Jim Schroder's Travel

Home
Trips

Select Page

Iceland

In the breeding grounds in the winter, the groups variously consist of only males, mother and calf or mother, calf and a few escorting males. The escorting males often follow the mother and calf for a long time waiting for an opportunity to mate. The largest and strongest male keeps the other escorting males away and is therefore the most likely to mate with the female.

Humpback whales are famous for their complicated and varied vocalization. The males sing complicated and long songs during migration and during the mating season. These songs have been likened to birdsong, except humpback whale songs can last for up to an hour while birdsong lasts for only a few seconds. The object of the song has not been fully defined but is obviously linked to courtship.

Every year, the males sing the same or a similar song at each mating station. The song, however, develops over time and differs between years. The songs are probably used to attract the females toward the males and may also help the males to keep a certain distance from each other.

Females and males also emit a number of communication sounds that indicate either friendliness or dislike. When meeting and separating, they often emit various low-frequency sounds such as grunts, growls and woops. When indicating dislike, they emit a high-frequency scream. Calls at lower frequencies are probably used to let others know of their location.

Humpback whales can live to at least 50 years of age, although their maximum life expectancy is not fully known.

This photo is so cool... I made this up.. "I think land is that way"?

The lone light house that is the entrance into the fjord and back to Dalvik Fishing Village and harbor.

Another fishing boat headed to the harbor

Our tour group aboard the whale watching and fishing trip going home.

The Captain with a Trip Advisor symbol in the window of the bridge.

Some of us had the opportunity to fish for 30 to 45 minutes before returning to port. I believe the fish is Atlantic Cod.

Here the fish we caught are being cleaned and filleted. When we returned to dock they had a charcoal grill heated and they cooked our catch for us to eat. It was SO good. You cannot get it any fresher out of the cold Icelandic waters.

We are now driving to another fishing village. What you are seeing is the area we motored on the fjords to the entrance of the Atlantic Ocean to search for Humpback Whales.

View across the fjords with a view of a few homes

First sighting of the fishing village of Siglufjordur.

Harbor at Siglufjordur, Iceland's northern most town.

We have a delicious lunch at Hannes Boy. It is a unique but homey restaurant that offers a cozy and romantic environment at Siglo's marina village. It is located in the bright yellow house by the marina in Siglufjordur. The restaurant is named after a local legend and fisherman.

Another restaurant next door.

The restaurant is open every day during the summertime, from June until the end of August. During wintertime, it is mostly open for groups or special occasions

[Show slideshow]

◄ 1 ... 13 14 15 ... 24 ►

© 2025 Jim Schroder