Orca Behavior Institute
@orcabehaviorinstitute.org
A non-profit based on San Juan Island, Washington with the mission of inspiring conservation of wild killer whales through non-invasive research, bold advocacy, and science-based education.
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org
Watch Monika try our whale edition of the Say the Word on the Beat challenge here, then give it a try yourself via the link below! Let us know how you do in the comments 😎
youtu.be/LPAbHARxd_Y
youtu.be/LPAbHARxd_Y
December 26, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Watch Monika try our whale edition of the Say the Word on the Beat challenge here, then give it a try yourself via the link below! Let us know how you do in the comments 😎
youtu.be/LPAbHARxd_Y
youtu.be/LPAbHARxd_Y
We have a whale-themed edition of the viral Say the Word on Beat game for you to try!
Look at the words on the screen for the first part of the song, then say them out loud in time with the red squares appearing. How long can you keep up with this tongue twister?
#saytheword #reindeergames
Look at the words on the screen for the first part of the song, then say them out loud in time with the red squares appearing. How long can you keep up with this tongue twister?
#saytheword #reindeergames
Say The Word On The Beat - Whale Edition
YouTube video by Orca Behavior Institute
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
We have a whale-themed edition of the viral Say the Word on Beat game for you to try!
Look at the words on the screen for the first part of the song, then say them out loud in time with the red squares appearing. How long can you keep up with this tongue twister?
#saytheword #reindeergames
Look at the words on the screen for the first part of the song, then say them out loud in time with the red squares appearing. How long can you keep up with this tongue twister?
#saytheword #reindeergames
⏰ REMINDER: Today is the last day to send your comments! A big thank you to all of you who have already sent yours!
📣 Important action alert: your comments are needed by December 22nd to help protect the Endangered Species Act!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
December 22, 2025 at 7:41 PM
⏰ REMINDER: Today is the last day to send your comments! A big thank you to all of you who have already sent yours!
We’re excited to share that Part 2 of our three-part Q&A with Monika from OBI and Michael from the Center for Whale Research is up on our YouTube channel!
This is just a sneak peek, make sure to check out the full video!
ℹ️ You can find the link to the second episode in comments.
This is just a sneak peek, make sure to check out the full video!
ℹ️ You can find the link to the second episode in comments.
December 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
We’re excited to share that Part 2 of our three-part Q&A with Monika from OBI and Michael from the Center for Whale Research is up on our YouTube channel!
This is just a sneak peek, make sure to check out the full video!
ℹ️ You can find the link to the second episode in comments.
This is just a sneak peek, make sure to check out the full video!
ℹ️ You can find the link to the second episode in comments.
Faint Biggs killer whale calls heard on N San Juan Channel hydrophone from 8:30-8:45ish. Listen live here:
live.orcasound.net/listen/north...
#wssjis #orcas #whalesky
live.orcasound.net/listen/north...
#wssjis #orcas #whalesky
Orcasound - North San Juan Channel
live.orcasound.net
December 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Faint Biggs killer whale calls heard on N San Juan Channel hydrophone from 8:30-8:45ish. Listen live here:
live.orcasound.net/listen/north...
#wssjis #orcas #whalesky
live.orcasound.net/listen/north...
#wssjis #orcas #whalesky
T34 Grace, a 50+ year old Bigg's killer whale great-grandmother, is sporting a bit of a different look! We saw her and her family as part of a T-Party last weekend, and the notch on the trailing edge of her dorsal fin has gotten larger. We can only speculate what she's been up to!
#whalesky #orcas
#whalesky #orcas
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Lately, the bad weather has kept us from getting out to look for whales, so we’ve been looking back at some of our favorite summer encounters.
One encounter that really stands out for us was on July 1, 2023.
Here’s a short highlight clip from the longer video available on our YouTube channel!
One encounter that really stands out for us was on July 1, 2023.
Here’s a short highlight clip from the longer video available on our YouTube channel!
December 19, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Lately, the bad weather has kept us from getting out to look for whales, so we’ve been looking back at some of our favorite summer encounters.
One encounter that really stands out for us was on July 1, 2023.
Here’s a short highlight clip from the longer video available on our YouTube channel!
One encounter that really stands out for us was on July 1, 2023.
Here’s a short highlight clip from the longer video available on our YouTube channel!
🐋🎓There are still a few open spaces remaining for our Spring 2026 Whale University Course: 50 Shades of Gray Whale, and after confirming the speaker line up, we can't WAIT for this course to start!
Register online at our website:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-univer...
Register online at our website:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-univer...
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
🐋🎓There are still a few open spaces remaining for our Spring 2026 Whale University Course: 50 Shades of Gray Whale, and after confirming the speaker line up, we can't WAIT for this course to start!
Register online at our website:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-univer...
Register online at our website:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/whale-univer...
Last month, there was a fun group of Bigg’s killer whales that spent most of the month in the area! This set of 11 whales consisted of T36 and the T36Bs, the T137s, and T99B.
Here is the animated map we made to track their movements over the course of November!
#whalesky #orcas #killerwhales
Here is the animated map we made to track their movements over the course of November!
#whalesky #orcas #killerwhales
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Last month, there was a fun group of Bigg’s killer whales that spent most of the month in the area! This set of 11 whales consisted of T36 and the T36Bs, the T137s, and T99B.
Here is the animated map we made to track their movements over the course of November!
#whalesky #orcas #killerwhales
Here is the animated map we made to track their movements over the course of November!
#whalesky #orcas #killerwhales
J-Pod audible on the @orcasound.bsky.social Andrew’s Bay hydrophones Haro Strait 13:40
#orcas #whalesky #wssjis
live.orcasound.net/listen/andre...
#orcas #whalesky #wssjis
live.orcasound.net/listen/andre...
Orcasound - Andrews Bay
live.orcasound.net
December 16, 2025 at 9:56 PM
J-Pod audible on the @orcasound.bsky.social Andrew’s Bay hydrophones Haro Strait 13:40
#orcas #whalesky #wssjis
live.orcasound.net/listen/andre...
#orcas #whalesky #wssjis
live.orcasound.net/listen/andre...
Just 24 hours after seeing the 15 members of K-Pod as they exited Puget Sound, we were lucky enough to get on the water with 15 Bigg's killer whales in a T-Party in the San Juan Islands!
Present were the T34s, T37 and T37Bs, the T75Bs and T75Cs, and T65A5 Indy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3J...
Present were the T34s, T37 and T37Bs, the T75Bs and T75Cs, and T65A5 Indy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3J...
15 Bigg's Killer Whales in a T-Party in the San Juan Islands! | December 2025
YouTube video by Orca Behavior Institute
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Just 24 hours after seeing the 15 members of K-Pod as they exited Puget Sound, we were lucky enough to get on the water with 15 Bigg's killer whales in a T-Party in the San Juan Islands!
Present were the T34s, T37 and T37Bs, the T75Bs and T75Cs, and T65A5 Indy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3J...
Present were the T34s, T37 and T37Bs, the T75Bs and T75Cs, and T65A5 Indy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3J...
📣 Important action alert: your comments are needed by December 22nd to help protect the Endangered Species Act!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
December 14, 2025 at 9:18 PM
📣 Important action alert: your comments are needed by December 22nd to help protect the Endangered Species Act!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
Our BOLD Action guide helps guide you through the process:
tinyurl.com/boldactionesa
Comments can be brief but it's important many people register their opposition to these changes!
Welcome K47! The Center for Whale Research announced the official designation for the new K-Pod calf today.
Here’s a short video clip of Ks exiting Puget Sound yesterday, filmed by Jason Shields. Can you spot the tiny dorsal fin of the calf? 😍 It surfaces three times in this clip!
#whalesky #srkw
Here’s a short video clip of Ks exiting Puget Sound yesterday, filmed by Jason Shields. Can you spot the tiny dorsal fin of the calf? 😍 It surfaces three times in this clip!
#whalesky #srkw
December 14, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Every Southern Resident killer whale calf is a gift, but due to the pod's small size and low reproductive rate, K-Pod calves hit differently.
We were honored to have the chance to glimpse this newest little one in person today as the orcas were leaving Puget Sound.
#whalesky #salishsea
We were honored to have the chance to glimpse this newest little one in person today as the orcas were leaving Puget Sound.
#whalesky #salishsea
December 13, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Every Southern Resident killer whale calf is a gift, but due to the pod's small size and low reproductive rate, K-Pod calves hit differently.
We were honored to have the chance to glimpse this newest little one in person today as the orcas were leaving Puget Sound.
#whalesky #salishsea
We were honored to have the chance to glimpse this newest little one in person today as the orcas were leaving Puget Sound.
#whalesky #salishsea
Did you know that some K-Pod alphanumerics were
given out of order?
K45 was born in 2021, but K46 was born in 1974! Read the full story (that we originally posted in 2023) of how that came to be on our website here:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/orca-updates...
given out of order?
K45 was born in 2021, but K46 was born in 1974! Read the full story (that we originally posted in 2023) of how that came to be on our website here:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/orca-updates...
December 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Did you know that some K-Pod alphanumerics were
given out of order?
K45 was born in 2021, but K46 was born in 1974! Read the full story (that we originally posted in 2023) of how that came to be on our website here:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/orca-updates...
given out of order?
K45 was born in 2021, but K46 was born in 1974! Read the full story (that we originally posted in 2023) of how that came to be on our website here:
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/orca-updates...
Patreon has created the option to gift subscriptions to your loved ones this holiday season.
Perks include livestream chats with OBI researchers, logbook reports from the field, detailed updates on our international field work, bonus videos, and more!
(Learn more via link in comments)
Perks include livestream chats with OBI researchers, logbook reports from the field, detailed updates on our international field work, bonus videos, and more!
(Learn more via link in comments)
December 11, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Patreon has created the option to gift subscriptions to your loved ones this holiday season.
Perks include livestream chats with OBI researchers, logbook reports from the field, detailed updates on our international field work, bonus videos, and more!
(Learn more via link in comments)
Perks include livestream chats with OBI researchers, logbook reports from the field, detailed updates on our international field work, bonus videos, and more!
(Learn more via link in comments)
The latest @afterthebreach.bsky.social podcast dropped today! Monika joins Jeff and Sara to recap 2025 whale sightings in the SalishSea, check in on how we did with our predictions for the year, and make a whole new set of bold predictions for 2026!
www.afterthebreachpodcast.com/e/episode-46...
www.afterthebreachpodcast.com/e/episode-46...
Episode 46 - 2025 Whale Sightings Recap | After the Breach Podcast
It's time for our annual recap of whale sightings from the past year. Frequent guest Monika Wieland Shields, co-founder and director of the Orca Behavior Institute, joins hosts Sara and Jeff for a dis...
www.afterthebreachpodcast.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The latest @afterthebreach.bsky.social podcast dropped today! Monika joins Jeff and Sara to recap 2025 whale sightings in the SalishSea, check in on how we did with our predictions for the year, and make a whole new set of bold predictions for 2026!
www.afterthebreachpodcast.com/e/episode-46...
www.afterthebreachpodcast.com/e/episode-46...
We are excited to release of the first part of a three-part Q&A featuring Monika from OBI & Michael from CWR. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel, including both drone footage and video footage taken by Jason during our time in the field in Puget Sound!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRS...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRS...
December 9, 2025 at 1:36 AM
We are excited to release of the first part of a three-part Q&A featuring Monika from OBI & Michael from CWR. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel, including both drone footage and video footage taken by Jason during our time in the field in Puget Sound!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRS...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRS...
Orca lovers, if you’re still on the hunt for orca-themed goodies to add to your whale collection or searching for the perfect gift, this is your last chance! Make sure to snag everything you need by December 12th so your gifts arrive right on time for the holidays!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/shop
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/shop
December 7, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Orca lovers, if you’re still on the hunt for orca-themed goodies to add to your whale collection or searching for the perfect gift, this is your last chance! Make sure to snag everything you need by December 12th so your gifts arrive right on time for the holidays!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/shop
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/shop
Here are a few more stats from November 2025 orca sightings in the Salish Sea!
- November 29th was the busiest day, with 8 unique groups of orcas reported.
- 17 SRKW sightings in November. Lower than in March, April, and September.
- 15 OBI field encounters.
Which one surprises you the most?
- November 29th was the busiest day, with 8 unique groups of orcas reported.
- 17 SRKW sightings in November. Lower than in March, April, and September.
- 15 OBI field encounters.
Which one surprises you the most?
December 6, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Here are a few more stats from November 2025 orca sightings in the Salish Sea!
- November 29th was the busiest day, with 8 unique groups of orcas reported.
- 17 SRKW sightings in November. Lower than in March, April, and September.
- 15 OBI field encounters.
Which one surprises you the most?
- November 29th was the busiest day, with 8 unique groups of orcas reported.
- 17 SRKW sightings in November. Lower than in March, April, and September.
- 15 OBI field encounters.
Which one surprises you the most?
November sightings map is here! Last month, we predicted that November would be the highest month of the year for Southern Resident sightings in the Salish Sea and that Bigg’s killer whale sightings would drop off considerably.
Find out about it here!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/sightings-ma...
Find out about it here!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/sightings-ma...
December 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
November sightings map is here! Last month, we predicted that November would be the highest month of the year for Southern Resident sightings in the Salish Sea and that Bigg’s killer whale sightings would drop off considerably.
Find out about it here!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/sightings-ma...
Find out about it here!
www.orcabehaviorinstitute.org/sightings-ma...
There are many hours of data analysis ahead, but we never let that supersede the awe that got us into whale research in the first place.
This still from a drone video filmed over J38 was too stunning not to share. We can't wait to see what else is revealed once we start adding acoustics!
#whalesky
This still from a drone video filmed over J38 was too stunning not to share. We can't wait to see what else is revealed once we start adding acoustics!
#whalesky
December 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
There are many hours of data analysis ahead, but we never let that supersede the awe that got us into whale research in the first place.
This still from a drone video filmed over J38 was too stunning not to share. We can't wait to see what else is revealed once we start adding acoustics!
#whalesky
This still from a drone video filmed over J38 was too stunning not to share. We can't wait to see what else is revealed once we start adding acoustics!
#whalesky
We're 25% of the way to our year-end fundraising goal!
A generous donor has offered a matching contribution, meaning that any amount you support this week is doubled.
$10 becomes $20, $25 becomes $50, like magic! 🪄
No matter how big or small, your contributions matter 🫶
givebutter.com/obi2025
A generous donor has offered a matching contribution, meaning that any amount you support this week is doubled.
$10 becomes $20, $25 becomes $50, like magic! 🪄
No matter how big or small, your contributions matter 🫶
givebutter.com/obi2025
December 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
We're 25% of the way to our year-end fundraising goal!
A generous donor has offered a matching contribution, meaning that any amount you support this week is doubled.
$10 becomes $20, $25 becomes $50, like magic! 🪄
No matter how big or small, your contributions matter 🫶
givebutter.com/obi2025
A generous donor has offered a matching contribution, meaning that any amount you support this week is doubled.
$10 becomes $20, $25 becomes $50, like magic! 🪄
No matter how big or small, your contributions matter 🫶
givebutter.com/obi2025
This year for #GivingTuesday we are raising funds to cover open-access fees for upcoming publications, which ensures our peer-reviewed papers are accessible to everyone for free.
All donations up to $4k will be matched dollar for dollar!
givebutter.com/obi2025
#communityscience #whalesky
All donations up to $4k will be matched dollar for dollar!
givebutter.com/obi2025
#communityscience #whalesky
December 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This year for #GivingTuesday we are raising funds to cover open-access fees for upcoming publications, which ensures our peer-reviewed papers are accessible to everyone for free.
All donations up to $4k will be matched dollar for dollar!
givebutter.com/obi2025
#communityscience #whalesky
All donations up to $4k will be matched dollar for dollar!
givebutter.com/obi2025
#communityscience #whalesky
Over the last month we've spent a few weeks in Puget Sound on a collaborative project with the @whaleresearch.bsky.social.
Here is Jason's video highlight reel from our encounters with Bigg's killer whales!
#orcas #killerwhales #pugetsound #whalesky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYD...
Here is Jason's video highlight reel from our encounters with Bigg's killer whales!
#orcas #killerwhales #pugetsound #whalesky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYD...
Bigg's killer whales in Puget Sound | November 2025
YouTube video by Orca Behavior Institute
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Over the last month we've spent a few weeks in Puget Sound on a collaborative project with the @whaleresearch.bsky.social.
Here is Jason's video highlight reel from our encounters with Bigg's killer whales!
#orcas #killerwhales #pugetsound #whalesky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYD...
Here is Jason's video highlight reel from our encounters with Bigg's killer whales!
#orcas #killerwhales #pugetsound #whalesky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYD...