We are getting closer and closer to the darkest day of the year, the 21st of December, 2022. Today there was a light cloud cover over the sky, which made everything really blue The natural Arctic color.
This day was special. We went out around 10, and from the start, till the end, we witnessed feeding orcas and humpback whales.
There were several groups of orcas (my estimation is over 150) in the fjord. When one group finished feeding and started resting, another group came in at high speed to take over the feeding ground.
It is incredible and impressive to see when the orcas are mingling around the area and they “sense” something underwater. For example, a massive school of herring and they decide to rush to the spot. They use high speed (around 9 knots, approx 19km/h) and so much power to fully jump out of the water to breathe simultaneously while keeping pace.
We followed one group and ended up with another feeding, which lasted till the end of the day.
This day was a constant orca humpback feeding…
My kind of favorite day.
Humpbacks were also present in the area, and they sometimes joined the orcas for a feast when the orcas let them. We could occasionally see that the orcas are annoyed about the humpies’ presence when feeding.
Today I had something planned in advance, and I wasn’t sure if I could go out. Yesterday afternoon, I was informed that the program had been postponed till next week, which allowed me to participate in the trip today.
Everything happens for a reason.
I am so happy I had a chance to be there today.
It is good to see that there are still so many whales in the area.
As the days are darker now, my hope is that the herring will stay closer to the surface even during the “daytime,” so we will have chances to witness more natural foraging behavior with orcas and humpbacks
-Krisztina/Orca Channel
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