28.12.2021 – Giants, dwarves and water ballet

Published by Fatima Kutzschbach on January 5, 2022

It was quite wavy on today’s morning tour, but the ride was worth it.

Shortly before Funchal, we got news about two baleen whales. When the whales finally appeared, identification was quick. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) have a very distinctive, strongly pronounced dorsal fin. If you are still not sure, then it is helpful to see the right side of the lower jaw. Fin whales have two differently colored lower jaw sides, dark on the left and light on the right. We were also able to do this check. Both animals were gigantic. These baleen whales can grow to be 20-25 meters long and weigh up to 70 tons. They seemed to be heading south extremely fast at 10 knots, but they can actually accelerate to 50 km / h. Baleen whales spend their winters in tropical waters. It seemed like that is where the journey should go. Who could blame them?

Afterwards, there was a nimble, lively encounter with the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Compared to the large baleen whales, they looked like little sea dwarfs.

In the afternoon we went again towards Funchal. A wonderful observation developed with the Short-finned Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that we encountered there. Many animals swam close together, the cohesion between these animals was clearly felt. Two animals put on a real show. The otherwise sedate Pilot whales performed a stunning water ballet. There were elegant pirouettes to be admired. One of the two animals floated on its back while it stretched its pectoral fins in the air, and the second Pilot whale did a headstand, lifting its tail high up. That was a really artistic show.