Humpback Whales at play today as Flinders Bay was overflowing with pods on the move as some competed while others socialised with the local Bottlenose Dolphins. It had been three long days of wind and rain, but this morning was perfect as a bright sky and light winds welcomed the early morning and to our great surprise a juvenile Humpback Whale was in the Augusta Boat Harbour! This little one was curious and exploring the protective rock wall, thankfully though he eventually found his way back out into the bay. It is our second sighting of a whale in the boat harbour this season and a reflection of just how busy the bay has been. Our morning tour was unbelievable as pods were sighted as we left the protective harbour wall and were immediately greeted by three seperate pods that were on the move.
A competition pod formed and the intensity was high as they charged through the bay with one of the boys lifting another up onto his back and pushing him forward. It was an intense comp pod but it appeared that the primary escort had maintained his winning position, at least for now! The afternoon was just as busy with multiple pods but our first interaction was with two beautiful bachelor males who were so very social and enjoying some playtime with the local Bottlenose Dolphins. Twisting, turning and rolling together happily they were having a blast before the boys decided to come hang with us for the next hour. A lovely and close encounter, we got to know both boys well and even pods that moved past close by didn’t distract them from their social time with us this afternoon. A slightly more intense pod was brewing a short distance away as yet another competition pod formed and these boys were boisterous! Chasing each other at such high speeds and pivoting effortlessly it was a good challenge to keep up with them all as they moved through the bay. It was a very special day out on the water and to be surrounded by so many Humpback Whales certainly makes us smile, their population is thriving and that couldn’t make us happier.
