azwhales
We had a
beautiful calm morning with very little wind and a comfortable swell.
beautiful calm morning with very little wind and a comfortable swell.
We soon encountered
a huge pod of spotted dolphins, the summer migratory species.
a huge pod of spotted dolphins, the summer migratory species.
This pod had many juveniles bow-riding and there were some mother and calf pairs as well. The water was so calm and clear that we could see the dolphins really well underwater.
At some point we saw lots of dolphins gathered in an area with a
huge school of fish! So, a part of the pod was definitely foraging.
We even saw
a couple of Cory’s shearwater successfully flying away with a fish in their
beak.
huge school of fish! So, a part of the pod was definitely foraging.
We even saw
a couple of Cory’s shearwater successfully flying away with a fish in their
beak.
Then 2 of
our boats managed to see Sei whales! There were likely 3 of them in total.
our boats managed to see Sei whales! There were likely 3 of them in total.
The main
migration pattern of the Sei whales is in spring time towards the north but it
seems like not all of them are going so far because from time to time there are
some Sei whales appearing at this time of the year. So maybe in the future we
got more scientific proof to have a better understanding of how these animals
move and where they feed.
migration pattern of the Sei whales is in spring time towards the north but it
seems like not all of them are going so far because from time to time there are
some Sei whales appearing at this time of the year. So maybe in the future we
got more scientific proof to have a better understanding of how these animals
move and where they feed.
At first,
they seemed calm, but at some point, a school of fish was visible. Then
suddenly, the tail of the Sei whale appeared on the side moving swiftly towards
the school of fish. Although this action happened underwater, and only the side
of the fluke was visible, we think that this Sei whale was feeding on the
little fish! Quite an exciting morning!
they seemed calm, but at some point, a school of fish was visible. Then
suddenly, the tail of the Sei whale appeared on the side moving swiftly towards
the school of fish. Although this action happened underwater, and only the side
of the fluke was visible, we think that this Sei whale was feeding on the
little fish! Quite an exciting morning!
In the
afternoon we had another tour like in the morning. We saw two species and this
time all boats could see them.
afternoon we had another tour like in the morning. We saw two species and this
time all boats could see them.
The sea was
full of Atlantic spotted dolphins foraging. There were a lot of areas with
seabirds and dolphins hunting small fishes.
full of Atlantic spotted dolphins foraging. There were a lot of areas with
seabirds and dolphins hunting small fishes.
Also close
to the area of a group of dolphins we spotted a sei whale that we thought that
was foraging also.
to the area of a group of dolphins we spotted a sei whale that we thought that
was foraging also.
We can say that today we had a not resident species day.
Atlantic spotted dolphins are seasonal, we can see them in summer and autumn
time, when the waters are warm. Then the Sei whales are migratory animals so
they are not staying during long time in azorean waters.
Atlantic spotted dolphins are seasonal, we can see them in summer and autumn
time, when the waters are warm. Then the Sei whales are migratory animals so
they are not staying during long time in azorean waters.
azwhales
Equipa de Biólogos da Futurismo
Sandrina Rodrigues
