We love wildlife so much...how about san diego whale watching! Back in July we spent a weekend in Hermanus, South Africa, the mecca for viewing Southern Right Whales.
Our first sighting of whales from shore. Southern Right whales return to Hermanus' warm bay year after year to give birth and and raise their calves until their babies are big enough to withstand the colder waters of their migratory paths.
http://youtu.be/n9MV5eAklTU
An uncut vid of our first sighting upon arriving in Hermanus. She was breaching so playfully!
This is what first sightings usually look like from the water. The sea safari boat companies are only allowed to motor just so close then they must cut motors and it is up to the curiosity level of the specific whale as to how close she comes.
Isn't she a beauty!?! The white calcifications on her body are normal callous like growths called callosites. The callosites are so unique each whale can be identified by them.
And then she sank below the surface.
We saw her tail slip away.
http://youtu.be/MwZQqt5NR6g
This vid shows the whale's dive and the footprint she left behind.
This is what is referred to as a Whale's Footprint. When a whale dives, the thrust from their fluke (tail) creates this circular pattern in the water. So pretty!
http://youtu.be/qY3_8ybcI7Y
http://youtu.be/A-kRX9dr4Ss
http://youtu.be/44jOE7jjYT8
This vid is our favorite for the bubbles and whale "talk". She is simply magnificent!
We also spotted a pod of Humpbacks breaching in the distance so we went to get a closer look but they stopped!
http://youtu.be/cwfIfCBsT74
http://youtu.be/54pBSPo1QMg
We also found interesting creatures that we weren't expecting on our sea safari. Penguins, Cormorants, a couple of Arctic sea birds that no one could identify, and these fun little guys!
A life-size statue near the shore.
The photo on the top was taken in 2004. We found the same spot and took the photo on the bottom for a "10 years later" shot. The little guy next to me on the bench in the current photo is WAY cuter!!!!
So, have you ever been whale watching? Where did you go? Where would you like to go to see whales? What kind of whale do you want to see? If you have never been...are you interested in it at all?