A Special Night with Chris Fallows and the Majestic Orcas of False Bay
Last night was no ordinary evening for me. While most people were cozied up by the fireplace in their homes, I had the incredible opportunity to be at the One&Only hotel in the V&A Waterfront area (read: 12 fun things to do at the V&A Waterfront). It was there that I gained fascinating insights into the mysterious Orcinus orca, more commonly known as the killer whale or orca. These creatures are often portrayed as fearsome creatures, but their name origins reveal a deeper, more captivating story.
Romans once referred to these majestic beings as Orca, meaning “demon from hell.” Meanwhile, the Haida people of North America knew them as Skana, translating to “killer demon.” And the Aleutian Island community named them Polossatik, which signifies the one to be feared. It’s awe-inspiring to think that these names were given to a member of the dolphin family!
If I found myself stranded in the vast expanse of the ocean, I can’t say I would feel particularly comfortable with the idea of being surrounded by cunning and formidable predators like killer whales or great white sharks. However, it may come as a surprise that humans aren’t exactly at the top of their hunting list. These remarkable creatures, much like the fearsome great white shark, have other preferred prey on their menu, such as salmon, seals, and, in the instance of our journey to False Bay, dolphins.
Last night, I had the privilege to listen to Chris Fallows, the renowned photographer and shark expert from Apex Shark Expeditions, at the One&Only Winter Talks event. He captivated the audience for more than an hour as he shared his thrilling encounters with killer whales, orcas, from all corners of the globe. What really amazed me was when he recounted the unexpected visit of an orca pod to our very own False Bay in April 2009. The stories were accompanied by stunning photos and captivating videos that showcased the orcas’ remarkable hunting skills. This experience truly opened my eyes to the intelligence of these marine mammals.
I was astonished to learn that orcas possess the second-largest brain among all creatures on our planet. Such a fact is hardly surprising, considering their extraordinary abilities and behaviors.
Hey there! Let me tell you about some incredible creatures I recently learned about. They’re called orcas, and they are truly fascinating. Orcas can be found in different parts of the world, like the Farrelon Islands, Patagonia, and even False Bay.
False Bay is an amazing place known for its unique wildlife, and it’s just as impressive as Kruger National Park, if not more. In False Bay, you can witness some thrilling displays of orca behavior. Did you know that orcas are expert hunters? They have these incredible strategies they use to catch their prey.
One hunting technique they use is called “beach-breaching.” It’s when orcas swim rapidly towards the shore and launch themselves out of the water to snatch seals right off the beach. Can you imagine seeing that in action? It must be quite a sight!
Another tactic they employ is called “wave-washing.” This is when an orca creates big waves next to an ice floe, causing the seal on it to fall off and become vulnerable to attack. It sounds like something out of a movie, right? You can actually watch a video of this happening. It’s both jaw-dropping and a little terrifying.
So, whether it’s watching orcas beach-breaching or wave-washing, False Bay offers an incredible opportunity to witness these intelligent and cunning creatures in action. It’s truly a place worth exploring!
The Amazing Wildlife of False Bay
Oh boy, let me tell you about False Bay! It’s a paradise for all kinds of amazing marine creatures. We’ve got it all: Cape fur seals, great white sharks, African penguins, common dolphins, Southern Right whales, and even orcas have started showing up recently. It’s like having the ocean’s very own Big Five right at our doorstep!
Guess what? I learned something really cool. It turns out that orcas around the world have their favorite food, and here in False Bay, they’re all about the common dolphins. Those dolphins must’ve really caught their fancy because the orcas go all out to catch them. They chase those poor dolphins until the sick or tired ones fall behind, or sometimes they go full kamikaze and dive-bomb them from above at a crazy speed of 50 kilometers per hour. It’s a real spectacle, lemme tell ya!
Our friend Chris has actually seen this epic dolphin chase firsthand. He said following these orcas in action felt like being in a chariot going into battle. Can you imagine that? Talk about adrenaline pumping!
So, let me tell you about this amazing dinner I had at Reuben’s after attending a talk. It was like a feast fit for an orca! You know, those enormous whales that eat about four percent of their body weight every day. Can you imagine that? I mean, they weigh around six tonnes on average, so that’s a whole lot of food!
Anyway, back to the dinner. Don’t worry, they didn’t serve dolphin or seal, thank goodness. But they did have some delicious fish on the menu. And not just that, they also had a fantastic selection of salads, meat dishes, and vegetarian options. Oh, and let’s not forget about the mouthwatering desserts. I couldn’t resist trying every single one of them!
My favorites from the dinner were the courgette soup, the Thai fish curry, and the juicy slices of rare roast beef with vegetables. They were absolutely scrumptious! By the end of the meal, I felt like I had gained a whole new appreciation for orca whales. In fact, I felt a little bit like an orca myself!
Discovering Orcas in False Bay, Cape Town
Have you ever heard of orcas? They are these incredible creatures that can be found hunting near Glencairn and passing through Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. It’s really something to see! If you’re in the area between April and May, try keeping an eye on the ocean from Boyes Drive. Just don’t do it while you’re driving, of course!
Imagine being out at sea and spotting a pod of orcas. It would be an unforgettable experience. If you’re lucky enough to witness this, remember to keep your distance and respect their space. It’s important not to drive your boat in front of them because it can interfere with their echolocation.
Discover False Bay’s Amazing Great White Sharks with Chris Fallows at One&Only Cape Town on 23 July
Hey there! I wanted to let you know about an exciting event happening on Tuesday, July 23rd. Chris Fallows, the renowned expert on Great White sharks, will be sharing an incredible story at the One&Only Winter Talks. He will be showing evidence of nearly 1,900 documented instances of Great White sharks breaching at False Bay’s Seal Island. Can you believe it?
Chris has worked on around 50 documentaries with these amazing creatures, and now he’s giving you the chance to see and hear firsthand about their spectacular hunting behavior. It’s going to be a truly unforgettable experience. In addition to learning about the sharks themselves, you’ll also get to know their individual personalities and discover what sets this group of Great Whites apart.
But wait, there’s more! For only R255 per person, you’ll also get to enjoy a delicious full dinner buffet at Reuben’s after the talk. It’s an evening filled with fascinating insights and mouthwatering cuisine.
Hurry! There are only a few seats left for this extraordinary event. To secure your spot, call 021-431-4511 or email [email protected]
