Pages

Saturday, July 31, 2021

July 29-30, 2021

July 29, 2021

Thursday morning we left the harbor to find glass-calm seas and cool temperatures. The first thing we spotted was a harbor seal! We then made our way to the same area we have been visiting for a couple weeks now and found two sleepy humpbacks. They were napping almost the entire time we spent with them and did not lift their flukes up. We were, fortunately, able to identify these two by their dorsal fins as Sword and Tripod. 


After leaving these two to nap, we spotted Frost going down for a dive ahead of us before spending time with a pod of 40-50 Atlantic white-sided dolphins! This pod was active and gave our passengers a great show of jumping and wake-riding. 


We then found Clamp, who approached the boat after a dive and gave our passengers really good looks! We were really able to appreciate her massive size! We passed through the Isles of Shoals on the way home and spotted a few gray seals.


The afternoon trip could not have been more different. The wind had picked up and gave us quite the challenge of making our way to the whales. Thankfully with the help of another whale watch boat, we eventually found ourselves surrounded by humpbacks in the choppy water. We got close looks at Owl and Pinball, and Satula was spotted further away. 



We even got to see some lobtailing and tail breaching from a whale named Wigwam. 

We had some distant breaching as well, but the crazy conditions and distance didn’t allow for the identification of these whales. We made it safely back to the harbor to find rain waiting for us. Thank you so much to yesterday’s passengers for braving the conditions and enjoying the whales with us!


July 30, 2021

After yesterday’s stormy afternoon, we were pleasantly surprised to wake to sunshine and light wind. A decent-sized swell was all that remained of the strong wind and rain just 15 hours earlier.  Heading out to where we had whales on our last trip, we found most of the same whales still in the area. Humpback whales were the dominant species yet again, but we did see a few minke whales along the way. Owl was the first to be seen as she swam back and forth within the fleet of tuna-fishing boats. She wasn’t always lifting her tail when she dove but we knew it was her based on the distinctive scar she bears on her back, evidence of a collision with a boat when she was young.  Although she crossed below the fishing boats’ fishing lines and lures multiple times, she luckily managed to not get snagged in the gear.

 


Wigwam was in the area as well, and then we moved on to a pair of humpbacks, Frost and Jawa who were slowly swimming to the north. A couple of other whales were seen here and there, but then we saw a dorsal fin that wasn’t familiar to us. We waited and waited as this whale was taking 10-14 minute-long dives but eventually we were able to get in a good position to see the flukes when the whale dove. Pixar, the humpback, is a new whale for us for the season and one that we have only seen a couple of times before!

 


We got the afternoon trip in just before the NW wind picked up. Passing a grey seal on our way out, we found many of the same humpback whales that we saw in the morning, plus a few more! Pixar was now with Sword and Tripod. Tripod was flipper slapping repeatedly! Sometimes she even slapped both flippers while she was belly-up! Sword lobbed his tail on the surface and seemingly left the other two, but just a few minutes later he was back in the trio. 

 


Owl was also seen and tail-lobbed once and then was blowing bubble clouds to concentrate her prey.


Just outside of the tuna fleet, we found more whales! Jawa, Wigwam, Clamp and Frost were zig-zagging back and forth. Out of nowhere, Wigwam leaped from the ocean, pretty close to our boat! (no pictures of that rare event )  Jawa and Frost reunited and paid us a close visit while a harbor seal was also close by! 




Pinball and Satula were also in the area although we didn’t get great looks at them.

The ride home was a little wet due to the sea spray that was kicked up by that strong NW wind, but overall, a fantastic day on the ocean!

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

July 28, 2021

This morning, the cloudy skies and leftover north wind made for a chilly ride out in search of whales.  Throughout the trip, the sky cleared although the wind held on, making for a rocky ride. Fortunately, the ride wasn’t too long before we found our first whale. 

Humpbacks were the only species to be seen but they certainly did not disappoint. Clamp was our first whale, followed by the Sword and Tripod together. Wigwam was in the distance and we ended our trip with Owl. Sword stole the show when he decided to start breaching and then lob-tailing over and over!  





Owl, the humpback whale

The wind dropped for our afternoon trip making for a more comfortable ride. We tried to get some looks at a large pod of harbor porpoises, but as usual, they wanted nothing to do with us.  Next, we found a very cooperative pod of about 20 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. These animals were curious and friendly, spending a good amount of time with us before moving on. 

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

For whales, we saw the humpbacks Tripod and Sword, still together, Satula who was doing a bit of traveling, and Jawa and Frost. This pair was napping until suddenly Frost woke up and tail-breached twice before beginning to lob-tail! Fantastic views of whale behavior, for sure!  



A minke whale was spotted in the area, and we passed a small group of porpoises on our trip home.

For our birding friends, the avian presence left much to be desired. A manx shearwater and Wilson’s storm petrels were seen in the morning, and the afternoon trip saw a couple of northern gannets and more storm petrels. Hopefully, the birds will pick up soon!

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

July 26-27, 2021

It was another day of wonderful whales on Monday. In the morning, five humpback whales were sighted along with seven minke whales.

Blue Ocean Society adoptable whales Owl, Satula and Pinball were even seen on both trips!

Owl
Pinball

In the afternoon a total of seven humpback whales were found, a minke whale, an ocean sunfish and even a quick glimpse of a blue shark. So many special moments of wildlife recently!


On Tuesday the weather and whales continued. During the morning trip eight humpback whales were seen along with a massive fin whale. Fin whale sightings have been few and far between this season so it was a wonderful surprise to come across.

Owl the Humpback whale in the foreground while a fin whale surfaces nearby!
Fin whale!


Humpback whales in the morning included Wigwam, Crisp, Frost, Tripod, Sword, Clamp, Satula and Owl. The afternoon provided plenty of great looks at eight of the humpback whales we spent time with. A couple harbor seals even made a brief appearance. Our afternoon passengers were able to check out humpback whales Clamp, Satula, Jawa, Frost, Pinball, Tripod, Owl and Wigwam.


Harbor seal

Sunday, July 25, 2021

July 23-25, 2021

The good weather and wildlife continued on Friday. In the morning, we spent time with six humpback whales and a large pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. You couldn't ask for better ocean conditions to enjoy so much life in the open ocean.



Remnant of a bubble cloud

As mentioned by many on board, the dolphins stole the show.

Atlantic white-sided dolphin (above and below)

On Friday afternoon we scooted around a few showers and checked out 11 humpback whales and a pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins!

Afternoon dolphins

A handful of minke whales were also seen during our time offshore. This time the baleen whales were stars of the afternoon with flipper slapping by a few whales and even a breach!

Whales for the day included Sedge, Clamp, Satula, Badge, Owl, Jawa, Spoon, Chromosome, Frost, Quote, Tripod, Valley, Tornado and Sword.





Saturday morning we found a whale shortly after passing by the Isles of Shoals. Gondolier the humpback whale was moseying through the area. Further offshore we found five additional humpback whales including THREE Blue Ocean Society adoptable whales- Pinball, Satula and Owl! We also spent time with Jawa and Clamp.



Owl and her bubble cloud in the foreground

Saturday afternoon the beautiful ocean conditions continued. We checked out 11 humpback whales as more were always spouting in the distance. Clamp, Satula, Quill, Jawa, Owl and Sedge were some of the individuals we enjoyed during the afternoon.



We also had a surprise sighting of a mother-calf humpback whale pair in the area. Welcome Bayou and her 2021 calf!

Bayou and her calf
These two were initially mellow but that quickly changed. The calf came alive as we witnessed this whale breach numerous time in all sorts of ways. What a great way to wrap up a stunning day on the water.
Bayou's calf

As always Mother Nature has the upper hand so we are staying tied to the dock today, Sunday, thanks to the high winds wafting through the area. No worries, we will be back out soon enough.