Migrating whales

The annual whale migration season has just started again, with sightings reported in the press and whale cruises heading out to sea for the next few months. On Friday there was a news report of 4 humpback whales entering the harbour and 'playing' near Manly Wharf for about an hour before heading back to sea - an unexpected bonus for ferry passengers.

On Saturday afternoon Sue and I decided to walk up to Long Reef, one of the coastal headlands near to us, in the vague hope that we might see something. When we reached the point there was a small crowd gathered and, looking down the coast, we could see 2 'pods' of whales working their way towards us with the tell-tale splashes and breathing spray.

It was similar to being on an African safari, with a number of boats close to each group of whales and these were joined for some time by a Channel 7 news helicopter. As we walked down to the beach and up to the cliff top again we had a good view of their slow progress north and could also see another group of whales heading our way in the distance - this is now likely to be a regular daily event over the winter.