Awe and Wonder
by Sandrine Pantel
The end of my volunteering mission for Orca Guardians Iceland is near and all I can say is this: it has been a fantastic experience that I only hope I can repeat one day. I have lived a real dream for three weeks, and I think it is no wonder, given the incredible luck that we had during our boat trips. The beauty of whale watching lies in the fact that no day is like the day before: the weather changes, the landscapes don’t look the same, the species you have the privilege to meet vary from one day to the next…
We have been blessed with sightings I will never forget. We have encountered sperm whales, humpback whales, and I even caught an elusive glimpse of a shy Minke whale close to our boat. We have been surrounded by white-beaked dolphins, each time several dozens of them feeding, playing, jumping around and swimming next to us, and it was a pure bliss to witness these spontaneous acrobatics, with the magical and snowy landscapes of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the background.
But the moments I will cherish and miss the most will be the voice of our guides announcing in the speakers: “We have amazing news for you, we have spotted the fins of orcas right ahead of us”. My heart soared each time and I couldn’t hide the smile that appeared on my lips as soon as I spotted the fins myself. The moments we got to share with the orcas were overwhelming for a hypersensitive orca lover like me! We saw healthy, energetic calves swimming and spy-hopping next to their mother, groups of several dozens individuals feeding under flocks of birds and resting together afterwards, lots of tail slapping, curious orcas appearing under the water surface next to our stationary boat… Needless to say, the moment one of them unexpectedly appeared right in front of my eyes to have a look at our boat became an instant favourite of mine.
Talking to the passengers after these sightings, as part of my mission for Orca Guardians, was a lot of fun and, sometimes, really emotional. It was a first for many of them, and I really could relate to their impressions and feelings afterwards: awe, wonder, joy and excitement. Young and old, couples with or without children: everyone reacts the same when it comes to meeting these amazing living beings that are whales and dolphins. Witnessing the lives of orca families or observing dozens of dolphins playing around the boat: for many passengers, it was a real dream come true, and sharing my impressions with them has certainly added to the charm of this first experience as a volunteer on whale watching boat trips. Speaking about the dedication of Orca Guardians after such encounters felt more than right. The people were thrilled to learn about Marie’s work, and many were eager to help by adopting a little Icelandic orca!
Truth be told, I can think of no better place than Iceland to meet cetaceans in the wild. Iceland, where orcas and dolphins can enchant you in the winter, and whales can fascinate you in the summer time. I know I will definitely be back for more, in the meantime thinking and dreaming about the wild orcas roaming the Icelandic waters, wishing for them to stay healthy, happy and free.
