echeng 0 Posted February 1, 2010 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). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 1, 2010 This may look like a black plastic bag, but it's actually sperm whale skin, which is constantly being shed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rtrski 20 Posted February 1, 2010 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.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
col 0 Posted February 1, 2010 amazing images all! - keep them coming! Cor - "Human for scale" - WOW! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted February 1, 2010 Here's a shot of the large bull in action: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davichin 18 Posted February 1, 2010 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!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yahsemtough 0 Posted February 1, 2010 What else can I add. Superb encounters. Tony, that last group shot is awesome, heck they all rock! Good job everyone. Todd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWDiver 42 Posted February 1, 2010 Fantastic! Speechless! Envious! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrFiscus 1 Posted February 1, 2010 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? Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeVeitch 0 Posted February 1, 2010 why don't any of you use proper fins? (yes i hate all of you) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simon Rogerson 0 Posted February 1, 2010 I too hate them, and their silly fins. But I love their photos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks for the love guys Here's another. This gentle mouthing behaviour seems to be fairly common. Seems to be an important part of normal social interaction. Not aggressive at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks for the images folks! I'm curious how much time you've been able to spend in the water with these guys. Are they moving and you jump in and snorkel ahead of them or do they sort of hang out in one area? I can understand that if a sperm whale decides to leave you it would be adios. Cheers, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drako 0 Posted February 2, 2010 Guys when they are biting have you noticed more skin rubbing off? Just wondering from a behavior standpoint if its like play biting in dogs or they are removing parasites from the skin. Jose Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) Steve: It really depends on their mood. Sometimes they swim too quickly to keep up. Sometimes they move at a leisurely pace. Sometimes they're dead still. Often they move just slowly enough to keep you swimming, but just quickly enough that you can't take a photograph! Jose: They seem to be sloughing off skin constantly. Though when they're rubbing together, there's more, just due to body contact perhaps. Edited February 2, 2010 by tonywu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted February 2, 2010 Here's a sample photo from today: It's been a really long day, and I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night This shot is just amazing Tony. Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eyu 27 Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) Eric, et al, Your photos are really, really great and you have been very fortunate to encounter pods each day out that are willing to allow you to photograph them. When we were in Dominica in November there were times when there were no pods in sight and times when the pods either swam away or dove when we encountered them. Are you being limited to the number of swimmers in the water at one time? Any other mature males showing up? Elmer Edited February 2, 2010 by eyu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eyu 27 Posted February 2, 2010 Here's a sample photo from today: It's been a really long day, and I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night Tony, The top whale is scar, you can tell him from the deep vertical scar on the right cheek from the fishing nets when he was a youngster. It appears the female is getting him excited! Elmer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cor 0 Posted February 2, 2010 We just eyeball it every time. Sometimes we send a lone snorkeler out to scope things out, sometimes 2 or 3. And if we're sure they're not bothered all 5 of us go out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted February 2, 2010 I didn't think they could get any better but I was wrong. Cor that is unbelievably beautiful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonywu 0 Posted February 3, 2010 Elmer, You're the first person to notice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 3, 2010 All I can do today is post photos. We swam most of the day. My body aches!! Good night! Oh -- we met Simon and Izzy of Images Dominica last night. They're on Wetpixel as well and will hopefully come say hi. Two sperm whales enter a shallow dive in Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. Two sperm whales at the surface. Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. Two sperm whales at the surface. Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. A sperm whale calf sticks his fluke up out of the water in preparation for a tail slap. Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. A sperm whale in Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. A sperm whale hangs vertically in the water. Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. A sperm whale calf in Dominica.. Photo taken under permit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted February 3, 2010 So, we've mentioned that Scar is incredibly friendly. Photos of him have been posted on Wetpixel by quite a few people already, but here are a couple more of Andrew getting close to his cetacean buddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
