Humpback Whales #AtoZChallenge
June through September is Humpback Whale season in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. They migrate from Antarctica, 16,000 kilometers (almost 10,000 miles) away. While in the warm equatorial waters, the whales fast, focused on mating and birthing.
Whales are seen breaching in the distance from shore. For a closer view, take a whale watching boat from Puerto Lopez. A whale might breach near your boat.
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| Breaching Humpback Whale Puerto Lopez, Ecuador |
Most likely, you will see some tail slapping.
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| Tail about to slap the water, creating a big splash Puerto Lopez, Ecuador |
It is incredible to watch a 16 meter (52 foot) whale swim under your boat. I am completely in awe and feel insignificant every time.
Mothers give birth in shallow waters. Babies and mothers are often seen close to shore swimming together.
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| Adults swimming with calves Puerto Lopez, Ecuador |
Once the calves are strong enough, they leave for Antarctica to feed and grow. We wait for them to return in June.
If you are visiting from the #AtoZChallenge please include a link to your blog in your comment so I can check it out.
Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
28 Comments
sage
I have seen many whales, but never seen them jump out of the water (I have seen many porpoises do that–some not far from me in a kayak. Good post and an interesting theme.
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you sage. It must be amazing to see porpoises from a kayak.
Judy Rinehimer
I am headed to Alaska on a cruise next month so I am hoping to see whales again. We did a glacier boat tour in 2011 and saw multiple pods.
Thanks for sharing,
Judy
Emily Bloomquist
I hope that you see them again. It should be interesting to see the difference in the glaciers from 2011 until now. I saw one four years apart in the late 90s and it was stunning how much it had shrunk. Enjoy the cruise!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – I've never seen a whale – this sounds like a complete treat – absolutely gorgeous … one day I hope – cheers Hilary
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Emily Bloomquist
Hi Hilary, It is a real treat. Hope you see one somewhere. They are incredible.
moon
Wow!Amazing facts, Emily and lovely photos.
Best wishes
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you moon. Stop by again.
A Tarkabarka Hölgy
I'd love to see whales! It must be an incredible experience.
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
Emily Bloomquist
It is incredible! They are so huge and beautiful.
Donna B. McNicol
Love it, the post and the whales!!!
H: Hawaii & Honduras
DB McNicol, author & traveler
Theme: Oh, the places we will go!
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you Donna!
Stephanie Finnell
This is one of the wonders of the world I hope to see someday! Glad I dropped by on the A to Z
Stephanie Finnell
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Emily Bloomquist
Hope that you do see them – they are incredible!
Pamela Wright
I'm so envious – I would love to see these whales up close. Such magnificent creatures – I've seen much smaller whales around the coast of Scotland and hope to one day see killer whales go past on their migration.
Pamela @ Highlands Days of Fun
Emily Bloomquist
They are magnificent. I would love to see killer whales, too.
Jean Davis
How very cool! I can't even imagine how huge that must seem in person.
Discarded Darlings – Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction
Emily Bloomquist
It is an incredible experience!
Jeanne Bryan Insalaco
I hope to go whale hunting this summer. It'll be awesome to see those huge beautiful creatures out in the ocean.
Emily Bloomquist
Hope that you enjoy whale watching! Their enormous size is awesome to see.
The Average Mom
Wow Emily they sound majestic. I have never seen a whale, hope I can see one too one day
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Emily Bloomquist
I hope you do too, they are majestic. Thanks for the link to your blog post on an important topic.
John Davis Frain
A is for Awesome! I've never seen a whale in the wild. One day, one day…
Emily Bloomquist
They truly are awesome! Something I wish everyone could experience.
Susie
I have seen Dolphins but I've never seen a whale up close. But I would love to sometime.
Emily Bloomquist
We also see Dolphins right offshore. So fun to watch them swim around.
Courtney Turner
Lovely. I've seen whales breach from the shore, but not close to the boat. In Hawaii, whale season is late November to about now. Maui Jungalow
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks Courtney. They are such majestic creatures! Nice that you see them from shore, too.