As predicted in the weather forecast and confirmed right at the first moments of our STENELLA trip, we had perfect conditions for whalewatching. As we were gliding our way out and while spotting the first rafts of Cory’s shearwaters, our tour was being already planned by the skipper and spotter. Fortunately as expected by the previous trip, their were still some Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalous) in reach. Our first sighting was of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and with a flat ocean surface it was possible to see how some dolphins were socializing underwater while others were still nibbling on shoals of Snipefish. Heading further out we spotted the first Sperm whale. After a short rest at surface to get oxygenated, this specimen started the surface dive sequence, by increasing speed and lifting it’s head. These are the behavior indicators that precedes the lifting of the fluke and the decent to the abyss in search of prey…..
by Daniel Jardim
Sightings of the day
Stenella
15:00 Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins; Sperm whales