Photograph by @paulnicklen // I have been fortunate to have had many orcas swim to within ten feet of me while diving or sno...

Photograph by @paulnicklen // I have been fortunate to have had many orcas swim to within ten feet of me while diving or snorkeling but I have never had a huge male swim within two feet of me. I sucked in my gut, pulled my housing into my body, and lifted my fins so nothing would touch this huge male as he came in for close inspection. I blindly snapped off a couple of shots on my ultra-wide 16mm lens. He swam past Goran Ehlme and I four times. It was never scary but rather, incredibly humbling and very special. It is moments like this that I will remember when I look back on this journey through nature. Nothing but #gratitude. #followme me on @paulnicklen to see a lot more from this coverage. For @sea_legacy with @cristinamittermeier #thinblueline #orca #killerwhale #whale #dolphin #journey #beautiful cute #pretty #MPA #202020 #wildlife #gratitude #explore #nature #smile #love #beauty #adventure #travel @natgeocreative @thephotosociety #instagood #tbt #follow #followme #photooftheday #happy #tagforlikes #beautiful #like #picoftheday