A Personal Account (July - October 1997 and 1998)

Below is a personal account of my most intimate encounters with our majestic mammalian cousins. Though the time spent with them is minute in comparison to the scale of human lifespans, I am glad to say that although brief, these encounters have touched the very soul of my being and showed me the essence of life. For that I thank them. Hopefully after reading about my personal experiences, you too would be inspired and lifted up by angels....."the angel of the sea".

1997 Whale Watch Season

My first brush with whales happened on the 26th of July, 1997. I personally witnessed whale activity from Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, with my girlfriend Siok Hwee and two other friends, spotting about six to seven whales by their characteristic "blows" or exhaled breath. I also managed to catch a glimpse of their fins and their darkly colored body through the binoculars. No luck with photography though. Did not see any breaches from Point Lookout, spurring me to go for a whale cruise to get closer to these creatures.

The cruise happened a few weeks after my inspired trip to North Stradbroke Island, the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort whale watch cruise (19th of August, 1997). Managed to catch some really breathtaking activity with a total of 5 to 6 breaches, where the whales just propelled themselves clear of the water after waiting patiently, with the cruise circling the bay area and the light aircraft hovering above trying to spot some whales. All this happened out in the open ocean. It was estimated that there were only about 2 to 4 whales in the vicinity, judging from the frolicking antics of these gentle giants, swimming with their bellies to the top, appearing as light blue footprint like shapes on the surface of the dark water and with only 2 actually breaching. Took some split second shots of the unanticipated breaches. Hope I managed to get some good shots as this were all split second and the rocking of the catamaran did not make things any easier. Also managed to catch the whales taking a deep dive, witnessing the fluke up. Too quick for my camera though. The pictures obtained from the whale watch on the cruise proved disappointing. Did not get really good pictures (guess my expectations were too high, probably from looking at numerous professional photos of some really fantastic breaches on brochures) but did manage to catch 2 good breaches, one belly up and one huge splash. Guess I should have used a faster film and a better zoom as the pics obtained had the whale surrounded by white foam. Well maybe next time.

Also made a trip back to North Stradbroke Island for the southbound migration of the whales during my two week break, my last chance this year to see the whales (23rd of September, 1997). This trip we got lucky. My girlfriend witnessed 3 spectacular breaches (all which happened quite far out at sea) and a spy hop from Gorge Walk. Two were of adult whales and one was of a calf imitating its mother. No photos were taken though as all these happened too far from shore and in a split of a second. We were also very fortunate to catch a school of some 30 to 40 bottlenose dolphins surfing the waves and swimming up and down the North Gorge headlands. The highlight of the day, however, would probably have to be that of the interaction between the dolphins and a humpback calf. Here, we witnessed fluke ups, pec slaps, fluke up dives and the calf generally rotating its body and swimming with its pectoral fins upraised. The dolphins responded to the calves antics by leaping alongside it. All these lasted for a good 20 to 30 minutes. As the antics of these marine wonders happened so close to the headland, where we were seated, we did not really need binoculars, but used them anyway to get a better view. Also took lots of pictures, hoping to get lucky. The pics from the recent outing were ok. Got some good pics of the upraised fin and a portion of the tail. Overall, it was a very fruitful trip as we got to catch a glimpse some breaches (though far off), a pod of dolphins fooling around with a humpback calf and some turtles, all these from the headland. Whew. Well, guess its goodbye to the whales for the time being, at least till the next whale season. See you all in the next season.

1998 Whale Watch Season

The main aims for me, at least for the new season, was to have close encounters and capture breathtakingly close whale photographs. The season has been good so far, lots of whales in the ocean early in the season. There have also been reported sightings of "Lotus/ Migaloo (H2)", the all white albino humpback (Captain Kerry McTaggard : Akarma Whale Watch Cruise, Moreton Bay). He was seen in Hervey Bay just last week too (2nd of October, 1998). Then there was "Wally" the whale, a 7 meter long calf who swam all the way up the Brisbane river, passing Breakfast Creek and then to Storey Bridge. He was sighted at about 11pm (Brisbane local time) and was last seen heading back down the river and into Moreton Bay.

Tangalooma Dolphins In Paradise

My first encouter with the leviathan's this season. It happened on 20th of August on board Tangalooma's Flyer vessel. My girlfriend and I stayed at the Tangalooma Wild Dolphion Resort from the 18th to the 20th of August and got to personally hand feed the wild dolphin pod that comes in everynight (while we were there, they came in at approximately 6.30pm. They come in later when summer sets in as the sun sets later in summer). There are about 7-8 regular visitors, Freddy (male, we got to feed him), Echo (male), Bess (female and mother of Nari and Rani), Shadow (female), Rani (female), Nari (male, I had a really close encounter with this big baby. He swam up to us to try and get fish and just rubbed his body against our legs), Bobo (male, first dolphin in on the day I fed the dolphins), Tinkerbell (female), Lefty and Nick. Freddy is the dominant male of the pod and is by far the biggest and oldest of the pod (he is easily identified by the scratch marks on his back from possible attacks from sharks). Then there is Rani and Nari, the calves of Bess. Nari is the youngest dolphin of the pod and is still suckling milk from his mum. He is approximately 1 year old and will not be hand fed till he stops suckling. All are bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

We were luckier in the sense of the word for the whale watch cruise this year though we did not witness any spectacular breaches. There were lots of whales in the waters surrounding Moreton Island (off Cape Moreton) and we did not have to spend a long time searching before encountering these massive mammals in their oceanic realm. The highlights of the Tangalooma cruise would probably be that of the surface activity shown by the whales. There were some tail slapping, extended fluke up dives, pec slapping and generally rollicking around (there were whales all around us and it was difficult to estimate the number of whales seen). Three whales came very close to our vessel and were swimming, abeit briefly, right alongside our cruise ship before diving under our ship. They were so close that you could see the hairs and tubercles (sensory nodule resembling golf balls) on their heads. Managed some shots before they dove under the water. Hopefully, I will have some pics up soon. Watch for them. Next stop Hervey Bay and hopefully more good pics.

Hervey Bay : The whale watch capital of the world

Finally got to go to Hervey Bay, the whale watch capital of the world, last week from the 16th to the 20th of September (I was there for 4 days and 3 nights...stayed at the Playa Concha Resort along the Esplanade in Hervey Bay). Went out for whale watching on Thursday (a semi clear day due to hovering clouds..patchy weather if you ask me...but it was ok) onboard a 3 deck, ultra stable catamaran, the "Mimi Macpherson's Whale Watch Expedition". We started off late due to latecomers (left the Sandy Straits Harbour at about half past 10, half and hour later than the given time). Our first encounter (and a really close one at that) happened at about 12pm (it takes 45 minutes to cruise out to the prime whale watch area..other cruises might be faster as this cruise ship moved really slowly!). We approached another whale watching vessel and saw from afar (with binoculars), a mother and calf pod (The mothers and calves start coming into the bay by early to mid September. They are the last of the humpbacks to leave Hervey Bay at the end of October. The whales enter Hervey Bay in three phases, with the sub adults and adult coming in early in the season-August and early September. The mothers and the calves are the last to enter). The whales suddenly changed direction and stated moving toward us. They looked like submarines as they approached, surfacing occasionally to breathe. Suddenly, they were by our ship. We were "mugged" (a term used when whales stay by a ship/ cruise vessel and swim around, as if trying to get a closer look at these curious creatures who have comed to meet them in their watery domain) for quite a while. Cannot really estimate the time they were with us as we were all held in awe, but they stayed with us for quite a while. I was busy observing and taking pictures, while my girlfriend and her Thai friend Pongsomboon (Lek) watched on. They were basically swimming around our cruise ship, swimming belly up, performing some fluke down dives and even started a head rise (by the mother). It was clearly evident that the mother was trying to show off her 2 month old calf (estimates by the "Pacific Whale Foundation" scientist on board, Trisha Naessig). The mother was under the baby for most of the time, pushing her calf to the surface. They were so close, we could almost touch them. What an encounter! This is what every whale watching enthusiast dreams about. Then they started to lose interest and moved off. It was time for us to move on too. The two whales started towards another smaller vessel (I think it was a fishing vessel). We began to sail north.

Our next close encounter came later in the day. We witnessed a very rare feeding position that some lucky whale watching enthusiast (us...yippee!!) sometimes get to see. The mother was performing a head stand in the water, remaining almost vertical and laying motionless with its flukes above the water level. Lek spotted this strange phenomenon from afar and we were speculating if the dark object she saw was in fact a whale. It was to our amazement! Didn't expect to get very near the event as cruise ships are not allowed to approach the whales closer than 100 meters (or 300 meters if there are more than 1 vessel in the vicinity of the whales or the pod). But the stationary whale drifted closer and closer towards us. What an opportunity. When we got closer, we could see the calf, surfacing occasionally to breathe. Got some pictures of that. But we seemed to be disturbing the feeding, as when we got closer, the mother performed a fluke down dive, moved some distance, and assumed the feeding position. We then left the whales. Off in the distance, we caught some lucky whale watchers observing some tail slaps (I think there were two whales there)

Our final close encounter came en route home. Two whales surfaced nearby and began swimming towards our vessel. Did not take any pictures as the sun was setting and the water was gleaming. Bad conditions for picture taking. We just watched as they swam pass our vessel. The vessel "Eclipse" (run by Top Tours) was just behind us and they stayed with the whales. That was the end of our excellent adventure..... Just some comments and thoughts about Mimi Macpherson's cruise before I sign off...not enought time spent with the whales for a full day cruise. They spend too much time travelling past Fraser Island (hey if I wanted to see Fraser Island, I would book a day tour or something). Also, the captain was impatient. We should be patient and allow more time with the whales to observe them in their natural habitat. They are not circus animals and do not perform on cue. The service was, however excellent (Mimi was on board personally to welcome us). The food was good (the honey chicken was excellent) and there was live entertainment on our way back. However, "NOT ENOUGHT TIME WAS SPENT WITH THE WHALES!". The decks were excellent for photography though, with 360 degree viewing and no obstructions (unlike Tangalooma's flyer). I would not recommmend Mimi's cruise for the avid whale watcher whose sole purpose is to spend the maximum time observing, taking photographs and generally just spending time with the whales. However, if you want to enjoy a good day out at sea, and in luxury, this cruise is a must. And did I mention that Top Tours Fraser Island day tour is super cool (our guide/ ranger Peter was really knowledgeable and funny) and that the souvenir shop "Pirate's Cave" has everything and at a low price at that.

My final whale report for a long time to come would be from Straddie. Will be going there sometime in October. See you then!

Straddie October 6th 1998-Killer Whales hunt down Humpback pod

Had the most extraordinary day today. Never see so many marine animals in one place at a single time. Got to Straddie's Point Lookout at about 8.45am. I was immediately greeted by a pod of some 20-30 bottlenose dolphins who were playfully tail slapping, spy hopping and generally mucking around (More pods visited as the day progressed. However, I noted from past experience that the animals are generally more active in the mornings before 12pm). The weather was perfect this morning. No strong winds and I could clearly hear the dolphins blows and tail slapping. Then the whales came. First saw a mother and calf pod in the distance. They were in travelling mode so they were far offshore. It was noted that the baby whale had white pigmentation all the way past the midline near the dorsal fin. The mother appeared almost dark. While that was happening, several black shapes materialized near the rocky headlands of North Gorge. I later found out that they were huge Manta Rays. There were approximately 5 of them and they hovered around the whole day. Also saw some turtles feeding (three of them I think!). But the spectacle was yet to come. Out of nowhere, we saw several sprays off in the distance. It seemed like a really large pod of whales were heading for the shore. Training my bino on the dark shapes, I saw the unmistakable tall dorsal fin of the killer whale. No one believed me as killer whales are not common in Queensland waters (read...very RARE!). There were two pods of 6 whales who were surfacing occasionally to breathe. Then we saw a pod of three humpback whales moving very close to the shore. It was a mother- calf and escort pod. The killer whales seemed to be hunting these poor humpbacks who came really close to the shore. Someone notified the Seven Nightly News crew and soon they were here in their chopper. After filming the killer whales and humpbacks they set their chopper down and began to interview some of the witnessess. I was not interviewed myself but they showed me pointing out the dolphins and manta rays on the tube. I later learned about the tragic end of the baby humpback. The camera crew followed the killer whale pack and humpbacks down the coast and witness the killer whales attacking the pod. They separated the calf from the mother-escort pair. The mother and escort pair tried in vain to protect the little one but were no match for the awesome might of the killer whale pack. Tails were seen slapping and all but it was all in vain. I felt really sad for the baby and the mother....but I guess that's nature. Will be going, for the last time during this whale season, to Straddie two weeks from now. The day was fulfilling. Got to see 7 humpbacks in all. But will be going back again. There will be another update!!! Till then, lets mourn the loss of the baby humpback......

Whales from Noosa Heads, 10th of October 1998

This was an imprompto trip. Did not even realize that whales could be seen from the Noosa Heads National Park. So I did not go prepared...no binoculars, etc. But as luck would have it (you always have one of the best displays when you are least prepared!!!), we did see some really terrific whale activity. Our first glimpse of what was to come happened from Granite Bay. We were just happily walking along the coastal path towards our destination, Hells Gates, from Boiling Pot point when someone spotted two whales, a mother and calf pair frolicking very near a small fishing vessel. The calf playfully breached and tail slapped in the calm bay waters. This happened quite close to the shoreline and I managed to snap some tail slapping pics. Hopefully they turn out ok. We then continued on to Hells Gate which overlooks the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean. We spotted 4 whales far off, also close to some fishing vessels. It was evident that these whales were making contact, and close contact at that when we spotted a whale move in close to a kayak. The guy on the kayak must have felt like the luckiest man alive. Then the calf started to breach repeatedly (so many times, I totally lost count). Then the mother began to breach, synchronizing her breaches with her calf. We had like 3 double breaches. I was too awestruck to take pictures of the spectacle unfolding before our very eyes (they were pretty far off so I would not really have gotten any good shots anyway). All I could say was wow! We stayed on to watch as the pair moved off, still actively tail slapping and probably breaching (too far off to tell without the aid of a binoculars). Then a pod of dolphins came. They stayed with us for a while before moving off too. It was a good day and Noosa Heads has become (for me at least) one swell of a whale watching spot.

Straddie, 19th of October 1998 : My last whale watch expedition!

The weather was exceptional yesterday. The skies were clear and the waters of the Pacific were blue, with not a cloud in the sky. An omen of good things to come? This was to be my last whale watching expedition for a long time to come. I will be leaving sunny Queensland for good by the end of this year. The day started off as usual. Got off to an early start. However, the tide was surprisingly low in the morning and I did not have much luck with anything (well with the exception of two very curious kookaburras). It was 11am when the first pod of dolphins came in. As the day progressed, there were two more pods of up to 15 dolphins each. Then there were the turtles (3 of them altogether) and manta rays (also 3 of them). But the whales were nowhere in sight! Scanning the horizon for that elusive puff from a whales blow, I began to give up. Time was running out. It was almost time to pack up and leave. As I walked up toward Norm's Seat, I stayed a while and while casually scanning I though I saw a spray in the horizon. I later comfirmed my sighting when this elusive whale breached, out of the corner of my eye (why do this things always happen when you least expect them to!). Training my trusty bino's on the same spot, I caught a glimpse of the under fluke as the whale took a deep dive. Sighing, I returned to scan the horizon. Somewhere far off past the headland's towards Cylinder Beach, I spotted some sprays. Using my bino, I focussed. What I saw was a sight to behold, the holy grail of whale watching.....a breaching whale! This energetic whale breached and breached. I counted at least 15 breaches before the whale stopped and began tail (or pectoral fin?) slapping. I could not really tell as this happened very far away. Also, I noted that this particular whale seemed to be heading north and not south. All was not lost. In a span of 20 minutes, I got what I wished for....to catch a glimpse of whales (my last two) and some fantastic breaches off Point Lookout (I have never managed to see any breaches from Point Lookout in the past). The memory of the breaching whale will always remain with me for the rest of my life.....always.....

Killer Whales off Cairns, 18th of November, 1998

A pod of killer whales have been thrilling visitors to Cairns, as reported by Azura cruises, today. Orcas are very rare this far north and many have speculated that these whales have come far north in search of food (some mentioned tuna). Orcas are usually found in the cooler waters of the Artic and Antartic. Officials from SeaWorld at the Gold Coast say that Orcas may become more common around Queensland waters. These whales were very friendly and were seen interacting with those on board the cruise ship as they attempted to film the whales underwater. These whales are expected to leave as the waters warm up.

Dolphins from Noosa Heads, 17th of December 1998

This was to be just a visit trip with my parents and sis. I was to be their tour guide. Noosa is a naturalist heaven. Lots to see and do. No more whales at this time of the year though. However, still a lot of wildlife abound. Migratory birds, kookaburras, koalas, dolphins, etc. We were lucky today. My mum spotted a koala perched high up on a gum tree on our trek to Hell's Gates. Later in the day, we spotted 3 more, bringing the tally to four. My dad and mum were also very fortunate to see two pods of dolphins. Each had about 6 to 7 individuals with some dolphin calves (as noted through my trusty 10 x 50mm binoculars). They were not in a playful mood and went about the task of feeding, surfacing to breathe and then remaining submerged for a good part. Overall, a pretty fruitful trip as I once again was able to visit my cetecean friends in their oceanic realm.

Surfing dolphins from Byron Bay, 22nd of December 1998

My final long trip anywhere. The lighthouse at Byron Bay is Australia's most easterly point. Every year, migrating humpbacks can be seen from this vantage point from as early as May and all the way till the end of the whale watching season in November. However, at this time of the year, no whales can be seen. Other whales that can be spotted from this point include the Sei whale and Minke whale (the smallest of the rorqual whales, averaging about 10 meters long). The main aim of my final trip was to see the famous lighthouse and the surfing bottlenose dolphins of Byron. And saw them I did, leaping out of the waves, riding the surf. Throughout the day, we watched mesmerized as 3 pods of some 15 to 20 dolphins surfed the waves and played in the surf. A truly remarkable place to visit the denizens of the ocean. A pity that this is not the whale watching season. Byron Bay is approximately 190km south of Brisbane and about 2 hours ride by car.

Link to personal accounts 2 (2000 and 2001 whale and cetecean watch) 

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