Living and working here in the Northwest, it is a part of daily life to observe and think about the beauty in our natural environment.  One of the most magnificent creatures here is the orca, also known as the killer whale.  What a mysterious and beautiful animal.  It glides along silently below the surface, but then can explode so suddenly to the surface.   The orca is a family creature by nature...living and hunting with its relatives.  An air breathing mamal, it is most often observed as it surfaces to breathe...or when it travels along the surface.  In this painting, I have portrayed part of the little known underwater life of the orca...swimming along silently below the surface.  As these orca swim, the herring fan out away from their advance.  Is it snack time for the orca, or are they just passing through...you be the judge.  As for the herring....they are not taking any chances!