Northwest Free

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THE STORY:
While floating out in the San Juans, a massive pod of orcas emerged on the horizon. We had out boat positioned in the direction where they were heading so we killed the engines and sat there waiting for them to get closer. When they did, we found out that it was a mixture of the J and L Southern Resident Pods swimming together. When they got closer, we were completely surrounded by these beautiful creatures. Calves were spy-hopping and tail-lobbing while the adults kept to their business. Except for this guy. This large male, who guys by the name of Mike, decided he'd show the youngsters how its done as he leaped clear out of the water and created a splash that no one could ignore. It was amazing to see one of the most massive killer whales out there leap clear out of the sea. I was just lucky enough to have my eyes behind the lens as he breached once, and only once before he rejoined the pod and swam on.

This photo really represents a lot to me because it shows the deep connection us humans have with these incredible animals of the sea. Recently, we've brought it upon the world that the treatment of orcas in captivity and whales all around the world is going to have a new bar and that the old days are almost behind us. Some argue that the only way to see these animals is to go to SeaWorld, but as a person who has grown up along the sea, I can say that's false. There are limitless places where one can go and watch these whales in the wild and see them for what they really are: big, wild, and free.
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