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Professional Photographer Captures Magical Photos Of Orcas Basking In A Sunset (27 Pics)
In the oceans' inky depths lurk one of the largest animals on Earth. What animals, you might ask? Well, more than 40 species of whale spend their lives beneath the waves, surfacing only to breathe.
Interestingly enough, the more we learn about whales, the more complex they appear to be. Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa have discovered, for example, that their huge brains have a built-in heating system to ensure they function properly in cold seas. We also know that whales have a large repertoire of sounds, which can vary according to geographical location.
However, today we’d like to show you the magnificent and almost surreal pictures of whales taken during the sunset by the professional photographer Mary Parkhill.
Bored Panda reached out to Mary to find out a little bit more.
"Photography has always been a passion, fueled by curiosity of the world around us.
My inspiration comes from Alaska... nature & wildlife. The fresh, crisp air, rugged mountains, and the beautiful moments that only nature can give us."
More info: Instagram | Facebook | marysmark.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
And this is how the Indigenous Native People came up with the narrative for the "Orca, the Sun Bringer" story.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Surreal, looks like they are balancing a magical candle on their nose 🤯
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#2
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
🐬Spyhopping is when cetaceans and sharks "tread water" with their pectoral flippers at or above the surface of the water to see and hear better, usually in the search of prey🦭
Melody Lanzatella 3 years ago
Mkay, if this is 100% natural light , this is actually not a picture taken in the 3rd dimension realm. It is the 5th dimension. The iridescent light says it all.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
😹🤣😹Apparently the artist calls it "blending photos and inspiration".
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#3
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Breaching (& the subsequent splash-down) is one way they rid themselves of external parasites.
Melody Lanzatella 3 years ago
Most may know by now, if not, you are gonna be so surprised by the role cetaceans have played in humanities spiritual evolution!!!
#4
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Whales slapping tails on the surface of the water is usually about warning off predators and other (overbearing) whales/Orcas.
#5
mulk 3 years ago (edited)
Why I don't think this picture is real? The light from the left? It's too disturbing (for me ^^' ). Just to be clear: I AM NOT SAYING IT'S FAKE OR PHOTOSHOPPED.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
It is, but apparently the artist calls it "blending photos with inspiration" so it's considered "Art" instead of "faking".
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TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
This is absolutely gorgeous compiling, those splashes, it looks like inspiration for a Robert Wyland🖼
#6
#8
#9
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Did you know that a happy, healthy orca has an firm, erect dorsal fin and an injured or depressed (read captive) on has a soggy, droopy one? Especially the males. (Seriously folks, I'm not being creepy, it's a real thing.)
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
These are all female Orcas, you can tell by the "backwards hook" of their dorsal fins.
#10
#11
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
Whales' tail marking are considered to be as unique as our fingerprints. This is the most gorgeous one I've ever seen😻
#12
Teri Miller 3 years ago
All right class turn to page 53, today we are going to read about birds and flying. Settle down Toby, we are NOT flying today!
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
Did you know that when a male false killer whale and a female bottlenose dolphin procreate they have a "Wholphin"? *edit: downvotes? Do you think I'm lying? Google it.
#13
Teri Miller 3 years ago
It's a bird, it's a whale, it's a sailboat... no more tequila sunrises for me, hic.
#14
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
The female orca is about 25 ft/7½m long, 8,000 lbs/3629kg and live up to 90 years. She's pregnant for 15-18 months. African elephants have the longest gestation at 22 months.
#15
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
For more info on this subject, see our conversation under the really yellow pod picture (currently at #11).
Load More Replies... TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
A group of Orcas is called a Pod, Clan or Community. They are Matriarchal.
#16
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
This one also shows the difference between males' dorsal fins (the taller, straighter two) and the females' (smaller, "hooked backwards" shaped two).
#17
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
Orcas are called bulls, cows and calves, just like cattle. Males and females are sexually dimorphic, i.e. look different from each other.
Enea 3 years ago
That's the same tail as the one above (same position, shape, color and water running off it), but with a different background.
#18
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Here you can see the difference between male/female dorsal fins...male in foreground and two females in the background.
#19
#20
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
The once predictable pattern of orca migration has apparently degenerated into desperately following food sources. Global warming strikes again😿
#21
#22
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
PSA: It's better not to frequent the "SeaWorld" type shows that treat these amazing animals so horribly in pursuit of the almighty dollar. ⚠️🥺You don't even want to read about Shamu(s), it's heartbreaking 😿⚠️ It's better to find a "live watch" app or a responsible whale-watching tour.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Orcas don't belong in tanks... you have to teach them to drive responsibly first. (Sorry, had to lighten the mood after that.)
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Donnie Mc00 3 years ago
Bow wave to the left of the image has been cloned twice...poor photoshop job.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Apparently the artist calls it "a BLENDING of photos and inspiration" 😹
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#23
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Male Orcas are 30 feet/9m and up to 16 tons/14515kg and live up to 60 years. And don't put up with no Bull.
#24
Teri Miller 3 years ago
Sailing into the sunset. Or sailing away from the sunrise. What am I a traffic cop?
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
Good question 🤔 I think he's coming towards us because of his dorsal fin line and the disturbance of the water front-center. But who knows because "it's a blending of photos and inspiration" according to the artist📸🐳
Load More Replies... Judy Reynolds 3 years ago
My favourite! Looks kinda like a candle, but I love the movement in the water!
#25
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
Whale, whale, whale, look what the tides brought in... it's a partycrasher! Who let that humpback into the orca party? They're not a very good ORCAniser.
#26
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
You probably know that the whales' blow hole is just like one of our nostrils, but did you know that they don't choke on their food because their windpipe & esophagus are separate, unlike ours? Lucky ducks, I have to be careful swallowing small pills because of a torn epiglottis from choking on a cough drop.
#27
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Walking On Sunshine 3 years ago
Favorite part of my day is going to my National Geographic Explore app and then selecting the live cams in Alaska and watching the orcas. It's really cool.
Donnie Mc00 3 years ago
the different lighting on the Orcas (not matching the direction of the sun) and the "halo" around the whales bodies in some shots points to a Photoshop job..and a pretty poor one at that. for proof...in image #23 the bow wave to the left has been cloned- TWICE.
mulk 3 years ago (edited)
YES! You're right (On her Insta: Mary’s Mark Photography, Artiste, Art created by BLENDING photographs with inspiration)
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TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
🙀Eww, looks like I've picked up a nasty little trolled🤧... 😹🤣😹🤣😹
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Really?!? Downvotes for trying to be polite? It's getting really stupid around here 😒
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TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
🙉Wow, nothing like pulling on people's lonely heart strings to get them under your spell🧙♂️🧟
Load More Replies... Walking On Sunshine 3 years ago
Favorite part of my day is going to my National Geographic Explore app and then selecting the live cams in Alaska and watching the orcas. It's really cool.
Donnie Mc00 3 years ago
the different lighting on the Orcas (not matching the direction of the sun) and the "halo" around the whales bodies in some shots points to a Photoshop job..and a pretty poor one at that. for proof...in image #23 the bow wave to the left has been cloned- TWICE.
mulk 3 years ago (edited)
YES! You're right (On her Insta: Mary’s Mark Photography, Artiste, Art created by BLENDING photographs with inspiration)
Load More Replies... TheAnimalLady 3 years ago (edited)
🙀Eww, looks like I've picked up a nasty little trolled🤧... 😹🤣😹🤣😹
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Really?!? Downvotes for trying to be polite? It's getting really stupid around here 😒
Load More Replies... TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
🙉Wow, nothing like pulling on people's lonely heart strings to get them under your spell🧙♂️🧟
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