Western Australia. The campervan journey continues along the southern coast on National Route 1 from Albany towards Esperance. The landscape becomes increasingly bare, somewhat unspoiled in between the extensive farm estates.
Our travellers’ destination is a tiny outpost a couple of hours drive west of Albany: Bremer Bay.
The small port town of Bremer Bay offers unforgettable sights of marine life populating the Bremer Canyon. This series of submarine canyons reach depths of 5000m and host a high variety of marine life. During the Australian summer, orcas can reliably be seen together with other large marine mammals including pilot whales, beaked whales, fin whales. A very lucky expedition allowed us to see these beautiful giants of the ocean swimming and hunting in their natural environment, as well as some young albatross. The return to shore gifted us with a sight of Australian sea lions!
The team of researchers and marine biologists on board of the Naturaliste Charters* boat gave invaluable insights on the marine life habits and migration routes, which added a very informative layer to the trip. Experienced Naturaliste Charters photographers captured amazing shots of the wildlife encountered despite the rather choppy waters. The photos below are courtesy of the Naturaliste Charters team.
The poem inspired by this trip is written in villanelle form, which resembles the singing I imagine would accompany sailors’ perilous fishing in this area. This piece attempts to reflect on the reasons behind people’s fascination wildlife.
We set off early to go see the whale
Promised adventure charges the tribe with zest
None of us thought our face would be pale.
Towards Indian Ocean wild depths, we eagerly sail.
Drenched by salty fresh air, we crash into mysterious blue crests.
We set off early to go see the whale.
Keen albatross swirl and oil slick scent leave us a trail
For orcas, early in the morning, weren’t to rest.
None of us thought our face would be pale.
Clear as a flash. In the distance. Surge of black tails.
Determined advance for their prey, continue their quest.
We set off early to go see the whale.
It's no race. Is it a hunt? Hearts are split in the gale...
As the sailors’ endurance recedes, some couldn’t fully digest.
None of us thought our face would be pale.
Thirst for a terrifying maybe. Trophy or prey? Maybe, we’ll bail
Archaic pull to Nature’s show. Is this, too, our quest?
We set off early to go see the whale
None of us thought our face would be pale.
*Naturaliste Charters are in no way linked to Rhythms of Oz. They just happen to be the organisation who hosted me and my partner in the whale watching tour and took the photos attached above.