Sunday, July 20, 2008

BEAUTIFUL WEATHER & WHALES “IN THE HARBOUR"

This weekend has turned out to be extremely good for Gentle Giants whale watchers and Skjalfandi Bay has had plenty to offer them! Not only were passengers able to enjoy the great weather and scenic views which surround the bay, but they were also able to be in the presence of up to 6 humpbacks along with many minkes and birdlife in the bay.

Some of the whales are very close to shore, only a few minutes from the harbour – and can in fact be seen from Husavik!

Below are photos from some of our tours at the weekend - taken by our guide Peter.

We have been seeing this humpback for some time now. Our guides have given it the name Freddy. It is easy to identify humpbacks by their flukes where as no two individuals have the same pattern underneath their fluke.

This humpback though (Freddy) can easily be identified by its fluke, there is a little bit missing. Freddy doesn't seem hurt though, we have seen the whale breaching often and showing very normal and nice behaviour around our boats.

On one of our tours recently passengers did not only see many whales - but a seal as well! It is not very common, but as we say: "nature is unpredictable". This Harbour seal can be 1-2 metres in length and weigh about 150 kilograms.