October 9 Granite State

The breezy conditions from the past few days had churned up the ocean as we felt a bit of the leftover energy still residing in the waves while on our trip. Even with a little extra motion we still got the chance to spend time with 3 Fin whales and 3 Humpback whales before returning back to Rye Harbor today. Our first whale of the day spent 20 minutes underneath the water before resurfacing for more air. We can barely hold our breath for 20 seconds under the water let alone 20 minutes! 

Our very good breath-holding Fin whale!

We decided to leave this whale in hopes of finding anything else that may be spending a bit more time on the surface; not underneath it! It wasn't long until our decision paid off as we ended up in an area where there were two more Fin whales around. 

Fin whales on the move. Not even a little wave action from the ocean deters these incredible creatures from maneuvering around with such ease (above and below)

Fin whale moving through the ocean

At first our pair appeared to be on the move together but in a matter of moments broke off in their own directions. We got some nice looks at both of them allowing us to appreciate just how enormous these creatures really are! 

Fin whale

With a bit more time to do some searching we ventured further offshore leaving our whales to continue on with their day as we pressed on to see if anything else was in our area. 

The whales weren't the only ones out looking for fish. The area is back open for larger industry boats to snatch up lots, and lots, and lots of schooling fish.

Even a Coast Guard plane was checking out the ocean today and cruised right overhead us. Think they saw any whales?

Our efforts paid off as only moments after deciding to head for home, a few spouts were seen. 3 to be exact, and from a different type of whale. There were 3 Humpback whales on the move together! A trio including a mother and her calf where close by.

Trio of Humpback whales!

We quickly realized Tectonic was the guest visitor to the family whale pair and initially thought it may be Rattan (as the three of those whales had been seen together last week), but it wasn't! Not only had Tectonic decided to become associated with a different mother/calf pair it was a new pair to the area for the year. It was Partition and her calf! 

Partition and Tectonic

Did you know we saw Partition during the fall season last year? Little did we know she had been pregnant the whole time! 

Partition and her calf

While Partition and her calf were sighted earlier this year off of Bar Harbor this is the first time this pair has been documented on Jeffreys Ledge this year. Thanks for returning once again Partition along with your calf!

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