David Salvatori: Dominica sperm whales
The waters off the west coast of the island of Dominica, located in the Eastern Caribbean archipelago, offer some of the best encounters with sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) on the planet.
Diving with sperm whales is allowed there under restricted permit only, and in January 2014 I joined an expedition organized by the famous Switzerland underwater photographer Franco Banfi. The purpose of the trip was to have the opportunity to be in the water with these magnificent animals.
Although we had a lot of sightings every day, typically the whales are very skittish and difficult to approach. However on three occasions during the week that we were there, we met a curious and friendly group. This allowed us to have incredible in-water encounters. Mothers with nursing calves, solo calves waiting for adults to return from the depths, socializing groups, and transient males all provided extraordinary opportunities for capturing images.
To see more of David’s images, please visit his ilmaresonoio website.
All images have been taken under permit.
Dominica - mother and calf.
Dominica - mother and calf.
Dominica - mother and calf.
Dominica - close encounter.
Dominica - family group.
Dominica - jumping pink-belly dolphin.
Dominica - family group.
Dominica - our guide Arun Madisetti photographing sperm whales.
Dominica - mother helping her calf to breathe.
Dominica - sperm whales are very skettish and they are used to dive if approached closely.
Dominica - family group.
Dominica - family group.
Dominica - a big male diving.
Dominica - family group.