Explosion by Paul Tixier

Wednesday, 7th October 2009

Explosion

by Paul Tixier

A killer whale is riding the big waves of the rough Southern ocean off-shore waters.

Equipment: Canon 20D + Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Paul Tixier

PhD student on the killer whales of the Crozet Islands, France

paultixier

19 Comments

mike Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 1:33 am
He looks big Love the waves.
MATE Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 2:04 am
very impressive and big the water looks very stormy nice shot of the whale coming right at you
Anurag Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Great Marine action shot.
Thomas Vignaud Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 8:05 am
When do we go free diving here?
Pauline Jones Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Great shot, how did you get it, were you on a boat?
wanda krack Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 10:20 am
A rare shot, and nice action of both the whale and the water.
planet lover Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Great catch! I love the color of the water, the splash of the waves, and the whale. I knew nothing about the Crozet Islands (“a sub-antarctic archipelago of small islands in the southern Indian Ocean.” Wikipedia). Now I do. Thanks!
Ellen Empson Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Beautiful creature, imagine his ride on those waves! The earth is full of imaginative creations and creatures!
Renee Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
What a incredible shot! so amazing! Congrats!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Powerful creature in a powerful setting. Wow, that’s close!
Greg Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
The whale looks to have more than surfing on his mind. Very nice POTD.
Dianne Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Magnificent! Thank you for capturing such an awesome moment.
Dianne Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
P.S. It looks very much like where I live on the Pacific Ocean. We whale watch all the time. Tremendous!
Alessandro Says:
October 7th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Very aggressive picture ! Well done !
Photos by Nik Says:
October 8th, 2009 at 5:32 am
What a great instance. It must have been an experience of a lifetime. Very nice shot.
Catrin Hinrichs Says:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:47 am
You catched the dynamic very well.
Paul Tixier Says:
October 10th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Thanks everyone!
@ Pauline: this picture was taken from a commercial fishing vessel, a longliner targeting patagonian toothfish
@ Thom: someday soon!
Su Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Fantastic shot love the angle and the waves, looks quite a rough sea.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
October 15th, 2009 at 1:23 am
The shades of blue in the waves, the tumult, the spray–all combined to make me shiver. The orca almost seems to be smiling. Wonderful shot.