“Gorda Banks”
It is unbelievable to think that today we spent close to 12 hours watching different groups of humpback whales performing and showing us just a little part of their interesting and still intriguing life. And never the less, time just flew by like lightning!
It all began at 6:00 am, when Ralph Hopkins our Photo Expedition Leader softly made the first wake up call announcing that whales had been spotted in the horizon and a beautiful sunrise was starting to build. At that time we were approaching a place known as Gorda Banks or Bancos Gorda in Spanish. This unique formation is represented by several sea mounts and deep canyons that trigger what is known as upwelling; process in which organic debris deposited in the sea bottom rises to the surface where there is light, and photosynthetic organisms will enhance productivity. This interesting site is famous for the abundance of marine life and the presence of these gentle giants of the sea, the Humpback Whales.
Who would have imagined that these amazing animals were going to keep us in a constant excitement for hours and hours.....the action never stopped....flukes in the air, pectoral flippers slapping the water, head slaps, lob tailing, bubble trailing, males fighting for positioning next to a female and hoping to get lucky and mate... and if that had not been enough.. as a great finale of the day, we were blessed with several breaches just a few yards away from the ship! Why do they do it? We have no answers today, just indelible memories.... But we have for sure, lots of wonderful photos to develop.
It is unbelievable to think that today we spent close to 12 hours watching different groups of humpback whales performing and showing us just a little part of their interesting and still intriguing life. And never the less, time just flew by like lightning!
It all began at 6:00 am, when Ralph Hopkins our Photo Expedition Leader softly made the first wake up call announcing that whales had been spotted in the horizon and a beautiful sunrise was starting to build. At that time we were approaching a place known as Gorda Banks or Bancos Gorda in Spanish. This unique formation is represented by several sea mounts and deep canyons that trigger what is known as upwelling; process in which organic debris deposited in the sea bottom rises to the surface where there is light, and photosynthetic organisms will enhance productivity. This interesting site is famous for the abundance of marine life and the presence of these gentle giants of the sea, the Humpback Whales.
Who would have imagined that these amazing animals were going to keep us in a constant excitement for hours and hours.....the action never stopped....flukes in the air, pectoral flippers slapping the water, head slaps, lob tailing, bubble trailing, males fighting for positioning next to a female and hoping to get lucky and mate... and if that had not been enough.. as a great finale of the day, we were blessed with several breaches just a few yards away from the ship! Why do they do it? We have no answers today, just indelible memories.... But we have for sure, lots of wonderful photos to develop.
