Tony, Cor, Julie, Emiko and I are currently out in Dominica (where loftus and some other Wetpixel folk were just after DEMA). We have just finished our first day out on the water and had an EPIC day with multiple sperm whale social groups. Scar, the resident 10-yr old male, showed up near the end of our day and gave us the close encounter of a lifetime.

We've just returned to our hotel rooms and are in the process of downloading images. Here's a teaser.


Scar, a 10-year old male sperm whale (Physeter Macrocephalus) in Dominica

Hey, say hi to Izzy for me if you happen to see him.

And....lucky barstools!!!

Give Scar and his family my best - (and I guess Izzy too) - I am jealous. Which boat are you using?
Andy

We're using Miser's Dream with Andrew.

I'm sure we'll all start posting photos soon. We went out for dinner, which was very much in island time. All of us nearly passed out on the table while waiting for things like water, plates, and food.

Scar's the man!
Hope he shows up for you every day.
Can't wait to see the rest of the weeks images; and can't wait for my next trip in a couple of months!


Where'd you go for dinner - yes serious island time for dinner there, should've warned you.

Here's a sample photo from today:



It's been a really long day, and I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night

Sunset tonight:



Jeff -- we went to some tourist Creole place. All the local places (except for the super-loud bar types) seem to be closed on Friday nights. Where should we go for good, quick food??

Awesome. In a word.

Really love Tony's shot.

Alex

PHOTOS FROM DAY 1:



Close encounter with a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


Close encounter with a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


A sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) gets ready to dive. Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


A sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) dives. Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


A social group of four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


Four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) converge head-on. Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


A sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) calf presumably nurses. I didn't see any milk, but the calf was pushing against that area of the female repeately. Photo taken under permit.

Four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in formation. Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica, approaches closely. Photo taken under permit.


An over-under shot of Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica, approaches closely. Photo taken under permit.


Andrew, a local guide, is friends with Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. Photo taken under permit.


Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica, approaches closely. Photo taken under permit.


Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. A small bit of squid is visible in Scar's mouth. Photo taken under permit.


Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. A small bit of squid is visible in Scar's mouth. Photo taken under permit.


Super close-up shot of Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. A small bit of squid is visible in Scar's mouth. Photo taken under permit.


Over-under of Scar, a 10-year old sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. A small bit of squid is visible in Scar's mouth. Photo taken under permit.

F@*#ing amazing pics, guys! Now don't let Scar scratch your dome port...

Amazing pictures!

Adam

man, those are awesome...

What beautiful amazing creatures. Awesome!

Ok the secret is out - sure beats your Japan trip doesn't it - even with the permitting process.
Andy.

I didn't know you guys were coming down, but it looks like it is working for you.

Lovely images!!!

regards

Izzy

Here's another shot. This one of four young males

Waiting for our boat to arrive, which is no where in sight and was due 30 minutes ago. Island time hits again. Im so glad im used to this from the USVI

One of mine from yesterday.

Click to view attachment

I haven't been there in two years, but there was a place called "The Garage" which actually wasn't too bad for service when we were there. It does qualify for one of the louder bar-types, but had a few tables on a patio annex out front. Upside is they weren't as loud, downside is that you were a bit more out-of-sight, out-of-mind for the waitstaff. And comedy value for me as an engineer just goggling at the true nightmare of power cables festooned to a single pole across the street.

Lunchtime - look for any of the small cheap shacks. Don't know where you're staying...if you're using the Anchorage's dock by any chance, right across the street and a little south there was a big Courts building that had a small shack in its lot, kind of around back. I think they called it Cindy's but there was no sign. Great lunch for like EC$ 6. For breakfast just try some of the little bread things like coconut rolls or whatever from all the bitty bakeries (Sukies??) along the street in either Newtown or Roseau (assuming its not included in your hotel stay?)

Y'all are making me jealous as heck.

I am speechless. Great work to all of you.

Todd

Killer shots guys! Have to put that on my trip list.

Mike

Great shots, real stunning ones in there.

Fantastic shots!

I found a lot of good food, but nothing quick. Best service by far was the restaurant at the Fort Young Hotel. There was a Chinese place in one of the side streets behind the war memorial that service was pretty good.
There's a place across the road from the Fort Young that's really good but plan to make a night of it.
You guys have some spectacular images; viz looks crystal!

The viz is endless, the weather is awesome, the whales are interacting like crazy. Today we had up to 11 or so whales together. Julie and I are used to being in St Croix, so island time comes natural. Nothing moves fast in the Caribbean except for the whales at times!

Epic images you guys, I am so jealous!! The vis looks absolutely incredible!!

That's nuts! Hey guys, can you feel them using their "sonar" to try and figure out what those strange oddly shaped things are in the water with them?

That must be a live altering experience, we're all with you vicariously, more pictures please.

Cheers,
Steve

DAY 2! Sperm whale social group escalation!

I've posted a bunch of text on my webpage:
http://echeng.com/journal/2010/01/30/sperm...dominica-day-2/

Summary: we had a fantastic social group encounter, as well as the appearance of a large male

Images are below:


Seven sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249186. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


Six sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249214. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


Six sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. In total, there were eleven whales together. echeng100130_0249235. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249251. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


Split image of a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rubbing up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249312. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249324. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.


A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rub up against each other while socializing. echeng100130_0249364. Photo taken under permit in Dominica.

Just spectacular Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, awesome work guys!

Fantastic shots!! This trip is now on my "to do" list...

Here's a snap from today's action of Eric + a handful of sperm whales:

at a loss for words

What a fantastic experience and amazing photos, wow. I really appreciate you sharing these photos here. 11 sperm whales, how cool is that???

Excellent photos guys. I want to hear more about the large male. How big was he and did he interact at all with the swimmers like the females and juveniles or did he behave differently? There were no large bulls in the water when we were there in November - only females and juveniles.
Andy

stunning work, reminds me what a truly special place that country is

keep 'em coming

Steve

Excellent pics guys! Sitting here in the snow feeling very jealous.

How does one arrange for a permit?

The pictures say it all, well done

Stew

Great shots. with the top that Eric was weraing, I assume the water temperature was warm?
Wish I was there. 11 whales at once, anyone get a photo of all 11?

I think it's in the low 80s. It gets totally warm when you start swimming.

I have a photo with 8 or 9 in the frame. I'm not sure if anyone has a shot with more. Tony saw 13 in the water today, but it was impossible to get all of them in the frame at once!

We have a bad shot with 9, and decent shots with 8. It's hard to get that many in the frame.

Here is one from yesterday. "Human for Scale"

Click to view attachment

My jaw is still hanging open from that pic, Cor. Absolutely awesome!

Phil

That looks like Scar. 2 divots on the right fluke and one on the left.

DEAR RESEARCHERS: Please contact us if you'd like to!

I only write this because you were sitting at the next table during dinner, and we didn't get a chance to talk. We did overhear you mention "Wetpixel," though. Hopefully, it was in a positive light, and hopefully, the standard rift between researchers and photographers won't be an issue here.

Peter, I asked you not to call attention to yourself on Wetpixel. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ban your newest username, 'Dr. Who'.

Two images of a baby sperm whale that was among the 13 that we saw today:

Day 3!
http://echeng.com/journal/tag/dominica2010/


A group of five sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) including a small calf. The black debris in the water is skin sloughed off from all of the rubbing.


Nine sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Three were hanging face up with their eyes closed. Two are hanging face down. Three accompany a small calf in the distance.


Tony Wu photographs a sperm whale with a tiny Sony Cybershot.

Eric, et al,

Awesome photos, you have been very lucky to find pods each day.

When you encountered the mature male, did he show any aggression?

Elmer