Trans-Atlantic Cruise Sept 18th-October 10th continued.

Cetaceans.....

Already covered the highlight in this respect, a Blue Whale, in a previous post but a variety of other species were seen. The cruise took us into some of the best waters in the Northern Hemisphere to see Humpback's and we had several encounters. We didn't get lucky with any spectacular breaching that the species is renowned for, with views mainly involving the dorsal fin and 'hump"(and one tail fluke). The best day was October 6th offshore from Newfoundland when around 15-20 animals were seen.
Didn't get  the endangered Northern Right Whale, but a Minke Whale was seen right inside the harbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia with Pilot Whales near the mid Atlantic ridge and some probable False Killer Whales a few hundred miles offshore from New England. A species of beaked whale  was also seen offshore from New England, it surfaced sluggishly twice right by the ship. Possibly Sowerbys Beaked Whale, we were in the right waters for that species at this point.

Numerous encounters with Common Dolphins and some impressive pods of Striped Dolphin were noted offshore from New England.