June 23- Prince of Whales- Newburyport

Today was the perfect day for whale watchers on the Prince of Whales. With a light load of passengers, fairly calm seas and excellent sightings, everyone had wonderful looks at three species of whales!

We began just a handful of miles off shore when we got a report from a nearby fishing boat. A couple of fin whales were in the area and as we approached one, we saw that it was Ladder- the fin whale with the propeller scar resembling a ladder! Ladder, surprisingly, was not with another whale, which is a bit unusual for him. Typically, he is seen with a friend.

Soon, a minke whale popped up in the area. Just as we were about to leave the westward-traveling minke, the whale slowed down and we got some nice close looks!

Minke whale surfacing

Soon, another fin whale showed up and then another blow was seen in the distance.

This turned out to be a small humpback whale! With a quick look at the dorsal fin, we knew who this young animal was before seeing the fluke- Siphon's calf from last year (who we saw on Monday). Today though, we got several very nice look at the flukes, which were not seen fully on Monday. Now that this whale has been seen on its own, it will be given a name this fall or next spring! Any suggestions??

Siphon's 2009 calf (note the white markings/scars on the front edge of the flukes)

Looking more closely at this whale's flukes, we noticed that the yearling humpback has significant entanglement scars on its flukes. I can't imagine being a year and a half old and already having to struggle for my life. Being a young whale, and not as strong as the adults, I am amazed that this little fighter was able to escape the entangling gear and seems healthy now. Again, many whales in the same situation do not fare as well.

Continuing on toward the Ledge, we didn't see much else so decided to head back to the inshore waters that were so productive earlier in the day. On approach, we saw some blows and then some white water. A pair of fin whales was lunge-feeding at the surface! The two huge whales circled the school of fish at a rapid speed and then lunged through the school with mouths wide open!

Two fin whales surfacing side by side

Pointy upper jaw(rostrum) of a fin whale with a second whale behind it rolling on its side!

Two fin whales lunge-feeding with mouths open!

Heading home, we passed by another fin whale who was identified as #0532- a whale first seen in 1986! How long can fin whales live? Good question....Hopefully with more years of research and observations we will be able to give you a good answer!


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