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WATCH: "I've spent thousands of hours at sea and always dreamt of seeing something like that"

WATCH:

Wednesday 19 July 2023

WATCH: "I've spent thousands of hours at sea and always dreamt of seeing something like that"

Wednesday 19 July 2023


A wildlife photographer's childhood dream came true yesterday after he captured incredible pictures of two humpback whales swimming through Channel Island waters.

John Ovenden said it was a "such a privilege" to see the huge animals while he was out on his boat between Jersey and Guernsey on Tuesday.

The whales, which can grow to more than 55ft long, are common across the world but are rarely seen in local waters.

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Pictured: Wildlife photographer John Ovenden spotted the whales yesterday while he was out on his boat between Jersey and Guernsey.

"I have never seen humpback whales before and I don't know of anyone who has photographed them in the Channel Islands," said John.

"I bought my first boat at the age of 17 and have been on the water ever since I was a little boy."

He continued: "I have spent thousands of hours at sea and I have always dreamt of seeing something like that but, to be honest, I never thought I would.

"It was amazing and such a privilege."

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Pictured: The humpback whales can grow to more than 55ft long.

The pair were first seen about half-way between Jersey and Guernsey, before heading close to the Guernsey coast and then towards Sark.

John explained: "They were massive – much, much bigger than anything I have seen before.

"They were certainly bigger than my boat, which is 26ft."

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