WHALE ‘DANCE LESSON’ CAUGHT ON DRONE AS MUM AND CALF SHOW OFF MOVES
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
A mesmerising moment has captured a whale calf appearing to learn “dance moves” from its mother as the pair glide gracefully through the ocean.
The footage was filmed by Ritchie Hunt, a freelance filmmaker from Somerset, UK now based in Mozambique, Africa.
The clip shows the calf mirroring its mother’s movements, circling, turning and moving in near-perfect sync as if taking part in a gentle underwater dance.
He estimates he has filmed more than 300 whales over the years, capturing everything from breaching displays to tail slaps, but moments like this stand out.
Ritchie, who also assists with marine conservation projects, said he hopes footage like this helps people connect with the natural world.
Ritchie said: “For the past few years, during whale season, I have made it an almost daily morning routine to sip coffee and watch the gentle giants passing by.
“I’ve always been intrigued and awestruck by whales and since my first sighting with my drone, I’ve been completely mesmerised by the ‘top down’ bird’s-eye view.
“Being given a small peek into their world has been a true honour.
“When I’m flying over a particularly dramatic scene, it’s as if nothing else exists, a feeling of pure focus and flow.
“I often think about the fact that humpback whales were on the brink of extinction only 40 years ago, but thanks to global conservation efforts, their populations have recovered.
“It’s a message that globally we can change the narrative by working together to respect and preserve nature."
END
Comments