Bremer Orca Display a Gentle Side
Watching wild animals play and socialise for hours is always a privilege especially when it involves an apex predator. Orca are notorious for their ruthless hunting tactics yet the behaviours witnessed today revealed a much softer side to life in the Bremer Canyon. This rare glimpse into their playful and tender moments reminded us that even the ocean’s top predator has a gentle side.
A Playful Display: Tails Slapping and Belly-Up Scoots
The day began with Split Tip’s pod spread across the surface tail slapping and rolling around as they played together. Pectoral fins and flukes flopped above the water as the orca shoved one another and scooted along belly up. The energy was light and playful a striking contrast to the usual intensity we often associate with these powerful animals.
Courting Behaviour: Males Flashing and Females Breaching
Not all of the play was innocent. Several mature males flashed the whites of their bellies as they rolled beneath females displaying themselves in an attempt to capture attention. As this killer whale courting behaviour unfolded the atmosphere shifted. Suddenly the orca began surging in all directions filling the water with power and movement.
Feeding Frenzy: Tail Flips and Oil Slicks
The surge ended abruptly when the orca stopped to duck dive and mill on the spot. Soon an oil slick spread across the surface revealing they were feeding below. Instead of sharing the prey Nemo and another pod member seemed to be playing with it flipping their tails and blowing bubbles while Shadow carried the catch in her teeth.
Maternal Majesty: A Tight Travelling Line
Turning back toward the hotspot the orca broke into another surge before slowing into a tight travelling line of around twenty individuals. This group included females juveniles and calves from Hermes’ pod accompanied by another rarely seen pod in the region. The strong maternal presence created an impressive scene as the pods moved gracefully together.
A Finale of Delight: Escort by Dolphins
The day’s excitement reached new heights when several pods of pilot whales charged through the area in their hundreds. On our return journey common dolphins joined us bow-riding alongside the vessel. The combination of tail slaps breaches and playful antics from these magnificent creatures made the day truly unforgettable.
Join a Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition
The Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions run from December to April coinciding with the seasonal gathering of orca in these nutrient-rich waters. Expect to witness dramatic hunting events intimate social behaviours and encounters with other marine life including dolphins pilot whales and even sperm whales. Expeditions depart aboard the Alison Maree a purpose-built vessel offering comfort research insight and front-row seats to one of the ocean’s greatest spectacles. To secure your place on this unforgettable adventure book your Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition today.
