…just a quick update from the Ogasawara Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where I’ve been for the past week or so with a few friends photographing sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).
In short, we’ve had really good luck, encountering sperm whales on most days, as well as seeing a bunch of other interesting stuff, like Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), deep-water octopus parts (left overs from sperm whale meals…I think from a seven-arm octopus (Haliphron atlanticus)), and even a few beaked whales (from the surface only).
The highlight so far has been an encounter with a group of six sperm whales (five adult females and a baby), with one of the adults chewing on a giant squid. Yes…I know it sounds unbelievable, but we have photos and video to prove it!
In fact, our trip has been such a success that we’ve extended our stay, so I won’t be back to regular communication until after the 25th of this month. My access to the internet is restricted, so I don’t anticipate posting again while I’m here.
For now, following are a handful of sample images, starting with a sperm whale profile:
An image of Eric Cheng photographing a blob of left-over deep-water octopus parts probably left uneaten by a sperm whale:
And a friendly whale at the surface turning to take a look at us:
Note: Photographs taken under permit.
Great stuff Tony! When can we expect to see any info on the Giant Squid diner!
Fantastic! Wish I was there.
Is it that warm? surprised to see Cheng in only shorts…
and he could use a tan..
damn, i am jealous. (of the whale encounters i mean, not Eric)
Mike — it’s ok to be jealous of me!
As for the paleness, I blame Tony’s image processing technique!
I have left the group and am almost to Tokyo. I wish you all the best of luck in your extension! I’m doing happy whale claps for a huge social group…
[...] Wu: Sperm Whales! AKPC_IDS += "3187,"; Popularity: unranked [?] | Tokyo, Japan | link | trackback | qrcode | Oct [...]
I’ve updated my website with a full trip report!
a dive shop owner in hk claimed that we can go to ogasawara to see “Humpback”…. just wonder if he’s mixed up humpback with sperm whale…
I’m told that humpbacks are in Ogasawara in January. Tony will know more…
Just got back. The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful…except for the giant squid feeding arm we found and a couple of Bryde’s whales
Lily: Humpback whales are there during the winter, with peak probably from late January through March or so
[...] Tony Wu speculates that it is a seven-arm octopus (Haliphron atlanticus), but we need an expert’s opinion on this. [...]
Hi Tony,
I love your photos. They are really great. I have a question about the technical point of view. Which lense did you use?
Next year I will do a trip to the azores to dive with these wonderful animals and I want to prepare myself!
Thank you!
Best Regards,
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
Any wide angle lenses will do. I use Canon cameras, so 17-40mm, 16-35mm, 15mm, 14mm are all lenses I carry.
Cheers,
Tony