A harbor seal that seemingly was being used as hunting practice escaped a pod of orcas and sought refuge on a small boat where photographers were watching the whales off an island in Washington state earlier this month.
The episode was captured in photographs and phone video by Camano Island resident Charvet Drucker, an amateur wildlife photographer, who, with friends, rents a small boat a handful of times a year to photograph whales in Washington's Salish Sea.
🎥: Associated Press, Validated UGC
A wildlife photographer out on a whale watching trip in waters off Seattle captured video of a pod of killer whales hunting a seal that survived only by climbing onto her boat.
Charvet Drucker was on a rented 20-foot boat near her home on an island in the Salish Sea about 40 miles northwest of Seattle when she spotted a pod of at least eight killer whales. The pod went after the seal before it eventually found refuge on Drucker's boat.
Wildlife regulations prohibit touching or interfering with the seal, but Drucker began filming video.
"You poor thing," Drucker can be heard saying, as the seal looks up at her. "You're good, just stay, buddy."
The seal on Drucker's boat slid off at least once, but managed to climb back on, and the orcas swam away after about 15 minutes.
Read more about the encounter in the link in bio. #seattle #seal #orca #killerwhale
It’s time to empty the tanks.
Tokitae lived in captivity for decades serving as an attraction at the Miami Seaqaurium. She died on a Friday just six months after the park announced she would be released following a long term campaign by activists and the Lummi community.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said in a statement that the orca had been kept in “the smallest, bleakest orca tank in the world, deprived of any semblance of a natural life” and had displayed “repetitive and abnormal behavior,” indicating “severe psychological trauma.”
Tokitae was believed to be just 57 when she died - in the wild orcas live to 80 plus years old. She’s survived by her L-pod relatives living in the Salish Sea, including the 95-year-old whale believed to be her mother.
Her death has also reignited efforts to secure the release of Corky, an orca whale living in captivity at SeaWorld.
Drone footage by @walrus_whisperer
#emptythetanks #tokitae #freecorky #orcawhlaes #endcaptivity
Two weeks ago I took the ferry to Vancouver Island to see the matriarch of my maternal lineage, pick blueberries and blackberries and apples, walk the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and finally travel up-island to commune with @xo.love.jess and @melissejoy for a self-led writing residency. My time was layered with challenges and unexpected tides, summer salads and driftwood sculptures, orca fins and bucks at dusk, full moon over the Salish Sea, the guidance and longing of our ancestors. Grateful to Jess and Melisse for making a container for our books to grow. Grateful to Aunt Wendy for knowing Vancouver Island was the place back in 1973. Grateful for time, its erosions, its liberations, the possibility every day holds. Anew. Anew.
Some photos and video courtesy @melissejoy @xo.love.jess
A seal escaped a pursuing pod of Bigg’s orcas by climbing onto a boat near Camano Island in the Salish Sea, northwest of Seattle, Washington. Wildlife photographer Charvet Drucker captured the moment as the orcas attempted a wave-washing technique but eventually moved on.
#SalishSea #Orcas #WildlifeEncounter #NatureStory
They might be one of the most iconic species of jellyfish in the Salish Sea, but they’re not one we often see diving around Victoria.
Always fun spotting animals you don’t expect! 🪼
#jellyfish #medusa #wildlife_captures #underwaterlife
✨ @wandering_withdirtyfeet captures the view from the clouds—coastal mountains meeting glass towers, islands scattered like brushstrokes, and the Pacific stretching forever 🌲🌊✈️
Tag someone you’d share this sky-high moment with.
✨ Fun fact: Flying into Vancouver offers one of the most scenic descents in the world—with views of the North Shore Mountains, downtown skyline, and lush inlets of the Salish Sea.
📍 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦✨
Reposted from @roneydives
A Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, the largest known species of jellyfish on Earth, spotted swimming at night in the Salish Sea.
Just after sunset, @mullen_dives and I hiked our dive gear down to a quiet cove, hoping to film squids and jellyfish.
Several minutes into the dive, I noticed a long, thin tentacle trailing overhead, stretching far beyond my vision. I followed it through the darkness for over a minute before coming upon a giant Lion’s Mane Jellyfish.
These incredible creatures can reach unbelievable sizes - the largest recorded had a bell with a diameter of 7 feet (2.1 meters) and tentacles extending up to 120 feet (36.6 meters). They use their stinging tentacles to ensnare, pull in, and eat prey such as fish, zooplankton, and other jellyfish.
They also have these deep, vibrant orange, purple and crimson colours that I love to film. But fair warning - this is a jellyfish you definitely don’t want to touch.
Filmed by John Roney
🎥: @roneydives
🔦: @krakensports
#jellyfish #jellyfishes #macro #sealife #crazynature natureinfocus
wildlifeonearth earthcapture lionsmane lion
blueplanet padi paditv reels viral seasnake marinebiology science sciencefacts sciencecommunication
scubadiving venomous
Naturalist Zoey Greenberg grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where the Salish Sea and temperate rainforest were powerful catalysts in sparking her love of the coast. When she’s not out on our ships, Zoey splits her time between the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, the Galápagos, and her Toyota Tacoma. Watch as she discusses her favorite destination, animals, and one of her most memorable expedition moments.
🎥 by @cullervideo
A wildlife photographer was out on a boat in the Salish Sea, when she stumbled upon a unique situation.
An orca calf has been born to the southern residents in the Salish Sea. L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90, was spotted on video, surprising researchers.
Mom and baby appear to be doing fine, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the birth on Monday. The baby is nursing and moving normally, and mom looks physically robust. The pair was seen traveling up and down the west side of San Juan Island all day Monday. Link in bio for more.
Video courtesy of NOAA
Happy #WorldOrcaDay! 🌊🐋 Orcas aren’t just apex predators — they’re global travelers. From tropical waters to icy poles to BC's Salish Sea, these incredible marine mammals inhabit every ocean on Earth. 🌎 But they won't forever unless our leaders take measures to protect them.