Thar She Blows
Tansy Wishes for a Spyglass
Tansy was anxious to see a whale while cruising on the schooner Passing Cloud and was often found peering at the ocean in search of signs of a whale.
Fortunately, she did spot whales, usually the first thing seen was their spout when they surfaced for air.
Thar She Blows
Sometimes the humpback whales would dive deeply and show their tail flukes to the world.
Sounding
One whale seen in Louscoone Inlet was lying on its back slapping its pectoral fins (click here for a map showing Louscoone Inlet, when in the map you can zoom out to see more of Haida Gwaii). The humpback would roll over to take and breath, and then to its back to slap some more. Tansy could not believe this behaviour went on for more than half an hour.
Slapping
Every now and then that whale would dive deeply, and a couple of times it breached entirely out of the water. Tansy was vibrating with excitement after each breach, and glad to not be too close to the huge splash.
Breach!!
Kersplash
After a breach or sounding, the whale would return to slapping the water for a while.
Double Slapping
Eventually the whale headed out to sea and the Passing Cloud went in search of an achorage for the evening.
Final Sounding
Tansy said it was the most exciting day at sea that she had ever had. Little did she know that her excitement would be amplified a hundred fold before the anchorage was reached. But that is a story for another day.
Goodbye Whale
Quimper Hittys 
Tansy will have tales to tell. For many, many days in the cupboard!!! And she shared all with us…my, this Passing Cloud adventure has to be one of the most exciting I’ve ever heard of!!! Do you suppose the whale put on its show especially for Hitty Tansy!?
That fin-slapping is apparently some kind of communication, but Tansy does not know any of the Humpback whale’s language! Just that it was very very interesting.
Viewing this story took my breath away. I literally gasped with awe. That gorgeous unspoiled relationship of sea and land with the Humpback whale was one of those sacred moments to experience…even in photos. It reminds me of Lyrics in a John Denver Song. “I want to Live”. Our home Earth is so beautiful. I think that whale knew Tansy would appreciate this beauty of creation and bring back its message to all of us. Thank You Tansy.
Tansy felt very privileged to see this whale, and was quite delighted to share some pictures with you. Pectoral fin-slapping is something she had never heard of or seen before…and she was totally thrilled to see – and hear – the full breach!
I love to go whale watching! How exciting that must have been!
Pretty exciting alright! Lucky Tansy!
Wow! I am awestruck! amazing……. I can hardly wait to see what could possibly be more exciting than that!
I know – I am agog too! Tansy does make the most of her adventures!
Where do you live? I have been wondering for a long time. Denise Miller
The Hitty Cupboard is at the Southern end of Vancouver Island…This adventure with Tansy took place several thousand kilometers North and West, in the Southern archipelago of Haida Gwaii.
Amazing, beautiful photos! Thank you Tansy for sharing them with us home-bound Hittys who are starving for adventure!!
Tansy says you are so welcome! She had so much fun on this trip and is very happy to share her experiences!
Lucky Tansy to have had such an adventure…and there is more to come??! Wonderful
Yes – more to come! Tansy saw other wildlife and took a few shore excursions as well, and she has more to say about that!
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