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A Fin Whale southeast of Block Island.
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Large number of Fin Whales present
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A large rorqual seen blowing at the surface from a distance, and then slowly approached and seen breathing at the surface for less than 5 minutes before disappearing. Blow was tall and cylindrical/columnar and conspicuous (versus lower and and more diffuse for Sei). Blow hole with large splashguard like Blue Whale, but dorsal fin tall and curved (unlike "nubbin" of Blue Whale). Head with only a single central ridge (lacking lateral ridges of Bryde's Whale, which might occur here in a warm-water year, and which was recorded the same week off of southern California). When surfacing, blow hole and dorsal fin not visible at the same time (unlike smaller rorquals such as Minke Whale). Dorsal fin gently curved and backswept, moderately tall, unlike very tall and more crooked-curved dorsal of Sei Whale. Right side of head not well-seen, thus asymmetrical white jaw not verified. I'm pretty sure of the ID (originally identified by Debra Shearwater, who was much more experience with these species), and I'm only concerned that this might be a Sei Whale with a slightly odd dorsal fin.
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A large rorqual seen blowing at the surface from a distance, and then slowly approached and seen breathing at the surface for less than 5 minutes before disappearing. Blow was tall and cylindrical/columnar and conspicuous (versus lower and and more diffuse for Sei). Blow hole with large splashguard like Blue Whale, but dorsal fin tall and curved (unlike "nubbin" of Blue Whale). Head with only a single central ridge (lacking lateral ridges of Bryde's Whale, which might occur here in a warm-water year, and which was recorded the same week off of southern California). When surfacing, blow hole and dorsal fin not visible at the same time (unlike smaller rorquals such as Minke Whale). Dorsal fin gently curved and backswept, moderately tall, unlike very tall and more crooked-curved dorsal of Sei Whale. Right side of head not well-seen, thus asymmetrical white jaw not verified. I'm pretty sure of the ID (originally identified by Debra Shearwater, who was much more experience with these species), and I'm only concerned that this might be a Sei Whale with a slightly odd dorsal fin.
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Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Scotia Sea between South Georgia and Elephant Island 27 January 2003 three shots posted
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Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Scotia Sea between South Georgia and Elephant Island 27 January 2003 three shots posted
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Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Scotia Sea between South Georgia and Elephant Island 27 January 2003 three shots posted
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San Diego County, California, US
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San Diego County, California, US
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Observation and photo submitted by @jgold85 via Instagram #NatureinLA
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per the Sanctuary naturalist
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