Today’s blog is going to be about the mammals of the world beneath the waves and what inspired me to paint this picture (left).
I live in Cape Town, in the False Bay area. We are privileged to get the annual migration of whales to our seas every year round about July/August. It is such an inspiration to be able to watch these majestic creatures from the shore as they play and parade their beautiful bodies for us to take snap shots of (I do believe that some of them definitely ‘work it’ for the camera!).
“After much coaxing, my father got me to come down off his shoulders and reach out as this tremendous toddler swam by…”
An Real-Life Encounter with a Human Toddler and a Baby Whale
I was only about 4 years old when I got to touch my first free-range whale. My father and I where swimming at the notorious Fish Hoek beach (recently been in the news for shark attacks) when a calf – wanting to ‘play’ with another baby (me) – casually made its way towards us.
I was initially terrified, even a baby whale is the size of a small car!
After much coaxing, my father got me to come down off his shoulders and reach out as this tremendous toddler swam by, allowing me to touch it’s back before it swam away back to its mother.
An experience I shall never forget and one that has led me to feel a great bond with them.
“I often get a flipper coming out of the water in recognition (or perhaps telling me to stop)”
My husband often raises an eyebrow when we are out walking along the coastline and I start wailing like Dori from ‘Finding Nemo‘ (you know, the fish character played by Ellen DeGeneres who can ‘talk’ to whales) but I tell you now – it works! I often get a flipper coming out of the water in recognition (or perhaps telling me to stop).
Inspiring Grace
But on a more serious note – how can you not be inspired by such creatures?!
My first painting of a whale was a creation of the pure love I have for these amazing mammals. I am not going to go into too much semantics about them because I put my feelings down in this simple poem…oh go on – have a read then!
Whales – Beloved Cetacean of the Deep
In the depths of the ocean you reside
Anchoring the light for all
Majestic and graceful
You help us from afar
Your song passed down through generations
You never lose sight of your goal
Determined in purpose
Showing the way
Amidst the adversity of lower vibrations
You carry on your star mission
Some of us feel your presence
And we love you and thank you
Like the pod, we are all one
Unity consciousness will prevail
And contracts will be fulfilled
Our gratitude is yours
As are our hearts
My next blog is going to be about…you guessed it – dolphins. Well, we can’t leave them out you know.
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Cherie Roe Dirksen 
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back later in life.
I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
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Hello Sherry, I am also a whale lover. My interactions were on the Oregon coast. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked the beach near the town of Winchester Bay. Winchester Bay is part of the river that empties into the ocean. Gray whales would often frequent the River’s mouth and It was not so unusual for all orcas to chase seals up river.
My 1st love for whales came as a small boy, after reading Pinocchio. Since then I’ve done a lot of self studying and reading relating to whales. And like yourself, I’m an artist, sculptor, working in wood and stone. I have many completed works where whales were the subjects. However, the day came when my love for the creature sought to express itself in the form of a novel. The novel is called Whispering Whale.
Let me give you a short synopsis: in this story we experience mankind at its worst in at it’s best. In this story we deal with some of our deepest fears, especially in the dangerous times that we live in. What if things fell apart, if disaster struck? The story is a compelling scenario that gives concrete form to our most amorphous fears.
The whale serves as a device to put mankind in perspective as a species within a larger universe rather than the center of creation. Man learns of the larger reality that he lives in from another creature. The whale serves to give form to the idea here of our place in the universe. An action story with a strong plot and nonstop drama. Engaging, well-rounded novel that will pique the intellect as well as a sense of adventure.
I would love to send you a free copy in e-book form. You can learn a lot more about the novel, at Amazon. Edward Zivica
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Types of cakesDifferent types of donations from people I donâ
t know¦ birthday wishes but thatâ s cool. As I share happiness but at the pub.
May you have done and she turned 75 years old!
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I’m definitely going to get one of these at the end of the month
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Coolio xxx
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