It wasn't long before we had our first sighting. A mother and calf surfacing just ahead.
We hung close to the pair for a while and everyone yelled with excitement once the mother's fluke cleared the water. What most folks didn't know was that this happens when they dive, meaning they will be out of sight for quite a while as they feed.
Unexpectedly, as the pair fed, what appeared to be a large male surfaced behind the boat and gave up some nice views before dropping beneath the waves.
Venturing farther in search of more whales, a small pod surfaced near the shoreline. Seems like another calf was in this group. Note the smaller fluke in between the two larger humps.
Flying past the ship was the one shot I have of another Lifer. A Mew Gull.
This pod was very active at the surface. We are told that it is not swallow here. The drop-off goes over 100 feet just off shore!
Soon, up with the fluke and they were gone.
The captain got a radio call that another pod was located farther up the bay to he increased speed and we spent about 15-20 minutes making our way toward the action. Finally, I could spot the spouts from the pod and pointed. I gotta a "Good job!" for helping out.
The boat edged closer to the pod and then everyone was surprised when the whales surfaced en masse in an excellent display of bubble net feeding! A great description of this behavior can be read here.
Not too much later, they did it again! You never know exactly where they will come up so I could only manage a brief shot. This one is more cropped to show the gaping mouth of a feeding adult.
The boat followed the pod for a while longer. They continued to surface and spout as the sun began to drop lower in the sky.
Knowing that the tour was about to end, we continue to watch and admire these giants of the ocean. Just as we were turning about to head to the docks the pod rose again! Too bad we couldn't stay any longer. It is an amazing sight.
A very exciting day! Now, back to the ship and on to Skagway.
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