Aug 02, 2014
Glorious alto-cumulus at sunset on the calm sea had all the photographers on deck as we travelled the western side of Dampier Peninsula. Soft colours, at the beginning and end of days tends to do that!
Another speckky Kimberley sunset!
On watch, looking up at the sky, the stars are shielded somewhat with a light cumulus dusting but the warm air is simply delicious. Twenty-five point two degrees Celcius is pretty smooth as our night temperature! With both doors open the wheelhouse has a lovely breezy feel. Whale Song rises and falls gently on the tiny ripples of the sea and the only sounds heard are the gentle rumble of the motors, the ‘dit-dit-da-dit’ of the auto-pilot and the soft, wave wash against the hull. ‘Pheeeww!’ in the darkness from the portside, I also heard a humpback whale blow! Ah, the sounds of night watch! I always love having runs on the board before sunrise!
During most of the time between 1am and 2am, the yellow flashing light of Cape Leveque brightened the darkness and reminded me that we were near the northern portion of the Dampier Peninsula. Then, once abeam Cape Leveque, I changed course and made way for Frost Shoal, where many whales are travelling towards Camden Sound. I could smell flowers on land near Cape Leveque and the promise of many whales was totally intoxicating.
Carrie is downtown whale city!
With the morning sun peeping over the sea, we arrived at Frost Shoal and basically from dawn to dusk, we had whales all around! Scanning the horizon we could see white puffy blows billowing skyward everywhere, from quiet pairs to boisterous 8 animal pods. Curt and I are thrilled to be back and Skipper too! He had a wonderful day and is very exhausted! All those whales with whom to have a chat!
Firing away 3000 photos I have my work cut out selecting for today but these two are my offering.
Feeling ever-so-happy and ever-so-exhausted – two of the absolutely wonderful things we love about our research. I shall be asleep with 1, 2…,
Mich
No comments yet.