, WA:
4 tickets for a family-friendly trip with San Juan Excursions
2 adventure whale-watch tickets with Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures
2 half-day tour tickets with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching
4 tickets for a 3-hour kayaking excursion with Crystal Seas Kayaking

All gift certificates are valid through at least the 2027 season. Browse these listings and dozens more at the link below. Bidding is open until Sunday night!

https://www.32auctions.com/OBI2026