Last updated: 28 February, 1998
The fantastic photo below of the spy-hopping Humpback whale was taken by Joy Gilman of Chincoteaque, Virginia, who shared this adventure with us. Thanks, Joy, for sharing the photo with us as well!
"His eye watched me. I could see no sign of his intentions, or his thoughts. He was as inscrutable to me as I probably was to him.
Should I be afraid with this behemoth of the deep a scant 5 feet from my suddenly tiny zodiac? I thought not. Somehow the huge head that raised itself calmly and quietly out of the sea (taller than I was - his head only to my body) told me he meant no harm. Curious he was - this great barnacled creature - calm and wise. No fear passed between us.
We gave each other long looks of wonder and joy. We met with no intent of harm coming to either. Only love for a fellow creature. Love and wonder. Then he slowly disappeared, sank from sight. And I was glad. And I was sad."
- Pat Beckemeyer, February 2, 1998