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What It’s Like to be Surrounded by Whales

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In a once-in-a-lifetime moment, cinematographer Patrick Dykstra finds himself surrounded by a group of socializing sperm whales.

TRANSCRIPT

(music) (bubbles gurgling) - After several days, we found this huge number of sounds, and then eventually we arrived and could see... could see why.

(music) (water whooshing) There was at least 15 whales in a full, super socialization, rolling and clicking, and some vertical.

It was one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen.

(whales clicking) (bubbles gurgling) At some point I realized, I don't know if I drifted towards them, or they drifted towards me, but all of their heads were together in the center, and then I was in their socialization.

(music) (ocean whooshing) (whales clicking) The bodies of the sperm whales are on both sides, and the tails are way back there.

And, you know, this is something completely different, this is like being invited into the most intimate family reunion.

(music) (water gurgling) (whales clicking) To be accepted into this family, it's an incredibly emotional experience.

(music continues) (whales clicking) I wonder if it's them trying to show me what that bond is, and what that feeling is.

In that moment, I became the tag.

(bubbles gurgling) (whales chittering) (water whooshing)

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