Orca Breach Party, Puget Sound

[Midway]

Thursday we were watching a Humpback Whale and it crossed paths with the T99 Orca Pod which was shortly joined by the T36 Orca Pod. The Orcas decided it was time to party and the Humpback puffed away.

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[ssheipel]

Nice shots. Love the 'moment' captured in the final shot; seems she's floating on top of the water like an inflatable toy orca

 

[ChrisSinSeattle]

Great sequence and catch
Chris S.

 

[Midway]

Great sequence and catch
Chris S.

Thanks. Whale and Orca watching is a relatively new activity for me. You probably are aware but the behaviors are fascinating to me. I have not witnessed many breaches but have had a few great experiences. This may have even topped the successful Orca Minke Whale Hunt I observed.

It was a small Party of two Orca Pods this Thursday but they were very active after getting together. Some of the activity may have been increased by the Humpback in the same area. I have at least a thousand keepers I’ll never get to.

I wasn’t out the following day but on Friday T36’s, T36B’s, T99’s and T137’s with T65A5 joined for a T Party of over 20 Orcas. (Biggs/Transients – Mamal eating types) Puget Sound is getting record Orca visits this year. There is still worry for the protected fish-eating Southern Resident Orcas but at least the Transient Orca numbers are increasing.