Orca search

We were booked on a boat trip to look for Orca at 10 so we did some shopping and then went along to check the boat was running. It was so we joined the group for the briefing, before kitting up in the coveralls provided by Laki Tours.
The trip out was fairly pleasant until we got into more open water when it became extremely choppy, throwing the boat about until an extra rough wave made the front leap and slam down tossing Chris and Tony to the deck. The boat turned parallel to the coast and things settled down a bit. There wasn't a huge lot to see but a few eider and fulmar flew by.
We turned back towards an island where a cup of chocolate was handed out before heading for harbour. On the rocks there was a young Common Seal and a Grey Seal was in the water. Loads of gulls were on the cliffs. As we headed back a small pod of White-beaked Dolphins joined us for a while before we headed in. A bit of a disappointment and very unpleasant at times.
We headed back to the hostel, first stopping for a look at some gulls and eider from the harbour wall. Amongst the eider was what we first thought was a king eider, but checking photos and further research in the evening proved it to be a hybrid.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at Kolgrafafjordur watching a pod of White-beaked dolphins, 2/3 groups of Orca and 3/4 White-tailed Sea-eagles. The Orcas were feeding, spy-hopping and tail slapping, giving great views, although a little distant and best through the scopes. One of the bull orcas came closer to the bridge but turned and went back towards the back of the fjord.



When we could bear the cold no longer we returned to the hostel for a pasta, carbonara and smoky sausage supper.

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