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Mulegena
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There's a New Girl in Town - whale from Russia in Baja waters
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]
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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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!
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Skipjack Joe
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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. 
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Mulegena
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http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011
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."
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Mulegena
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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."
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Ateo
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Very awesome.
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Mulegena
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Weekly Update on Varvara - she's goin' for that Southern Baja sunshine!
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]
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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shari
Select Nomad
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Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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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.
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Skipjack Joe
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| 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.
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Where's DavidK when you need him? 
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Mulegena
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Varvara remains in Baja Sur waters
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
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Mulegena
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update on Varvara's whereabouts - look for her in Asuncion!!
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!
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Mulegena
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Varvara is out of Baja waters.
She swam north past Ojo de Liebre and reached Long Beach, California in a week's time.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| 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.
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Where's DavidK when you need him? |
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tiotomasbcs
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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
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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No problema amigo!
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Mexitron
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Mood: Happy!
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| 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.
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Interesting idea---are you surmising that its a conscious action...or just an inherent impulse?
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Varvara, our newest Baja Nomad
| 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.
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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]
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
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Varvara - update
http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/Sakhalin2011
She's continuing north; hugging the California coastline she moved from Dana Point to Fort Bragg.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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| 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.
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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]
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Mulegena
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She's heading home to Russian waters it'd appear
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!
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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