Whale Watching at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
(Picture of Fulcrum's Calf)
Last Thursday, I checked off one of my wishes since I was a boy: to see some whales. I feel one life wish less, but I also feel enriched by the whole experience. After a sleepless journey from New York to Gloucester, there they were in front of me: the largest animals on the planet.
I wanted more than the usual whale watching experience, so I signed up for a slightly more expensive whale watch on board the research boat Mysticete of the Whale Center of New England. It's a small 8 passenger boat used for whale observations by the scientists at the center. One added feature of the trip is that you also get to help out with the research. I was able to spot a whale for the group at one time which made me feel useful. But most of the time I took pictures and asked questions.
Since I had no expectations -- whatever I experienced was fantastic.
When I first moved to New York seven years ago, I did not leave the city maybe after almost 2 years -- and when I did, which was take a train to southern New Jersey -- I felt a bit agoraphobic. I saw an unobstructed sky for the first time in a while. The trip to see the whales was even more dramatic in comparison. Not only did I have the vast open sky above me, I also had the wide open ocean all around me while on a tiny bouncing boat. This time however I embraced the wonder of it all in awe.
Mason, our captain, pointed out the seabirds to me, which turned out to be the most fascinating sight of my trip. There were common seagulls, shearwaters, but also these tiny petrels from Antarctica that migrate all the way to the north for the Summer. These tiny birds live all their lives above the ocean. I think that's amazing. The ocean surface is like land to them. When they get tired, they just land on the water and rest. And when they fly again, they do a running a start on the water -- and thus their name "petrel" after St. Peter who allegedly walked on water.
The first whales I saw (and I've ever seen) were Fulcrum and her calf. The scientists identify Humpback Whales by the black and white markings under their tail flukes. Fulcrum however has an additional identifier since her dorsal fin bears the scars of a collision with a ship. We followed them for a while, which was another aspect I learned: a lot of time is spent waiting for whales to show up and breathe. Humpback Whales take a few breaths before they dive back into the water. It's during this time that you get a glimpse of their backs, and then when you see them arch down, they'll be gone for a while and maybe appear a mile away (or never). So we spent most of the time looking around in the vast waters trying to spot a blow spout. And when we do, the captain cranks up the boat and speeds up to it.
I saw 7 Humpback Whales, a breaching Minke Whale and a Fin Whale. The scientists however spotted a few more because they have good eyes, LOL.
The Fin Whale was great. It actually went up beside our boat, but it was too quick for me to get a close picture. We followed it for a bit. The Fin Whale is the second largest animal that has ever lived on Earth.
Our captain Mason Weinrich was amazing. He knew all the Humpback Whales by heart and their relationships to one another, apparently all 600 of them that have visited Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary at one time. It was fascinating to hear him mention another whale's cousin twice removed when he describes a whale that we saw. He also ate a shrimp sandwich (whole shrimps not chopped) on whole wheat bread which I thought was cool.
Here are the best pictures I took and some video. Videography was very difficult on a rocking boat. Taking the advice of Mason, I took the experience in before I even thought of my camera. So the best memories are in my head, and hopefully I will never forget.
Fulcrum:
Fulcrum's Calf:
"Grandma Whale" (forgot her name), she's a grandmother six times over:
Unnamed Fin Whale:
The one that got away. We followed this whale for a bit, but it never showed it's tail to identify it:
The boat ride to Stellwagen Bank:
http://blip.tv/play/AYGK_laErU0
Are you seasick yet?
http://blip.tv/play/AYGK_mWErU0
Fulcrum and Calf (5 Months Old):
http://blip.tv/play/AYGK_n+ErU0
View from the Boat at the end of the day: