If you go to sea regularly you soon realise that each day differs but also that some days are more different than others. For example in the last couple of weeks our trips have found a Sperm whale that was almost completely white and even a strangely marked Common dolphin (see below).

A nearly completely white Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus (viewed from behind as it surfaces for air).

A partially melanistic Common dolphin Delphinus delphis. Note the additional black markings around the head compared to the normal animal in front.

Yesterday, however, brought a very special surprise – a female Humpback whale and her calf (see below). Normally we only expect baleens whales and their calves to pass by Pico in the Spring. To see these two wonderful animals was therefore a big surprise.  Sometimes baleen whale calves do not grow big enough fast enough to contend with the cooler waters to the North, especially if they are born late in the year. In these circumstances the mothers curtail their migration early and may try and wean them in more temperate waters further to the South. Perhaps this is why these Humpbacks were still in Azorean waters in August. We do not know for sure but their presence nonetheless certainly made our day.

The heads of a female Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae and her calf surfacing and blowing together.

The broad back of the 'well fed' Humpback whale mother as she surfaces for air. 

The trip was not only remarkable for the Humpback whales. Later during the return leg we also encountered a pod of around 8 False killer whales (see below).  These animals are top predators here. Most of their diet, comprises fish such as tunas and Dorado but they are also known to kill other cetaceans. Sometimes acrobatic and highly demonstrative near boats the group we encountered were very uncharacteristically tranquil. Nonetheless they soon had the boat surrounded and just for moment I had the impression we were being sized up by a pack of wolves!

Two from a 'gang' of False killer whales Pseudorca crassidens surface close to starboard.