Many a Jumping Orca

Breaching whales are always a spectacular sight.  They may do it for communication, socialization or just playing around.  Orcas, dolphins and humpbacks as well as other dolphin and cetacean species can project themselves right out of the water.  A fully grown orca can get the power to do this with about 4 tail waves.

The orca below has done such a big spy hop that it is practically a breach.  Spyhopping is used to help them see around the surface of the water.  They could be orienting themselves using the land or checking out what is around them including observer boats and the shoreline.

Sideways breachs occur when the animal propels itself out of the water at an angle to land on its side.  The orca below looks like she is stretching her paddle shapped pectoral fins up towards the sky.  I think we all wish we could move in the water like them.