On this trip, we spent time with at an orca family reunion - for a total of 13 killer whales! We watched 2 matrilines (family group) of transient mammal-eating orca - the T46s and T46Bs! With the whole family together, it was the perfect time for some serious socializing!

The T46 family is comprised of 5 individuals - 2 females, 2 males (almost fully grown), and one 7-year old juvenile. The matriarch of this group - T46 herself - has an interesting history. She was captured in 1976 and was supposed to be sent to an aquarium along with other killer whales captured that day. Fortunately, she was released a few days later and has since become a great-grandmother of orcas in the transient population.

The T46Bs are a group of 8 individuals! T46B is the second offspring of T46, and she lives with her 5 offspring, and 2 grandchildren - one of which is the pale grey calf - a rare discolouration among orca.

* All photos taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.