The world wildlife instinct is clearly not to be reckoned with: salmon fight their way upstream to spawn in the creeks they hatched in, birds manage to embark on epic migrations twice a year and reach the same destinations, and herds of wildebeest rumble in great packs across the Serengeti in the famous wildebeest migration. We can’t always understand why the wildlife of the world faces these challenges, but we can appreciate that the instinct to do it is something pretty powerful, and witnessing one of these epic animal migrations will give you a sense of being part of something vast and painstakingly slow and ancient, yet also of the potential for renewal. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for October, 2011
Experiencing World Wildlife – From Whale Watching to the Wildebeest Migration
Whale Watching in the South West of Western Australia
Ever looked into the eye of a Southern right whale as it majestically glides along-side your boat, trying to get a closer look at you? If not, then you’re missing out on a truly unique “south west” experience that many of us down here take for granted. Whale hunting is back! With a camera, that is…
Hearing the excited voices you move over to the other side of the boat and peer into the aqua blue water. Someone says they saw a whale. And then it appears. A dark, moving shadow that’s getting closer and closer to the surface. How big is this thing? It breaches the surface, and you hear yourself gasp in chorus with all the other passengers. Cameras click away. The Humpback whale starts to go back under, but then comes the tail, which reminds you again just how big these things are. Shouldn’t we be in a bigger boat? Read the rest of this entry »
Engaging With Giants on Whale Watching Tours
Few sights on the face of this planet are more inspiring than that of a whale in its natural environment. Whale watching tours and expeditions may help you experience that first-hand.
Marine parks
Nobody can question the excellent conservation work done in these marvellous institutions. In some of them, it is possible to get reasonably close to whales and sometimes to see them exercised – although not all expert opinion agrees that it easy to comfortably differentiate between legitimate play and exercise, and exploitative activities by way of ‘tricks’. Yet however well structured and laudable the activities of such centres are, seeing whales in this sort of environment can only be a poor substitute for the real thing – i.e. seeing them in their natural surroundings. Read the rest of this entry »