The Orca leaping out of the water catching the little porpoise
The majestic mammal leaps out of the water in triumph after managing to catch an elusive baby porpoise.
The mighty whale and his pals were in hot pursuit of the helpless little porpoise – and this one struck lucky as he went in for the kill, making a splash as he dramatically smashed the surface of the water with his tasty prize.
The rare sighting at Discovery Bay in British Columbia, Canada, was caught on camera by photographer Nina Richardson Bowling.
The 59-year-old was returning from a grizzly bear tour when her and her party spotted a pod of whales in hot pursuit of the much-smaller mammal.
And she described how, briefly at least, it looked like the little fella may just escape before the orca dramatically rose up from the water proudly showing off its prey.
Nina, from Colorado, said: “All of us watching were spellbound by the scene unfolding in front of us.”
Orcas are highly intelligent, highly adaptable and able to communicate and coordinate hunting tactics.
Classed as an apex predator – the top of the food chain – they will hunt fish, squid, seals, sea lions and seabirds and even whales much larger than themselves.
Full story: Mirror