Whales in the Wild II: New England Whale Watching Highlights

Since 1999, In the Wild Productions has recorded over 2200 whale watching trips on broadcast quality digital video. Now, we bring you our very best footage in this exciting new DVD! See 14 species of whales, dolphins, sharks and more, including very rare footage of blue whales, an albino pilot whale, right whales breaching and finback whales fluking. The highlight of this video though is the humpback whale with all its extraordinary surface behaviors including bubble feeding, flipper slapping and of course full spinning breaching!
Bonus features include:
-Mother and baby whales
-Whale disentanglement efforts

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 10/12/2008)

What to do About Whales? - PAL Version

PAL Version. From the booming whale watch industry to whale meat being sold on the open market, this film skillfully enters the international debate over the future of the world's whales. 'What to do about Whales?' demonstrates that despite international laws, marine sanctuaries and a growing public reverence towards whales, the existence of these "charismatic" creatures continues to be threatened by nations who continue to whale. Each year Japan hunts whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary around Antarctica, and every year pro-whaling nations try to overturn an international ban on commercial whaling, which has been in place since 1986. Recently the Icelandic government decided to resume whaling after a 14-year hiatus, joining other whaling nations, Japan and Norway. Delving into the debate, 'What to do about Whales?' presents a well-researched portrait of the whaling and whale watching industries, with the purpose of engaging the viewer by provoking thought and discussion around this contentious subject. By visiting communities in New Zealand, the United States, Japan and Iceland the film provides a balance between the stories of those individuals and governments who support whaling, and those who believe that in today's world whales are worth more alive than dead. In Japan, Tomohisa Nagaoka talks about his days as a celebrated whale harpoonist on the high seas. Missing the call of the whale so much, he started his own whale watch venture to be with the mammals once more. In New Zealand, What to do About Whales? tells the story of how whale watching transformed the coastal town of Kaikoura from a dying community into a vibrant place that entices thousands of visitors from around the world. And in Provincetown, USA, following the collapse of the fishing industry, local fishing families made an unexpected punt on whale watching, a business that now brings 400,000 visitors a year to the town, and on which locals completely depend. As whales are an international species that swim freely in all oceans, nations are deciding how best to utilize whales to suit their own needs. Viewers will hear interviews with Iceland's Minister of Fisheries, New Zealand's Minister of Conservation, Japan's Director of Fisheries and scientists from across the globe who all take their distinctive stance in this international debate. Interspersed with dramatic footage of whales in their natural environment, this informative and often passionate film is a powerful voice in this divisive debate over the future of the world's whale populations. PAL Version.

Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 10/12/2008)

Lew Trusty's Hawaii Underwater

Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)

Alaska's Whales and Wildlife

Once aired on the Discovery Channel, this DVD is a spectacular visual journey to one of America s most pristine and scenic wilderness areas, the southeast coast of Alaska. Visit lush rainforests and glaciers, bears, eagles, otters and humpback whales.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/12/2008)

Treasures of the Wild - Journey to Baja

Baja California ... the only North American land that turned back the Spanish Conquistadors. This desert peninsula has repelled waves of humankind, leaving its marine ecosystems intact and filled with life. From manta rays to dolphins, Baja is sanctum to some of the most spectacular marine life on earth. Here swim sperm whales and pilot whales, along with the most colossal animals living on earth: the elusive blue whale. But it is the gray whales, which breed only at Baja, who are the stars of the film as they deliberately approach whalewatching boats, allowing occupants to touch them.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)

National Geographic - Really Wild Animals: Deep Sea Dive

Dive into fun and explore the world's oceans from surface to seafloor. Come face to face with great whales, friendly dolphins, scary sharks, and all the ocean's amazing treasures.

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 10/12/2008)

Whales - An Unforgettable Journey (Large Format)

Experience breathtaking close-up encounters with the largest mammal that ever lived on earth -- the Blue Whale. Follow Humpbacks, Orcas, Right Whales and dolphins for a stunning new perspective on these mysterious marine mammoths. "Whales" resonates in an exploding panorama of color and excitement. Acclaimed by critics as a "can't miss film," and a "dazzling poetic experience."

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 10/12/2008)

Salt & Friends: Humpback Whales With Names

Humpback whales are by far the most fun to see in the ocean or from the comfort of your favorite sofa. They are the whales most likely to jump out of the water, feed on fish with a mouth wide open or come up and visit you beside your boat! Salt & Friends was produced to make you feel like you are visiting whales in their world.

Salt is a real humpback whale. Salt & Friends is the fabulous story of fifteen named humpback whales and their families. Unlike most other whale programs, this 60 minute award-winning visit with whales, includes more than 55 minutes of exciting and often unbelievable whale footage.

Salt is the first whale to be given a name and studied for more than 30 years. During this period of time, she has thrilled whale watchers by bringing nine different calves right up to the side of their boats! Each calf has also been named and one female calf has now made Salt, a grandmother.

Salt is indeed the most sighted and most loved whale in the world. Over the years, millions of whale watchers have ventured offshore for a chance to meet this amazing and awe-inspiring humpback whale. Read the Director's Comments for a listing of the other humpback whales highlighted.

Salt & Friends has been produced to show whales as individuals, with distinct (and often hilarious) personalities. Children and adults find it to be entertaining and educational. Recommended for ages 5 and older.

Amazon Price: $17.76 (as of 10/12/2008)

Science of Whales

A bit more more scholarly but interesting dvd on Whales.

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 10/12/2008)

National Geographic: Whales in Crisis

One of National Geographic's great dvds - some superb footage of whales - and a lot to think about.

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 10/12/2008)

Nikon Action 8x40 Binocular

Like the Actions with 50mm objective lenses, the 8x40 and 7x35 models in this ever-popular series have been updated with enhanced and ergonomic styling and a lower price structure. They also feature aspherical eyepiece lenses with multi-coated prisms and a quick central focus system so that there is never a delay in observation. With a field of view of over 420' at 1,000 yards, these particular models of the Action Series are a true "wide-view" binocular. For the discriminating and value-conscious outdoorsman, there is no finer binocular than the Action.

Amazon Price: $66.65 (as of 10/12/2008)

Nikon ProStaff ATB 8x25 Waterproof Binocular

8x25 is perhaps the optimal binocular for theater and stadium viewing but this compact yet powerful model is popular among other enthusiasts. Its light weight makes outdoor activities more comfortable. Built not only for ruggedness, but for optical perfomance and true take-it-anywhere portability, the Nikon ProfStaff ATB is constructed on a durable, rubber armored, polycarbonate body that has been purged of all moisture with bone-dry nitrogen for total waterproof and fogproof performance. One look through this compact and Nikon's uncompromising optical standard becomes quite evident. Aspherical eyepiece lenses provide a crisp, distortion-free field of view and long eye relief; Nikon's exclusive Eco-Glass lenses and prisms offer high performance together with notable weight savings over typical optical glass. The result is bright, razor sharp viewing even at dawn, dusk or in poor weather, when light conditions tend to be less than ideal. That's what makes the ProStaff an All Terrain Binocular. Eco-glass lenses and prisms for high performance and weight-savings Twist-up eyecups for easy viewing Real Angular Field of View 6.3° with Field of View at 1000 Yards 330' Exit Pupil 3.1 mm Eye Relief 15.5 mm Relative Brightness 9.8 Close Focus Distance (ft) 9.1' Unit Dimensions L x W 3.9x4.5 inch / Weight 12.5 ounce

Amazon offer an OUTSTANDING DISCOUNT on these binoculars. When Whale watching the chances of getting splashed by the whale may be very high !

Amazon Price: $119.95 (as of 10/12/2008)

Steiner 8x42 Predator Binocular

Steiner's 8x42 Predator binoculars are lightweight, roof-prism, center-focus hunting binoculars. They feature the same predator "game sensing" lens coating as the Steiner 8x30 Predator. They offer a relative brightness of 27.56 and the advantage of enhanced contrast for spotting hidden game in the thickest foliage. The green objective lens coating blocks out the colors of haze and foliage and increases the transmission of brown, red, and other game colors. The wrap-around long-eye-relief Predator eyecups block distracting sidelight. The eyecups are constructed of soft rubber and provide 23 millimeters of eye relief for extended periods of comfortable viewing.

These binoculars provide 8x magnification and 42-millimeter lenses for a field of view of 367 feet at 1,000 yards. The rugged forest green rubber construction provides both water and shock resistance to withstand rain, moisture, and jarring. Along with the binoculars, you receive a case, a neoprene strap, and attached objective lens caps.

Steiner, Europe's binocular specialist for more than 50 years, backs its 8x42 Predator binoculars with a 30-year warranty. ( Oh yes - and there's a HUGE discount at Amazon !)

Amazon Price: $799.00 (as of 10/12/2008)

Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

Captain Ahab would have loved these ..
Canon's 18x50 IS binoculars incorporate an optical image stabilizer for shake-free viewing and minimal eye fatigue. This technology was first developed for Canon video camcorders and is now available in many of Canon's binoculars. The system employs a Vari-Angle Prism, dual transparent plates, independent vertical and horizontal sensors, and a dedicated microprocessor to continuously adjust the prism to maintain a steady image.

The 18x50 IS binoculars feature a water-resistant, shock-resistant rubber coating for a nonslip grip and better durability. If you get caught in the rain and still want to view, you don't have to worry about the optics fogging up. These binoculars deliver high magnification and wide-field viewing. Controls for focusing and image stabilization are centrally located and accessible by both hands. These binoculars provide long eye relief for extra comfort.

Image Stabilization and More
With any high magnification binoculars, most users will experience frustrating image shake. Unless fixed to a tripod, image shake can render high magnification binoculars useless. Canon's IS technology is remarkably effective at eliminating this problem and is widely used by the television industry with Canon's professional broadcast quality video recording equipment. A special VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system sits between the objective lens group and the porro prism on each side of the binoculars. Within thousandths of a second of the binoculars being moved from their optical axis by vibrations, a detection system activates the IS mechanism. The VAP shape alters to refract or 'bend' the light path by precisely the right amount, thus fully compensating for the vibration. It is this essentially immediate response that effectively suppresses image shake. With almost 50% discount (at time of writing !)

Amazon Price: $1,142.88 (as of 10/12/2008)

Whales: Touching the Mystery

by Doug Thompson

Ever since his first contact with a gray whale as a teenager, Doug Thompson has had a passion for this majestic marine mammal. Here, he shares stories of whales he has met over his 30-year career, in particular the "friendly" Gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. He describes the thrill of interacting with these gentle giants who seek out human contact within their birthing lagoons.Weaving his own and others' fascinating personal accounts with factual information he describes the hidden lives of whales, their mysterious migrations, and the modern threats they face in the world's waters. He also chronicles the efforts of human champions who are working to end whale hunting and promote whale watching - a far preferable economic alternative -worldwide. Ideal for seasoned whale watchers and the general-interest reader, this appealing package includes photos and maps as well as a first-rate companion DVD.

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/12/2008)

Whale Watcher: A Global Guide to Watching Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises in the Wild

by Trevor Day

Every year, more than four million people go whale watching, and the numbers keep growing. This beautifully illustrated guidebook will be the best handy reference for whale watchers.

All recognized species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are described in this book. Stunning action photography of each is coupled with detailed information on where and when to see each species and how to identify it through behavior and physical characteristics. There are featured spreads on 40 of the most fascinating and frequently watched whales. For quick and easy identification, the families and species are organized in descending order of size, from the blue whale to the tiniest dolphins and porpoises.

The natural history and habitat of each animal is described in detail, along with the latest research on topics such as cetacean communication and social structure. There are also maps, other helpful illustrations and addresses, as well as travel tips on locations for whale watching responsibly. Also included is updated information on endangered species and conservation efforts.

Whale Watcher is the most comprehensive book for anyone planning a safe and successful watching trip.

Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 10/12/2008)

Whale Watching in Australian & New Zealand Waters

by Peter Gill, Cecilia Burke

This is the first comprehensive whale watching guidebook to come out of Australia (other than the earlier work by Ross Isacc). There is an introduction to whale and dolphin biology, evolution, etc. plus some historical whaling facts and also a chapter on whale and dolphin watching both from land and from cruises. The best part of the book would be its excellent coverage of whale watching spots in and around Australia and New Zealand and the fantastics pics. The thing I did not like about this book was its actual style of writing. I rather read something that was written in the style used in Discovery Travels series where they write in the way that allows you to really picture the place in your head. Overall, still the best whale watching guidebook for Oceania.

Amazon Price: $16.16 (as of 10/12/2008)

Where the Whales Are: Your Guide to Whale-Watching Trips in North America

by Patricia Corrigan, Roger Payne

The bulk of the text is a highly informative directory dividing North America into seven areas listing over 200 tour operators and 250 excursions, each providing pertinent information as well as what kind of whales can be seen and when. Comments from marine biologists, naturalists, and tour operators further enrich these listings. This superb guide also provides a wealth of information in the supporting text, appendixes, and extensive bibliography. The format is clear and the text well organized. It is highly recommended and will prove valuable to both veteran and first-time whale watchers.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)