Sunday, July 20

Today we managed to venture the furthest east we have gone so far this season and the furthest south all in one day, two trips, and many hours on the water. The ocean was calm for another summer day providing us very nice condition for some whale watching during both of our trips today. This morning we headed to where whales had been yesterday afternoon. After a bit of searching we came across a few Minke whales and a Humpback whale.

Minke whale

Humpback whale

All of these animals were just circling around the area so we were fortunate enough to get some great looks at both of these kinds of whales. Our Humpback whale was Hornbill, a whale that was first seen in 1977 making this whale at least 37 years old!!!

Hornbill

This afternoon we were getting reports of other activity in a completely different direction from where we had been in the morning. With such solid reports coming in we decided to make the journey. It was a hike but it didn't take long for the activity to be seen by everyone on board once we made our way into the area. Almost instantaneously we watched one of the four calves we saw jump out of the water. Many times if whales even decide to jump out of the water it can be a single event and if you are not looking in the right place at the right time, all you end up seeing is one big splash of ocean water. Instead this whale jumped multiple times as it moved around the area!

Hello breaching calf!

What a spectacular sight even from a "baby" whale! Along with this activity there were a few groups of 2 or 3 whales moving around together. Soon we ended up with a flotilla of whale activity. Eight, yes 8(!), Humpback whales were maneuvering through the water together.

Nile and friend

Aerospace, Perseid and the tip of another whale tail at the surface

Seeing one, if not 2, of any baleen whale species moving around together is quite incredible. Now think of how much maneuverability and synchrony is required to have eight of these animals swimming around in close proximity of each other. Very impressive and what a sight to see!

Whales on the move

Pepper's tail with its unique black and white pigmentation surrounded by more whales!

Each trip recently has really been surprising us in more ways than one so it is any body's guess as to what and where we might end up tomorrow with some incredible wildlife!