18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Killer whale hide-and-seek

This type of killer whale has a rather unfamiliar colouration: grey and white rather than black and white. They search the sea ice for penguins. Once they locate one, they will usually chase them into open water and tire them out. It is incredible that such large whales, swimming in pods up to 100 strong, can navigate deftly among the ice without causing a ripple.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2017
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Copyright: © Conor Ryan