Whales from the trail

[darren]

I went for a walk up Makapuu Point yesterday morning. I was going to put this in the trip report section, but it wasn't really a hike, since the path up Makapuu is asphalt to almost the top. At the end of the asphalt path there are a couple of observation platforms at the top of an 800' cliff that drops straight down to the ocean.

I have seen whales in the distance before, but this was a first for me. There were two whales, a mother and a calf directly below and only about 100 yards out from the cliff. It was incredible. I watched the whales for about 1/2 hour until the eventually swam around the point.

Absolutely incredible experience. Looking nearly straight down at whales was just wild. Seeing the mother and calf interact was amazing.

Now the down side....I did not have my big lens with me. I walked up with the intension of shooting landscape shots so I left the 100-400mm at home. I had a 10-22mm and a 24-105mm. So 105mm was the best I could do. I was kicking myself for not bringing the 400mm, but I had no idea I would see something like this.

Here's the best I could do.

and one of the calf blowing:

I am so bummed out that I didn't have the 400mm with me. The thing is that I could carry that lens up that hill every day for two weeks and not see this again though. Ugh. Oh well, at least I got to witness the amazing sight.

Aloha

- darren

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Way cool. I often see a similar scene from the trolling tower of the boat, which is ~18 feet above the ocean. The waters off New England are not that light blue or clear though, and that makes a huge difference.

Tim

 

[kmorgan]

Awesome shots Darren, thanks for sharing.

Kevin

 

[Chip]

Absolutely incredible experience. Looking nearly straight down at whales was just wild. Seeing the mother and calf interact was amazing.

Aloha

- darren

Great shots, really nice, especially considering I was shoveling slush from my drive while you were taking those.

I had a similar looking experience while windsurfing near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel about 15 years ago; A mother porpoise and calf over-took me and swam along the board with me for several long minutes...really cool.

 

[MichaelJ]

Awesome! Such a sight, plus that really beautiful water ... could you hear them as well?

I had a similar, but not nearly as photogenic, experience in Provincetown back in 1993 or 1994, where the whales had come right to the pier and were playing around.

Carry that 100-400mm!!!

 

[Jay H]

Gee, I've had trout breach themselves while kayaking..

Nice photos Darren, I was kind of wondering where this thread was going about "Whales on the trail" until I saw it was you posting and knowing you're in hawaii.

Jay

 

[Toe Cozy]

Wow! That's just what I needed to see today. Feb. 26th, still weeks of winter left. Snowing again, cold again, gray again. Beautiful.

 

[forestgnome]

Wonderful!!! Heart-warming!