Aug 09, 2014
As darkness receded, the dawn chorus filled the warm air. Birds in the trees hanging from the rock-face and in pandanus palms atop the rusty red cliffs, staked their territory with beautiful calls. It is an auditory world and we are thrilled to be hearing avian songs, as well as the songs of the sea!
Golden light lit the calm water surrounding Wilson Point as the anchor was raised and Whale Song was underway to photograph humpback whales. Grab some toast and get going – there are whales to see! We continued our survey of the Sound, documenting all encountered animals with photo-id.
Another sunrise in paradise!
A large rowdy pod of three animals which grew to at least 8 or 9 got and held our attention and we all filled several memory cards. Boisterous blows and underwater exhalations were the order of the day. I am certain there are many obvious and subtle aspects, to being a male humpback whale. It seems the rowdy pods of males engage in playful rough and tumble, not unlike young boys. Males also display more aggressive behaviour, most likely for the purpose of determining dominance. Gaining the primary position within male pods is all about beating the next guy to a pulp using a range of manoeuvres. Male on male combat, involves fluke whacks and side-ways thrashes with extended pectoral fins, peduncle slaps and even breaching one on top of one another. Each of these behaviours serving to pass on aggressive dominance messages quite clearly! Having gained the dominant position within the male pod, this animal will be the Primary Male. Once the rowdy pod encounters a female, with or without the calf, this Primary Male then becomes the Primary Escort, literally with the closest access and closest position next to the female in the swimming formation. Holding onto this Primary Escort position for up to several hours is a test of strength, duration and determination. To appear strong and aggressive during hours of remaining close to the female as the Primary Escort, despite the advances of Secondary and Tertiary Escorts, is difficult and appears exhausting. Eventually, as the pod dwindles from perhaps 8, 9, 10 or 12 suitors, the Primary Escort then swims slowly and calmly beside the female. This is when his softer side seems to show. Perhaps, the female and the successful male regain their breath and settle, savouring the quiet after the rowdy storm of the previous hours as they swim slowly together away from the maelstrom.
Being bolshy with the boys and then swimming relatively calmly with a female, seems part of being a male humpback whale…
Ah, right when one was thinking life was simple as a whale. Finding a friend and keeping that friend and then mating successfully, is a full-time occupation, literally, on the winter breeding ground for a male humpback whale. Males desire to do this as many times as possible, not having any particular long-term connection to a female beyond the mating process.
It is a privilege to observe a day in the life of a male whale with all the inherent ups and downs, figuratively and literally! They seem to be coping well, as the WA population numbers between 33,000 and 36,000 – that is a lot of humpback love!
Anchored in the Heywood Islands and reflecting on another perfect day in paradise!
Mich
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