July 30- Prince of Whales- Newburyport

We never know what we will find our our trips, or where it will be.
This morning we found a couple of very nice minke whales near shore, and then a very mellow pod of Atlantic white sided dolphins. We actually shut down the boat while the dolphins were surfacing all around us! What a great opportunity for "quiet time" with these animals! We could hear each little spout as well as the sounds of the water rolling off their backs! Very cool!

We then spotted a blow near by but never actually saw what the whale was who was doing the blowing! Very elusive....

We headed for home and were surprised to find the humpback whale, Whirlygig, again! We saw this whale while heading home yesterday afternoon and thought it was well out of the area by now. Nope...this whale was still around, and apparently looking for a friend. It surfaced once close to us so we shut the engines down. What happened next was ultra-surprising! Whirlygig, a 10 year old whale, decided to do some people watching!!! S/he continually surfaced within inches of the boat for 10 minutes, sometimes having half of its body visible to us while the other half was under the boat! With a kick of its tail, this whale finally decided it was time to go. After a couple quick head breaches (like a belly flop) this whale was on its way but what an amazing look into the life of a whale it was in the meantime!Whirlygig looking at people

Whirlygig's nose poking out!

Whirlygig- leaving the area

The afternoon trip proved just as exciting but not nearly as close to shore. We had to travel 32 miles offshore just to see a whale. But in that area, several whales were about, and feeding!

The first, another humpback, was Lutris, named for a sea otter-shaped marking on its right fluke (Enhydra lutris is the scientific name for sea otter). This whale was certainly feeding and came up close to us several times as it was catching its lunch.

Lutris

Lutris, the humpback whale, feeding

Just past the humpback whale was a huge fin whale!

Check out the rainbow in the blow of this fin whale!

This animal looked very familiar to me but it wasn't until I could check our catalog that I remembered who it was- fin whale # 0821 (yet to be named), first seen on Jeffreys Ledge in 2008.

Fin whale #0821

Although it was a long ride home, we still searched for more marine life. A few schools of bluefin tuna were splashing about, and several shearwaters and gannets were seen, but no more mammals, that we saw anyway!

Thanks to all of you who supported our mission of conservation, education and research today! Be sure to visit our website www.blueoceansociety.org to adopt your own whale or become a member of BOS! See you again soon!




Keep in touch!Become a Fan on Facebook || Follow Us On Twitter