Fiona Ayerst: Shards of Silver
Nothing is ever certain on the annual Sardine Run. Many have read or heard those words. In fact, never a truer word has been spoken. Part of the whole Sardine Run experience is that when it all comes together it is the greatest thing you will ever see. So, for those prepared to wait it out, the rewards can flow in, quite literally.
My husband, marine biologist, Ryan Johnson and I have visited the Sardine Run for the past three years, bumping our way up and down the coast along East London (in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa). Last year I was privileged to get a fairly good day with some dolphins snacking off a small ball of sardines. Of course, just after my trip the guys with no cameras got the best day of all, with Brydes whales, sharks, humpbacks and dolphins all ploughing through a moving feast of oily fish.
I did however, also have some rather close encounters with humpback whales and even if I hadn’t seen a sardine these would have more than made up for it. A special treat just for me was swimming with a mola-mola (sunfish) or two, as they sunbathed near the surface.
Having seen the Run I can say that this one of the most incredible natural sights for any underwater enthusiast to see. Everything comes together in a whirlwind of teeth, feathers and scales. Feathers? Yes, even feathers as thousands of Cape gannets plunge headlong into the schools of silver. As I swam alongside greedy seals, penguins and even manta rays with sharks, dolphins and whales, I realised I was immersed in the greatest spectacle I may ever see. It’s all part of the annual Sardine Run.
After the news of the good sightings from last year spread, winter sardine fever is coming back to South Africa and boats are filling up fast. I won’t miss the early dark black mornings but ultimately I look forward to that vast blueness. The air and water is a bit chilly for us warm blooded critters. However, there is nothing quite as exciting as putting your head under the surface to see bait balls of thousands of glittering sardines darting frantically around the wide open mouths of some of the most charismatic predators on earth.
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) chasing and herding a bait ball.
A diver watches in awe as dolphins chase sardines around in the water just above his head
A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) comes over to see his reflection in the dome port whilst his buddy searches through the murky top-layer of water for their next meal.
Silhouetted common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) moving fast through the water as they form a tight pack whilst hunting for the sardines
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) with young, possibly teaching them how to work collectively to bubble-net sardines.
Two snorekellers get up close and personal with two friendly humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). This species is well known for it's attempts to try and avoid people in the water.
A pod of dolphins approached extremely close to me. It was a split second moment, as the sardines rushed over their heads the dolphins were gone again.
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) show an incredible ability to work extremely fast and together - in pursuit of a common goal- oily food.
The common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) speed hard and fast after the fish and as a diver it's sometimes hard to know where to look as everything is rushing around you. I think of it as being like caught in the middle of a whirlwind.
As the dolphins rush through the fish eating great wads of them, so an oily film begins to lower the viz. even further and to create a slick on the surface of the ocean
The dolphins charge at the ball constantly as it gets smaller and smaller. They push it higher and higher in the water where it is easy for them to see and finish off.
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) chasing and herding a bait ball.
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) chasing and herding a bait ball.
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) vie with cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in a feeding frenzy when a ball of sardines is spotted. The seal manages to shoot away with a mouth packed full of the little silvery bait fish.
Man and whale share greetings
Humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae) are well known for their attempts to try and avoid people in the water.The two whales were lying on the surface and in a show of immense trust and respect, man and whale met each other.