I was working as a conservationist for ORCA aboard one of the ferries to Spain, collecting data on cetaceans.

On this day I was performing a deck watch on top deck in the middle of the Bay of Biscay. I was looking for anything standing out at sea when I suddenly saw two huge splashes on the horizon. Luckily these splashes were coming towards the ship…and the re-entry splash was too big to be a dolphins.

Eventually I was able to see that they were Cuvier’s Beaked Whales. I had never seen a Cuvier’s before so this was a seriously breathtaking moment. Not only to see a pod but to see them out of the water felt like a real treat! I was impressed by how they launched out if the water so effortlessly. Beautiful!

-Lily