Watch ‘magical’ moment baby whale leaps from water during sunset. ‘Incredible’
Ashley Sykes has spent much of the past few months on the water in Australia documenting this year’s whale migration.
The photographer has taken advantage of “whale season,” capturing countless photos and videos of the mesmerizing creatures making their along the coast as they travel between cool feeding grounds near Antarctica toward warmer breeding grounds in the south Pacific.
Recently, Sykes caught a particularly “magical” moment on video: A baby whale executing a powerful breach from the water off the coast of Wollongong, Australia,, an Oct. 2 Instagram post shows.
The video shows the massive creature swimming alongside its mom before launching itself from the water during sunset.
“I don’t want whale season to end!! Another month or so now and then it’s over,” Sykes captioned the video. “What will I do? What do non whale people do on days off??? I’ve forgotten what else there is in life.”
Whales near Australia migrate north starting in May and June, and they begin their southbound journey between August and November, according to Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Services blog. Humpbacks are the main species spotted along the New South Wales coastline, but southern right whales, blue whales, minke whales and orcas are also know to make appearances.
“They are currently on their southern migration, many mothers traveling with calves,” Sykes told McClatchy News in a message. “As they are with calves, they are often traveling slower, closer to shore, at the surface for longer and more active as the calves are very playful!”
Other social media users shared their awe at Syke’s video on Instagram.
“So beautiful, how magical,” one person wrote.
“A incredible video with the gorgeous colour tones in the background,” another person said.
“This is beautiful! I don’t want the season to end,” a third commenter wrote.
Wollongong is about 50 miles south of Sydney.
This story was originally published October 6, 2023 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Watch ‘magical’ moment baby whale leaps from water during sunset. ‘Incredible’."
