She was famously acrobatic, even at the estimated age of 105 years. She was the matriarch, a leader, babysitter, and holder of cultural wisdom. The Seattle Seahawks made her a 12th Man, in memorium. And her life reminds us of the importance of grandmothers.

Onyx, a 30-year-old male, is easily recognized by his impressively tall dorsal fin with a small hook at the tip pointing to the right. Onyx was born to Olympia (L-32) who died in October 2005 when Onyx was 13 years old. An amazing event happened on that sad day and is recounted later in this story.

She was named for her exuberance. Some people called her "the breacher" due to her joyful, repetitive leaps from the water.

Like many of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, twelve-year-old J46 Star has experienced more than her fair share of sadness and loss. Her mother died when she was only seven. These fish-eating orcas never leave their mothers. When their mother dies, the offspring continue to travel with family members or blend into another family.