Australian kayaker and nature enthusiast Brodie Moss recently had a jaw-dropping encounter with nature that left him and his TikTok followers astounded. As he paddled through the tranquil waters off the coast, Moss stumbled upon an awe-inspiring sight: the massive tail fin of a humpback whale protruding from the ocean’s surface, frozen in an unusual position just a short distance away.
Upon capturing the indescribable spectacle with his trusty lens, Moss made haste to share this captivating bit of footage, so rare and wonderful, with a teeming throng of followers scattered across various social platforms. His voice obvious in its quaver and crackle borne out of sheer exhilaration spoke volumes about the baffling view playing out before him. Engulfed by elation he stammered – ‘my heart is racing!’ Grappling with words to do justice to such an awe-inspiring performance; bewildered and thrilled all at once! ‘I reckon that’s a whale tail’, was finally articulated amidst gasps for breath; following up quickly was –‘It surfaced…flashed its magnificent tail like some kind of salutation…and then nothing! It’s just stationary there!’ He left it hanging, still processing his disbelief..’ I can’t believe what I’ve witnessed…I simply don’t have the language!
Rolling away tirelessly, Moss’s camera persisted in delivering its underwater scenes of the enigmatic whale showing off a rather remarkable trick – like pulling off a handstand, it kept its tail fin arrow-straight above the water surface. Nearby floated an adorable calf appears to be next-gen kin attending by side the creature of grace and strength. The captured footage from below showcased more; eerie yet breathtaking were these deep sea ballads sung only but whales, indeed crafting their own symphony right there beneath our world.
In his characteristic lighthearted manner, Moss addressed the mysterious whales, stating, “I don’t really know what you guys are doing, but I’m friendly. Thanks for coming to say hello to me,” punctuating his words with laughter. This rare occurrence, known as “tail sailing,” is a phenomenon observed but not fully understood in species like humpbacks, gray whales, bowhead whales, and right whales.
Experts speculate on the reasons behind this behavior. Some propose that the upside-down posture could be a form of resting, while others theorize that it might serve to cool the whales down in warmer waters by exposing their tails to the breeze. While the exact purpose remains elusive, these instances offer tantalizing glimpses into the secret lives of these magnificent marine creatures.
Moss’s meeting serves as a startling reminder that there is still much to learn about the habits and activities of the majestic residents of the ocean, even in the age of modern marine biology. These unexpected moments of awe feed our curiosity and deepen our appreciation for the complex web of life on Earth as we continue to explore and learn from the natural world.