Leviathans of the Deep
We are in the middle of the North-East Atlantic Ocean, circa 1,360 km west of Portugal's mainland. Here, nine volcanic islands rise up from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: the Azores. The complex seafloor terrain, dynamic oceanographic processes and nutrient-rich conditions give rise to lively marine ecosystems with a diverse cetacean community.
One species we are privileged to encounter in the Azores is the iconic sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). They are the largest of the toothed whales, skilled hunters, and famous for their long dives to some of the deepest parts of the world's oceans. The Azorean waters attract a year-round flow of sperm whale families, with adult females and their offspring. From time to time, these family groups are visited by large - often solitary - males which hail from higher latitudes. In between their lengthy foraging dives, sperm whales offer us short but compelling glimpses into their lives, while they rest or socialise at the ocean surface. Would you brave the elements to meet these powerful predators of the deep?
More information: https://sannebakkers.wixsite.com/sannewildlife
