Whales

JCL · #1 08-09-2010, 12:49 PM

We went boating in the San Juan islands in Washington this past weekend. We came across a pod of orca whales chasing salmon. Most shots are from quite a distance, since you can't motor in and harass or stress the whales. When the direction of the pod was apparent, though, we motored on ahead and then shut the diesels down, drifting, as they came towards us. They came through pretty close to the boat, less than a boat length away. We were bouncing around in less than ideal shooting conditions, so the photos are more snaps than anything else. Nikon D70, Nikon 80-200 F2.8ED lens, overcast with a light drizzle.

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rayxi · #2 08-09-2010, 01:21 PM

How big was your boat? The last time I had a close encounter with Orcas I was in a 14 ft aluminum trolling for salmon. Not as close as you got, about 50 ft, but close enough to realize that they were much bigger than the boat I was in.

blktoptrvl · #3 08-09-2010, 01:54 PM

I miss Bellingham.

Nice Photos.

JCL · #4 08-09-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayxi

How big was your boat? The last time I had a close encounter with Orcas I was in a 14 ft aluminum trolling for salmon. Not as close as you got, about 50 ft, but close enough to realize that they were much bigger than the boat I was in.

We were on a friend's 40' tri-cabin cruiser. Not the same as being in a boat smaller than the whales. I've done that in the past, but this time we were dry.

JCL · #5 08-09-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I miss Bellingham.

Nice place. We left from Bellingham, over night in Roche Harbour, and stopped off in Friday Harbour on Sunday. I have spent time in the Canadian Gulf Islands, but the only place I knew on this trip was Roche Harbour.

E53is · #6 08-09-2010, 03:11 PM

wow very cool, thanks for sharing.

motordavid · #7 08-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Titz Pics, JCL!
Have only seen a couple, once: a whale sighting "cruise"/bounce off Nova Scotia in a Zodiac, with a rare-for-there, sighting.

For the curious, a bull male dorsal fin can be 6 feet tall!
BR, mD

CarsRmyVICE · #8 08-09-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayxi

How big was your boat? The last time I had a close encounter with Orcas I was in a 14 ft aluminum trolling for salmon. Not as close as you got, about 50 ft, but close enough to realize that they were much bigger than the boat I was in.

I would have crapped my pants lol. Cool pics jcl. I once went whale watching in nantucket. It was pretty cool, they look so huge in person. I believe they were humpbacks though.

rayxi · #9 08-09-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarsRmyVICE

I would have crapped my pants lol.

At the time we were more focused on catching a Tyee. It wasn't until later that we realized how vulnerable we were in that tiny boat.

I think the pod we saw were transients, which was both good and bad. Good because they weren't interested in the salmon we were chasing so they had no incentive to come any closer. Bad because they prefer to eat mammals over fish.

PersonaNonGrata · #10 08-09-2010, 09:44 PM

Incredible J! What an experience and great photos. I have only seen them from the safety of a BC Ferry once on the way to Victoria.

It's sad to see those prominent dorsals standing tall but those. On aquarium bound Orcas are flopped over. I'm not a PETA rep but it's just an observation.

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