The Moment
Written by : Rosie Hoban
Have you ever had a moment that completely grounded you? One of those Oh-Sweet-Lord-is-this-really-happening-to-me moments? Heart beating in your mouth, feeling simultaneously both alive and yet strangely removed? Seeing a Humpback Whale, mouth agape, burst through the ocean surface during a ‘bubble net feed’ some 50m from Fin Island cabin was one of those moments for Rob.
Humpback whale surfaces from bubble net feeding with mouth open wide.
Rob was happily on his 3rd coffee for the morning.
Janie was stationed at her desk working at the computer and I was drifting around tidying in the kitchen. Through the pair of ‘big eye’ binoculars Rob was in a concentrated daze shifting his gaze across Squally Channel where the surrounding shores of Pitt, Campania and Gill Islands came into view.
Researcher entering data during an hourly scan.
He had just finished an enjoyable conversation with Janie and a smile was held at the corner of his mouth as he considered his situation.
A devoted surfer and water-baby through and through, he was at complete peace in his surroundings. In our time here so far, he had braved the hypothermic temperatures to gaze into the 800m deep ocean depths below, moved our tent to be within meters of the ocean and its soothing gurgles and constantly planned when he could next get in the kayak or throw in a line. Any opportunity to get closer to that saltwater God to which he worships.
“Hey guys,’ Rob started lightly, his eyes peeling away from the binoculars to focus on something closer. “I think I’m seeing a lot of bubbles. Slowly his voice started to increase in pace and pitch. “That wouldn’t be a bubb… OH MY GOD YOU GUYS ITS A BUBBLE NET FEED! I JUST SAW 2 HUMPBACKS LAUNCH THROUGH THE WATER.’
Humpback whales break the surface during bubble net feeding.
I rushed to view where he was pointing within a stone’s throw of our cabin but sadly missed the whole affair.
His eyes were large and his limbs moved wildly about himself, unable to contain his unbridled joy. When our eyes met I knew he was having that moment and couldn’t stop a giggle escaping. He was still lost in the experience. Elevated by the proximity of a creature who spent its entire existence underwater yet miraculously demonstrated behavior and intellect not so different from our own. A creature that feeds milk to her offspring and sings songs. A creature that appears to watch, learn and then model habits. A creature who works with their counterparts in a bid to increase each others chances of a good feed. A mother of the ocean, a gentle giant, the magnificent, the humpback whale.
A humpback whale breaching.
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This was an incredibly emotional day for our team. We know the whales here by name, and as unique individuals. Losing any whale is a loss of unique knowledge and culture in the population. At this time of year, male humpback whales begin to sing in these waters. It dawned on us that we would never again hear Midnight sing.
I had to slow the boat and ask Cam to repeat his message, for fear that I heard him correctly. His message came through loud and clear: they were with a whale, and it was entangled.
To see so many together utterly took my breath away. The feeling of drifting alongside beings who can be more than 13 times my own length is difficult to describe. I feel the vibrations from the sound of their breath in my chest, and I’m constantly in awe of their ability to glide seamlessly through the water – seldom revealing their true size.
