More Humpback Whales

.....and slightly better photos.

Well I didn't have to wait long for another chance at photographing the whales as more were spotted here this afternoon. There were at least 3 whales, a mother and calf and another adult further out. We also spotted another 2 adults later on. (Possibly the same ones).

As the whales headed east, I moved along the coast hoping to get a better view but they had headed further out to sea. Although too far away for photographs, I had great views through the binoculars of the whales breaching and creating huge splashes.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

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Really Bad Whale Photos

.....but I like them because they are the first I've managed to get :-)

Yesterday I spotted another Humpback whale and its calf from the backyard. Of course this may be the same individuals that were here last week. Humpbacks migrate southward at this time of year. While many head straight down the east coast, some come into Bass Strait to feed and play.

These photos are probably deserving of some kind of award as the worst whale shots on the Net but for now they are all I have managed to get. These ones were much further out than last weeks whales ( at least 2 km I'd say) but wanting to try out my new teleconverter I decided to have a go. They were not breaching this time either so there was not a lot to focus on. In any case at least I know that next time they come in closer to shore I have a reasonable chance of getting some better photos.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

You can see the calf in this one on the right

Mum's flukes and the calf on the right

Note the small dorsal fin of a Humpback

Both whales are in this shot but I'm not sure which bit is what :-)

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Some Recent Photos

..... Whales Nil - Birds 7

Eight months have past since my last post and suddenly the thought occurred to me to take time out and post a few photos.

Of course I wish I could be posting photos of the Humpback whale and it's calf that put on a great show on Tuesday but unfortunately they were a little out of reach for my camera. I took my small telescope up the backyard which gave me a great view. The sun was shining on them and you could see them in great detail. They were both rolling on their backs clapping their pectoral fins, lying on their side waving, as well as breaching right out of the water, twisting in the air and crashing down on their backs. Whatever the mother did the calf seemed to copy.

Yesterday I acquired a 1.4 converter for my 400mm lens so maybe next time I'll get a few photos.

For now I'll just have to show a few bird photos that I have taken during October.

(Click on images to enlarge)

White-faced Heron - Egretta novaehollandiae

Tasmanian Nativehens with chicks - Gallinula mortierii

Superb Fairy-wren - Malurus cyaneus
(Backyard)

Dusky Woodswallow - Artamus cyanopterus

Collared Sparrowhawk - Accipter cirrhocephalus
(Backyard - Seems to have a full belly from eating our chooks)

Immature Male Pink Robin - Petroica rodinogaster


Grey (White) Goshawk - Accipiter novaehollandiae
(Backyard)

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