Moray Firth sighting: We're in for a killer whale of a time
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If you live near the sea then keep your eyes peeled for Mousa the killer whale.
The majestic Orca and her chums are heading our way on the search for food.
This shot was taken yesterday by Andy Knight who lives in the village of Latheronwheel, about 15 miles south of Wick.
It shows Mousa, who's been a regular visitor to the south Moray coastline for the past four years, especially in the stretch between Burghead and Lossiemouth.
The killer whale is named after a small Shetland inlet of water where she was first spotted.
However, she also goes by a different name.
Whale and dolphin guide Steve Truluck, who's from Hopeman, explains.
"Mousa has a V-shaped chunk missing out of her dorsal fin.
"So, in Iceland the experts have christened her Vendetta, after the film V for Vendetta."
The Orcas have spent the past months off Iceland feasting on herring.
Now they've headed south in search of seals.
Steve is a regular at the Sea Watch Foundation's annual Orca Watch event in Wick, and in the past has helped run it.
He said: "It's the harbour seal breeding season at the moment, so the whales will be hoping there's going to be a lot of naive young pups for them.
"As sure as eggs are eggs we expected to see them return, but not quite as early in the year as this.
"I was actually in Iceland whale-watching at the start of March, and the weather was absolutely terrible.
"So maybe that's what made them decide to head south.
"Having said that, though, the weather in Iceland is usually pretty terrible, so it's hard to say."
As well as the visiting Orcas from Iceland, there is also another group of Orcas around at the moment.
Although known as killer whales, Orcas actually belong to the dolphin family.
It's believed that fishermen originally called them Whale Killers. But somehow, over time, that name got turned around the other way.
Steve said: "My message to anyone walking their dog along the beach, or to anyone with a house with a sea view, is to keep a regular lookout.
"They're a sight not to be missed."
View other photos of the whales at the Caithness & Moray Firth Cetacean Sightings page here
Related story: Dolphin encounter of a Moray Firth lifetime!
Other news from Moray here
