Orcas have been the main subject of my photography for the past 5 yrs or so. I shoot from land and follow them via a group called Orca Network. It's just that, a network of people who post sightings as they travel around the sound. It's been a while for me as I've either not had time or they haven't been around when I did, or I just missed them. Yesterday was the first time since receiving my Z180-600 that I got to try it and it did not disappoint! I'm getting marked improvement in results. These whales were not close and the light was less than perfect. I would not expect this result from that distance. This is T99, Bella, the matriarch of the T99 pod which consists of her and her 4 offspring. These are "Bigg's", or transient Orcas that hunt and eat marine mammals, i.e. Harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, even larger whales such as minke & grey whales on occasion. Yesterday they were moving past at great speed, mostly under water, and I was preparing for another disappointing day when they suddenly turned back and began a breach-fest in pursuit of a harbor seal. I'm pretty sure the seal escaped and after about ten minutes of pursuit they continued on South.

Awesome shots, I still haven't been lucky enough to see an orca in the wild

Cool shots! Nice work.

This is a great series, Jim. Amazing that you're able to shoot them without use of a boat. Must be a lot more patient than I am. Well done.

NorthernFocus said:

This is a great series, Jim. Amazing that you're able to shoot them without use of a boat. Must be a lot more patient than I am. Well done.

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Thanks Dan. The network makes it possible. In all the time I spend outdoors by the sea I've only happened on them twice in the past 5 years. It's needle in a haystack just going out looking for them. Someone happens to see them, they report it to the network, and it takes off from there. Check Orca Network out on fb if you're so inclined.

I've seen them in the wild, but never had a chance (position or camera) to get shots like that! Any special tricks to catch them breaching like that?

Very nice.

Oldnintheway said:

Orcas have been the main subject of my photography for the past 5 yrs or so. I shoot from land and follow them via a group called Orca Network. It's just that, a network of people who post sightings as they travel around the sound. It's been a while for me as I've either not had time or they haven't been around when I did, or I just missed them. Yesterday was the first time since receiving my Z180-600 that I got to try it and it did not disappoint! I'm getting marked improvement in results. These whales were not close and the light was less than perfect. I would not expect this result from that distance. This is T99, Bella, the matriarch of the T99 pod which consists of her and her 4 offspring. These are "Bigg's", or transient Orcas that hunt and eat marine mammals, i.e. Harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, even larger whales such as minke & grey whales on occasion. Yesterday they were moving past at great speed, mostly under water, and I was preparing for another disappointing day when they suddenly turned back and began a breach-fest in pursuit of a harbor seal. I'm pretty sure the seal escaped and after about ten minutes of pursuit they continued on South.
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Excellent shots Jim

PhotoLover said:

I've seen them in the wild, but never had a chance (position or camera) to get shots like that! Any special tricks to catch them breaching like that?

Very nice.

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Thanks, similar to anticipating a bird to take flight I guess. I missed the first two breaches, and at least a dozen followed. So I was pre-focused on the turbulence in the water, very obvious, waiting for the next breach.

Thanks all for the comments, happy you enjoyed them! Here's an uncropped shot. I Just realized that I was in Dx. I had been experimenting and forgot to change back. It probably helped with focus at the distance.

Great series! I am glad you got back out and decided to photograph.

--Ken

Here's the family, minus the youngster who was underwater at the time. The taller dorsal is older brother T99C, "Barakat". He's whatr we refer to as a sprouter. He's 14 yrs old and his dorsal is growing fast! Adult male dorsals will reach 6'.

Oldnintheway said:

Orcas have been the main subject of my photography for the past 5 yrs or so. I shoot from land and follow them via a group called Orca Network. It's just that, a network of people who post sightings as they travel around the sound. It's been a while for me as I've either not had time or they haven't been around when I did, or I just missed them. Yesterday was the first time since receiving my Z180-600 that I got to try it and it did not disappoint! I'm getting marked improvement in results. These whales were not close and the light was less than perfect. I would not expect this result from that distance. This is T99, Bella, the matriarch of the T99 pod which consists of her and her 4 offspring. These are "Bigg's", or transient Orcas that hunt and eat marine mammals, i.e. Harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, even larger whales such as minke & grey whales on occasion. Yesterday they were moving past at great speed, mostly under water, and I was preparing for another disappointing day when they suddenly turned back and began a breach-fest in pursuit of a harbor seal. I'm pretty sure the seal escaped and after about ten minutes of pursuit they continued on South.
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Wow, “killer shots“

These are pretty amazing!!!
You had a great perspective on the breach and totally made the most of the opportunity.

Thank you Roy & Bruce, glad you enjoyed them.

Wow. Great captures.

Really nice. I only tried photographing them once, about twenty years ago when I took a ferry to (I think) Friday Harbor. I was shooting film with only a 300mm zoom lens and I got nothing worth keeping.

This would be exciting to watch! Nice images

Honestly these gave me a bit of the chill bumps. I can only imagine to be there in person. Really amazing captures!

He looks youngnoutinthesound. Great shots.

Thanks for the comments everyone, glad you enjoyed them!

Oldnintheway said:

Orcas have been the main subject of my photography for the past 5 yrs or so. I shoot from land and follow them via a group called Orca Network. It's just that, a network of people who post sightings as they travel around the sound. It's been a while for me as I've either not had time or they haven't been around when I did, or I just missed them. Yesterday was the first time since receiving my Z180-600 that I got to try it and it did not disappoint! I'm getting marked improvement in results. These whales were not close and the light was less than perfect. I would not expect this result from that distance. This is T99, Bella, the matriarch of the T99 pod which consists of her and her 4 offspring. These are "Bigg's", or transient Orcas that hunt and eat marine mammals, i.e. Harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, even larger whales such as minke & grey whales on occasion. Yesterday they were moving past at great speed, mostly under water, and I was preparing for another disappointing day when they suddenly turned back and began a breach-fest in pursuit of a harbor seal. I'm pretty sure the seal escaped and after about ten minutes of pursuit they continued on South.
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Awesome shots! Thanks for the lead on the Orca Network. I live in Olympia and am always interested in encountering these amazing beings.