Posted by David Githens (141.150.161.196) on July 20, 2004 at 08:09:05:
Interesting viewing by boat this week. Yesterday afternoon whale watchers enjoyed particularly good looks at a Minke whale less than 1 mile off of Wildwood Crest. Minkes are the smallest of the baleen whales growing to about 30 feet. This one was about 20 feet. Last evening on the dolphin watch around Cape May, passengers enjoyed a spectacular Humpback whale lung feeding 1/2 mile off of 2nd Ave. in Cape May. It was with lots of dolphins (typical). The whale was definitely a youngster about 30 feet long. It was not shy, swimming and lunging within feet of the boat. We left the whale at Prissywick's Shoal, the big rip line off of Cape May Point State Park.
This has been an astounding year for dolphin numbers here in Cape May. There are 100's! The dolphins seen from the beach are only a small percentage of the numbers further offshore.
Birds - a Sooty Shearwater flew by while watching the Humpback Whale. In the past week we have also sighted Greater Shearwater and Cory's Shearwater almost daily. A Parasitic Jaeger was off of Alexander Avenue Saturday night.
Most bird sightings have been within 6 miles of the coast. Ocean waters are extremely clear...it appears we have an influx of 'offshore' water dominating the near coast.
David Githens
Cape May Whale Watcher
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