OCTOBER STARS
October has continued to deliver remarkable whale sightings, with numerous humpback whales showing up in Skjálfandi Bay. What’s especially exciting is, once again, the number of known individuals that have remained in the area throughout the month.
Some of these whales are long-term visitors, first recorded in our waters back in 2011 and 2012. Their continued visits are a wonderful reminder of how important this area is to them.
At the same time, three individuals were matched with sightings outside Iceland: one whale had previously been seen in Scotland, another in Ireland, and one more matched an encounter in Madeira (Portugal) this May.
It’s always exciting to welcome back these well-known whales each year—and October has certainly been full of memorable encounters!
How to identify a humpback whale:
Flukes: Each whale carries a unique pattern of black and white markings on the underside of its flukes—just like a human fingerprint, it’s one of a kind.
Photo ID Tracking: By photographing flukes, researchers can identify, match, and follow individual whales on their long journeys across the oceans, building long-term records of their migration routes, behavior, and life histories.
Have you been out at sea with us watching these beautiful animals? Submit your photos on happywhale.com to find out which individuals were the stars of your tour!
Photo Credit: Joséphine (captain/head guide)
ID Data Source: Happyhwale
