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Sperm whales in Dominica

Started by echeng, Jan 29 2010 01:16 PM

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#41 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 02:04 PM

I think it's in the low 80s. It gets totally warm when you start swimming. :)

I have a photo with 8 or 9 in the frame. I'm not sure if anyone has a shot with more. Tony saw 13 in the water today, but it was impossible to get all of them in the frame at once!
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#42 cor

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 02:11 PM

We have a bad shot with 9, and decent shots with 8. It's hard to get that many in the frame.
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#43 cor

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 02:33 PM

Here is one from yesterday. "Human for Scale"

COR_20100129_6305.jpg
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#44 philsokol

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 02:41 PM

My jaw is still hanging open from that pic, Cor. Absolutely awesome!

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#45 Dr. Who

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 03:25 PM

That looks like Scar. 2 divots on the right fluke and one on the left.

#46 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 04:56 PM

DEAR RESEARCHERS: Please contact us if you'd like to!

I only write this because you were sitting at the next table during dinner, and we didn't get a chance to talk. We did overhear you mention "Wetpixel," though. Hopefully, it was in a positive light, and hopefully, the standard rift between researchers and photographers won't be an issue here. :)
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#47 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 05:02 PM

That looks like Scar. 2 divots on the right fluke and one on the left.

Peter, I asked you not to call attention to yourself on Wetpixel. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ban your newest username, 'Dr. Who'.
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#48 tonywu

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 05:43 PM

Two images of a baby sperm whale that was among the 13 that we saw today:

Posted Image

Posted Image
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#49 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 06:28 PM

Day 3!
http://echeng.com/jo...g/dominica2010/

Posted Image
A group of five sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) including a small calf. The black debris in the water is skin sloughed off from all of the rubbing.

Posted Image
Nine sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Three were hanging face up with their eyes closed. Two are hanging face down. Three accompany a small calf in the distance.

Posted Image
Tony Wu photographs a sperm whale with a tiny Sony Cybershot.
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#50 eyu

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 06:35 PM

Eric, et al,

Awesome photos, you have been very lucky to find pods each day.

When you encountered the mature male, did he show any aggression?

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#51 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 06:41 PM

Elmer - no, he did not show any signs of aggression. He came within a few meters of me while the group swam by, but otherwise, seemed to stay on the outside of group interactions (with us).
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#52 echeng

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 06:50 PM

Posted Image
This may look like a black plastic bag, but it's actually sperm whale skin, which is constantly being shed.
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#53 Cary Dean

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 08:07 PM

:) Awesome stuff!
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#54 rtrski

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 08:17 PM

Here is one from yesterday. "Human for Scale"

<photo snipped so as not to overload hosting>


I believe I would be adding quite redundant internal moisture to my wetsuit, were I in that position. And yes, I'm still envious. But I gotta admit, that would just have to be intimidating as heck! Them sperm whales ain't no baleen feeders....
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#55 col

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Posted 31 January 2010 - 08:36 PM

amazing images all! - keep them coming!

Cor - "Human for scale" - WOW!
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#56 tonywu

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 04:01 AM

Here's a shot of the large bull in action:

Posted Image
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#57 davichin

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 04:42 AM

This is just incredible!!! you all have incredible shots!!!

Could you explain a little more how the permit is obtained and what it comprehends? Thank you and congratulations again!!!
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#58 yahsemtough

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 05:34 AM

What else can I add. Superb encounters.

Tony, that last group shot is awesome, heck they all rock! Good job everyone.

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#59 NWDiver

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 06:43 AM

Fantastic! Speechless! Envious!
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#60 DrFiscus

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 08:06 AM

Tony or Eric:
Any guess on how much bigger the large bull was than the females? Did you notice if it was mature enough to have a mouth with a full set of teeth?
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