This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 10:29 pm and is filed under Migration, Watching, Whales. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez
Get out of the way, she’s mine! That could be what some males say when trying their best to get close to the female and in a better position to mate, should she be interested. Researchers tell us that many of these males could possibly be feeding buddies in the north, but while in Hawaiian waters, it doesn’t matter. After all, they have come 3500 miles (some maybe more) to get here to the breeding grounds, and it is breeding that is on their minds. So, friend or not it doesn’t matter. Researchers and whale watchers alike know how very violent these competitions can be. Blood can be drawn, many superficial scratches can be seen all over their bodies and the exhausted ones who give up can be seen moving off to find yet another female to fight for. The competitive groups can be two males or more than thirty. It is the females who control these groups, choosing to mate, or not. Researchers tell us it the biggest animal in the group that most likely will be the winner. Humpbacks are said to be very promiscuous, the competitive groups are many, active and very much sought after by boat captains since their behaviors are erratic, unpredictable and possibly spectacular with many above surface behaviors possible.
Whale watching season is in full swing now and there are hundreds of whales in Maui county. Many visitors choose Maalaea harbor to leave from since it is centrally located and easily accessible, no matter where you are staying or live on the island. Having an experienced naturalist with many seasons under his or her educational belt is also key. There is one company on Maui that not only offers a very experienced naturalist, but they also do a wonderful pre-board talk with many props and then offer informative handouts free of charge before you off-load.
Coming to Maui? Make sure you put whale watching on your to do list. There is so much to learn from these magnificent animals and their time here is short. By April most will have left Hawaiian waters for the feeding grounds in the north. But later this year, maybe as early as late September, it will start all over again. See you on the water!
