A Campbell River photographer got rare photos of a group of orcas hunting a seal in the waters near the city last week.

On May 30, Sheree Adams was notified over Facebook that there were two orcas swimming north from Shelter Bay. She went to Discovery Pier to try and intercept the whales as they continued north. However, what happened next was beyond her expectations.

害羞草研究所淭hey had taken a dive and had been down for over five minutes when Colleen Wilson, a well-known local photographer with the moniker The Crowtographer, said, 害羞草研究所業 feel like they害羞草研究所檙e going to surface right beside us,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 Adams said. 害羞草研究所淲e were looking around when we saw this cute little seal watching us about 25 feet off the pier. I had just pointed my camera at it when one of the orca came up from below and hit that poor seal flinging into the air.

害羞草研究所淚 was able to get a few shots of it after it was hit but as soon as it hit the water it was grabbed by one of the orca and that was it for the seal,害羞草研究所� Adams said. 害羞草研究所淭he sound of that orca exploding at the surface with such speed and power is something none of us will ever forget.害羞草研究所�

Also at the pier was a man who was thinking of moving to Campbell River, and who was just visiting the city to see if he liked it.

害羞草研究所淚 told him I had only been here for two years, all during COVID, so I didn害羞草研究所檛 really know too much about Campbell River myself but that I enjoyed all the wildlife that I had been able to see - whales, dolphins, eagles, bears, etc,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 had been on the pier about a year ago when a pod of Orca swim right underneath and that害羞草研究所檚 what had inspired me to start taking photos.

害羞草研究所淟ittle did we know that we were about to see a once in a lifetime event.害羞草研究所�

Adams said that the Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook page has been very helpful for wildlife fans like her.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a rare occurrence to have been so close to a hunt and to have been able to capture that moment,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an invaluable service for those that love to see and share the nature of this amazing place we call home.害羞草研究所�

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