Kenai Fjord's Trip - Killer Whale (Orca)

It was requested that I post this image in it's own thread for more discussion. This was taken last weekend in Kenai Fjord's National Park. This is less than an hour into our 10 hour trip on the M/V Mariah (part of the Kenai Fjord's Tour fleet). We were heading out of Resurrection Bay and had the bow of the vessel pointed at the Chiswell Islands, when a pod of 12 orca surfaced off our port side (left) and further out to sea. It was overcast in that direction, and you couldn't differentiate between ocean and sky - the seas were so calm. The only shots I got from that side were silhouettes, nice but I was looking for background to anchor the shot. The orca dove for several minutes and then resurfaced with another pod behind and to our starboard side, with the beautiful mountains and glaciers beyond. The super pod was now 20+ strong, no breaches but plenty of porpoising. This was shot on a 100-400 IS lens at 130mm. F8 @ 1/2500 (it was bright!). In the raw file, there is a definite blue cast throughout (especially in the mountains), so I dual processed the image in Lightroom, then combined the images in PS CS3. I used the water half from the original RAW file and the mountains from the 2nd, warmed up and neutralized, background process of the same image. That way I got more of what I saw through my eyes.
Here is a Journal entry (with video) on the trip:
http://sixtyonenorth.blogspot.com/
C&C welcome!

I think it bears repeating that this photo blows me away. Just like the title of your recent thread says, "This is what makes our state great!" This photo symbolizes what a nature photographer's paradise Alaska really is.

Kent-
I couldn't agree more. There is just so much variety here, it's difficult to fathom. Every corner of Alaska is unique and special in it's own right. I'm proud of this image, but I've got to say - I'm pretty jealous of Ron Niebrugge's photo of an orca breaching - could be the same pod too. Check out his June 19th posting!
http://www.my-photo-blog.com/

Nice!
I like the quality of the water, in addition to the whales and the nice detail in the mountains on the other side.
Cool....

Hi Dave,

This is a great image - I love the background! I watched your video, I can't believe how calm is was! Looks like you had a fantastic trip!

Thanks for the shoot out! I don't know if the guys with me realized how fortunate that was - it was there first and second trip ever to KFNP respectably. I think I have made close to a hundred trips before finally capturing an orca breach!

great job,

Ron

Thank you Ron. The water was absolutely beautiful nearly all day - we must have gone the day before your trip. I considered sticking around and doing another trip on Monday, but my funds were running low. I have seen small pods of orca before, but nothing like this. There were over 20 in one group, and they swam near and around our boat for some time. Amazing trip... orca, humpback, porpoise, and a lone fin whale. This is another shot (from last year) of my only breaching humpback. It was the only one I've ever seen and I just got lucky with the shot.

Hey that is a great shot Dave!

That was no easy feat - you have so little warning , and then so little time to focus and compose while the whale is in the air - you nailed it! I had already admired this image on your website.

Ron

Both excellent shots; nice capture of the breech.

Ron, Jim-
Thanks to both of you. The Kenai Fjord's area has been kind to me - I can't wait to get back out there ASAP