Pinnipeds and Whale Watching "Humanicus whalewachterous"

Gray Seal

While out on the whale watch trip, we not only came across humpback whales and seabirds, but also two species of pinnipeds.  Pinnipeds are seals and in our area, the most common species are the gray seal -Halichoerus grypus and the harbor seal - Phoca vitulina.  Gray seals are sometimes called "horseheads" because of their large snouts.  Harbor seals snout are more doglike.  Both species of seals enjoyed "human observation" as they gazed at us on the boat as we were watching them.

Gray Seal

Harbor Seal

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean were basically still and clear so you could observe the harbor seal swimming under the water.

Harbor Seal Swimming under the Water

We also observed a new species of animals, whose population increases every year.  The species is "Humanicus whalewachterous".  This species arrives anywhere there is whales in a great variety of ocean crafts.  You all know if you are a member of this species.

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

"Humanicus whalewachterous"

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Whale of a Day

Sunday was a gorgeous day, I spent did with around 100 other people on a whale watching boat (Plymouth Whale Watching), which leaves from the state pier with the Mayflower II is anchored.  The event is the twice a year, "Sea Bird & Whale Tales Excursion" sponsored By the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance.  As opposed to the normal four hour whale watch trip, this is scheduled as a nine hour trip.  There are guest naturalists, NEWAC interns, plus the people on board are interested in nature, bird watching and whales.  Also, the amount of participants is limited.  Therefore, instead of being packed on board like a standard will watch, there is plenty of opportunity to be able to observe and photograph without being crowded.

Today's blog is just going to describe a small portion of the trip.  Since there was enough for a few blogs.  It was a beautiful day with everything from a high overcast bright sunny skies, the seas were basically calm, except in the afternoon down off the side of Cape Cod, where there was more of a slight's swell.  The winds did keep things cool, but not uncomfortable.

After leaving the dock in Plymouth, we slowly made our way around Plymouth Long Beach identifying the birds that were observed.  We then traveled up Cape Cod Bay out into the Atlantic to the Southwest corner of Stellwagon Bank.  As we were coming into Stellwagon Bank in the distance.  We saw a whale watching boat along with two humpbacks that kept breaching.  Slowly moving into the area, we came up to one humpback flipper slapping which it kept up for a while.  Then this whale decided to take a dive, showing us it's tail and then after being down a few minutes, the humpback came up and breached right in front of us.  Lucky I was ready and watching and was able to capture the activity of the breach.  The humpback started flipper slapping again and then for the second time dove and everybody was hoping for another breach.  However, the humpback decided to fool us, swam under the boat and came up on the other side and started flipper slapping.

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae flipper slapping

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae flipper slapping

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae dive

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae breach

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae flipper slapping and you can see the humpbacks eye

Throughout the day we had other encounters with whales in activity and identified all four of the shearwaters, Northern fulmar, parasitic Jaeger and juveniles northern gannets.

Stay tuned for more of this adventure on future blogs.  The second Sunday in September will be the Fall Seabird & Whales Tales Excursion .  More information can be had at http://www.necwa.org/

Baja Whale Watching Tours

It is not too early to think about a trip to Baja California, Mexico, in order to enjoy the whales and other wildlife of the area. Searcher Natural History Tours have a number of 12 day tour is to whale watch, bird, to photography and snorkel.  They can be found on the web at http://www.bajawhale.com/wildlife-tours/baja-whale-watching-tours/.  This is an exciting adventure, plus the food is wonderful.  You can search my blog for more information.

 

 

 

 

You will get up close and personal with the gray whales.  So don't hesitate sign up now so you don't miss your opportunity for a trip of a lifetime.

Whale Watching

I have been going out on whale watches for at least the past 30 years. And I still get a thrill seeing the whales. Most of my whale watching has been out to the Stellwagon National Marine Sanctuary, but I have whale watched on a 27 foot zodiac in Newfoundland and off the boats and the Pacific. As you people who have read my blog, know that I went this past January on a 12 day trip from San Diego down into the Baja following the whales. There in the Baja I had my closest encounter with whales, having the ability to pat a gray whale in Laguna San Ignacio.
I have taken my boys out on will watches and I have taken also some of my grandchildren. My son and grandson are in visiting from England and I just took them out for a whale watch. This was the first time that my grandson had a chance to see the whales.

We took the trip out of Plymouth Massachusetts on the Captain John Boat.
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to leaving,, we walked around the harbor and looked at the common terns and laughing gulls in the area.

Even a Starling posed for its picture.
The day was somewhat cool, it started out sunny and the further we got out into Cape Cod Bay it became cloudy and the seas somewhat rougher. We passed between Plymouth Long Beach and Gurnet Light on Duxbury Beach.
For the first 2 1/2 hours any sightings were very minimal. There were a few gulls and nothing else. We came across another whale watching boat who was observing a fin whale and we were also able to see the fin whale.
It was getting late in the trip, and suddenly activity occurred, it was a breaching humpback whale. A mother and calf humpback whale were in the vicinity and we were treated to observing the whales diving and breaching. Every one on the trip was excited, even me although I have seen this many times in the past. It is always a treat.

If you have never gone on a whale watch, you should at least try to go on one. You do have to remember that whales are wild creatures and you never know what you will see or what activities they would be doing.
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