Another thrilling Humpback Whale encounter

A humpback whale and her calf swim in the waters off Lapakahi Historical Park, Hawaii
A humpback whale and her calf swim in the waters off Lapakahi Historical Park, Hawaii

I’ve lived in Hawaii for more than 12 years and go snorkeling whenever I can. New Year’s Eve was the first time I’d seen a Humpback Whale in the water (here). Yesterday, less than a month later, my wife and I had this even more remarkable encounter.

Walking down to swim at Lapakahi Historical Park, I spotted a humpback not far offshore. When we got in the water, the whale was still there. It wasn’t very active, just milling around, as they sometimes do. Also, in the same general area, was the same woman who had been with us on New Year’s Eve. We swam out and headed in her direction.

As we got closer, the whale could be seen ahead, still not doing much, but it became apparent it wasn’t alone. The fins of another adult whale could be seen a bit farther out. But that didn’t quite explain the activity I was seeing until I realized that I was seeing a third whale, a calf swimming close to the first whale, which was clearly its mother.

A humpback whale and her calf swim in the waters off Lapakahi Historical Park, Hawaii

I put the brakes on then as I had no wish to accidentally come between a mother and her calf. But at that point, the whale and her calf turned in our direction. The mother was huge, much larger than the previous whale, and getting bigger by the second, with her calf poised close above her. I have to say, there was a moment there when I was a tad nervous. But she simply continued her turn before heading away with an imperious swish of her tail.

A humpback whale and her calf swim in the waters off Lapakahi Historical Park, Hawaii

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Geometric. See more responses here. Also for Clare’s Share Your Desktop. See more responses here.

24 thoughts on “Another thrilling Humpback Whale encounter”

  2. niasunset's avatarniasunset

    WOW! What a beautiful photographs… almost pulled me in this blue waters… What kind of feelings to swim with them… I can’t imagine but makes me so excited. Thank you dear Graham, this great experience and also great photographs. Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      Like us, these two sighting were the first for the woman in the photo. It’s totally chance, so all three of us feel really fortunate. I never felt threatened by the whale, but seeing something that big coming towards me made me wonder for a moment!

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

          I finally figured out what was going on. Apparently they changed the default photo size from full to large, so now I have another thing to change when I put a post together!

          Like

          1. BeckyB's avatarBeckyB

            so frustrating they do all these changes isn’t it. I’ve yet to experience this one as I scheduled all my posts in December. At least I now know what to look out for!

            Liked by 1 person

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