10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2013

What put this once small fishing town on the map was not birds but mammals, specifically whales and dolphins. The reason Kaikoura is such a great place to see albatrosses and whales is one and the same, and the same reason indeed that Monterrey in California is a great place to watch whales and albatross.

Whales 200

Whales Whaling Albatross New Zealand 200

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Thanks to it’s marine canyon it’s the place to see Sperm Whales, swim with Dusky Dolphins and New Zealand Fur-seals, and watch albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. New Zealand Fur-seals have a n extraordinary waterfall creche near Kaikoura , although there are reports this site was one of the casualties.

Albatross 157

Albatross New Zealand Fur Seals 157

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast is designed to be a quick, handy resource for use on whale watching and one-day pelagic trips. Tail, fin, blow, and back for whales; fin, back, leaping whole body, and tail splashes for dolphins and porpoises. We saw two Blue Whales on our trip, quickly identified by the boat’s crew.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Porpoises Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2013

Two hours after getting off the boat after checking out Sperm Whales we were off again out to find some albatross. The rocks here are particularly good for New Zealand Fur-seals, but we also saw Variable Oystercatchers , Black-fronted Terns, Caspian Terns , White-fronted Terns, Red-billed Gulls and Kelp Gulls. A New Zealand Fur-seal.

Albatross 165

Albatross New Zealand Fur Seals 165

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Add to this regular sightings of Humpback and Southern Right Whale, inside and outside the bay, as well as year round sightings of Bryde’s Whale and occasional summer reports of Orca in pursuit of dolphin off Cape Point, and you have some idea as to what to expect in the way of the ‘unexpected’.

Albatross 180

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whaling 180

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Elephants, whales, hippopotamuses, giraffes, and alligators use low-frequency sounds to communicate over long distances, often miles; and bats, dolphins, whales, frogs, and various rodents use high-frequency sounds to find food, communicate with others, and navigate. A Grateful Whale. Photo by Flickker Photos.

Emotional 100

Emotional Animal Whales Whaling 100