Good Evening Salty Syndicate,
Today aboard the Cetacea we endeavored for whale sightings in the company of Intern Lorna, Captain Matt, and the Hardy Boys of the BHC. With might we endured heaving swells, and the fog on the Southwest Corner cowered and dispersed upon our approach. From the mist we identified Jabiru and her glorious 2015 calf, and within that moment a third whale erupted from the chasm of Stellwagen’s depths in a full breach! This visceral pageant emphasized the strength and immensity of the humpback whale species. Two other humpbacks in the distance evaded identification, living their aquatic lives in solitude.
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| Calves of Jabiru and Nile. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
Jabiru descended on dives of several minutes to subsurface feed, suggested by the presence of a shearwater that fed upon some aquatic prey following the whale’s return. Her calf would accompany her for a fraction of each dive, only to resurface prematurely to blow bubbles and slap its behemoth pectoral flippers in a spectacle alien to our novice whale watchers. The third humpback whale reemerged in full peduncle pandemonium, displaying atop an erect tailstock the fluke pattern unique to Nile’s 2014 Calf! We soon made west through a thicket of fog, rowdy with excitement borne of the cetacean symphony!
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| Nile 2014 Calf greeting the bow riders. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
The decks clamored with merriment from happy passengers, and tomorrow I hope to further celebrate the wonders of Stellwagen Bank!
Peace and Love,
Rich
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