| - 2 Humpacked Whales
Cape Town Pelagics ran a mid-week pelagic on 7 September,
guided by Leo Bruinzeel and Ross Wanless. We had hoped to
leave in almost perfect conditions, but the start was delayed
while we debated what to do about a strong and completely
unpredicted westerly wind. Fortunately, an hour after our
advertised departure we decided the wind was localised and
it began to die down, allowing us to set off. With the fabulous
speed of the Obsession and such calm conditions, skipper Dave
Christie made up the lost time, and just after 10 am we found
two longliners some 27 miles off the point. There were good
numbers of birds in attendance, and we were able to get right
alongside the boats as they pulled in their lines, processed
the catch and thereby provided food. There were times when
we had 5 species simultaneously within spitting distance of
us. The almost complete absence of wind meant that there was
little chance of the white-backed albatrosses getting lift
and flying in, but we nevertheless had a superb day with over
2 hours of birding around the two longliners. The trip home
produced a pair of Humpbacked Whales, much to everyone's enjoyment.
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