Ultimate Backyard V: The Humpback Whale
Here is some more of what can be seen from our cove in the summer time.
The Humpback whale is also known as the Baleen whale. Adults range in length from 12 to 16 meters and weighs up to 79.000 lbs. it has a distinctive body shape and unusually long pectoral fins and a knobby head. It is often seen breaching the water and slapping. It frolics with ease despite its size. It’s the males that produce really complex whale songs. The song can last from 10 to 20 minutes which is sung over and over for hours at a time. Researchers do not know the purpose of this song but it appears that it has to do with the mating ritual. Here in Grates Cove, Newfoundland, Jim Duggan takes tourist out to see these wonderful whales.
The Humpback only feeds in the summer which is probably why it shows up here. Our waters team with all kinds of fish. Their diet consists of Krill and small fish. They will migrate to sub tropical waters during the winter to breed and give birth to their young. During this time they stop eating and live off their fat. Humpback whales have a diverse feeding method including what is called the bubble net method.
Sadly the Humpback has been, and still is the target for the whaling industry. A whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966 after the population of the Humpback was reduced to 90% of what it was. They still have obstacles that have to be overcome such as entanglement in fishing nets, collision with ships, and noise pollution. It is sad to think that sights such as these may not be available for the next generation.
Meanwhile here in our part of the world fishermen work hard not to damage what nature has given us so abundantly. Jim is only one of the many that enjoy sights such as these during the summer. While we do have these sights to enjoy we must never forget that there can be a time that the Humpback will be no more if we don’t take the time to preserve it now.
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18 Responses to “Ultimate Backyard V: The Humpback Whale”
On February 8, 2009 at 10:54 am
very informative.. I envy your close encounters.. reminds me of the `Free Willy` movies when I was young.
On February 8, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I love the articles you write about where you live. I just have one question, can I come and live with you?
On February 8, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Come on Joni there’s always room for one more lol. There is so much freedom here it is unlike any other place in that respect and i think the closeness of the community really helps you to love where you live. Of course the scenery is not to bad either lol
On February 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm
i’d love to come too…lol,nice place anyway,thanks
On February 8, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Those pictures are so amazing. What a wonderful place to live. I too live by the sea but we don’t get the same kind of sea life. Still I absolutely love living here.
Christine
On February 8, 2009 at 8:34 pm
great picture, now next time grab the fin and go for a swim!
Thanks,
Clay
On February 8, 2009 at 9:25 pm
If I lived there I would never go outside my own back yard.The whales are beautiful and just unbelievable.
On February 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm
awesome
On February 8, 2009 at 11:29 pm
amazing article and great photos
On February 8, 2009 at 11:32 pm
wow… beautiful whale. I would love to visit the place someday. You are lucky to live in this beautiful place Yaffel.
On February 9, 2009 at 3:51 am
great! awesome. nice shots.
On February 9, 2009 at 11:18 pm
yaffel
You have a most interesting playgrond. Great presentation.
(Kind of reminds me of the film Moby Dick..one of my favorites).
On February 10, 2009 at 12:40 am
Those are humpback whales…not orca…
On February 10, 2009 at 5:25 am
you may be right Madi but the fisherman that gave me these pics takes people on tours and said this one was a killer whale. I will check with him again and change it if your right. it could be that I got mixed up in the pics as i get them from two diffent sources here.
On February 10, 2009 at 10:59 am
Thank you Madi for pointing out that I had the wrong whales in this article I have put in a fix to have them removed. I just added more information on whales instead of adding more pictures. I find it very difficult adding pics so will leave it like it is for now. Thank you once again.
On February 11, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi Yaffel, Don’t worry about the pictures – bloomin’ computers are always messing up my stuff! Cracking job again and once again you prove the need for an extension to be built on the side of your house. Then all of your fans could come and stay and enjoy your fantastic part of the world!
On February 14, 2009 at 2:11 pm
It’s kind of hard to tell a killer whale unless you see the white markings underneath or near the eye,the last picture clearly shows it is not an Orca,but that’s ok,the article was great anyway.
On February 14, 2009 at 2:33 pm
sorry about the mix up i am still waiting for a fix. i just changed the article to humpbacks i have so much trouble with pics that it was easieer to do that. I feel really bad about this. sorry again i will pay closer attention from now on when my friends give me pics.
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