Whale Watch 1/31/2010

Well, today Captain Mar, Biologist Susan and the intrepid Adventurerers got plenty of practise at the little know technique we call "whale waiting". This would be the parts between whale "watching". It is an important strategy in sighting and resighting animals that spend most of their time under water. Tracking diving times and scanning the horizon we sighted several whales who appeared for a few breaths and mysteriously disappeared into the blue. Humpbacks are mysterious like that. After patience and searching, we were rewarded with...snacks and juice! Oh, and also we saw a breach and then watched a large whale do repeated pec (pectoral fin) slaps on the water. Loud enough to hear. Check out the pic with that big long (can be 15 ft) pec fin and tail sticking out of the water, as the whale rolled onto its side. Hence the scientific name Megaptera ("Big-winged) novaeangliae. Susan K

Whale Watch 1/29/2010

Well, today we had an amazing find just minutes out of Keauhou Bay. We have fast engines to go find the whales, but this trip was all about slow and steady. Captain Liam, Susan and the whale spotters came across a heat run or "competitive pod" heading south close to the shoreline. We slowly followed their progress with lots of behaviours, yes, the kind that humpback boys carry on when competing to be the females #1. For the moment. Monogamy is not part of the humpback lifestyle. This mammalian strategy may seem familiar...girls go for quality, boys go for quantity. Pods are transient, constantly changing. One way to ensure the survival of your species. A group of four whales turned to 5 and then split into two pods by the time we left them to head back home for the night. Breaches 4. Head slaps 6. Tail slashes 8. Motorboating 2. And lots of heavy breathing. Listen for the blow in the video!

Whale Watch 1/27/2010

Captain Shawny traveled us north and we found a few single whales wandering in the area. We then headed back to Kailua Bay and cruised past the cruise ship tenders bringing people back to the boat. We found a pod of spinner dolphins who gave us a great show of exactly why they are called "spinners". On the way home, we were able to spend time with a mom and calf and then headed back to good ole Keauhou Bay.

Whale Watch 2/05/2010

Captain Shawny and Susan and the whale enthusiasts..well...lets put it this way...It started off with "Was that a whale tail way out there?" and ended with a mom and baby breaching a circle around the boat. Oh, and we saw a baby Booby. And heard some whale song. More pics available at www.thecottoncandystudio.com.

Whale Watch 1/26/2010

We braved the wind and waves and saw a few whales doing 10 to 13 minute dives. Came across a large pod of spinner dolphins who we watched ride the waves. Found one whale that had clearly been entangled in something, perhaps a fishing line or net, in the past. Notice the deep indent in the back. Ended the day with a couple breaches! Yes, see that splash...a whale was there. Really.

Aloha

Captain Steve and Susan taking care of their snorkelers on a flat glass calm day in Kealakekua Bay.

Entangled humpback with yellow cylindrical buoy re-sighted off Big Island

On February 2, 2010 at 09:15 , the humpback whale carrying a yellow cylindrical buoy was re-sighted 7.5 nm NNE of Keahole Point, Big Island. The animal is heading south at about 1.3 kts. Line appears wrapped around the animal's head, possibly involving the mouth, and around the tailstock. The yellow cylindrical buoy that was first reported on January 24, 2010 is still attached and was riding along the left flank of the animal at the level of the dorsal fin.

The animal was reported by Doug Perrine and Julie Steelman, who attempted to standby/ monitor the animal until trained responders Justine Veizbicke (HIHWNMS), Brent Carmen (DAR), and Steve Cotton (DAR) could arrive on scene and attach a telemetry buoy. As this time (13:00) the response team, aboard a DAR vessel, is attempting to re-locate the animal.