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Front Page
News
June 29, 2007
A couple of whales have been fooling around in Walker Bay today, mischievously under-mining our faith in science. |
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‘The rule” says that Southern Right whales are not seen in these waters at this time of the year. They are supposed to visit in the summer only, usually between August and November, with a couple of strays revealing themselves before July and as late as December.
But today is virtually mid-winter – eight days off the longest night of the year, and with snow falling this week over much of South Africa.
I assumed the two whales I glanced at were Humpbacks or Minke – but no, both of them have been leaping into the air. I can see two huge white patches across the back of the larger whale, further from the shore. It is possible to conjecture that it is an Orca, ‘a killer whale’. I have seen them close-up in the Pacific, and a pod in deep water in the Southern Ocean - but only one in these waters;from Nicky's yacht off Hout Bay on the other side of the Cape Perninsula.
However, the other whale I'm watching in Walker Bay is close enough for me to be able to count the callosities on its head. It spouts, and its typical ‘V’ pattern removes any doubt. A Right, indubitably
Whales were FRONT PAGE NEWS in the Hermanus Times the following week-end. Kerry van Rensburg wrote:
"You have seen everything on this flight that you could wish to see," exclaimed a clearly thrilled Evan Austin at the conclusion of the whale count on Monday afternoon (2 July 07).
Dolphins, shoals of fish, a massive shark and the main attraction - plenty of whales - provided an unrivalled aquatic display for Lois and Allan Stewart who joined African Wings and the Hermanus Times for the whale count this week.
The flight, with perfect weather and crystal clear visibility, was graced with two spectacular sightings. The first mother and her tiny calf were spotted at Kwaaiwater and at Gansbaai two humpback whales languidly displayed their distinguishing features which are long pectoral fins and a longer tapered nose.
Evan says that in the 13 years he has been flying over the Walker Bay area, it is only the fourth humpback sighting he has witnessed.
Between the new Hermanus harbour and the far side of Kwaaiwater there was no visible whale action, but between Kwaaiwater and the Lagoon mouth we counted ten Southern Rights, which includes mom and her newborn.
From the Lagoon mouth to just before De Kelders we counted an astonishing 53 whales. A mating group was active and Evan explained that two or three males converge on one female and while the others hold the cow stable, the bull of choice is able to ensure that the breeding plan remains on schedule.
Evan's trained eye spotted a huge great white shark 2km south of the lagoon mouth. One more whale was seen at De Kelders. . .We finished off with the two humpbacks in Gansbaai.
A total of 66 whales were counted . . .
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