Beaked Whales - Michael S. Nolan Photography

Blainville's Beaked Whale

Drifting with Short-finned Pilot Whales in deep water off the Kona Coast of Hawaii, I had the incredible luck to encounter a lone male Blainville’s Beaked Whale. The two teeth erupting from the lower jaw were covered in barnacles. The animal was highly scratched and scarred, probably from fights with other males of it’s own species. The whale was not very curious about our small inflatable boat, but was very drawn towards the Pilot Whales logging at the surface nearby.

Incredibly, it started to breach! The Beaked Whale came within 50 yards of the Pilot Whales and continued to breach. In total it breached 7 times. These are among the only images of a Blainville’s Beaked Whale breaching that are in existence. I couldn’t believe the luck!

As the Beaked Whale approached the Pilot Whales they started to rouse from their slumber. They did not immediately interact or flee from the Beaked Whale, but they did start to dive as a group. The Beaked Whale swam towards the last of the diving Pilots Whales, but then turned and swam off in a different direction. In all, a very interesting encounter, with an animal that is rarely sighted alive. I welcome any comments or questions concerning this encounter, as I am very interested in these animals!

TIPS FOR BLAINVILLE’S BEAKED WHALE PHOTGRAPHS: The simple lesson in this encounter is to be prepared for anything. Encounters like this one come rarely and if you are not ready you may miss the whole thing. Whenever I am on a boat I always have at least two above water and two underwater cameras loaded with the appropriate film and ready to go. As simple as this seems, I am reminded of it time and again. Many encounters with animals in the open ocean may last for only a few brief moments. Have those cameras ready to go so you are spending those precious minutes photographing the animal as opposed to trying to set up your gear!