Aug 03, 2014
The calving grounds are a mixture of wild and woolly boisterous activity and ‘island-like’, immobile resting at the surface. Both types of behaviours compliment and contradict each other. “Hot-headedness” meets “cool-as-a-cucumber” calm in the world of being a humpback whale which includes finding a friend, keeping one (if only for 2 hours or 2 days) and baring/caring for your calf.
“Thwack!” Her 5 m long pectoral fin hits the water with a crash!
The process of love, encompassing the first two phases of finding and keeping a friend, is protracted. Over several hours, battles ensue between competitive males following a female, jostling for prime position with her, literally being closest in proximity to her. Eventually a Primary Escort is the only male accompanying a breeding female. It is amazing to see the raw energy of 40 tonnes of humpback whale saying ‘I’m the one for you!’.
Having made the same journey ourselves from the summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic to winter breeding grounds in the tropics, it is wonderful to compare a number of aspects. The weather, naturally, is totally different from summer air temperatures of -160 C and SST of -1.50 C. The whales are now playing in water climes of 26.10 C air temperature and 26.60 C SST. They are literally hot-hot-hot in many more ways than one!
Skip does the Buccaneer Archipelago on his Thomas Cook cruise!
The scenery of ancient icebergs in a sea of misty, grey fog within a white wonderland, changes to ancient rocks of red ochre and aqua water. There is no mistaking the breath-taking vistas of each location. Interesting differences of behaviour transpire. Feeding ground activities are co-operative and involve planned cohesive movements, while humpback whales on the breeding ground are combative and competitive for mates.
One could almost consider humpback whales as two-speed whales, feeding or breeding, they don’t fight over krill but they do over mates! Old males collect and carry battle scars from their rough and tumble antics. The sensory tubercles on their head are rubbed red raw with cream flesh exposed from physical contact conflicts, while the female leads the combative pod zig-zagging between islands.
This is a unique location and worthy of the protection it has been afforded. Delighted at photographing and documenting a humpbacks’ life!
Mich
No comments yet.