Whales in Iceland

It was a day multiple blessings and just one First World Problem. First, here are the blessings:

1. We were on vacation in Iceland.
2. The weather was sunny and warm (not typical).
3. In Akureyri, we were going on a RIB (rubber inflatable boat) to observe whales in the fjord.
4. Humpback whales feed in the Icelandic fjords in July.
5. We had an experienced pilot and guide who have identified 150 humpback whales by name and understand a great deal about them.
6. I kept my Sony a7IIr camera dry, and did not lose my sunglasses as we sped around the fjord.

So, what was the First World Problem?  We got so close to Jackson the humpback whale that I couldn’t get the whole whale in my frame! I caught myself exclaiming, “Oh my, we’re too close!” and heard a voice reply, “too close?”

Well, you see, I wasn’t really complaining. I was amazed. Thrilled. Grateful.

My husband was not behind a camera, and just watched the whale, seeing his eye.

Jackson, the humpback whale, next to our boat. See his blow hole and part of his white dorsal fin under water.

I quickly zoomed my lens from 70 to 24mm to capture more of the whale and the fjord. The white dorsal fin represents one third the length of the body, to give you an idea of the whale’s length.

When Jackson the humpback whale made a deep dive, our pilot headed back to shore.