Tag: Flinders Bay

The daily tours we enjoy with our whales provides the opportunity to meet many different individual whales and one question we often ask when spending time with our Humpbacks is, “Why do Humpbacks have scarring?”. The barnacles that attache themselves to the skin of Humpback Whales are very sharp and amongst competition pods it is very easy for the males to collect many scars over a lifetime. Female Humpbacks generally will not be as heavily scarred as the males, but each whale being an individual there are a few females that may be a little more outgoing and boisterous which would also result in scarring due to close encounters with other whales. Humpback calves also have slight scarring as their close constant and close contact with mum means they too will also collect some of these barnacle scratches.

We spent the beginning of our morning with resting Humpbacks who were sleeping just in front of our bow, resurfacing regularly to see what we were up to before returning to their resting again. Stacka and mum were enjoying some morning yoga as they both twisted and turned, playing together as we watched a beautiful background of the Augusta township. Further Humpback Whales were moving through the bay as two larger adults moved past a pod of three younger adults. The two larger individuals observed the other whales from afar but didn’t seem to interested in joining with the younger adults. One of the younger whales had the most beautiful big white belly that extended towards his dorsal fin and we could clearly see a great example of why do Humpbacks have scarring. Although only a young male we could see he was a determined individual who was carefully escorting his female through Flinders Bay and away from the following male!

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One of the many wonders of Western Australia are our whales who we are privileged to spend incredible moments with when aboard Whale Watch WA. Today was another one of those special days as we met two curious Humpbacks Whales who stopped us in Flinders Bay and decided to introduce themselves. Swimming directly to our bow and showing off their numerous barnacles and bumps we were intrigued to see their unadulterated curiosity towards us, we may be called Whale Watch Western Australia but today we certainly felt that People Watch Western Australia would be more suitable as we watched the whales watching us!

Both of the individuals came in so close to our water level viewing platforms that it felt like we were walking on water with the whales! The two friendly Humpbacks enjoyed a seaweed facial as they lifted their rostrums to drape seaweed across their upper jaw and make sure their skin is in the best condition. Completely relaxed with our company they stayed with us for over an hour and even a passing pod close by didn’t distract them away from us, instead the male Humpback tail lobbed only meters away from us to deter the approach of the second pod.

The spectacular surface activity worked as the second pod changed direction and moved away, leaving us to continue to enjoy the company of these remarkable Humpback Whales aboard Whale Watch WA . Our wonderful morning was complete with another one of the wonders, little Stacka the Southern Right Whale calf decided to show us his pearly whites today and we were blown away to see his entire lower jaw and belly is the purest shade of white!

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Today we met the Southern Heart of the Southern Ocean as a young juvenile Southern Right Whale stopped us in our tracks as she swam circles around and under our vessel. The young ladies onboard were given the big responsibility of naming this special whale and their name that was decided on is the most perfect name… Southern Heart. She was incredibly friendly as she looked up at everyone and what a special moment it was to be so close to an endangered Southern Right Whale in the Southern Ocean. Our afternoon was also joined by two young male Humpbacks who decided not to follow the competition pod as it moved past and instead stayed with our vessel for an hour of people watching as they swam around us in circles, keeping a close eye on everyone onboard and we were completely smitten with these magnificent Humpbacks as they swam so close we could see the little orange whale lice right on the tip of ones dorsal fin!

Our morning experience began with completely relaxed Humpbacks who were snoozing in the peaceful morning conditions as a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins came over to say hello. Joining with the beginning of a competition pod forming, we were surrounded by boisterous males who charged towards and around our vessel as they chased the female with high energy. Yet another competition pod was sighted and this time it was when a large male joining that electricity seemed to fill the remaining five whales who made an enormous change of direction and moved directly at our bow like torpedoes. Continuing to race throughout Flinders Bay we made our way towards a much calmer area, the Southern Right Whale nursery ground. The calm and peaceful surrounding were only disturbed by the curious spy hop and pectoral slaps of Southern Heart who had joined up with Stacka and his mum in the shallows, how magnificent to sight both species in one day!

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The vessel Emily Taylor arrived in Flinders Bay on the 2nd of May 1830 and as we looked out across the mist covered bay this morning we wondered of the thoughts that these first settlers had when they came ashore to what we now know as the beautiful Augusta. Certainly, we don’t think they would have realised during those early days what would become of Augusta with the latest addition a brand new boat harbour that would have been a perfect place for the Emily Taylor and hundreds upon hundreds of whales continuing to visit this lovely part of the world.

Our morning began once the mist and cleared with competition pods racing through the bay, peaceful Humpbacks resting in the shallows along with Stacka and his mum who seemed to be enjoying the perfectly calm conditions. A pod of two Humpbacks enjoyed a social interaction with the local Bottlenose Dolphins and all approached to investigate our bow. The tall blows on the horizon could be seen as yet another completion pod charged through the bay and alongside our vessel as we watched 14 Humpbacks race through glassy conditions as another pod breached ahead of them to deter their approach. A last pod on our journey back to the boat harbour ever so slowly swan around our vessel as they peacefully investigated us only meters away.

The afternoon conditions were just as beautiful as the energy in Augusta increased and competition pods could be sighted right throughout the bay. The first comp pod raced towards our vessel as the female tried to keep the males being her and circled around our bow. The males moved so close to the vessel we could feel the energy of this powerful pod of eight whales as they exhaled between 300-600 kilometres per hour. The energy then shifted as we joined a second pod with one of the male launching his entire body into the sky as we watched the most enormous head lunge. The female followed with breaching and pec slapping to encourage the following males as we watched in awe as fully grown, 40 tonne Humpbacks launched themselves into the sky. The journey home was complete with a final competition pod and it can still be hard to fathom how these whale achieve so much without feeding during their epic migration and Augusta is just the beginning of their journey!

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The Humpbacks enjoyed Summer in July as we sighted numerous competition pods throughout both our morning and afternoon experience in the glorious weather. Our first pod of the morning was of four Humpbacks who were socialising and playing in seaweed as we noticed one of the individuals covered in old injuries. A completely missing dorsal fin and tail fluke with rounded edges all showed signs of rake marks left behind from a previous Orca attack, this beautiful whale was a survivor! Another incredible interaction this morning as an Australian Sea-Lion was leading a pod of 10+ Bottlenose Dolphins and two enormous Humpback Whales directly towards us and we watched in great amusement as this super pod of three different species swam directly towards our bow to check everyone out. A powerful caption pod of 14 individuals raced through the bay and our perfect morning was completed with a quick hello to Stacka and mum, the Southern Right Calf who was born in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The afternoon weather was just as perfect with calm sea and sunny sky leading us towards our first competition pod of seven who were charging close to the abalone farm. The males were deliberately using the floats as obstacles to push each other towards and soon the female was racing towards us for assistance! She was slightly smaller than some of the other females we have sighted over the last few days and seemed to struggle slightly with keeping the males behind her as the primary escort was pushed aside and the remaining males desperately tried to move up the competition line. They raced towards, around and underneath us as other males joined and eventually we did have a winner who came escorted the female away.

The tail lob of a cheeky young Humpback could be seen as he communicated towards a pod of three adults sitting right next to our bow observing everyone above. We let them continue their journey as we joined up with this lovely young whale who tail lobbed and bubble veiled alongside us as he communicated his dominance and seemed to enjoy socialising with us as he swam towards our bow and waited for us to tail slap back. The peaceful afternoon was a perfect nursery ground for Stacka and as we sighted mother and calf the baby Southern Right breached high above the surface to have a cheeky look at us… how quickly they Learn the Language of the Whales™!

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The Humpbacks take centre stage in Augusta today as we started our morning with an enormous competition pod who started near the Southern Right Whale nursery grounds of Flinders Bay and travelled all the way to the other side which is a journey of approximately 11km at speed! Travelling across the bay meant many males joined the female as she led them on a chase which resulted in 18 whales competing, only four short of our largest competition pod of 22 sighted last season. The energy was incredible as they swiped, dived and head lunged towards each other as they tried to get closer to the female and just when the pod couldn’t get any busier the local Bottlenose Dolphins joined in with their little tail slaps and bow riding. A perfect morning was completed when we re-sighted the mother Southern Right Whale who had given birth to her newborn calf earlier in the morning and had travelled towards the Augusta Boat Harbour with another adult known as an “Aunty” in search of a suitable place to become her nursery grounds for her brand new baby.

The weather conditions were glassy for our afternoon experience as we made our way out of the Harbour and met two migrating Humpbacks who were travelling towards the reef line and… the mother Southern Right Whale and calf! They passed by quietly and did not seem to disturb the pair who were quietly resting in a more suitably peaceful part of Flinders Bay. We only stayed a short while and had a sure feeling that the Aunty whale was resting right next to mother and calf taking full advantage of her enormous lung capacity. The afternoon then exploded to life as we passed by one pod who were tail slapping before moving out of the area and another competition pod ahead began to show the Language of the Whales™ at its most spectacular.

Full bodied breaching, tail lobs, peduncle slaps and pectoral slapping filled our afternoon as we watched one after the other as these two pods communicated towards each other and the female flirted with the males accompanying her. The most enormous head lunges were sighted only meters away from us as one of the males who had been kicked out of the competition responded in frustration with incredible head lunging as he launched 30+ tonnes into the glassy conditions of another magnificent afternoon as the Humpbacks take centre stage in Augusta once again!

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Augusta was all sunshine today as we departed on a crystal clear morning to whale watch in Western Australia. A competition pod of three had begun in the middle of the bay and as we made our gentle approach the female took a big interest in us, swimming directly towards our vessel! The two males who had been following her also approached and she began to flirt with us by pectoral slapping and rolling to the side as she showed off her big white belly. They continued to spy hop and spin upside down with their entire fluke and peduncle muscle clear above the waters surface. Everything changed when a larger male approached quietly from behind us and made a sneaky approach.

All three whales began to move again with the female launching herself into the air as she breached to encourage the males to follow her and it seemed to be the larger male who won the competition as both moved off together. Our morning had another big surprise waiting for us as we watched a large Humpback approaching our vessel as we quietly waited and watched. A quick flash of grey and there he was, the tiny Humpback Calf who was sighted yesterday! Mum no longer had a male escort travelling with them and we watched in amazement as she gently brought her calf towards us to show off her baby. We were very excited to see that she recognised our vessel and moved straight towards us and gently underneath before continuing with their morning. A special moment to be so close to this newborn calf who we have already grown very fond of and all of our wonderful guests onboard today will be helping us to name this precious calf.

The afternoon was glassy as wind conditions completely dropped and a peacefulness was found in Flinders Bay… except for those 7+ blows straight ahead! A competition pod had formed and as we approached the female moved straight towards us to try and distract the males. Moving underneath our bow all males followed and we could see the bubbles rising to the surface as the males bubble veiled and bumped each other as they competed 20 meters underneath us before racing back to the surface in a hurry. Spectacular to be so close to this intense energy as the males used our vessel as a block to try and win the upper hand. Eventually, one male did win and as they moved off two of the unlucky males decided to approach another pod close by which resulted in yet another competition pod. The last of the competition subsided and we spent an incredibly calm afternoon with relaxing whales and friendly Dolphins as we enjoyed every moment of our whale watch in Western Australia.

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The sun was out and another beautiful morning in Augusta greeted us as we made our way out into Flinders Bay. A pod of two Humpbacks were moving peacefully across the bay and we noticed with interest that they swam alongside each other belly to belly for a short time. The exhalation of a young Humpback caught our attention and we all gasped in awe as he launched his entire body above the waters surface in a full bodied breach. Three more breaches followed and they were spectacular to watch only meters in front of the bow. A small movement on the surface from our next pod seemed strange, perhaps we had sighted Bottlenose Dolphins travelling with the group of two adults. Again it surfaced and this time we had a very good view… it was a baby Humpback Whale! The very first calf for season 2018 and although surprising, we did have four calves born in Flinders Bay last year and we will continue to monitor the bay for this little one. We stayed for a short time to collect photo identification of mum, male escort and calf who all swam directly past our bow looking for our sound footprint as a smaller dinghy approached nearby.

Our afternoon was again filled with further surprises as a friendly juvenile Humpback took a few moments to investigate us before we moved towards gentle movement just ahead. Two adult Southern Right Whales were dancing together at the surface of Flinders Bay and we watched the gentle courtship of these two whales. Pectoral slapping from the female to encourage the attention of the male as they twirled in circles and at one point both of their pectoral fins were touching together, almost as if they were holding hands! A privilege to be so close to these endangered Southern Right Whales and to observe their gentle courtship behaviour.

A few other female Humpbacks and their male escorts were cruising through the bay and we could see in the distance hazy blows moving at a steady pace. Approaching gently we could count between 7-10 individuals racing after a female with a few very large males in the mix. Looking carefully at the images you can see on one of the males where his tubercles (the bumps on his upper and lower jaw) have been rubbed raw from close contact with the other males. They look very painful, but are all part of the northern migration and a great example of the determination these males have to win the hearts of their females. A magnificent day to witness some spectacular behaviour, meet the first Humpback Whale calf for season 2018 and see the beautiful courtship of two Southern Right Whales, Augusta really is a special place!

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Megaptera novaeangliae everywhere…. and one Eubalaena australis were sighted today in Flinders Bay. English version, Humpback Whales everywhere and one Southern Right Whale were sighted today in Flinders Bay! A truly incredible day from the moment we left the Augusta Boat Harbour as we were required to stop in the harbour mouth due to a young Humpback Whale moving past and then deciding to stop and investigate us. The entire morning was spent with Humpback Whales surrounding our vessel in high intensity competition pods, a curious juvenile who swam directly towards our vessel before tail lobbing and covering everyone on the bow in Southern Ocean sea water right off the peduncle of a Humpback Whale.

Our afternoon experience started exactly the same with another stop in the harbour mouth to wait for the Humpback Whale traffic to pass by and further competition pods and curious juveniles filled our afternoon. The most incredible interaction also unfolded today as we watched a competition pod swim directly at us and after having a good look they moved slowly towards an area only a few meters ahead of us. The males diverted and suddenly the Southern Right Whale we had sighted a few days ago resurfaced amongst the male Humpbacks!

A very rare sighting to see both species interacting together and we watched excitedly as the males circled around the young Southern Right Whale a few times before continuing after the female Humpback. The Southern Right seemed to take it all in her stride and did not seem concerned by the attention she received from the male Humpbacks. We lost count of how many whales were in Flinders Bay today as hundreds of whale exhalations could be seen throughout the day. Truly one of the best places in the world to go whale watching and sight both Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis).

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Today was all about the flirty female Humpbacks of Flinders Bay who had the attention of not only the male Humpbacks but also ourselves! Numerous pods within the bay were travelling through with one competition pod of 6 individuals racing towards the abalone farm at full speed. The female had a clever idea to slow the following males down by giving them an obstacle course to move through and only the smartest and fastest males would be able to keep up. Her plan worked and three of the following males changed direction which allowed the remaining two males to continue the competition.

A very friendly and young female Humpback was calling us over with big tail lobbing and pectoral slapping to get our attention. Once we had arrived she swam directly towards our vessel and stayed underneath us as another pod of two traveled past. Once the strange pod had moved off she reappeared right alongside our vessel to everyones delight. Swimming around and around our vessel, she was a fun and full of energy personality who seemed to enjoy her crowd of admirers. Only young, we at first thought that this could be a possible re-sighting of Sally the Humpback but can now confirm through dorsal fin identification that the lovely female we spent time with this morning is a new individual we have not met previously.

She was covered in barnacles which created the question as to why Humpback Whales have so many barnacles on them? Living in the rich waters of Antarctica over the summer months it is a prime time for these skin parasites to find a comfy, mobile home and the Humpback Whales are a perfect target. The type of barnacles living on the skin of Humpbacks are known as Coronula diadema and will place themselves onto the skin of the Humpback whale wherever they may fall when whales swim through the larvae stage of these skin parasites nicknamed Acorn Barnacles. Thankfully for the Humpbacks, the lifespan of these barnacles is generally 12 months and the adult barnacles seem to become less prevalent on whales as they spend more time in warmer waters, perhaps a tropical holiday in the winter is not suitable for the Acorn Barnacles!

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Augusta is the best place to go whale watching in Australia during the winter time and today was a perfect example why. The word had spread in town that a Southern Right Whale had been sighted and as we made our way out of the Augusta Boat Harbour there she was! Only a few meters away from the harbour wall and frolicking in the shallows we were so very excited to see our first Southern Right Whale for season 2018. A superstar arrival like this in Flinders Bay does not go unnoticed and along the Augusta Boat Harbour wall we could see a crowd gathering to see this beautiful whale, we were all joining in the celebration to be seeing the first of many magnificent Right Whales to arrive.

Gently leaving our new Southern Right Whale friend to continue her afternoon of exploring we made our way out into Flinders Bay to discover our Humpback Whales. A few moments after turning around we could see the unmistakable arch of a Humpback Whales back break the surface and we introduced ourselves to the pods of two and three that were migrating through and preparing for the next step on their journey towards the northern breeding grounds. Distant blows on during the lovely afternoon caught our attention and as we made our approach a large female Humpback surfaced with two male escorts, one mature and very large male along with a slightly younger individual.

Encouraging their attention she twisted and rolled before making her way towards our vessel. We sat in awe as the gentle rain fell around three enormous Humpback Whales who were all showing a great interest towards us. The female was especially curious, coming up right alongside and sitting there looking back up at us. Having the opportunity to see two unique whale species on the same afternoon in sheltered, calm waters of Flinders Bay is one of many reasons why Augusta is the best place to go whale watching in Australia during the winter time!

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The first Southern Right Whale sighting for season 2018 was excitedly spotted this afternoon and the arrival of these superstar whales had the whole town talking and a small crowd gathering at the Augusta Boat Harbour to see this beautiful whale and celebrate her arrival. She is the first of many who will begin to arrive over the next few weeks and find a perfect place in Flinders Bay to raise their newborn calves. We are so excited to meet this lovely female who was incredibly close to the Augusta Boat Harbour and was certainly investigating her surroundings.

The Augusta Boat Harbour was only completed a few years ago and has changed the landscape that the local visiting Southern Right Whales would know, however this female looks very pleased with the boat harbour and was enjoying her afternoon frolicking incredibly close. The natural sound created by swell crashing onto the rocks of the harbour will create a fantastically noisy environment which is perfect for her and soon to be born calf to disappear into the sound footprint of the Augusta Boat Harbour. We are looking forward to the next couple of months seeing further Southern Right Whale arrivals and are very excited to have met our first for season 2018, we have missed them very much over the last year!

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