When there are whispers of whale sightings, local photographer and conservationist, Jean Tresfon, is the one to call.
This week, Tresfon was alerted about feeding groups of humpback whales near Dassen Island. This is a popular area for the supergroups to hang out this time of year. “I have been keen to fly up and take a closer look,” he said.
Tresfon and Zak O’Leary are gyrocopter gurus. This way, the duo has blessed the Mother City with a perspective otherwise not attainable: from above.
Big Bay in the foreground, looking across Table Bay towards Table Mountain:
Weather conditions cleared on Tuesday afternoon, and the duo were up and away. “The late afternoon crosswind take-off was a non-event and we routed towards the coast just to the north of Koeberg nuclear power station, checking out the small cape fur seal colony at Robbesteen and then heading up the West Coast.”
Crystal clear water at the Robbesteen cape fur seal colony near Koeberg nuclear power station:
The Robbesteen cape fur seal colony with Koeberg nuclear power station in the background:
“Passing Bokbaai we took a few shots of the historic Cape Dutch-style farmhouse and further along waved to the campers putting up their tents in the wind at Ganzekraal.”
The historic Cape Dutch-style farmhouse at Bokbaai:
“Looking towards Dassen Island it appeared to be shrouded in fog and we were not very hopeful of being able to spot whales in those conditions. Near Grotto Bay, there was an ostrich on the beach and we circled for a photo, before flying up to Yzerfontein with surprisingly little marine wildlife in this usually busy area.”
Even the ostriches know that summer is here:
“After checking in with the military ATC we headed across the water to Dassen Island, finding the fog had moved a little way out to sea.”
Dassen Island, the second largest of South Africa’s islands after Robben Island:
“Almost immediately, we spotted three groups of humpback whales surface feeding close to shore. It was a bit like having a front-row seat to a live David Attenborough documentary as we watched the whales repeatedly dive and burst through the surface with mouths wide open.”
Spotted! A surface-feeding group of more than 20 humpback whales near Dassen Island:
Plenty of open-mouthed humpback whales bursting through the surface:
Tightly packed and working together in a clockwise circular pattern, the humpback whales feed cooperatively for maximum results:
“As is usually the case, the reality is so much more impressive than the photos,” Tresfon adds. Although we’re pretty gobsmacked.
“Two of the groups later stopped feeding and moved north and we concentrated our efforts on the last group. Eventually, reality asserted itself and the boring trivialities such as lowering fuel levels dictated a return to shore.”
But the adventure (and fuel tank) didn’t cease there.
“In the bay at Yzerfontein, we found plenty of feeding action with seagulls, dusky dolphins and cape fur seals all chasing shoals of baitfish.”
Spot the imposter! Dusky dolphins and a cape fur seal all chasing baitfish in the bay at Yzerfontein:
Yzerfontein Point:
“As we headed south and back home along the coast in the sunset light, the wind dropped away completely making for the most perfect evening and rewarding us for having made the effort of getting out. We landed with a serious sense of euphoria which was still present many hours later, such is the power of nature in reminding us about what is truly important!”
Nature’s patterns:
Also watch:
Pictures/information: Jean Tresfon
