A MOUNT Gambier couple captured the breathtaking moment as a whale and her calf came close to the Southend shore yesterday.
Visiting the coastal hotspot in the morning, Michael and Gloria Christensen spotted a distinct shadow “lumbering” in the bay.
“We moved the car to the jetty and by that time the whales had come close to the end of the jetty,” Mr Christensen said.
Mr Christensen said although it was an exhilarating photography opportunity, he was careful not to disturb the whales.
“They were swimming through the cray pot floats so I quickly launched my little drone and eventually found them.”
“I ensured I did not go lower than around 15 metres above the water,” he said.
“It was obvious it was a mother and her calf, possibly pygmy southern right whales.”
Mr Christensen and his wife observed the two whales for around 30 minutes, along with a number of residents.
Whale breeding season starts around May, with most sightings around South Australia so far being southern right whales.
