Cygnus  # 0294

Cygnus is a large, adult male humpback whale.  His first recorded sighting at Stellwagen Bank was in 1981.  He has returned to this area almost every year since.  There is no current family history for Cygnus because when he was first seen he was already on his own.  With no mother that we can trace to by the traditional way of photographing mother and calf, we must wait for further DNA analysis.  

Cygnus was named for his unusual dorsal fin.  The curved dorsal reminded the namers of a swan.  "Cygnus" is Latin for "swan."  Examining his fluke more closely revels a second meaning to his name.  A cross or x which is seen in the middle of the right fluke near the trailing edge also resembles Cygnus the Swan, a northern constellation seen best in the summer skies.  It is sometimes also called the Northern Cross.  There are many myths and legends associated with this constellation.  One of which named Cygnus as the son of Poseidon, God of the oceans and brother to Zeus.  Cygnus was strangled by Achilles during the Trojan war.  Saddened by the loss of his son, Poseidon turned him into a swan and placed him in the heavens.

Cygnus has a great and unique fluke for identifying.  This is a good one for beginners.  Another striking feature of Cygnus is his dorsal.  Instead of standing erect like most dorsal fins, his curves over to the right side.  This was probably due to an injury sustained during intense breeding battles.  Adult, male humpback whales will often engage in fierce breeding battles to win the privilege to breed with a female.  Often resulting in nonfatal injuries and scars.