Norwegian Orcas

In the northern fjords, a thousand orcas gather each winter to hunt herring under the pastel light of the Arctic night. Stéphane Granzotto dives in to bear witness to the beauty, power, and curiosity of these often misunderstood creatures.

In the icy waters of northern Norway, billions of herring attract hundreds of orcas every winter. Their intelligence and coordination fascinate biologists: in just a few minutes, they isolate, herd, and stun their prey in a hunting strategy unique in the world, known as "carousel hunting." Other giants—humpback whales and fin whales—also gravitate around them, coming to enjoy the feast. It's a spectacular interspecies competition, which Stéphane has been documenting for several years. Each photograph captures a suspended moment, a respectful interaction, and an almost surreal light.