Sunday November 16, 2014 Orca breaching!

Seward, Alaska

The weather switched 180º to deliver spitting rain and a brisk north wind by late morning. I headed out to Lowell Point Beach to check the west side of the white-capped bay. Imagine my surprise and delight to spot a small cloud of white vapor in the middle of the bay followed by a tall black dorsal fin. Orca! I watched the black triangle surface and dive as the male orca moved south, accompanied by smaller spouts and dorsal fins. I believe there were at least 4, but it was hard to get an accurate count as they dove and surfaced.

I ran back to my car to grab my camera and returned just in time to refind them and then photograph one breaching! The powerful orca suddenly erupted out of the gray waves, turned, and hit the water with its back in a mighty, satisfying splash. Wow! I watched for a long time, hoping for an encore, but they steadily swam south and out of sight.

I never imagined that the Nature Channel would feature Orcas today. What a treat!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter











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