Western Australian Humpback Whales are currently on their southbound migration as they make their way past our coast and enjoy hanging out in the sheltered waters off our coastline. It was still a little chilly today but the bright sunshine was casting its glow across the sighting grounds as we met with two big adult whales on the move and covering ground efficiently. Moving past our stern, one rolled over onto his side and lifted his long pectoral fin high before letting it gracefully fall back down onto the surface. A very friendly pec slap was appearing to invite us to join with them as we cruised out towards Rottnest Island. Powerful and peaceful at the same time, it was lovely to travel with these two big males and as they approached the reef line one of the boys launched into a big breach.
Just a one off to see what sort of response they received from other pods nearby and also to signal to the recreational vessel traffic they were moving towards to steer clear. Our midday tour was a similar theme as a pod of younger bachelor males launched into breaching, head lunging and then pec slapping. Making all other pods notice them it was soon apparent the nearby adults were not so interested, but one lone whale a short distance away seemed to move towards them slowly. Noticing this approach, both the boys bolted towards the one whale who now seemed to be second guessing the decision to approach these boisterous boys! A commotion if white water and rolling fins appeared at the surface as all three wiggled around each other before the lone whale made a break for it and moved away from the original two, they were just a little too much energy for this chilled lone traveller. Regrouping, the bachelor males continued on with their travel and hopefully will find a suitable, high energy pod member to join with them soon.
