Some whales appear and vanish like old friends at a kitchen door. When the South Coast sun hung low back in July of 1975, Jena swept through the cool North Atlantic, leaving whispers in her wake. Only the gulls and the rolling sea bore witness, and then—poof—she slipped right back into the depths of mystery.

The years drifted by, whole generations of capelin danced and vanished, and it wasn't until July 2007 that Jena popped up in Witless Bay. For over three decades, folks could only imagine where she'd been—maybe spinning under icebergs or learning the secret handshake of a distant pod. Ten years later, there she was again in Witless Bay, catching the summer light on her back, a sight to stir the soul of anyone lucky enough to be watching.

In May 2018, a ripple of excitement spread through Aspen Cove in Smith Sound. Jena had swung by, no doubt drawing curious eyes by land and by sea. And then, in true international style, she turned up in the Bay of Samaná, far to the south in the Dominican Republic the following March. Imagine her gliding through turquoise waters, enjoying the winter sun while Newfoundland shivered beside its woodstoves.

With the turn of the seasons, August and September of 2025 saw Jena return to Bonavista’s wild coast—the sort of visit that makes a person double-check they’re not dreaming. After more than forty years of vanishing acts and surprise encores, Jena’s story is a celebration of the unexpected.