THE PELAGIC PILGRIMAGE: 08.31.15 10am & 2pm Whale Watch Expeditions 055 & 56

Greetings Monks of the Mysticeti,

Saturday was a fine day on the southern perimeter of Stellwagen Bank, as we were in the company of Captain Adam aboard the bold Sanctuary. For our 10am voyage we found ourselves in the company of the humpback whale Rapier as she was nursing her gargantuan 2015 calf. There was a third whale unfamiliar to me who we dubbed “Christian Rock”, as the left fluke bore black colorations that looked like earphones accompanied by a crucifix. This whale was in fact Lutris, who anointed passengers with a mighty baptism of snarge.

Rapier's fluke pattern. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

My introduction to Lutris. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Lutris (submerged), Rapier (middle) and Rapier's 2015 Calf (closest to boat). Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Rapier’s 2015 calf was discharging bubbles prior to surfacing, possibly practicing the craft of bubblecloud feeding. This youngling followed its mother closely, occasionally swimming under Rapier’s massive tailstock for milky nourishment. The clear visibility of the ocean permitted us to monitor every movement by following their flippers, made green by phytoplankton flourishing on the surface. Lutris remained close as the calf began rolling on the surface, permitting photographs of its ventral flanks that can be used to determine gender!

Rapier's 2015 Calf emitting a blow. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Rapier's 2015 Calf. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Rapier's calf bears features used to identify gender. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

White scarring on calf suggests past entanglement. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Our 2pm expedition brought us to the Southeast Corner amongst associations of whales that evaded us in seas of 180’. We were soon parallel to humpback whales who Adam identified as Hancock and her 2015 calf, who were accompanied by Venom. The tiny calf was dwarfed by its mother who cast her tailstock from the sea, wildly pivoting her fluke in a pinwheel fashion!

Hancock's tail. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Hancock's fluke pattern. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Hancock's 2015 Calf dwarfed by Venom. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

An association of two whales we searched for earlier began breaching, and Venom became crazed in a repertoire of breaching and double- flipper slapping! Our trip ended with flamboyant rain-blow of water vaporized from Venom’s blowholes! It was a mystical conclusion to a mysticete day!