Orcas

[guppiecat]

In the ads and documentaries, whale watching looks like you go out on the boat on a beautiful day and watch the whales jump right next to the boat.

In reality, whale watching is cold and rainy, can make you motion sick, and the whales stay far away – mostly underwater.

Still worth doing, but it’s good to have realistic expectations.

Originally posted at stories.starmind.org.

Comments

[hrrunka]

Only time I've been whale watching we didn't see any Cetaceans at all, even in the distance. The waves were impressive though.

[dreamshark]

Accidental whale watching is more exciting, especially killer whales. Out in a double kayak with a friend in Prince William Sound, we noticed that our side of the channel that we were paddling along was filling up with seals and sea lions. Then we noticed a large pod of orcas cruising along the other side of the channel (which is presumably why the seals decided to be on our side). We watched one orca after another cycle up out of the water and over and down. Then came the Orca King - a big fellow with a crooked fin that was about twice as high as all the other fins. *gulp*

[pameladean]

The one time David and I tried to go on a whale watch, they cancelled the trip because the previous trip had made the passengers so seasick. Rain they apparently disregarded, but there were apparently very choppy conditions as well.

P.