A GIANT FEEDING PARTY
Our whale watching tours have been exceptional throughout the past week! More and more whales seem to turn up in a popular feeding area along the Cheek Mountains (Kinnarfjöll) on the other side of the bay. Day by day we spot more whales that obviously come to join a giant feeding party, which is going on since a couple of days now! Wherever you look, whales are surfacing all around the boat – even right next to you!
Once we reach the area with our boats, you’ll first see thousands of noisy birds – mostly Arctic Terns, Northern Fulmars and Kittiwakes – picking food from the surface. Wait a few seconds, watch around and you’ll witness the moment when more than fifteen whales break the surface over and over again – all around you! Their mouth are filled with prey and the birds, screaming loudly, follow the mammals all over the place to catch the leftovers. With the engines off, you’ll hear the whales breathing deeply, the sound of the water when another animal breaks the surface somewhere near you along all sort of birdcalls!
About five humpback whales, more than ten minkes and uncountable harbour porpoises are literally having a big feeding feast in Skjálfandi Bay!
- Sarah
PHOTOS: Charla Basran
One out of several humpback whales is breaking the surface surrounded by hungry birds. The whale has its mouth filled with food.
Disappearing for the next dive: Only a few seconds later the whale will show up again, another portion of food trapped in its huge mouth. But no need to wait: It is not alone, but joined by more than ten other whales feeding just as this whale.
Not only humpbacks, but also minke whales are all around the boat! Looking once around you, you'll see loads of them sneaking past the boat!
Yet another humpback breaks the surface to breath deeply before leaving for another hunt for fish and krill!
