Audio


2
Oct 09

Northern Residents

As things in the south become more tense and condensed with people and politics, I have been more and more inclined to escape to the north where the vibe is so completely different. I do love the south very much however I do end up needing breaks from it. Up here, it’s possible to watch whales without being around people and that is a nice bonus. To be situated on the shoreline in the wilderness… It’s a different experience and it’s very sacred to me. I have been going up north since 2003 (since Luna – he is the one who got me into all this) and have been returning every year. This year I managed to get up there 3 times to my secret spot that I love so much. Above you can see some of the media from those trips.

On the last trip I managed to witness something really incredible. Firstly, I heard the A36 brothers call all alone in the Queen Charlotte Strait. There was not a boat that day in the strait and the calls echoed incredibly. They were calling out, as if to be responded to, I am assuming they were looking for A12. A12 (an elder) lost her son this past year (A33 Nimpkish) and has been traveling solo sometimes when she is not with the 3 big boys who have seemed to adopted her as their step mom. The day after the calls, we saw the A36’s traveling in the strait with A12. They were not calling at that point. It’s an amazing observation to have, to share this understanding that orcas are like people, need friends and family and ultimately love and companionship in their lives… It is my dream to move up there in the future. Where I can access those days, standing alone on the shoreline, just me and an orca… Yes it is possible.


26
Jun 09

RIP Michael Jackson


Will you be there…

I can’t think of a better way to remember this musical legend then by featuring a video our orca friends; Keiko and the southern resident killer whales. From the movie Free Willy, this song was written by Michael and is a story of Keiko’s journey to freedom. Ironically both stars in this video are in the galaxy now hopefully together enjoying the mystery beyond our realm. Our entire world has been unified by the death of a man who touched all our lives through music, what an incredible impact he has made. Thank you.


25
Jun 09

Looking Back & Ahead

Orcagirl Photos from Chantelle Tucker on Vimeo.

This is a video slide show of some of my photos of killer whales from 2003 to 2007. I selected some of my favorites out of approximately 5000 photos shot during that time. I have seen some interesting times, seen some of the orcas come and go, but as the song says; lucky time never stops … we go on and in the near future I will be encountering more orcas, taking new photos and new videos to later look back on… Cheers to new experiences and those that have past. I have been fortunate to capture it. This has been a life altering journey.

I have witnessed the story of the orcas hit epic heights. I remember my first whale watching trip back in 1997, no one was around and we were hanging out with a group of whales which are partially now deceased, it was actually Luna’s matriline before he was born.. Interesting no?. Little I would realize later in time, that I would be witnessing one of the planet’s most dramatic stories of life. I felt the power but at the time didn’t realize to what proportion was unfolding although i’d seen it in my dreams. I left Ryerson immediately upon graduating with the hopes of following this dream of orcas and here we are. It’s not always been easy and at points it’s left me devastatingly heart broken but has it been worth it? Yes. I am grateful to the entire Orca community who have allowed me to stand and take my position to cover my own story, of magic. The whale watching industry, the scientific community, non profit, government and the general public. All have been necessary for me to accomplish this unique mix of perspectives. Gracias todo.

Stay tuned for a new evolution of orca imaging.. Coming soon