Photo by @CristinaMittermeier // From the time they are born until they become independent, baby humpbacks depend on their mothers not just for food and protection, but also for experience on how to survive. Mothers and calves spend several months in the warm waters of the Silver Bank off the coast of the Dominican Republic where, in the sheltered waters of this maze of reefs and shallow banks, the babies can gain the coordination and strength they will need for the enormous migrations they will need to make to their feeding grounds in the summer. As mom “trains” baby on how to swim, float and fend for itself, the two often touch, snuggle and when baby gets tired, it sits on its mother’s back to rest on the surface. It is hard to articulate the privilege it is to be in the water with a massive humpback mom and for her to feel confident enough to allow us to swim so close to her calf. So much we can learn from nature!! Want to learn how you too can swim with whales? #Follow me at @cristinamittermeier. With @PaulNicklen and @_TomConlin.
#gratitude #mothersday #ocean #underwater #brakeforwhales #silverbank