A Campbell River photographer got rare photos of a group of orcas hunting a seal in the waters near the city last week.
On May 30, Sheree Adams was notified over Facebook that there were two orcas swimming north from Shelter Bay. She went to Discovery Pier to try and intercept the whales as they continued north. However, what happened next was beyond her expectations.
含羞草研究社淭hey had taken a dive and had been down for over five minutes when Colleen Wilson, a well-known local photographer with the moniker The Crowtographer, said, 含羞草研究社業 feel like they含羞草研究社檙e going to surface right beside us,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 Adams said. 含羞草研究社淲e were looking around when we saw this cute little seal watching us about 25 feet off the pier. I had just pointed my camera at it when one of the orca came up from below and hit that poor seal flinging into the air.
含羞草研究社淚 was able to get a few shots of it after it was hit but as soon as it hit the water it was grabbed by one of the orca and that was it for the seal,含羞草研究社� Adams said. 含羞草研究社淭he sound of that orca exploding at the surface with such speed and power is something none of us will ever forget.含羞草研究社�
Also at the pier was a man who was thinking of moving to Campbell River, and who was just visiting the city to see if he liked it.
含羞草研究社淚 told him I had only been here for two years, all during COVID, so I didn含羞草研究社檛 really know too much about Campbell River myself but that I enjoyed all the wildlife that I had been able to see - whales, dolphins, eagles, bears, etc,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淚 had been on the pier about a year ago when a pod of Orca swim right underneath and that含羞草研究社檚 what had inspired me to start taking photos.
含羞草研究社淟ittle did we know that we were about to see a once in a lifetime event.含羞草研究社�
Adams said that the Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook page has been very helpful for wildlife fans like her.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a rare occurrence to have been so close to a hunt and to have been able to capture that moment,含羞草研究社� she said.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 an invaluable service for those that love to see and share the nature of this amazing place we call home.含羞草研究社�
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