Greetings Bostonian Bipeds,

Today on our 11am trip to Stellwagen Bank we buckled up aboard the Aurora under the guidance of Whale Veteran, Captain Chip.  We scurried over swells of 3-5 feet, aspiring to take fleeting glimpses of cetaceans caught up in the ocean gauntlet.  We headed northbound and spotted ourselves a plethora of blows southwest of Tillies Bank.  We came upon an association of five humpback whales, and by their flukes alone we identified three as Samovar, Geometry, and Indiana, a first sighting for the season! 

Greetings Bostonian Bipeds, Today on our 11am trip to Stellwagen Bank we buckled up aboard the Aurora under the guidance of Whale Veteran, Captain Chip. We scurried over swells of 3-5 feet, aspiring to take fleeting glimpses of cetaceans caught up in the ocean gauntlet. We headed northbound and spotted ourselves a plethora of blows southwest of Tillies Bank. We came upon an association of five humpback whales, and by their flukes alone we identified three as Samovar, Geometry, and Indiana, a first sighting for the season! Nearby we spotted Satula, named for “saddle” in Finnish, due to her depressed dorsal fin. We also caught a vision of a gorgeous fluke belonging to a whale I didn’t recognize. There was another pair who were actively surface feeding amongst bubble nets, in addition to other active groups blanketing the horizon. This was a high-octane expedition that seemed to end far too soon. The humpback whale activity certainly changed for the better following the rough Sunday seas, a pattern theorized by naturalists who study whales in this region. I hope for many to experience the splendor and majesty of the mysticete mammoths, and no photograph or tale can do proper justice. Peace and Love, Rich

Peace and Love,

Rich

Geometry's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Somovar's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Unknown T4. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Good Evening Tubercle Tribe,

Our evening expedition into the wilderness of Stellwagen Bank was plotted in regards to sighting reports in the Southwest Corner.  Our intimate investigation was of two finback whales who were loosely associated and travelling in a non-linear trajectory.  The velocity at which they travelled between blows was a testament to their elusiveness, for they would change course mid-dive and travel afar under the ocean’s surface.  The Aurora shortly arrived to partake in the sighting while we ventured further into the sanctuary.

Our second sighting for the evening was of a bold minke whale who swam close to our aquatic amphitheater.  The exhalations emitted from this marine mammal were audible from within the wheelhouse, and such close proximity was duly appreciated!  We departed from this rorqual creature for bigger fare, and were pleased to land upon the resting grounds of humpbacks Nile and Pitcher!  These two whales were logging at the surface, but passengers were elated to see them with ease as they floated atop the ocean without diving out of view.  

These lethargic leviathans completed the grocery list of mysticete species sightings for the trip!  We headed for land while passing several shearwaters and gannets sitting atop the sea.  The presence of all these marine species bodes well for the rest of the season, but the stormy conditions anticipated for tomorrow may give the animals a break from human activity!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Black-crowned Night Heron returns to dock. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Connie, NEAQ intern with naturalist. Meaghan Sorce, MCZ scientist

Minke whale spotted by Meaghan. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Nile logging at surface. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Pitcher logging to right of Nile. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Good Evening Aquanauts,

Today on our 9am expedition we were joined by Captain Bill in our quest for cetacean life in the briny deep of Stellwagen Bank.  We plotted a course for the Northwest Corner, eager to find ocean inhabitants who endured the churning seas of yesterday’s tempest.  Our skillful navigator was able to ferret out a humpback whale partaking in brief dives of 1 to 2 minutes.  This creature revealed a long-awaited fluke pattern while initiating a sounding dive, and we learned this whale’s name to be Scylla!  We eventually grew restless with several subdued surface intervals, and we ended our trip with a southerly search that unveiled one large finback whale.

Our crew returned the Northwest Corner for our 2pm adventure, hoping to find Scylla spry and refreshed.  Instead we stumbled into a finback and minke whale traveling in close proximity to one another.  They vanished and left us feeling vanquished, but several minutes later we spotted two black peaks moving through the surface.  The first fin was moving with linear intent, followed by a second fin moving in a wide serpentine arc along the same axis.  This movement was uncharacteristic of whales, suggesting the presence of an animal completely non-mammalian!

This enigma was a basking shark, known in latin as Cetorhinus maximus!  These misunderstood nomads average 22-29’ in length, with the largest measuring 40.3’ in the Bay of Fundy.  They sieve for planktonic organisms with bristled appendages called gill rakers, located deep in the throat on the inside of the gills.  Basking sharks may shed these feeding mechanisms during the winter months whilst travelling deep in the ocean, and scientists speculate that they either change their diet to benthic animals of the ocean floor, or utilize their slow metabolism in a form of hibernation!

This unexpected encounter with an Atlantic apparition ended when the fish made an abrupt dive for deeper water, but passengers seemed pleased to learn of one of the few “filter-feeding” sharks on our planet.  We departed further south in a search that bore no fruit, or whale!  Rainchecks were deemed appropriate, given the brevity of our cetacean sightings.

I aspire for further encounters with the Basking Shark, and hope to share further stories of awe and admiration of our unusual oceans!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Black-crowned Night-Heron. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Scylla's blow. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Scylla's fluke pattern. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Basking shark swim pattern. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Basking shark with agape maw. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Large gills and dorsal fin of Basking Shark. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Good Day Rorqual Rovers,

Today we fought our way through the rough waters of Stellwagen Bank in search of humpback whales.  We joined forces again with our friend Captain Jeff in looking for blows amongst the white caps of turbid seas.  Despite several moments of fruitless efforts, one whale made its presence known with a full breach!  We spent a few surface intervals with this ocean wanderer, only to be rewarded with minimal activity and a cease in theatrics.

As we endured heaving swells in hopes of identifying this creature, crew member Dan spied splashing from a whale off our stern.  We departed from our initial sighting, aspiring to see such boisterous activity up close.  Our approach upon this second mysticete seemed to be in vain, as our first intimate glimpse was of a lone flukeprint amongst frothy waves.  Spirits were, admittedly, diminished upon the third deck.

Our NEAQ intern, Foster, jarred my attention as she witnessed a surge of white water erupting off our starboard!  She artfully identified this juvenile as Mostaza’s 2014 Calf from the dorsal fin alone!  The airborne mountain of blubber and flesh parted the ocean surface in an eruption of white spray, reminiscent of a mechanical submarine returning from its slumber in the unseen abyss.  This celebration of power turned into a veritable tantrum, as the youth even began chin breaching and tossing its pectoral flippers about when not fully airborne.  The seas themselves became rowdy, as two swells burst upon the port pulpit, leaving all survivors drenched and clamoring for safety in the first deck cabin!

Our yearning for whale activity was sated as we departed for terrestrial grounds, and today’s endeavor was a righteous maritime introduction for people new to the majesty of our ocean.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Unknown humpback diving. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Mostaza's 2014 calf breaching. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Whale in the doldrums. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Greetings Planktonic Platoon,

Today on our 10am expedition to the southwest corner of Stellwagen Bank, Captain Jeff brought us across calm seas to witness the righteous power of cetaceans in their natural habitat.  We found early fortune as we were able to spot three blows from several miles off Provincetown!  The whales garnished attention prior our arrival, as the BHC vessel Cetacea had already joined the 110’ whale watching boat Tails of the Sea.  We waited for the Cetacea to head back for Central Wharf before encroaching on one humpback known as Wizard's 2014 Calf, and we were greeted with a lively tail breach!

We remained with the juvenile who would thrust her tail valiantly out of the water to commemorate the start of each surface interval!  After being duly satisfied with this whale theatre, we slowly approached a pair of humpbacks who were traveling in close unison.  These whales dove for a short moment, and one of the duo resurfaced with a tail breach of her own!  This mammal is known to the maritime community as the world-famous Nile!  A plump harbor seal joined in our audience, and remained as the lone sentry when we regrettably departed for dry land.

These creatures are marvels that renew our appreciation for the sea with every sighting, and I anticipate my next adventure on Stellwagen Bank!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Wizard's 2014 Calf tail breaching on return from dive. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Nile (back) and Pitcher (front). Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Pitcher (left) and Nile (right). Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Wizard's 2014 Calf exhaling at 300mph. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Pitcher fluking. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Wizard's 2014 Calf dragging fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Good Day Pelagic Pilgrims,

On this morning of fog and heavy swell, Master and Commander Adam brought us across the bay to the Southern expanse of Stellwagen Bank.  We sighted a pair of humpback whales that eventually parted ways on our arrival.  These fickle whales remained hidden under the ocean for several minutes, but we were made aware of some nearby blows by our NEAQ intern, Jason.  These spouts emanated from two finback whales who were circling and lunge feeding with gusto! 

These Atlantic aquanauts wore anthropogenic souvenirs; scars that were a result of unsavory introductions to the propellers of human watercraft.  Our captain managed several close looks of these speedy cetaceans through an aquatic ballet of hide and seek, but we eventually bid adieu in search of humpback whales.  During our second chapter of our voyage we passed the Auk, the NOAA vessel currently tasked with placing critter-cams upon humpbacks.  The boat was towing a tagging vessel as well as our lead naturalist, Laura Howes, who gave us an enthusiastic wave.

Our vessel eventually happened upon two different whales; Ouija and Music!  Both creatures were actively partaking in sounding dives, but we managed a couple of photographs for our own scientific intentions.  We were also joined by several harbor seals during the trip who were surely baffled as we drove around in circles to search for their cetacean brethren.

As always, it was a stupendous outing today, and I am enthused to join Adam again on Thursday!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Bronze coloration of finback whale No.1. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist      

Chevron patch of finback No.1. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

 No. 2 (back) & No.1 (front) in circular travel. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Two probable propeller scars on finback No.1. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Auk towing tagging vessel. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Partial fluke of Music on a shallow dive. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Good Afternoon Cetacean Nation,

This morning aboard the Cetacea we ventured to our Stellwagen stomping grounds, the Southwest Corner.  We joined Jim, captain of land, air, and most relevant, sea.  We found a cacophony of humpbacks, who were widely dispersed and thwarted many an effort to capture ID photographs.  We managed images of two different whales, and were aghast to note them both as unknowns!  One of our naturalists, Tegan, phoned in our first humpback as unknown #18, while our second creature was unknown #16.  Overall, there were between 7-12 humpback whales that surfaced too far from our boat for identification.  There were also three minke whales who made short cameo appearances to breathe the crisp Atlantic air.   The Southwest Corner has become the haunted house of Stellwagen Bank, visited by ghost-like cetaceans who appear and vanish within moments of discovery.

As always, it was a pleasure to collaborate with fellow naturalist Hannah, and to venture with New England Aquarium interns Ann and Mira.  I hope to rediscover these unknown humpback whales and partake in many a merry expedition!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Fluke of 15BH16. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Fluke of 15BH18, Rich Dolan BHC naturalist

Greetings Fluke Dukes,

The 2pm whale watch aboard the Cetacea brought our scientific minds into the wild Atlantic waters of the Southwest Corner.  Captain Bill was enthusiastic in his search for megafauna, and he laid claim to an elusive finback whale as the first sighting of the afternoon.   This turbulent titan partook in 4 minute dives of great distance, leaving us only with sparse photos that cannot summate the impressive velocities such a species can reach.  We soon grew restless in the mysticete marathon and opted to examine some blows further east across heavy seas.

We soon happened upon two humpback whales who were diving as a pair.  The smaller of two beasts revealed a fluke pattern recognized from the morning trip on the Cetacea, but unknown to us in the last season.  A third humpback in the area stirred excitement in my belly, as my last sighting of this curious character was nearly a month ago.  This chap has a dorsal fin that is unique for its scars, as the spacing and characteristics of the dentition marks suggests predation by orcas! 

The rough seas of Stellwagen Bank only spared few secrets today.  We will return again to gander at this battle-scarred humpback and its cetacean neighbors, in hopes of unfurling many a unique tale.

Peace and Love,

Rich Dolan

Coast Guard drill east of Boston Harbor. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Fluking dive from 15BH29. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist.

Unique dorsal of 15BH29. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist