Thursday, July 16, 2009

RETURN OF FREDDY THE HUMP

We had a nice surprise the other day when we spotted a humpback whale. Of course we are always happy when seeing whales, but this individual was not just a normal humpback – this was Freddy!

Humpbacks (Megaptera noveangliae) are one of the most common stars on our tours. They arrive here in the spring time and spend the summer months feeding around Iceland before heading to warmer waters for mating and breeding.

Individuals are easily recognised by their fluke and no two humpbacks in the world have the same pattern on the underside – just like our fingerprints.

For the last years we have had many encounters with whales that return to Skjalfandi Bay. Guide Lia spotted a humpback the other day and immediately recognised its outstanding fluke – a fluke which is hard to forget. This humpback, which we call Freddy, stayed in our bay for a long time last summer and is back again. Imagine the distance this individual has travelled for the last months. No one knows exactly what Freddy has been through during his journey, crossing the world oceans. One thing is for sure; he has made his way back to our beautiful bay of Skjalfandi again. For us in the crew it is like meeting a long lost friend!

Lia Askelöf, guide

Our long lost friend Freddy back in Skjalfandi.