Sunshine, flat sea and lots of life out there! It seemed a summer day today, except for the fact that a fin whale was part of our list of species. It was the same fin whale spotted yesterday and it was hanging around in the same area. From the video we could also confirm it was a female!
The individual was quite small and it was resting most of the time showing a regular surfacing pattern. This allowed us to observe it during several breaths contrary to what happen when the whales are foraging and disappearing for several minutes. In the afternoon, after showing a similar behaviour, it decided to turn sideway showing half of its fluke and started to show less regular movements, suggesting it may have started foraging. The size and the timing of migration suggest it may have been a juvenile. Young individuals and mothers with calves are in fact the last ones to undertake their long journey.
fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) passing next to the boat
The overall calm atmosphere of the morning was also maintained when in company of some bottlenose dolphins and even a loggerhead turtle decided it was good time to have a nap. In the afternoon, the group of bottlenose dolphins got larger and was fast swimming. Other species on the “today list” were striped and common dolphins. Both quite active and porpoising, their groups included many calves and newborns.
Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
We really enjoyed our day! …as usual 😀
