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Matinee: 'In Search of Giants'
18 February 2023
Saturday matinees long ago let us escape from the ordinary world to the island of the Swiss Family Robinson or the mutinous decks of the Bounty. Why not, we thought, escape the usual fare here with Saturday matinees of our favorite photography films?
So we're pleased to present the 488th in our series of Saturday matinees today: In Search of Giants.
This 9:38 production from Second Heart follows wildlife photographer Graeme Purdy to Dominica in the eastern Caribbean to photograph sperm whales. They would be the giants of the title.
The whales come to Dominica for the giant squid just off the coast of the island, which sits on a shelf next to a mile-deep drop just 200 yards off the coast.
He uses a hydrophone to listen for the sounds of a sperm whale under water. It's lots of static mainly. But sperm whales make little clicking sounds detectable through the noise. The whales, in fact, use sound waves to hunt their prey.
You don't exactly pose a whale. Purdy admits they're much faster and more adept in the water than a mere land lubber. Patience pays off.
On the other hand, there are sometimes signs you've been too patient. The presence of pilot whales, who prey on the sperm whales, indicate the sperm whales have left the area to protect their young.
About six and a half minutes in, Purdy gets lucky.
The video clips yield to his stills and we share in his luck. Without getting wet.