Ashbury College - Day 2

Tuesday was the big trip to Grand Manan and the weather was great.  The group left campus fairly early with their pack lunch to catch the ferry in Blacks Harbour.  While on the ferry the students conducted a transect line marine mammal survey.  They were to keep an eye out for whales and whale blows in the distance, as well as, seals, and porpoise.  The only animals to be seen from the ferry were harbour porpoises.
 
Upon arrival on Grand Manan Island the group left the ferry to board a local whale watching boat.  The group had a fantastic trip and saw approximately 10-15 fin whales, 9 humpback whales, 17-18 Atlantic white-sided dolphins (which are quite rare), grey seals, as well as lots of seabirds, including puffins, shearwaters, and razorbills.     
 
Below are some of Mr. Greig’s pictures from the trip.  

Group of humpbacks

Humpback fluke

Atlantic white-sided dolphins

Humpback and dolpohins

Another humpback fluke (humpbacks can be IDed by with pattern

on their fluke just like people can be IDed by their fingerprints).