March 29, 2013 at 4:45 pm

Picture of the Day: Orcas in Alaska

by twistedsifter

 

ORCAS IN ALASKA

 

orcas killer whales surfacing in alsaka glacier Picture of the Day: Orcas in Alaska

Photograph by Rennett Stowe

 

In this beautiful capture by Rennett Stowe we see two Orcas surfacing as they make their way through a fjord in Alaska. In the distance a massive glacier can be seen.

The killer whale (Orcinus orca), also referred to as the orca whale or orca, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Killer whales as a species have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as sea lions, seals, walruses, and even large whales. Killer whales are regarded as apex predators, meaning they lack any natural predators. [Source]

*Update: After some feedback from Calvin H., Bob T. and Michael M. on Facebook, it’s quite clear this is a photoshopped image. If you look at the max resolution on Flickr it’s not a very good one either. Apologies to all for the slip up, and thanks to our astute readers for the heads up!

 

 

picture of the day button Picture of the Day: Orcas in Alaska