I was told by a friend that a pod of Orcas (T109’s) were heading down Tofino Inlet! I quickly grabbed my gear and headed out looking for them. It took me 1 1/2 hours to find them and unfortunately by the time I did find them they were in shadow.
I was surprised to see not just one but many paddle boarders paddling out to meet the Orcas as they went past! This spot Is a long ways away from anywhere! I did see a float house off in a cove and understood where they all had come from. Must have been 10 of them.
These Orcas love coming to hunt down Tofino Inlet! I think they had made a kill just when I was arriving? Several were breaching in celebration!
It’s always exciting when they come to visit!
Tofino Photography 
Wayne, how exciting to get to see all the Orcas but disappointing to have all the paddle boarders there also. Glad you were able to find them!
I agree with you about the paddle boarders.
they didn’t seem to bother them but I was surprised to see them way down there.
Yes,I just love being around them Hazel!
The SUP’s didn’t bother me or the Orcas.
So much Pure Orca Joy! Great photo Wayne.
Orca joy,…..I like that Babsje! Thanks Babsje!
I wish I could have been there, as I love orcas…
you would have gotten a show to remember for the rest of your life Anita and Jaye!
Still, such a special gift. Orcas are my very favorite animal, and I’ve only seen them a couple times in real life.
and I bet those moments are burned into memory Tara! They are one of the special encounters I cherish!
They sure are! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. ☺️
my pleasure!
Oh my!
we were all saying that Annette!
Exciting. The Paddle Boarders may have gotten in the way, but this is a fantastic photo.
I’m hoping I can see this guy the shot!
Thanks for sharing the excitement by publishing that photo.
my pleasure Anne!
Wayne, I think the shot is excellent. It would make a wonderful postcard. The human element helped to tell a wonderful story.
true and I hope to find this guy and maybe sell him the shot!
It is a good thing that the Orcas were not hunting the paddle boarders. I have never experienced seeing an Orca, maybe will put that on my bucket list.
you basically have to get lucky Jane. You could come to Tofino each year searching for them and not see them? But stranger things have happened, so good luck!
It’s a shame to have the paddle boarders in the way – and maybe a bit dangerous for them?
I didn’t mind them Noelle and the Orcas are not dangerous………but the humans are!
Definitely!
Love that shot. No sure how safe you would be on a paddle board around breaching Orcas.
oh you’d be fine Andy. I’ve found the larger a animal gets the more gentle it is,………which is why all small dogs are dangerous!
Good to know. Will avoid small dogs and get on the water!
That’s a fabulous shot, Wayne. Humans experiencing nature.
thank you Jane,I used the humans are props!!
Hi Wayne, sometimes the timing doesn’t work for good pictures. I had that with both my hyenas feeding on a dead buffalo and a cheetah hunting pictures. But, seeing them is so marvelous the pictures are secondary anyway. How exciting to see orcas like this.
This visit with them was more a scenic shoot than a close up shoot Robbie.
Yes,I am always so happy to be with them!
I once had one come up to the surface and speak to me! I believe It was telling to F… Off?
Yes, it is a very scenic picture. Maybe it didn’t like having it’s picture taken – smile!
I think I was interrupting a private celebration?
Exciting for sure, Wayne! Oh how to be out on a paddlebiard to see them uo close!
a large group paddled out from this float house!
I didn’t even know that float house was there?
You would of been thrilled Terri as I know you are a big SUP’r.
I would have died and gone to Heaven, Wayne ;)
and I would have gotten the shot!
:) :)
Is this the same pod of Orcas that you’ve photographed in the past Wayne? How did your friend know how to identify them? Perhaps a stupid question, but do they track the Orcas’ whereabouts? I know they don’t tag them, or put sonar devices on them, so they know the pod by the size and amount of Orcas that appear at one time? Because I don’t know how to swim, I am amazed seeing the paddleboarder gliding by and not freaking out.
Yes, these are the same pod I have photographed in the past. My friend drives a whale watching boat and had just come off the water. I met him down in the Co-op grocery store. In casual talk he mentioned this pod was going up the inlet! I hurried home and for 2 hours was in a state of rush rush rush! I was fried by the end of the night!
Thank goodness for meeting up with your friend and getting that tip. So, you and he recognize them from the members of the pod then – “X” number of adults and “X” number of offspring. It is exciting to see them at rest with the blowholes as much as when you’ve shown them breeching.
Yes and If I hadn’t of asked about Orcas he wouldn’t of told me. This was the right place at the right time for sure!
The standup paddler amidst the orcas – what a genius shot!
I’d like to say “yes” but It was more about being at the right place right time and taking advantage of it!
Thank you Martha!
I’m sure it must be very exciting when the Orcas come to visit. I love how you jump into action when you hear about the arrival of wild visitors. Fun photo.
very exciting for me Jet and yes one must act quickly as they stay briefly!
Wow!