Sightings of the First of April of 2021 is definitely a day guests and staff will remember !
If I said that yesterday that we sighted : Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Fin Whales (Balaenoptera Physalus) a Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), False Killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).
You might be skeptical and believe to be pranked as it happens for many as part of the traditional April’s fools day, but “No Sir, you are not”- this really happened!
Our staff and guests were overwhelmed with what the ocean had to offer.
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) travelling in the along side a Blue Whale
But as much as surreal this seems, we can only thank the true responsible organism that makes all of this possible “Phytoplankton”. With spring, migrations begin and these amazing giants partake in their yearly migrations, passing through the Azores. The changes in temperature and water movements allow phytoplankton to bloom and enter into an elaborate food chain that provides food for many marine organisms including baleen whales, such as the Blue whale.
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing where one can appreciate its large blow holes as well as dorsal coloration.
So instead of narrating a magical day let’s put all of this into pictures since I assume the best way to prove it, is by showing you the crazy day that occurred during the different trips that we had.
False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) underwater
False Killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens)
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera Physalus), photo captured at the same time as the blue whale photograph was taken.
There is no doubt that the Azores are truly a magical place where one can observe marine life. We were lucky enough to even find this little fellow. This lovely bird is not always sighted when at sea , yet this lovely species was spotted by one of our guests with a broad knowledge of birds.
Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
A blessed day to remember !
So stay tuned for many more adventures. 😉
