Whale Watching Trip October 25, 2009

(note: All photos in this posting are courtesy of wildlife photographer Frank Mullin)

12 noon Whale Watch Trip - Krill 

We had a beautiful sunny day as we headed out of Plymouth Harbor for what was to be our last weekend whale watching trip. The whale watching trip on Saturday (yesterday) was canceled due to high winds and sea so we were very excited about getting offshore. As we headed towards the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank, we noticed large numbers of Northern gannets which are the largest seabirds that feed in our waters. Most of the individuals were adult birds with a sticking plummage that included a white body, black wing tips and a yellow head. Seeing seabirds offshore is a great sign for it indicates that we are in productive areas. And since these birds feed on the same small schooling fish that the whales feed on, it also means that we have a good chance of finding whales.

As we came onto the SW corner, we saw a number of blows scattered through the area. As we slowed down, we saw two huge splashes approximately 1/2 mile east of our position. As we approached this active pair of humpbacks, we realized that we had a Blackhole and her calf who were traveling with an adult male named Seal. Blackhole was spinning head breaching repeatedly and the calf was staying close to mom. Seal was following from behind. Not sure why Blackhole was so active, but the aerial displays were breathtaking. 

Frank Mullin, a wildlife photographer who was aboard the boat shot some really wonderful images of Blackhole which are included in this blog. In fact, all images in this posting are from Frank Mullin (enjoy!). As we watched this trio, Seal started to move off from the mother and calf. This is not unusual as the only long-term or permanent association in baleen whales is that of the mother and calf. 

We picked up Seal a bit later in our trip and shot a number of wonderful photos of this male humpback whale. Seal was born into the population in 1984 to a mother named Mars so this male is close to 24 years old. It is wonderful what has been learned from studying these animals for over 30 years. 

And much of the data collected on whales has come from having researchers work aboard whale watching boats. By combining commerce and science, much has been learned about the biology and ecology of the humpback whale. And it is through such collaborations that are offered by Capt. John Boats, that researchers and student interns are able to collect this very important information. Capt. John Boats provides space for interns aboard their vessels for a number of nonprofit organizations. We would like to thank them for their long-term involvement in the research and conservation efforts that are being conducted in this area. 

After leaving Seal, we picked up another trio of humpback whales which included a mother and calf who were traveling with a humpback whale named Putter. We never saw the flukes of this mom so will need to look at the dorsal fin much more closely to determine her identity. Both mom and Putter appeared to be feeding deep as they circles the bait when surfacing. The calf was close behind or in the mix which seemed to bother the adults. Soon are humpback whales will start heading south for their winter retreat in the warm waters of the Caribbean. And either on the way back to the Caribbean or when down there, this mother and calf will separate. So mom doesn't have to be patient much longer for the calf only stays with the mom for a year and that year is almost up. 

As we headed home, many of our passengers joined Krill, Magaly, Nick and Jonathan on the upper deck to pick up educational material and look at our hands-on display items including humpback baleen, dolphin teeth and preserved samples of sand lance and copepods. 

Big smiles and thumbs up from many of our passengers aboard the boat today. A beautiful day offshore with fabulous looks at very endangered and special marine animals.

1220 Whale Watch Trip - Krill 

We finally had a chance to get offshore after a double Noreaster passed through the area. We were very curious about what we would find offshore as we headed to the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank. Winds we light out of the west and the southeast swell created by the passing Noreaster was not a high as we had expected. Our luck was with us as we found a humback whale named Cajun on the western side of the corner. 

We followed Cajun as this whale was slowly heading to the north. As we watched Cajun surface right next to the boat, our passengers got an up close and personal look at one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. At one point, Cajun surfaced right off the bow of the boat before lifting its tail out of the water on a fluke out dive. As we held position for Cajun to return to the surface, we noticed two more humpbacks in the area but distant and one minke whale. 

A beautify day offshore and fabulous looks at a very special humbpack whale named Cajun.

Whale Watching Trip October 15, 2009

12 noon Whale Watch Trip - Fred

It was a gray day offshore, cold and damp, but not as windy as predicted, and there was excellent visibility for spotting whales.

Aboard the Tails of the Sea we ended up just a bit NE of the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank, where there were a dozen or so humpback whales scattered about. Many of the whales were solitary and seemed to be feeding during long dives, spending little time at the surface. However, there were two mother/calf pairs present, spending more time at the surface, and so we spent most of our time with them.

We were not able to identify the first mother whale because she did not lift her tail flukes in the air (and it usually is the markings under the tail flukes that we use for identification). However, we were able to recognize the second mom as Nile almost immediately. Nile has a very hooked dorsal fin, which is not common but is also not unique. Nonetheless, she does have what looks like a large white "smudge" (which is actually a complex group of white markings) at the base of the right side of the dorsal fin (see photo above) that is indeed unique. (We did get to see Nile's tail flukes later on, shortly before heading home, for ID confirmation.)

We witnessed apparent nursing behavior by both mother/calf pairs, and we also had a close approach (a "Close Encounter of the Whale Kind") by the first pair (especially by the inquisitive youngster - see top photo), and that first calf also breached once, which probably was the high point of the trip for many of the passengers.

Our boat was not the only boat in the vicinity of whales near the SW corner - the Research Vessel "Auk", operated by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, was also in the area, presumably doing some research on the whales there (see photo above).  However, on such a steel cold fall day, there were no other boats within several miles of us.

Whale Watching Trip October 13, 2009

12 noon Whale Watch Trip - Krill 

A windy and rainy day offshore. But the weather did not dampen our spirits as we headed offshore to the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank. Here we found two of the most famous humpback whales in the world, Salt and Cardhu. Both are mature females who have each brought back 11 calves into our feeding grounds since the 1970's. 

And these two females have often been seen traveling together when neither animal has a calf. Perhaps these two experienced moms are exchanging stories about previous calves they are raised or perhaps they just enjoy each other's company. Both animals were logging (resting) side-by-side as they slowly moved through the area. 

After leaving this wonderful pair, we picked up four humpback whales traveling together. In this group, we were able to easily identify as Fulcrum and her calf of this year. Fulcrum is very easy to identify offshore for she has extensive propellor scars running along her back. In fact, this injury totally cut off her dorsal fin. Although the scars are extensive, Fulcrum is fine and is doing a great job raising a young and boisterous calf. We think one of the whales traveling with Fulcrum and calf was Ampersand, but this whale did not raise its flukes on any dives. 

(Fulcrum and calf traveling at the surface)

Soon the two unknown humpbacks separated from Fulcrum and calf and moved off to the east. We followed this pair in the hopes of getting a look at the ventral tail pattern so we could identify one or both individuals. However, neither animal fluked-out when diving so we were not able to determine their identity.  

(Fulcrum's upper back on the right side)

A rainy and cold day offshore, but fabulous looks at quite a few humpback whales, including a very special mother and calf pair. As we headed home, our passengers were elated with the sightings for the day. 

Whale Watching Trip October 12, 2009

12 noon Whale Watch - Krill 

We headed offshore with NW winds and great visibility.  As we crossed over the SW corner of the bank, we found Blackhole and her calf. Both animals were staying down for long periods of time so we continued to head to the east. Our captain was talking on the VHF radio to other vessels offshore and they where reporting a large concentration of humpbacks on the SE corner of Stellwagen Bank. We passed a few more humpbacks on our way to the east side of the bank.

As we arrived in this area, we found Anchor and her calf of this season (see images of Anchor fluking-out above). The calf was a bit playful as it rolled over on its side and lifted its flipper out of the water. As the calf slapped its flipper on the water's surface, it made a loud sound that was easily heard over the hum of the boat's engines (see image below). 

As we watched this pair, a third humpback surfaced off our Port side and came right over to the boat. This appeared to be a young whale given its smallish size. This animal was very curious about us or the boat or both and spent over 20 minutes with us as we drifted offshore. As the whale repeatedly dove under the boat coming up on alternate sides of the vessel, our passengers were thrilled to have a close encounter with one of the largest endangered marine mammals that feeds in the waters off Cape Cod. 

After approximately 15 minutes, this young animal started to feed by using a kick feeding technique. After smashing the surface with its tail (fluke), the whale would dive beneath the school of fish and blow a series of bubble columns creating a barrier or netlike structure. The bait must have been low in the water column, for the whale was lunging beneath the water's surface. Even though we could not witness open mouth feeding at the surface, the powerful kicks and bubble structures right next to the boat were incredible sights for all of us onboard. 

There were approximately 10 other humpbacks in this same area and other whales were just starting to feed at the surface. Also feeding in this area were a number of pelagic seabirds including Cory's seawaters, greater shearwaters and one sooty shearwater. We are also starting to see sea ducks migrating offshore and today we had great looks at common eiders migrating west. 

Whale Watching Trip October 11, 2009

12 Noon Whale Watch - Krill 

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Plymouth Harbor. However, the marine forecast was calling for increasing winds out of the NW. As we left Plymouth Harbor and headed south for Stellwagen Bank, sea conditions offshore were better than the forecast had predicted. We had 2 foot seas, but the ride to the east was smoother than expected since the winds and the waves were on our stern quarter. 

As we approached the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank, we sighted a few humpback whales that were feeding deep. We decided not to stop on these animals, but instead continued east for other whale watching boats were talking about a large concentration of humpback whales on the SE corner of the bank. As we approached the eastern side of the bank, we saw at least 15 humpbacks spread out over a 2 mile radius. 

As we settled into the area, most of the whales were spending a good deal of time beneath the surface. This made it difficult for us to get good looks at any individual. Our first good look was at a mother and calf pair. This mom turned out to be Ganesh and her calf of this year. Mom and calf were swimming side-by-side and it was wonderful to see how big the calves are getting (see image above). 

However, within 15 minutes of our arrival, we started seeing signs of feeding in some of the humpbacks just NE or us. So we headed that way in the hopes that these whales would start surface feeding. And boy, did they start surface feeding!

Many of the humpbacks started to kick feed, a technique where they smash their tail (fluke) on the water's surface in an attempt to disturb the bait and confuse the bait (see above image of Tracer kick feeding). Then they spiral beneath the school of fish and blow bubbles in a ring-like structure. This bubble nets helps the whale confine and therefore, concentrate the fish. So as they whale rises to the surface with mouth wide open, it will get more water and fish per lunge. 

After lunging, the whale will spend a few minutes straining or pushing the water back through the baleen plates in order to have only the fish remain in its mouth.  Then down the throat the fish go!  Hundreds of pounds at a time.

We were able to ID some of the humbpacks in this group which included: Tracer, Evolution, Thumper and calf, Ember, Pinpoint, Glostick, Gladiator and Banyon. Banyon's ventral tail pattern and tail stock is heavily scarred, a testament to previous entanglement in fishing gear. Many of our whales show signs of gear entanglement which is an every present hazard for any marine mammal feeding in our productive waters.  But our fishermen need to make a living as well, so finding a compromise and creating gear that is as "marine mammal friendly" as possible is the goal of many biologists, scientists and fishermen. 

Whale Watching Trip October 10, 2009

12 noon Whale Watch - Fred 

Contact between whales and man have not always been beneficial.  Historically, of course, whaling has killed untold thousands and thousands of whales, although commercial whaling is currently internationally banned.  (However, despite the international ban on commercial whaling, it does still go on, currently involving whalers from Japan, which has never stopped killing whales, and Iceland and Norway, both of which periodically stop and restart whaling on a year-to-year basis).

Besides the obvious direct negative effect on whales from whaling, whales also suffer at the hands of man indirectly and/or unintentionally, due to such causes as pollution, fishing gear entanglements, collisions between whales and boats and ships, etc.  Most specifically here, whales and man do come into close physical proximity within the Massachusetts Bay area (including, of course, within the Stellwagen bank National Marine Sanctuary).

While many people do enjoy watching whales and other marine life on whale watch vessels (and on private boats as well), all boats and ships in the vicinity of whales legally must maneuver with the highest regard for the safety of the whales.  Unfortunately, not everyone on the water around the whales in Massachusetts Bay is careful.

Commonly, some fishing boats could endanger whales.  Commercial fishing vessels often drag nets and move around (fortunately usually fairly slowly) oblivious to whales near them.  Some sport-fishing boats, especially some of the tuna boats on and around Stellwagen Bank, more insidiously may even operate intentionally close to whales in the badly mistaken idea that tuna are always associated with whales.  [This is not at all a criticism of all fishing boats by any means - I am referring to a minority of short-sighted boat captains.]

Many people who own their own pleasure boats seek out whales to watch, and, while most seemingly do try to be careful around whales, it seems to this observer that some private boats operate around whales without being fully aware of how much danger they put whales (and themselves) in due to often excessive speed and an altogether frequent lack of patience around whales.  [This is not a criticism of all private "whale watching" boats, by the way - I am referring only to the few that are reckless and to the not-so-few that are careless - fortunately, whales seem to be smarter about boats than some boat operators are about whales.]

Commercial whale watch vessels also must be very careful, during every second of every minute of every trip they are near whales.  Since commercial whale watch boats spend a lot of time close to whales, their captains are generally very careful as well as knowledgeable about how to safely operate in the vicinity of whales.  Nonetheless, constant vigilance is required by every whale watch vessel on every trip intended to spend time near whales.

Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions (and unfortunately sometimes due to less than the best of intentions), whales have been injured, sometimes badly (and sometimes even mortally), by contact with ships and boats of all sizes and types.  A number of Massachusetts whales carry wounds and scars from contact with vessels, especially from propellers that were in motion when they should not have been.  Unfortunately, on today's whale watch our passengers and crew witnessed all too clearly the sad result of an incident that must have occurred sometime back in July.  Let me explain...

For today's trip we headed out of Plymouth, bound for the SW corner of Stellwagen Bank, where we did quickly find a solitary humpback that seemed to be deep feeding, but which also started tail breaching and lobtailing a bit, seemingly in response to some whales already doing the same a couple miles to the NE.  So, after enjoying the activities of our first whale, we headed off to the NE to visit with the humpbacks (probably 12 to 15) scattered about "up" there.  (I think it is it interesting how we sometimes use "up" for north and "down" for south, even on a level sea.)

We spent much of our time watching four whales, who sometimes came together as a foursome and sometimes split apart into two pairs.  One pair was of a mother and her calf while the other pair consisted of a whale known as Bayou and another young humpback.

Often we identify individual humpback whales by the natural markings under their tail flukes (and sometimes, less often, by the dorsal fins).  However, quite sadly, sometimes we can easily identify an individual whale simply due to some obviously human-caused wounds and/or scars, and such was the case on this trip with the young humpback known as Bayou.

Bayou is the 2006 calf of Trident.  I personally have not (knowingly) seen Bayou often this season (perhaps because it is a whale that spends most of its time on the N end of Stellwagen Bank).  I did see Bayou on May 30th of this year (please see the top photo for a routine ID shot from that trip), with no obvious wounds of any sort visible.  However, a Gloucester boat reported on July 21st that Bayou had been badly wounded, with obvious and serious propeller damage to the right tail fluke.  Unfortunately for Bayou, identification will now forever be extremely easy due to these wounds (please see the other two photos from today's trip).

I do not know the extent of Bayou's healing that has occurred since July.  Whale watch naturalists do get to see a few (yet far too many) humpback whales with wounds that have healed apparently reasonably well (generally with white and/or black scarring).  However, Bayou still shows some seemingly raw-looking areas, but hopefully these will eventually heal over.  As for long-term effects on Bayou, one can only guess.  We do know of a number of other humpbacks that have suffered serious tail fluke wounds and yet have survived for often many years afterward.  Nonetheless, it would seem that, even if full healing does occur, Bayou's swimming efficiency has to be lessened at least somewhat, and there is likely to be a torsion (or twisting) effect on the vertebral column and tail muscles due to the asymmetry of Bayou's tail flukes.

We did notice that Bayou seemed to be behaving normally (as much as we could tell) - at least, Bayou did participate in some of the tail breaching and lobtailing activity that several of the whales in the area were exhibiting.

When returning to port, I nearly always remind the passengers on "my" whale watch trips that we are easily the most dangerous species on our shared planet, and that I hope that they agree that the whales (and other creatures) are worth protecting, and, if so, then whale watching has to have an overall positive effect on the whales (and the rest of our environment).  However, usually this thought is not punctuated with such an exclamation point as on this particular trip.  So, while our whale watch trip was indeed quite successful and enjoyable overall, it was also a sobering experience for the passengers and crew aboard the Tails of the Sea.  We can only wish Bayou good luck, future health, and lasting peace.

Additional photos from today's trip at

http://www.flukeshots.net/2009/091010/