Whale Tales: Bellies, Babies, Flippers and Flukes

Tuesday was, what I can only call, 'the whole is equal to the sum of its parts' day on the Whale Watcher.

We left Barnstable Harbor in the morning mist, on glassy waters with 342 passengers aboard, past Sandy Neck, Provincetown and Race Point to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and summer home to the whales. The 'Spirit of Massachusetts' could be seen through the the haze, adding a touch of history and mystery to our horizons.

From the upperdeck, the bay was quiet and smooth as glass but as we approached Stellwagen Bank those telling spouts popped up at twelve o'clock, 2:00 and 11:00 signaling, guess Who?

As usual, our trip and experience would be produced, acted and directed by the whales. And there is always something new in store. Unlike human 'theater' the script constantly flows and changes with new delights and surprises literally popping up out of the blue, by the minute.  Just what, where and when is completely up to the Who; the whales.

Monday was feeding day with the whales showing their hunting techniques in huge numbers (we counted at least 35 humpbacks in one area). And the cameras were clicking. I imagine people, back home, trying to convince their friends that their photos where their own and not stolen from National Geographic. You'd have to try hard not to get a good picture.

But Tuesday was a fun lesson in whale anatomy, bonding and behavior or what I like to call, 'Show and Tell' body parts day.  

But what happens when it rains? Wednesday's cruise would show that the whale watchers get wet but the whales couldn't care less! The show must go on!   And it does.

Click HERE for information about Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises and to read about the whales.