Whale baleen plates are incredible and today a gorgeous Humpback calf gave us a big “smile” with mouth wide open, providing a fantastic opportunity to see inside the mouth of a whale. The winds had eased for the afternoon ahead and it was wonderful and warm, the first day like this we have had on the water for a while as we edge towards summertime. The sighting grounds were dotted with mum and calf pods who were enjoying their time and one pod in particular were in the mood to socialise. The baby was launching into beautiful breaches and even a few little adorable pec slaps showing they have learnt very well from mum. Breaching and pec slapping when combined in the Language of the Whales is a very friendly and flirty conversation they will use to attract attention towards themselves.
The young calf was doing a fantastic job of calling out and although only a couple of months old already this baby knows how to find friends. A nearby mum and calf began to approach as they were attracted by the breaching and pec slapping calf. It worked and the breaching baby was thrilled! The pods joined and spent a little while together for the calves to meet and greet, it was beautiful to see and important for them and their social development. The mum of the breaching calf was younger herself and playful as they both come over to say hello and the little one was so excited with a couple of head lunges. Pivoting upwards the calf then opened his mouth all the way and showed off those baby baleen plates, it was beautiful! In time the baleen will grow and become very important for filtering kill as all the adults do but for now these shorter baleen plates will be just enough to filter the delicious milk mum will provide every day.
