A Whalecome Surprise

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Here I was, on the 3 pm ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff, gazing out over the water towards the Rip (after a monster meeting trying to sort out the 2009 Couta Boat Class Rules).  The dreaded dredge, the Queen of Netherlands, was sitting in the South Channel at Pope's Eye Pile, obviously at work as we passed a trail of sandy plume carried up the Bay by the incoming tide.  No sooner had I finished thinking how good it was that there was not much diving activity around the Southern end of Port Phillip at the moment due to the wintery weather as this dredging work would surely interfere with the enjoyment of this human activity, that - to my amazement - I spotted a whale broaching quite near the dredge.  I watched this majestic creature for as long as a could as it slowly made its way towards the Quarantine Station at Portsea. 

As we proceeded towards Queenscliff, we passed a group of 8 penguins frolicking in the area between the South and West Channel, and finally, as the ferry docked at Queenscliff I noticed a seal happily swimming and feeding quite near the stone groyne at the ferry terminal.

What does it all mean?  I guess it could mean that animals are much more adaptable than we give them credit for.

It certainly made my day ...