On August 6^th 2006,   we   went to Gloucester,     rated as one of the top five places in the world for whale watching by the World Wildlife Foundation.   Gloucester, located on the southern shore of a rocky peninsula called "Cape Ann", is in close proximity to two major feeding areas for the great whales.   The trip was organized by Seven Seas Whale Watch, Leading Whale Watching Tours In Gloucester, Massachusetts.

During the trip we saw 12-15 Humpbacks feeding at the surface.   We had one group of three whales "mother whale and calf with an Escort feeding on one side of the boat, while two other whales fed on the other side.   What a sight! While the mother whale was feeding, her calf was nearby rolling and flipper slapping.     While the whales have been happily feeding, the birds were following suit. A large number of   shearwaters were seen in addition to herring gulls, laughing gulls, and black back gulls.    

There were many other single whales that were feeding nearby as well.   Whale were blowing bubbles and surfacing with wide-open mouths everywhere!   Feeding, flipper-slapping, and tail-breaching has been very abundant, with some fabulous looks of these whales surfacing with wide open mouths.   We could clearly see the whalesí baleen hanging in their mouths.   We could see the female whales come up and slap their chin on the surface, thrust   their flippers forward, and then kick the surface with the   tail before blowing bubbles.    

These large whales were about 50 to 52were also seen feeding swimming in circular patterns and zig-zags, trying to corral their prey. Some of these whales swam right along side our boat, allowing us to catch a glimpse at them as they swam by.  

Finback whales were not quite as numerous on the day we visited, but were still sighted frequently.

Our guide Ms. Michel was extremely knowledgeable,   informative, and friendly.   The tour was better than expected and more than I hoped for.   It was in fact a Spectacular whale watch!