Wake Up To Adventure

Imagine being out on the water when a wild orca slowly rises above the surface to take a look around. I’ve witnessed some pretty incredible things over the years, but these quiet, intimate moments still leave me absolutely speechless.

What would be going through your mind if you experienced this?

I could watch moments like this a thousand times and never get tired of them. The power, the beauty, the pure magic of seeing these animals wild and free.

Which breach gets your vote? 1, 2, or 3? 🌊

Two absolute giants of the Salish Sea!

These two incredible males, captured in separate encounters, are a perfect reminder of the sheer size, power, and beauty of these animals.

I’ve spent countless hours on the water with killer whales, and moments like these will NEVER get old.

Wild. Free. Unforgettable.

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared here, so I figured rambunctious killer whales in the Strait of Georgia were a pretty good way to come back.

This is exactly what Wake Up To Adventure is about — getting outside, chasing wild moments, and remembering just how incredible these animals and places really are.

And if you want to carry a little of that wild with you, our WUTA Orca shirts are available for adults, kids and toddlers. Every Orca purchase also helps support the Orca Behavior Institute and the work they’re doing to better understand and protect these whales.

Wear the wild. Support the wild. 🐋

Some of my favorite memories from the west side of San Juan Island are moments like this—watching killer whales move through these familiar waters, from Bigg’s to the Southern Residents.

This is footage from a past encounter with the Southern Resident killer whales, including one of the newest little members of the family. I love going back through these memories because every encounter out here feels different, and some stay with you forever.

Moving as one.
A family built for the wild.

Steller sea lions don’t exactly settle disagreements quietly. 😳

Watch as these massive animals battle for space, dominance, and apparently the right to have the last word.

I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to spend so much of my life outside—and even more grateful that I get to experience it with my family and watch my kids grow up exploring these places.

The older I get, the more I realize these are the days I’m going to want back.

There’s a strange moment that happens when a killer whale surfaces close enough to you.

For a second, everything else disappears.

You’re not thinking about your camera settings. You’re not thinking about where the boat is going. You’re not thinking about what you’re doing tomorrow.

Then it slips back underneath and the whole ocean feels enormous again.

I think that’s one of the reasons I’ll never get tired of this.

Killer whales have an incredible way of making you completely present without ever asking for your attention.

No big moment. No dramatic behavior. Just a few quiet seconds of orcas moving through glass-calm water, doing absolutely nothing other than being orcas.

Sometimes that’s more than enough.