Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Drone Footage Captures Killer Whales Feasting in Monterey
NBC Bay Area ^ | 4/23

Posted on 04/23/2017 6:52:43 PM PDT by nickcarraway

A rare sighting in the animal kingdom continues to mesmerize marine biologists and whale watchers in the Monterey Bay.

For the fourth day in a row, whale watchers on Sunday spotted an abnormally large pod of killer whales feasting on the carcasses of two gray whales, according to Nancy Black from Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

Killer whales are famous for their violent attacks and relentless feeding practices, but to see this type of behavior and this amount of mammal-eating creatures just off the coast of Monterey is "pretty rare," Black said.

"This won't happen everyday," she said.

The first gray whale's carcass was originally discovered last Thursday followed by another carcass appearing Friday, according to Black.

Ever since Thursday, throngs of killer whale mothers and calves have taken turns taking bites out of the dead whales' blubber.

An array of whale species typically migrate to Monterey Bay during the spring months for feeding season, according to Black. Killer whales tend to hunt in groups of six to ten, but Black said the group this year is a "very large number."

Not to be outdone, Humpback whales also joined the mix. Black said Humpback whales tend to barge into the fold when killer whales feed.


TOPICS: Local News; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: drones; killerwhales; marinebiology; orcas; yawn
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last
To: nickcarraway

Lloyd’s kids are still here to. Just like the killer Whales offspring.


21 posted on 04/23/2017 9:18:01 PM PDT by US_MilitaryRules (I'm not tired of Winning yet! Please, continue on!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Does it look like Michael Moore, Al Sharpton and Rosie O’Donnell feasting at an “All You Can Eat” free buffet?


22 posted on 04/23/2017 9:21:55 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sheana

I’ve heard theories like red tide. The die offs of mammals, birds, fish, sea stars etc - no one has a good answer or proof.

Japan’s Salmon
http://russgeorge.net/2017/01/31/japanese-salmon-fisheries-in-historic-collapse/

KIng Salmon
http://juneauempire.com/local/2017-03-06/spring-king-fishing-canceled-emergency-order

Chinook Salmon
https://www.facebook.com/TheYurokTribe/photos/a.153436974726777.36742.140327912704350/1542536569150137/?type=3&theater

Chum Salmon
https://www.undercurrentnews.com/2016/11/17/japan-chum-salmon-landings-the-worst-in-24-years/

Starving Alaskan Sea Birds
http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Following-last-years-massive-die-off-of-Alaskan-seabirds-scientists-still-looking-for-answers-413757753.html

Murres and tufted puffins dying due to lack of fish to eat
http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Following-last-years-massive-die-off-of-Alaskan-seabirds-scientists-still-looking-for-answers-413757753.html

Unusual Mortality Event: Whales
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/faqs_2015_large_whale.html

Sea Star Wasting disease:
http://www.eeb.ucsc.edu/pacificrockyintertidal/data-products/sea-star-wasting/

Lots and lots of articles about whales and pinnipeds. Geographically dispersed etc.


23 posted on 04/23/2017 9:27:39 PM PDT by ransomnote
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Fukushima, it starts and ends when the radiation quits leaking into the sea, then maybe about 100,000 years later more or less. That disaster is the worst nuclear accident ever, and still has not ended. It puts the Russian meltdown to shame.


24 posted on 04/23/2017 10:16:35 PM PDT by Glad2bnuts (If Republicans are not prepared to carry on the Revolution of 1776, prepare for a communist takeover)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: blueunicorn6

How do you know the orca doesn’t identify as a tuna fish?
And I noticed you assuming genders of these persons of the sea.


25 posted on 04/24/2017 12:12:52 AM PDT by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Looks like the Orcas got a whale calf. Nature is cruel. Everything has got to eat. The ocean is always eat or be eaten.


26 posted on 04/24/2017 1:31:30 AM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (Trump: What to do now I can't repeal Obamacare? I know, lets start a war with Russia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

ping


27 posted on 04/24/2017 2:53:18 AM PDT by VaRepublican (I would propagate taglines but I don't know how. But bloggers do.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson