The cetaceans, being quite large marine organisms, are often the subject of avid protection from the general public, environmental organizations, and governments. With television shows such as “Whale Wars” and movies such as “The Cove,” human impacts on cetacean populations have been increasingly under the spotlight. Human activity, through direct …
During our visit to the Whale Museum, I was a little surprised to come across a display case containing preserved brains and fetuses of various organisms. The display allowed us to directly make comparisons between the brains, and it was easy to see that the brain of the fin whale …
For many decades in the United States, the ocean was seen as the ultimate wastebasket, where all of our wastes could be diluted and forgotten. Not for long, however, could these wastes be forgotten: Today, in the words of the magnificent Susan Thistle, we recognize pollution as one of the …
It was a dark and chilly night on August 8, 1970 in the Puget Sound near Whidbey Island. The orcas of L-pod were gracefully swimming along in the thick of the night, just like any other night. A young calf around the age of three named Tokitae was traveling alongside …
There are three essential items needed for a late night excursion to False Bay: rubber boots, headlamp, and a tolerant nose. When I first walked out onto the mudflat, I was completely surprised at how extensive the mudflat was. I had no idea that practically the entire bay could become …
Growing up I remember being entertained on my outings to the beach by Bull Kelp. Dragging the long whips along the beach and puncturing the bulbs to hear the sound of the gas escaping. Until recently I have never thought of the functionality of this whip like algae that wash ashore. After …