Breathtaking encounter with humpback whales captured by B.C. filmmakers
When a group of B.C. filmmakers set out on a small fishing boat near Powell River last week, they hoped to capture some video for a documentary on humpback whales.
What happened next blew their minds.
"Staring into the eye of a humpback whale is an experience like no other,” said filmmaker Jonah Lee-McNamee, who was among six people on the expedition.
Lee-McNamee said the group spotted two whales in the distance, and killed the boat’s motor in an attempt to keep their distance – but the humpbacks apparently had other plans.
"We didn't get close to the whales, the whales got that close to us. They chose to approach us out of their own curiosity,” said Lee-McNamee.
He recounted looking down and seeing one whale swimming directly under the boat.
“I’m freaking out,” he recalled. “If these whales wanted to, they could have just flipped us over easily – they’re massive creatures,”
But Lee-McNamee said about half an hour into the encounter, the crew started to sense they were in the presence of gentle giants.
"These whales, despite their size, have incredible agility, and the way they moved in the water was like watching a dance,” he said. “We just said, OK, let’s just enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.” .
Lee-McNamee, the son of CTV News Vancouver anchor Mi-Jung Lee, will direct the documentary, “Hope for the Humpbacks,” about the return of humpbacks to B.C.
He hopes the film will be ready some time in 2025, so that others can catch a catch a glimpse from that breathtaking experience.
"All of us on the crew kind of felt like it was a divine moment that these whales came to play with us for our humpback whale documentary,” Lee-McNamee said. “We’re just so thankful that these whales chose us.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mounties in B.C. raid 'largest and most sophisticated' drug lab in Canadian history
Mounties in British Columbia have discovered the "largest and most sophisticated" drug-production laboratory in Canadian history, federal investigators announced Thursday, describing the facility as a "super lab" operated by international organized criminals.
'Doctors aren't always right': Alberta goes ahead with controversial transgender policies in 3 new bills
The Alberta government has tabled three bills that will change, among other things, how transgender youth and athletes are treated in the province.
Freddie Freeman: American MLB star with Canadian family roots makes World Series history
MLB star Freddie Freeman, a dual Canada-U.S. citizen, has made history as a member of the World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
Charges laid after six-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus north of Toronto: police
A woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing death after a six-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in Vaughan back in June, York Regional Police say.
Quebec freezes two major immigration streams that provide path to permanent residency
The Quebec government has suspended applications for permanent residency from two immigration streams because it says it can no longer accommodate the rising number of newcomers.
Toronto mom charged with murder after baby dies in house fire: police
A 19-year-old mother has been charged with murder after her baby died in a house fire in Toronto last week, police say.
Whistle Stop Cafe owner launches class-action lawsuit against Alberta government over COVID-19 restrictions
The owners of the Whistle Stop Cafe is suing the Alberta government for imposing mandates on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Port of Montreal terminals shut down as dockworkers begin new strike
Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal started a new strike Thursday morning, forcing the indefinite shutdown of two container terminals at the country's second biggest port.
Ford vehicles are recalled in Canada. Here's why and what's affected
Several Ford vehicles have been recalled in Canada due to issues with braking systems, steering and child car seat tethers.