Understanding Responsible Whale Watching - A Better Understanding
As such, it has become apparent that these 'lords of the sea' are more than capable of distinguishing the threat of capture or potential harm from that of simple observation. The future of the orca, and whales in general, can be determined by the careful examination of their behavior. Whale researchers and scientists have long believed and now conclude that whales are, in fact, highly intelligent communicators. These magnificent mammals are able to readily distinguish between individual pod members, objects and other fish or mammals that inhabit their environment.
Every orca pod has it's own unique dialect (or language) and there are several different, yet distantly related races of killer whale in our oceans. These differing killer whales are known as 'resident', 'transient' or 'offshore' whales, capable of communicating with and distinguishing one another over a distance.
These differing races are identifiable in many ways, but mainly by unique saddle patches, dorsal fin markings, feeding patterns or other obvious unique group dynamics. Some orca species are strictly fish eaters, and others are consumers of mammals and other varieties of sea life). Killer whales are capable of swimming long distances and diving to great depths with ease. They enjoy playfully performing natural activities such as spy hopping (bobbing with their heads slightly above water), breaching, and tail or fin slapping.
The average lifespan of whales varies, and little is known about their natural mortality. One of the southern resident whales, for example, is estimated to be ninety-plus years of age, somewhat similar to that of a human being. Almost every resident whale, and a great majority of transient whales, has been photo-identified, some since birth. Resident killer whales remain with their mothers for life and have very close-knit families within their pods.
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Recent Sightings
August 28. 2010: beauty day on the water with all that sunshine... the gray whale is still hanging around Discovery Island, which is always nice for us; Jpod was slowly moving north this morning, fairly spread out with the occasional breach and a few tail slaps... plenty of seals bobbing around, probably enjoying the calm waters and a bald eagle to finish the trip!
August 23. 2010: It was a wonderful day to be on the water today. Sun, calm seas and whales! The gray whale was seen on all three trips, frolicking in kelp beds; we also saw members of Lpod on the afternoon and evening trip. A california sea lion was sunning on a can and many seals were hanging out at Trial Island!
August 21. 2010: Well, it seems the orcas are taking a break but the humpback whales are keeping us entertained. Yesterday and today, we've had three different humpbacks. Today's humpbacks were all about cartwheels, breaches and spyhops; it was amazing to watch such giants leaping out of the water. We also came across the gray whale this afternoon, swimming in a kelp bed!
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