The 2020 Season Has Begun!
The 2020 season was scheduled to start in mid April, but due to Covid-19 concerns it has been delayed as the big boats cannot make it out. There are a couple of private charters available and once I found out about them I jumped at the chance. I made it offshore on Sat, 5/23 and Tues 5/26. Both trips were pretty incredible to say the least. We were treated to spectacular feeding displays by dozens of Humpback Whales. There were at least 50 Humpbacks in the area on both trips with total estimates being much higher. Also in the area were several White Sided Dolphins and Minke Whales.

On Tuesday's trip we even had an amazing close-to-boat encounter by two whales known as Abyss and Mira. They spent time circling the boat, swimming under us, and you could literally look into their eyes as they checked us out. These encounters are few and far between and deeply humbling.

As good as it felt to get offshore, it didn't quite feel the same not being with the normal friends. I miss seeing the usual friends and crew of the boat. I'm hopeful that soon things will resume and we'll all be back offshore together again.

Here are some photos from these two trips.
New Clay Sculptures Coming Soon!
These clay sculptures are made of polymer clay and are each unique as they’re all hand sculpted without the use of any molds. If you’d like to learn more about them, feel free to reach out! I can be reached at mandy@whalebreath.com
An Amazing Sunrise Off the Coast of Newburyport, MA ~ 10.14.18
I decided to try something different this morning. I was up and at the beach waiting for the sunrise. I was hoping that I would get lucky enough to have some beautiful color and just enough cloud cover to add character. I got exactly what I was looking for! This may become a thing for me. As an ocean lover, watching the sunrise over the sea is something pretty special. I can't think of a better way to start the day. Stay tuned for more sunrises, especially now that the whale watching season is officially over.
Whale Watching on the Feeding Grounds
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I go whale watching out of Gloucester, MA with 7 Seas Whale Watch. I really cannot recommend them highly enough. This is a family owned and operated company that takes great pride in making sure that every passenger gets the best sightings that they can possibly get. They’re not afraid of going that extra mile to make sure that every trip is as memorable as it can be for everyone onboard. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable about the local area as well as the whales. The boat, the Privateer IV, is very well kept and clean. It's a very comfortable boat to be on as well. I've been on many whale watching boats throughout my whale watching journey and I have to say that the Privateer IV is my favorite one. So, if you’re ever in the area and looking to on a whale watch, I highly recommend checking them out!


Website: www.7seaswhalewatch.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whalewatchingma
Instagram: @7seaswhalewatch
Two hungry Humpbacks bubble feeding.
Photographed Sat, 5/19/18
A Sei Whale skim feeding at the surface.
Photographed Sat, 5/6/18
Pleats feeding off the bow.
Photographed Sat, 7/1/18 (PM trip)
Whale Watching on the Breeding Grounds
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The whale watching that I do on the breeding grounds is completely different from whale watching on the feeding grounds. It requires traveling to the Dominican Republic and staying on a live aboard yacht for an entire week as we’re anchored 70+ miles offshore on Silver Bank. The reason that I chose this option is because you not only get to watch the whales as you would on a typical whale watch, but you’re also given the incredible opportunity to snorkel with them!

The guide that I go with is Conscious Breath Adventures and much like 7 Seas Whale Watch, I cannot recommend them highly enough. The office staff is a tremendous help organizing travel to and from the airport as well booking hotel rooms if needed. The crew aboard the live aboard yacht are amazing people as well. You’re treated like family the second your feet hit the deck and their primary goal is to make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your stay. If you’d like more information about this amazing experience, feel free to check Conscious Breath Adventures out.

Website: http://www.consciousbreathadventures.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConsciousBreathAdventures
Instagram: @ consciousbreathadventures

Canopy's calf coming over to say hello.
Photographed Thurs, 2/23/17
The window to the soul.
Photographed Sun, 2/19/17
Canopy and her son.
Photographed Wed, 2/22/17
"We owe it to our children to be better stewards  of the environment. The alternative? - a world without whales. It's too terrible to imagine." ~ Pierce Brosnan