Dave, this is the large dark Flipper of The Southern Right Whale. It has just broken the water, which is a mid blue colour. The Flipper is shaped like an inverted V as is black in colour and I would say, 2 meters high.The Southern Right Whale is so named because it was the RIGHT Whale to kill. Now they are protected, however Whaling ships still take these beautiful creatures and the sharks that surround the coast. Last year a trawler from Taiwan was found with 500 tonnes of shark fins. They were caught and prosecuted. Unfortunately their lawyers were some of the best and no-one was charged.
We see these Whales every day. Yesterday I was writing by the landing dock and a mother and calf came very close to shore to keep out of the rough swell, which is usually caused by a SE wind. They are beautiful and today one breached, nearly launching its entire body out of the water. The calves are very inquisitive and will come right up to the boat but their mothers will quickly push them away. I am yet to go on the Whale boat, but when I do I will post some more pics.
who's dave?
ReplyDelete