Humpback calf playtime was the focus today as on both our tours mums and their babies enjoyed plenty of social time. Easterlies once again ruffled the waters surface this morning with plenty more butterflies and ladybirds finding their way from the mainland and onto our boat. Early on in the sighting grounds we came across two mums and calves having a marvellous morning socialising. Twisting, rolling and showing off a few tail lobs was all part of the fun as the mums and calves all joined in together. It is always lovely seeing the playful side of these mother whales who are usually always focused on protecting their calf that we can sometimes forget they also have a very playful spirit! Enjoying their time together, each pod also came over to check us out as well which was very special. Eventually after all that playing it was time for the little ones to settle and have a feed of milk as each mother gently moved away just far enough from each other for a bit of privacy.
One of the mothers stayed very close to us and in only seven meters of water we could see her lying upside down and the calf suckling, it was an incredible observation to see! A very private moment that this mother whale was happy to share with us as she felt safe to be upside down right alongside us and a few meters below the surface while feeding her calf. The midday tour was all about playtime as over twelve different mum and calf pods were observed close by to each other with three of those pods joining for a social get together. Rolling, twisting, trumpeting and a cheeky breach by one of the calves was observed as they all seemed very excited to have this opportunity to play and socialise. The mother whales were having just as much fun as the babies, making the most of this quick break from serious motherly duties to instead have some fun in he sun. It was a beautifully warm day, our first one in a very long time and as the temperature starts to increase going forward we shall start to see the final stages of the southern Humpback Whale migration close in so every day with these wonderful whales is treasured!
