File:Orca, Killer Whale, breaching - Morro Bay, CA May 8, 2014 Orcinus orca.jpg

Summary

Orca, Killer Whale, breaching, in what I believe to be an intentional show-off and even euphoric display of dominance, upon recognizing that their activity was being observed by us less powerful vulnerable creatures sheltered on a 34’ boat.

More photos in this series in <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749">www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749</a>

A pod of Killer Whale Orcas (Orcinus orca), in a feeding frenzy, numbering perhaps to 15. The Orcas were feasting on the remains of a baby Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus), which they had attacked the day before as the mother Gray Whale and her baby were heading on their north Spring migration to their feeding grounds. Several small boats and vessels were in the area observing this frenzy, as this rare event had well made the local news. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Killer_whale" class="extiw" title="w:en:Killer whale">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_whale</a> says “The killer whale (Orcinus orca), also referred to as the orca whale or orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family.”

08 May 2014, Morro Bay, CA, just off Morro Rock, on the Dos Osos boat, from SubSea Tours, with skilled skippers Dane and Shana. Thanks to Sub Sea Tours owner Kevin Winfield for calling out us local photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Photo © 2014 “Mike” Michael L. Baird, mike {at] mikebaird d o t com, flickr.bairdphotos.com, Canon 5D Mark III, with Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens, w/ circular polarizer, handheld, IS, RAW. See EXIF for detailed settings. GPS geotags are realtime from on-camera Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver.

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This photo is a member of a set or album of Orcas seen this day 08 May 2014 at <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749">www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749</a>

Licensing

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