Gallery: Photographer Captures Dramatic Battle Between Orcas and Sperm Whales

  • Underwater Shot
    01

    underwater-shot

    *"Basically, the sperm whales had huddled together like logs, creating a protective wall against the orcas." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Chaotic Mess
    02

    chaotic-mess

    *"Oh my God, it's orcas attacking sperm whales." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Underwater Orca
    03

    underwater-orca

    A pod of five orcas had surrounded a half-dozen sperm whales.
  • Dorsal Fin
    04

    dorsal-fin

    *"We saw this huge dorsal fin cut through the water." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Orca V. Sperm Whale
    05

    orca-v-sperm-whale

    *"Aren't we going to get in the water?" -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Underwater Battle
    06

    underwater-battle

    *"There was a frothing, dark pile of shapes ahead of me." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Struggle
    07

    struggle

    *"The orcas would be slamming into their sides, taking nips of these poor sperm whales." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Sperm Whale
    08

    sperm-whale-2

    *"The sperm whales would roll over and stick their heads out of the water, gasping." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Orca
    09

    orca

    *"They were hunting." -- Shawn Heinrichs*
  • Video
    10

    video-2

    *Video shot from the surface. Brett Heinrichs/[YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tielUPfyzaY)*
Read More
These Are the 12 Ikea Products the Company's Design Chief Personally Owns
We asked Johan Ejdemo to list which Ikea items populate his home. He also tells us about his all-time favorite. (No, it's not a Billy bookcase.)
Jeremy White
The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minister of the Decade
Keir Starmer's resignation on Monday morning paves the way for yet another leadership battle.
Isabella Ward
Some Electricians Think Building Data Centers Is for Sellouts
Big Tech is throwing big money into data center buildouts. As national opposition to the facilities grows, some workers are beginning to question whether it’s worth it.
Caroline Haskins
World Cup Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot
From fake tickets to cloned websites, AI is magnifying World Cup scams. Can fans distinguish between what’s real and what’s not?
Jumana Naim
Squarespace Promo Codes: 20% Off in June 2026
Get 20% off your next website, 10% off with exclusive Squarespace discount code, 50% off plans, and more top coupons from WIRED.
Molly Higgins
Dyson Promo Codes: 25% Off in June 2026
Get 25% off with a Dyson coupon code, plus save up to $600 with discounts on vacuums, $150 off Airwraps, and more.
Nena Farrell
LG Promo Codes and Coupons for June 2026
Save 20% with an LG promo code today, plus up to $1,000 off appliances, 40% off bestselling TVs and monitors.
Ryan Waniata
Top Priceline Promo Codes & Coupons: 10% Off June
Unlock massive discounts on Priceline hotels, flights, and rental cars. Find verified Priceline coupon codes and deals for Express Deals, student discounts, and more.
Molly Higgins
Top Whoop Promo Codes: 20% Off This June 2026
Whether you're looking for a Whoop free trial, student discount, or military savings, our guide to Whoop promo codes will help you maximize your membership benefits. Stay on top of your fitness goals for less.
Boutayna Chokrane
Wooting’s 60HE v2 Is One of the Best Gaming Keyboards Available Today
Wooting’s 60HE v2 isn’t just a terrific Hall Effect keyboard. It’s a fantastic keyboard period.
Henri Robbins
The Best NAS Devices to Back Up Your Life
Network-attached storage (NAS) provides accessible shared space on your home network. After testing, these are my favorite NAS devices.
Simon Hill
If You’re Searching for a New Skillet, Consider Stainless Steel
Stainless-steel pans may lack nonstick coatings, but they’re unfussy, they sear well, and they’re built for a lifetime of hard work.
Joe Ray