What makes Bremer Bay Orca breach? Today we observed an amazing display of Orca surface language and an example of what makes and Orca breach. It was a busy morning as on our arrival blows were sighted just ahead and we observed two well known and much loved family pods with Queen and Kidji in The Patch. Moving efficiently through the hunting grounds the momentum was noticeable as they covered ground effortlessly with males Wonks and Hookfin hanging out together for a bit while he girls continued on with foraging. Racing forwards towards an oil slick we noticed on their arrival the Orca slow before pushing onwards when the culprit of the slick surfaced in front of us, it was an enormous male Sperm Whale! The distinctive blow and gunmetal gray skin of the worlds largest toothed predator appeared from the depths and began to go through the process of re-oxygenating in preparation for the next foraging dive. It is always very special to spend time with the Sperm Whales and see the most graceful tail dive on their return to the deep blue as we did today.
Continuing on with the Orca they regrouped for a bit before the energy increased and we were surrounded by explosions of white water as they launched into the Language of the Whales. It was spectacular as breaching was followed with tail lobs and tail slapping as Hookfin mimicked the famous Chalky breach as he launched into a belly flop, spectacular! Thrilling to see and the purpose behind this surface activity today was communication as the family called out to each other over distance. The sound of their bodies crashing down onto the oceans surface could be heard by Pod Members nearby who responded with breaching of their own. Moving to the west the Orca covered ground happily before Jydee noticed a commotion behind us approaching quickly, it was over 100 Pilot Whales. Social and relaxed as they approached us for social time amongst the pod we all had big smiles to witness such a special species here in the wild of the southern ocean. After a little while we wished the Pilot Whales a successful hunting afternoon ahead and rejoined with the Orca as they too began to focus in on forage mode. A wonderful day out on the water and brilliant to see and meet three incredible species of cetacean during our time in the Bremer Canyon hunting grounds.
