A relevant quote: "Some highly specialized orca hunting techniques have been observed. Off Argentina and the Crozet Islands, Orcas feed on South American sea lion and elephant seal pups in shallow water; even beaching themselves temporarily. Beaching, usually fatal to whales, is not an instinctive behaviour. Adult Orcas have been observed to teach the younger whales the skills of hunting in shallow water. Off Argentina, adults pull seals off the shoreline for younger whales to recapture. Off the Crozet Islands, mothers have been seen pushing their calves onto the beach, waiting to pull the youngster back if needed."
Due to the remoteness of the Peninsula Valdes area and no public transport, I purchased a day tour for $35US, ever-wary to keep my expectations low. After an initial museum stop the bus pulled into Punta Norte for viewing sea lions at 11:25am. The guide says we have an hour but if orcas appear we can extend the time by thirty minutes. I laugh to myself and think, "Yeah, the chance of seeing orcas in sixty minutes is 1000 to 1 -- if not more."
Not even fifteen minutes later I see three orcas swimming two to three meters off the beach! (pictures 1-2-3) The front of the beach immediately slopes into deeper waters which allows the killer whales to swim so close. I videoed the next 3.5 minutes.
At 1:40 of the video two of the smaller orcas split to deeper water, while the largest one stays along the shore (picture 4). I see a group of sea lions swimming directly for the whale -- they obviously don't see what I see.
At 2:07 of the video the sea lions must have come face to face with the orca underwater because a handful of them literally burst out of the ocean in a panic to get onto the beach (pictures 6-7).
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I could not believe my luck!
In retrospect I found it amusing to contemplate events. In the beginning I was: "Aww, look at the baby, mama and papa sea lions lounging on the beach. How cute. ... huh? orcas?! where?!!" ... ** quickly realizing that sea lions = orca food and a greater spectacle is possible ** ... "DIE SEA LIONS! DIE!!"
Argentina
One More Incredible Creature ...
The dog is brilliant; the driver, because he puts his dog's life at such extreme risk, is an idiot. Nevertheless I understand it takes an idiot for the dog to be brilliant.
One of the odder things I have seen in my travels.
The orca's fin quickly cuts through the water in chase (pictures 8-9). It is only a meter from the shore but at the last moment turns! (picture 10) I thought for sure the orca was going to beach!
The lead killer whale continues up the coastline where more sea lions are resting (picture 11), while its two companions re-surface behind. The sea lions look on (picture 12).
