Sunday, March 07, 2010

an amazing season for spotting whales in the Caribbean

This "winter" the winds that normally keep some people awake at night as they roar through the hibiscus plants outside have been tempered and it's been a very calm season so far. The windsurfing and kitesurfing has been quite chilled, but the fishing has been usually good with seas way way calmer than usual.
I have seen more whales this year than i have ever seen in my life, and I think it has to do with how calm the seas have been. Usually it's so rough out in the Atlantic at this time of the year that cresting waves and white caps create the perfect camouflage for whales as they breach, spout or tail slap. When it's as calm as it is once again today, it's very easy to see the whales as they come to the surface. All sorts of people who have never seen whales in their lives have seen them this season. Recently a friend of mine was speaking to one of the leaders of our government and mentioned something about spotting whales. The elected official was stunned, not knowing that whales pass through our waters at this time of the year. We were not surprised that he didn't know this, but it was interesting considering the huge support our country gives to Japan on whaling matters. Keep your eyes open when passing the ocean on these calm days and you may see one. I hope our leaders get a good look! Here are a few youtube videos of whales in our waters. People on boat tours and on helicopter trips seem them each year at this time, but this is a great year. Try to get out there, but if you can't you can also see them from land especially when you are up high.