cor 0 Posted January 30, 2010 The viz is endless, the weather is awesome, the whales are interacting like crazy. Today we had up to 11 or so whales together. Julie and I are used to being in St Croix, so island time comes natural. Nothing moves fast in the Caribbean except for the whales at times! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sterlingz 0 Posted January 30, 2010 Epic images you guys, I am so jealous!! The vis looks absolutely incredible!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted January 30, 2010 Today we had up to 11 or so whales together. That's nuts! Hey guys, can you feel them using their "sonar" to try and figure out what those strange oddly shaped things are in the water with them? That must be a live altering experience, we're all with you vicariously, more pictures please. Cheers, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted January 30, 2010 DAY 2! Sperm whale social group escalation! I've posted a bunch of text on my webpage: http://echeng.com/journal/2010/01/30/sperm...dominica-day-2/ Summary: we had a fantastic social group encounter, as well as the appearance of a large male Images are below: Seven sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249186. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. Six sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249214. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. Six sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249235. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249251. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. Split image of a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rubbing up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249312. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249324. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249364. Photo taken under permit in Dominica. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted January 30, 2010 Just spectacular Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Morrison 1 Posted January 31, 2010 Wow, awesome work guys! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt215 3 Posted January 31, 2010 Fantastic shots!! This trip is now on my "to do" list... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted January 31, 2010 Here's a snap from today's action of Eric + a handful of sperm whales: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 31, 2010 at a loss for words Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgietler 1 Posted January 31, 2010 What a fantastic experience and amazing photos, wow. I really appreciate you sharing these photos here. 11 sperm whales, how cool is that??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrFiscus 1 Posted January 31, 2010 What a fantastic experience and amazing photos, wow. I really appreciate you sharing these photos here. 11 sperm whales, how cool is that??? Excellent photos guys. I want to hear more about the large male. How big was he and did he interact at all with the swimmers like the females and juveniles or did he behave differently? There were no large bulls in the water when we were there in November - only females and juveniles. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Jones 0 Posted January 31, 2010 stunning work, reminds me what a truly special place that country is keep 'em coming Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickM 0 Posted January 31, 2010 Excellent pics guys! Sitting here in the snow feeling very jealous. How does one arrange for a permit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted January 31, 2010 The pictures say it all, well done Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dr. Who Posted January 31, 2010 Great shots. with the top that Eric was weraing, I assume the water temperature was warm? Wish I was there. 11 whales at once, anyone get a photo of all 11? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted January 31, 2010 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! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cor 0 Posted January 31, 2010 We have a bad shot with 9, and decent shots with 8. It's hard to get that many in the frame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cor 0 Posted January 31, 2010 Here is one from yesterday. "Human for Scale" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted January 31, 2010 My jaw is still hanging open from that pic, Cor. Absolutely awesome! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dr. Who Posted January 31, 2010 That looks like Scar. 2 divots on the right fluke and one on the left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 1, 2010 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 1, 2010 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'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted February 1, 2010 Two images of a baby sperm whale that was among the 13 that we saw today: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 1, 2010 Day 3! http://echeng.com/journal/tag/dominica2010/ 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. 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. Tony Wu photographs a sperm whale with a tiny Sony Cybershot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eyu 27 Posted February 1, 2010 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? Elmer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
