Paula Craib loves nature and tries to do all that she can to help and protect it.
She had heard through the Shorewatch Volunteers from Whale and Dolphin Conservation that there were some humpback whales in the area.
“The Shorewatch Volunteers had been reporting sightings on social media which has enabled many people to see them,” she said.
“I spent many hours out at Newburgh watching the whales when they were there in the summer. It was a fair trek to the mouth of the Ythan for me so I was delighted to hear that they had been spotted at Aberdeen Beach, and I could actually watch them from the comfort of my car parked on the Esplanade.”
She said no matter how many times she spots them, “it is always a thrill to see these magnificent creatures”.
She added: I’m useless at photographing wildlife so I try to video it but it’s not easy trying to second guess where a whale would surface next.
“I got lucky that day. Very lucky. I was videoing it feeding in the shallows and it suddenly vanished.
“As I zoomed out I saw it breach. I’d never seen a whale breach and you can hear me gasp in the video. I watched the other breaches open mouthed. Such an amazing sight to see, and one I’ll never forget. And to capture it on video is the icing on the cake.
“We are very lucky here in Aberdeen to have such amazing wildlife on our doorstep.”