Tassie whale numbers spike over coming month
A lucky photographer got up close and personal with five whales on a popular cruise this week as sightings of the creatures leap. SEE PHOTOS + THE BEST WHALE HOTPOTS >>
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A lucky photographer got up close and personal with five whales on a popular cruise this week as sightings of the mighty creatures leap.
Scott Gelston spotted dolphins galore on a Bruny Island Pennicott cruise five years ago, but no whales.
The professional photographer boarded the iconic yellow boat yesterday anticipating a similar scenario.
“I wasn’t expecting to see any whales,” he said.
“But we received a call that there were three southern right whales in Adventure Bay so we detoured.
“Immediately we were having a good day.”
About an hour into the cruise, his boat then set off to meet the first Pennicott group who had spotted a pair of humpbacks.
He said the “awe-inspiring” animals “were waving and putting on a show” within 50m of the captivated passengers.
The Launceston local shared the breathtaking photos from his new Nikon Z 6 on Instagram, writing he “did not expect to see two humpback whales and three southern right whales today”.
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys founder Robert Pennicott said the cruise was currently experiencing an “unbelievable period”, with 30 whales recently sighted in one day at Wineglass Bay.
“It’s going to get busier between now and middle of November, the southern migration is on and they come in close to the east coast,” he said.
Mr Pennicott said top spots included Wineglass Bay, Tasman Island and Bruny Island, with some whales choosing to come within five or ten feet of the vessels.
He said the boats always cut their engines far from the animals for their welfare, with some inquisitive whales swimming closer to the boats and others keeping on with their business.
“To see such large, majestic animals so graceful in their movements is such a wonderful thing,” he said.
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