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And I’m totally jelly of your Alaska experience! That’s an incredible video. Honestly if I were in either of the boats I would assume that the next frame of this “adorable” animated movie I had landed in was the orca’s mouth, just the mouth, barreling towards the boat. I think everyone’s pretty lucky -- orcas are amazing but they’re not cartoons or sweethearts, nor should they be.

Let me also pass along Patrick’s recommendation to me -- Carl Safina’s (which I think is the name we were both trying to think of at Conowingo Dam?) “Becoming Wild” has a wonderful section on whales.

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I love all his books but the ones I think would interest you guys the most are Becoming Wild and Beyond Words. Check them out for yourselves.

These are links to Safina's websites.

https://www.carlsafina.org/

https://www.safinacenter.org/

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Thanks, I look forward to checking them out.

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Yes! That's the author I was texting Chris about as well. Thank you. I'm afraid that Tristan Gooley is leaving me a little wanting, so I'll try Safina. After Annie Dillard and Barry Lopez it's tough to be wowed.

And yeah I'm surprised that the orca didn't nudge the Zodiac and open its mouth.

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Did you ever listen to this Radiolab segment on humpback whales preventing killer whales from successfully hunting? Not just protecting their own calves - seals, too. I have mixed feelings because everyone has to eat, but... there's some amazing stuff in this story.

http://www.wnycstudios.org/story/humpback-and-killer/

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Oh this sounds awesome, thanks for posting!

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Oh, cool! I'll have to read that one. I mean, I like humpback whales too.

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Oh, cool! I'll have to read that one. I mean, I like humpback whales too.

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IMO

There's no such thing as anthropomorphizing.

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