Chatham Strait, Alaska
From across the Strait we could see the splashes. First one, and then two humpback whales were lying on their backs near the surface, slapping their massive pectoral fins on the water. Then they began breaching side by side in what could have been choreographed synchronicity. Surface behavior of this type is generally unpredictable—sometimes only lasting for a few moments, other times continuing for a longer period. We decided to make a detour from our destination to the south in the hopes that the magnificent acrobatics that we viewed from a distance would be repeated in closer proximity to the ship. We approached carefully and held our breath when the whales made a deeper dive—a sign that more breaching could be imminent. Everyone on deck spoke in hushed whispers. Then, as if for our benefit and pleasure alone, a whale that had been perhaps 200 yards away just moments before, broke the surface with fantastic speed and energy not 10 yards from the bow of the vessel! Our hopes had been richly fulfilled! Hearts raced, a cheer went up from the crowd on the deck and we all congratulated each other on our good luck as the massive splash subsided.
This was the scene just a few hours into our first day of the voyage. Earlier, we had spent time with a lone, male killer whale and seen both Dall’s and Harbor porpoises as well as other humpbacks. This was a very auspicious start to our week, indeed.
From across the Strait we could see the splashes. First one, and then two humpback whales were lying on their backs near the surface, slapping their massive pectoral fins on the water. Then they began breaching side by side in what could have been choreographed synchronicity. Surface behavior of this type is generally unpredictable—sometimes only lasting for a few moments, other times continuing for a longer period. We decided to make a detour from our destination to the south in the hopes that the magnificent acrobatics that we viewed from a distance would be repeated in closer proximity to the ship. We approached carefully and held our breath when the whales made a deeper dive—a sign that more breaching could be imminent. Everyone on deck spoke in hushed whispers. Then, as if for our benefit and pleasure alone, a whale that had been perhaps 200 yards away just moments before, broke the surface with fantastic speed and energy not 10 yards from the bow of the vessel! Our hopes had been richly fulfilled! Hearts raced, a cheer went up from the crowd on the deck and we all congratulated each other on our good luck as the massive splash subsided.
This was the scene just a few hours into our first day of the voyage. Earlier, we had spent time with a lone, male killer whale and seen both Dall’s and Harbor porpoises as well as other humpbacks. This was a very auspicious start to our week, indeed.
