Happiness

San Juan Islands, 2024

Limited Edition Fine Art Print of 6 – I used to think birds in flight were the most difficult subjects to photograph until I met orcas. Finding them is quite a challenge alone. However, once you do, the games just begin. After four separate trips out on the water to film and photograph them, not once did I see them do anything else but porposie across the water. Until I met T36A “Leland” and her family of six. They were the most social group of transient orcas I have ever seen. We came upon them as they were hunting a seal. The coordinated approach was something to behold, but the celebration and socialization afterward were a show. Now, as one tracks the heading of a dark marine mammal under the water, the plan is to get ready for the next movement, but they change direction randomly all the time. It is incredibly frustrating. For this particular breach, I had my camera ready for anything, but by no means did I expect a full breach. I fired away as many shots as my camera could handle. The whole event was over in a split second, and I quickly checked if I got the shot. To my relief, all I could do was smile, and happiness grew so deep inside me that I could explode. I got the shot. Copyright Derek Nielsen Photography.