I promise I have tried to get that winning shot BUT, my excuse is that I have been on holidays visiting my family and friends in Australia for a few weeks.

Prior to me leaving I had seen whales in False Bay every day from Simonstown Guesthouse or from the nearby Glencairn Beach or Railway Station.  Some are miles and miles away and some are so close it blows you away.

I had another close encounter just before I went on holidays at the end of September.  I thought this was  definitely going to be ‘the winning shot’ so off I raced across the railway line again with my camera gear tucked under my arm. 

I would estimate the whale was only 30 metres from the edge of the rocks at one point.  I sat in awe watching this magnificent creature for a good 15 minutes before I realised I had company, another photographer!  He also saw this sighting as the perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of the Southern Right Whale.  It is quite rare to ever see the true size of the whale as most of its body is submerged under the water and you usually only see bits and pieces that emerge from time to time. 

Right at that moment the whale decided to show us its true size and it was like watching a submarine emerge from the depths of the water.  It’s hard to guess how long it was but all I can say is, “it was HUGE”.  It was one of those breathtaking moments that left you speechless.  The other photographer and I instinctively looked at each other with eyes wide open and a smile from ear to ear.  It was obvious we both felt like we had witnessed something truly remarkable as we both shook our heads in disbelief and said, “WOW” at the same time.  No photo could ever do this experience justice so you will just have to come and see for yourself some day :)

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