A Time of Whales.............

January 26, 2013 - Petermann Island, Antarctica
Good visibility, overcast
Wind: W 2: Sea: smooth; air Temp 5C (41F)

I was about to title this post "A Whale of a Time". Somehow that just seemed too crass for such a surreal wildlife experience.  Over the past couple of years I've been fortunate to experience some awesome wildlife viewing around the planet. It's impossible to state 'my favorite' when so many have been far beyond expectation, and all have been exceptional. This cold and wild morning with the Humpback whales will always be up there in the top five though. 
These whales are seen here only in during the Antarctic Summer having migrated from their calving grounds off Brazil. Although mating and calving take place in the warmer waters, they seldom feed in those areas, instead moving to the excellent feeding grounds in the cold productive seas around Antarctica.

As soon as we left the ship, the Zodiac ride became very exciting. We spotted several Humpback whales nearby. Global population is now only 30-40,000. Males measure up to 52 feet and weigh up to 32 tons, females 56 feet and 36 tons. These are really huge and their presence is exciting. Humpbacks live 70-80 years, their diet is krill, zooplankton and small fish. They breed every 2-3 years (gestation is 12 months), producing a single calf weighing in at 2 tons and 20 feet in length at birth, and which is weaned at one year of age.

Humpbacks are the most conspicuous of the Antarctic whales, often seen swimming on the surface or splashing about while feeding.  They will approach ships, putting on quite a show, frequently spy hopping, lobtailing, and breaching. Another of our Zodiacs in the distance with excited passengers standing up for a better view.

At the start of a deep dive (up to 577 feet) the whale will arch its back and stick its tail vertically in the air. This reveals the black and white pattern on the underside which is unique to each individual and useful for identification.

The Zodiac moved on toward the shoreline and some huge icebergs.........

 ....and a pod of five whales, one a mother with a calf, 

appeared close by.

As whales reach the surface to breathe, they forcefully expel 

air through their blowhole as above.......

...and the lovely turquoise is the reflection off the white pigmentation on the pectoral fin of an adult whale. These are very close to our Zodiac - a bit of which you can see at the bottom right corner...

....and continued to swim around us for quite some time, more blowing, even passing under the Zodiac. Could they have tipped us? Yes, but thankfully on this day they were gentle and playful. Whereas we eight passengers, plus our driver, were up and down like yo-yos positioning to get good shots without knocking someone overboard into that cold water!

This Humpback is spyhopping - it rises and holds a position partially out of the water - this can last for several minutes if the whale is sufficiently inquisitive about whatever, or whomever, it is viewing. 

The barnacles were easy to see this close up.

This is one of the Humpback's 18 foot long pectoral 
fins which they raise and then slap on the surface 
of the water........  

Paula getting a close-up shot of a very close up Humpback! 

Note more barnacles on the small dorsal fin.

Another Zodiac pulled up next to us to share in this awesome whale experience. I really think this shot shows how close we were to these huge, beautiful creatures. Another expedition staffer was able to record haunting whale songs underwater (only the male 'sings'), so that evening when we gathered for the day's summary of happenings, we had a great slide show accompanied by whale songs. Truly a day to remember.

Getting near the end of this wonderful journey......where I walked on the Seventh Continent and sailed the roughest ocean in the world - show you next time.

Remember, for more detail - click on one photo to enlarge and be sure to turn on Lightbox (in your Settings) to see all pics in a slideshow.