The majesty of these incredibly beautiful animals is awe-inspiring to see in person. To observe them from above in the best conditions a photographer could ask for is truly something else.
On this peaceful morning, as I arrived at my favorite whale-watching spot where the whales come within 15 meters of the rocky shoreline, I could hear their whale songs while hiking the bushland tracks even before I saw them. There was no wind whatsoever, and not a drop of water was out of place on the glassy surface. Then I saw them, cruising so gracefully and slowly toward me. I had time to set up and launch the drone, locate them, and capture twenty minutes of jaw-dropping footage.
The pod was composed of a female humpback and four males chasing her, in what is known as a heat run. She was dancing and twisting back and around to avoid their advances. All the while, I could hear her singing in high notes while the bulls resonated in deep, dulcet tones. One large male was sticking very close and mimicking her every move, blocking the other males from getting too close. After showing this to some expert whale-watching friends, they agreed that he was her mate and had won her over, and now he had to defend his position.
"Angelic Flight" is a cinematic audiovisual delight, with serene audio backing mastered for home theaters and optimized visuals for digital displays. It is best viewed in portrait mode on your home screen but can be rotated to landscape and enjoyed just as well.
