Ohio
About this photograph
During a port stop in Ketchikan, Alaska, we rented a small fishing boat hoping to spot wildlife such as bald eagles and seals. After motoring around for a bit over an hour we had taken in some great scenery, but had not seen much wildlife. We stopped the boat to talk about what to do next when, just as we decided it was time to return, a spout appeared—and then an entire pod of orcas surfaced around our tiny craft.
The whales were substantially bigger than the boat. For a few tense moments, I was genuinely afraid that one might accidentally capsize us before we could safely clear the area. I began knocking on the hull, hoping the whales beneath and around us would recognize our presence.
Before long, these magnificent animals moved to a more comfortable distance. With the immediate fear giving way to amazement, I raised my camera and captured this orca surging through the water amid a shower of spray.
It was beyond any encounter we had hoped for, and one we will always remember.
This original photograph brings the drama of the open water and the untamed character of the orca into a living room, office, coastal home, or wildlife-inspired space. It also makes a memorable gift for whale watchers, ocean lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and admirers of marine photography.
