The Newfoundland Lens
Welcome to the Newfoundland Lens, the ultimate podcast for anyone planning to visit the breathtaking province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. While we focus on photography tips and the best locations to capture stunning images, we also dive into everything you need to know about exploring our province.
Join Michael Winsor, an internationally award-winning photographer and owner of Newfoundland Photo Tours, and Cory Babstock, an experienced local guide with Newfoundland Photo Tours, as they share stories from past and upcoming tours. They’ll also interview local experts in the tourism industry and answer common questions visitors have when planning their trip.
Each episode covers a variety of topics, including:
•The best times and places to photograph icebergs, puffins, whales, and more.
•Tips on camera settings and techniques for capturing Newfoundland’s beauty.
•Local highlights, including favourite restaurants, accommodations, and cultural spots.
•Essential advice on what to pack and expect for a seamless travel experience.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or a traveler looking to make the most of your time here, our podcast is your guide to discovering the best of Newfoundland and Labrador. New episodes are released twice a month during winter and spring, each lasting 20 to 30 minutes.
Start planning your adventure with us today!
The Newfoundland Lens
From the Caribbean to Newfoundland: The Whale Odyssey
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Let us know if you have any questions about Newfoundland and we may air it on next episode.
Whale Watching & Research in Trinity, Newfoundland | Sea of Whales Adventures with Shawna Prince
Host Michael Winsor and co-host Cory Babstock welcome Shawna Prince of Sea of Whales Adventures to discuss whale watching and marine research in Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador. Prince explains how Sea of Whales began in 2009 after she and Chris took over from a retiring operator, and describes their long-running photo-identification work and data sharing with groups like Allied Whale and Happywhale’s AI matching. She shares examples of unexpected humpback matches from the Azores to near Russia, outlines identification methods using fluke patterns and tail edges, and notes work with humpbacks, sperm whales, orcas, and a large fin whale dataset. The conversation covers sperm whale ecology and hydrophone use, rare blue whale sightings in September 2024, other local species, Caribbean breeding-ground collaboration in Turks and Caicos, and plans for the upcoming May 15–Oct 15 season, including sperm whale length measurements and iceberg conditions.
00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:39 Starting Sea of Whales
02:06 Whale Photo ID Research
03:39 Long Distance Whale Matches
04:40 How Photo ID Works
05:59 Species and Data Sharing
09:54 Happy Whale AI Explained
10:56 Sperm Whales in Newfoundland
13:45 Hydrophones and Deep Dives
17:15 Whale Encounters and Ethics
18:51 Surprise Sightings Blue Whales
21:47 Fin and Sei Whales Overview
25:02 Spotting Sperm Whales
25:27 Orca Catalog Connections
26:34 Do Orcas Visit More
27:22 Chasing Orca Patterns
28:40 Humpbacks in Turks
29:21 Calves Milk and Migration
31:28 Winter Whales and Oddballs
32:56 Why They Come North
33:49 Orca Scars and Safety
36:16 The Mystery of Breaching
37:47 Cameras and Rough Seas
39:45 Season Plans Icebergs
42:12 New Research and Dates
43:39 Where to Follow Sea
44:08 More Than Whales
45:22 Geology Tours and Wrap
46:37 Final Thanks and Signoff
Welcome to the Rock!
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