A DRIFTING LOG OR A LOGGING HUMP?
It was not until the log exhaled that Daniel, guide onboard Faldur this morning, realised that is was something quite more exciting than driftwood that they had found. There was no log but two logging (heavenly breathing, possibly sleeping) humpback whales.
When resting like this, the whales stay afloat by the surface all the time. It makes it possible for us watchers to come very close while the gentle giants continue their beauty sleep, resting one half of the brain at the time.
As whales have lungs like us (not gills like fish) they have to touch the surface and take a breath of air deliberately, regularly, and could therefore never be unconscious for a longer time without drowning. That is why they only rest one half of the brain at a time, to be able to control their breathing.
Soon after leaving the two sleepy beauties Daniel called again. He had found a third humpback by the mountains. That one was wide awake and gave Faldur's passengers a good show, diving short and raising its majestic fluke often. Minke whales and harbour porpoises were seen later on the same tour.
Good weather, three cooperative humpbacks and even more whales – what more can you ask for? That is whale watching with Gentle Giants.
(LIA)
