Orca feeding was interrupted by the Pilot Whales today as a hectic morning of surging, high energy and a fast kill unfolded shortly after our arrival in The Patch. Greeting us firstly were the Pilot Whales who were busy and surging quickly through the swell. It is always fantastic to see them and the large numbers they travel in with close to eighty individuals observed today. Kidji and her family were busy this morning as they stalked their prey and just ahead a large plume of white water erupted as the hit was made and the hunt was successful, no clear visual of the exact prey but the oils scent and large slick indicated a possible Beaked Whale predation. The family surrounded us excitedly as they fed with the meal being shared around to each pod member. Feeding had only been enjoyed for a short time before white water began moving towards them at a very high speed, the Pilot Whales were back!
Surging at the Orca and outnumbering them Kidji and family had no other option but to surge away and take pieces of their remaining meal with them. Surfing the swell the Orca were moving urgently to keep ahead of the Pilot Whales who continued to catchup to them. It was incredible to watch as the Orca cut through the swell while sending white water flying while the Pilot Whales did the same powering along our opposite side. Eventually the Orca managed to outmanoeuvre the Pilot Whales as they slowed, regrouped and pushed back up towards the east. Now that the Pilots had dispersed the Orca could play which they did and enjoyed bow riding and wake riding with us as their adrenaline began to subside after a very hectic and fast paced morning. Eventually the adults reverted to resting while new calf Aurora Star, Cubs and Cubby continued to play all afternoon with plenty of wrestling and chasing. It was wonderful to see the Orca have such success today even with the Pilot Whales disrupting them. The family pod continued to move out into the eye of the approaching storm that stretched out across the horizon as we wished them well for the rest of their day ahead.
