Whale watching

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The wind died and we got the chance to go whale watching. Three choices, boat, light aircraft and helicopter. We chose the former on the basis we would get closer, assuming of course we found a whale and there was no guarantee. We turned up at the whaleway station (yes that's the real name as trains stop there also) and were advised sea conditions, following days of gales meant a 3 metre swell. No problem as Sue had taken two magic pills as made up by the local phamacist. They worked a treat as several people were sea sick (including Steve) but Sue was right as rain, if a little spaced out.

The coastline in Kaikoura attracts marine life as it plunges to 1500 metres in depth within 3 miles of the shore. This attracts whales feeding on squid and although several species visit the area during the year, we were hoping to see a sperm whale.

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Photos

Whaleway station
This is where it begins

There she blows
It was well worth buying that telephoto lens

Dive dive dive
After a while on the surface to catch his breath he dives to hunt and could be down for 90 minutes.

Keeping watch
A sheltered spot and great vantage point.

A wandering albatross
one of the many birds in this area

Barney
...and guess who was missing!!
This was named after the whaler who used it as a lookout post.

Comments

[josie]

whales
Glad you got to see them! x