10 - Eden Whale Festival 2012

Eden has many land based whalewatching hotspots and a little plan-ning before you visit one can make the

experience more enjoyable.The best times of day to whale watch are

the early morning and late afternoon whenglare is less likely to make sighting the blowdifficult.

This guide will introduce you to some ofthe behaviour you might see, the species thatvisit our waters and features that set themapart from other species.

The first sign to look for is when a whaleblows, shooting water vapour into the air, butif you’re lucky, you’ll see them feed - scoopingup krill and small fish along the surface - orbreach where they leap high out of the waterto land on their back or side.

Other behaviour includes slapping thewater with their fins or tail, or they will bobtheir head out of the water so they can have alook around, and you can see where they’vesubmerged by a footprint of flat water theyleave behind.

Other animals you are likely to see in thisnutrient rich environment are birds such aseagles, albatross and shearwater, andmarine mammals such as Australian furseals, common dolphins and bottle noseddolphins.

The best vantage points are high areaswhich are exposed to the elements so be pre-pared for rain or sun and protect yourselfaccordingly.

A set of binoculars, a snack and a drink willalso enhance the experience.

Watching whales from shore

Orcas or killer whales:(Orcinus Orca)

Killer whales are the largestspecies of dolphin and are easilyrecognised by their striking fea-tures, covered with distinctiveblack and white or cream markingsand extremely long, tapered dorsalfins. They are toothed whales, and car-nivorous hunters which feed on avariety of species including fish,

squid, sea birds, seals, sea lionsand other whales. Orcas hunt in groups (pods) ofthree to 40 individuals, using highlyeffective hunting techniques,hence the nickname “wolves of thesea”. They are highly social ani-mals, as evident throughout Eden’shistory.The best place to see Killer Whalesfrom land is at Greencape, south ofEden, in Ben Boyd National Park,but you must be patient!

Killer whales pictured off Eden in May, 2008.Photograph by Freedom Charters.

Killers:The wolves of the sea

Southern right whales: (Eubalaena australis)

Southern right whales areeasily distinguished from othersby their physical features includ-ing a broad back without a dorsalfin, wide pectoral fins, a longarching mouth that begins abovethe eye and small rough patchesof skin (or callosities) on its largehead.

It has very dark grey or blackskin, with occasional whitepatches on the belly and canreach 14 to 18 metres long; itstwo separate blowholes producea unique V-shaped blow.

Southern rights have an enor-mous head, which is up to onequarter of its total body length.

The callosities at the front ofthe head are often referred to asa bonnet.

Locally, Southern right whalesare known for behaving like“floating logs” and their peculiarappearance, which can be con-fused with other things like mus-sel buoys, however they do getactive on occasion.

http://www.wildabout-whales.com.au/Whales-Facts/Whale-Species/Southern-Right-Whales

Southern rights:Gentle giants

JOIN THE

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HUMPBACK HIGHWAY EDEN WHALE FESTIVALNOVEMBER 3-4

Killer whale

Southern right

Robert MichelinGravel - Sand - Soil - Rubble

Ph: 6496 1324 AH: 6496 1850Fax: 6496 3512 13 Ben Boyd Drive Eden

JOHN MICHELIN & SONEarthmoving Contractors

• Grader • Loader • Backhoe & Borer • Trucks • Bobcat • Excavator

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• Water Cart • Stockfeeds• LandscapeSupplies

Southland Fish SuppliesSouthland Fish Supplies

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THEEDEN WHALE FESTIVAL

A local company employing local people

Public viewing 9am - 11am daily210 Imlay Street, Eden 6496 3350

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True Blue Whale Watching

HIREBOATS

alsoavailable

Do you live in the Bega Valley Shire and have been meaning togo whale watching for years?

Then NOW is the time!! True Blue has had a brilliant start to the 2012 seasonwith record numbers already sighted.

We are offering a great deal for local BVS residents until the end of the 2012 season:

Adults travel at Child Prices!!NOW until 30 November, 2012

• 3.5hr $69 now $40 • 2.5hr $40 now $30*Must be a resident of the BVS and mention this ad to get the deal.

Lots of Mothers & Calves coming past NOW!

Merimbula M arinaOpposite Merimbula’s Lakeview Hotel

Book Direct: (02) 6495 1686• Email:info@merimbulamarina.com• www.merimbulamarina.com

SPECIALOFFER

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