Animal Encounter #5 ~ Staring contest with an Orca

Orca are constantly referred to as "Non-human People", its a term I frequently use in my lectures when discussing these animals - especially when you began to discuss their social structures & individual personalities. Some of the other common names orca are known as are:

Black & Whites
Wolves-of-the-sea
Killer Whales
Balena Assassina ~ where the name Killer whale comes from Spanish translation
Sea Pandas! That one is my favourite.

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Locking eyes with orca is something you never soon forget. The first time it happened to me I got an entire chill through my whole body and I had this bizarre tingling feeling in my body for hours afterwards. It was an insane high that I am now without a doubt addicted to... Hence my lifestyle of travelling to the furtherest reaches of the planet to encounter these animals in their nature world.

When you do look them in the eye you learn instantly you aren't looking at something you are staring into the eyes of someone.
The last time it happened was July in 2017 when I encountered a pod of Bigg's orca (mammal hunters) cruising side by side around the Gulf Islands. Before we knew it they were hunting and were on a kill - it all happened under the water so nothing to awesome to photograph at the surface. When it became clear that were in fact "on a kill", my engines were shut off and the boat drifting to ensure they were comfortable as they shared the spoils of what I assume was a harbour seal. The older female then stuck her head out of the water looked at us and then decided to swim over to our vessel.

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Click on image to view full size.

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She swam up and down along our 40ft zodiac, whilst on her side staring up at everyone standing and looking down at her. She got to me and froze for an instant, we locked eyes, which felt like minutes but was no more than a few mere seconds. then out of no-where her young calf popped up beside her in an explosive and more playful manner. The calf then followed her back along the vessel before moving back towards the rest of the family that were still in mid-meal behaviour.

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Click on image to view full size.

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One guest on board was celebrating her 55th birthday that day, which I reckon was by the far the greatest present she got have ever received. Another beautiful day on the Pacific North West and another incredible and unforgettable moment with these beloved apex predators.

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Thanks for reading and all the support, Steemit!!

All stories & photographs are of my own work unless noted under the picture in question.

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