SWIMMING WITH SPERM WHALES! Finding the words to express this experience is a difficult task so shouting them at the top of my lungs with childlike exuberance seems appropriate. These magnificent beasts were sighted early this morning between the islands of San Jose and Las Animas so we headed in that direction. As we approached them there were 20 to 30 large animals near the surface, blowing and diving, blowing and diving, then blowing and showing their flukes before a deep dive. They were also being trailed by a group of bottlenose dolphins.
There was a very large male sperm whale amongst them, which led Larry to surmise that this was a group of males since sperm whales tend to travel in sexually segregated groups until breeding season. As we watched the whales and they showed no signs of leaving the area so we decided to ride out to them in a Zodiac to broadcast the hammering echolocation sounds and pings these animals emit.
We positioned ourselves ahead of where the whales were heading and then I dropped in to film them. Knowing my ability to swim fast was nothing in comparison to the whales I hoped they wouldn't turn. The visibility was low so it was difficult to position myself in relation to the whale but with the help of Alex and Bette Lu shouting and pointing they sent me in the right direction. The whale in the photo swam towards me then veered to my left as I faced him and threw its fluke in the air when it took its terminal dive obviously knowing (wink wink) it had the Sea Lion perfectly positioned in the background. We made several attempts to get near them again and on the last try both Larry and I were in the water and another large animal passed between us within 6 feet of me. What an amazing feeling to have an animal that large glide right by you so effortlessly.
When I came back on board the Sea Lion our guests asked if I was scared and I said I wasn't. I was just in awe. I was humbled to be in the presence of this beautiful animal as it gently slid past me so graceful, so powerful. Even if I did not have this photo to remind me of this day I know I will never be able to forget it.
There was a very large male sperm whale amongst them, which led Larry to surmise that this was a group of males since sperm whales tend to travel in sexually segregated groups until breeding season. As we watched the whales and they showed no signs of leaving the area so we decided to ride out to them in a Zodiac to broadcast the hammering echolocation sounds and pings these animals emit.
We positioned ourselves ahead of where the whales were heading and then I dropped in to film them. Knowing my ability to swim fast was nothing in comparison to the whales I hoped they wouldn't turn. The visibility was low so it was difficult to position myself in relation to the whale but with the help of Alex and Bette Lu shouting and pointing they sent me in the right direction. The whale in the photo swam towards me then veered to my left as I faced him and threw its fluke in the air when it took its terminal dive obviously knowing (wink wink) it had the Sea Lion perfectly positioned in the background. We made several attempts to get near them again and on the last try both Larry and I were in the water and another large animal passed between us within 6 feet of me. What an amazing feeling to have an animal that large glide right by you so effortlessly.
When I came back on board the Sea Lion our guests asked if I was scared and I said I wasn't. I was just in awe. I was humbled to be in the presence of this beautiful animal as it gently slid past me so graceful, so powerful. Even if I did not have this photo to remind me of this day I know I will never be able to forget it.
