June 3, 2011

Another successful puffin and whale watch trip today! Though it was a little chilly and overcast the boat still had a nice day on the water. Zack, senior naturalist, guided this trip and reported great bird and whale sightings. The whale watch also hosted a large group of birders participating in the Acadia Birding Festival.

Zack spoke with Andrew Allyn, the supervisor on Petit Manan Island. This gave passengers the chance to ask Andrew questions and learn about the Island's ongoing research on the nesting birds. Birders were pleased to see many puffins, razorbills, and a few common murrs.

The common and Arctic tern numbers continue to grow as well.

North Atlantic puffins sitting in the water off Petit Manan Island

Offshore, the whale watch had quite a few sightings including several finback and minke whales! Everyone had the chance to get nice looks.

Back and large dorsal fin of a finback whale, thus how it received its common name.

Finback whale. For this side you can see the lower right jaw, which is white.

They are the only known asymmetrically colored mammals.

Overall, another exciting day of whale watching! Thank you to those who joined us on our trip today!

Photos by Walter Churchill.