Sunday, November 8, 2009

More Humpback Whales

.....and slightly better photos.

Well I didn't have to wait long for another chance at photographing the whales as more were spotted here this afternoon. There were at least 3 whales, a mother and calf and another adult further out. We also spotted another 2 adults later on. (Possibly the same ones).

As the whales headed east, I moved along the coast hoping to get a better view but they had headed further out to sea. Although too far away for photographs, I had great views through the binoculars of the the whales breaching and creating huge splashes.



(Click on photos to enlarge)

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)


Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)




Friday, November 6, 2009

Really Bad Whale Photos

.....but I like them because they are the first I've managed to get :-)

Yesterday I spotted another Humpback whale and its calf from the backyard. Of course this may be the same individuals that were here last week. Humpbacks migrate southward at this time of year. While many head straight down the east coast, some come into Bass Strait to feed and play.

These photos are probably deserving of some kind of award as the worst whale shots on the Net but for now they are all I have managed to get. These ones were much further out than last weeks whales ( at least 2 km I'd say) but wanting to try out my new teleconverter I decided to have a go. They were not breaching this time either so their was not a lot to focus on. In any case at least I know that next time they come in closer to shore I have a reasonable chance of getting some better photos.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

You can see the calf in this one on the right


Mum's flukes and the calf on the right


Note the small dorsal fin of a Humpback


Both whales are in this shot but I'm not sure which bit is what :-)