The sunset trip on Privateer was another one for the books. Beautiful glassy seas and nearly 1000 common dolphins danced and played around the boat. We love seeing these small dolphins BUT they are the main prey item for another favorite animal that we were NOT expecting to find tonight….UNTIL WE DID!
We spotted a blow, then another, then the give away: a big black dorsal fin slicing through the silvery ocean. All together 8 to 10 orcas spotted in a group. We enjoyed getting some close passes and kelping by the boat when we saw it: a group of several hundred common dolphins about a half mile away. The orcas went full stealth mode, long breath holds, barely surfacing and very spread out to leave no chance of escape. As the light waned, the dolphins EXPLODED in a stampede, breaking the group in about 4 or 5 different directions. We followed one of the groups and witnessed the ultimate spectacle of nature: the ocean’s top predator making the kill. There were two calves in the group we watched get to practice the skills to help them survive and thrive and become the leaders of the the next generation.
As sad as it is to see predation, we know it is the circle of life. As ocean stewards, we watch and observe and report so we can protect this delicate balance in the ocean we call our office.
Naturalist, Colleen
