In this simulation, you will act as a researcher studying humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. You will first be trained on species field identification and distance estimation in the practice mode. In the field, whales are usually identified to species using a variety of surface cues (things you might see when the whale arrives at the surface to breathe). If the whale is far in the distance, all you may see is the spout or blow of that whale- the condensation that occurs when the warm breath leaving their blowhole interacts with the cooler atmosphere. Trained observers can actually identify whales to species using just the spout shape and size. If the animal is closer to the vessel, an observer may see the actual body of the whale and use those visual cues (size, shape of dorsal fin, fluke, etc.) to identify the species. Estimating distance also has a steep learning curve and can feel very frustrating! Researchers will often train themselves using technology such as laser rangefinders, but will often rely on their own estimates or binocular reticlesLinks to an external site. to record distances of the animals.