43:22.480N 08:50.024W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Sat 4 Aug 2012 10:42
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"Dolphins Everywhere"
We left La Coruna bound for Vigo and headed back
out west into the Atlantic within a few minutes we were facing 20ft waves under
engine, Whisper happily climbed these mountains and slid quickly down the other
side. A yacht in front of us kept disappearing from view, only the top of its
mast indicated its presence before it rose above us on the crest of the next
huge wave. Fishing boats returning to port bearing their nights catch were there
one moment and completely out of sight the next.
We headed south when our course was clear and were
soon tight on the wind and sailing. A pod of dolphins were sighted and
before long they had come to join us along with a host of small crabs. We do not
know where the crabs had come from, as the sea bed is their usual habitat, but
here they were scurrying along just under the surface of the water their small
legs working ten to the dozen, they looked so very funny, perhaps they were
migrating. I cannot explain what a thrill it is to have such a close experience
and the enjoyment that the dolphins bring with them as they duck and dive
below the bow of the boat as she rises and falls on the waves above them. They
seem such happy creatures, full of life and fun as they jostle for prime
position. After some time the pod went off in search of more fish but one pair
remained with us for about 5 km leaping out of the water spraying us with
water as they blew air out of their blow holes. They played pushing against each
other with their heads or fins and rolling right over showing the white of their
bellies whilst still able to speed along under our bow wave. It was truly
magical, even when the wind died and we had to start the engine they were not
perturbed but continued out with us to the deep ocean. Eventually they left us
but throughout the day we saw many more pods which played around us for short
periods. The fact that the wind had totally died and we were then forced to
motor all day and through the night could not blight such a truly special
experience!
Photos: "Camera Shy
Dolphins"
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