Photogrpaher and conservationist Rob Lott travelled to Patagonia (a geographic region containing the southernmost portion of South America) to study and photograph the foraging behaviour of 18 orcas (a.k.a. killer whales).

Of the 18 only 7 have mastered the stranding behaviour whereby the orca enter the shallow surf to feed on seal pups.

During his study, Rob photographed 50-year-old male orca Mel, who had previously been studied by David Attenbourough in his Trials of Life documentary. Distinctive by his two-metre dorsal fin, Mel is an expert hunter who feeds on seal pups before taking it back to his pod.

This lucky seal, however, managed to escape the hutner’s attention.

CLICK HERE to check out a gallery of the pair’s close encounter.