Looking for whales is a fascinating and disappointing endeavor. Once a pod is located it becomes an addiction to see them up closer, to see them defy gravity, rise up out of the ocean, and greet you with a smile. But this is rarely the case and here in Alaska, rarer still.
The migration of the humpback whales takes them from Alaska to Hawaii. While they are still here in Alaska, they need to feed because once arriving in Hawaii they don’t have time for food as they will be fasting while they mate.
Several pods of whales are known around the Juneau area and our tour crew are well versed in their habits and tendencies. Some pods don’t want to be disturbed as they feed and are more elusive of prying eyes. But a pod of three go about their busy as if you are not even there.
Juno and 2470 (a whale which doesn’t have a nickname yet), and a mother whale, circle the Auke bay in a predictable fashion and were located quickly. Since these are incredible mammals, they are discovered by the exhalation of air and water when they surface for a breath. They will take five to ten such breaths before arching their backs to take a deep drive to feed. This is the moment their tales rise out of the water to the delight of everyone.
The whales will disappear below surface for about ten minutes at a time before repeating this pattern over and over again. This is all business for the whales. No playing, no dancing, just feed and migrate. There will be time to play when they get to Hawaii.
The younger whales, before they reach maturity, not only migrate but matriculate as they learn the route from their mothers.
By law, the tour boat is not allowed to get within 100 yards of the whales. This distance deceives you on just how large they can be. While most of their bodies stay unseen their tails can be 15 feet in width and according to our guide, the full length of these humpback whales can average 50 to 60 feet, about the length of the boat we were on. At around 40 tons, small is not a good description.
These are not the only large creatures roaming the bay and feeding. There are resident and migrating Orcas. Killer whales seem to have no pattern to their feeding, making it hard to locate. On the off chance one is spotted, the next sighting could be a mile away.
A call came across the shipboard radio that some had been seen. After our fill of the humpbacks, the captain headed toward the area. Although at a distance, three were spotted by their large dorsal fins cutting through the water.
The whale watching experience is not just about looking at whales but learning about those we share the planet with.
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