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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Machias Seal Island, a Magnificent Trip, Finally.

Atlantic Puffin in Flight

The day we were going out to Machias Seal Island to photograph the puffins and the other bird and animal life around, started out very foggy and we had to leave at 7 AM because of the weather forecast for possible thundershowers in the afternoon.  We arrived at Bold Coast Charter Company in Cutler, Maine, where Capt. Andy got us aboard his boat, the Barbara Frost, and we set sail in the pea soup fog for Machias Seal island.  Capt. Andy pushes boat, so we can get there as soon as we could and while we were traveling, he lectured us on the safety requirements, plus history of and information about what we would see.

Canadian Lighthouse on Machias Seal Island

When we arrived at the island, the weather was bright and sunny, Capt. Andy loaded the first group into the skiff to take us from the Barbara Frost to the landing area on the island.  However, he was not able to land and so he returned to the boat and loaded everybody aboard.  People were very disappointed.  The plan now was to go to a nearby island and photograph the seals, then return to a smooth place on the ocean, anchor and then take small groups of people in the the skiff and close, so they could photograph the puffins and razorbill auks on the water and at the shoreline.

Gray Seal getting ready to launch into the water

Gray and Harbor Seals

Northern Gannet in Glide Mode

The first group went and as they approach near the landing place, the water had calmed down enough that Capt. Andy thought we could land.  He returned to the Barbara Frost, talk to us saying if we land,  we would have to be on the island for at least three hours and would we mind.  The reason everyone was excited is that the "normal" time in the blinds range from 1/2 - 1 hour.  Everybody said let's land.  So Capt. Andy called the people at the lighthouse on the island and then he returned to the island where people were landed in three trips.

Capt. Andy taking the first group to the Island

 Once on the island, the whole group was immediately taken up to a patio area, where the rules were explained.  The main thing is, once we were in a blind, we had to stay there.  If we leave the blind, we had to immediately go back to the patio and we would have to stay there and could not go back into the blinds. The reason for this  is to keep the disturbance of the birds to a minimum.  Because we were going to be on the island for at least three hours, the plan was to change blinds at the hour and a half mark.  We were divided off into groups and off we went to be placed in our blinds.  The reactions of people who had not been ever on the island was wonderful to see once they looked at the beautiful puffins and razorbills.

Atlantic Puffin swimming

Atlantic Puffin just coming out from its burrow

Atlantic Puffin with wing flap

"Listen to me I am talking to you!"

Flock of Razorbill Auks

 At the hour and a half mark, we changed blinds and shot again with our cameras.  These magnificent birds.

Finally, we had to leave and went down to the landing area, where again we were loaded into the boat and carried back out to the Barbara Frost.  While I was waiting to leave, I was able to photograph a number of the puffins flying as they came rocketing by.  You have to see them, to realize how fast they fly.  The puffins flying make the gulls flying look like turtles.

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish in its mouth

Razorbill Auk in flight

Arriving back into the Cutler harbor.  We were able to photograph the Little River Light, which was built in 1840, along with the boats in the harbor.

Little River Light Cutler

 Once on shore, everybody was extremely hungry, so we returned to Machias, and the entire group, went and ate a very late lunch/early supper.  Everybody was so worn out that instead of going for a sunset, they want to go back to the room to rest and download and look at the pictures from that amazing trip.

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Machias Seal Island–People, Birds and Seals

As I have been continuing to my photographs I came across additional ones for Machias Seal Island that I thought would be interesting to the readers of my blog.

Here is a map of the Bay of Fundy showing the location of Machias Seal Island.
A group photograph along with photographs of the group on the boat and listening to Capt. Andy tell us about the safety features and what to expect when we reach the island.

Puffin on the Boardwalk

Spotted Sandpiper

While were on the island, besides the Alcids that were present they were Savannah Sparrows and a Spotted Sandpiper.

Common Murre Flying with Fish in Mouth

I was also able to capture a  Common Murre  flying with a fish in its mouth





After we left the islands and before returning back to Cutler we went and visited the small island where the harbor and gray seals hang out.

Gray Seal

Harbor Seals

Gray Seal

Gray seal with Harbor Seals behind

The Way you can tell the difference between harbor seals and gray seals by the head silhouettes. The harbor seals head silhouette is very rounded with a very shot dog-like snout and the four head slopes into the snout in a concave curve. The gray seals head has a heavy, open quote hot-like" snout and a convex fore head profile. Also the gray seal has a very broad nose. If you examine the pictures the differences are noticeable.

Seabird & Whale Tales

The Sunday prior to me leaving for Churchill, I went on one of the two semi annual all-day Marine Adventure cruises that the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance runs. These trips are called Seabird & Whale Tales and are a fundraiser for the alliance. The trips offer a full day a wildlife viewing and education. There are  guest naturalist onboard that help in identifying the birds, the whales and other wildlife that are observed.
The trips leave from Plymouth Harbor aboard the "Tales of the Sea", a 110 foot commercial whale-watching vessel operated by Capt. John Whale Watching and Fishing Tours.

Plymouth Beach in the fog

We started the day out in fog and and rain, the rain cleared by 10 AM, but we had intermittent fog all day long. The seas initially were 3 to 5 feet, but later in the day when up to 10 feet plus. The captain kept the ride as smooth as possible, when we had to make a turn want to hold on and there were no injuries.


Fin Whale



Fin Whale



Gray Seal



Great Shearwater

Northern Gannet



Sooty Shearwater

Sooty Shearwater

We observed fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales and both harbor and gray seals. Birds included all the shearwaters, northern gannets, many of the gulls and a South Polar Skua. I was not able to obtain a picture of the Skua since I was in the front of the boat and was hanging on during our multiple turns as the captain followed the bird so everybody could obtain a good view of it.

Humback Tail breach

Humpback

Humpback

Humpback Dive



Flipper Slap



Fluke

Feeding

Head of Humpback you can see its eye

Tail Breach

As usual the humpback whales put on a great show with tail breaching, flipper slapping, feeding and other activities.
For those of you who are interested in the natural history of Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagon Bank Marine National Sanctuary, I would recommend that you sign up for one of the Seabird and Whale Tale trips. The next trip will be September 11. To find out more information click on the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance website http://www.necwa.org/trips.html