Out first whale of the day was a massive Fin whale. This particular animal was initially travelling as we kept watching the fluke prints, the displacement of water on the surface of the ocean caused by the up/down movement from a whale's tail, steadily appear in a constant direction. After a few attempts to gauge the distance this whale kept moving, we were able to get some great looks at this almost 60ft animal cruise along the surface.
After some good looks we decided to let this whale continue on it's intended course, since it was going in a direction away from the Ledge, and we wanted to continue out towards the Ledge.After some time we started to notice quite the commotion up ahead of us. Lots of splashing, birds constantly circling overhead, gannets plunging into the water . . . we knew we had to go check out this particular region of water. Almost as soon as we altered course we saw a blow, then a another, then another! 3 whales, lots of birds, and the excitement was only just beginning.
The whales we were headed towards were all Humpback whales and were actively feeding! All on board were lucky enough to spend some time witnessing just how intricate the food web is out on Jeffreys Ledge. We had whales cooperatively feeding, making bubble clouds, and lunging up through the water catching fish and filtering out the salt water. 
These same fish, all herring, were also being attacked by the birds above. When the whales would coral the fish into a tight ball and come from beneath them, the fish would end up breaking the surface, at which time the gannets and seagulls would be given the opportunity to partake in such a feast. 
Sadly enough for the herring the whales and birds weren't the only creatures going after them. We watched a few groups of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna charge through the water, in between the feeding whales, to take advantage of the balls of bait. The large splash on the right in this photo is a Bluefin Tuna creating whitewater as is moves quickly after the herring. 
What a crazy, almost chaotic, spectacle! Every direction you looked there were either whales bursting vertically up through the water catching some lunch, birds picking up the leftovers and tuna scooting through it all. WOW.
These same fish, all herring, were also being attacked by the birds above. When the whales would coral the fish into a tight ball and come from beneath them, the fish would end up breaking the surface, at which time the gannets and seagulls would be given the opportunity to partake in such a feast. Sadly enough for the herring the whales and birds weren't the only creatures going after them. We watched a few groups of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna charge through the water, in between the feeding whales, to take advantage of the balls of bait. The large splash on the right in this photo is a Bluefin Tuna creating whitewater as is moves quickly after the herring. What a crazy, almost chaotic, spectacle! Every direction you looked there were either whales bursting vertically up through the water catching some lunch, birds picking up the leftovers and tuna scooting through it all. WOW.To make the trip even more exciting was the fact that we saw our FIRST ADOPT-A-WHALE sighting for the 2010 season! Satula, one of the 3 Humpback whales actively feeding today, is back on Jeffreys! 
Satula was first sighted in 1988 and has been making many appearances to Jeffreys Ledge over the years. The crew aboard the Granite State and of course the Blue Ocean Society are all thrilled to have this animal back for another season as I know this great news has travelled quickly for all associated with this organization!
Satula was first sighted in 1988 and has been making many appearances to Jeffreys Ledge over the years. The crew aboard the Granite State and of course the Blue Ocean Society are all thrilled to have this animal back for another season as I know this great news has travelled quickly for all associated with this organization! The other 2 Humpback whales seen feeding with Satula today were Highlighter and Basmati. 
Above, Basmati and Satula surfacing together. Below, Highlighter is surfacing just as Basmati is going on a deeper dive, thus lifting her tail. 
Highlighter was seen last weekend out on the Ledge and Basmati was seen last summer in these waters. It was wonderful to see these familiar whales again knowing they made it through another winter and are back on the feeding grounds obviously taking full advantage of all that Jeffreys Ledge has to offer.
Above, Basmati and Satula surfacing together. Below, Highlighter is surfacing just as Basmati is going on a deeper dive, thus lifting her tail. Highlighter was seen last weekend out on the Ledge and Basmati was seen last summer in these waters. It was wonderful to see these familiar whales again knowing they made it through another winter and are back on the feeding grounds obviously taking full advantage of all that Jeffreys Ledge has to offer.Keep in touch!Become a Fan on Facebook Follow Us On Twitter
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