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Rare Orca Sighting at Mount Desert Rock
The sea was choppy and confused, so the Orca was not immediately noticed. After spending 10 minutes observing the dolphins, trip naturalist Kirk Gentalen, called out in excitement over the loud speaker, “A whale with a very tall dorsal fin just surfaced up ahead of us!” Upon closer approach, the beautiful and distinct black and white markings and tall dorsal fin could be seen with clarity. According to Captain Larry Nuesslein, “the whale was approximately 20 feet long and we were able to get within 500 feet while the whale surfaced over and over to breathe.” Allied Whale researcher Aliza Millet, who was onboard to photograph individual whales and collect scientific information, was able to capture many excellent pictures during the encounter. According to Zack Klyver, whale watch naturalist for Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, “It has been 23 years since a whale watch boat from Mount Desert Island has spotted an Orca during a whale watching trip. During the last two years, area fishermen have had a few encounters offshore, but the last whale watch sighting goes back to a Maine Whale and Seabird Company trip out of Northeast Harbor, led by Captain Bob Bowman, in 1982.”
On July 7th, 2004, Bar Harbor tuna fisherman Donnie Parsons, found two Orca near Outer falls and followed them for over an hour, “They were chasing down and attacking porpoise, I wish I had a camera on the boat that day.” Anyone who may have stories or pictures of recent Orca encounters on the coast of Maine is encouraged to contact Zack Klyver at Bar Harbor Whale Watch, (207)-288-2386. h Whale watchers aboard Bar Harbor Whale Watch’s Friendship V enjoyed a rare and special October treat — the sighting of an Orca whale! This Orca sighting took place on Wednesday, October 19th, five miles north of Mount Desert Rock. The Friendship V had stopped to watch a pod of 75 Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, which were spread out over a large area across the water. The sea was choppy and confused, so the Orca was not immediately noticed. After spending 10 minutes observing the dolphins, trip naturalist Kirk Gentalen, called out in excitement over the loud speaker, “A whale with a very tall dorsal fin just surfaced up ahead of us!” Upon closer approach, the beautiful and distinct black and white markings and tall dorsal fin could be seen with clarity. According to Captain Larry Nuesslein, “the whale was approximately 20 feet long and we were able to get within 500 feet while the whale surfaced over and over to breathe.” Allied Whale researcher Aliza Millet, who was onboard to photograph individual whales and collect scientific information, was able to capture many excellent pictures during the encounter. According to Zack Klyver, whale watch naturalist for Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, “It has been 23 years since a whale watch boat from Mount Desert Island has spotted an Orca during a whale watching trip. During the last two years, area fishermen have had a few encounters offshore, but the last whale watch sighting goes back to a Maine Whale and Seabird Company trip out of Northeast Harbor, led by Captain Bob Bowman, in 1982.” Earlier in the summer, Cookie Whitten, a Winter Harbor tuna fisherman, spent two hours with one or two Orca near the inner Schoodic Ridges. “We found them at sunrise, following a large school of dolphin. One Orca repeatedly swam up to us and rubbed its belly along the side of my boat. The whale was incredibly playful; I was trolling for tuna and this whale grabbed my fishing plug and tugged on it.” One Orca surfaced with what looked like a seal in its mouth. “I have been fishing all my life and this was one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me.” On July 7th, 2004, Bar Harbor tuna fisherman Donnie Parsons, found two Orca near Outer falls and followed them for over an hour, “They were chasing down and attacking porpoise, I wish I had a camera on the boat that day.” Anyone who may have stories or pictures of recent Orca encounters on the coast of Maine is encouraged to contact Zack Klyver at Bar Harbor Whale Watch, (207)-288-2386. |
