^{WINTER in Western Australia is the one time I am reluctant to leave home to travel, even to escape the cold, wet weather. Because by July, our winter blues are lifted with the beginning of our amazing whale season that goes through to the end of spring in November. Peak season is around October.}

^{It’s estimated around 35,000 Humpback whales and their calves use Geographe Bay in the South West of Western Australia, where I live. It’s their last resting area and playground before their long journey to Antarctica on their annual migration. It’s also a ‘post natal ward’ with new babies travelling with their mums, and resting in our bay to get a little stronger for the trip south.}

_{Along with humpies, we see Southern Right Whales, Minke and the magnificent Blue Whales in our bay. Occasionally, we see pilot whales too.}

^{I wrote about our whales back nearly 3 years ago, and thought it was about time I refreshed that story.}

^{The extraordinary thing about Geographe Bay is that you don’t have to get out in a boat to see the whales, as many pass by within a few hundred metres of our shores. I’ve witnessed this many times – the most memorable was a pod of blue whales that lingered in the early dawn light on a quiet still morning, incredibly close to where I was standing. So close my zoom lens couldn’t take them all in at once in a photo!}

^{One of the funniest sights I encountered this last season was whale watchers, diverted by photographing a passing cruise ship, failing to notice a whale right under the noses!}

^{We have strict regulations governing how close people can get to the whales. But if a whale approaches a stationary vessel, then it’s your lucky day! We also have strict regulations regarding the use of drones photographing/filming the whales.}

^{Early this last August, I spotted my first couple of whales of the 2024 season about 600 metres off the shore – a frisky baby and its mum. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me. The following morning I went trawling the shoreline on a drive ten to twenty minutes from my home, and saw several humpbacks – not very close to shore, and sadly the light was bad with rain showers.}

^{Whale watching in Geographe Bay is quite a social affair. There are several choice spots along the foreshore to watch them pass by, and local whale watchers get to know each other during the season. These days, there is a lot of interest from other areas of Australia and overseas, so we regularly see tourists. I love it when a whale passes close, and you realise that its a first time experience for some of the watchers.}

^{This last season, I saw whales most times I went out looking. Some faraway, breaching on the horizon, some slipping by close to the beach.}

^{I have seen a lot of breaches, mainly from playful youngsters. But I’m rarely quick enough to snap a good photo. One minute there’s nothing there out to sea, the next a huge whale jumps out! Very hard to predict!}

^{I’ve also heard them a lot too. Humpbacks singing, especially on a still early morning, is one of life’s magic experiences. It’s thought they are communicating with each other. Who knows. Scientists continue to study their songs. I just love listening to them. Southern Rights also make sounds – not as tuneful as humpies.}

^{So far, we haven’t recorded Orca killer whales in Geographe Bay, but it is believed that they pass close by, and researchers are currently looking for solid evidence.}

^{You can see them off Bremer Bay, off the South coast of Western Australia from December through to April. There are commercial whale watching tours available, but they do have to go a fair way out into those southern oceans – and a possible choppy sea voyage isn’t my cup of tea.}

^{A very tranquil place to see whales up close and personal is off Broome, in the north west of Western Australia – again there are commercial cruises from around July for a few months. I’ve done this twice, and highly recommend.}

^{Drones capture magnificent photos. But I am old school, still attempting to get THAT shot from the shore! I can never match the drone shots, or shots from a boat. Some are magnificent. But shoreline photography keeps me occupied LOL!}

^{Luckily, I can see some of the best drone photos taken by friends with their authorised drones at Geographe Marine Research (GMR), a company that sprang up from citizen scientists here in South West Western Australia, and is doing some excellent work investigating whales. The monitoring by GMR and other volunteers aim to assess whale numbers and species, and to identify whales by their individual markings so that return visits to the Bay can be recorded. If you want to see some quality whale photos from this region, check them out. GMR is also on Instagram.}

https://www.instagram.com/Geographemarineresearch/

https://www.marineresearch.org.au

^{We don’t always just sit and watch for whales. We are fortunate to have a wonderful walking track along our coast, so we often hike along it, camera in hand. A good walk is ensured. A whale or two passing a bonus!}

^{Sometimes, it seems these giants of the ocean are giving me a wave. “Hi there, didn’t catch my breach action? Ah well, better luck next time. See you next year!”}