Orcas also known as killer whales. They are really a member of the porpoise family and not whales at all. The types are Residence, Transient and Offshore. I believe the type we see in these pictures are the Transient.

Transient: The diets of these porpoises consist almost exclusively of marine mammals. Transients generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and have less persistent family bonds than residents or offshore. Transients vocalize in less variable and less complex dialects. Female transients are characterized by more triangular and pointed dorsal fins than those of male residents. The gray or white area around the dorsal fin, known as the "saddle patch", often contains some black colouring in residents. However, the saddle patches of transients are solid and uniformly gray. Transients roam widely along the coast; some individuals have been sighted in both southern Alaska and California. Transients are also referred to as Bigg's killer whale in honor of Michael Bigg.

We arrived at . We arrived just in time for the Summer Solstice. We got to Fairbanks after ten days of travel. We thought we'd get some rest. We did not. We arrived on June 22, the summer Solstice Celebration in Fairbanks. Light got dim at 12:30AM that night, and bright daylight at 3 AM, no need to set alarm clocks. The Fair people were out in force by 8 AM in front and in back of our hotel. It was 77 degrees and thousands of people about. It was fun but no day off from being a tourist.

Wilderness road to Kantishna (old Gold Rush town) and back. It's 184 miles round trip and it goes by fast.

We travel by rail to Anchorage and fly home. It rained all day long from Denali to Anchorage. The flight home was uneventful.