On Tuesday’s Wake up With the Whales on Seasmoke, we got to see three different Mom/Calf/Escort pods. We also saw a lot of surface activity from other adult humpbacks in the area including 6 or 7 full breaches (one was just 50 yards from the boat — sure surprised all of us)! We also saw some peduncle throws and a few pec slaps from other whales. And on our Whales and Cocktails Cruise we also got to see some calves. We actually saw two different Mom/Calf/Escort pods. Baby was pretty active in that second pod — up on the surface a lot, and even breaching. In between watching those two pods, we got surrounded by a competitive pod. These whales were really acting aggressively towards each other. We saw lots of lunges, peduncle throws and tail lobs — even a few pec slaps.

Mahalo,

Claire

Captain Claire’s Humpback Fact of the Day: Researchers have observed that female Humpbacks with calves are accompanied by a male escort about 83% of the time during the winter season in Hawaii. Since nursing moms rarely get pregnant, we’re not sure why these males are hanging around…one theory is that the escort is trying to make a good impression on the female so that when she is receptive, she’ll consider the possibility of mating with him. Other researchers theorize that she puts up with the company of one male, hoping that he’ll scare off other amorous suitors (maybe dealing with one male at a time is better than having to deal with 2, 3, 4 or more).