"Spy Hopping Humpbacks"

Calm conditions greet us this morning as we head out of Princess Royal Harbour. Word is that the whales are at Limestone Head. So we put the hammer down so we will be with them in 20 Minutes. We find 2 Humpback whales cruising slowly into Frenchman Bay. We stay with them for some time and then I think that we must be able to find other whales that will give our passengers a better look. We head SE and see several blows about 1 km away, as I am making my way to these whales out of the corner of my eye I see a huge splash. Can only be one thing out here folks, A breaching whale, We turn and run the motors at about 2500 rpm hoping that we can cover the distance separating us quickly. The whale breaches a couple of times as we are on route. We travel along side these whales for some time as the pull their tails from the water and dive into 50 metres of water. As we travel slowly along side the whales the other charter boat arrives in the area travelling across the path of the whales. They slow and appear at our stern rolling around and taking a dive again. The other vessel leaves and we continue slowly. At one point after about 10 minutes waiting for the whales to surface we take the motors out of gear, The whales then appear along side us and proceed to swim around us. Passengers run from side to side capturing the whales as they break the surface at times spy hopping, then disappearing for 5 minutes just to resurface along side us. More whales were further south but what's the point, they won't get any closer and other than a breach that you can capture (and show your friends) it dose not get any better. When the whales have had enough of us and then head east? We make our way to see some New Zealand Fur Seals, more pictures and now it is off home. We have told Sea Rescue that we will be back at 1230 hours so we cruise towards Whale-world We find a pod of Bottle nose dolphins but they are other wise occupied, so we continue on our way. Then we find a very young Humpback Whale playing in the Murray Rd aquaculture lease. We watch him for a while and then continue on our way. Calm conditions make for a good day.
 I do Love My Job!!
Master of the vessel Paul Guest.

"15 Humpback Whales for the Day"

We head out of the channel with word coming from Bernie that whales are close to Limestone Head. We head in that direction but by the time we get there the whales have headed around Bald Head. We follow although it is still a little choppy out there. The first whale we find is a small whale about 10 metres in length. This whale is taking 2 breaths and then diving so we look for another. Two blows 500 metres away so we go and take a look at these whales. Conditions are a bit ordinary and the whales don't want to play the game. We see another pod and they stay on the surface longer so we go take a look. We get a better look at these whales and travel with them for a little. Seeing two blows east of us I head in that direction as we are now getting some distance from Bald Head. Two whales cruise past us not even slowing down. I decided that we have had enough of the conditions with south easterly winds on the left over south westerly swell from the last cold front, so i tell the passengers that we will go back into King George Sound to see if we can find anything. We try to contact Bernie but I think he has headed home. I spot several blows over towards Breaksea Island. I count 5 blows so we go to have a look. We find 7 humpbacks now in 3 pods and all going in different directions, we pick the pair that are heading in towards Seal Rock and stay with them. With passengers getting great pictures of that amazing tail as the whale lifts it from the water in the motion of diving. We stick with this pair until we pass Seal Rock and then we leave them and head to travel through the passage between Mistaken Island and the mainland.
"Think Whales Think Albany"
Master of the vessel Paul Guest.

"Whales in Love"

Two whales today, just being whales in love. Folks it is mating season so we think when whales are seen in pairs it is probably a male (bull) and female (cow), and I think it is the cow in the front and the bull behind with his tongue hanging out, hey why should it be different for whales. Well we spent about 1 hour with a pair and then because they were pretty quiet we headed out to the eastern end of Michaelmas Island. We traveled out on the northern side of the island but we could not find any thing that looked like a whale. So while we were out there we decided to go and visit the new Zealand Fur Seal colony on Breaksea Island. Then headed back towards home still looking for more whales as we did.
"Think Whales Think Albany"
Master of the vessel Paul Guest.

Mother & Calf flee 2 Raging Bulls

With showers coming across the Sound we head out with word that several whales have been seen in the area around the safe water marker. We count 3 individual blows as we approach the area. The whales are charging all around with no direction at all. As we approach a wood chip vessel is making its way in to King George Sound on our starboard side and the whales are now charging towards us. The ship turns to starboard and now the whales travel across the path of the ship with in 100 metres of the bow. We turn and travel off the stern of the ship to pick up the whales again. One passenger says she thinks she has spotted a calf. After traveling with the whales for some time we notice that their seams to be one whale being pursued by the other 2 whales. Then there it is, a very small calf is spotted along side the whale that is being pursued. We follow these whales for some time and at times we have whales cruising around us. The cow and calf on one side of the boat and the 2 bulls lunging from the water. We stayed with these whales trying hard to get photos but sorry folks with showers coming over at times and whales charging all over I had my work cut out just to stay with the whales so that my passengers had some chance to get those elusive pictures. We spent over 1 hour with these whales and left them as they started to head out to sea from Limestone Head. We traveled the coast back to the marina enjoying some of our beautiful coast line and a hot cup of coffee.
So now we have seen 3 calve so far this season.
"Think Whales Think Albany"
Master of the vessel Paul Guest

"Whales in the Sound"

We have a coach company booked to cruise with us today and have been worried that the weather will not be suitable, but I wake at 0630 hours to calm winds so feel a little relieved. A heavy shower as I enjoy my morning coffee and I feel a little apprehensive again. I arrive at the boat to find Eve keen to head out and the rain clearing. Bernie arrives to tell me that 4 humpbacks have been spotted traveling towards Goode Beach slowly. This means that even if the winds pick up a little we will have smooth sailing. Great, I really don't want to have to leave King George Sound to find whales, their is a 5.5 metre swell running. The coach arrives and the passengers have already spotted the whales on there trip around Marine Drive on the way to our marina. We head out and Bernie tells me that the whales have changed direction and are now 300 metres north of the end starboard channel marker. A mate Steve Bingham also phones me from hes in-laws house to tell me he can see whales in a line from him and Mistaken Island.

I see blows as I talk with Steve, so head over to get closer. We find 3 humpbacks traveling with no destination in mind, at times even turning and swimming toward the boat to get with in 30 metres and then changing direction just as quickly. We stay with them for about 1 hour, when one whales splits and heads east, we have a squal go through and most passengers decide to enjoy some morning tea. We head south towards Limestone Head so we can travel around the coast and enjoy some of our great scenery on our way home

The last few days on the south coast have been a bit wild. Saturday a friend Andrew Halsall and I  traveled out to West Cape Howe to try and capture some of the weekend storm. Here is a pic I got, its a stitch of 6 pictures and a bit of work in Lightroom.

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"Think Whales Think Albany"
Master of the vessel Paul Guest

Why Would You Do It?

Heavy rain and hail this morning. I head down the boat just in case we get anybody wandering down to inquire about cruising, after all it is the weekend and some people may think that we would cruise in any weather. Also gives me a chance to check out the finished awning. No sorry still dose not keep the rain off the door. One group of about 7 people came down, booked on the other vessel working in Albany. I do wonder why any operator would take passengers out to see whales on such a day. Strong winds, hail storms and some distance to travel to find the whales. I thought it was supposed to a pleasurable experience. Heading home I did pick up the West Australian news paper to find a picture I sent them of a breaching humpback they had asked for a couple of days ago.

"Think Whales Think Albany"
Master of the vessel Paul Guest

"Stormy Days"

What follows 2 days of bad weather? Monday!! Problem being I think it might be 3 days of bad weather if the bureau of meteorology are correct. Strong winds from midnight so no rush to the boat today. I wander down to the boat to find builders erecting an awning over the door to our office. Must say I do wonder at the design of our offices, I am surprised that our offices were designed by a local architect. I would have thought he would have had a bit more of an idea about prevailing winds on the foreshore. Well it seams the same architect designed the awning and it dose not keep the rain out either. What a waste of money, I do wonder at who makes these stupid decisions.
Today is a good day to find a fire place and have a counter meal.
Master of the vessel Paul Guest.