Killer whale (Orcinus orca) photo identification database, 2013-2015

Killer whales are located by boat, usually after sightings reports are received from local hunters who tell us where to look for them. During all killer whale encounters, we photograph individual whales using digital SLR cameras. Images were collected using three Canon camera bodies (two EOS-ID Mark IV Digital 16.7 megapixel, and one EOS-IDX 18.0 megapixel) fixed with any of four Canon lenses (70-200 mm, 16-35 mm, 24-70 mm, or a 400 mm fixed lens). Photographs were taken at a shutter speed of no less than 1/1600. Killer whales can be identified based on unique markings of the saddle patch (the greyish area behind the dorsal fin) and eye patch (the large white oval patches on the head), as well as dorsal fin shape, which have notches and other patterns from healed injuries. All photos are added to a master photo ID database maintained since the early 2000s.