Dear Readers, today we actually managed to get out into the North Atlantic to look for whales. We’re travelling in RIB boats (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which means that you bounce across the ocean on what feels like a bucking bronco. I sit in the less desirable seats at the back (largely because I have a dodgy back) which means I don’t get walloped quite as much as the boat climbs the waves and then crashes down again. It’s all rather exhilarating.
I just loved seeing them. What extraordinary animals they are! My photos don’t do them justice, but I thought it was more important to just sit and take in the experience. I suspect that some of the other people on the trip might have some great photos, so hopefully quality might improve later.
We also saw a pod of common dolphin, probably about 100 in total – they were showing mating behaviour (one dolphin rolls onto its back as an invitation) and there was a lot of jumping and tearing around. These dolphins have a pale yellow patch on their side, and are smallish creatures, fast and elegant.
And finally we saw a Portuguese Man O War. It’s not actually a jellyfish, though it looks like one – these animals are siphonophores, a colony of different organisms. It has a nasty sting, which is mainly used to kill the fish that are its prey. They can also cause severe pain in humans, and apparently the treatment is immersion of the affected part in water at 45 degrees for 20 minutes, which sounds pretty uncomfortable to me! A Portuguese Man O War looks so much like a plastic bag that it’s no wonder that turtles are munching on plastic bags by mistake.
And now, dear Readers, I am off to bed. It’s been a long day of bouncing about, and that, combined with the sea air, is definitely turning my thoughts towards sleep. More tomorrow!
What a wonderful experience!
I’m glad you had whales, it sounds amazing, hope you get more!