Today’s tour was a remarkable experience with a unique interaction between Southern Right and Humpback whales in the morning, followed by a lively competition pod in the afternoon. The cozy overcast sky and gentle winds created ideal conditions for whale spotting. As we departed from the Augusta Boat Harbour, we enjoyed watching numerous pods navigating through the sighting grounds.
In the morning, we witnessed social behaviours, including playful pec slapping, as one Humpback worked hard to attract attention. An impressive breach from a Humpback revealed the presence of a pregnant Southern Right Whale surfacing nearby. Her size was enormous and we were thrilled to see her safely arrive in the calving grounds of Flinders Bay. Accompanying her was a curious juvenile Humpback eager for interaction, which is a rare sight between the two species. Although their interaction was brief, the young Humpback had plenty of companionship, with over fifty Humpbacks observed in the bay that morning for him to approach instead.
The afternoon unfolded with an exhilarating competition pod, featuring seven robust Humpbacks. The males energetically pushed, shoved, and jostled for the closest position to the female, and we felt fortunate to be amidst this dynamic group. As three challengers Joined The Pod, their rapid movement through Flinders Bay prompted nearby pods to react with breaching and tail lobs. It was thrilling to witness the competition pod racing toward our vessel, with the female cleverly using our boat as a distraction and navigation challenge for the males to see who could keep up with her. As the remaining contenders continued their journey into the bay, their energy remained high, and we wished them well as they moved on.
