Big Blue Returns

Researchers on a vessel in Alaskan waters studying Humpback whales confirmed the presence of Blue Whales in the region for the first time in 30 years. After being hunted nearly to extinction, they have begun to repopulate Alaskan waters.

"We are thrilled," Dr. Jay Barlow, chief scientist on board the McArthur II for a 120-day research cruise, said Friday from Kodiak.

"It's been 30 years since we had a confirmed sighting up here. There have been many marine mammal surveys in Alaska by ship and aircraft, and countless years of small boat research on humpback whales in Alaska, and yet, these are the first fully documented sightings of blue whales here in the past three decades," Barlow said.

[Borderstone]

It's always good to hear that a species of living creature that was on the verge of extinction is becoming repopulated once again! The Blue Whale,the Bald Eagle,The California Condor etc. There may be a glimmer of hope for this planet yet!

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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone

[LSH]

I'll second that Borderstone! Maybe we're not a complete loss as caretakers.
Incredible news. Thanks Blue for passing it along. Gonna check it out

[stationmaster]

Great news!


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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"

[LSH]

SM-What?! No animation?
Can't you make the whale move?
I challenge you to make him SWIM.

Perhaps Gords song Ode To Big Blue has finally payed off!

It's good to hear they're returning. Now the tigers just need to make a comeback...

[stationmaster]

No LSH but I do have this little guy!


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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"

[LSH]

Ok, SM, I'll take it!

talented guy!

[TheWatchman]

That's awesome news. I like to read about whaling on Nantucket etc. and man, what a brutal way of life how they killed those whales. They were Quakers to boot!lol Turns my stomach to think about it but I like history.

[Borderstone]

Stationmaster,you did that un-"porpoise" didn't you? ....... (hooboy!)

[stationmaster]

Ha! I found it!


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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"

[Janice]

That's pretty cool, Stationmaster. (John, you've created a monster )

[LSH]

SM, so you did. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the challenge. Are you sure that's blue whale though?

[stationmaster]

No, it looks a little GREEN. Maybe it's sea-sick!

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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"

[LSH]

And yet it's smiling. That kinda creeps me out....

Your looking for the big blue whale, not the big green...

[stationmaster]

Am I BLUE enough for you!


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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"

[stationmaster]

OK this is the real BIG BLUE...


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"The station is for travelers even you must ride someday"



[This message has been edited by stationmaster (edited August 03, 2004).]

[LSH]

ok, that animated pic is awesome! Nice find.

[Ben Dover]

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=86859

If the Japanese have their way, these beautiful creatures will soon disappear.

Type "Japanese Whaling" into a search engine and read up on it.

[LSH]

I know, it's slaughter....video footage is enough to make one physically ill

[Borderstone]

Remind me not to ever view that footage then.
The evening news makes me ill enough.

[searam]

Sighting the Blues again is incredible! When I first moved to LA, we went up PCH1 going north for a picnic. We pulled off the road on a kind of cliff. We were the only people there. All of a sudden, about nine cars pulled in and looked over the cliff. A pod of eight grey whales with their calves, and dolphins, swam right by, stopped and rolled over in the bay, right in front of us! I have never seen such magnificent creatures before in my life! They were graceful, gentle works of art. It will always be a special reminder that there is a GOD and we should be as kind to these neighbors on this planet, as we should be to each other. I can't watch the video link if it shows whales being slaughtered. Shame on such "people"! Just wanted to share my gift of an experience.
Sean

I had a "meeting" with an Orca over a decade ago that left an impression. I was doing an audio piece on Cetaceans and I'd been talking to researchers and trainers. I went to one of those hideous theme parks to talk with their trainer. I was following a guide up through the holding tank area past a large tank when this huge huge head popped up past the side of the tank and stood there vertically. She turned slightly to keep me in view as I walked past and we just stood and stared at each other for a few moments. It was the oddest encounter. I'd met other dophins and small whales prior to that, but this was the first one that looked me up and down. It wasn't the stare of a watch dog or a dumb animal. It was disquieting. She had a profound effect on my attitudes from then on.


quote:Originally posted by searam:
Sighting the Blues again is incredible! When I first moved to LA, we went up PCH1 going north for a picnic. We pulled off the road on a kind of cliff. We were the only people there. All of a sudden, about nine cars pulled in and looked over the cliff. A pod of eight grey whales with their calves, and dolphins, swam right by, stopped and rolled over in the bay, right in front of us! I have never seen such magnificent creatures before in my life! They were graceful, gentle works of art. It will always be a special reminder that there is a GOD and we should be as kind to these neighbors on this planet, as we should be to each other. I can't watch the video link if it shows whales being slaughtered. Shame on such "people"! Just wanted to share my gift of an experience.
Sean



[This message has been edited by violet Blue Horse (edited August 04, 2004).]

[Borderstone]

I saw whales in 1979 when my 5th grade class went whale watching off the coast of San Diego! Still amazes me that i was lucky enough to experience it. Then of course,a girl I had puppy love for was going too,so I'd be darned if i was going to miss it!

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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone