Orca (Killer) Whales Hunting Steller Sea Lions
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In The Brothers Islands, on the north edge of Frederick Sound, Alaska, a bucolic colony of Steller sea lions makes itself at home. This species is endangered because of overfishing and hence lack of food for juvenile sea lions. Although the sea lions are seen here basking on the shoreline, they are more at home in the water, and at the first sign of danger, many immediately rush to the water. Above, several bulls lord over their harems. Below, a large sea lion shows a juvenile who is boss.
As we leave our beautiful anchorage one morning early in our trip, Captain Ronn Patterson and First Mate Tom Johnson spy orcas hunting the sea lions. Immediately we all spring for our cameras and the boat drifts in close.
The action takes place quickly, most of it is underwater. Here an orca springs for a sea lion, just visible as a brown blur on the left. In spite of the orca's superior size, the contest is apparently even-up, as the bite from a sea lion can lead to a fatal infection in the whale. Thus the orcas are careful when they attack, often moving in swiftly to stun the animal.
Moments before death, a sea lion swims frantically in an effort to avoid the orcas. (Note: this photo is back-focused and thus is not sharp.)
Another ferocious attack.
And again, diving in for the kill.
In the excitement of the hunt, an orca spyhops.
As we look over the side of the Delphinus, an orca swims close by with a sea lion carcass in its mouth. Below, a second orca glides by, belly up.
After the initial hunt, the group of orcas—an adult female, large juvenile male and two calves—set off for a swim around The Brothers Islands. For hours we follow in the Delphinus. Here the juvenile male and a calf swim together.
Finally, the orcas returned to the sea lion colony. Right and below, orcas stalk a group of juvenile sea lions.
