[CINC] Thursday on the CX

[MARILYN FRANEY]

Sightings: 4 individual humpbacks
              50+ common dolphins

Naturalist: Marilyn Franey, Don Gilles (PID) and Lola Lynch

Pasengers: Approx. 60

Conditions: Primarily overcast, but some sun. Heavy chop and wind caused the "greening" of several passengers

The highlight of the day was a very friendly humpback that was engaged in pec slapping, tail throwing and rolling behaviors. It kept moving closer and closer to the boat until it was swimming all around and under it. Captan Dave referred to this beautiful creature as the "Energizer Bunny" of pec slappers because the behavior continued on and on. This whale actually rolled over and over, slapping its pecs with each turn. (Think whale using its pecs to simulate an airplane propeller with the body turning over and over as well.) It also swam on its back, sometimes right under the boat. You get a whole different view of a humpback when it is doing the backstroke. The passengers were fascinated, but probably no one more than yours truly! Since we had places to go and other things to see, we finally had to reluctantly leave this whale. I kept watching and for as long as I could see, it continued rolling and slapping away.

Marilyn Franey
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