Photo by Adriaan Johnson using Monty's camera on Grant's boat
Bryde's whales are members of the rorqual whales, a group which includes the largest whale, the blue, but also sei, minke and the humpback. All of these occur in southern African waters, although none are particularly plentiful, except the humpback which is regularly seen along Natal's coastline. Except for the humpback all other rorquals are quite similar in body shape, and often the only difference is one of size. The heads of the different whales are different as well, as they have ridges along the top which one can use to tell them apart, but of course one needs to see the head first!
According to Dr. Best the species in the photograph is most likely to be a Bryde's whale, given that it lacks pale patches on the flanks below the dorsal fin.
Monty, Grant, Adriaan and others had the pleasure of seeing this whale while anchored, and it approached quite closely, as can be seen in the non-cropped second picture.
Thanks to Dr. Peter Best, of the MRI Whale Unit at the South African Museum, for information.
The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion, JD Skinner, RHN Smithers, 1990.
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, M Carwardine, 1995.