Augusta Humpback competition pods are starting to form in Flinders Bay as today we had our first early competition pod for the season with whales aplenty! Our first encounter though was with much younger Humpback Whales as juveniles and a tiny yearling conversed with tail lobs and breaching all around as the Language of the Whales flowed amongst the pods. A tiny yearling decided it was his time to shine as he launched into big barrel role breaching and white water creating head lunges. It was beautiful to watch this little ones enthusiasm and excitement to join in on the conversation and although these yearlings have only recently separated from mum they are already joining in with the epic migration. Approaching us curiously, the yearling popped up closely while two more whales moved in and they began to move off together as a boisterous collection of adults nearby caused the youngsters to sense something was brewing.
It was the start of a competition pod as three adult Humpbacks surfaced with loud trumpeting and the ocean boiling around them as they bustled close to each other. Further males were barreling in towards them and soon we have six big Humpback Whales on a steady game of chess through Flinders Bay. Changing course regularly, the female ensured she was always ahead of the males as they followed her closely, swiping out at each other with long pectoral fins in a challenge to see who could outmanoeuvre the others. Eventually the primary male escort had enough and surged towards our bow with his female before diving below and to our amazement launching into an enormous breach off our bow! It was spectacular and we watched on in awe as his huge frame came crashing down and sent a clear message to the challenging males. In that one dominant breach he had communicated his message strongly and the competition pod separated as they all dispersed, it was a fantastic first comp pod for the season and we cannot wait for the ones ahead!
