Not that we believe in omens or anything....

[DFW]

But on Long Nook Beach on Cape Cod today, we saw from the shore humpback whales spouting and breaching. Rarely will one see whales spouting so close to shore on Cape Cod (I saw more of this in the Pacific), but I have NEVER seen them breaching. You're lucky if you see it on a whale watch on a boat a few miles from shore.

Maybe they are happy about a virus-caused decrease in maritime traffic, and are showing their gratitude? No idea, but it was a real bonus of a free show.

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I hope it wasn't because they were in distress. nt

[DFW]

2. I have never heard of humpbacks breaching due to distress

They moved lazily on down the coast toward Chatham. This is their summer feeding ground, and dozens of them show up over the course of the summer.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. Thanks

[bottomofthehill]

3. Damn, we were on the wrong side today

We were at Mayflower in Dennis. We were on the ocean side yesterday.. It was a cool day on the beach yesterday, much nicer today.

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. one of my favorite places! My wife and I were dating summer of 1979

spent a week at Longnook. This is our 40th year of marriage. Longnook is magic to us!

We had our bikes, pedaled to Wellfleet to the Lighthouse for breakfasts

Great memories!

[DFW]

5. This is our 37th year in a row here

And from Düsseldorf, it's not exactly around the corner. We have been married for 38 years, but we were together for 8 years before that--just never found the time to organize a wedding. We never did, either--my brother invited us to our wedding, which was also his.

The Lighthouse was ALWAYS one of our favorite places. Sadly, it closed after the 2018 season. We REALLY miss it. Last year, it was empty, and this year, it has some faceless clothing store in it. That lighthouse on the roof is still there as a memory.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. .

sounds like we are both lucky!!!

[Tracer]

7. Best whale encounter ever.

The short version:

Out fishing with my younger brother off Boston harbor on my Dad's boat (36 footer).

Saw a whale a mile away breaching and splashing.

It kept coming towards us still breaching. Got nervous when it was 1/4 mile away.

Waited and waited. Then heard a splash on the opposite side of the boat from where we were standing.

Looked over the rail and there was the whale! Gently chuffing out his blowhole and scratching himself against the boat. We could lean over and touch him!!

Stayed there a minute or two and gently swam away, then continued his leaping and breaching.