Orca at play today as members from five different family pods were observed hunting, socialising and travelling together during a fun filled time in the sighting grounds. Arriving to oil slicks covered in the tiny and dainty movements of Storm Petrels we could see small amounts of food being shared as the families gathered and moved onwards together with playtime unfolding. Breaching, tail slaps, spy hops and plenty of wrestling was observed amongst all age groups as they moved together excitedly. It was brilliant to watch it all unfold as Cookie, Cheryl and Cooee along with their pod members mingled and socialised and welcomed us in on the fun. Big male Elvis arrived and with his arrival there was much commotion amongst the girls, a few firm tail slaps directed his way as he approached belly up let him know not to get too cheeky with the ladies today.
Surging with pace to deeper water, it was a thrill to see the hunt was on again but although they pursued with great energy the fact that all the family pods were mixed and busy socialising the lack of focus gave their prey the opportunity to escape. Having already eaten earlier in the morning, the Orca didn’t seem to concerned as they settled back into social mode and we were thrilled to see familiar faces all surging towards us at high speed, it was Hermes and her family pod! How wonderful to see them all looking so well and a relief to see that Warnie (young Orca missing his dorsal fin) and youngster Willow alive and thriving! The family has also welcomed a brand new pod member since we last sighted them with further information on this new calf to be released soon. A very exciting, high energy and fun filled day with our beautiful Orca families and what a joy to enjoy spending time with our oceans apex predators.
