Whale Watching July 16, 2001

Whales - in July? Sure - a number of California Gray whales have discovered that Oregon is a great place to live! In the spring thousands of whales migrate from Baja, Mexico, to Alaska to feed and breed. In late December they return, completing the longest known migration of any such creatures.

For some reason a number of them end their travels just off the central Oregon coast. These resident whales can put on quite a show!

In July we joined a whale watching cruise sponsored by the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport on the central Oregon coast (map - 120 K) and visited George, one of these resident whales. . . . or should it be Georgette? Oh well, as long as they know the difference!

As you can see from the pictures, we found George just off the Newport jetty. He sniffed at us, then went about having lunch. Lunch, whale style, consists of standing on your head, grabbing huge mouthfuls of sandy bottom, and straining out little munchies. Now remember, we're watching a 60-foot whale doing this in 30 feet of water. Eating or breathing, one end or the other was up in the air!

You'll see what I mean when you look at the pictures -

	As you can see beyond her head (whoever she is), we're just off the historic Yaquina Bay bridge.
	When we arrived, the whale swam over to us and spouted off. Construction equipment on the North Jetty forms an unlikely background.
	Another puff and down George goes for another helping of tiny crustaceans. We find it amazing the one of the world's largest creatures eats some of the smallest.
	The gray splotches on the whale's back are masses of barnacles and/or a parasite called whale lice.
	In order to keep his nose to the grindstone, or sandy bottom in this case, he waves his heavy flukes on the surface.
	A spouting whale sounds like a steam engine! It's quite something when you aren't looking up and hear the loud "chuff" as he spouts right next to the boat.
	With waving flukes he bids us farewell. Well, don't just sit there staring at your monitor - wave good-bye to him!

Return to top