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