Hungry Humpbacks!

There has been a lot of feed in the waters around Brier Island and some of our tours have included watching humpbacks lunge feeding.

Pictures from June 22 and 23... see below...

2011 Season Begins

A new season has started at Mariner Cruises Whale & Seabird Tours! Last year the tours took place until October, with wonderful whale and bird sightings on most days. Later in 2010 a deceased juvenile humpback whale washed ashore at Western Light, Brier Island. The first cruise of this season got underway on June 21st and what a day it was! Sunshine, calm waters and ten to twelve humpbacks all in the vicinity of the boat, with a couple swimming right over as if to say hello. There was herring in the area and guests got to see the feeding action of the baleen whales as they lunged and splashed in the midst of the schooling fish. A variety of seabirds, some porpoises and some seals added to the day's sightings. It's great to be back out on the bay!

Mid-Summer Update

Whale watching has been great this summer, with many humpbacks around Brier Island. Minke and fin whales have been seen as well, and yesterday three right whales. This was the first day seeing right whales since early July. The humpbacks are vey active and friendly, often swimming close to the boat and playfully flipper slapping, spyhopping and sometimes breaching. Flash and her calf are regularly seen and Lace and Foggy are also here with calves.

Hungry Humpbacks!

The waters around Brier Island have been rich in feed and on a couple of recent cruises the herring and krill were so thick that the water seemed to almost be bubbling as the schools swam just below the surface. Birds and whales feasted on this ocean buffet, and the humpbacks were lunge feeding near the boat!

OCEAN SUNFISH (MOLA MOLA)

Late afternoon on July 12th this ocean sunfish was a visitor to the harbour, hanging around only a few feet from shore inside the floating dock area at Westport Fishermens' wharf. It is uncommon to see sunfish in the Bay of Fundy, and even more rare to see one so close to shore. They are found all over the globe, mostly in tropical and temperate waters. This fish was about 6 feet in length and very friendly... a few locals and tourists waded out into the water and observed it

up close! After the fish kept swimming in much too close to the beach, a local man escorted it out into the harbour, where it drifted out to sea with the Fundy tide.

Humpbacks are Here!

Humpbacks are now closer to Brier Island and there has been a lot of feed in the bay, namely krill and herring. Our cruises have watched the humpbacks lunge feeding and on the July 5th tour one whale treated us to a close visit as he swam right over beside the boat. He then spyhopped (poked head out of water), rolled around and played, much to the delight of everyone on board.

Yesterday another right whale! And lots and lots of puffins! The humpbacks are WAY across the bay.

Right Whale Mother and Calf

As the afternoon cruise departed the dock on June 22 the tour saw a wonderful sight in the harbour... a mother and calf right whale pair. The duo slowly swam the length of Grand Passage, at times quite near the shoreline, and made their way out past Northern Point and into the bay.

2010 SEASON BEGINS

This week, June 15th, was the first whale watch cruise of the season and what a great day it was. The Chad and Sister II, with a small group of passengers aboard, left the dock at 12:30 p.m. and headed off of Brier Island. Not too far from home we watched two humpback whales playfully splash around in the water. They were very friendly and spyhopped and tail breached a number of times. One of the two was identified as Clipper, a humpback who visits the area quite regularly. The seabirds viewed were: puffins, northern gannets, greater and sooty shearwaters and Wilson's Storm petrels. Back in port just after 4 p.m., guests and crew departed from the tour with smiles and thanks to nature for its fine show.

The Seasons over.

Unfortunately, our whale watching season is now over. There are still some whales out there in the Bay of Fundy, we can see them from the shore. It makes you want to be out there, but the seas are rough and the weather is cold. Most of the whales are now headed south.

RIGHT WHALE SHOW A FINE ENDING FOR AUGUST. To the delight of the passengers and crew, the afternoon cruise on Monday August 31st encountered a large group of right whales in the bay off of Long Island. Between 25 and 30 whales were actively pursuing a lone female right whale in their courtship efforts. Some of these whales approached close to the boat, which made for a thoroughly memorable experience for those on board. To see one or two of these endangered whales is a special treat so to be witness to such a number of whales of this species makes one quite impressed. Below are images taken by Penny and Shaelyn Graham during this tour.

What a priviledge to have these magnificent marine mammals in the bay, with some coming so near to the boat!

The "V"

pattern

of the

right whale

spout.

Right whales, August 31st.