Good Day Pelagic Pilgrims,
Today on our 9am expedition we took flight for the Southwest Corner under falconer Jim, Captain of the Cetacea. Just on the edge of Stellwagen Bank we found Jabiru in full breaching fury under the curious gaze of recreational catamaran, Cattitude. Jabiru took pause from these eruptions, and her 2015 Calf ambitiously mimicked her theatrics (photo)! Our excitement was soon to peak as the encounter transcended from pelagic theatre to a rarely seen lesson of cetacean school.
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| Jabiru's 2015 Calf breaching. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
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| Fluke of Jabiru's 2015 Calf. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
After a six minute dive Jabiru demonstrated some boisterous tail lobbing and kick feeding, and her calf approached her in spyhop position while just keeping an eye at the water’s edge (photo). After a second six minute dive Jabiru resurfaced with flipper slapping, and after a close approach the calf echoed this behavior in complete unison (photo)! The calf followed its mother dutifully, watching her behavior and attempting mimicry of each display!
Interpreting whale behavior can result in the risk of anthropomorphizing certain displays, but the calf’s behavior was undoubtedly a contemplative response to its mothers demonstrations. Just as a newborn whale is lifted upon its mother’s back to learn to breathe, a whale must learn the schematics and capabilities of its own body. Cetologists believe that cultural transmission, or teaching between individuals, is evident in both humans and whales. The possibility of sentience in animals elicits feelings of camaraderie with nature, and to witness such behavior in whales is truly an existential experience.
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| Mimicry between mother and calf. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
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| Ocean sunfish, or Mola mola, easily viewed from our port pulpit. Rich Dolan, BHC naturalist |
Peace and Love,
Rich
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