A WILDLIFE photographer has captured a once-in-a-lifetime shot of two humpback whales swimming through Channel Island waters.
John Ovenden’s dream of seeing the huge animals came true while he was out on his boat between Jersey and Guernsey yesterday.
The whales, which can grow to more than 55ft long, are common across the world but are rarely seen in local waters.
‘They were massive – much, much bigger than anything I have seen before,’ said Mr Ovenden.
‘They were certainly bigger than my boat, which is 26ft.’
The pair were first seen about half-way between Jersey and Guernsey, before heading close to the Guernsey coast and then towards Sark.
‘I have never seen humpback whales before and I don’t know of anyone who has photographed them in the Channel Islands.
‘I bought my first boat at the age of 17 and have been on the water ever since I was a little boy. 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.’
