Good Evening Odonticetes,
On our midday expedition we took to the seas upon the metal steed Asteria under the reign of Captain Deb and her salty crew. Upon arrival to the Southwest Corner we encountered at least seven finback whales and three minkes who seemed focused on the abundant prey that has swarmed Stellwagen Bank. The Asteria was soon encircled by hungry humpback whales, and our captain led us into a dance of close encounters and evasive maneuvers among a forest of green bubbles.
The first humpback sighting was of Soot and Lariat, who were infrequently fluking and most likely subsurface feeding in the privacy of the deep. Midnight too made a cameo, casting a field of dark fluke over the seas. Stub was the fourth humpback to unfurl a flag of black and white, a celebrated emblem of the cetacean nation. Fulcrum also hailed us from afar with her characteristic scarring from a likely boat propeller interaction. We were elated to also experience an enormous mother-of-a whale, Spoon! She was accompanied by her calf who has become a participant in bubblenet feeding, the rite of passage for young humpback whales!
We soon happened upon the trio of Nile, Pitcher, and Northstar who seemed adhered to each other in their travels. They were tasked with chasing their prey to the ocean’s surface, the realm by which few fish can escape! As we gazed upon these mammalian anomalies feeding dutifully in this legendary luncheon, we were enamored with the beauty that is the face of a humpback whale. Turbercles, baleen, and scars encapsulate the unusual nature of a whale’s face, a mug that is alien but captivating.
It was an afternoon filled with splendor, and an experience that will take roost in the memories of all on Stellwagen Bank!
Peace and Love,
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