Every year when we make our way south toward Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay we look forward to seeing whales. A large number of humpbacks calve in or near Banderas Bay and by the time winter months are well set in whales can be seen on almost every passage we make whether short or long. This year has been a bit different but only for the better. For the last 2 months or more we have seen lots and lots of whales. Many more than in years past.
The video in this post was taken on
Feb. 18, 2018 at about 9am. We were anchored in the La Cruz
anchorage and just about the time we finished with our morning coffee
and daily check-ins to the SSB and ham nets we heard a small dog on a
neighboring boat barking and whining and then heard a big crash into
the water like someone dropped a boat out of the sky to land just a
few yards away from us. We bolted up top to see what the commotion
was about and discovered 4 whales bounding through the outskirts of
the anchorage and passing between ourselves and the vessel anchored
next to us. There was one youngster in the group that was certainly
enjoying himself as he continually jumped out of the water, roll over
and crash onto his back sending water splashing over his mother who
never left his side.
Once they cleared the anchorage I put
the drone up in the air to get a view from above. It was
spectacular! I follow the group for about a mile as they made their
way west toward the little surf town of Punta de Mita which sits on
the far northwest side of Banderas Bay. As you watch the video pay
close attention to the “escort” whale, a very large whale and
probably a male, as he scans the area around the mother and calf. Typically this escort is trying to discourage other males from mating with her as well as scanning for predators such as Killer whales. Anyway, without further
chatter...enjoy the video!
Click on this pic to see the drone video
Until next time,
SV Liahona
Bret and Marne
Amazing, thanks for sharing
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