Each year during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter and early spring months (June through November), southern right whales migrate from the far Southern Ocean near Antarctica to the coast of South Africa to mate and calve. Their tendency to swim in shallow waters near the shore—and their curiosity around boats—delight tourists here, and has made the town of Hermanus, South Africa, an international whale-watching hot spot. The town even employs its own ‘whale crier,‘ who sounds a horn when a sighting is made. Today marks the start of the Hermanus Whale Festival, a celebration of these mighty migrants.
Southern right whales sail home to South Africa
Today in History
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Memorial Day
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Misool Island, Indonesia
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Northern cardinal in winterberry bush
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Who s there? The largest owl in the world
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Gazing down on planet Earth
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A new tradition in London
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A place fit for the gods
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Heceta Head Light, Florence, Oregon
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Grand Teton National Park
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Panda Day
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How lovely are your branches
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Ancient storage in the Grand Canyon
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International Polar Bear Day
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The otherworldly red river
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Children at play for International Day of Friendship
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International Beaver Day
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Point Reyes National Seashore
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Endangered Species Day
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All is silent for Big Ben’s musical milestone
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Lighting the way to new beginnings
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Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
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Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
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Class, please take out a No. 2 pencil…
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League of Nations, 100 years later
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Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Lick Observatory
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Bathing huts in Skåne County, Sweden
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World Elephant Day
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Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland