#Antarctic minke whale

[inatungulates]

Antarctic minke whale "Balaenoptera" bonaerensis

Observed by justinhofman13, CC BY-NC

[aquatark]

Antarctic Minke Whale - Cortica River Upstream

Endless Ocean: Blue World, Nintendo Wii

i believe this part of the story was based on real-world events, where whales have mysteriously turned up (dead, unfortunately) in the middle of the jungle! i think there was one in the amazon a few years ago?

thank you so much for the submission!

Submitted by BBB

[ellaandtheocean]

Everyone knows and loves the sweet songs of the humpback whale, but not many have heard the songs of other baleen whales. I wanted to share three of my favourites today:

First up we've got the bowhead whale: The jazz-like sounds of bowhead whales (youtube.com) (I don't know if jazz-like is an entirely accurate descriptor. One of these whales sounds like a heavy piece of metal getting dragged across a concrete floor).

Next up, the understated song of the right whale: Right Whale Underwater Sounds (youtube.com). While they lack the vocal range of a humpback, the right whale vocalizations have a similar peaceful, melodic sound to them.

Finally, scientists were perplexed for years by a number of strange underwater noises sounding remarkably like waterfowl. Known as the "bio-duck", this phenomenon was found to be caused by Antarctic minke whales: Balaenoptera bonaerensis "bio duck" (youtube.com). Minkes make a range of interesting noises including pops, trills, and a boinging noise like a spring!

[orcinus-ocean]

Icelandic whales and ecotype

I’ve seen some claims going around that the Icelandic whales displayed in zoos and aquariums for the past several decades are actually two different ecotypes, with some being “North Atlantic type 1″ and a few others being “North Atlantic type 2″.

I think this is completely wrong, and will show you why.

Above are an assortment of ecotype infographics.

As you can see, “type 1″ are the typical whale you’ll find off Iceland and Norway. They eat mainly herring and other small fish (though some individuals have been observed taking seals), and males typically range from 6.2-6.6 meters, females, around 5.5 meters.

They have clear saddlepatches, and tend to have eyepatches like this:

As the closeup of the map image (last image in the collection above) shows, “type 1″ orcas are also in turn split into type A and B. Type “1A”, if you will, follow exactly the range of where Icelandic whales were caught, and along the Norwegian coast (this eyepatch collage is of both Icelandic and Norwegian whales).

As all the other ecotype infographics show, “type 1″ live off Iceland, Norway, with a couple pointing out that they may range as far south as Scotland and Ireland.

“Type 2″ on the other hand, is huge, one of the largest killer whales anywhere on Earth (after Antarctic type A). Males are 7.5-8.5 meters long, females 6.5-7 meters. They have distinctive downwards sloping eyepatches (like sad eyebrows, seen above), faint saddlepatches, are are very rarely seen, range around Britain, Ireland, the Faroes, and occasionally as far as Svalbard - not Iceland or Norway. They are mammal-eaters, specializing in minke whales as prey. Today, only a few of them remain.

The claim is then, that some of our Icelanders in human care are secretly, actually, type 2.

Let’s look at them. I have gathered all the whales caught in Iceland into a large collage, here split for ease of viewing. The only named whales I couldn’t get good enough images of were Canuck 2, Magnus and Benkei 2.

If the whale is still alive or died as an adult, I will provide measurements, if known.

I originally wrote descriptions for all the following whales, but it got tiring, repetitive, and too lengthy.

Kim, Gudrun, Kenau, Kandu 5, Hoi Wai, Kona 2, Winnie, Betty, Kahana, and Kasatka.

All of very typical “type 1″ looks.

Kim

Gudrun has no measurements available, but as can be seen when she lived at SeaWorld as a full-grown female, she was not large.

Kenau was caught with Gudrun. She was 5.5 meters long when she died at age 16.

Kandu 5. Interestingly, Orkid is the only whale in human care who has anything like the type 2 eyepatch, but she’s the daughter of Kandu who does not, and a Northern resident (Canadian) father who also did not. Kandu measured under 5.4 meters when she died.

Hoi Wai

Kona 2 was likely caught with Kandu 5, had enormous, distinct eyepatches, and she was 5.5 meters long at the time of death.

Winnie was caught with Hoi Wai as said, had a typical Icelandic eyepatch, and the same size and shape as other Icelandic females she lived with.

Betty was caught along with Katina, so they were likely pod mates.

Kahana was caught with Kasatka. She was particularly petite, measuring barely 5.1 meters when she died aged 15.

Kasatka was a mere 5.2 meters long, and looks nothing like a type 2 whale.

Shawn

Kotar was 17-18 years old when he died, and measured 6.4 meters at the time of his death.

Katina is a typical, squat and stocky Icelandic whale with large eyepatches. She is just barely 5.5 meters long.

Dzul-ha

Caren was just 10-11 years old when she died, and measured 5 meters long.

Kiska was a larger female at 6 meters. Large for a type 1, but nowhere near the 6.5-7 meter type 2 females.

Keiko was an average-sized type 1 male at about 6.4 meters.

King

Ulises is another average-sized type 1 male, at 6.4 meters.

Bjossa is another I can find no measurements of, but she was much smaller than Corky, who is 6.1 meters (a Northern resident). She looks typical of an Icelandic whale if a bit long. Looking at the top middle whale of my eyepatch collage, that whale looks just like Bjossa.

Finna was caught along with Ulises, Bjossa and Vigga, his pod mates.

Vigga was another stocky and short female with large eyepatches, notably smaller than her 6 meter Northern resident companion.

Nemo

Neptune

Ruka

Noni/Nootka was stocky and large female, at 6 meters, but with a bright saddle and eyepatches so commonly seen among Icelandic and Norwegian herring-eaters.

Freya was the only adult I could find who had a truly faint saddle patch (note that juveniles of all ecotypes tend to have faint saddles). She was also very long and slender compared to the typical, more stocky Icelandic female. She was however caught along with Kim 2 and Haida 2, and measured 6 meters in her late 20s. Her eyepatch is not type 2.

Haida 2 was, unlike her likely pod mate Freya, very typical in appearance for a type 1. She measured 5.2 meters at the age of 13.

Kim 2 was reportedly a large male, at 6.9 meters, just under Tilikum in size.

Nootka 4 (strange designation since she was caught one year after “Nootka 5″) was the same size as Haida.

Tilikum was the largest Icelandic killer whale in human care, reportedly at just under 7 meters, though I have also seen 6.7 meters (in 2016, shortly before his death). Even if he was 6.9 meters, that is indeed large for a type 1, but absolutely minute for a type 2, and he looks nothing like them.

Nandu

Samoa was 5.15 meters long when she died, with a clear type 1 eyepatch and saddle patch.

Junior

Bingo had interesting triangular eyepatches and a black line in his saddle, and measured 6.5 meters in his early 30s.

Patty

Kandu 7

Prince

Maggie

Oscar was an unusually small male, measuring only 5.8 meters at the age of 26.

Stella is very small, only around 5.2 meters long.

Ai

Ran

Sharkane

Tanouk measured 6.4 meters in his teens (meaning he would grow larger for a few years).

So that’s all of them, except for Canuck 2, Magnus, and Benkei 2.

Then, there is this:

You can stop calling North Atlantic killer whales type 1 and type 2

“The main issue with type 2 killer whales came from the small sample size (5 individuals)”

“In the meantime, Dr. Foote suggested we just drop the “type 1/type 2” classification for now.”

There is simply no basis to think any of the above 45 whales from Iceland are or were the “type 2″ whales, like John Coe.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Wings of Fire Dragon Guide, Part Three: RainWings and IceWings

This is a RainWing, or rainforest dragon. Their scales can be any color of the rainbow. They can camouflage, have prehensile tails, and can shoot shoot acidic venom from their front fangs, which only a relative's can neutralize. They live in a hidden city among the trees of the Rainforest Kingdom. Their diet consists of mainly fruits, such as pineapples, coconuts, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, etc., but they if it came down to it, they could eat meat, they just prefer not to. Their names can be such as:

Fruits: Pineapple, Coconut, Mango...

Rainforest plants: Liana, Mangrove, Bromeliad, Orchid...

Rainforest animals: Python, Bullfrog, Tamarin, Kinkajou...

Grand or beautiful adjectives: Handsome, Exquisite, Dazzling, Grandeur, Glory...

This is an IceWing, or ice dragon. They have pale white, pale blue, silvery, pale purple, or even opalescent scales. They can withstand freezing temperatures, withstand bright light, radiate a chill from their scales, have serrated claws, and can breathe frostbreath, which when it used on a dragon or plant, can freeze an area, and if untreated, will cause the area to blacken and die. They live in the tundras of the Ice Kingdom, and their diet consists of artic and antarctic animals, such as seals, whales, caribou, polar bears, and orcas, and have been known to eat moss and seafood such as crabs and fish. They have had a hierarchy, which is the Seven Circles for the nobility. They used to have animus dragons, but their last one eloped with a NightWing, and one of their eggs hatched the first NightWing animus (and the most dangerous one) Darkstalker. Their names can be such as:

Arctic and antarctic animals: Narwhal, Mink, Polar Bear, Caribou, Penguin...

Wintery conditions: Arctic, Permafrost...

Winter weather: Snowflake, Hailstorm, Blizzard, Whiteout...

White gems: Diamond, Crystal, Opal...

Ice formations: Glacier, Icicle...

Cold landscapes: Tundra, Fjord...

Words that mean white: Alba, Hvitur...

[whaleswagbracket]

Whale Tournament Masterpost!

Welcome to the whale swag bracket, a competition to determine the best species of whale! This competition will include 64 species (who have already been selected) in the infraorder Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. 

All match ups were decided randomly, and I did my best to prevent any ridiculously unfair matchups. I encourage everyone to make an effort to learn about some lesser-known competitors, I’m sure you’ll find them quite interesting!

The only rules are to have fun, be nice to everyone, and don’t bot the polls please I love whales too but let’s make this fair.

The first round of polls will be split up into two groups to prevent too many polls running at once, and the first round will begin on Friday, February 17th at 12 PM EST. Links to all the polls, as well as the complete bracket, can be found here!

Bracket

Round One, Part One: CLOSED

Gray whale vs True’s beaked whale

Northern bottlenose whale vs Strap-toothed whale

Atlantic spotted dolphin vs Dall’s porpoise

Northern right whale dolphin vs Rice’s whale

White-beaked dolphin vs Cuvier’s beaked whale

Killer whale vs false killer whale

Tucuxi vs Risso’s dolphin

Sei whale vs Narwhal

Heaviside’s dolphin vs Blue whale

Dwarf sperm whale vs Harbor porpoise

Antarctic minke whale vs Hector’s dolphin

Striped dolphin vs Rough-toothed dolphin

Commerson’s dolphin vs Spectacled porpoise

Pygmy right whale vs Sato’s beaked whale

Atlantic white-sided dolphin vs Southern right whale dolphin

Hourglass dolphin vs Common dolphin

Round One, Part Two: CLOSED

Yangtze finless porpoise vs Blainville’s beaked whale

Bottlenose dolphin vs Indus river dolphin

Melon-headed whale vs Southern right whale

Omura’s whale vs Amazon river dolphin

Pygmy sperm whale vs Australian humpback dolphin

Baiji vs Vaquita

Spinner dolphin vs Bowhead whale

Pantropical spotted dolphin vs Dusky dolphin

Australian snubfin dolphin vs Bryde’s whale

Short-finned pilot whale vs Pygmy killer whale

Beluga vs Humpback whale

North Atlantic right whale vs Fin whale

Common minke whale vs Irrawaddy dolphin

Sowerby’s beaked whale vs La Plata river dolphin

Sperm whale vs Indo Pacific humpback dolphin

Baird’s beaked whale vs Pacific white-sided dolphin

Round Two: ONGOING

Gray whale vs Strap-toothed whale

Atlantic spotted dolphin vs Northern right whale dolphin

Cuvier’s beaked whale vs Killer whale

Tucuxi vs Narwhal

Blue whale vs Harbor porpoise

Antarctic minke whale vs Striped dolphin

Commerson’s dolphin vs Sato’s beaked whale

Southern right whale dolphin vs Hourglass dolphin

Yangtze finless porpoise vs Indus River dolphin

Southern right whale vs Amazon river dolphin

Pygmy sperm whale vs Vaquita

Spinner dolphin vs Dusky dolphin

Australian snubfin dolphin vs Pygmy killer whale

Beluga vs Fin whale

Irrawaddy dolphin vs La Plata river dolphin

Sperm whale vs Pacific white-sided dolphin

Round Three: CLOSED

Gray whale vs Atlantic spotted dolphin

Killer whale vs Narwhal

Blue whale vs Striped dolphin

Commerson’s dolphin vs Hourglass dolphin

Yangtze finless porpoise vs Amazon river dolphin

Vaquita vs Spinner dolphin

Australian snubfin dolphin vs Beluga

Irrawaddy dolphin vs Sperm whale

Round Four: CLOSED

Atlantic spotted dolphin vs Narwhal

Blue whale vs Hourglass dolphin

Amazon river dolphin vs Vaquita

Beluga vs Sperm whale

[can-of-pringles]

Assign cetaceans to your OCs?

How do you know all of these class terms of animals? Fancy

Arline Lanes: Narwhal!

Fox: Clymene dolphin

Carina Shepherd: Striped Dolphin

Dannie Karim: Atlantic spotted dolphin

Ryn Halvorsen: Harbour porpoise

Willow Tree: Antarctic minke whale

Silas Petersson: Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Pigeon: Common dolphin

Arith: Orca!

Iriel: Common bottlenose dolphin

Kaia: Fin whale

Odel: Commerson's dolphin

Eliška Hasek: Beluga

Marigold Rosales: Hourglass dolphin

Rosie Rosales-Maximoff: Dusky dolphin

Allison Dahir: Fraser's dolphin

Lee Quinn: Common minke whale

Jelaa Latka: Spinner dolphin

Van Kahl: Gray whale

[coolyecoinau]

When Is the Best Time to Experience Whale Watching on the Gold Coast?

Whale watching is one of the most popular activities for nature enthusiasts on the Gold Coast. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the coast to witness the breathtaking spectacle of humpback whales migrating along the East Coast of Australia. If you're planning a trip to the Gold Coast and want to experience this incredible natural event, it's important to know the optimal time to visit for whale watching. This article explores whale watching season Gold Coast in detail, helping you plan your adventure for the best experience.

Understanding Whale Migration on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast, located in Queensland, is a prime destination for whale watching. This region attracts humpback whales during their annual migration from the Antarctic to the warmer waters of Queensland's coastline for breeding and calving. The migration season offers an extraordinary opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close, making the whale watching season Gold Coast a unique and unforgettable experience.

Humpback whales travel along the coast, with many passing through the Gold Coast waters on their journey. The whales are typically seen from June to November, which is when the whale watching season Gold Coast occurs.

Best Time to Visit for Whale Watching

June to August: The Peak of Whale Watching Season

The peak of whale watching season Gold Coast falls between June and August. During these months, the humpback whales begin their journey from the Antarctic to the warmer waters of Queensland. This is when whale sightings are at their highest, with thousands of whales making their way northward. Visitors during this time are more likely to see large groups of whales, as this is the main migration period.

In addition to humpback whales, other whale species, including the occasional minke whale, can also be spotted. The winter months, particularly from June to August, offer cooler weather and clear skies, making it an ideal time to head out on a whale watching tour.

September to November: Calving Season and Return Migration

From September to November, the whale watching season Gold Coast transitions into the calving season. During this time, the pregnant females give birth in the warm waters of Queensland. As the calves are born, the whales begin their southward migration back to the Antarctic. This period offers a unique opportunity to observe young calves and their mothers.

Though the number of whales decreases as the migration slows, sightings are still abundant during this time. Calves are more playful and curious, often providing memorable moments for whale watchers. These months are especially great for visitors seeking a quieter, more serene experience on the water.

Whale Watching Tours on the Gold Coast

To make the most of the whale watching season Gold Coast, taking a guided whale watching tour is highly recommended. These tours are led by expert marine biologists and experienced crew members who know the best spots for whale sightings. Many tours also provide educational commentary about the whales' behavior, migration patterns, and conservation efforts.

Tourists can choose from a variety of options, including boat tours, kayaking excursions, and even whale watching from the shore at specific lookout points. The tours offer a chance to see the whales from a safe distance while ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals.

Why Choose the Gold Coast for Whale Watching?

The Gold Coast offers several advantages for those looking to experience the thrill of whale watching:

Accessible and Scenic Views

The Gold Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and clear, calm waters, which provide excellent viewing conditions. Many whale watching tours are conducted close to the shoreline, providing visitors with uninterrupted views of the ocean and the migrating whales. The region's coastline is dotted with picturesque beaches and vibrant marine life, enhancing the overall whale watching experience.

Ideal Weather Conditions

The Gold Coast enjoys a subtropical climate, which means mild winters and warm temperatures throughout the whale watching season. This favorable weather makes it an ideal destination for outdoor activities, including whale watching. The cooler temperatures in winter also keep the whales closer to shore, making sightings more frequent.

Diverse Marine Life

In addition to humpback whales, the waters of the Gold Coast are home to a wide range of marine life. Visitors may spot dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of seabirds during their whale watching tours. This diversity of marine life makes the Gold Coast a great location for anyone interested in wildlife and nature.

Tips for an Amazing Whale Watching Experience

To ensure the best experience during the whale watching season Gold Coast, keep these tips in mind:

Book Early: Whale watching tours can fill up quickly, especially during the peak months of June to August. Booking in advance guarantees your spot and ensures you won't miss out on this incredible experience.

Bring a Camera: Whale watching offers incredible photo opportunities. Make sure to bring a camera with a good zoom lens to capture the action from a safe distance.

Dress Appropriately: The weather can vary during the whale watching season, so it's important to dress in layers and bring sunscreen. It can be cooler on the water, especially in the early mornings, so a jacket or sweater is recommended.

Be Patient: Whale watching is a natural experience, and sightings aren't always guaranteed. However, with patience and a bit of luck, the chances of witnessing these majestic creatures in action are high.

Conclusion

The whale watching season Gold Coast offers an extraordinary opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring migration of humpback whales along Queensland's coast. The best time to visit for whale watching is from June to November, with peak sightings occurring between June and August. Whether you’re looking to see the whales in their most active phase or prefer a more serene encounter with calves, the Gold Coast provides a variety of options for nature lovers.

For a memorable and educational experience, consider taking a guided tour and enjoying the stunning views of the coastline while observing these magnificent creatures. By planning your visit during the prime months of the whale watching season Gold Coast, you’ll have the chance to experience one of nature’s most remarkable events firsthand.

[bluewhaleking]

History of the Blue Whale King, Part V: 13,650,000 - 5,000,000 BC

And thus the genus Balaenoptera was born. Though its members started small, the expanding throat pouch allowed for larger body sizes, and the whales of Balaenoptera surpassed 30 feet. Within a few million years, some reached 40.

Unfortunately, this was the new limit. Despite the Antarctic Circumpolar Current having existed since ~34,000,000 BC, there was just not enough food for filter feeders to reach the giant sizes they dreamed of.

Meanwhile, all the whales lived in fear of predators. Most were raptorial Sperm Whales, such as Acrophyseter and Zygophyseter. But worst of all were the giant macroraptorial Sperm Whale Livyatan Melvillei, and the giant shark Carcharocles Megalodon. Both reached lengths of 50 feet, with some reaching 60 or even 70, far larger than any baleen whale.

Unfortunately, some of the Balaenoptera whales lost faith in the King and Queen. In around 10,00,000 BC, a group split off the main lineage, and another splitoff occured in 7,500,000 BC. The first splitters became the ancestors of today's Humpback, Gray, Minke, and Fin Whales, while the other group led to the ancestors of Sei, Bryde's, and Omura's Whales.

But no matter. There were already seperate lineages of Cetaceans beyond the King and Queen's authority. They did not force anyone to follow them. Though it was unfortunate that lineages which murdered their fellow Cetaceans achieved the largest size.

But in 5,331,000 BC, the Miocene rolled over to the Pliocene, and with the new epoch, the Balaenoptera King found an opportunity. Wind-driven upwellings brought cold water and nutrients from the deep to the surface, causing massive plankton blooms. A far greater food supply meant the possibility of far greater body sizes. The King's dream, now over 60 million years old, was finally within sight.

Thus it was that he called a conference at the beginning of the Pliocene. He told his people, "This new supply of plankton is far beyond anything we've seen. We have the biology to exploit it. All we need to do now is gorge ourselves and pass on our biggest genes, and we will reach a far greater size than not only our current selves, but Megalodon and Livyatan. And we will gain more size in the next two million years than in the past 45 million combined."

Those still under his command rejoiced. Parliment voted unanimously, with support from the people, to deliver an ultimatum to the predators:

"Stop hunting us, or be destroyed."

Livyatan, the other raptorial Sperm Whales, and Megalodon laughed. In fact, the Megalodon King and Livyatan Emperor decided to have a contest to see who could eat the most whales. This contest sooned turned bloody, and thus began the Megalodon VS Livyatan War.

While the giant sharks and Sperm Whales fought each other, the Balaenoptera King's species (the one they were at this time has not yet been named by humans) grew larger at an unprecedented rate. Within 331,000 years, they grew from an average length of 30-35 feet to 50-60 feet. The other baleen species grew as well, though not by as much.

By 5,000,000 BC, it was too much for Lyviatan Melvillei to handle. They did not have enough success hunting larger prey, and combined with casualties from their war with Megalodon, the species went extinct. That was the end of the raptorial Sperm Whales, the others had already gone extinct a few million years prior.

The largest Baleen Whale species, the one under the command of the King and Queen, was Balaenoptera Sibbaldina. That time period marked the transition from tens millions of years of being small, to becoming the largest animals to ever live on Earth.

[octopiys]

Alejandro and Rodolfo being rescue/rehabilitators, and they own a rescue center in Mexico. Governments/forces are trying to buy them out for experimentation, but they're standing firm on their beliefs. These creatures exist because they exist just like anyone else, and sometimes they need a bit of help, they're not something to be oggled at. Graves being there on a foreign research trip and taking too many notes, too many videos. Eventually, one of the hybrids that they were rehabilitating, they called him Roach, who was injured after being too close to a detonated depth charge, (I'm thinking maybe he's a minke whale hybrid? I like them they're funky) and it's time they release him back into the proper waters. Sure, it's a process, but it's necessary.

They meet up with a few friends they know, a couple researchers doing a few studies and observations of marine life in the antarctic, and decide to inform them about the minke whale rescue. Now, Price, Laswell, and Nikolai, the head researchers, have a perfect idea on how to get this Minke whale hybrid readjusted to underwater life after a few years of human contact. They've been monitoring two other hybrids, nicknamed Ghost and Soap, an orca hybrid and a leopard seal hybrid, an unlikely pair, and decide that the minke whale would fit in. At first, Rodolfo, the veterinarian, was concerned about the predatory habits of an orca against a minke, but Laswell showed proof of an almost mutualistic bond between the seal and orca, and reluctantly, Rodolfo gave in.

There's a furred seal hybrid outside the door when they make up their mind. He's a nice looking creature with soft fur and rich skin, and stunning brown eyes. He made a few barking sounds at them, nudging the two as his ears flattened against his head. Alejandro crouched down to attempt to make conversation, and Price informed them both that this hybrid was nicknamed Gaz, who had developed an attachment to the base after release, and didn't seem to leave them alone. But nobody really was complaining, he was a kind hybrid who didn't understand why the researchers did not want dead squid or octopus every morning.

There was a horn off in the distance and the group perked up a little bit, but Gaz's ears still lay flattened against his head. After a moment, he hurries off and disappears into icy water. In the distance, they see a transport boat. Apparently, it contained the rest of their supplies for the season, along with a few other researchers from around the world. Apparently, this was a popular destination.

On the boat were three new people. One named Alex Keller, an American marine biologist, who was working on his marine rehabilitation book. The second named Farah Karim, a strong-headed environmentalist who was determined to show the world that hybrids were not something to be afraid of. The third, named Philip Graves, a researcher from a private company. They must've been rich, and highly suspicious, because with one Google of the company name, nothing was found. Rodolfo had a sinking feeling it was a government agent, but Alejandro assured that it was a researcher that they had known. After all, it's the same kid who visited their rehabilitation center a few years ago, before the American media picked up a false ideology about hybrids, then creating the whole stigma.... the kid that took so many notes. He was only interested in the benefit of the hybrids. He did say he was a researcher, right?

orca!ghost + leopard seal!soap

[dsandrvk]

Friday, February 16 - Cievra Cove and Mikkelson Harbor

We had another gorgeous day, with mixed clouds and sun, and temperatures around freezing. Our first activity was Zodiac cruising in Cierva Cove, which has an island in the middle aptly named Penguin Island. This is host to a large colony of Chinstrap penguins, which were a little far away for good phone pictures, but were extremely busy. There were still some almost grown chicks still around, as well as molting adult birds, so there was lots to see.

We are further south now and the bergs that have calved off the glaciers here are bigger and take on fanciful shapes. Some show the dirty layers from the glaciers, while others have been melted into caves and holes, and others show evidence of repeated rolling and small collapses. As our guide today, Udo, said, most people only go into an ice cave once.

There is a small Argentinian research base behind Penguin Island, optimistically called "Primavera". Several of their boats launched about the time we went by, and drove past us quickly. We were a bit more careful, as there is a lot of floating ice that makes for beautiful photos, but is hard on propellers.

Once everyone was back on board we headed over to our landing site for today - Mikkelson Harbor. It was sunny and warm enough for several of us to have lunch on the back deck, and as we left the cove, Russ and I saw a couple of Minke whales, followed later by a Humpback.

Mikkelson Harbor was used for many years by the whalers since it is about the only flat beach type area for miles around. It is on a very small island surrounded by glaciers on three sides, and has a Gentoo penguin colony. Unlike on Half Moon Island, where the only Gentoos were a few molting adults, here there are still a number of chicks. We were able walk up to a good vantage point on the island, and watched the penguins for a while (lots of opportunities to photograph parents feeding chicks), before heading down and around to some sleeping seals - about four Weddell Seals and one Antarctic Fur Seals. They were all zonked out, although occasionally one would do a stretch. Weddell seals are considered "true seals" and keep warm with their thick layer of blubber, while the fur seals have exterior ears, large forelegs, keep warm with their thick fur, and are more closely related to sea lions.

The beach here is littered with whale bones from the previous century where the whalers would drag the whales, flense and butcher them, leaving the rest of the carcasses to the birds, who picked the bones clean. There is also a boat still here - another testament to an industry thankfully in the past. Down here on the beach were lots of molting Gentoo adults, as since they are fasting and using a lot of energy keeping warm without their old feathers, there is no reason to waddle up the hill like the breeding pairs.

We usually have about an hour to hour and a half on shore, and our Zodiac rides are about an hour, although our guide this morning took us further and we were gone over 1-1/2 hours. In that time we can see plenty, although we could spend hours just watching the penguins. The locations are tightly controlled and reserved so only one ship is at any place at one time. Our expedition leader was able to pick up Mikkelson Harbor and add it because of a cancellation. So we were surprised after dinner to see two other ships nearby - one traveling our way and the other heading the other direction. Most of the time it is like our private Antarctica.

We had our recap, short educational segments and briefing for tomorrow in the early evening (they have mostly been before lunch), so delayed going to the more casual restaurant until a bit later, stopping up in the Club to listen to the live music and watch the ice go by. It is a small ship, but there can be a little crush in the eating venues when everyone is released at once.

Tomorrow we have an early landing (starting at 7 AM for some), and then an evening landing that our Expedition leader just picked up for a spectacular spot. The ship that has that "anchorage" during the afternoon is our sister ship, the Pursuit, so we will be in communication with them and may be able to start earlier than the scheduled first group at 6PM. We stayed here at Mikkelson until after 7 tonight because of the submersible schedule, but it was lovely just to watch the light change on the snow and ice. We are almost two months from the Solstice now, and although the daylight hours are still long, it is getting dark by 10PM or so.

[inatungulates]

Antarctic minke whale “Balaenoptera” bonaerensis

Observed by natforlife, CC BY-NC

[myfeeds]

Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies

The study, published January 15 in Global Change Biology, is based on eight years of data on humpback whale pregnancies (2013 to 2020) in waters along the Western Antarctic Peninsula, where krill fishing is concentrated. Krill availability in the year before a humpback pregnancy is crucial because females need to increase their energy stores to support the upcoming pregnancy. In 2017, after a year in which krill were abundant, 86% of the humpback females sampled were pregnant. But in 2020, following a year in which krill were less plentiful, only 29% of humpback females were pregnant. Lead author Logan Pallin, a postdoctoral researcher in the Ocean Sciences Department at UC Santa Cruz, said the study demonstrates for the first time the link between population growth and krill availability in Antarctic whales. “This is significant because until now, it was thought that krill were essentially an unlimited food source for whales in the Antarctic,” said Pallin, who earned his Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC while working on this study. “Continued warming and increased fishing along the Western Antarctic Peninsula, which continue to reduce krill stocks, will likely impact this humpback whale population and other krill predators in the region.” “This information is critical as we can now be proactive about managing how, when, and how much krill is taken from the Antarctic Peninsula,” he added. “In years of poor krill recruitment, we should not compound this by removing krill from critical foraging areas for baleen whales.” Coauthor Ari Friedlaender, professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, said the Western Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing some of the fastest climatic warming of any region on the planet. Winter air temperatures have risen significantly since the 1950s, and the annual sea ice extent is, on average, 80 days shorter than four decades ago. “Krill supplies vary depending on the amount of sea ice because juvenile krill feed on algae growing on sea ice and also rely on the ice for shelter,” Friedlaender said. “In years with less sea ice in the winter, fewer juvenile krill survive to the following year. The impacts of climate change and likely the krill fishery are contributing to a decrease in humpback whale reproductive rates in years with less krill available for whales.” Coauthor Chris Johnson, the global lead of the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Protecting Whales & Dolphins Initiative, said this research shows that highly precautionary management measures are needed to protect all Antarctic marine life that depends on krill for its survival, including blue, fin, humpback, minke, and southern right whales, as well as other krill predators such as penguins, seabirds, seals, and fish. “Krill are not an inexhaustible resource, and there is a growing overlap between industrial krill fishing and whales feeding at the same time,” Johnson said. “Humpback whales feed in the Antarctic for a handful of months a year to fuel their annual energetic needs for migration that spans thousands of kilometers. We need to tread carefully and protect this unique part of the world, which will benefit whales across their entire range.” Pallin and Friedlaender collaborated on this research with coauthors from multiple national and international universities, NGOs, non-profits, and government agencies. This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society, and Marine Mammal Commission.

[namu-the-orca]

A multitude of minkes

Sorry for the long quiet here, guys. I’ve been very busy with my train driver’s license, as well as setting up a new aquarium and taking care of the residents. I haven’t been painting at all these months, but I’ll try to upload previously made art a bit more often! 

Like this trio; as you may know I completed two pretty big commissions last year, and between them I got to paint all three species of minke whales again. The common minke I’ve painted several times before, the Dwarf and Antarctic not so much. The latter two are based on my previous paintings of them, so they may seen a bit familiar. I’m fascinated by the tiger stripes both possess. The Dwarf minke, though well known and vastly different looking from the Common minke, has yet to receive a scientific name. I hope you’ll enjoy these small but incredibly beautiful baleen whales.

[videogamewhales]

[ID: A pair of Antarctic minke whales from Endless Ocean 2. End ID.]

Antarctic minke whale from Endless Ocean 2 (2009)

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ROUND TWO

[ID: A photo of an Antarctic minke whale poking their head through the ice and a photo of a striped dolphin surfacing, with a VS symbol between them. End ID.]

The Antarctic minke whale managed to beat the propaganda-laden Hector’s dolphin, but can they beat the striped dolphin, who pulled off a landslide victory against the rough-toothed dolphin? (which I was surprised about! I guess you guys can’t resist some dolphin eyeliner)

Photo credit to Brocken Inaglory and the Ionian Dolphin Project.