#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

[animal-families-tournaments]

[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...

[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

[whaleswagbracket]

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.

[coolyecoinau]

What Types of Whales Can Be Seen While Whale Watching on the Gold Coast?

Whale watching on the Gold Coast is one of the most sought-after natural experiences in Australia. With its stunning coastline, rich marine life, and seasonal migration routes, the Gold Coast is a prime location for witnessing the majestic beauty of whales. The region offers some of the best opportunities for enthusiasts to spot different species of whales as they make their way through the waters. This article delves into the types of whales commonly seen during whale watching on the Gold Coast, providing insight into their migration patterns and what makes them so captivating to observe.

The Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is undoubtedly the star of whale watching on the Gold Coast. These magnificent creatures migrate from the cold waters of the Antarctic to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef and other northern regions for breeding and calving. The Gold Coast lies along the humpback whales' migration path, making it a perfect location for spotting them.

Humpback whales are known for their acrobatic behaviors, including breaching, tail slapping, and spy hopping. These actions are not only a spectacular sight but are also believed to be a form of communication or a way to shake off parasites. The humpback's size, reaching up to 16 meters in length and weighing as much as 40 tons, makes these encounters truly awe-inspiring. The best time to see humpback whales on the Gold Coast is from June to November, with peak sightings typically occurring from July to September.

The Southern Right Whale

While the southern right whale is less common than the humpback, it can still be spotted off the coast of the Gold Coast, especially during the winter months. These whales, which are known for their unique callosities (rough patches of skin) on their heads, prefer the calmer waters of the southern coast of Australia, though they can be seen along the Gold Coast during their migration.

Southern right whales were once severely hunted, which led to their near extinction. Thankfully, they have slowly begun to recover, and sightings of them on the Gold Coast are becoming more frequent. They are typically seen between May and October, with mothers often seen with their calves as they seek out protected bays to give birth.

The Minke Whale

The minke whale is a smaller species compared to the humpback and southern right whale but is still an impressive sight to behold. Minke whales are often found in the waters of the Gold Coast, particularly in the deeper ocean waters off the coast. These whales are typically solitary or found in small groups, and they tend to be more elusive than their larger relatives.

Minke whales can be identified by their sleek, dark bodies and small dorsal fins. Though sightings are less common than those of humpback whales, those who are lucky enough to spot a minke whale can witness one of the fastest swimming species of whale in the world. These whales are often seen in the region during the winter and spring months, from June to October, making them another fantastic species to look for during whale watching on the Gold Coast.

The Orca (Killer Whale)

While rare, sightings of the orca (also known as the killer whale) can occur during whale watching excursions on the Gold Coast. These apex predators are known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and are highly social animals, often found in pods. Orcas primarily hunt in the colder waters of the Southern Ocean, but they occasionally venture northward, which gives whale watchers the opportunity to see them off the Gold Coast.

Orcas are known for their intelligence, complex hunting techniques, and strong social structures. These whales primarily feed on other marine mammals, including seals and sometimes even whales. Encounters with orcas are extremely rare but are considered a highlight of any whale watching experience on the Gold Coast.

Migratory Patterns and Best Times for Whale Watching

The Gold Coast lies along a major migratory route for whales, making it an ideal location for whale watching during certain seasons. The migration of whales through the region is driven by the need to move between feeding and breeding grounds. The colder southern waters provide an abundant food source for whales, while the warmer northern waters offer a safer environment for breeding and raising calves.

The best time to see whales on the Gold Coast is during the annual migration, which occurs between June and November. However, the peak season for whale sightings is typically from July to September. During these months, the waters are teeming with humpback whales, southern right whales, and the occasional minke whale or orca.

What to Expect During a Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching on the Gold Coast is an exciting and unforgettable experience. Tour operators typically offer boat trips that take visitors into the open ocean, where the likelihood of spotting whales is much higher. These excursions are guided by experienced naturalists who can provide valuable information about the whales' behaviors, migration patterns, and the marine environment.

While whale sightings are never guaranteed, the chances of seeing one or more species are extremely high during the peak migration season. Whether watching from a boat or from one of the many vantage points along the coast, the experience of seeing these magnificent creatures up close is one that visitors will treasure for a lifetime.

Conclusion

Whale watching on the Gold Coast is a magical experience, offering the chance to see a variety of whale species in their natural habitat. The humpback whale, southern right whale, minke whale, and the occasional orca all migrate through the region, providing ample opportunities for unforgettable encounters. With the migration season running from June to November, the Gold Coast remains one of Australia's premier whale-watching destinations, drawing visitors from all over the world who seek to witness the beauty and grandeur of these incredible marine mammals.

[marine-mammal-news]

Scientists unsure what prompted juvenile whale to leave icy southern waters for warmer shallows, but ‘it may be a case of mis-navigation’

[swimwithturtlesgoldcoast]

What Types of Whales Can Be Seen on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant lifestyle, and natural beauty, but one of its most captivating features is the opportunity to spot majestic whales. Every year, these incredible marine mammals migrate along Australia's coastline, making the Gold Coast an ideal location for whale watching. The region attracts a variety of whale species, providing enthusiasts with an unforgettable experience.

In this article, we will explore the different types of whales that can be spotted on the Gold Coast, their migration patterns, and the best times to view these magnificent creatures.

Whale Migration on the Gold Coast

The annual migration of whales along the Australian coast is a spectacular event. From May to November, whales make their way from the cold waters of the Antarctic to the warmer, tropical waters of northern Australia to breed and give birth. This migration brings several whale species along the eastern coastline, with the Gold Coast being a prime spot for viewing.

During this period, whale watchers can enjoy the sight of humpback whales, orcas, and sometimes even smaller species like the minke whale. The waters off the coast of the Gold Coast provide a safe passage for these animals, and the region's diverse marine ecosystem offers the perfect environment for observing them in their natural habitat.

Types of Whales Visible on the Gold Coast

1. Humpback Whales

The most commonly sighted species of whale along the Gold Coast is the humpback whale. These magnificent creatures are known for their size and the distinctive hump on their backs. Humpback whales are known for their long migrations, which can span over 10,000 kilometers each year, traveling from the cold waters of the Antarctic to the warmer waters of Australia.

Humpback whales are easily identifiable by their acrobatic behaviors, such as breaching (jumping out of the water) and tail-slapping. These behaviors make them a favorite among whale watchers. Between June and November, the Gold Coast becomes a hotspot for spotting humpbacks as they make their way north to breed and then return south with their calves.

2. Orcas (Killer Whales)

While less common, orcas, also known as killer whales, can occasionally be spotted off the Gold Coast. These highly intelligent and social animals are part of the dolphin family but are larger and have a more robust build. Orcas are known for their striking black-and-white coloration and are apex predators in the marine food chain.

Orcas are generally found in deeper waters, but their migratory routes sometimes bring them close to the Gold Coast, where they may hunt for seals, fish, or even other whales. Though sightings are rare, orcas are one of the most awe-inspiring animals to encounter during whale watching season.

3. Minke Whales

The minke whale is one of the smaller species of baleen whales but still a magnificent sight to behold. Minke whales are often spotted on the Gold Coast, particularly during the early part of the migration season. They are typically shy and elusive, making sightings less frequent compared to humpback whales, but when spotted, they offer a unique and peaceful whale-watching experience.

Minke whales are known for their streamlined bodies and swift swimming abilities. They are often seen swimming alone or in small groups, feeding on krill and small fish in the waters off the Gold Coast.

4. Southern Right Whales

Although not as frequently seen as humpback whales, southern right whales are another species that can be spotted off the Gold Coast. These whales are larger than humpbacks and are easily recognizable by their lack of dorsal fin and the rough patches of skin, known as callosities, on their heads. Southern right whales migrate along the eastern coast of Australia, and sightings have been reported in the waters near the Gold Coast, particularly in the later months of the migration season.

Southern right whales are known for their slow, graceful movements, and their tendency to stay close to the shore makes them a popular sight for whale watchers. However, due to their low numbers and shy nature, they are less commonly seen than humpbacks.

Best Time to See Whales on the Gold Coast

The prime whale-watching season on the Gold Coast spans from May to November, with the peak months being June through October. During this time, the Gold Coast is a popular destination for whale watchers, offering numerous tours and vantage points for observing these majestic animals.

May to June: Early in the season, migrating whales can be seen moving north along the coast, heading toward warmer waters to breed.

July to September: This is the peak of the migration season, and the Gold Coast sees a high number of whale sightings. Humpback whales, in particular, are abundant during this time.

October to November: As the whales start their journey back south with their calves, sightings of humpback whales continue, although in slightly fewer numbers compared to the mid-season.

Whale Watching Locations on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast offers several locations where whale watchers can enjoy a spectacular view of these marine giants. Popular whale-watching spots include:

Point Danger: Located at the southern tip of the Gold Coast, Point Danger offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and is an excellent location for spotting migrating whales.

Burleigh Heads National Park: A scenic coastal park with great viewing spots, Burleigh Heads is another top location for whale watching during the season.

Surfers Paradise: Known for its bustling atmosphere, Surfers Paradise also offers whale-watching cruises that take visitors out to sea for a closer encounter with the migrating whales.

Conclusion

The Gold Coast is a prime location for experiencing the awe-inspiring sight of migrating whales. Whether it's the playful humpback whales, the elusive minke whales, or the rare southern right whales, the region offers something for every whale enthusiast. By visiting during the peak migration months and choosing the right viewing locations, whale watchers can experience one of nature's most incredible spectacles right here on the Gold Coast.

[inatungulates]

Antarctic minke whale “Balaenoptera” bonaerensis

Observed by natforlife, CC BY-NC

[balaenopteraricei]

more because I didn't look at the graphic first, this is showing several large whales but not a) all the baleen whales or b) only baleen whales (the sperm whale is toothed). missing species are northern Pacific right whale — which have an extremely low population, bryde's whale, omura's whale, sei whale, rice's whale, the common and antarctic minke whales, and the pygmy right whale.

How do the many species of baleen whales coexist in the same ecological niche without competing with each other?

the ocean is EXTREMELY fucking big

[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.

[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.

[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