Monday, April 12, 2004

Luna Stewardship Project lectures at the University of Victoria.


May 17, 2004

The Luna Stewardship crew just got back from a road trip to the American and Canadian whale museums. A great trip across the San Juan Islands with views of Steller sea Loins and harbour porpoises. Upon arrival at Friday Harbour we were greeted by Erin O'Connell and Kari Koski from Soundwatch. We all went for a fabulous lunch of curry and noodles. At the Whale Museum we met with David Howatt and Dr. Richard Osborne. After the meeting, on our war to the Center for Whale Research, we were graced with the presence of J pod. A baby was still pink and breaching lots. There were blows all around us. We then headed north the next day with a stop into Vancouver. The Bones Project at the Killer Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove were grateful for delivery of whale-watch guideline brochures. We stayed at the campsite and had a relaxing day at the beach. The next morning we were blessed with the presence of over 200 eagles. They seem to be flying the heat waves from large wood chip piles. Next we went to Port McNeil to have lunch with Jared Towers and his girlfriend Erin. After fueling up for the road we headed to Gold River to met with the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation Chief Mike Maquinna and give him First Nation Luna respect campaign T-shirts (Esa/wkuuqwit Kakawin - Respect Killer whale) and guideline brochures. We tooklots of photos of black bears grazing on the estuary grasses. There was lots of fish-farm equipment was being loaded into Nootka Sound. Luna was reported Grant, from Air Nootka, to be by himself in a regular spot up the Inlet.

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

During my tour of duty with the Luna Stewardship Project as coxswain and research biologist I initiated an acoustic study on Luna and found the whale using three main calls that may be used to track him after relocation to the Juan de Fuca Strait. I have studied at Bamfield and identified seven new offshore killer whale calls. I have posted some photos of a lone Pseudorca named Willy I found this cetacean significantly changing behaviour around moving vessels that emit sound. I have studied bottlenose dolphin signature whistles in Mexico for an independent field research project. I have posted some recordings of their whistles along with gray whale calls and the sounds that snapping shrimp make with their claws. There are also photos of wonderful experiences in the Gray whale breeding lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.

Sunday, April 04, 2004