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Southern Right whales return each year to Argentina during
the Austral winter months to mate and calf in the inshore waters of
Golfo San Jose and Golfo Nuevo. These animals are still considered to be
highly vulnerable, as they probably do not number more than 5,000
individuals in the Southern Hemisphere. Working under permit from the
Argentinean Government, I was able to photograph these magnificent
animals in their “bedroom” and “nursery”. |
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The heads and rostrums of these whales are actually covered with patches
called callosities. Each individual whale can be identified by the
pattern of these callosities. A close up shot of one of these patches
shows how rough they can be! The image to the right above is of a Right
Whale feeding. The animal is skimming along the surface of the water
with its mouth open and its baleen plates filtering food out of the
water. |
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The flukes of these whales are very strong and powerful. Southern
Right Whales sometimes raise their flukes into the air to “catch the
wind”, as they “sail” for long distances. The winds in Patagonia are
strong and steady, and this seems to be a form of play. |
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Underwater these animals are very inquisitive about snorkelers. It is
not unusual to be “bumped” by a calf as it swims around you. Of course
this is all in play, but calves sometimes don’t know their own strength!
Even though they are just babies, they are 15 feet long and weigh about
1,500 pounds! To be the play toy of a curious calf is an experience not
soon forgotten. |
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Of course calves don’t get all the fun! Even adult Right Whales enjoy
close contact to snorkelers, often surfacing right beside or even right
beneath the their own “play toys”. Having an adult Whale lift you out of
the water on its back is the highlight of any encounter!
TIPS FOR SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE PHOTOGRAPHS: A truly photogenic whale in a
beautiful setting, Patagonia can be very cold and very windy during
these winter months. Protect all camera gear from the ever- present salt
spray while on boats. Work in and out of a waterproof case. Sand from
the surrounding dunes is often airborne and everywhere. It seems to find
all the nooks and crannies of every camera body and lens. Be prepared to
clean cameras thoroughly between days of shooting. For topside images
you will use everything from wide angle to medium telephoto. I bring my
17-35mm zoom, a 70-200mm zoom, and a fast 300mm telephoto. Underwater
you will be working VERY close to these animals. Ultra-wide angle lenses
are in order. The water can be dark, so a film of ISO 100 or greater is
often needed to get the desired f-stop and shutter speed combinations. I
often push film at least one stop here. |
