Spermwhale Ballet

Even a hacker like me can get a good shot or two.

Andy

or like this one.

Andy

or this one.

Andy

Here is Loftus with Scar:

By the way that was EYU in the red swim trunks with Scar in my last posted picture.

Andy

Oh what the heck - one more picture...

[user banned -moderator]

That close up shot of the open mouth is amazing, and the water looks crystal clear, good going!

Woah..man those are awesome...thanks for sharing guys...

Cheers,

Diggy

Awesome pic. really up close. You must have load of guts

Where are you staying and what outfit are you diving with?

AMAZING!!!

I agree with dkrm... They are HUGE!

Awesome pic. really up close. You must have load of guts

Just a taste of the kind of action I am enjoying in Dominica. Last two days we have seen and interacted with at least 10 -15 different pods of sperm whales, and Scar the sperm whale supermodel has shown up both days to play. More to come, video as well.

OK, I think I lost count on the number of Wow's here! I'll add another ... WOW! I had no idea you could swim with Spermies in Dominica!

Just amazing,

Also waiting to hear the dive operator! And more about the operation in general...

The whale watching industry is pretty much always there since these whales are resident pods. The issue with swimming with them becomes more complicated as permits need to be applied for. Dominica's PM finally broke rank last year by NOT voting with the Japanese and Norwegians at the IWC summit. They've discovered whaling is good business and while the Norwegian and Japanese whaling doesn't really affect them, the image of supporting whaling while selling tours to whaling sorta convinced them otherwise.

So please go support them but be mindful the permits are not issued for fun:

http://www.avirtualdominica.com/crystal_bl...ingdominica.cfm

http://www.captmikes.com/whalewatch.html

http://www.hackshaws.com/whale.htm

http://www.divedominica.com/

Currently we are at a DAN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Conference in Dominica. One of the members in our dive group visits the island frequently and was able to obtain a special permit to snorkel with the local sperm whales. These permits are very difficult to obtain. The local whale operations do not have one and you are not allowed to enter the water with the whales. The resident whale population is about 240 whales and the whole experience has been awesome.

Elmer

If there are any other physicians out there who are interested in Dive Medicine you should consider going to one of DAN's Dive Medicine conferences for CME (continuing medical education for you non-doctors) - they are usually offered offshore in the spring and fall and in the Florida Keys in the summer - world class faculty - good topics - good locales - and a diving program that is usually excellent. You can find the link on the DAN website under CME (www.diversalertnetwork.org).

And here is another photo from this week...

If there are any other physicians out there who are interested in Dive Medicine you should consider going to one of DAN's Dive Medicine conferences for CME (continuing medical education for you non-doctors) - they are usually offered offshore in the spring and fall and in the Florida Keys in the summer - world class faculty - good topics - good locales - and a diving program that is usually excellent. You can find the link on the DAN website under CME (www.diversalertnetwork.org).

And here is another photo from this week...

Not just physicians, also Nurses, EMTs, DMTs and some others can get CMEs from the courses.

Keep the photos coming, I am jealous

Thanks for all the kudos guys; just to put my first couple of images in perspective and some of the video to come, this image shows what these guys were doing - playing with some squid they had recently procured. you can see some pieces floating just in front of them.

Fantastic Jeff - glad you got to fraternize with sperm whales! Wonderful photos!

Best, Carol ;-)

Here are a few of Scar up close. The first encounter as one feels like one is about to be run down by a nuclear sub is a bit unnerving, but after that it's like playing with Rover. These 3 taken on the first encounter with the 17-35, before deciding the 10-17 with TC would be more appropriate.