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Hi All,
14 days in and what a day! Overnight we tracked a couple of groups of whales
and by start of operations this morning we were straight into photographing
and biopsying from the ship. Today so far we have identified and
photographed five individual Antarctic Blue Whales, and achieved one
successful biopsy, which given the weather conditions at present is quite an
achievement. We still have more blue whales being tracked by the Acoustics
Team to go and have a look at later this evening before we wrap up for the
day at about 2200 local time. It's looking like our best day on the job so
far.
While we are "with whales", either Jay or Paul are up on the structure below
the bridge, giving the ship's watch officer directions on the best courses
and speeds to get close enough to the whales to photograph them and/or take
biospsys. The two biopsy shooters are up in the "eyes of the ship" (right up
in the bow) with photographers taking ID shots of the whales' backs as they
breach the surface and "blow" and then dive again.
The scientists on the job are working out in freezing conditions and despite
being well dressed for the cold and moderately rough sea and swell
conditions, it is still challenging effort to get the science work done. The
team are very focused on the task, however, and are seeing it through in a
positive and extremely productive way - you could say we are having a "whale
of a time."
Until Tomorrow,
Regards: Chris, Margaret, and the VWhales Team
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.