Good Evening Baleen Bohemians,

Today we unified with Captain Chip and the Aurora crew for an 11am exploration of the Southwest Corner.  Our voyage began with a sighting of a Mola mola, known as the ocean sunfish!  These omnivores have a unique tail fin that never fully develops, but instead folds into itself during the animals’ growth to form a rounded rudder called a clavus.  This bony fish species seems cumbersome in shape and mobility, but is capable of breaching 10 feet out of the ocean in a theoretical attempt to rid its body of parasites!

The ocean sunfish, or Mola mola.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

The ocean sunfish is the largest of bony fishes.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

We soon continued to search for mammalian fauna, and found ourselves in the company of five associated humpbacks encompassed by at least 26 recreational boats dispersed over a mile!  We observed Pele with Jabiru and Cajun, whose calves were very surface active.  The quintet took several dives that varied between 1-5 minutes, and the length of each dive seemed to vary if boats moved and impeded attempts to resurface.  Jabiru’s 2015 Calf seemed intrigued by one particular recreational boat, and promptly snaked over to its inhabitants for a VERY close look.  One of the adults had different sentiments toward these human flotillas, and promptly let loose a tail breach next to a nearby vessel that ventured too close.

Jabiru's 2015 Calf amidst calm seas.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Jabiru's 2015 is quite bold in meeting new faces.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Mad momma!  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

After monitoring the overwhelming squall of boats near our platoon of cherished whales, we headed east for land.  Captain Chip suddenly reduced speed and granted us a rare investigation of Prionace glauca, the pelagic Blue Shark!  This individual measured between 6 to 8 feet in length, the size of a mature adult.  Passengers took note of the serpentine motion of its caudal fin and it swam stoically just under the surface.

Blue shark lingering on the Southwest Corner.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

An exciting pelagic find amidst calm seas.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

For our 3pm expedition we returned to the same area of the Southwest Corner and quickly re-sighted the association of five seen on our previous trip.  We were surprised to see an association of whales Gladiator and A-Plus as they crossed paths with Pele’s group.  Gladiator had no reservations about rolling over and flipper slapping with fervor, adding a pulse to our encounters!  Two other humpback duos glided through the area, escaping identification with destinations unknown.

Gladiator.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

Rostrum with scarring from bottom feeding.  Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist

We were elated to see such a diversity of species in the deep blue, and hope that we can all act with respect and reverence towards our nautical neighbors.  It was a pleasure to share today’s sightings with Judie Clee, a cetacean naturalist of Bermuda who happily joined me for a third adventure!

Peace and Love,

Rich