Surprising Encounter with Humans of the Cetacea Kind

Sometimes you only need a photo to tell a story.  This is one of those times.  

Scientists have been studying whales and dolphins for years, debating to what extent Cetacea may seek to foster a social relationship with humans, and also with each other.

On several occasions on my whale watching jaunts I have seen whales seeming to purposefully interact with the humans in boats, so while I don’t have a proven scientific theory, I am convinced they seek us out – in one way or another.  

On many occasions, they swam leisurely back and forth, coming close then swimming away and circling under the boat as if enjoying the excitement and laughter of its human occupants.  Frequently whales have suddenly surfaced literally out of the blue; meandered at the surface to the edge of the boat and blown a thick stream through its blow hole with its pungent, rotten fish smell all over the humans standing excitedly close to the edge. One has to wonder if it's truly a mistake.  It’s almost as if they play with the boat and the humans in it, enjoying their excited responses.  Some may argue they are trying to warn us to go away, and admittedly when I've seen an exuberant teenage whale fin slapping close by I've wondered about that very thing.  In most cases with their boat encounters however, they could simply swim under the boat and easily overturn it if that were the case.  

Considering the many research whale watching trips up and down the coast that I’ve taken over the years, it’s obvious to me that both whales and dolphins possess a curiosity or a playfulness and seek interacting with the humans when they share their water homes. 

Since it's summer, there's still time to seek a peek at dolphins and their babies. This is one of my favorite and most entertaining photos.

It's a popular place for wildlife like dolphins and pelicans.  Pelis will even get in the act and skim the shoulders of canoers and kayakers as they paddle the waterway.  This is one of the dolphins that routinely brings her new babies to a stream with a safe “No Wake Zone" near Charleston, SC. She typically swims back and forth along the long stream all day, gently pushing the baby up to breathe and obviously teaching it how to hunt and perfect its swimming for when it’s weaned.

On this day, lots of paddleboarders and kayakers were enjoying the warm sunny weather up and down the stream.  All of a sudden, a new mother surfaced baby in tow, and seemed to intentionally surprise this kayaker where she appeared to intend to continue up and over, right across his bow.  As you can see from his expression, the kayaker was totally surprised by her presence and immediately stopped paddling as she almost touched him.

The baby simply cruised under the kayak, but we may see him next summer having the same fun his mother taught him as a baby.

There's still plenty of time and warm weather to head to Charleston, SC and enjoy the many sights and opportunities this southern city offers, especially its wildlife. 

Happy traveling