Shortly after leaving the Valdez Peninsula, a pod of enthusiastic nature lovers gathered on the deck. While it is, in general, rare to observe these creatures in a single group, as they tend be dispersed in small (family?) clusters, in this instance, the pod was gathered about the dominant, bearded male, referred to in the study as "Alpha minus one" or Tom Ritchie. In the lower right-hand corner is what we suspect could be the dominant female, referred to as "Number 9" or Amanda Ellerbeck. Number 9 is the most vocal of the pod, and is often heard uttering the phrase, "Blah, blah, blah, many thanks," although during this gathering she would only say "Hello Mum." After the photo, the pod rapidly dispersed to their favorite resting site, known as the "Lounge." Our observations and research continued there...
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 01 Dec 1999
From the Caledonian Star at Sea, 12/1/1999, National Geographic Endeavour
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour
- Galápagos
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