Aug 27, 2014
At 6 in the morning we are way offshore of Dampier, too early to call dear friends there… we are making our way to the northern most point of the Montebello Islands and from there southward to Fremantle.
Only a handful of whales were sighted before lunch. One humpback whale was swimming near a 4-storeyed well-head, which also served as the NW Brown Booby Bird Hotel. The odd breach from exuberant humpback whales dotted the flat horizon. Other upward pointing structures were man-made, including oil/gas monopods and platforms.
The Brown Booby NW Hotel, an unofficial multi-story apartment for opportunistic seabirds!
Somehow, Whale Song stopped by Dales’ Tacos for lunch! Dale kindly prepared Tex-Mex with all the fixings – tacos with fresh boat-made salsa, guacamole and corn chips as well as re-fried beans and beef or chicken. Delicious, thanks Dale!
Approaching the Montebello Islands we came across a purple patch of humpback whales, 30 pods in fact, some still northbound but most southbound. One pair even began to follow us, ‘Which way to the fridge in the Antarctic?’ they seemed to say!
Today we have been looking for whales with our ears. The towed array has been deployed 24 hours a day since we left Broome, so in the wheelhouse, we can hear humpback whales thrilling away, at any hour – real time. Some dolphins came near the array this afternoon and totally buzzed it… a solid wall of sonar clicks in a “whrrr” of solid vertical white lines. They really checked out the array trailing behind us!
With the sinking sun to the west, in the wheelhouse, the guys reflect on another day in paradise.
For dinner, Resty prepared red chicken curry with jasmine rice and fresh lettuce and tomato salad – as always very yummy! Strawberries and cream finished our meal superbly!
On a calm sea with a beautiful long ocean swell of 3.5 m, we made our way slowly towards NW Cape. We expect to see lots of whales during a day travelling along Ningaloo Reef tomorrow!
Can’t wait to enjoy whales frolicking at Ningaloo!
Mich
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