fins went flying in the strait of juan de Fuca this week. As *** couple humpbacks faced off with *** group of big orcas witnessed by whale watchers like molly baccarat. Oh, I've loved whales my whole life. So I cried three times yesterday on the boat, even doing this every day, like things like that. Just truly take your breath away. At first glance, video shows *** lot of splashing by active orcas, which brought tor boats closer, but look in the center of the frame and you'll see *** humpback which normally avoid these killer whales. There was definitely *** lot of kind of harassment of each other. Do we know why they do this? So the orca that were in that encounter were Biggs of transient orcas. Um So they've been known to eat seals. Sea lions, harbor porpoise and go after humpback calves. But researchers say these whales were older, id'ing them as known humpbacks, hydra hailing from hawaii and reaper born near Mexico. It's possible they struck first in spite of being too against. Around two dozen past. Research has shown humpbacks, harassing orcas hunting prey. There have been *** few occasions in the recent years that are naturalists have actually seen humpback whales come to the rescue of other animal like sea lions that were being chased by orcas in april naturalists saw humpback valiant, acting aggressive near *** group of big's orcas. They believe he'd been attacked by some years ago. So he may have had some unfinished business, but overall, the pacific whale watch association says these encounters are rare

VIDEO: Pair of humpback whales faces off with large pod of orcas

Updated: 3:29 AM EDT Oct 5, 2022

Fins went flying in the Strait of Juan de Fuca as a couple humpbacks faced off with a group of Bigg's orcas. At first glance, video shows a lot of splashing by active orcas－which brought tour boats closer.A closer look shows a humpback in the center of the video. Humpbacks normally avoid killer whales.Researchers say these whales were older and ID'd them as known humpbacks Hydra, hailing from Hawaii, and Reaper, who was born near Mexico. It's possible the humpback whales struck first－in spite of being two against around two dozen. Past research has shown humpbacks harassing orcas hunting prey. The Pacific Whale Watch Association says these encounters are rare.Watch the video above to see the humpback whales and orcas clash.

SEATTLE —

Fins went flying in the Strait of Juan de Fuca as a couple humpbacks faced off with a group of Bigg's orcas.

At first glance, video shows a lot of splashing by active orcas－which brought tour boats closer.

A closer look shows a humpback in the center of the video. Humpbacks normally avoid killer whales.

Researchers say these whales were older and ID'd them as known humpbacks Hydra, hailing from Hawaii, and Reaper, who was born near Mexico.

It's possible the humpback whales struck first－in spite of being two against around two dozen. Past research has shown humpbacks harassing orcas hunting prey.

The Pacific Whale Watch Association says these encounters are rare.

Watch the video above to see the humpback whales and orcas clash.