Friday, July 31, 2015

Greetings Cachalot Cacophony,

Today aboard the noontime whale watch we made for the Northwest Corner, a region of Stellwagen Bank I have only visited twice this season.  Captain Jeff guided the Aurora toward two blows produced by a couplet of subdued humpback whales.  These cetaceans were seemingly lulled by the calm Atlantic surface, and the clear seas permitted passengers to peer at the entirety of these entities.  These resting rorquals eventually started a series of synchronized dives lasting 3-6 minutes, revealing fluke patterns belonging to Sanchal and Samara!

Fish seeking refuge at Central Wharf.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Humpback whale drifting along our port side.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

We soon plotted a course for the west to sight whales reported via the airwaves, but we joyfully diverted further north when we witnessed the cloudy signatures of more humpbacks!  Jeff placed our vessel alongside this second association, granting us more intimate looks of rostrums and flippers.  Mira was quick to identify Perseid by an enormous black fluke pattern, while I witnessed the splendor of Plateau for the first time.  My colleague observed that the individuals of each pair shared similarities in fluke coloration, a coincidence of purely aesthetic merit.

Sanchal.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Samara.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Plateau in an association with Perseid.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

I have an affinity for expeditions where we combat frothy swells under swollen skies, but I also appreciate these days when the whales present themselves under pleasant conditions!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Monday, July 27, 2015

Good Afternoon Fluke Faction,

Today we commenced our 9am expedition on the Southwest Corner with Cap’n Bill aboard the Cetacea.  Our adept chieftain sighted three blows lingering on our easterly route, and we quickly recognized Pele and Milkweed amongst the trio!  Mend was also traveling along the two cetacean comrades, but only one of the several synchronized dives revealed the third characteristic fluke pattern.  These whales were diving in intervals of 3-5 minutes, and eventually displayed random travel as a possible sign of foraging or subsurface feeding.

Milkweed traveling with trio. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Pele fluking after Milkweed and Mend. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

At one point a young man, Alexander, observed that Milkweed diverged from her company for one surface interval, peerless behavior she had demonstrated on our last whale watch.  Our insightful passenger may be joining us again for another whale watch in a couple days, as this budding biologist (or future naturalist?) understands that the animal sightings are highly variable on every trip.  Milkweed even surfaced and fluked twice within one minute, suggesting a brief but high rate of vertical travel for purposes unclear.  The oceanic dance of life continued even into the sky, and Miranda joyfully pointed out a juvenile gannet soaring excitedly over our vessel.  We soon departed this dynamic activity to search Midbank, but only happened upon buoys that floated as silent chaperones.

One of several acoustic buoys on the shipping lane. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Today’s morning adventure gifted us with close looks of oceanic mammoths, and I can only hope for these whales to continue flourishing in their coastal feeding grounds.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Good Evening Cetacean Sages,

This morning Megan, Cassie, and I initiated the 11am expedition for the migratory humpback whale amongst rocky swells on the Southwest Corner.  The Aurora came furnished with both a weathered crew and Captain Chip, a veteran of Stellwagen Bank.  Together we found ourselves on an apparent association of four humpbacks who were traveling in a tight formation for the south.  We identified Mend, Northstar, Pele, and Venom as they plowed heroically through an infinite barrage of waves atop mighty swells.  

Milkweed, Mend, Pele, and Northstar is subsurface, traveling with the quintet. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Cassie, our intern with prior whale watching experience in Australia, suspected a fifth whale traveling in the association, and later in the evening we discovered Milkweed's fluke amongst our photos!  We were also taken aback as the whales suddenly began traveling northward in the opposite direction, a diversion in course beyond speculation!  The quintet gradually eased their travel and one individual began flipper slapping as we made our reluctant return to the mainland.

Pele initiating a dive. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Shearwater loitering amongst the activity. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

On our 3pm venture we regained our position on the Southwest Corner with the same pelagic pack of cetaceans, whose behavior was being investigated by our comrades aboard the Miss Cape Ann.  Venom continued to be exhibit an incomplete fluke while Northstar, Mend, and Pele fluked shyly with shallow dives.  As we observed these four leviathans a fifth exploded out of the Atlantic only a couple body lengths from our starboard side!  Milkweed had become the true epicenter of excitement, while her fellow nomads split off to travel in a more subdued fashion.  On our departure Cassie observed a pair of humpbacks head breaching in the distance, dutifully concluding this theater of cetacean percussion on Stellwagen Bank.

Milkweed split from the association and breached. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Milkweed's fluke was verified during a breach. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Milkweed's fourth breach in classic pose. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Ventral characteristics seen in fourth breach. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Sea and sky seemed foreboding on the return. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Today was a rousing introduction for many fledging whale watchers, and we ourselves may never grow weary of these encounters!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Good Morning,

Yesterday on the Southwest Corner of Stellwagen Bank, we unified with Captain Bryan on the Sanctuary to forage for a cetacean cornicopia to feast our senses upon.  Our palette for knowledge guided us to a pairing of humpback whales, Bayou and an unknown neighbor, who were being shadowed by a recreational vessel.  We were charged with excitement when Bayou breached several times, seemingly unhindered by a recognizable damaged right fluke.  The second humpback was seemingly unengaged on our arrival, but eventually decided to swim in close unison with Bayou when the breaching ceased.  

The small recreational boat was quick to linger over the fluke prints following each of the humpbacks' dives, and we were entranced by the behavior soon displayed by the cetaceans.  The whales began surfacing very close to the Sanctuary, opposite the side of the civilian craft's location.  As the boat encircled our vessel, the whales would dive from port to starboard at close proximity within short surface intervals.  The timing and location of the pair's movement seemed to respond directly to the small craft's changing position, and we theorized that the whales were being evasive and using the Sanctuary as temporary refuge!  Our excitement felt as tangible as the "snarge" from the whales' blows that showered onlookers on our vessel, and the whales seemed to pause at our stern when the other craft departed.

Bayou with an unidentified humpback whale. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Bayou approaching our starboard for a dive. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


During our 2pm expedition we returned to the Southwest Corner to find a sparsity of whale activity.  We eventually caught a glimpse of white water bursting on the horizon, and we were soon sharing looks of a surface active humpback duo with whale watching vessels Tails of the Sea and Hurricane II.  All vessels kept a wide berth as we witnessed Hippocampus tail breach, kickfeed, and flipper slap on the surface!  Northstar frolicked nearby, breaching completely out of the water!  It was curious to see this particular association of whales, as the two were seen repeatedly last season when Northstar had a fresh boat-strike injury.

Hippocampus on side. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Leading edge of Hippocampus's pectoral flipper. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Northstar swims by an active Hippocampus. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Northstar's scars from a boat strike last season. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Northern Gannet in adult phase. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


It was inspirational to see both Bayou and Northstar so active despite enduring traumatizing injuries in the past; they remind us to admire with caution while being mindful of our presence in their habitat.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Friday, July 24, 2015

Good Afternoon Peduncle Patrollers,

Today we reunited with Captain Deb and our comrades of the Asteria in our quest for humpback whales on the Southwest Corner.  Maddy and I were fortunate enough to have Laura Howes, lead naturalist and cetologist, in our company!  We soon spotted the proud white plumes of a traveling humpback duo, Venom and Perseid!  Today’s sighting of Venom was unique from yesterday’s observations, as this monumental mysticete wore a satellite tag on the left dorsal flank!  The Center for Coastal Studies has recently continued tagging humpback whales, with the intent of deciphering any health effects imposed by such devices.

Satellite tag visible on Venom's left dorsal flank. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Center for Coastal Studies deployed the tag within the last 24 hours. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Marine biologists have an invested interest in tagging migratory species, as such animals travel to regions that vary in environmental protection.  Sharks are of particular interest for tagging, as the majority of shark species are smaller in scale than whales and can be temporarily removed from the ocean for the application of internal tags.  Dr. Greg Skomal, a local shark scientist of Massachusetts, has collaborated with Ocearch and National Geographic to investigate residency, site fidelity, and habitat use of white sharks and other elasmobranchs worldwide.  He was instrumental in the tagging of juvenile sand tiger sharks at Duxbury Bay from 2009-2012.  There is 49% data deficiency on the population status of sharks, a plight of conservation efforts to which many whale scientists can relate!

Shards pectoral flipper slapping. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

We only grazed upon the science of tagging prior to our departure from Venom and Perseid, but soon happened upon the humpback whale Shards who exhibited the charismatic art of pectoral flipper slapping!  We shared this phenomenal sight with the Aurora, but eventually had to depart for dry land.  Today was a pure pleasure on the calm Atlantic ocean, and I anticipate my next expedition with our excellent interns!

Peace and Love,

Rich

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Good Day Cetologists,

Today aboard the Aurora we searched along the southern perimeter of Midbank under the steady hand of Captain Tom.  We were tasked with the glorious purpose of introducing passengers to the splendor of the humpback whale, and soon we sighted three such whales that were on the very cusp of logging.  The creatures became quite active in the blissfully calm sea, and they were soon embarking on three minute dives, revealing some unique flukes. 

All aboard the Aurora were taken aback by the right fluke of Bayou, which has since healed following a great injury of unknown origin.  Bayou was soon followed into the blue realm by Venom, a whale whose right fluke appears finely carved at the outer extremity.  Perseid was the minority with a complete black fluke, but remained memorable by defecating a tempest of brown feces to begin a sounding dive.

Bayou's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Venom's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Pressed diving behind Venom. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

We were soon drawn north by the blows of two different cetaceans, and we soon found ourselves with two more logging humpbacks!  Eager to identify these mellow mysticetes, I was quick to photograph only the dorsal side of one humpback fluke as it embarked on a deep dive.  My interns Jess and Mira were efficient in identifying the other whales on our expedition, but only the thoughtful investigation of naturalist Annie G verified this whale as Tectonic!  This leviathan was the third humpback of the expedition to bear significant trauma on the right fluke.  Tectonic remained with the unknown whale as we departed for the terrestrial world.

Dorsal view of Tectonic's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Unidentified humpback whale. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Today was a reminder of the fragility of nature, and also of the perseverance of humpback whales who have heroically overcome the physical trauma of their past.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Monday, July 20, 2015

Good Afternoon Humpback Harbingers, 

Today aboard the Aurora we joined the seasoned Captain Chip to search for humpback whales on the Southwest Corner.  We eventually came across two humpback whales who were logging just 10 miles north of Provincetown.  After watching these whales embark on two dives exceeding five minutes in length, we made our way north where we discovered another humpback named Centipede, a whale whose fluke pattern would surely captivate any entomologist!  Resting nearby just under the surface milled Apex with her calf born earlier this year!  The duo continued to log in close proximity to our passengers, further baffling first-time whale watchers with this tranquil behavior.

Meanwhile, Centipede joined with another distant humpback whale and suddenly began breaching with vigor!  Within ten seconds, Apex and her calf awoke from their slumber and embarked on a seemingly deep fluking dive.  Within a minute they exploded through the surface in an incredible synchronized double breach within 200’ of the Aurora!  No photographs exist to verify this sensational surprise, but the calf breached three more times while her mother remained out of sight in the deep blue.   The young whale was quick to revert to tail lobbing and pectoral flipper slapping to round off our expedition, a welcome juxtaposition to the quiet that befell Stellwagen Bank.

It was an honor to witness such mysterious cetacean action, and I am enthused to see what animals and behaviors are manifested in the summer days to come!

Peace and Love,

Rich


Cormorant at Central Wharf. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Apex 2015 Calf breaching. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Apex's calf swimming by port pulpit. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Sunday, July 19, 2015

Greetings Nauticians,

On the 11am whale watch expedition we boarded the Sanctuary with Captain Adam on a heading for the Southwest Corner.  We sighted four oceanic clouds of a cetacean nature, and upon arriving on these blows we first discovered a triage of humpback whales feasting together!  We identified Pharos, Rocker, and Ventisca as they emerged in the epicenter of many a bold bubblenet.  This was my first close encounter with Ventisca, whose fluke and dorsal fin are emblazoned in grey as a result of a unique pigmentation anomaly. 

Ventisca, a humpback with possible leucism. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Note the trailing edge of Rocker's fluke. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

The three mysticeti musketeers were soon accompanied by a fourth humpback whale with a dark fluke we have yet to identify.  Miranda observed that Ventisca was casting the highest fluke of the four diving in synchrony, and speculated that this giant was diving the deepest to either stir the seafloor for prey or to initiate bubblenets with her blowholes.  Ventisca’s superior size may also suggest that she is quite productive in her feeding tactics, which could be beneficial to her smaller counterparts.  Regardless of the speculation of subsurface activity, passengers were just pleased for their close proximity to these humpback whales.

Blow at 300+ mph. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Trio. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Our 3pm trip aboard the Sanctuary brought us back to the feeding grounds of the Southwest Corner, this time under the direction of Captain Dave and Captain Bryan.  We excitedly uncovered a cetacean conglomeration, a mammalian migration of flukes that beckoned for identification!  We spotted Eruption, Giraffe, Pele, Storm, Tunguska, and Moonlight who accompanied two T3’s unknown to my eyes.  One of these whales concluded our expedition with a barrage of tail breaches, flipper slaps, and inverted tail lobs!  

To see such solitary creatures unified in an intent southward movement was a powerful experience, and this season will undoubtedly be memorable to all who bear witness!

Peace and Love,

Rich


Unknown T3 beginning a sounding dive. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist 

Possible juvenile. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Unknown T3 begins to roll. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Unknown whale tail-lobbing off the bow. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Unknown whale rolling. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Saturday, July 18, 2015

Good Evening Cetacean Savants,

This afternoon on the 12pm expedition we engaged the Southwest Corner under the charge of Captain Tom and his hearty Asteria crew.   The awakened seas spurred us to look for blows that would soon dissipate into the Atlantic winds, and after several moments of intent searching we discovered the humpback whale named Nile!  This sizable female was embarking on non-fluking dives of roughly five minutes, and she was recognized by her dorsal as she was reluctant to reveal her famous fluke pattern.  Nile continued on an easterly heading as we made our way north, beckoned by excitement over the radio concerning whale activity at Midbank.

We soon happened upon a humpback whale of unknown origin, but this mountain of mysticete has been sighted recently by other naturalists on Stellwagen Bank.  This colossus had a fluke of yellow coloration, perhaps due to the concentration of diatoms visible on the vast swaths of white tissue.  Several other whales made themselves known with a sudden barrage of blows and fluking dives, and we gleefully identified Echo and Ventisca in this oceanic uproar.  We ended this first expedition with a close glance of a mother-and-calf pair that was actively tail breaching amongst 10-13 humpbacks milling under the ocean swell.

Our 5pm trip was initiated aboard the Cetacea with Captain Bill and his sect of seadogs.  We made the decision to explore the deep of the Northwest Corner, and spent a moment with an unrecognized humpback that was taking dives of several minutes in waters of 280’.  We soon made for the south, only to glimpse another whale embarking on lengthy dives off the edge of the bank.  The fires that burned bright in the hearts of our passengers were slowly extinguished by this sparsity of surface activity, and we soon crossed Midbank with no fortune.

This sudden change in surface activity is characteristic of whale watching, and the evening expedition became a true hunt; linear in nature to the cetacean search practiced by our ancestors under a much different intent.  Our fruitless search was suddenly ceased as Miranda, our NEAQ intern, sighted an eruption of white water on our southward heading.  We were ecstatic to see a humpback whale ABOVE the ocean, and this leviathan continued to breach upon our arrival.  We recognized this cetacean as Galactic, and we bore witness to a marathon of spinning breaches and pectoral flipper slaps of a deafening caliber.   Galactic appeared to have a penchant for regalement, as this theater continued long after we departed for the mainland.

Today’s surprises held true to the romance of whale watching on the capricious ocean blue, and such trials and tribulations are a small price to pay in furthering our understanding of the ocean’s secrets.

Peace and Love,

Rich

Unknown fluke with diatoms. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic on first of many breaches. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Fluke of Galactic. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic working the camera. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic breach. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic breach on horizon. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic's pectoral flippers. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Galactic!! Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


"Zorro was here". Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist


Pleased passengers. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist