Humpback Whales
Photographing humpback whales has been the highlight of my career to date. The assignment was commissioned by Greenpeace International, the brief was to photograph Humpback whale in their natural environment, during the same time Japan announced to the world that it planned to hunt Humpback whale in the Southern Ocean that season. The assignment took on a deeper meaning after hearing the report.
Location: The Kingdom of Tonga in The South Pacific it seemed to be the best place, given the water quality and one of the only places in the world where you can legally swim (snorkel) with whales.
Date: October 2007, I landed in Vava'u, in the northern group of islands. I made arrangements to meet Karen from Dive Vava'u a whale watching company in Vava'u and from the moment I hit the water I was overwhelmed with the colour of the water, just this surreal deep ocean blue and then to top it off in the distance I could hear whales singing. Laying on the surface of the water my body absorbed the vibrations of the song and captivated my whole being, then suddenly out off the blue a whale swims by, an escort or male and then followed by a mother and calf. She pauses to get a closer look we make eye contact, no words are spoken but we now have a much deeper understanding for each other. My world changed for ever, then the calf circles me as if it wants to play, it allows me to get some great photos. Just maybe one of these images will change the future of whaling in the Southern Ocean and make the Japanese Government show some compassion towards these amazing creatures that we share our planet with.
Every year from July to November they complete their migration from the cold feeding waters south of New Zealand and Australia, to the warmer tropical waters of Tonga where they give birth to calves and perform courtship readying themselves for the next season.
The sheltered waters of Vava'u offer plenty of hideaways for the young calves as they begin to learn the behaviors that the Humpback Whales are known for. Escorts eager to gain courtship during the season will often accompany the mothers, keeping out of the way and generally at a slight distance, but still keeping a watchful eye out for that certain signal.
Throughout July to November the waters surrounding Vava'u are filled with music as the Humpback whales sing their hearts out.