Admin

Whales Whales Everywhere!!!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Circle Shot Media

Wow!! What a day!!  I went out on a whale watching boat today with my Mom, and boy did we see a lot of whales!  The weather was beautiful and the sea was calm.  We had only been out of the harbor for about 10 minutes and we came up on a competition pod of humpback whales. 

Below is a whale expelling the water vapor from their lungs.  When they do this, the vaper comes out at 300 miles per hour and each of their lungs is the size of a volkswagon bug.

Whales

A competition pod contains mainly male whales and one female that may or may not have a calf.  When there is a competition pod, the males are very active.  Each one will put on an incredible show of acrobatics in hopes of impressing the female.

whales

This whale breeched right next to our boat.  They seem to enjoy breeching on the surface.  It almost seems as though they play like humans do.  Perhaps they are just irritated with the barnicals attached to their skin, and they are trying to rub them off with the splash of the water.

whales

What increadible creatures.  The captian lowered a microphone down into the ocean and we could hear the whale songs that they were "singing".  I find it interesting that the sounds that they create are produced in their enormous sinus cavities.  They use their muscle to voluntarily move the air through their sinuses.  Only the males make these sounds.  Scientists have never recorded a female making any noises at all. 

whales

This splash was the size of a compact car!  We had several whales come right up to the boats.  They were several pectoral fin slaps from several of the whales that we encountered.  Below is one of the pectoral fins of a large male humpback whale.  

whales

At one point, there was a boat across from us and one of the calves came up along side it and did what the whale foundation calls a spy hop.  That is when a whale comes out of the water just far enough to pop its head out above water to take a look at what is around it on the ocean's surface.

Right before we came back into the port, we had the privilege of seeing a VERY rare treat!!  Right in front of the boat's bow, three large males all breeched in unison right next to each other.  The captain and crew had never seen that happen before.  I was getting ready to put my gear away so I only caught one out of the water and the HUGE splash that all three of them made. 

whales

In the photos below, I was lucky enough to catch the males popping up out of the water about half of their body length. 

whales

Once you see the tail of a whale, they are on their way back down for at least fifteen minutes.  The average time that whales can stay under the water is 40 minutes.  The longest dive by a whale recorded by scientists is 75 minutes. 

whales

The whales are in Maui to mate, deliver their calves, and raise their young.  When their young are old enough, they leave Maui's tropical waters and travel on to Alaska where the water is rich in phytoplankton.  It is amazing how these large creatures are so mesmerizing.  I can't wait to get back out there this week! 

Posted by

Dawn

Show All Comments Sort:
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hello Sharon,

Thank you!  I was so excited when the first whale breeched, but when I saw all three breech together... WOW!!!  I am always happy to share.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Dawn

Mar 17, 2010 11:28 PM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hello Marlene,

I am glad that you found the post interesting.  Whales are fascinating creatures.  I have spent some time volunteering for the Whale Foundation here on the island, and have had the opportunity to study Oceanography in school.  I was going to go into marine biology, but I ended up in Nursing,  Nuclear Medicine, and photography.  I do enjoy them all!  Hope you have a great Thursday.

Dawn

Mar 17, 2010 11:32 PM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Debi,

Thank you!  I hope that your next whale watching trip is as eventful as ours was.  I love the photo of the dolphin!  That is one creature I have yet to spot here.  I will keep my eyes out for them though, as they are all over the islands.  I am going snorkeling Friday and am a bit nervous about being in such close proximity with those huge whales!!  I will have to let you know how it goes.  Have a great Thursday!

Dawn

Mar 17, 2010 11:35 PM
Don Eichler
Eichler Properties - Granbury, TX

WOW!!! What a trip I guess you would call it a WHALE of a Trip.  The photos are just outstanding, I know it was a trill to make a trip like this one.

Mar 18, 2010 02:34 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Don,

LOL!!!  You are funny, thanks for the laugh!  Thank you.  I did have a great time taking them.  Such a good time that I am going out again this weekend.  I am glad that you enjoyed the photos.  Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend!

Dawn

Mar 18, 2010 08:29 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

You got some really great whale shots - and I know that's not easy!  I'm surprised there are still so many whales here.

Mar 19, 2010 10:02 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Thanks Georgie!  I sure enjoyed taking them!  We are going out again soon.  Enjoy your day!

Dawn

Mar 19, 2010 11:58 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Rick,

Thanks.  I am happy to share.  I love whales too.  They are fascinating creatures for sure.  I walked 2 miles along the beach at Wialea today and saw 3 whales breech from shore.  It was really neat.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Dawn

Mar 19, 2010 08:03 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Dawn: What a wonderful photo opportunity you had, after the Sea World episode it puts thing into prospective that maybe we should leave the wales alone to swim free!

Mar 20, 2010 12:47 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hello Mary,

Yes, it was a great trip.  I am happy just watching from the boat.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Dawn

Mar 20, 2010 02:59 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Your very welcome Peter!

 

Mar 20, 2010 04:45 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Wow those are some great shots!   Hard to catch them out of the water it happens so fast.  Sometimes you don't get to see them at all!

Mar 21, 2010 11:41 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

**FEATURED** at Active Rain Animal Photography

Mar 21, 2010 11:41 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Debra,

Thanks!!!  I sure did enjoy taking them.  It was a great day and the ocean was nice and calm for us.  Boy did the whales put on a show.  I have been busy here on the island taking as many photos as possible.  I had to go and get more 8Gig cards!  I hope you had a great weekend.  And, thanks again!

Dawn

Mar 21, 2010 05:49 PM
Deena Cottingham
GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography - Calgary, AB
Home Stager & Photographer

I loooove seeing whales, too! It seems so magical when you get a glimpse. You got some really awesome shots, Dawn! Way better than I've ever had the privilege to capture. Looks like a great day indeed.

Mar 23, 2010 08:07 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Deena,

It was a great trip.  I was so happy to catch those breeches!  They happen so fast.  They are here in Maui until the end of May.  I am hoping to go back out again soon.  Have a great Wednesday!

Dawn

Mar 24, 2010 12:21 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

You are welcome!  I love the unusual shots!

Mar 24, 2010 11:26 AM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Debra,

We are going whale watching tomorrow (today where you are).  March 26th.  I hope the whales cooperate like they did last time!!!  Have a great Friday:)

Dawn

Mar 25, 2010 10:08 PM
Dora & Vincent Kwok
HomeSmart Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
CNE - Chandler, Arizona Real Estate

Thanks for sharing the sequence of action shots.  I'm hoping to whale watching some day :)

Mar 29, 2010 06:04 PM
Peter and Dawn Smith
Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Dora and Vincent,

No problem.  I am going whale watching again tomorrow.  It will be my 3rd trip out this month.  There are still so many whales here in Maui.  I am hoping I will get some more tomorrow.  Have a great Tuesday.

Dawn

Mar 29, 2010 08:43 PM