I finally just read an article I’ve been saving from the New Yorker, published on August 2, 2010. It’s a book review titled “The Scales Fall” by Elizabeth Kolbert or rather a book review summing up the problems discussed in four books: “Saved by the Sea: A Love Story with Fish” by David Helvarg; “Managed… [read more]
Archives for September 2010
Thanks to everyone who picked up trash
Many thanks to everyone who participated in Coastal Clean-up Day across the globe! I have to admit I feel slightly guilty for not participating because I signed up to be a whale watch naturalist for the same day. Who knows how long the blue whales are going to hang around I said to myself. But… [read more]
Injured blue whale
After ranting about the importance of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) two posts ago, I wanted to share this photo of an injured blue whale. I took this photo on a whale watching trip out of Redondo Beach on the Voyager. You can see the big white gash down the left side of the… [read more]
My best blue whale photo
With all the blue whale mania off the coast of Los Angeles and more specifically near Redondo Beach, I’ve been fortunate to have the chance to serve as a naturalist on a few whale watching trips. I always take my camera along hoping for the best shot ever, but since I’m not a professional photographer… [read more]
Remember the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Blue whale watching off the coast of Los Angeles has brought much excitement, but also much craziness. As with all things where humans get into the mix, some whale watching off the coast of Southern California has gotten out of control. I was appalled to learn from Captain Brad Sawyer, who expertly steers the Voyager… [read more]
Elephant seals are lucky to be alive
I just learned about some fascinating elephant seal history that is a must share. It turns out that the two male elephant seals going head to head in the photo are truly lucky to be alive. In fact all northern elephant seals are lucky to be alive for reasons that are both predictable and shocking.… [read more]
Ocean sunfish holy mola!
What on earth is that? This is a common exclamation upon meeting an ocean sunfish, the craziest looking fish inhabiting the same ocean layers humans frequent. But this peculiar fish sports the coolest scientific name: Mola mola. Possibly Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy who scientifically named thousands of species, suffered a brief nervous tic… [read more]
Labor Day aftermath
Apparently Labor Day is a time to relax, catch some rays and throw trash around at the beach. This shot was taken at inner Cabrillo Beach this morning around 9am. Okay so maybe all that trash couldn’t fit in the garbage can and maybe the birds spread a bit of it around as they were… [read more]
More great blue whale watching
Yesterday started with another amazing blue whale watching trip. Twenty whale watch naturalists boarded the Voyager in Redondo Beach and headed out to sea despite extremely low visibility. There was a thick marine layer making everything really hazy. It was so bad that once we were further offshore I had absolutely no idea where we… [read more]
Blue whale poop is red
I know what you are thinking, why on earth would anyone want to capture blue whale poop? But when it comes to science and knowing more about whales, anything goes. The blue whale poop in the photo was scooped up by Eric Martin, Facility Director & Educational Co-Director at the Roundhouse Aquarium. He then threw… [read more]