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Megaptera novaeangliae
This whale was identified by the pattern on his flukes. He was named Fissure by Gulf of Maine naturalists. He was born in 1985 and his mother was Veil HWC#0130. During the two summers I was naturalist he would often meet our boat stay with us for hours ... it seemed we entertained him.
Jeffrey's Ledge off Southern Maine.
This whale clinched my connection to the sea and whales.... he showed me the complex nature of other beings, their individuality, intelligence, curiosity and whenever he dove my imagination would follow him down into places I had never gone before. _________________________________________ The Story of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeimaya/800958/in/set-20479/">First encounter with Fissure</a> starts here. This is the Story of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeimaya/804503/in/set-20479/">Second encounter with Fissure</a>. This is the Story of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeimaya/3215703/in/set-20479/">Third encounter with Fissure</a>.
8 Comments
Thanks... since so many whales have been known for such a long period in the Gulf of Maine anyway, we are learning how unique each individual is. For example there are some terrific mothers, some blase ones, some highly social whales, some loners, some that like boats (a couple of moms are known to use familiar whale watch boats to baby sit while they go feed), others that are indifferent or avoid them.
Great picture. Amazing that they can be IDd from just their tail patterns. Too bad some nicks and slices are probably from boat props.
hahaha just for me?
Yes, spotting dates were being capped at 2005. But we've improved so they go as far back as 1960.
Hey it worked!! Did you change things?
When did you have this encounter?
Kelly thanks .... it was an amazing bunch of encounters
love the story behind it!