Tuesday, June 12

This morning we were able to sneak in our school trip before the howling winds arrived. We started the trip checking out a pair of fin whales.

Fin whale #1 of our pair

Fin whale #2 of our pair

During our time watching these enormous mammals a small pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins briefly became associated with the larger baleen whales.

All I could capture was a small glimpse of a dorsal fin from our dolphins. They were zipping around and being impressive in their movements!

The association did not last long for soon the dolphins were on their way and the fin whales were moving in a different direction. We ended the trip checking out Clamp the humpback whale as she moved here and there around the area.

Clamp

Monday, June 11

Today we started our trip with a familiar whale. Clamp the humpback whale has returned for another feeding season! She spent her time cruising around in circles, creating occasional bubble clouds.

Cascading water falling off Clamp's tail

As we watched her a fin whale moved through the area and then a basking shark was spotted.

Subsurface basking shark

Once we continued further offshore we checked out a minke whale before ending the day with a pair of fin whales.

Minke whale

Fin whale (above and below)

Not only was there a variety of life to check out but when you get great looks at all that variety it's always a special day!

Sunday, June 10

Today was another memorable day on the open ocean. Today we started our trip with a pod of 75 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. These whales were steadily on the move as they surfaced on either side of the boat.

A couple of Atlantic white-sided dolphins

Out on the ledge we saw two minke whale and three humpback whales. Our first humpback whale is a Blue Ocean Society adoptable whale: Hornbill!

Hornbill the humpback whale

The day ended with a mother/calf humpback whale pair. We were able to identify mom as Dross. While mom fed near the surface her wiggly calf maneuvered around and even breached for us at one point (unfortunately not capture by camera)!

Dross and her calf

Dross

Mom filtering out lots of saltwater; doing some feeding near the surface

Squirmy calf "stretching" out in all sorts of directions

Saturday, June 9

Today most of our sightings were congregated in one general area. In total, we saw at least 10 minke whales, a basking shark and two pairs of fin whales.

Pair of fin whales at the surface

Basking shark's dorsal fin

At one point minke whales and fin whales were popping up in every which direction. The calm seas allowed for such an enjoyable experience to not only watch the whales but hear their exhalations as they spent time circling around the boat.

The calm seas made for the perfect backdrop to watch whales in, like this massive fin whale

Minke whale

One of the whales we sighted today is a familiar visitor to the area and the first sighting of this whale this season. Welcome back Dingle, one of Blue Ocean Society's adoptable whales!

Dingle the fin whale

Friday, June 8, 2018

Our group from Sunapee, NH was treated to a grand slam today! That’s what we call seeing four species in one trip! Two fin whales, two minke whales, one humpback whale and two pods of Atlantic white sided dolphins were spotted throughout the trip.  The first pod of dolphins stole the show as they swam right up to and alongside the boat! Beautiful creatures!  Our larger whales were a bit elusive, with the humpback whale staying underwater for over 13 minutes!  Watching wildlife continues to fascinate me as we never know what we will see out there!

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Today we brought a group of students from Whitefield, NH out to see whales that live about 170 miles away from them. The trip was a little wet but most of the group embraced the full experience of whale watching. Two humpback whales and a minke whale were seen on Jeffreys Ledge. The first humpback was Nine, a whale who is familiar to us. While we were with our second whale, yet to be identified, Nine breached in the distance. Not long after, our mystery whale breached close to out boat! Awesome day! And Happy Birthday to two of the students, Cheyenne and Alina!! We hope you enjoyed your whale watch birthday!

Saturday, June 2

June has arrived and with it a beautiful way to start the month! The calm seas allowed for optimal sighting conditions. In total we saw 8 minke whales, Ditto the humpback whale, 2 basking sharks and a fin whale. Some whales were spending more time at the surface than others but that's what wildlife does best; keep us on our toes!

Our first whale of the trip, a minke whale

Ditto the humpback whale

One of the additional many minke whales sighted during our trip

Dorsal fin of a basking shark at the surface