23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Incoming

A strand feeding attempt by an orca named Maga, the matriarch of her orca group. The orcas of Punta Norte are the only orcas in the world known to strand their entire bodies out of the water to catch prey, a hunting technique is passed down through generations like a family tradition. Given that sea lion pups, their main target, aren't that nutritious and are hardly worth the effort from a caloric standpoint, it's thought that the hunt is more about the challenge and social bonding than to feed. After a successful catch, the pod shares the unfortunate pup, with each member getting a little bite.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Argentina
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Kat Zhou