While the chilly waters off the west coast of Canada are home to an astonishing array of sea creatures, none are as iconic as killer whales (orcas). Powerful and playful, they’ve come to represent the wild beauty of the west coast. It’s no wonder why stock photos of killer whales draw in visitors from around the globe!
The orcas that frequent the inland waterways of British Columbia have been endangered for quite some time, which makes sighting them in the wild an incredibly special experience. You can view them on one of the region’s many whale watching tours, where you’ll often have a guaranteed chance of spotting a pod of killer whales. It’s also not uncommon to catch a glimpse of them swimming by while you’re on a ferry, on a fishing charter, out kayaking, or even while hiking along a coastal trail. And if you’re especially lucky, you might witness the rare phenomenon known as a “superpod,” when multiple pods come together in a frenzy of social activity—breaching, spyhopping, slapping their fins, and all playing together.
Stock photos of killer whales reveal their intriguing personalities, and inspire tourists and locals alike to view these “ambassadors of the sea” in their natural habitat. Here are some of our best selling orca photos, captured by some of Canada’s top photographers:
Orca breaching in Haro Strait, between Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands. (click photo to buy).
A pod of orcas plays in the Juan de Fuca Strait with Mt. Baker in the background. (click photo to buy).
Surfing orca and calf in British Columbia, Canada. (click photo to buy).
Killer whale breaching of the coast of British Columbia. (click photo to buy).
Killer whales swim by kayakers in Johnstone Strait, off the northeast coast of British Columbia. (click photo to buy).
Killer whale surfacing with a splash in Killer whale surfacing with a splash, Port McNeill, British Columbia. (click photo to buy).
For more professional quality photos of killer whales in their natural habit, be sure to check out our full collection. Just search by topic.