BajaNomad - blue whales off Redondo

blue whales off Redondo

krafty - 9-15-2010 at 11:30 AM

A pod of large blue whales was just spotted off Redondo-so where are they headed?

Ken Bondy - 9-15-2010 at 12:01 PM

krafty
For the time being they aren't headed anywhere. They have been coming to the Southern Califorina coast in recent years to feed on large shoals of krill. They stay for several months. I don't think anyone knows where they go in the winter, although blues are commonly seen in the Sea of Cortez Feb-April near Loreto. Also don't know if these are the same individuals that are off the California coast right now. ++Ken++

Skeet/Loreto - 9-15-2010 at 12:12 PM

Den:
During Virginia and My time at Loreto in the 80;s we counted as many as 48 Blues in a one year time Frame.
We have had them come up and play with our Panga, turn over and look up at us with that Big Ole Eye on many occasions.
I have always had a close feeling when they are near the Boat. It just seems as if they know You!

Ken do you know of any recent Book on the Survival of the Fishes in the Sea of Cortez-I mean the Study of the Survival of the Fitist thing.

Will diving and snorkelsing around Del Ifonso off or San Nicholas I observed the Acts of Survival from the Birds to around 75 Feet.
Would appreciate any info.

Skeet

Ken Bondy - 9-15-2010 at 12:36 PM

Skeet that must have been a fabulous experience to see that many. I have only seen them once and that was off of Loreto in 2002. It was magnificent, I'll never forget it. I don't know of any scientific studies involving fish survival in the Sea of Cortez. I personally dived often in the SOC from the 70s thru the 90s and I didn't notice much change in marine life, but I haven't seen it in the last 10-15 years. I have seen cormorants practicing their acts of survival (eating fish) on numerous occasions some as deep as 90 ft. ++Ken++

Skeet/Loreto - 9-15-2010 at 12:45 PM

Too Bad I am getting to the age of less Risk taking!!

Around the various Islands from 50 miles South to North of Mulege I observed many Acts of "Survival" including the Birds building their nests depending on their Size.

I have several Phots of Blues coming up to my Panga and I reaching over and touching them.
Also had some great experience with a couple of Hammerheads and the Golden Cabrilla leading its flock to the good Eating Areas.

Sure do miss getting on that water,,

mtgoat666 - 9-15-2010 at 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Around the various Islands from 50 miles South to North of Mulege I observed many Acts of "Survival" including the Birds building their nests depending on their Size.

what bird activity do you call "Act of Survival?" i am unfamiliar with that term,... is that a texas term??

Timo1 - 9-15-2010 at 02:32 PM

Skeeter
Who is typing for you
2 complete posts and 1 typo...Get back
on yourself
It just ain't right :biggrin:

Sonora Wind - 9-15-2010 at 02:53 PM

Try Presott College

Every year I hear the VHF chatter with the College doing whale counts around Kino Bay. They might have info about numbers, migration and such.

When I saw whales, I always kept it to myself. Seems if the word got around there were whales close by, lookie lues would approch to close and cause havoc. :cool:

Skeet/Loreto - 9-15-2010 at 03:08 PM

Goat- Act of Survival__ When a Golden Cabrilla leads a group of his Dark Cabrilla to a group of Eating Fish-The Dark Grouper then consumes those he can catch- Those being eaten have eaten themselves on those that are smaller and not as Fast{Survival of the Fitist}.

Sonora Wind. Yes that side of the Cortez has larger numbers of folks to go do the Looky Loos.

Over on the other side many days Virginia and I were in our Panga and never saw any other boats, course that was late 70,s and early 80,s.

Martyman - 9-15-2010 at 03:33 PM

It is being reported that a bunch of grey whales have skipped the long trip to Alaska and are hangin' out off the coast of NorCal this summer. Apparently a lot of krill in the water this year.

Ken Bondy - 9-15-2010 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
It is being reported that a bunch of grey whales have skipped the long trip to Alaska and are hangin' out off the coast of NorCal this summer. Apparently a lot of krill in the water this year.

Unlikely Martyman. Gray whales are bottom feeders. I don't think they have ever been observed eating krill in the water column. It's possible they are skipping the Alaska trip, but not to feed on krill.

[Edited on 9-15-2010 by Ken Bondy]

Russ - 9-15-2010 at 04:07 PM

Just received this video: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7669593

Skipjack Joe - 9-15-2010 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by krafty
A pod of large blue whales was just spotted off Redondo-so where are they headed?

They're headed for northern california. This is a bounty year for krill for us due to the upwelling caused by high winds and cooler waters. There was a program about this recently on the local news. Guys are coming back with salmon stuffed with krill.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-08-26/bay-area/17122443_1_krill-food-chain-ocean-floor

shari - 9-15-2010 at 05:39 PM

there are lots of the gray whale population who "go against the grain" and dont go all the way up to Alaska. Pockets of stray grays can be found all up the west coast wherever there is an abundance of yummy amphipods or ghost shrimp. Their feeding grounds can shift and they go where the grits are. Feeding groups sizes depends on the food source.

Around Vancouver Island photo identication studies revealed that some whales came back to the same bay many times....and we had the honour to get to know returning whales personally. Some say that certain whales just dont see the need to swim all the way to Alaska for good food and when they find a good place to eat....well...they go back. Also many sick or weak whales prefer not to swim so far and remain in the center of the coast.

Traditional feeding grounds can be abandoned when conditions change. So, get some pictures of those whales you see everyday...photo identification really helps whale researchers learn more about their migratory & feeding patterns. Anyone can gather good data...just observe and record things like times, places, tidal data, how many in a group, any little ones, swimming patterns and direction headed, behavior (breaching, feeding, playing etc.) and note how long they were engaged in an activity. It's fun to keep track of your sightings and you can look back and see things like when the whales were present in your area last year.

Blue whale sightings are particularly important as there are not many people researching them so public sighting data is valuable.

One of my dreams is that somewhale fans will come who wants to just sit and count whales all day during the "Whale Procession"....wish I could!

Skeet/Loreto - 9-15-2010 at 05:50 PM

Shari; That is one of the best Posts I have ever seen on thisnBoard. an expression of Knowledge and love for a Blue Whale.

Keep it up Girl You are destined to become Famous and Loved.

Skeet

bajamigo - 9-15-2010 at 06:22 PM

About a week ago, there were three blue whales hanging around the tuna corrals in the bay off Punta Banda. Stunning creatures! I was surprised to see them, because I had heard the the tuna pens screwed up their navigation lanes, and we've rarely seen whales in the bay ever since the tuna farming started here. Thankfully, the pens haven't been used in years and maybe the Koreans who own them will remove them. Of course the illegal gill netters dont' help matters much.

shari - 9-15-2010 at 07:47 PM

thank you Skeet I'm blushing. I am always happy to share what I have learned from both the whales and the people who study them because both these groups have taught me so much.

That blue whale footage is amazing...I can imagine how excited those paddlers were!!!

Martyman - 9-16-2010 at 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy

Quote:

Okay, thanks for giving me the real scoop. So blues eat krill, greys eat ghost and mud shrimp?