I went whale spotting once when I lived in CA – it was amazing! I got a few pictures but none like these!
If you had been with me MB, your shots would look very similar! It’s all about making lots of mistakes and learning from them. The person who’s made the most mistakes is usually the one with the best stuff.
I wonder what kind of whales hang around there? Maybe Humpbacks?
There is a unique family of Orcas off the coast of Spain (about 40?) that seem to attack sailing boats. In the last 3 years there has been over 300 recorded attacks. This is very odd behaviour for Orcas!
Here is a article describing this phenomenon
Hi Wayne, that is most interesting. I will head over and read the article. Maybe their behavior is changing due to some external factor. The internet says you get sperm, humpback, blue, killer and right whales in Namibian waters. I am hoping we can go on a boat tour to view them.
try and find out what those Orcas eat Robbie?
We basically have two groups on the west coast,……ones that eat only Chinook salmon and another that eats warm bloodied aquatic critters.
I bet they are more like the latter.
That is an interesting article, Wayne. I had no idea.
Most people do not know about this Robbie.
Very odd behaviour If you ask me and I can imagine the people on board got very scared!
Amazing to see these very large creatures resting with the vapor mist from the blow-hole as the only thing disturbing the peaceful scene. I’d be awestruck, but also worrying as it got dark with these very large whales in this small area of water.
these creatures are very safe to be around Linda. There has never been a recorded attack on a human on the west coast. You have a far far better chance of being bitten by a dog than harmed by a Orca.
I was thinking more of an Orca not seeing a person on a stand-up paddleboard and knocking against them accidentally. So, if the pod of Orcas sees a boat, they likely go away from the boat then … I guess they could injure themselves as well getting too close to a boat.
Trust me,Orcas see all and know all! They are acutely aware of what’s going on above them and so steer clear of boats and people…….but If you happened to be a furry seal…….you are done like dinner!
I’d had to see the water bloody from a fresh kill like you said they just had. Poor seal was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
no different then a bear grabbing a salmon, a cat grabbing a mouse or someone grabbing a steak
This is true – please don’t say a hawk grabbing a squirrel. I hope I never see that happening. The older walker I mentioned sometimes (Arnie) saw that happen and said he felt a little sick as he used to feed them peanuts too. Arnie passed away this year – I hadn’t seen him in awhile but he had foot issues, so figured that was why and saw a friend of his who told me. He was very nice and we liked talking about nature and the birds in the Park.
Arnie sounded like a good soul Linda!
Yes, he was a good soul Wayne. I miss seeing him on the path. His wife no longer walks there – she did not walk much as she had back problems, so he was usually alone.
He grew up in a rural area, next to a woods, so he knew a lot about birds and wildflowers, fish. I learned a lot from him as he had walked at Council Point Park for years before me.
We saw a gray bird one time at the Park. I took pictures of it and looked online – found several photos of what I thought the bird was but wasn’t sure. A few days later, Arnie brought a bird book from home and said it was a “Northern Mockingbird” and he knew that, in addition to the plump body and gray feathers, this bird mimics other birds’ calls and he heard it do that.
Tofino Photography 
The Orcas water spouts makes a lovely photo.
The lighting did highlight the blows didn’t It!
😀
Orcas Blowing off Steam! (“To release strong emotions or energy by engaging in some kind of enjoyable, vigorous, or relaxing activity.”)
and you can hear their blows really well too! I shut the engine off and listen for It to locate them.
Aha you’ve taken echolocation one step beyond. Into Orca-location. Very cool technique Wayne. I’d love to hear them when they blow.
once you’ve heard one you’d always recognize the sound!
Goosebumps then. I bet there’s audio out there online. Or maybe you’ve been fortunate to capture some yourself.
I do have them on video actually……I just do not know where they are?
Lucky you. I bet that’s something to see and hear. Maybe your YouTube channel?
Beautiful capture!
Thank you Lynette!
a day to remember…
Over time I’ve had several dozen encounters and each one is unique!
You lead such an interesting life!
I’ve never thought about it Anita, maybe I do?
thank you!
That’s quite a sight! What a thrill to be able to see it in person!!
very thrilling Liz! 3 hours of travelling for a 1 hour visit!
Now, that’s dedication to the photographer’s art!
Thank you Liz ,being in love with ones passion is what it’s all about!
You’re welcome, Wayne. It certainly is!
Beautiful!
very much!
Marvelous!
you would have been thrilled Anne! Have you ever seen one?
No, I’ve never seen ocean animals up close. It would be thrilling.
It most certainly would!
Yes! I always thank the animals for their appearance. I enjoy seeing the spouts of water, and have read how you can hear that.
everybody shuts their engines off to be able to hear where they surface, once located the convoy follows
Beautiful!!
How special to spend time with these leviathans!
and worth every second of travel time too Noelle!
Thanks for dropping in!
Wow -just incredible as usual
thank you MB, being with them is a thrilling event…..especially If they make a kill!
I went whale spotting once when I lived in CA – it was amazing! I got a few pictures but none like these!
If you had been with me MB, your shots would look very similar! It’s all about making lots of mistakes and learning from them. The person who’s made the most mistakes is usually the one with the best stuff.
Great well-lit blow shot, Wayne. 🙂👏🏻
back lite blows are what catches the eye,I had to make the most out of poor lighting
Oh, what a great site, Wayne. I am hoping to visit Namibia in April next year and see the whales and dolphins.
I wonder what kind of whales hang around there? Maybe Humpbacks?
There is a unique family of Orcas off the coast of Spain (about 40?) that seem to attack sailing boats. In the last 3 years there has been over 300 recorded attacks. This is very odd behaviour for Orcas!
Here is a article describing this phenomenon
https://www.npr.org/2022/08/20/1117993583/orcas-attacks-spain-portugal-killer-whales
Hi Wayne, that is most interesting. I will head over and read the article. Maybe their behavior is changing due to some external factor. The internet says you get sperm, humpback, blue, killer and right whales in Namibian waters. I am hoping we can go on a boat tour to view them.
try and find out what those Orcas eat Robbie?
We basically have two groups on the west coast,……ones that eat only Chinook salmon and another that eats warm bloodied aquatic critters.
I bet they are more like the latter.
That is an interesting article, Wayne. I had no idea.
Most people do not know about this Robbie.
Very odd behaviour If you ask me and I can imagine the people on board got very scared!
These are such an amazing sight to see, Wayne!
If somebody saw them just once, that memory would be burned into their memory like a branding iron!
Amazing to see these very large creatures resting with the vapor mist from the blow-hole as the only thing disturbing the peaceful scene. I’d be awestruck, but also worrying as it got dark with these very large whales in this small area of water.
these creatures are very safe to be around Linda. There has never been a recorded attack on a human on the west coast. You have a far far better chance of being bitten by a dog than harmed by a Orca.
I was thinking more of an Orca not seeing a person on a stand-up paddleboard and knocking against them accidentally. So, if the pod of Orcas sees a boat, they likely go away from the boat then … I guess they could injure themselves as well getting too close to a boat.
Trust me,Orcas see all and know all! They are acutely aware of what’s going on above them and so steer clear of boats and people…….but If you happened to be a furry seal…….you are done like dinner!
I’d had to see the water bloody from a fresh kill like you said they just had. Poor seal was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
no different then a bear grabbing a salmon, a cat grabbing a mouse or someone grabbing a steak
This is true – please don’t say a hawk grabbing a squirrel. I hope I never see that happening. The older walker I mentioned sometimes (Arnie) saw that happen and said he felt a little sick as he used to feed them peanuts too. Arnie passed away this year – I hadn’t seen him in awhile but he had foot issues, so figured that was why and saw a friend of his who told me. He was very nice and we liked talking about nature and the birds in the Park.
Arnie sounded like a good soul Linda!
Yes, he was a good soul Wayne. I miss seeing him on the path. His wife no longer walks there – she did not walk much as she had back problems, so he was usually alone.
He grew up in a rural area, next to a woods, so he knew a lot about birds and wildflowers, fish. I learned a lot from him as he had walked at Council Point Park for years before me.
We saw a gray bird one time at the Park. I took pictures of it and looked online – found several photos of what I thought the bird was but wasn’t sure. A few days later, Arnie brought a bird book from home and said it was a “Northern Mockingbird” and he knew that, in addition to the plump body and gray feathers, this bird mimics other birds’ calls and he heard it do that.
I’m sure he still walks with you Linda!
I am sure you are right Wayne.
Wow!
They are defiantly a “WOW” creature!
I so enjoyed this exquisite photo, Wayne. You captured their magic and magnificence.
Thank you Jet, hard not to take a great shot of these beautiful creatures!