08.09.2017 – Sperm whales open air concert

Since many days we have experienced intensive moments at sea with fascinating sightings. Thanks to underwater filming (Daniel), we even gained unique insights in the social behaviour of Spermwhale pods. My colleague Paula described it a few days ago in her blog.

Again today whales were ahead of us. But first we had to take a little break. After the wind changed in the morning to a southeastern direction, the sea became choppy. Due to whitecaps and stronger winds we unfortunately had to cancel the midday trips. Sorry dear guests. Savety has priority. A few hours later, the wind calmed down and we went back at sea. In the afternoon trip we found quickly a small school of Common dolphins and close by, a Tropical whale. As often with this baleen whale species, he was fooling us with criss-cross diving manoevers. Then Carlos called and sent us to another place, Sperm whales ahead! he said. A short time after, we saw several water fountains side by side. Seeing this, it reminded me of Kurt de Swaaf, a dutch biologist and author. He dedicated a wonderful book to the Sperm whale (The spirit of the Ocean). In there he translated the Sperm whales latin name (Physeter macrocephalus) as “wind instrument player with the big head”. Our blowing Sperm whales seemed as if they were giving an open-air concert at sea.

by Astrid Haas 

Sightings of the day:

Stenella

09.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins and Common dolphins (Schnorcheltour)

15.30: Common dolphins, Tropical whale, sea turtle and Spermwhales

Ribeira Brava

09.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins and Common dolphins