Orca on the Chase

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 22, 2016227 views11 comments

A mammal-feeding orca female known as T75B leaping out of the water in hot pursuit of a Dall's porpoise. I photographed this orca from the ferry on Tuesday! I see orcas all the time while working as a naturalist, but 16 years living in the San Juan Islands and I have never seen orcas from the ferry. This was a special treat! And what an encounter! The porpoise eventually escaped, but it was amazing to see the power of this animal. And I am so happy I had my camera on me. I was just running to the mainland to run some boring errands. Just goes to show that it's important to always, always, always have your camera because you never know what might happen.
Pentax K5iis, Pentax DA* 60-250mm, 250mm, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec., F/8

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Charles Bell on May 22, 2016 at 5:13 PM

This is a fantastic catch! You stopped that Orca right in mid flight. And I like the fact that you did not crop out the background. It really adds to the impact. I do notice a bit of a halo on the top front of the animal.

Registered on February 21, 2016, 187 Posts, 192 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on May 23, 2016 at 12:19 PM

Great setting n beautiful frame !
And Orca is perfectly placed !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on May 23, 2016 at 8:23 PM

This is a really great shot Katie! The action of the Orca and the water splashing are spectacular. Nice background and setting as well.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 24, 2016 at 5:41 PM

This is a fantastic frame, Katie!!
Such a treat to see. Charles has a point on the halo, but it is slight.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 24, 2016 at 7:25 PM

The processing on the whites is spot on, especially evidenced by wonderful sparkles without blowing highlights. The timing is great and you have her well positioned in a pleasing setting for a fine composition.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Katie Jones on May 24, 2016 at 7:29 PM

I am still a learning photographer (aren't we all), but can someone explain to me what the "halo" is that is being commented on? Thank you! And thanks for the great feedback! :)

Registered on November 17, 2015, 17 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on May 25, 2016 at 9:53 AM

Hi Katie!
'The halo' is whitish outline you see on the top of Orca, most likely due to image sharpening.
Jagdeep Rajput crying

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on May 29, 2016 at 11:20 AM

Katie: this is an absolute stunner. I think the halo some are seeing is actually water on the surface of the orca. The image needs a slight ccw twist, but is excellent otherwise. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 30, 2016 at 6:26 AM

Simply an AWESOME Photograph Katie!

devil

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 30, 2016 at 8:32 AM

Katie,
Perfect capture of the moment, I really do not see that a "halo" is apparent at this size or resolution?

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Christopher Yeoh on June 5, 2016 at 3:31 AM

Your capture really shows the impressive power of the Orca! I wouldn't want to be the porpoise...

An excellent catch!

Registered on February 2, 2016, 4 Posts, 16 Comments