Whalewatching in Augusta WA
Humpback whales spotted just off the coast of Augusta in the south-west of WA
I’ve just enjoyed an amazing few days whale-watching in Flinders Bay, Augusta with Naturaliste Charters.
I already knew the awesome team onboard, having spent a couple of weeks photographing their killer whale (orca) tours off Bremer Bay (on the south coast WA) in the summers of 2018 and 2019.
During the winter months, however, the crew move the boat and their attention to the South West, and the annual migration of the humpback whales as they make their way from Antarctica to the warm waters off the Kimberley in WA’s north-east to calve.
For many of the humpies, Flinders Bay is the first land they see after their long journey across the Southern Ocean, often coming into the bay before continuing north.
I was there to capture the humpback whales, the experience of being onboard whale-watching, and some portraits of the Naturaliste Charters crew, for their website, marketing and social media. Whales, storytelling and portraits - I love my job!
This was actually a special treat for me. I’ve spent many hours, over many years, sitting on the sand dunes at Warroora Station, looking out to sea, in search of humpback whales on their way north. Some years patience was required, other years I’d barely finish thinking “I wonder how long before I see a whale”, and there’d be the tell-tale spurt off the coast. Usually the humpbacks were some way offshore, but occasionally my patience would be rewarded with a pass close to the reef. Even from afar, to catch them slapping their tail or pectoral fins, and occasionally breaching, was the highlight of my day. The bonus was the luxury of sitting still, eyes on the ocean, clutching binoculars and feeling the breeze and the sun’s warmth on me.
Last week, I woke at 4am on the morning of my first Flinders Bay humpback experience. An early start…especially as I didn’t need to wake up until 7. Excitement had got the better of me!
Those few days were full of new experiences - hearing the whales expel air, and feeling awe-inspired to realise that the spurt I’d seen on the horizon actually reaches five metres into the air; learning that the underside of each humpback’s tail is unique (much like our fingerprints); and how to predict where a whale will appear by spotting its ‘footprint’ - a smooth patch on the surface created by the movement of their tail underwater - then looking approximately 50 meters ahead because there’s a good chance that’s where they’ll next surface. I had plenty of opportunities to appreciate the sheer scale of these gentle mammals (a whole 17 metres and 40 tonnes to be exact), experiencing it with the knowledgeable crew onboard the Alison Marie who are only too delighted to share their passion with the passengers.
In spring, the Naturaliste Charters crew take the whale-watching boat a little further north to Geographe Bay, Dunsborough. I’m hoping to join them again there, to witness the humpbacks who, by then, will be on the return journey to Antarctica with their newborn calves in tow. That’s also the time of year to look out for the blue whales (the largest animal on the planet), and also the fast and rather elusive minke whales. The experienced crew will be keeping their eye out for the endangered southern rights whales as well, who are also migrating and giving birth, plus the cheeky, resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. There has also been three rare sightings of killer whales off Naturaliste Reef in recent weeks, stirring excitement among the crew. This type of sighting has become more frequent along the WA coastline. Orca are known to feed on humpback calves and there has been a direct increase in the number of humpy babies born over the last 50 years! If you want to know more, make sure you follow Naturaliste Charters on Facebook and Instagram, for links their regular blog posts which are jam-packed with whaley cool facts.
While everyone in WA all currently looking at our state with fresh eyes, and being encouraged to Wander out Yonder, seriously consider adding a bit of whale-watching to your bucket list. You never know what you will see when out on the water with everyday being a completely different experience!
{ Did I mention, I love my job?}
A whale’s footprint, created by the movement of the tail underwater. Often the whale will appear about 50 metres beyond its footprint.
Occy the Pacific Gull, regularly hitches a ride on the Alison Marie
One of the last photos I took onboard the Alison Marie.. This beauty appeared from nowhere allowing us to get up close to a humpy’s nostrils! Did you know that baleen whales, like the humpbacks, have two blowholes?