Madeira 2010, day 7

Yesterday I called Juan (H20 Madeira) and he said that today's chances of seeing a Bryde's whale would be great as he had seen the same pair of mother and calf 3 days in a row and, so, this morning I drove to Calheta with high expectations. Little did I knew what the Atlantic had in store for me. Simply put, two sperm whales - my fetish whale - that I was fortunate enough to swim with about 2 miles offshore, between Jardim do Mar and Paúl do Mar. It's worth mentioning that all these shots were taken at 17mm and that the sun disappeared after the first one.


This was the first one, which magically materialized out of the blue and sadly kept on going when I dove.


The second one was an all different matter. I spent a whole 10 minutes with it (ok, 9m and a few seconds, I checked the exif data :)), about 5 of which it stayed in this position, slowly rotating once. After this shot I dove a few meters by its side, foolishly trying to imitate it. However, when I reached for the camera my lungs were already burning and I was so overwhelmed that it was really hard to keep calm.


I approached it a little more and it then came to the surface, kindly showing its belly. We were so close. This close.

A big and heartfelt thank you to Daniel and Sr. António, for their most valuable and patient help in making these moments happen..

Madeira 2010, day 3

Went dolphin/whale watching today near Calheta. The sea changed its mood several times in just 2h30m and it was only towards the end that some dolphins were spotted. In the meantime a Cory's shearwater came close to say hi.


A french little girl mesmerized by the blue.


A spotted dolphin abandoned his pod to check things out.


Late in the afternoon I returned to Paúl do Mar and was able to get really close to this Sterna hirundo hirundo sitting on a boat's bow.


Some ballet dancers perform to the fishes. Paúl do Mar.

Madeira 2010, day 1

Here I am!... in shock with how urban Madeira is... guess I wasn't really prepared. Here are some pictures of today's "search":


This will be my room for the next 9 days. Yes, it is so cramped that the exit is "through" the bathroom.


Paúl do Mar, a 45 minute stressful drive from Funchal.


Rays of sunlight illuminate this otherwise dull picture (IMHO :)). Paúl do Mar.


Sarpa salpa, Paúl do Mar.


Love and a palm tree, near Ponta do Pargo.


Strong winds in Ponta do Pargo.


Happiness comes in many colors. Ponta do Pargo.