A giant hug by danapommet ()
Photography • People • posted on Aug 13, 2015
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Description
I understand the controversy between Sea World and the captivity of killer whales but this photo was taken October 1991 to share the bravery of this young boy that volunteered to come down out of the stands to hug an 18 foot (5.5 meter) 5,384 pound (2,442 Kg) killer whale and receive a standing ovation as he walked back to his parents, waving and with a smile that is most likely still on his face.
Killer whale statistics from Sea World San Diego. Recently scanned form an old photo. It will zoom.
Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments.
They are very much appreciated.
Dana
Image Comments (37)
MagikUnicorn () 2:55AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
FUN :)
0rest4wicked () 3:17AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Inspirational!!!
Faemike55 () 3:46AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Fabulous and inspirational photo. I be he smiles every time he thinks of that day. Great capture Happy Birthday my friend!
giulband () 3:53AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Absolutely fantastic capture !! It is a very sweet action !!
wysiwig () 4:18AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
A great candid shot of a brave boy. Of course the orca is thinking, "Mmmm, tastes just like chicken!"
jayfar () 6:00AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Marvellous Dana and a happy birthday for tomorrow my RR friend.
durleybeachbum () 6:01AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
A happy boy! I share the reservations about these highly intelligent animals trapped in these places, but a lovely photo!
mtdana () 6:38AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Great image - he looks so happy!!!
62guy () 6:40AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
The Earth's ever-growing human population is reshaping its ecosysyems. Just as in any ecosystem, creatures have to make a living, as it were. It is no different for Orcas than it is for human factory workers, unnatural for both, but a way to survive.
Katraz () 7:38AM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Looks doggy to me one day he may get out of bed on the wrong side or feel a bit hungry.
pat40 () 12:37PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Fantastic pic
jmb007 () 1:48PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
mignon
dochtersions () 2:12PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Amazing what a brave and lovely young boy, it would be nice as he could see this photo, WOW!
Erestorfan () 5:15PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
VERY scary, but that would be SO cool!! I've always wondered if they feel like wet rubber, smooth and slippery. Back in the 70's we lived in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and there was a Sea World not far from us. We used to love to go there. While I liked the whale and dolphin show, my favorite attraction were the pearl divers. You'd pay (don't remember anymore how much it was) and you'd get a little dish to take over to where they had Japanese pearl divers and they'd swim to the bottom of a deep pond they were in, grab an oyster and bring it up and put it in your dish. Then you took it to a counter where they had people opening oysters. It was always fun to see who got what kind of pearl. I happened to get a perfect, pearly-white pearl that was the biggest one they had so far for that year. Now, as far as whales and dolphins, we now know so much more about them and how intelligent they really are.
jendellas () 6:08PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
Lovely capture. xx
MrsRatbag () 9:08PM | Fri, 14 August 2015
I read all about the controversy about captive animals of all kinds; I'm all for keeping everything where it should be and not in a cage, but sometimes there are good reasons for some animals in captivity. Not sure about orcas, but I'm sure that boy has had a love of them all his life after this. Interaction with another species in this way is amazing to the participants, although no one knows what the whale is thinking! Wonderful capture!
blinkings () 2:06AM | Sat, 15 August 2015
I gotta say there is NO WAY I would let my child so close to the mouth of a killer whale. This is crazy!
eekdog () Online Now! 4:30AM | Sat, 15 August 2015
i think i would be a bit scared uging that killer whale myself. fab shot, Dana. best lg.. did not know it was your birthday, Dana. Happy Birthday..
rbowen () 7:47AM | Sat, 15 August 2015
Wonderful capture!!!
T.Rex () 12:25PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
Oh, what a beautiful photo. I wonder what the whale is thinking? Definitely not "lunch"! I think these animals are intelligent enough to understand the joy they give to people like this young boy. I've seen the joy in my ex-ratties, and in my cat. She jumps on my shoulder and gives a love-bite on my cheek from time to time. Thanks for posting this. A memory/experience for life for this boy. :-)
CavalierLady () 1:26PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
The issue about captive whales aside, this is a great shot, Dana. That kid will remember that moment for the rest of his life!!
Jean_C () 3:51PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
A very lovely capture! Happy Birthday, Dana!
Leije () 6:29PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
Very impressive hug !! Excellent capture ! Happy birthday, Dana !
Hendesse () 6:57PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
A wonderful capture, a brave boy indeed. Excellent shot and scan. Happy Birthday to you!!
moochagoo () 7:20PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
Tout à fait étonnant mais un peu dangereux. Il faut bien connaître l'animal.
ia-du-lin () 7:33PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
fantastic capture
Richardphotos () Online Now! 9:45PM | Sat, 15 August 2015
from what I have read "Killer Whales" are not aggressive like people make them out to be. great capture Dana
RodS () Online Now! 12:41AM | Sun, 16 August 2015
What an awesome photo this is, Dana! That kid is very brave, but you can also see on his face that he's really enjoying the encounter. This is wonderful!
SunriseGirl () 9:29AM | Sun, 16 August 2015
I hope this young man has an equally impressive photo of this exciting moment. Perhaps Sea World had one to sell him. But, I am sure their phot could not be any better than this. Whay an excellent shot! In an aside I also remember the pearl divers. I liked that and there was also an underwater ballet type show that I thought was very graceful. Last but not least a very happy belated birthday.
jocko500 () 1:42AM | Mon, 17 August 2015
wonderful
