Perth Southern Right Whales southbound in the late afternoon sunshine with a bug surprise sighting as the Humpback Whales kept busy throughout the day. Finally, after three long days the rain clouds cleared and the sun began to shine as the spring weather made a tentative return with a cool chill noticeable throughout the day. Humpback Whales greeted us this morning as one lone whale was on the lookout for a friend as a commotion unfolded just ahead. A pod of two had been approached by a third whale and soon all three surfaced just off our bow as the three bachelor boys got to know each other. Excited trumpeting and boisterous movement led them out towards Rottnest Island. Our midday tour was a similar theme as a competition pod unfolded as five males joined together and with much fuss chased after the female who led them straight towards our vessel.
She didn’t seem to mind the attention at all as the boys followed her around and around us repeatedly. It was fantastic to be amongst the excitable energy, exaggerated tail dives and loud trumpeting. Our final surprise for the day was during our afternoon tour as the late sunshine turned the ocean gold and to our great delight the breaching we had observed on our way to the sighting grounds were enormous Southern Right Whale! It was such a thrill to see them and be so close to an endangered species as they rolled and tumbled together in the afternoon sun. It was great to see them both having a wonderful time, a very special sighting indeed and always a rare opportunity to observe Perth Southern Right Whales southbound during this time of the year with so few this far north along our coastline. The species generally gather in waters further south and with approximately 4,000 individuals in the population any sightings outside of their usual range are always extremely special. The nearby Humpback Whales maintained a low profile, almost seeming shy around the exuberant Southern Right Whales as the local Bottlenose Dolphins darted by our bow.
