Photo credit Larry WagnerThis amazing photo of a 72' long blue whale was on the front page of our local newspaper today (click to enlarge it). Photographer Larry Wagner has several more shots of the whale posted in a gallery on the Press Democrat site.
Sadly, this gorgeous marine mammal washed ashore on Mon., Oct. 19, along the Mendocino coast, a few hours north of Bodega Bay. Authorities believe she was struck by a research vessel that was under contract to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to update maps of the ocean floor. The collision caused deep, fatal gashes in her side.
Whale researchers are using this rare event to conduct studies. Thor Holmes, curator of the vertebrate museum at Humboldt State University and a member of the California Marine Mammal Stranding Network, says this is a very big deal. Finding a whale carcass in good condition is rare, he said. Normally, whales die, sink and do not resurface until much later.
You can read more in the Press Democrat, they've carried several stories about about this tragic accident this week.
Larry Wagner is an incredible photographer, you can view his website here.
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Magnificent photos, but sad event.
ReplyDeleteWow she is big, so sad that she didn't survive!
ReplyDeleteI agree Cherrie. My daughter says the blue whale is the largest animal to have ever existed. Very sad that it didn't survive.
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