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Whale SENSE featured in NatGeo article
We always love to see the Whale SENSE program gain recognition, especially internationally, and even more when National Geographic is the one highlighting us! National Geographic recently shared an article on responsible whale watching. In it, they highlight that with a growing industry, there are growing concerns about companies having a … Continue reading Whale SENSE featured in NatGeo article
2023 Photo Contest Runners-up
In addition to our category winners, we also wanted to highlight the amazing runners-up in each category! Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Surface Active Category – Janelle Sebergandio, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company Tail Shot Category – Justin Fuller, Rudee … Continue reading 2023 Photo Contest Runners-up
2023 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to all of the winners in the 6th annual Whale SENSE photo contest! We had a total of 71 amazing photos submitted for voting this year. Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Surface Active Category – Beth Miller, American Princess … Continue reading 2023 Photo Contest Winners
6th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
It’s time for our 6th annual photo contest! What better way to prepare for the upcoming whale watching season than to vote on some of the best photos from previous years! FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST RULES Eligibility This is NOT a professional photography contest, but rather an opportunity for ANY whale watching … Continue reading 6th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
Connecting the Public To Whales Through Oceanography Citizen Science!
This blog was written for the Whale SENSE website by Whale SENSE naturalists Laura Howes (with Boston Harbor City Cruises) and Julie Taylor (with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company) Over the course of summer and fall of 2021 and 2022, whale watch naturalists from a handful of companies operating between Long … Continue reading Connecting the Public To Whales Through Oceanography Citizen Science!
Whale SENSE program featured in Washington Post
All photos courtesy of Robyn Ehrlich Whale SENSE was recently featured in a Washington Post article focusing on how to find operators that responsibly view and interact with wildlife while traveling! We reached out to Robyn Ehrlich, the education manager for the Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, who was featured in … Continue reading Whale SENSE program featured in Washington Post
How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 3!
We have another wonderful 2022 Photo Contest photographer feature to share with you all! Taryn Paul took this year’s winning “Non Marine Mammal” photo of a hungry double crested cormorant while she was on a trip with Rudee Flipper Dolphin and Whale Watching, and we absolutely love it! Taryn has shared … Continue reading How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 3!
How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 2!
We’re BACK with another photography tip highlight from one of our 2022 Whale SENSE photography contest winners! Stephanie Johnson was on a trip with Rudee Tours when she took this year’s “Breaching Category” winning photo of two dolphins in a beautiful synchronized breach! Stephanie also claimed first place in the “Breaching … Continue reading How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 2!
How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 1!
Beth Miller, one of our 2022 Whale SENSE photography contest winners, was on a whale watching trip with American Princess Cruises when she took the gorgeous photo of a humpback tail shown above! We asked Beth to provide some insight into how she got started with photography, and what skills and … Continue reading How to Take a Whale-y Great Photo: Part 1!
5 Children’s Books About the Ocean
Books are an amazing way to introduce children to the wonders of the ocean! From the dangers of plastics to whales and sharks, below are 5 of our staff’s favorite books for children (and adults alike)! Our Plastic Ocean, Our Clean Ocean: A Pop-Up Book. by Dr. Herminia Din & Astor … Continue reading 5 Children’s Books About the Ocean
10 inspirational quotes for Earth Day
Did you know that all Whale SENSE operators complete an ocean stewardship project annually? This ranges from beach clean-ups to hosting researchers onboard their vessels! So, while every day is Earth Day here at Whale SENSE, here are a few quotes to keep you inspired about protecting our world’s oceans and … Continue reading 10 inspirational quotes for Earth Day
2022 Photo Contest Runners-up
In addition to our category winners, we also wanted to highlight the amazing runners-up in each category! Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Feeding Category – Beth Miller, American Princess Cruises Tail Shot Category – John Wright, Rudee Tours Mobile Phone … Continue reading 2022 Photo Contest Runners-up
2022 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to all of the winners in the 5th annual Whale SENSE photo contest! We had a total of 85 amazing photos submitted for voting this year. Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Feeding Category – Mitchell Steinhardt, American Princess Cruises … Continue reading 2022 Photo Contest Winners
5th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
It’s time for our 5th annual photo contest! What better way to prepare for the upcoming whale watching season than to vote on some of the best photos from previous years! FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST RULES Eligibility This is NOT a professional photography contest, but rather an opportunity for ANY whale watching … Continue reading 5th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
How will I know I will see whales on a whale watch?
That is honestly a great question, but unfortunately there is no direct answer. Whale watches are intended for humans to see whales, but the whales do not know that! Therefore, whales simply go about their everyday lives and we are fortunate when we do see them. It is completely unpredictable to … Continue reading How will I know I will see whales on a whale watch?
Meet our NEW Alaska Region Whale SENSE companies for 2021!!
Welcome! We are excited to work with each and every one of you. Booking a tour in Southeast Alaska? Take a moment to learn more about our newly enrolled companies. Note: All vessels pictured below are in compliance with Alaska whale watching regulations and guidelines. Alaska Tales They are a Juneau-based … Continue reading Meet our NEW Alaska Region Whale SENSE companies for 2021!!
Importance of Whale Feces
Whales are absolutely marvelous creatures, but did you know that they create essential impacts on the world around them? One of the big ways they contribute to the health of the oceans includes their behavior, more specifically, the production of their poop! The poop produced by a whale is unlike many … Continue reading Importance of Whale Feces
Do Whales Ever Sleep?
Yes and no! It is a bit tricky explaining how they sleep because it does not occur how we traditionally think it does. A big difference between the way we sleep and how they do it, is the fact that we are capable of completely shutting down our brains. Humans are … Continue reading Do Whales Ever Sleep?
How do you identify a North Atlantic Right Whale?
First, where does one go to encounter these whales? North Atlantic right whales are exactly where their name states, the North Atlantic ocean. Being found in the coastal waters of New England, these whales can range from Canada, offshore and when expecting a calf, waters between South Carolina-Florida. Although they wander close to shore (they are nicknamed the “urban whale”), many by passers will go without ever witnessing these magnificent creatures in their lifetimes. This is due in part to the fact that there are less than 400 North Atlantic right whales in existence.
How Do You Identify Orcas?
In our previous blog we discussed the importance of identifying whales from each other and more specifically how you can do so with humpback whales. In this blog, we will be focusing on another type of whale, orcas! Also known for their notorious name, killer whales. Orcas can be found in … Continue reading How Do You Identify Orcas?
How do you Identify Humpback Whales?
An essential skill when observing whales is the ability of being able to know not only the type of whale you have encountered, but who exactly. By individualizing every whale that we come across, it allows us to monitor their evolution over time which allows us to understand the quality of life … Continue reading How do you Identify Humpback Whales?
Do whale watching boats bother the whales?
While watching whales from a vessel, you may often wonder if the whales know that you are there. If so, does it bother them? The short answer: It would be great if we could ask the whales themselves! But, until then, we have to interpret their behavior in the presence of … Continue reading Do whale watching boats bother the whales?
2021 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to all of the winners in the 4th annual Whale SENSE photo contest! We had a total of 73 amazing photos submitted for voting this year. Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Feeding Category – Ashley Longo, American Princess Cruises … Continue reading 2021 Photo Contest Winners
4th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
It’s time for our 4th annual photo contest! What better way to prepare for the upcoming whale watching season than to vote on some of the best photos from previous years! FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST RULES How to Enter 1. Submit your photos Submit your photos via email to whalesenseww@gmail.com by SUNDAY … Continue reading 4th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
2020 Naturalist Highlight Stories
We asked Whale SENSE naturalists to share their favorite memory from last season. Here are their stories! Julie Taylor, Lead Naturalist, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. July 22, 2020 “It was a beautiful and HOT summer day. The water was like glass. Suddenly, a passenger alerted me that they had seen … Continue reading 2020 Naturalist Highlight Stories
3 Tips For Posting About Whale Watching Experiences
Have you ever gone to a restaurant (or more likely in 2020, placed an online order for food) and been told it will be a 40 minute wait? Frustrating, right? Especially when you’re really hungry! But now think about that AMAZING feeling when it’s only been 25 minutes and your name … Continue reading 3 Tips For Posting About Whale Watching Experiences
Ask the Naturalist: What to Bring on a Whale Watch
Early on the morning of a whale watch, the captain and crew are busy checking weather and sea condition reports, making sure they prepare (both themselves and the boat!) accordingly for the upcoming trip. Some of the items on the crew’s packing list should probably be on yours as well! If … Continue reading Ask the Naturalist: What to Bring on a Whale Watch
Ask the Naturalist: Why is whale watching important?
There are many reasons why people love whale watching – from the chance to be on or by the sea to the opportunity to be humbled in the presence of a truly massive animal. These experiences are valuable not only in supporting the economy of the communities in which they take … Continue reading Ask the Naturalist: Why is whale watching important?
How are whales protected in the United States?
When you hear that whales are “protected”, what first comes to mind? Of course, physical walls or barriers would never work for animals that spend their life in the wild and always on the move. Instead, laws to set these determine these boundaries. What are we protecting whales from? The word, … Continue reading How are whales protected in the United States?
Ask the Naturalist: How long can a whale hold its breath?
As mammals, all whale species have to breathe air. This is good for whale watchers, because otherwise we’d hardly ever get to see these animals who spend the majority of their life underwater! It’s these short moments at the surface of the water that we get to watch them! But, sometimes … Continue reading Ask the Naturalist: How long can a whale hold its breath?
Ask the Naturalist: Why do whales breach?
Seeing the body of a whale launch itself out of the water is one of the most awe-inspiring behaviors you can see on a whale watch! You see it on all the TV shows, you see it on all the brochures that advertise whale watching, but what’s the likelihood that you’ll … Continue reading Ask the Naturalist: Why do whales breach?
How do you find whales on a whale watch?
Feature image: Naturalist Jon Brink, searching for whales (Photo: Jenna Schwerzmann) The whole purpose of a whale watch is to see whales, right? But, how do you find them? The short answer: The best way to find whales is: To look for them! It might sound obvious, but since whales are … Continue reading How do you find whales on a whale watch?
How does Whale SENSE protect endangered species?
What does it mean to be endangered? In the 1960s, global whale populations weren’t looking so great. Humpback whales in the Central North Pacific numbered a mere 1,400, gray whales had completely disappeared in the North Atlantic and were on the brink of extinction in the North Pacific, and there were … Continue reading How does Whale SENSE protect endangered species?
2020 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to all of the winners in the 3rd annual Whale SENSE photo contest! We set a new record of 98 amazing photos submitted for voting this year. Like what you see? Be sure your next whale watch is with a Whale SENSE company! Feeding Category – Lauren McCaslin, Kenai Fjord … Continue reading 2020 Photo Contest Winners
10 ways you can be an ocean steward from home!
This Earth Week, while physically apart, let’s take actions in our everyday life together that can contribute to benefiting our world’s oceans AROUND THE HOUSE: 1. Replace disposable with reusable Take time to think about the things in your house you use once and throw away. Is there a way you … Continue reading 10 ways you can be an ocean steward from home!
How are porpoises different from dolphins? (The 3 F’s)
Dolphins and porpoises can be easily confused at a glance. They are both small cetaceans and extremely intelligent. Each also have complex brains with a forehead called a melon. Using their melon, they can easily navigate using sonar (sound waves). However, you can use the 3 F’s (Face, Fin, and Figure) … Continue reading How are porpoises different from dolphins? (The 3 F’s)
3rd Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
Back by popular demand – it is time for our 3rd annual photo contest! What better way to prepare for the upcoming whale watching season than to vote on some of the best photos from previous years! FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST RULES How to Enter Submit your photos via email to whalesenseww@gmail.com … Continue reading 3rd Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest
Momma whales, Monica, and mountains – oh my!
When I started as an intern at Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the Whale SENSE program was just being launched. I’m proud to say that Whale SENSE is turning 10 years old this year! I was chatting with our Whale SENSE partners in the NOAA offices both in Massachusetts and Alaska and … Continue reading Momma whales, Monica, and mountains – oh my!
A Floating Office With Cetacean Co-Workers
“You must love your job!” is an exclamation many of us in the ecotourism career field hear quite frequently. My response? “WHALE YEAH!” A floating office, cetaceans as co-workers, and the unexpected nature of each trip are things that many of us thrive upon.
Whale SENSE Beach Clean Up 2019!
On Saturday, many of the Whale SENSE companies in both Alaska and the Atlantic completed their annual stewardship project in a coordinated beach clean up in an effort to care for the local marine life and give back to their local communities! Whale SENSE companies in Juneau, Alaska had 58 people … Continue reading Whale SENSE Beach Clean Up 2019!
Bridging the gap: Whale SENSE Alaska goes to the far east coast (of the United States)
What could whale watching in the Atlantic have in common with Alaska? Suzie Teerlink and myself had never been whale watching off the east coast, but had heard the stories! Having started our careers working with marine mammals as whale watch naturalists in Alaska, we frequently had passengers on our whale … Continue reading Bridging the gap: Whale SENSE Alaska goes to the far east coast (of the United States)
2018 Whale SENSE Photo Contest
FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST RULES How to Enter Submit your photos via message to the Whale SENSE Facebook page or to whalesenseww@gmail.com by FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2nd. You can enter up to one photo per category. With each photo include your name, the name of the whale watch company with which you were … Continue reading 2018 Whale SENSE Photo Contest
The Naturalist
am not here to talk of whales, but of people. I could talk about the passengers, but another time; I would dwell on the crew, each of which has a story: the captains, mates, videographers, and galley people; but I will for now speak of the one I know best- the naturalist.

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