Killer whales (Orcas) making news in the UK

Rolf Hicker snaps killer whales in sync Article from:

October 10, 2008 12:00am

THEY are one of the best, certainly the heaviest, synchronised swimming teams in the world. Nine-tonne killer whales line up with incredible precision to display their talents.

And the real beauty of the performance is that it is enacted entirely in the wild.

The orcas, each more than 6m long, surfaced in the Pacific Ocean off northern Vancouver Island, Canada.

They were pictured by wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker, who has spent 15 years watching them hunt and play.

"There is hardly anything more beautiful than to be in a small boat with the engine off, and to see these creatures break through the surface," says Hicker, 42.

Despite their awesome size and fearsome reputation, orcas are friendly, inquisitive and bright. They are not true whales but the largest members of the dolphin family.

Orca whale trio perform in formation
Last Updated: 5:01pm BST 08/10/2008

Orcas are known for the precision of their displays in sealife centres around the world but rarely are such performances witnessed in the wild. However, wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker captured this trio off Northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia "When you are photographing orcas the main thing you need is patience as you have to wait till they approach you," explained the 42-year-old, who has spent the past decade and a half photographing the mammals. "In order to get good pictures you need to be always ready, I always have one eye glued on the viewfinder while the other eye is searching for signs like blows or special activities. "My experience helps me to stabilise my body on the always movin