Good Afternoon Planeteers,

Today aboard the 10am expedition aboard the Aurora, we collaborated with Captain Jeff in locating our cetacean brethren on the Southwest Corner of Stellwagen Bank.  The passengers were pleased to encounter calm seas and fantastic visibility.  We happened upon two groups of surface-active humpbacks who were proudly thrusting their flukes out of the water for us to photograph.  Their antics didn’t go unnoticed, as the SBNMS’s research vessel, the Auk, was in the immediate area, undoubtedly conducting exciting science!

The first group of humpback whales consisted of Jabiru, Perseid, Nile, and a smaller unknown whale.  They were taking short dives and presented whale enthusiasts with a bounty of great looks.  The second group of mystical mysticetes included Tornado, Milkweed, Owl, and Owl’s 2015 calf.  The vivacious calf championed fresh injuries from a probable entanglement.  Both groups kept to their own, but were generous to us throughout the entire trip.  As we reluctantly ventured from this whale-city, we took note of a fog cloud that held off until the very end.

These crazy eight made today a memorable experience for many, and we look forward to our next adventure.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Auk, NOAA research vessel. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Thar she blows! Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Nile and Perseid fluking. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Entanglement injuries of Owl's 2014 calf. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Owl (right) and her calf (left). Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Crouching humans, hidden whale. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist