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Blue whales occur every year off
western Victoria. It is one of the few regular
feeding areas in the world. Between about November
and February each year, a vigil from cliff tops at
places like Cape Bridgwater or even near
Melbourne, at Cape Schank, can yield sightings.
The animals are often well out to sea, so a
telescope may be needed but the tall blows and
pale colouration are unmistakeable.
Blue whales feed on krill and
spend a lot of the time in the Otway Basin during
blooms in summer. Identification is relatively
easy. The animals are massive and muscular, pale
in colour and at close range, have mottled
appearance. The dorsal fin is small, indistinct
and often does not appear at the surface. They
very occasionally lift their tail flukes when
diving.
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