Melbourne photographer Greg Wayn spotted this Whale on the surf coast on Sunday the 17th of August 2008.

Whale of a time at Moggs Creek

THE Surf Coast had a couple of extra-large visitors at the weekend when whales came to the beach for a swim.
At least two southern right species were noticed at several spots close to the shore from Moggs Creek to Point Roadknight.
Mrs Taylor said she saw just one whale on Saturday but others reported seeing at least two.
"Usually you can see their tails flopping and see their spouts but this one looked a little distressed and a friend actually said to me maybe it's calving," she said.
On Sunday, the Lorne Visitor Information Centre had reports of two whales near George River and at Lorne's beach, fairly close to shore. Other reports came from Teddy's Lookout at Lorne. By Monday, sightings were made near Point Roadknight, near Anglesea. Mrs Taylor said it was not that common to see the whales, noticing them just 12 times in 35 years. "We also had a shop at Anglesea for about 10 years during that time and we didn't often see them,"she said.
She said when the big mammals came to town they always excited the locals and visitors.

But Lorne Visitor Information Centre assistant co-ordinator Leon Walker said the whales, namely southern rights and humpbacks, were becoming more common. "Last year we had some come pretty close, about 50 metres off shore and we had some between Lorne and Apollo Bay about three weeks ago, and at the same time near Bells," Mr Walker said.
"The ones on Sunday were the closest to the shore we've had for a while." He said last weekend's sightings at different spots on the Surf Coast were most likely the same whales.
Mr Walker said Warrnambool, which calls itself "Victoria's southern right whale nursery" was a more common destination for the species but they often made the journey towards the Surf Coast.
Yesterday the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre website reported sightings of one mother and her calf in the area.

Rebecca Tucker

August 21st, 2008

Whales were spotted on the Surf Coast again at the weekend.

Did you see them?

WHALES romanced the Surf Coast again at the weekend.
But in their usual style, they passed through quickly, seemingly reluctant to hang around.
Sightings were reported at Cape Otway and Apollo Bay on Saturday, and Lorne yesterday.The pair pulled in near the cape's lighthouse about 9am, performing to cliff-top audiences for about 30 minutes.

But the best view was had by Cape Otway Lighthouse guide Pat Howell, who was on watch when the whales appeared. Mr Howell said the pair came from a westerly direction and veered off around the Otway reef towards the east. Another two whales were reported to be at Apollo Bay later in the day, Mr Howell said.
Geelong Advertiser
20Aug 07

Two southern right whales played just off shore at Southside, near Bells Beach, yesterday.

SURFERS were treated to a spectacular display from two southern right whales at Southside yesterday.

They frolicked and leapt through the air just metres from surfers trying to score a ride at the popular break near Bells Beach.

It is also understood one surfer got too close to a whale and was forced to dive under the water to dodge the whale's fluke as it was slapped down in the ocean.

The leg rope of the surfer's board became entangled around the whale's tail but, luckily for the surfer, the whale dived into the ocean, releasing the leg rope and setting the surfer free.

The whales have also been sighted in Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Anglesea on Monday.

Department of Sustainability and Environment senior flora and fauna management officer Mandy Watson said it was the first sighting of whales on the Surf Coast this year.

The timing of the whales' visit coincided with the first sighting of a southern right whale at Logan's Beach in Warrnambool.

``It's not unusual to have sightings on the Surf Coast. The whales tend to cruise back and forth but it's been a late migration this year,'' she said.

``They might possibly come to Warrnambool or just travel up and down the coast until it's time to migrate south.

``But it's great to have another confirmed sighting. It's really good to get these reports because there has been so few of them around this year.''

Department of Sustainability and Environment senior flora and fauna management officer Mandy Watson said it was the first sighting of whales on the Surf Coast this year.

The timing of the whales' visit coincided with the first sighting of a southern right whale at Logan's Beach in Warrnambool.

``It's not unusual to have sightings on the Surf Coast. The whales tend to cruise back and forth but it's been a late migration this year,'' she said.

``They might possibly come to Warrnambool or just travel up and down the coast until it's time to migrate south.

``But it's great to have another confirmed sighting. It's really good to get these reports because there has been so few of them around this year.''

08Aug07