A Whale of a Time

My wife and I took the afternoon off on Friday and drove 4 hours north to the town of Hervey Bay.

At 7am the next morning we were sitting on the Quick Cat ll ready for a half day of Humpback Whale Watching. Never done that before from a boat ... only from a headland.

So ... if it interests you ... sit back and enjoy a cruise with me ...

Clicking the photos and selecting larger sizes yields a sharper photo

7am and about to depart.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/...a913e9ea_o.jpgQuick Cat ll by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Looking back at the Urangan Pier a few minutes after leaving ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/...9e574dbd_b.jpgsa-1229 by AstroVisual, on Flickr

A jet aircraft contrail high above the Quick Cat ll
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/...0421e728_o.jpgContrail over Quick Cat ll by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Passing an island on the way to a resort for another pickup we see the carcass of what is believed to be a Pigmy Blue Whale awaiting scientific analysis
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/...bd824f8b_o.jpgCarcass by AstroVisual, on Flickr

It was shaping up to be a beautiful day. The fore decks of Quick Cat ll with our group front and center of shot
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/...d0f33555_o.jpgQuick Cat ll by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Coming into the Kingfisher Bay Resort Jetty in Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/...e0fb2b89_o.jpgKingfisher Bay - Fraser Island by AstroVisual, on Flickr

The 'Kingfisher Bay' ... a car ferry
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/...1d93def9_o.jpgThe Kingfisher Bay by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Freedom lll is another whale watching boat
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/...1e277fbc_o.jpgFreedom lll by AstroVisual, on Flickr

more soon ...

Small hull used as floating breakwater for the jetty at Kingfisher bay
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/...535271ee_o.jpgKingfisher Bay - Fraser Island by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Fraser Island looking nice and tropical
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/...ce3654e0_o.jpgTropical Beach by AstroVisual, on Flickr

A few others enjoying the day
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/...2ca0aa89_o.jpgSetting Sail by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Imagine out enjoy some wind and sun
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/...24b9e5f4_o.jpgImagine by AstroVisual, on Flickr

The first half decent sighting
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/...e20257ca_o.jpgDiving Humpback by AstroVisual, on Flickr

They got closer ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/...6bf1800b_o.jpgA Whale of a Time by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/...75e23d2f_o.jpgHumpback Prowess by AstroVisual, on Flickr

more later ...

Tail Slapping to impress the ladies ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/...26655629_o.jpgHumpback Slapping Good Time by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/...ce7de177_o.jpgHumpbacks Love Playtime by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/...3f501334_o.jpgHumpback Waterfall by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/...d42be2d2_o.jpgHumpback Play by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/...27597547_o.jpgA Tale of a Humpback by AstroVisual, on Flickr

more soon ...

Remember ... for clearer sharper photos click the photos and see them directly at Flickr

Humpback calf
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/...b6ed0edc_o.jpgClose Encounters of the Humpback Kind by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Crew member holds the underwater viewing camera while the humpback calf comes in close
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/...07161224_o.jpgHumpback Close Encounter by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Very close ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/...cc5de676_o.jpgHumpback Whale Calf by AstroVisual, on Flickr
Very VERY close ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/...70aaed03_o.jpgBarnacles and the Humpback by AstroVisual, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/...06206f51_o.jpgHumpback Calf by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Blowholes (Whales have two like our nostrils) ...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/...41d4df1d_o.jpgHumpback Blowhole by AstroVisual, on Flickr

An Adult setting sail for some peace and quiet
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/...e2f82ff6_o.jpgSetting Sail - Humpback by AstroVisual, on Flickr

Great series, love the "7am about to depart" shot, and then the "Humpback Play"; nicely done MA.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Matt K.

Great series, love the "7am about to depart" shot, and then the "Humpback Play"; nicely done MA.

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Thanks Matt. Nice to know which ones appealed most too.

Lovely set, MA! Loved all the whale photos and the little sailing sloop! Took a look at them in Flickr's lightbox and they are really stunning there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JAS_Photo

Lovely set, MA! Loved all the whale photos and the little sailing sloop! Took a look at them in Flickr's lightbox and they are really stunning there.

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Thank you very much JAS :)

Gorgeous set MA!

I was going to look into the flickr issue for you, but I'm assuming you figured it out?

Thx - Marko

I don't think it is a flickr issue, Marko. The board itself reduces photos to a certain size. Just click on one of MA's photos and open image in new tab and you will see the difference.