15.06.2019 – Sea rescue and other enchanting moments
June 26, 2019
20.06.2019 – Pure Vitamin D(olphin)
June 28, 2019
What an incredible and wild day for our team! The west wind made the ocean rather choppy today, which we assumed would make our trips a little wetter and would make it harder to find animals. We were right about the first bit; a lot of our guests received their fair share of spray from the ocean but, despite these conditions, our spotter was able to provide us with spectacular sightings!
During the midday tour our zodiac was welcomed by a large Tropical whale (Balaenoptera edeni) swimming alongside her young calf. Like many other of the cetacean species visiting Madeira, these large, sleek baleen whales come here to rest and feed in the deep, sheltered waters surrounding the archipelago. Enjoying the protection of the coastline, the two gentle giants confidently approached our zodiac, gliding elegantly below the hull of the boat and gently swimming alongside us. Swimming amongst the whales were several small Skipjacks (Katsuwonus pelamis), a smaller species of tuna that is often observed swimming ahead of the whales, thereby gaining protection from predators and feeding advantages. After an encounter with a notoriously interactive species, the Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), we stumbled upon yet another Tropical whale in the company of a very young calf. Again, the animals calmly swam near our boat as both crew and guests gazed at them in awe.
Of course such behaviour from the animals is always a question of luck and, today, we were truly lucky! We were able to encounter several tropical whales on all three tours, with the large individual during the afternoon tour on the Stenella even engaging in associative feeding with a charismatic school of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Such associative feeding situations often occur as a result of opportunistic behaviour amongst the different species, each of them gaining some sort of advantage from the other’s presence. As if to end the day with a grand finale, we were surprised by a small pod of Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) on our way back to the marina!
One can say that whale-watching is measured in opportunity; we are an opportunistic platform that encounters animals making the most of the opportunities that are available to them. Of course, such sightings would not occur without the incredible efforts and stamina of our sensational spotter Carlos. Thank you, you did an amazing job as always!
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
13:30 Tropical whales
Stenella
12:00 Short-beaked common dolphins, Tropical whales
