Friends who have a place on the Gurnet speak of having seen Right Whales fairly frequently over the last 2-3 weeks right off the Gurnet cliff (southeast). They report multiple individuals. NOAA maintains a website showing that there are presently many Right Whales in Cape Cod Bay http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys/)

I thought I had a whale off the cliff on one of my previous outings but a very quick glimpse was all I got. Today, however, was another story! I was looking north up the ocean shoreline from one of the cut-throughs north of the first crossover watching some diving Gannets when I saw what looked like a big black rock where there shouldn't be one -300-400 yards off the beach! For quite awhile it was motionless, and then it submerged and slowly reappeared. Not a rock!

I was quite a distance from it but began taking photos anyway at full zoom, and these 4 are the best I could do. It never really showed itself for the camera except that I got very lucky and got a shot of it expelling air out its blowhole and (visible in the 3rd photo of the series).

It was a surreal experience seeing this giant so close to shore - reminded me a little of the sensation conveyed buy the movie Jaws when the shark was seen close to the swimmers. Even though I've been much closer to whales when out on a whale watch boat, the sensation this time was quite different - much more intimate. This is the first time I've seen a whale from Duxbury Beach except when seeing a spout (only) more than a mile off the Gurnet.

After awhile it turned and headed out to the east (photo 4)- perhaps to make a run down to the join the others down off Gurnet point.