Our day started with a friendly encounter of our resident species Bottlenose dolphins and Common dolphins. Also in the afternoon we were able to see the Common dolphin during feeding. So there were a lot of Cory’s shearwater joining the feast!
Soon we made it to a pod of 3 Fin whales, who came very near to our boat! So near that the whole body and white shadow of their lower jaw were fully visible from underwater. We just stayed there, resting with our boat and let the whales come. So they did! They appeared to be traveling in the beginning but went on slowmotion mood afterwards. It must have been a hot day for them too 🙂
Fin whale with visible white under jaw on right side.
While staying with the Fin whales, there appeared a blow of a Sperm whale not far away. Interesting, as Baleen whales and Toothed whales don’t get near each other very often. We went a bit closer and it turned out to be 2 resting juvenile Sperm whales. Lucky morning!
2 juvenile Sperm whales resting on the surface.
Nature is full of surprises, so we had a special encounter also in the afternoon with the Fin whales! A group of Bottlenose dolphin were joining the group of the 3 Fin whales – so again toothed sea mammals around them. They seemed to be a little bit annoyed by the fast and agile way of swimming of the Bottlenose dolphins.
Fin whale surfacing
A very special moment appeared to happen today, as it was the day of specialities: False Killer Whales! They were very playful and soon they were surrounding our boat! One of the group seemed to have fun to swim in the bubbles that the engine makes, so it was turning aroung his body and swimming belly up in the back of the boat! The others showed their whole body as they were swimming very close and surfaced very often. After we left them, we were able to observe some spectacular jumps on the horizon.
False Killer Whale juvenile
Playing with the bubbles from the engine
False Killer Whale group
False Killer Whale showing its belly
The swimming in the morning was a lucky one 🙂 Common and Spotted dolphins were feeding together and the swimmers could observe them very well. Some dolphins were very curious, looked at us and surprised us sometimes with their close approach 🙂 In the afternoon there was a huge group of Common dolphins ready to swim with us again! They were feeding again, and Filipe, our lookout, suggested that there must have been 500 dolphins in the area!
What a day!:)
Just keep tuned for more adventures with the team of terra azul!
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