Orca successful Beaked Whale predation unfolded today and was our first hunt for Season 2026 as incredible power, energy and excitement lit up the Orca sighting grounds. Arriving in The Patch we came across a large oil slick and many seabirds that indicated a successful hunt had taken place not long ago so we set out in search mode. Light blows were sighted and then an explosion of energy unfolded as the Orca surged out towards deeper water and it was clear they had located what they were looking for and now the chase was on with Orca all around. Breaching erupted as the call went out amongst members of Queen and Cheryls pods to cover ground quickly and secure a very important meal. It didn’t take long for this efficient hunt to complete as the Orca closed in on what appeared to be a young Beaked Whale. It was over quickly as they ensured no time or energy was wasted in the hunting process.
Celebrating the success with plenty of boisterous activity and tail slaps to call everyone in to feed made for an incredible display for us to watch unfold. It was an impressive hunt and the Orca seemed very pleased with their work today but shortly after the hunt was completed those cheeky Pilot Whales arrived on scene! Always curious to see what was going on, we soon found over fifty individuals moving in on the Orca as they carried their food with them to avoid interacting with the overly curious Pilot Whales. B-Slice came over to hang out with us for a while which was very special as he swam around our stern and up to the bow happily as we enjoyed catching up with him after many months away. The rest of his family soon joined with us as they played and socialised with some very amusing inverted fluke slapping and pectoral fin slaps, some very happy Orca indeed! Wishing them well for their afternoon ahead we certainly were very grateful for the opportunity to have witnessed the hunt today with our oceans apex predators.
