Naturalist Science & Tourism

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 | 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 – 𝟮𝟱𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

The diversity of our ocean!

One moment we have the calm, matriarchal social complexity of Pilot whales. Despite being called Pilot whale, they are actually oceanic dolphins, the second largest in the 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒆 family, right after the Killer whale.

The next moment, we have the fast-paced, energy of Common dolphins. Two species with completely different group dynamics sharing the same oceanic waters.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

Teamwork! 🐋 Did you know that female S***m whale practice "babysitting"? Since calves can´t hold their breath long enough to dive to the extreme depths where adults hunt squid, other females in the pod take turns to protecting and caring for the calf near the surface while the mother feeds. A true matriarchal society. 💙

Summer is the perfect time to encounter the resident family groups of S***m whales
and Atlanctic spotted dolphin!🐋🐬

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟮𝟯𝐫𝐝 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

Our ocean expeditions granted us sightings of our resident S***m Whales!

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

On this day, we encountered a group of Short-finned Pilot Whales (𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴). Although they are commonly observed in the Azores during the summer, another closely related species can also be found in the region, the Long-finned Pilot Whale (𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘴)

The pectoral fins are particularly useful, their shape and relative length differ between the two species, as reflected in the names. However, they are difficult to see from the boat unless a whale turns onto its side, revealing its flippers, as seen in the first photo (zoom in). When this doesn't happen, we rely on the saddle patch, which tends to be more noticeable in Short-finned Pilot Whales.

Identifying pilot whales in the open ocean is an example of how small morphological differences can be crucial for species identification.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟮𝟬𝐭𝐡 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

On today´s expedition we encountered several species of cetaceans in transit. A Bryde´s whale was observed, this species is usually seen around the Azores in summer, when temperature of the sea increases. A group of around 100 Atlantic spotted dolphins and 60 Common dolphins have been seen jumping out of the water whilst in transit. We also observed S***m whales foraging, and a mother and calf together at the surface.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

On today´s expedition we encountered a big group of Short-finned pilot whales. Their dorsal fins have a characteristic shape, usually wide and rounded. Each fin is unique for each individual. Sometimes they have have marks, cuts, or scars, which makes them more distinctive and recognisable. In this pod there was an individual with a very distinctive dorsal finshape.

These animals have very strong social bonds and can often be seen resting at the surface; a behaviour we call logging. We also observed some social behaviour like tail slapping.

We also encountered S***m whales, Common dolphins, and Bottlenosedolphins on this day.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

Yesterday two Sei whales were sighted around Faial, most probable a mother and calf, of which the calf was quite curious. The same couple was sighted during today´s expedition in the morning. On board Pieter van Brabandt took these amazing pictures of the Sei whales.

We also encountered a big group of Common dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins swimming together and displaying social behaviour during both expeditions. And we saw S***m whales, resting at the surface next to each other before going for a deep dive.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 –𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

Our lookouts directed us to the Northern part of Faial, to observe s***m whales roaming the waters, profiting on what we can assume to be a favourable place to forage for squid and octopus! 🐙🦑

Nevertheless in the morning in the area we encountered two Sei Whales, one visibly smaller than the other leading us to the assumption that they are related and it could be a mother and her juvenile offspring.

The smaller whale was very active and curious, this specific species is not known to for its investigative behaviour towards boats, there is always and exception to the rule.

Excited to add these dorsal fins to our catalogue to understand more about the Sei whales that pass through the Azores.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – 𝟭𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

Today we observed social behaviour of S***m whales: calves were spy hopping and lobtailing, while their characteristic echolocation clicks could be heard from the boat. A juvenile breached and another adult was spotted breaching in the distance.

A group of False killer whales was observed travelling alongside Bottlenose dolphins, while more than 100 Striped dolphins and a group of Common dolphins were encountered in transit. We also observed around 20 Atlantic spotted dolphins, displaying a variety of social behaviours at the surface.

Today was a day that highlighted the biodiversity of marine life here in the Azores. Aside from cetaceans we had sightings of a Loggerhead seaturtle, Hammerhead shark, Storm petrel, Triggerfish and Cory´s shearwaters.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!

🐋𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁🐬

We encountered three different dolphin species: Bottlenose, Atlantic spotted, and Common dolphins. The dolphins were highly social and feeding alongside Cory’s shearwaters.

We also encountered S***m whales, including a juvenile male and a calf. Sightings of calves and juveniles are particularly valuable for the long-term monitoring, helping us better understand the population’s composition.

To finish the day, we encountered Short-finned pilot whales resting at the surface.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧!