Humpback Whale migration season is underway as the momentum back towards Antarctica is consistent as all three tours observed multiple pods moving through the sighting grounds. Our morning welcomed very friendly Humpback Whales who were busy moving towards Rottnest Island but all three pods decided we were rather interesting! Approaching, they circled around and around us with big tail dives and belly rolls as they twisted and turned to get a better look at everyone onboard. It was lovely to meet these beautiful whales and spend some time getting to know them all before its time for them to continue on their way. Our midday tour was a relaxed tempo initially before a rather boisterous competition pod started just up ahead as we joined with four large, adult whales.Watching the female move ahead of the boys there was a bit of push and shove as they jostled for position.
Her primary escort did a great job of maintaining his position and soon after it started the competition pod fizzled out as the clearly exhausted bachelor males showed the signs of a whole winter of intense competing. Fat reserves are depleted and even though these males hearts are in the competition their bodies simply don’t have the energy to keep up so this time of the year often observes heat runs completing a short time after starting compared to earlier on in the season. Our afternoon tour enjoyed the calming sea and warm glow of the late afternoon sunshine as a few pods were meandering towards Rottnest Island and enjoying their day. Maintaining a good reactionary distance from each other we didn’t see any need from any of the pods to be dominant towards each other as they all peacefully moved as one on the trail southbound with the momentum of the Humpback Whale migration season strong and yet to increase with the arrival of the mothers and calves imminent.
