Image: Orca, Killer Whale, breaching - Morro Bay, CA May 8, 2014 Orcinus orca

Description: 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 www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749 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. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_whale 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. You are free to use this photo, but please attribute and link back to this image page www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/13955958147/ so that others may enjoy the original full resolution version, and view other images in the Orca series. Please leave a comment linking to your work. To use this photo, see access, attribution, and commenting recommendations at www.flickr.com/people/mikebaird/#credit - Please add comments/notes/tags to add to or correct information, identification, etc. Please, no comments or invites with badges, images, multiple invites, award levels, flashing icons, or award/post rules. Ketwords: Orca, Killer Whale, Orcinus orca, orca whale, blackfish, toothed whale, dolphin family, This photo is a member of a set or album of Orcas seen this day 08 May 2014 at www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157644173448749
Title: Orca, Killer Whale, breaching - Morro Bay, CA May 8, 2014 Orcinus orca
Credit: Orca, Killer Whale, breaching - Morro Bay, CA May 8, 2014 Orcinus orca
Author: Mike Baird from Morro Bay, USA
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
License: CC BY 2.0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes