WHALE!

While in the Viking area we went on a boat tour of the icebergs.  Hoping to see whales.

We had nice weather when we boarded the boat.  The boat was a small fishing boat.  The captain only takes 10 people at a time, to give you an idea of the size of the boat.

It gives you confidence in the boat when the captain tows a smaller boat behind his boat.  Maybe it’s good luck.  We can only hope that all 10 of us, plus the captain and his first mate don’t have to climb into that boat.  Awkward.

While in the bay it was nothing but calm, smooth waters.  When we reached the ocean, that was a different story.

David spotted the fog rolling in.  That does not make for a fun boat ride.

David and I were starting to think this boat ride would be a bust.  Just icebergs.  We could have seen them from shore. Although they were beautiful in their own right.  So blue.

We wanted to see whales.  David kept a vigil eye on the ocean for them.

With the fog coming in the waters were churning and all the women on the boat, yes including me, were feeling sea sick.  We were really swaying side to side, up and down.  I’m glad to report I did not get sick though.  I was too busy concentrating on taking pictures.

Then David spotted them and said, “Captain, follow those whales!”

We had lucked out with a couple of whales swimming and feeding by our boat.

Then things got a bit more exciting.  This happened right next to our boat.  It was so close one time that we felt the splash on our faces!

I was completely psyched that I got these pictures.  Their not completely in focus and a little dark because I had the wrong setting set on the camera.  But oh well.  I got it!  I just kept my finger on the trigger.  And Whoa!  What a series of pictures!  If I do say so myself… Oh wait, I just did.

The whales jumped a few more times.  I failed to get these shots.  Proving once again I am not a professional.  But David did catch these on video.  He has the video posted below.

To cool.  Then they both started waving together.

After the whales were done showing off their jumping and diving skills, they started what I can only describe as, waving.

They both did this several times.  We later learned that whales do this to stun the fish so it’s easier for them to feed on them.

Then they started flipping around in the water and flipping their tails.

Things were getting much choppier at this point.  The fog had rolled in more and the boat was swaying side to side.  We stayed longer than usual because of the wonderful show the whales were putting on for us.  But alas, it was time to go and get back to shore.

The choppiness of the water didn’t seem to affect David at all.  He was enjoying the view from the top deck of the boat, talking with the Skipper.

We made it back in one piece and smiles all the way around.  Everyone on board could not believe what they had just experienced.  Us included.  What a beautiful and amazing show Mother Nature put on for us.  No words can do this experience justice.  No pictures can capture the excitement and awe we all felt in the presence of these spectacular creatures.

Oh…The video…Here you go…