Photograph by @paulnicklen for @natgeo while #onassignment // Like a ghost in the night, a wild orca graces me with her presence in the cold, dark seas of northern Norway. While remembering powerful encounters like this, we can’t help but think about the 40 Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State, the 13 orcas killed during the captures, and in honor of Lolita, the sole survivor. 45 years ago over 100 orcas were herded into Penn Cove. The young ones were netted and hauled onto trucks for theme parks worldwide. All but one had died by 1987 but incredibly she is still alive. They call her Lolita and August 2015 marks the 45th anniversary of Lolita’s capture from her family in Penn Cove off Whidbey Island, WA. Lolita still lives at the Miami Seaquarium while her mother most likely still swims wild. With @sea_legacy @cristinamittermeier. Please #follow me on @paulnicklen to see my latest art series of orcas and whales and the stories that go with them. #Blackfish #orca #exploreBC #keepitwild #gratitude #beauty #nature #FreeLolita @natgeocreative @thephotosociety @picoftheday by natgeo http://ift.tt/1T7QUKo – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing