A FLUKE OF NATURE?
IT seems whales like watching us just as much as we enjoy watching them.
Amazing images captured by Rainbow Bay photographer Kellie Wilson show a pod of four whales playing in shallow water at Coolangatta on Sunday.
Witnesses believe the whales came so close because they wanted to get a good look at the surfers in the water – and whale-watching experts agree.
WE’VE all heard of whalewatching but it seems the whales are just as interested in watching us.
This amazing image, captured by Rainbow Bay photographer Kellie Wilson, shows one of a pod of four whales in the shallows at Coolangatta on Sunday.
“It was crazy to see them so close just at the beach,” Ms Wilson said. “They were very interested in the surfers.”
Anthony Ardern from Whales in Paradise said whales could sometimes be more curious than people.
“Whales are very inquisitive,” he said. “It is actually really the colour: they love watching the different colours move around the boat.”
The experienced guide said sightings this close to shore were becoming more common.
“There are heaps and heaps of calves out there at the moment; some are only days old,” he said.
“Whale numbers are up from 14,000 when we started to 30,000, so we are seeing them more.
“They come into the shore and rest, especially in and around Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek.”
The whales aren’t alone in feeling playful, with the spring-like weather also likely to bring Gold Coast locals outdoors as temperatures across the city soar to 28C by the end of the week.
It’s a welcome change from the past few days, when morning temperatures at the Seaway dipped to 7C.