Sperm whale hide and seek (including underwater sound!)

 

Hello friends!

With the sea being flat and glassy like a mirror, our morning tour today was defenitely promising. The first fins to break through the surface today were those of our familiar friends in Azorean waters, the Common dolphins. The first pod we saw this morning appeared to be especially graceful, even the seabirds around would not move and were still resting in between the dolphins. I think that was really beautiful.

 

 

We then heard news from our lookout André and to my surprise headed towards the island again. Because of the calm waters we could spot what he was leading us to – sperm whales! It were two individuals and while coming closer we saw that they were male. One can tell when seeing the small hollow just behind the head of the animal. These two however were soon diving and we headed back towards the Common dolphins while waiting. Meanwhile we did manage to capture the Sperm whale underwater Echolocation sound, so you can listen to it here:

 

 

The sperm whales splitted up and one of them soon appeared relatively close by, so we headed there. And this encounter was just lovely. The Sperm whale rested on the surface for quite a while, allowing us to see its full length and blows. Before diving it looked as if it was taking a start, first bending its body more – then taking one more breath and diving started,  very steep. And… we saw the fluke! A moment to remember for long, that’s for sure!

 

 

And then ‘the game’ started, where both sperm whales came to the surface in different spots, further apart, further out, closer to shore again.. we searched a lot and were really patient, but we could not see them again. Before heading back to Vila Franca do Campo we saw our dolphins again – that was nice, having them as a welcome and as the ones saying goodbye to us.

 

 

I hope you all liked it, I at least really did! 🙂