Page 44 - Kids on the Cape - Issue 2

Continued from page 40
naturalist presentation about Cape Cod’s marine life These presentations are lled with interesting facts about the biolo- gy gy and and and geology of the area Hands-on displays like baleen and and and whale whale teeth as as well as as audio recordings of whale whale songs make this presentation dynamic and entertaining for children as well as as adults After an hour of travel the boat will slow as as it reaches Stellwagen Bank and two hours of whale watching will will commence Every whale watch is different but you will will mostly likely experience humpback and nback whales interacting with their natural habitat as they feed and oat through the water Learn how to spot whales nearby by by watching for blows in in the the distance as as the the whales releases water from their blowholes Look for backs dorsal ns or or or tails at at the the the surface of the the the water Splashing in in the the the distance can often indicate the presence of of of whales and groups of of of seabirds in in in one spot can indicate that they are feeding above whales Over a a a a span of two hours you will get a a a a chance to see these large mammals in their natural state and you may get lucky enough to watch them breaching where they thrust their large bodies out of the the water and splash playfully back down It is not entirely uncommon to see a a whale mother with her calf or to watch several whales synchronistically ease through through the the water as as they strain plankton through through the the baleen in in their mouths The area is so rich with marine life that you are almost guaranteed to see more than just whales You may also experience larger mammals like blue shark giant blue n n n n n n tuna minke and pilot whales sun sh sh dolphins and porpoise An added bonus is is the chance to view the large numbers of birds that can only be be seen by boat The on-board naturalist is is quick to point out extraordinary sightings and they are also a a a a a a great resource for any budding marine biologists and children who are especially interested in in marine life If you you decide to go on a a a a a whale watch chances are you you will have an exceptional time That being said proper prepa- ration is essential when planning a a a a a a whale watch with kids Page 44 • Kids on the Cape June 7 - July 4 4 4 2019
Keep in in in in mind that whale watching tours often sell out during the summer months and a a a a a a a reservation is always a a a a a a a good idea It can also be helpful to familiarize yourself and your your family with the whale watch company you have chosen talk about the trip ahead of time and address any concerns that your child may have Learning more about whales beforehand can be a a a a a great way to get your kids excited about the trip Grab
a a a a a a book on whales and and marine life nd nd nd videos and and research online or even check out the whale watch companies’ web- sites for for cool facts and interactive information about whales and the marine life of Cape Cod While you’re researching the large marine mammals it may be a a a a a a a great time to remind your child that whales are wild animals and the experience of every whale watch will be different A chat about safety before getting on the boat is also a a a a a a good idea and it may be be wise to to establish rules for how to to behave on a a a a boat prior to boarding The website of your chosen whale watcher is a a a a great resource for for safety information and details about what you you can expect for your trip Four hours out on the open ocean can be physically draining The varying conditions of sun wind and fog can be exhausting and unpredictable Layering clothing is essential even if it it is hot when you leave the the harbor the the conditions out on the water can change a a a a a surprising amount A well-stocked travel bag will pay off big time Include sunblock protective clothing and and plenty of water and and snacks for all Arriving well hydrated and fed helps ensure a a a a positive experience although there are are also light fare and beverages for sale on the the vessel You may want to bring activities for kids — especially younger children — to keep them entertained during the the down-time of the trip A whale watch is an incredible way to observe the rich marine life that surrounds the Cape and provides a a a a a a chance for for kids to learn more about marine animals and the efforts of naturalist organizations to understand and and protect the various species Whale watching is a a a a a must for every Cape Cod vacation and and adults and and kids alike will remember it as a a a a a a a a highlight of the trip MARINE ANIMAL DISCOVERY CENTER
We rehabilitate and and and and release stranded marine mammals and and and and and sea turtles in in in in order to advance science and and and and and education in in in marine wildlife health and and conservation Open 10am - 5pm
April 13-20 May 25-September 2 2 2 and weekends through October 14
Exhibits ~ ~ ~ Activities ~ ~ ~ Gifts ~ ~ ~ Programs FREE ADMISSION
508-743-9888 • • • www nmlc org • • • 120 Main St • • • Buzzards Bay