"BABY BOOM" IN THE BAY
After this amazing encounter I have finally realised which my favourite whales are.
At 15:15, Danni and I went out with captain Hlynur, entering Skjálfandi once again. Around Puffin island we saw the first dorsal fins. We noticed more and more and there must have been hundreds of them, all around, close and far away. We had bumped into a giant group of playful white-beaked dolphins.
Some approached us and swam with our boat for a long time, bow riding. As the dolphins' sides are bright, we could clearly see them through the surface. Every little detail was visible and as they followed our speed, we could follow their movements. To me, nothing else exists in a moment like that.
Some were jumping, leaping as high as they could out of the water - full of energy! It feels very good to see how happy they seem to be - wild and free. Also the fact that they choose to swim with our boat; we are not chasing them - nature comes to us!
My highlight was in the end of our 40 minute dolphin encounter. We came across what must have been "the dolphin play school on excursion", or maybe a "dolphin mama meeting". Dozens of new born little calves were swimming close to their mothers. There must have been a "baby boom" in Skjálfandi this year because none of us had ever seen so many calves at a time.
After we had realised there were so many babies, we went from the area to leave the dolphins in peace. It is just amazing though, what we get to experience as whale watching guides. Here at Gentle Giants.
(LIA)