Absolutely no words for today… ????
I was just sitting down for my first class of the day when I got a call from @dolphindronedom saying that Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales had been spotted near San Diego. After a tough internal battle I decided to ditch school and go see some orcas! ????
The stress of losing out on attendance points quickly vanished when I saw those dorsal fins in the distance.
And then, to my utter amazement, they began hunting bottlenose dolphins!
Despite spending three years now watching wild killer whales, I have never, until today, gotten to witness a hunt. It was even more mind blowing than I imagined. Such a surreal experience having a front-row seat to one of the most powerful displays in nature.
Of course, it’s hard not to feel bad for the poor dolphin, and there were definitely some strong emotions on board. But we have to remember that this is how the circle of life works. This would’ve happened whether we were there to see it or not, and I’m incredibly grateful I was given the opportunity to witness it.
The reason this orca’s face is cut off in the photos below is because this happened – unexpectedly – probably 20 ft off our bow, so needless to say my camera was not going to get it all in frame. ????
But this was such a jaw-dropping moment that I still have to share!!
You might be wondering if, after spending a few hours with Eastern Tropical Pacific orcas, I have a favorite.
The answer is yes, absolutely, and this is her: the main aggressor in the bottlenose dolphin hunt, who I’ve been affectionately calling Miss K (for killer ????).
After they finished eating, these Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales started traveling north to meet up with the rest of their group. Though the fog was thick, we were lucky enough to pass through some brief clear areas that produced stunning sunset lighting!
Quiet evenings with whales are the most peaceful moments in existence. ????
-Nicole
Encounter with @gonewhalewatching ????
Leave a Reply