Hello again to all our readers!

It has been two weeks since we last published a copy of our Cruise Report and we have a bit of catching up to do. Unfortunately, due to logistical complications last weekend, we were not able to get Issue #8 out on schedule so I’d like to offer it to you now. I hope you enjoy!

Our 2017 season may be over the hump, with more weeks behind us than remaining ahead, but that does not mean the season is short of humpback whales! Our ten-week season is at the peak of the longer time the humpbacks are on the Silver Bank so we are always confident that we will see and swim with the whales every time we head out.
 

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There was no doubt about seeing whales this week. For whatever reason it seemed there were more whales breaching more frequently than average and at times they seemed to be popping up all over the place. And while one of our running jokes is that breaching always seems to take place on the horizon, the truth is that it can happen almost anywhere at any time. As if to prove the point, our whaleboat Pec started out the week on Sunday afternoon with the most dramatic and up-close display of breaching we have seen in this season, possibly in a couple years. Just a short distance outside the anchorage the boatload of guests was thrilled to watch as two big adult humpbacks took turns energetically launching themselves out of the water. The pair alternated back and forth, breaching more than fifteen times at a distance of less than one hundred yards. It was a spectacular show that everyone on the Silver Bank enjoyed, whether near or far. It was hard to miss!

There have been lots of mothers and calves around too, some which we have come to recognize or be able to identify. This week’s group was treated early to two classic Silver Bank encounters. One was with the female named Bolide and her calf. We swam with Bolide and calf earlier this season and much like the last interactions, Bolide was very relaxed while her calf was boisterous and playful. While Bolide rested below the calf twisted, spun, and frolicked continuously at the surface giving our guests a fantastic interaction (above).

A little later we had a similar interaction with a pair we did not recognize, which is often the case (below, click images for larger view). Everyone got another fun swim and and a great start to the week. This and the breaching all on the first afternoon!








 

Monday carried on with the breaching action while one of our boats was tracking a mother and calf. This energetic little whale did a variety of more than 150 lunges, breaches and chin breaches in just over an hour’s time. Sometimes it seemed to specifically approach the boat to show off its moves, launching itself again almost as quickly as it had splash-landed. We’ve seen displays of 100+ breaches from calves in the past but this one may have set a new record.

On Tuesday we met and swam with yet another mother and calf. The mother has a distinctly sickle-shaped dorsal fin and a big female calf that loves to play. We couldn't immediately identify her but with a dorsal fin like hers we will be able to recognize her in the future (photo: Ben Vieyra).

On Wednesday we had an excellent swim with a singing male, spending more than an hour taking turns immersed in his song. With very good conditions we were able to listen to and record the song, capturing one of the longest and best recordings of the season.
 

On Thursday we had a couple noteworthy sightings. The first was a whale that was lobtailing vigorously, giving quite a show and providing a great photographic opportunity. Later when we compared the photos (below, click for larger view) to our copy of the catalog of Gulf of Maine humpbacks we identified this individual as a whale named “Valley”. Another match!

Later in the day we tracked a mother and calf who were accompanied by a male escort and his challenger who was maneuvering and trying to displace the escort and take over that coveted position at the female’s side. Following the female, the group ended up swimming into the shallowest part of the reef, weaving through the countless coral head that are found there. At one point the female lifted her fluke and we recognized her as Bolide again! Eventually Bolide, her calf and escort swam through a particularly narrow gap between coral heads at which point the challenger decided not to follow, turning off for a deeper part of the Silver Bank. It was an exciting evolution of behaviors, made more so by the fact that we’d swum with Bolide and calf a few times before.

Fun With Flukes!

All in all we had another fine week out with the whales. It has been great fun making matches all season, recognizing and identifying more and more whales all the time. As time goes on we have been able to get to know some of the whales and their unique personalities much better. We will always be happy to see Canopy or Bolide on any week! We have only shared a few of the more noteworthy stories in these Reports but over the course of the season there have been dozens of others that have as yet gone unidentified. At the start of this season we've had more than 170 flukes matched since 2008. Our latest fluke images will be passed along to curators of catalogs in the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Massachusetts and Maine and we hope to fill in a few more gaps as those experts weigh in. We are looking forward passing the 200 milestone, maybe in the next few weeks.

Until then, thanks for reading,

If you'd like to become a citizen scientist and make your own contribution to our understanding of the North Atlantic humpback whale, and have a great time swimming with them, too, join us next year! We still have space available on selected 2018 cruises and are actively taking reservations now. Take a look at our Schedule & Availability  and Contact Us to book a place. We look forward to helping you make a match of your own!