BajaNomad

There's a New Girl in Town - whale from Russia in Baja waters

Mulegena - 1-26-2012 at 05:22 PM

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/23/rare-gray-whale-m...

[Edited on 1-27-2012 by Mulegena]

[Edited on 1-27-2012 by Mulegena]

shari - 1-26-2012 at 07:30 PM

Great article, thanks Maria....it is always interesting when accepted theories like these are challenged. My guess is that the russian population is so low that the whales realize they need to find a new gene pool to survive. I hope it's radio transmitter lasts to find out if it goes back to it's homeland or stays here.

on a similar line, we always thought that whales propulsion comes from their tale but there is a famous whale who's tale was cut off and this whale was photographed in San Ignacio and later in the season up in Alaska...pretty cool eh! Pretty long way to swim with no tail but she did it!

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2012 at 08:35 PM

I once hooked a jack off the Tulum reef and a great barracuda bit off it's tail. It didn't fare too well without that tail.

It's obvious Varvara was lost. Her home is the Santa Barbara islands. :P

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

Mulegena - 1-26-2012 at 08:51 PM

Here we can get an updated visual as to her location. She's already deep into Baja waters, it appears. It'd be great to see her this winter! She's reported to be curious and friendly.



As requested by the website I'm obligated to mention, "This research was conducted by A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) and Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute in collaboration with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Kronotsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve and the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography. The research was contracted through the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with funding from Exxon Neftegas Ltd. and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd."

Mulegena - 1-26-2012 at 09:09 PM

from the Gazette Times in Newport, Oregon
an interview with Bruce Mate:

"The average tag lasts 123 days, and she has passed that mark already, but the tags also are capable of lasting up to a year," Mate said. "Ideally, it will continue to operate as she returns north from the breeding lagoon so we can see if she takes the same route back to Russia."

She's traveling at 100-125 miles per day, she's here in Baja now.

"OSU's Mate said past studies by the university's Marine Mammal Institute suggest that gray whales typically stay in the breeding areas for 20-25 days before beginning their return migration. That should put Varvara back in the ocean off Los Angeles in late February, and back to Oregon by March, he estimated."

Ateo - 1-26-2012 at 09:12 PM

Very awesome.

Weekly Update on Varvara - she's goin' for that Southern Baja sunshine!

Mulegena - 1-30-2012 at 12:47 PM

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

The tracking chart shows her just north of Bahia Magdalena.

Its interesting to me to note that she's taken a direct and efficient, proven route along the Baja coastline and has by-passed the Vizcaino Peninsula by cutting back out into deeper waters. This lets her make exceedingly good time, especially considering she's motoring along at a cool 100-125 miles per day clip. She's probably traveling with California Greys who know the ropes, I'm thinking.

This site gives only a weekly update; wish I had access to her daily GPS. I'd so love to go see her, but who knows, she'll remain in her winter waters for a few weeks once she reaches her chosen destination, so the opportunity may appear.

I'm fascinated by her, and really would like to learn what criterion she's drawing on in making this decision of her chosen Baja lagoon. Anybody know? Shari, could you lend some knowledge, please?


Edited to include the following: As requested by the website I'm obligated to mention, "This research was conducted by A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) and Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute in collaboration with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Kronotsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve and the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography. The research was contracted through the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with funding from Exxon Neftegas Ltd. and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd."


[Edited on 1-30-2012 by Mulegena]

Edited a second time to include the following link which briefly explores the scientific speculations as to why Western Grey Whales are appearing in Eastern Pacific waters and incorporating the annual migratory pattern into Baja waters into their lifes.
Read here the further article by San Diego Union Tribune writer Mike Lee: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/24/tp-gray-whale-cro...

[Edited on 1-30-2012 by Mulegena]

shari - 1-30-2012 at 04:27 PM

whales that are not having babies or assisting a birth generally dont hang around in the lagoons although there are some mating trios wander in to do their thing in calmer waters, then they leave again. The lagoons are mostly for mom's and babies.

Most of the non birthing whales hang around the outside up and down the coast and not for long till they turn around and head back north. My guess is that this whale is looking to mate and has most likely done so now...I sure hope they have a photo ID on her so we can watch for her next season in the calving lagoons. Gray Whales are solitary animals but it sure seems sad she swam all this way all by her lonesome.

Skipjack Joe - 1-30-2012 at 05:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

The tracking chart shows her just north of Bahia Magdalena.

This site gives only a weekly update; wish I had access to her daily GPS.



Where's DavidK when you need him? :(

Varvara remains in Baja Sur waters

Mulegena - 2-13-2012 at 01:30 PM

but has not entered any lagoons, choosing to linger but remain in open ocean just north of Bahia Magdalena.

Here's the link with most recent location update: http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

update on Varvara's whereabouts - look for her in Asuncion!!

Mulegena - 2-27-2012 at 09:20 AM

Here's the link to see her Baja journey: http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

She continues north and peeked into the entryway of Laguna San Ignacio.

As this site is updated only weekly, no one but the scientists tracking her and she herself know her travel route on a daily basis.

I think we are safe to assume she'll continue to head northward and follow the coastline. She may be passing by Bahia Asuncion any time now!

Mulegena - 3-8-2012 at 01:54 PM

Varvara is out of Baja waters.
She swam north past Ojo de Liebre and reached Long Beach, California in a week's time.

David K - 3-8-2012 at 02:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

The tracking chart shows her just north of Bahia Magdalena.

This site gives only a weekly update; wish I had access to her daily GPS.



Where's DavidK when you need him? :(


tiotomasbcs - 3-8-2012 at 05:52 PM

You Da Man, DK. You should have a job with National Geographic!;) How fast do whales travel?? 100 miles a day seems incredible!? I was hoping to see her down here in Peskys. The number of whales has started to decrease substantially down south. Hasta luego. Tio

David K - 3-8-2012 at 06:01 PM

No problema amigo!

Mexitron - 3-8-2012 at 07:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Great article, thanks Maria....it is always interesting when accepted theories like these are challenged. My guess is that the russian population is so low that the whales realize they need to find a new gene pool to survive. I hope it's radio transmitter lasts to find out if it goes back to it's homeland or stays here.



Interesting idea---are you surmising that its a conscious action...or just an inherent impulse?

Varvara, our newest Baja Nomad

Mulegena - 3-8-2012 at 08:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Great article, thanks Maria....it is always interesting when accepted theories like these are challenged. My guess is that the russian population is so low that the whales realize they need to find a new gene pool to survive. I hope it's radio transmitter lasts to find out if it goes back to it's homeland or stays here.



Interesting idea---are you surmising that its a conscious action...or just an inherent impulse?
I'm so happy this thread has proven to be of interest to Nomads.

I've been in touch with the research director Bruce Mate from the University of Oregon.
He'd be the person to make any hypothesis, and I imagine his findings will be published.

It does make me wonder how many "outsiders" are here in our Eastern waters and why they're coming here. Interesting also to note that Varvara really didn't stay long, seemingly didn't enter deeply into any lagoon or linger. She just made a quick dash down and back like so many other Nomads.

Its cool, her tracking device has remained intact.
There were other whales tagged but all lost their tags pretty quickly.

I'm hoping the University of Oregon continues to follow her and will replace her tag when it fails. Maybe next year we'll find her visiting again-- maybe have a baby in one of our lagoons!

Check the weblink I posted a couple times earlier in this thread; its there for anybody to check, folks, and updates are given only on Mondays, even to DavidK.
Here 'tis: http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

Edited to include the following link to an article by San Diego Union Tribune writer Mike Lee which briefly explores the scientific speculations as to why Western Grey Whales are appearing in Eastern Pacific waters and incorporating the annual migratory pattern into Baja waters into their lives: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/24/tp-gray-whale-cro...

[Edited on 3-9-2012 by Mulegena]

Varvara - update

Mulegena - 3-14-2012 at 06:25 AM

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

She's continuing north; hugging the California coastline she moved from Dana Point to Fort Bragg.

shari - 3-14-2012 at 07:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Great article, thanks Maria....it is always interesting when accepted theories like these are challenged. My guess is that the russian population is so low that the whales realize they need to find a new gene pool to survive. I hope it's radio transmitter lasts to find out if it goes back to it's homeland or stays here.



Interesting idea---are you surmising that its a conscious action...or just an inherent impulse?


Yes I am surmising it's a concious action...like in these parts way back when...the men used to visit the ranches to "choose" a wife because in the small villages & ranches everyone is related so one must venture out to another area to mate so as not to weaken the species by breeding from the same gene pool. I wouldnt be surprised this happens more than we think....it just so happened that Varvara had a tracking device so we found out about it.

Now it will be really interesting to see if she emigrates permanently or goes back home. I sure hope her batteries of the device dont run out.

[Edited on 3-14-2012 by shari]

She's heading home to Russian waters it'd appear

Mulegena - 3-19-2012 at 09:24 PM

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

Varvara has continued northward, hugging the coastline from Fort Bragg to the northwestern coast of Vancouver Island.

I hope we get to see her again next year!

chuckie - 3-20-2012 at 12:56 AM

Thank you so much for this! My daughters, landlocked in Colorado and Texas, are following Varvara as I have been..fascinating...

Mulegena - 3-20-2012 at 07:58 AM

This has been fascinating to watch, and I wish the university would allow the public access to her whereabouts more than once a week.

We can all write to Bruce Mate, the director of her monitoring program and ask if he'd change the parameters and perhaps engage in dialogue here on the board.

It'd be great if her tracking device is still functioning next season.

Thoughts on tagging and tracking devices, pros and cons:
To learn a bit about the mysteries and wonder of these marvelous mammals of the ocean is an extraordinary experience, no doubt about it. From another perspective however, from the whales' eyes, perhaps not welcome at all.

On another thread it was reported numerous whales in San Ignacio were tagged and this led me to consider whether doing this is a breach of trust-- particularly in the birthing lagoons where the mothers and babies are accustomed to gentle daily interaction with the boats. They know the pangueros and, as Shari noted, they react strongly, intelligently and with negative emotion when they are tagged. Does it hurt physically? Perhaps. Does it harm them emotionally? Perhaps.

These are intelligent beings. We're their guests in their watery home.

Dialogue, anyone, on this thread or the other, referenced here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=58980

shari - 3-20-2012 at 08:20 AM

This is one tagging effort that HAS certainly been useful and of great interest. I cant wait to see where she goes to feed. I'm not sure why you would say she seems to be heading back to russia...the route she has taken is the traditional migration route north....she's enjoying the yummy food at the river mouth's of Vancouver Island that are rich in amphipods and this time of year the whales who have lost a third of their body weight bulk up feasting on herring roe they suck off eel grass....yum yum!!!

Mulegena - 3-20-2012 at 11:40 AM

Thanks for the opportunity for clarification and education, Shari.

I'm not an educated layperson, so its but my musings that she's headed back to Russian waters. I suppose she's headed there as she's historically been in those waters.

It'll be great to see where she chooses to summer and if by chance her signaling device holds true, wouldn't it be great to see her return south next fall?

True, her tagging has been one grand opportunity for a glimpse into the life of a whale to learn about these wonderful beings who share our planet.

Could you share a little more about what you've learned and personally seen of the northern summers, Shari?

rts551 - 3-20-2012 at 11:50 AM

Sure glad they did the tagging. Look what useful information researchers are gleaning from this effort.

shari - 3-20-2012 at 12:04 PM

as I mentioned in another thread, gray whales dont all go to feed in Alaska...the majority do but many whales dont swim all that way north. Dr.Jim Darling, a leading gray whale researcher discovered that some grays feed all summer long in bays in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia...he found this out when he was surfing one summer in Tofino and noticed that he saw the same whales catching waves with him...which is when we began to do photo ID that proved some whales stay the whole summer to feed there...which was very helpful to the whale watching companies that sprang up after that.

One interesting thing was that these summer residents didnt arrive till later after most migrating whales passed by...these whales arrived in May or later meaning they either left Mexico later or just slowly made their way up north instead of B-lining for Alaska. It wasnt the same whales every year that fed in that area although some did return. Perhaps whales that were sick or weak didnt make the swim all the way north...or perhaps they just liked the food better around the old growth forests.

March 18-25, 2012 Question: Is she going to head back west or stay in the Eastern Pacific waters this summer?

Mulegena - 3-26-2012 at 08:46 AM

Weekly Update: This week Varvara was traveled from Vancouver Island up to Baranof Island and was offshore from Sitka. This is north of (but close to) her arrival point where she came near shore when she crossed the Gulf of Alaska and then headed south.

Here's the link.
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

Anyone making reference to these data needs to acknowledge the source of the data by using the following text: "This research was conducted by A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) and Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute in collaboration with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Kronotsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve and the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography. The research was contracted through the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with funding from Exxon Neftegas Ltd. and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd."

shari - 3-26-2012 at 09:10 AM

thanks Maria...I imagine we will see in the next couple weeks what she will do...I'm so curious so please keep the updates coming.

theory

mtgoat666 - 3-26-2012 at 12:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
thanks Maria...I imagine we will see in the next couple weeks what she will do...I'm so curious so please keep the updates coming.


i think gray whales frequently go back and forth between russia and USA. in past 5 to 10 years whale numbers in baja were way down, then this and last year see record numbers. where were the whales? i think they were mating and birthing in russia past few years, and for some reason decided to come back to USA west coast and baja. after they saw a good year under obama they came back, it was the bush years they stayed away... those whales are not stupid.

that's my theory, and i am sticking to it!!

woody with a view - 3-26-2012 at 01:13 PM

hey Goat, thanks for the humour! this place needs more of it on occassion.....

Mulegena - 3-26-2012 at 03:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
hey Goat, thanks for the humour! this place needs more of it on occassion.....
If Sara Palin were a Nomad we'd be gettin' daily updates of the Russian whales' whereabouts from her bathroom window!

woody with a view - 3-27-2012 at 07:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
hey Goat, thanks for the humour! this place needs more of it on occassion.....
If Sara Palin were a Nomad we'd be gettin' daily updates of the Russian whales' whereabouts from her bathroom window!


i thought it was her front yard. the outhouse in back couldn't see Russia. even if it had a window!:lol:

mtgoat666 - 3-27-2012 at 09:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
hey Goat, thanks for the humour! this place needs more of it on occassion.....
If Sara Palin were a Nomad we'd be gettin' daily updates of the Russian whales' whereabouts from her bathroom window!


i thought it was her front yard. the outhouse in back couldn't see Russia. even if it had a window!:lol:


i don't think she lives in AK any more -- she moved to lower 48 to be nearer to her right wing nut fan base, nearer to the cameras.

anywho, she thinks wildlife is for killing, so probably not into whale watching

She is indeed heading back to Western Pacific waters

Mulegena - 4-14-2012 at 10:17 AM

Last week the research team couldn't locate her and wondered if the batteries in her tracking device had failed, but here she has been located once again directly following the Alaskan coastline but clearly heading west.
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

mtgoat666 - 4-14-2012 at 12:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Last week the research team couldn't locate her and wondered if the batteries in her tracking device had failed, but here she has been located once again directly following the Alaskan coastline but clearly heading west.
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011


most all whales head west to unimak pass to get to bering sea. big news will be if she goes left or right at unimak. is she going to west pacific or chugach sea?????

Cypress - 4-14-2012 at 12:41 PM

And if a conservative responds to this silly liberal chit-chat it's considerd a "HIGH JACK".:biggrin:

Cold flippers

Mulegena - 4-17-2012 at 10:15 AM

" This week saw Varvara travel from False Pass, east of Unimak Pass on the south side of the Aleutian Peninsula to Herendeen Bay 290 km NE of Unimak, where she encountered heavy sea ice, and has turned around to arrive at a position 180 km NE of Unimak Pass. "

Varvara, our Baja Girl, ran into water too cold so she had to retrace her steps. She's probably dreaming of the Baja sunshine right now.

A visual of her encountering the ice and swim back.
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011
Our girl's cold now :(

shari - 4-17-2012 at 05:21 PM

thanks for the update Maria...keep it up!

chuckie - 4-17-2012 at 06:32 PM

WHY Do you people have to use every opportunity to inject politics into every thing? This is about a whale not politics..Some of us enjoy this board and its content, on the subject posted..go elsewhere....

'way up north in the ice and snow...

Mulegena - 4-24-2012 at 11:57 AM

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

This is so cool-- cold, actually.

Varvara is heading west by skirting the ice flow.

Its interesting that these Grey Whales seem to prefer to keep to a shoreline, no matter their locale-- north or south, warm or cold waters.

Neat that she's still wearing her tag and its still operating. For me this is a first-time opportunity to get a glimpse into their lives and migratory patterns.

Keep on the move, Varvara, and come back to Baja soonest!

shari - 4-24-2012 at 12:07 PM

gray whales are coastal whales because they are bottom feeders so stay in relatively shallow water to feed....the yummy food they like is often in 50 or less of water in bays where fresh water stream runoffs are abundant which creates a habitat for the critters like amphipods they they chow on.

rts551 - 4-24-2012 at 12:29 PM

something else cool from that area

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/white-killer-whale-...

Skipjack Joe - 4-24-2012 at 12:32 PM

So they don't feed on krill?

Why the northern migration to plankton rich waters. Are the muds also richer up there.

Mulegena - 4-24-2012 at 12:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
gray whales are coastal whales because they are bottom feeders so stay in relatively shallow water to feed....the yummy food they like is often in 50 or less of water in bays where fresh water stream runoffs are abundant which creates a habitat for the critters like amphipods they they chow on.
Thanks for that, Shari. As she's skirting the ice flow now, is she finding food there or just truckin' westerly?

I"m really curious to see where she'll summer and if she'll head back to Baja or down to Japanese waters next winter.

shari - 4-25-2012 at 03:32 PM

that's what I thought Maria when I saw how far from the coast she was...she is going west...sure hope her tag keeps transmitting.

Igor...no, gray whales aren't plankton feeders like other baleen whales and yes, northern water's have abundant critters on the bottom that they eat. They also love to suck the herring roe off the eel grass around vancouver island....me too!

Wow...an albino orca...he's so stunning! thanks ralf.

This is a great thread-- what an opportunity!

Mulegena - 4-25-2012 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
They also love to suck the herring roe off the eel grass around vancouver island....me too!


A picture is worth a thousand words, Shari.
You make me remember how you like to offer fish eyes to all your new guests!

That white orca is gorgeous, isn't he!

I really hope Bruce Mate and all the scientists are learning alot from Varvara.

[Edited on 4-25-2012 by Mulegena]

shari - 4-25-2012 at 03:58 PM

you mean this one? whale and I have alot in common!



thanks again Maria for keeping us in the loop with Varvana.

chuckie - 4-25-2012 at 04:05 PM

Best thing on Nomads for a good while!!!! Thanks

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

Mulegena - 5-24-2012 at 07:24 AM

She's completed her round-trip, Russia-Baja-Russia, and is back on the east coast of Sakhalin Island in Russian waters where she was tagged some months ago.

Of the half-dozen whales who were tagged, she alone gives us this glimpse into their world. The others' tags were lost or malfunctioned.

Let's see if she summers there or heads to Asian waters...

shari - 5-27-2012 at 01:17 PM

wow...thanks Maria....so if she is pregnant, the 2 stocks will be forever intertwined. I bet there have been more Russians who have slipped over here and returned.

Mulegena - 5-27-2012 at 07:59 PM

Yeah, I hope her tag holds 'cause I so want to know if she comes back next season, and... wow! what if she has a baby?

That's be just too cool!

goldhuntress - 5-27-2012 at 10:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Yeah, I hope her tag holds 'cause I so want to know if she comes back next season, and... wow! what if she has a baby?

That's be just too cool!

Yes, I want to know too. I've been following here and on FB! Times like this BN needs a "like" button

Mulegena - 5-28-2012 at 06:42 AM

Goldhuntress, where is she on Facebook?

goldhuntress - 5-28-2012 at 07:14 AM

https://www.facebook.com/Marine.Mammal.Institute

"Like"

Mulegena - 5-28-2012 at 07:50 AM

Thanx!!

BajaBlanca - 5-28-2012 at 09:35 AM

what a journey ...

shari - 5-28-2012 at 08:13 PM

and while we are on the subject....here is another amazing whale's tale.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/324348

are your Von Economo Neurons firing properly Nomads?

Mulegena - 6-4-2012 at 11:53 AM

G'Monday morning, whale lovers.

Get your Von Economo neurons tuned up here in the cold waters of Russia where our girl Varvara seems content to stay for a day or two.

This is what the Marine Mammal Institute had to say on their weekly update: "Varvara has moved around in the same general area she occupied late in the feeding season, prior to her migration away from Sakhalin Island. Last week, she moved back and forth over an area extending from Chayvo to Okha, which is typically considered a feeding area for Western gray whales.

Update Western Gray Whales - week of 27 May - 03 June 2012 | Oregon State University Marine Mammal I
mmi.oregonstate.edu

shari - 6-4-2012 at 06:43 PM

gracias Maria...I guess she preferred the food in her old stompin grounds! Glad her transmitter is still working.

the last few days some really big whales have been in Asuncion Bay...cant wait to find out what they are...maybe fin...maybe blue or sei whales.

Fish are jumpin' and the plankton is high...

Mulegena - 6-12-2012 at 05:47 PM

Varvara update week of June 3 through 10, 2012

http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

This week she's moved only within a territory of about 30 miles according to the migratory mapping. Vittles must be rich right now up north.

Eat up, Girl! Let's see you back down here in Baja next winter, fat 'n sassy!

shari - 6-12-2012 at 06:29 PM

her movements are consistent with gray whale summer feeding patterns...they graze in shallow water along the coast and stay usually within a 50 mile radius or so depending on the availability of food.

Mulegena - 6-13-2012 at 05:13 AM

Shari, from studying the map provided by the link I notice she's found what we know to be feeding ground in an area just offshore and outside two large peninsula/lagoon locations. A girl's gotta eat, right, to keep her girlish figure?

The topography might indicate this area receives run-off from the nearby small lakes and streams... or not as I may be reading this all wrong. On edit and re-read your prior post, you've pretty well answered why-- this is a feeding ground-- but I'm asking about the topography. What about this area makes it so rich in food? It looks to be adjacent to a higher land area and might receive alot of direct runoff. Its clearly not too deep but deeper than the lagoons to the north and south. She's eating plankton. What about this location draws her?

Why do you suppose she's chosen this area to hang out? Might we assume this to be her summer feeding/breeding waters? Might she migrate away from here in this season?

How long is the summer season up north, and more to the point do you think she and other Western Grey Whales will come back down to Baja next winter?

[Edited on 6-13-2012 by Mulegena]

Cisco - 6-13-2012 at 09:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Shari, from studying the map provided by the link I notice she's found what we know to be feeding ground in an area just offshore and outside two large peninsula/lagoon locations. A girl's gotta eat, right, to keep her girlish figure?

The topography might indicate this area receives run-off from the nearby small lakes and streams... or not as I may be reading this all wrong. On edit and re-read your prior post, you've pretty well answered why-- this is a feeding ground-- but I'm asking about the topography. What about this area makes it so rich in food? It looks to be adjacent to a higher land area and might receive alot of direct runoff. Its clearly not too deep but deeper than the lagoons to the north and south. She's eating plankton. What about this location draws her?

Why do you suppose she's chosen this area to hang out? Might we assume this to be her summer feeding/breeding waters? Might she migrate away from here in this season?

How long is the summer season up north, and more to the point do you think she and other Western Grey Whales will come back down to Baja next winter?

[Edited on 6-13-2012 by Mulegena]


Just found this disturbing news at : http://www.livescience.com/11382-10-species-kiss-goodbye.htm...

Western Gray Whale

Although the International Whaling Commission banned the hunting of gray whales in 1947, the Western Pacific population (Esrichtiius robustus) never recovered from unchecked whaling in the 19th and early 20th centuries: Out of the 100 western grays that remain, only 23 are reproductive females. Their only known feeding ground off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island in Russia has since been annexed by oil companies whose exploration and mining activities, including high-intensity seismic surveying, drilling operations, increased ship and air traffic, and oil spills, are driving the 30-ton mammals to extinction.

shari - 6-14-2012 at 08:57 AM

cisco, this may be why Varvara decided to look for greener pastures...or a new gene pool to play in.

Mulegena...gray whales are bottom feeders and so they look for areas with lots of yummy amphipods on the bottom. We know in BC, the best feeding grounds are where fresh water streams or rivers empty into shallow bays...old growth forests produce the best feeding grounds whereas clear cut logging causes silting up of the rivers and streams and chokes the amphipods out.

So their prime feeding grounds are dwindling...which is another example of what we must look at when saving animals...for example the whales dont feed hardly at all in the calving lagoons...but thier survival as a species depends more on food availability which is directly threatened by things like deforestation and oil spills, shipping etc.

while Save the Whales camgaignes are certainly worthwhile, it is the degredation of habitat and feeding grounds that also threatens the survival of this species.

Varara is staying close to shore

Mulegena - 7-2-2012 at 12:50 PM

this week and is just cruising and eating. It'd appear she's finding adequate food right on-shore, and other than a 200 km. round-trip up the coast and back she's staying close for the summer months.

When she does get on the move, it'll be fun to see where she heads.

Here's the link; take a peek: http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011

shari - 7-2-2012 at 04:19 PM

gray whales often remain in feeding grounds for months within a short radius and very close to shore which makes them the perfect whale for watching because you dont have to go far offshore to see them and they are on the surface much more than other species of whales...although I do have issues with too many whale watching boats in a feeding grounds as it does disrupt their feeding patterns which may lead to not having gained enough weight to sustain them on the long winter migration.

Mulegena - 7-24-2012 at 11:16 AM

Just as Shari so wisely stated earlier this month, Varvara has been stickin' close to what may be her summer home and feeding grounds.

For the week of July 8-15 " This week Varvara went south to Chayvo twice and is now north of Piltun for the second time this week. "

May she stay strong and healthy and return to Baja with the cooling weather nice & fat & sassy!