Transient kill

Last night we were treated with a great show of transient orcas right between Patos and Sucia islands. About twelve transient orca whales were gathered together hunting right along a tide rip just north of these two islands. This is an area where the water shears either towards Rosario Strait or to Boundary pass as it empties towards the Strait of Juan De Fuca into the Pacific Ocean.

During our observation we noticed the sound of rain however it was not falling from the sky. The sound was actually thousands of bait fish at the surface of the water swishing around loudly. This seemed like the perfect place for other creatures to be feeding on them, and in the presence of the orca as well. A perfect scenario to see a possible kill. As more clouds rolled in I noticed a porpoising female orca swimming away from us at about twenty miles an hour. Soon after, the rest of the group surrounded her and they paraded towards us to show off their hunting skills. We could not really make out what she had captured(my guess is a porpoise) but it did not take long before dinner was over. The group dove and were under the water for about eight minutes before resurfacing with no sign of the kill. It seemed as though dinner was served and they seemed happy. It was a great show and a wonderful learning experience as well. Till next time.

Captain Mike Krammer, naturalist