Well, this story was one that came along very unexpectedly, as we were transiting between the Falkland Islands/Malvinas & South Georgia Island on an 18 day expedition. We were on day 2 of our transit when we arrived to a region known as Shag Rocks. It is a very shallow region that is surrounded by deep water, which is known for having lots of bird and marine mammal wildlife.
This basically means to me that I am outside or in the bridge with binoculars scanning the area in search of what wildlife I can find. Unfortunately, at that time there was a thick fog that drastically reduced my visibility, which means finding anything becomes near to impossible.
However, shortly after arriving to this area I was chatting to a guest when I looked up and saw what looked like a footprint forming on the surface (footprint is what happens when a whale is near the surface and large smooth circle forms). I mention to the guest the potential footprint and mention that a whale could be very close by the ship. Then a large head appeared and my first thought was a lunge feeding humpback, as they are very common to see around Shag Rocks. Little did I know of what it is I just located.
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A few moments later, two huge whales surfaced next to the ship and they were definitely not humpback whales. They were in fact Blue Whales!!! The ship instantly changed course and attempted to get a better look at the largest animal to have ever lived on this planet! As fate would have it, the fog lifted moments later and we located the Blue Whales.
As we continued to watch these whales we realized that it was indeed a mother and calf in a feeding pattern. However, the calf was in more of a playful and curious manner, as it began to spyhop continuously! Sticking its whole head out of the water vertically to look at the ship and the people.
This encounter was indeed one in a lifetime situations and I was beyond grateful and pumped that not only did I find these animals in the fog but we were able to interact with them for about an hour before continuing on our way to South Georgia. Simply mind-blowing
In all honestly, in moments/encounters like this it always make me think of who really is watching who...
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