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Ocean Wild Things

Gray whale inspiration for New Year’s resolutions

January 18, 2014 by Carolyn Kraft 2 Comments

Gray whales migrate past Southern California every year and of course 2014 is no exception. In fact, gray whale sightings recorded by the ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project during December were the highest in 30 years! On January 14th they spotted 37 gray whales in one day. If one of your New Year’s… [read more]

Filed Under: Earth musings, Whales Tagged With: baleen, cetacean, gray whale, migration, whale, whale watching

White wagtail really wags its tail

December 16, 2012 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

This past Friday I had the chance to see a white wagtail hopping around on Outer Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro! Why is that interesting? Well, the white wagtail isn’t from around these parts you see. This feathered critter is typically found in Asia and has only been spotted in California 27 times. At first… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds Tagged With: bird, migration, nature photography, wildlife photography

Journey to the Arabian Seas with National Geographic

March 6, 2012 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

There is one magazine that stands above the rest when it comes to stellar science writing, fascinating story telling and amazing photography: National Geographic. Reading National Geographic magazine is a portal into another world, a way to experience places you might never have the chance to visit, and a way to learn about people past… [read more]

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: crustacean, endangered, migration, National Geographic, over-fishing, pollution, shark, whale shark, wildlife photography

Humpback whale: the ocean’s motivational leapers

June 14, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 2 Comments

If you have been feeling down or have lost touch with the fun side of life, then it’s time to purchase a ticket to see the famous motivational speakers, I mean the famous motivational leapers…humpback whales. The ocean’s merriment masters, thrill seekers and acrobatic all-stars. Humpback whales or Megaptera novaeangliae are easy to spot with… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Marine mammals, Whales Tagged With: body language, cetacean, krill, migration, whale, whale watching, whaling

Gray whale spotted near Israel!

May 11, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft Leave a Comment

Breaking news everyone, a gray whale was spotted off the coast of Israel! This is the first time a gray whale has been seen in the Atlantic Ocean in more than 200 years! At first researchers thought they had spotted a sperm whale. According to an email from Dr. Aviad Scheinin, “Size, coloration and a… [read more]

Filed Under: Marine mammals, Whales Tagged With: cetacean, extinct, migration, whale

Biogeography: what in the world?

February 11, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft Leave a Comment

Biogeography is the study of geographical distributions of living things and how they came to live where they are. To figure this out, biogeographers look at an animal’s habitat, behavior, evolution, habits and any other clues that might help in solving the puzzle. For marine mammals this is an interesting question. The ocean doesn’t restrict… [read more]

Filed Under: Marine mammals, Whales Tagged With: migration

Gray Whales: on the road again

January 31, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

Imagine doing a major road trip for 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Now imagine making that trip 11 months pregnant. Now imagine making the return trip of 5,000 to 7,000 miles just three months after arriving and giving birth. Now imagine doing these two major road trips every year of your life until the day you… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Marine mammals, Whales Tagged With: cetacean, migration, sex, sperm competition, whale

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