| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:07 pm  |
We always have our VHF radios on because a lot of our friends use them here instead of cell phones. I heard somebody announcing to anybody that was listening that they could see a bunch of dive boats and a sailboat following some Whale Sharks. We jumped in our panga and headed out to check it out. What we found was a big pod of Pilot Whales. Tim and I took turns jumping in to snorkel with them. They were amazing, like HUGE dolphins but with a rounded melon head like a beluga. I was only nervous once when I was with a Mom and Baby, the Mom sounded and Baby didn't follow her, it stayed up to have a closer look at me. I was praying that Mom didn't think I was a danger to her calf! We were in deep blue water so when she sounded I couldn't see her at all, there were just a few bubbles coming up to the surface. The baby started chattering at me and pinging me with sonar. I was clapping my hands and mimicking the noises through my snorkel. It was MAGICAL!!! Here are the photos:
Me with the Mom and Baby:
Part of the pod:
Tim with two big ones:
The rest of the photos:
http://freefall2.smugmug.com/gallery/2286178/1/119470584 |
_________________
Owner at GS & Company at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:24 pm |
That's amazing, I've always wanted to swim with killer whales or something of that nature. Did you say those were whale sharks? They so don't look like it to me though 
Edit:Nevermind, re-read your post and you said they were Pilot Whales...silly me  They're beautiful/amazing creatures. |
_________________
26, combination skin with oily t-zone |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:10 pm |
Wow how fantastic.
Talking of Whales, did anyone in the UK watch that programme about the Whale that swam to London? It was heart breaking to learn that it didn't stand a chance because of what we're doing to the planet. It was lost, disorientated, hungry, polluted, deafened, starved and then crushed. A real shocker! |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:27 pm |
| sarahb wrote: |
Wow how fantastic.
Talking of Whales, did anyone in the UK watch that programme about the Whale that swam to London? It was heart breaking to learn that it didn't stand a chance because of what we're doing to the planet. It was lost, disorientated, hungry, polluted, deafened, starved and then crushed. A real shocker! |
So sad, just read an article today about Polar Bears being endangered due to global warming and other issues. I'm not part of PETA or that extreme, but I have such love for animals it breaks my heart to see them slowly die off or hurt in any way. |
_________________
26, combination skin with oily t-zone |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:40 pm |
Freefall - those pics are phenomenal! The closest I got to whales was when I was in Quebec (on the St. Lawrence)...I was in one of those zodiac boats - one of the babies surfaced very close to the little zodiac I was in and I was just awestruck! I thought I would be afraid but there is just something about them that made me want to jump in the water....Just SEEING the whales was amazing...I can't even imagine what a thrill it must have been for you to be in the water with them!! AMAZING!!!!!
Pudoodles |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:47 pm |
| Amazing experience and photos! |
_________________
Early 50s, Skin: combin.,semi-sensitive, fair with occasional breakouts, some old acne scars, freckles, under-eye wrinkles; Redhead with hazel eyes |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:52 pm |
Hi Freefall,
fantastic pictures. You have the most exciting life. Is there anything you haven't done 
Can you see how green with envy I am.
love the photos |
_________________
50, happy reluma user started 16.6.12 original formula. PMD user. started LouLou's ageless regime. |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:15 pm |
| How lovely! I used to love those occasional random encounters when I lived in the islands - they seem so much more "real" than seeing the same animals at Sea World or similar (fun though that can be!). |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:34 pm |
Wow! That looks amazing.
Where is this?? |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:09 pm |
| puglove wrote: |
Wow! That looks amazing.
Where is this?? |
Roatan, one of the Bay Islands off the north coast of Honduras. The island is surrounded by reef and then deep water so we do get some cool critters. Last year it was a pod of Orcas! I chickened out on getting in with them because they were eating what looked like a big chunk of dolphin or shark.
| loopylori wrote: |
Hi Freefall,
fantastic pictures. You have the most exciting life. Is there anything you haven't done?
Can you see how green with envy I am.
love the photos |
Thank you! Yes - I still don't have my pilot's licence! Actually there is a long list of stuff yet to do! |
_________________
Owner at GS & Company at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre |
|
|
|
|
Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:30 pm |
| freefall, What an interesting life you have! Thanks for sharing those incredible pictures & your amazing experiences! |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:37 am |
| They are amazing photos and you should treasure them. I think all sea creatures are wonderful. I used to do a lot of scuba diving and the sea life on the Great Barrier Reef was incredible, particular out at the shelf, never saw Pilot Whales but have dived with Whale Sharks which are the most enormous gentle creatures. |
_________________
Skin: Over 60, ex combination now sensitive, Cellcosmet |
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:08 am |
| bushy wrote: |
| They are amazing photos and you should treasure them. I think all sea creatures are wonderful. I used to do a lot of scuba diving and the sea life on the Great Barrier Reef was incredible, particular out at the shelf, never saw Pilot Whales but have dived with Whale Sharks which are the most enormous gentle creatures. |
I'm dying to get in with Whale Sharks, that's why when I heard somebody call a sighting on the radio we scrambled into the little boat. Whoever was looking out with binoculars must have assumed they were Whale Sharks because that's what we're famous for in the Bay Islands, even though I've been here nearly 3 years and haven't seen any yet! I think we're going to have to charter the float plane to take us over to Utila so we can find some. |
_________________
Owner at GS & Company at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre |
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:20 am |
| Whale sharks are the most amazing animals to see up close - so huge that you feel positively tiny if you're in the water next to one - even a baby!! We used to see them from time to time in the BVI and it was a real treat . |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:25 am |
Cool photos.
I'm from Hawai'i so we have Pilot Whales at the local Sea Life Park ... including a pilot whale x bottlenose dolphin hybrid. Years ago no one thought these two could breed and it was a surprise!
Looking at your photos their fins seem similar to killer whales, i.e., the curved dorsal fins are females and the straight fin is a male.
I met someone who swam with humpbacks in Costa Rica earlier this year. It was funny because a baby approached them and then mom swam off a bit. It was like she wanted them to "baby-sit". It happened again the next day with the mom actually COMING TO THEIR BOAT and leaving the baby for a few hours. |
_________________
mid 40's, Hawaiian/Japanese, combo skin, med/dark complexion. "If life hands you lemons, throw them at your enemies" |
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:14 am |
| WOW! Your pics are awsome! What a great experience. I've been to the Caribbean a few times and snorkled with giant sea turtles, dolphins and giant stingrays, but never whales. You're sooooo lucky. Beautiful animals! |
_________________
51 years old/brunette/normal- oily medium skin. |
|
|
|
|
Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:04 pm |
The dive shop near us just posted the underwater shots they got.
  
  
  
Now I really, really want to get an underwater housing for my camera! |
_________________
Owner at GS & Company at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre |
|
|
|
|
Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:18 am |
| Wow freefall2, I'm so enjoying your photos esp the underwater ones. How exciting to be a part of nature this way. I'm afraid, I am afraid of deep water and don't know how to swim, so I may never actually experience something like up close and personal. Thanks for sharing. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:48 am |
That is so cool! What an amazing experience!  |
|
|
|
|
| Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:30 am |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
