A friend of us called just to share her excitement about the sightings we are having this Spring.  We are so thrilled to know that animals are just enjoying the waters.

Navigating today we sighted 4 species, just writing that is out of this world.  Seems as if Azores are just located in a magical place where nature decided to allow us to experience such beauty.

We navigated in the waters just one mile outside of Vila Franca do Campo where our first sighting was a pod of Risso’s Dolphins (Grampus griseus). In the pod, a new-born little Risso was sighted, we love to know pods are growing. <3

Here is a picture of a Risso’s Dolphin from our library.

Risso’s Dolphin surfacing with significant scars as well as a grey-whitish coloration

 

one nautical mile further out, the blow of a massive Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) was sighted, the animal was resting at the surface. It was a huge male or also known as a “Bull”, getting that nickname as a justice to their massive bodies that one might even say look like a big submarine just stationed at the surface.  Here is a picture of our library to explain this nickname a bit better 😉

A male Sperm Whale also known as a “Bull”

 

We sighted 4 different Sperm Whales in the area, but suddenly we received directions from our Lookouts, Filipe and Nicole to navigate just a mile out of the coast line. Guess who was there?

Well we won’t leave you in suspense just Check out the majestic fluke of a relaxed Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). 

The animal just relaxing and diving in the same area but we were not the only ones curious about the whale, some Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) came to say “Hi, just stopped to check out how cool you also are” 😉

 

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) getting ready to deep dive by gaining momentum with its tail

Humpback whale diving, leaving us with the rear view of it’s tail.

Humpback whale diving, where a white coloration of the tips of the tail is visible. 

 

So once more, guys What is Happening in Azores 😉 !!!

 

Anaïs Builly

About Anaïs Builly

Anais Builly is Marine Biologist and Master of Biology, Ecology and Ecosystems, and of Bioproducts & Bioproduction of Marine Ecosystems, studied in France and South Africa. She is also Marine Wildlife Guide & Community Manager at TERRA AZUL. She is passionate about conservation of marine mammals, and loves being out in the ocean everyday.