Orca

Orca, 55 cards about whales - nature photography from British Columbia

This is not an oracle deck in the traditional sense. It is a photographic collection that documents the lives of orcas as Alexandra Morton has witnessed them in the waters of western Canada.

Morton is a marine biologist who has lived in British Columbia for decades, studying the behaviour of orcas. Her camera captures what you would otherwise only see from a boat or from shore: hunting scenes, family groups, underwater images, quiet moments at the surface.

What you see on the cards

The fifty-five photographs range from close-ups to wide views. Some show a single orca, others an entire pod. You see the fins above water, the body below, the contrast between black and white.

The images are clear and direct. No filters, no dramatic post-processing. The power lies in what is happening: a breach, a hunt, a mother with her calf.

The cards contain no text. This makes them universally usable, regardless of whether you read the German guidebook or not.

How you work with them

People use these cards in different ways. In educational settings to show how orcas live. In creative sessions as visual triggers. In group conversations as starting points for association.

The advantage over a photo book is that you can spread the images out, share them, hand them around. Each card becomes an object in its own right.

Draw a card and notice what stands out to you. Not as prediction, but as a prompt to see something you might otherwise have overlooked.

About Alexandra Morton

Alexandra Morton is a marine biologist, photographer and activist. She moved to British Columbia in the 1970s and focused her research on orcas and salmon. Her work combines scientific observation with a strong commitment to protecting the marine ecosystem.

The photographs in this set come from years of fieldwork. Morton photographs from proximity and patience, not from spectacle.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 55
• Card size: 89 x 129 mm
• Finish: full-colour photography on sturdy paper with clear finish
• Guidebook language: German
• Text on cards: none
• Packaging: durable storage box
• Photographer: Alexandra Morton

Questions we often get

Can I use these cards if the guidebook is in German?
Yes. The cards themselves contain no text and the images speak for themselves. The guidebook provides context but is not necessary to work with the photographs.

Is this an oracle deck with fixed meanings?
No. This is a photographic collection with no prescribed symbolism. What an image evokes is up to you.