Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Monday, 15 July 2013
Heaps of Humpbacks
Sorry Folks
I have been a bit slack at keeping the blog page up to date.
We have found whales every cruise which is expected at this time of year.
Today with strong NW winds we travelled out through the centre of King George Sound and found a lone whale heading north toward a ship that is at anchor, but we did not stop for a look as we could see blows a little further out to sea.
We continue and find a humpback cow and a very young calf. We are told that if the dorsal fin is still bent over then the baby is less than 10 days old.
We stay with these whales enjoying morning tea. While we are watching mum and baby I see blows over towards Herald Reef and the blows are low so I think there may be some Southern Rights heading towards Nanarup Beach.
As we head in that direction we come across the lone whale we saw earlier, we follow for a little while then continue on, to confirm if these whales a couple of km away are in fact are Southern Rights.
As we get closer it becomes apparent that we have found 6 humpbacks charging around, not quite sure which way they are supposed to be going. We stay with these guys as the gods are shining on us today. I was worried about the strong winds forecast and we have found whales in sheltered waters.
We are about 45 minutes from home so we head in that direction at about 1130 hours. We head over to the coast and I get some help from all the children and "Harry Hamster" on board to bring us home before the storm reaches Albany.
I have been a bit slack at keeping the blog page up to date.
We have found whales every cruise which is expected at this time of year.
Today with strong NW winds we travelled out through the centre of King George Sound and found a lone whale heading north toward a ship that is at anchor, but we did not stop for a look as we could see blows a little further out to sea.
We continue and find a humpback cow and a very young calf. We are told that if the dorsal fin is still bent over then the baby is less than 10 days old.
We stay with these whales enjoying morning tea. While we are watching mum and baby I see blows over towards Herald Reef and the blows are low so I think there may be some Southern Rights heading towards Nanarup Beach.
As we head in that direction we come across the lone whale we saw earlier, we follow for a little while then continue on, to confirm if these whales a couple of km away are in fact are Southern Rights.
As we get closer it becomes apparent that we have found 6 humpbacks charging around, not quite sure which way they are supposed to be going. We stay with these guys as the gods are shining on us today. I was worried about the strong winds forecast and we have found whales in sheltered waters.
We are about 45 minutes from home so we head in that direction at about 1130 hours. We head over to the coast and I get some help from all the children and "Harry Hamster" on board to bring us home before the storm reaches Albany.
Monday, 8 July 2013
Great Day
We head from the marina with light winds and Bernie tells me that there are whales south east of a ship at anchor in King George Sound.
Karina Mitchell is crew today and looking forward to helping out for a couple of days.
Karina arranges some morning tea after we found and spent some time, with a large pod of Common Dolphins.
As we continue to where we expect to find some whales I spot a blow off to starboard, about 600 metres away. We find 2 young humpbacks that are not moving too fast. So I knock the engines out of gear and with a little wind now we drift in the direction the whales were heading. They pop along side us and then dive. We continue to drift and the whales surface off to port, dive again and then off to starboard again. Now they are behind us, then next they surface very close to us. This continues for some time until they deicide they have had enough and start towards Bald Head. We follow slowly at times getting some great photos.
By the time we leave these whales we are close to the seal cove at Bald Head, so we drop into say hello.
We have seen several blows out deep but now the winds have increased so I would like to know that we are going to have a good viewing to head out where I am now seeing several whales breach.
In the area between Bald Head and Breaksea Island the water depth is around 45/50 metres and you are in the southern ocean. Whales can be very hard in the best weather conditions so with winds increasing from the north west we did not have the best conditions.
But the whales continue to breach and they are heading our way so I head out to meet them. Our arrival does not change the whales behaviour in any way. We have 2 whales breaching reasonably close and another several hundred metres further south. We follow and I would have loved to have had my camera out, but alas it was not to be as the sea was now quite choppy. Every body was amazed at the antics of the whales and I could hear the whirl of shutters around me. There are several other pods of whales around us some of these breaching or tail slapping. When the whales head out deep again we depart for home it is now 1145hours and it will take us about 30 minutes to get back to the marina. I warn those on the front deck that they will get wet if they stay there and give those on the fly-bridge with me time to head down stairs.
As we head back across King George Sound straight into the wind I spot breaches about half way across the sound. When we get to these whales they have finished their displays and now are heading towards Goode Beach. We get back to the marina at about 1230 hours. I cant wait to see some of the photos that were taken.
Karina Mitchell is crew today and looking forward to helping out for a couple of days.
Karina arranges some morning tea after we found and spent some time, with a large pod of Common Dolphins.
As we continue to where we expect to find some whales I spot a blow off to starboard, about 600 metres away. We find 2 young humpbacks that are not moving too fast. So I knock the engines out of gear and with a little wind now we drift in the direction the whales were heading. They pop along side us and then dive. We continue to drift and the whales surface off to port, dive again and then off to starboard again. Now they are behind us, then next they surface very close to us. This continues for some time until they deicide they have had enough and start towards Bald Head. We follow slowly at times getting some great photos.
By the time we leave these whales we are close to the seal cove at Bald Head, so we drop into say hello.
We have seen several blows out deep but now the winds have increased so I would like to know that we are going to have a good viewing to head out where I am now seeing several whales breach.
In the area between Bald Head and Breaksea Island the water depth is around 45/50 metres and you are in the southern ocean. Whales can be very hard in the best weather conditions so with winds increasing from the north west we did not have the best conditions.
But the whales continue to breach and they are heading our way so I head out to meet them. Our arrival does not change the whales behaviour in any way. We have 2 whales breaching reasonably close and another several hundred metres further south. We follow and I would have loved to have had my camera out, but alas it was not to be as the sea was now quite choppy. Every body was amazed at the antics of the whales and I could hear the whirl of shutters around me. There are several other pods of whales around us some of these breaching or tail slapping. When the whales head out deep again we depart for home it is now 1145hours and it will take us about 30 minutes to get back to the marina. I warn those on the front deck that they will get wet if they stay there and give those on the fly-bridge with me time to head down stairs.
As we head back across King George Sound straight into the wind I spot breaches about half way across the sound. When we get to these whales they have finished their displays and now are heading towards Goode Beach. We get back to the marina at about 1230 hours. I cant wait to see some of the photos that were taken.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Strong Winds
No cruise today as we have strong winds from the South West but they are forecast to subside tonight.
Wednesday 3rd.
The winds were forecast to strengthen so we head along Goode Beach as Bernie has told us that we have a quite whale some where in the area.
We find a very quiet whale just off Flat Rock. As it is just laying on the surface I start to wonder if it may be sick. It has some markings on its back and I try to get some photos. When the other charter boat arrives in the area the whale stirs, swims down the side of our boat and then turns and starts to make its way to Bald Head. We follow as the whale is cruising close to the coast. We leave as we get close to seal cove at Bald Head and go to check the seals.
As we make our way into the cove we spot 2 more humpbacks heading towards Bald Head. We have seen more blows east but the wind is strengthening so I am not sure we want to go too far from the shelter of the coast.
Then I see a breach about 800 metres away, then a second so we must go and investigate. As we get there we slow when we get close to the area with the motors out of gear and with anticipation we wait. Then just 50 Metres from the bow we have a whale burst from the water.
Some of our passengers get photos but we all see it. This whale dives and then swims south west so we leave and head home.
Now the rain is closing in so I am alone on the fly-bridge. We cruise back into King George Sound and in the distance I see several blows. We will keep an eye on them and hopefully they will continue on their current heading. The wind is now lifting spray over the boat so I change direction and head more into the wind so I don't get too wet and can watch these whales as they head in towards Goode Beach. We meet with them inshore of Seal Rock and as it is still raining most of the passengers choose to stay on the aft deck so as to stay dry and they are able to get some photos of 6 humpbacks cruising. We follow until they get very close to shore. They head north along the beach and as its on our way home we stick with them until they turn and head south back along the beach once again.
We head home and are met by a local professional fisherman in a small boat waiting at the channel entrance, as we enter the channel he follows us so we calm the water a little for him.
Tuesday 2nd.
2 Humpbacks @ Safe Water Marker,
2 Humpbacks cruise in towards Marine Drive,
3 Humpbacks cruising on the humpback highway.
More whales out deeper but no need to go out further.
Monday 1st.
1 humpback west of Michaelmas Island with tail out of water. Possible cow about to give birth.
2 Humpbacks cruising between Islands.
2 Humpbacks east of Breaksea Island.
3 Humpbacks travel towards Bald Head from east of Breaksea Island. More blows south of us as we follow the 3 above.
Sunday 30th June.
2 humpbacks swim around us for 1 hour in the middle of King George Sound.
1 Adult Humpback swims over Herald reef.
Saturday 29th.
1 quiet swims around us in King George Sound
1 Humpback swimming towards Bald Head from Middle of KGS.
6-8 Humpbacks cruising on the Humpbacks Highway. Lots of action.
Wednesday 3rd.
The winds were forecast to strengthen so we head along Goode Beach as Bernie has told us that we have a quite whale some where in the area.
We find a very quiet whale just off Flat Rock. As it is just laying on the surface I start to wonder if it may be sick. It has some markings on its back and I try to get some photos. When the other charter boat arrives in the area the whale stirs, swims down the side of our boat and then turns and starts to make its way to Bald Head. We follow as the whale is cruising close to the coast. We leave as we get close to seal cove at Bald Head and go to check the seals.
As we make our way into the cove we spot 2 more humpbacks heading towards Bald Head. We have seen more blows east but the wind is strengthening so I am not sure we want to go too far from the shelter of the coast.
Then I see a breach about 800 metres away, then a second so we must go and investigate. As we get there we slow when we get close to the area with the motors out of gear and with anticipation we wait. Then just 50 Metres from the bow we have a whale burst from the water.
Some of our passengers get photos but we all see it. This whale dives and then swims south west so we leave and head home.
Now the rain is closing in so I am alone on the fly-bridge. We cruise back into King George Sound and in the distance I see several blows. We will keep an eye on them and hopefully they will continue on their current heading. The wind is now lifting spray over the boat so I change direction and head more into the wind so I don't get too wet and can watch these whales as they head in towards Goode Beach. We meet with them inshore of Seal Rock and as it is still raining most of the passengers choose to stay on the aft deck so as to stay dry and they are able to get some photos of 6 humpbacks cruising. We follow until they get very close to shore. They head north along the beach and as its on our way home we stick with them until they turn and head south back along the beach once again.
We head home and are met by a local professional fisherman in a small boat waiting at the channel entrance, as we enter the channel he follows us so we calm the water a little for him.
Tuesday 2nd.
2 Humpbacks @ Safe Water Marker,
2 Humpbacks cruise in towards Marine Drive,
3 Humpbacks cruising on the humpback highway.
More whales out deeper but no need to go out further.
Monday 1st.
1 humpback west of Michaelmas Island with tail out of water. Possible cow about to give birth.
2 Humpbacks cruising between Islands.
2 Humpbacks east of Breaksea Island.
3 Humpbacks travel towards Bald Head from east of Breaksea Island. More blows south of us as we follow the 3 above.
Sunday 30th June.
2 humpbacks swim around us for 1 hour in the middle of King George Sound.
1 Adult Humpback swims over Herald reef.
Saturday 29th.
1 quiet swims around us in King George Sound
1 Humpback swimming towards Bald Head from Middle of KGS.
6-8 Humpbacks cruising on the Humpbacks Highway. Lots of action.
Friday, 28 June 2013
A New Baby
We find 1 lone very very quite whale at the channel markers with 20 plus dolphins but it blows and then dives and stays down, so we just continue over to Goode Beach as we have heard that several ways are heading in that direction.
We find 4 adult humpbacks off flat rock close to Whale-world. We follow until they get to Bald Head Cove and then we go to check on the seal colony. I have seen some more blows to the east and as we get close I see one of the blows is very small. The cow and calf are accompanied with another adult. From what I have learnt this whale will be a midwife. An adult cow that will help with the birth and may be with the protection of the calf as they all continue on their migration to warmer waters. They swim towards us then change directions several times, when they head south we leave them to go on their way. We did grab a couple of pictures just for the record.
This week I have spotted the following whales.
Thursday
Whales seen breaching between Islands.
Wednesday
1 small humpback close to Seal Rock
1 small humpback breaches further out, we go to investigate and it swims around us for 45 minutes.
1 large and 1 small humpback just off Whale -world
2 adult humpbacks northern end of Goode Beach.
Tuesday
No cruise due to strong winds.
Monday
4 Adult humpbacks cruising in King George Sound.
Sunday
2 Humpbacks @ the safe water marker.
2 Humpbacks @ Seal Rock.
4 Humpbacks just off Whale-world. 1 is very small but with adult markings. We get photos and send to Doug Coughran at CALM to get his opinion as to what may be wrong with this whale.
2 Humpback northern end of Good Beach.
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Whales Visit King George Sound
The weatherman tells us we can look forward to stronger winds over the next few days, but it will be off shore so conditions in King George Sound should be ok for whale watching. As long as the whales come into the Sound that is.
Friday
We head out to find 2 Humpbacks out near the "Safe Water Marker" and follow them for some time. We leave them, as we have had word that over towards Whale-world, we have a pod that are very active. 20 minutes after we have left these whales Bernie tells me that they are entering Princess Royal Harbour. But we have found a pod of 3 whales off whale-world heading towards 2 more whales in Frenchman Bay. They do not join up, insted they turn and start heading toward Michaelmas Island. We follow as these whales seam to be the most active we can see.
We have more whales over towards Seal Rock and now a breach out deep. Not worth heading out there as we would be heading into choppy sea. We continue with our 3 whales and they cross the path of a lone young whale. We only see it once so may be he was intimidated by the larger whales.
Now ahead of us about 1000 meters away, we have more whales that are heading in towards Marine Drive. Our whales are just cruising and we follow them until it is time for us to head home, we are now over on the northern side of King George Sound so we head in to the coast and follow it back to the Marina.
Saturday
Bernie tells me that we have 2 whales at the mussel lease north of Mistaken Island, several whales heading into Goode Beach and some close to the dive site "HMAS Perth"
We see blows just behind the Twin Sisters. When we arrive in the area it seams that we have a pod of 6 or 8 whales cruising through the mussel lease on the southern side of Mistaken Island. We also pass a juvenile off by its self.
The whales pert and then come back together, some swimming in and out of the mussel lease. Some skirting the edges. We end up following 3 or 4 whales as they head out towards the islands. they are changing direction constantly and can be a little hard to follow, then they start to head north. We have blows further out to sea and blows over toward Marine Drive. Bernie then comes over the 2-way to say there is a whale breaching over towards the "Safe Water Marker" but I can not see it as we have clear skies the sun is shining and we have many white caps with the northerly winds. Then I see several blows so we leave the whales we have been with and head to see how many are ahead.
We find 5 or 6 whales cruising fast. We follow as they break the surface at times with a third of their bodies. Or stopping and throwing their tail out of the water. They are moving quite fast at times and several time change direction to swim just off our bow. We follow and now 2 whales come in from the deep. Our pod heads out and we turn to check out the whales that have come in and are now behind us. They take 2 breaths and then dive. Its time to head for home so we hit the coast at Ledge Beach and I get some help to drive home from the children who have be with us today.
Friday
We head out to find 2 Humpbacks out near the "Safe Water Marker" and follow them for some time. We leave them, as we have had word that over towards Whale-world, we have a pod that are very active. 20 minutes after we have left these whales Bernie tells me that they are entering Princess Royal Harbour. But we have found a pod of 3 whales off whale-world heading towards 2 more whales in Frenchman Bay. They do not join up, insted they turn and start heading toward Michaelmas Island. We follow as these whales seam to be the most active we can see.
We have more whales over towards Seal Rock and now a breach out deep. Not worth heading out there as we would be heading into choppy sea. We continue with our 3 whales and they cross the path of a lone young whale. We only see it once so may be he was intimidated by the larger whales.
Now ahead of us about 1000 meters away, we have more whales that are heading in towards Marine Drive. Our whales are just cruising and we follow them until it is time for us to head home, we are now over on the northern side of King George Sound so we head in to the coast and follow it back to the Marina.
Saturday
Bernie tells me that we have 2 whales at the mussel lease north of Mistaken Island, several whales heading into Goode Beach and some close to the dive site "HMAS Perth"
We see blows just behind the Twin Sisters. When we arrive in the area it seams that we have a pod of 6 or 8 whales cruising through the mussel lease on the southern side of Mistaken Island. We also pass a juvenile off by its self.
The whales pert and then come back together, some swimming in and out of the mussel lease. Some skirting the edges. We end up following 3 or 4 whales as they head out towards the islands. they are changing direction constantly and can be a little hard to follow, then they start to head north. We have blows further out to sea and blows over toward Marine Drive. Bernie then comes over the 2-way to say there is a whale breaching over towards the "Safe Water Marker" but I can not see it as we have clear skies the sun is shining and we have many white caps with the northerly winds. Then I see several blows so we leave the whales we have been with and head to see how many are ahead.
We find 5 or 6 whales cruising fast. We follow as they break the surface at times with a third of their bodies. Or stopping and throwing their tail out of the water. They are moving quite fast at times and several time change direction to swim just off our bow. We follow and now 2 whales come in from the deep. Our pod heads out and we turn to check out the whales that have come in and are now behind us. They take 2 breaths and then dive. Its time to head for home so we hit the coast at Ledge Beach and I get some help to drive home from the children who have be with us today.
Thursday, 20 June 2013
A Special Experience.
Bernie visits us at the boat to tell of several pods of whales in King George Sound.
We head out and although Bernie said there were whales over near Seal Rock but they are not that obvious when we cruise past on the way to some blows we have seen towards the middle of King George Sound.
We find 2 whales and follow for some time. 1 small whale lifts its tail and dives and then 2 more over towards Michaelmas Island about 1 km away and another 2 heading south east. We can see breaches out deeper so with the whales around us being pretty quite we head out to see if we can catch some action. No luck today.
We find another lone juvenile whale along side Limestone Head and 2 adults heading south out near Bald Head, but they are travelling and just taking a couple of breaths and then diving.
We go visit the New Zealand Fur Seal colony at Bald Head cove and as we leave the cove the juvenile cruises past us.
We cruise in along the coast stop out side Whale-world and then head towards Seal Rock. It is flat calm and as we head towards Seal Rock I spot a two whales break the surface over towards a couple of squid fishermen.
We head over and follow the whales as they head to Flat Rock just off Whale-world. The whales are very quiet and we knock the boat out of gear. The whales dive and we see their foot prints heading away from us. Then the whales surface and are now heading back towards us. They come in and swim past the stern of the boat as if heading back towards Seal Rock. They then turn and swim around us. Then head off again. Now they are back under the boat. Now they are swimming around us, surfacing at the bow and then at the stern. They swim around us for some time to the delight of our passengers. When they have had enough, they slowly swim away and we headed home.
One of my passengers, commented that they thought I would be over this, after 14 years of watching whales.
I must say, I still to this day love when whales interact with the boat. I just wish I had more time to capture on video or with my camera.
PS a thought. Are these whales the same ones that swam around us yesterday?
We head out and although Bernie said there were whales over near Seal Rock but they are not that obvious when we cruise past on the way to some blows we have seen towards the middle of King George Sound.
We find 2 whales and follow for some time. 1 small whale lifts its tail and dives and then 2 more over towards Michaelmas Island about 1 km away and another 2 heading south east. We can see breaches out deeper so with the whales around us being pretty quite we head out to see if we can catch some action. No luck today.
We find another lone juvenile whale along side Limestone Head and 2 adults heading south out near Bald Head, but they are travelling and just taking a couple of breaths and then diving.
We go visit the New Zealand Fur Seal colony at Bald Head cove and as we leave the cove the juvenile cruises past us.
We cruise in along the coast stop out side Whale-world and then head towards Seal Rock. It is flat calm and as we head towards Seal Rock I spot a two whales break the surface over towards a couple of squid fishermen.
We head over and follow the whales as they head to Flat Rock just off Whale-world. The whales are very quiet and we knock the boat out of gear. The whales dive and we see their foot prints heading away from us. Then the whales surface and are now heading back towards us. They come in and swim past the stern of the boat as if heading back towards Seal Rock. They then turn and swim around us. Then head off again. Now they are back under the boat. Now they are swimming around us, surfacing at the bow and then at the stern. They swim around us for some time to the delight of our passengers. When they have had enough, they slowly swim away and we headed home.
One of my passengers, commented that they thought I would be over this, after 14 years of watching whales.
I must say, I still to this day love when whales interact with the boat. I just wish I had more time to capture on video or with my camera.
PS a thought. Are these whales the same ones that swam around us yesterday?
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