WHALE OF AN ADVENTURE.Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer For three months each winter, one of the biggest shows on Earth plays a return engagement in the Southland with a spectacle that makes quite a splash. It's the annual migration of whales now occurring off the coast of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , and it promises some titillating tit·il·late v. tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing, tit·il·lates v.tr. 1. To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle. 2. To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically. action. During a recent excursion out of Oxnard, whale watchers spotted three California gray whales - two males and a female - rolling their 40-foot-long bodies around like logs in the salty green waters of the Santa Barbara Channel The Santa Barbara Channel is that part of the Pacific Ocean which separates the mainland of California from the northern Channel Islands. It is generally south of the city of Santa Barbara, and west of the city of Ventura. . They were mating, explains Sherryl Connally, who runs Island Packers, a company that operates daily guided whale-watching excursions to the Channel Islands. ``It was so beautiful,'' she says. ``They were just rolling their fins in and out of the water. It was unbelievable.'' Nature's gentle giants of the deep are on the move again. The event has already begun as thousands of California gray whales start their southern migration from feeding grounds in the icy waters of Alaska's Bering Sea Bering Sea, c.878,000 sq mi (2,274,020 sq km), northward extension of the Pacific Ocean between Siberia and Alaska. It is screened from the Pacific proper by the Aleutian Islands. The Bering Strait connects it with the Arctic Ocean. to the sunny lagoons of Baja California Baja California, state, Mexico Baja California (Span.: bä`hä kälēfōr`nyä), state (1990 pop. 1,660,855), 27,628 sq mi (71,576 sq km), NW Mexico, on the Baja California peninsula. Mexicali is the capital. for mating and giving birth. Mature females usually give birth every other year. The mighty gray whale's mysterious journey - a trip of 5,000 miles each way - is the longest round-trip migration of any mammal in the world. These majestic mammals, which can measure up to 45 feet long and weigh up to 35 tons, were once on the endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. list because their numbers had dwindled to little more than 4,000. Since 1946, the whales have been protected by the Marine Mammal A marine mammal is a mammal that is primarily ocean-dwelling or depends on the ocean for its food. Mammals originally evolved on land, but later marine mammals evolved to live back in the ocean. Act, which banned commercial whale hunting in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Gray whales are now flourishing, with their numbers increasing each year. The gray whale population is now estimated at about 30,000. Now through March is prime season for whale watching Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation (cf. bird watching) but the activity can also be for scientific or educational reasons. in the Ventura County area, says Connally, whose boat excursions launch from both Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor and the Ventura Harbor. ``We see the strays - the behind-schedule ones - that were heading south through mid-February,'' says Connally. ``And then the grays that got down there early are coming back mid-February. So you've got this southern and northern migration. ``End of February through the end of March, it's heavy with the northern migration,'' she says. ``We see lots of grays with their newborns and families and mates just taking their time.'' Because gray whales can migrate as close as a few miles off the coastline, sightings are often multiple. Cisco's Sportfishing sport·fish·ing n. The sport of catching fish using a rod and reel. Noun 1. sportfishing - the act of someone who fishes as a diversion fishing field sport, outdoor sport - a sport that is played outdoors cruises out of Channel Islands Harbor have averaged sightings of about one to two grays a trip, says employee Kari Fuqua. ``It does progress as the month goes on,'' she says. ``In February, it's usually our best month. We'll be seeing a lot more whales out there. Gray is not the only variety of whale being spotted. ``About once a week, we've been running into a pod of orcas,'' says Connally. ``They've been traveling in threes out toward the north side of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, city, United States Santa Cruz (săn`tə kr  z), city (1990 pop. 49,040), seat of Santa Cruz co., W Calif., on the north shore of Monterey Bay; inc. 1866. - that's about 18 miles out. We've also had dolphin sightings, pretty much every trip. ``We did see a sperm whale sperm whale, largest of the toothed whales, Physeter catodon, found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is also called cachalot. Male sperm whales may grow to more than 70 ft (21 m) long and females to 30 ft (9 m). a couple weeks ago, and that was unusual,'' she says. ``Very unusual. We normally don't see sperm whales too much. We'll see a minke whale in the summer here and there, and a sperm whale once in a while.'' Connally attributes the number of sightings to good weather, which has resulted in calm seas and ideal conditions for whale watching this winter. ``We have not had any fog yet,'' she says. ``Knock on Noun 1. knock on - (rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul) rugby, rugby football, rugger - a form of football played with an oval ball rugby, rugby football, rugger - a form of football played with an oval ball wood. We get a lot more wind than we do anything out here. Being able to watch whales in choppy seas is hard on the people so we hope to find whales right away so they can enjoy it, see the island and then come home.'' - Staff writer Michel Nola contributed to this report. Whale-watching glossary On most tours, tour guides will tell you what to look for and provide information. Here's what you might see the whales doing: Spyhopping: This is when the whales stick their heads above water to have a look around, apparently to get their bearings. Breaching: When breaching, almost three-quarters of the whale's body will emerge from the water. The whale then pivots on one side and splashes back down. Sounding: Before making a deep dive, the whale plunges its head down, exposing its flukes, the two lobes of the tail. The blow: The misty vapor that occurs when the whale surfaces and exhales through its blowhole blowhole the anterior nares of whales and dolphins. - as in, ``thar she blows!'' - From Staff Reports If Jonah had only known... If you are planning to take a boat excursion out to look for whales, here are some things you might want to keep in mind. Dress warmly - preferably in layers. During the winter months, it's a good idea to wear a long-sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt and a jacket. The sea air can be chilly in the morning hours and in the afternoon when the wind picks up. Take binoculars, camcorders and/or cameras. These are usually safe to take. Binoculars are helpful, but unless you're an experienced whale watcher, they may just get in the way on a bouncing boat in the open ocean. Bring the camera, but don't spend all your time looking through the lens. First enjoy the sights and then try to get a few good shots. Wear sunglasses sunglasses A tinted pair of glasses used to ↓ light arriving at the eye, which are labeled according to the amount of UV light blocked; nonprescription glasses are classified according to use and amount of UV radiation blocked Sunglasses , hat or visor and sunscreen sunscreen /sun·screen/ (-skren) a substance applied to the skin to protect it from the effects of the sun's rays. sun·screen n. . Protect those baby blues against glare and slap on the sunscreen to prevent sunburn sunburn, inflammation of the skin caused by actinic rays from the sun or artificial sources. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation is followed by a red blush, but severe exposure may result in blisters, pain, and constitutional symptoms. - even on a cloudy day. Avoid seasickness seasickness: see motion sickness. . Wear a motion-sickness patch or take a motion-sickness pill an hour before boarding the boat. Check with your pharmacist to see if there are any complications with other drugs you may be taking. If you're prone to motion sickness motion sickness, waves of nausea and vomiting experienced by some people, resulting from the sudden changes in movement of a vehicle. The ailment is also known as seasickness, car sickness, train sickness, airsickness, and swing sickness. , choose an early trip when the sea is usually calmer. Call ahead. Most boats require reservations, and some require a certain number of people in order to finalize a cruise. Early-season trips sometimes offer more private sightings. In high season, more boats are likely to crowd around whales that have been sighted. Consider the weather. Boats usually won't go out in the rain, and between storms, high seas high seas In maritime law, the waters lying outside the territorial waters of any and all states. In the Middle Ages, a number of maritime states asserted sovereignty over large portions of the high seas. can prevent cruises. Think about food. Some boats will let you take soft drinks and food aboard; others provide both at a snack bar, but it's best to eat a light meal an hour before boarding. Keep the kiddies entertained. Young children can get restless, especially if there are no whales to watch, so bring along something to entertain them. Don't share your food with the animals. Don't throw food to any marine mammal. It's a violation of federal law. - From Staff Reports Getting on board Here's a list of some of the whale-watching companies offering large- scale fun along the Southern California coast: VENTURA Island Packers: With departures from both Ventura and Oxnard harbors, this outfit is an official concessionaire to Channel Islands National Park Channel Islands National Park: see Santa Barbara Islands; National Parks and Monuments (table). off Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. , making it a company that is permitted to bring whale watchers close to the islands. Daily trips are offered through March 31. Half-day trips are led by experienced naturalists. Fares are $24 for adults and $16 for children. Excursions depart from Ventura Harbor at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additional departure times are available depending on the season. Address: 1867 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Call (805) 642-1393 or visit the Web site, www.islandpackers.com. OXNARD Island Packers: Daily three- to four-hour whale-watching trips are offered through March out of Channel Islands Harbor at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Guided tours are $24 for adults and $16 for children; 3600 S. Harbor Blvd. Call (805) 642-1393 or check the Web site, www.islandpackers.com. Cisco's Sportfishing: Daily guided cruises are under way through April 1. The three-hour tours travel three to 14 miles offshore where, in addition to gray whales, you can observe dolphins, porpoises, pilot whales, sea lions and a variety of marine birds. Departures are 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Fares are $22 general, $16 seniors (55-plus) and juniors (4-15). Children 3 and under are free. Group rates are available; 4151 S. Victoria Ave. Call (805) 985-8511. SAN PEDRO/LONG BEACH Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Harbor Cruise: Daily whale-watching cruises through April 7. Tours depart at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays and 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 and 3 p.m. weekends and holidays. Fares are $15 adults, $8 children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free. The guided cruises last two-and-a-half hours and depart from Village Boat House, Ports O-Call Village, Berth 78, San Pedro. Call (310) 831-0996, or visit www.2seewhales.com. Spirit Cruises: Whale watching trips are under way Fridays through Mondays, February through March. This is the 16th year this company has been offering two-hour guided tours. Whale sightings are guaranteed or you can go again free. Tours are out of Shoreline Village in Long Beach and Ports O-Call Village in San Pedro. Adults $15, children $8. Children are free on morning departures. Call for departure times and reservations; 429 Shoreline Village Drive, (310) 831-1073. NEWPORT BEACH Newport Beach, residential and resort city (1990 pop. 66,643), Orange co., S Calif., on Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1906. It is a popular seaside resort and yachting center. Manufactures include electrical and medical equipment, computers, boats, and adhesives. Davey's Locker Sportfishing: Whale-watching cruises are under way now and continue through the end of March. Daily guided tours are two to two-and-a half hours and include guaranteed sightings of whales and/or dolphins, or you can go again free. Departures are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. Other marine life sightings usually include sea lions and sea birds. Fares are $15 general, $12 seniors (62-plus), $9 juniors 4-12. Infants and toddlers are free; 400 Main St., Balboa Peninsula. Call (949) 673-1434. Newport Landing Sportfishing: Daily guided two to two-and a-half hour tours run through April 9. Departure times are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to gray whales, there are sightings of other marine life including dolphins, sea lions, marine birds and occasional killer whales and sharks. Sightings of whales and/or dolphins are guaranteed or you can go again free. Fares are $14 general, $10 seniors (60-plus) and children 12 and under; 309 Palm Ave., Balboa Peninsula. Call (949) 675-0550 or visit the Web site, www.newportlanding.com. DANA POINT Dana Wharf Sportfishing: Daily whale-watching tours leave Dana Point Harbor at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with additional 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. departures Saturdays and Sundays through April. Two-hour trips have tour guides. Fares are $14 general, $10 seniors and military (Monday-Friday), $8 children 3-12. Children 2 and younger are free. Whale or dolphin sightings are guaranteed or you ride again free; 34675 Golden Lantern. Call (949) 496-5794, (800) 590-9994 or visit the Web site, www.danawharfsportfishing.com. Orange County Ocean Institute: Marine Mammal Exploration Cruises continue through March. The cruises feature marine biologists onboard and offer passengers an interactive investigation of scientific theories on feeding strategies, behavior, reproduction, migration and significant current issues regarding marine mammals marine mammals mammals inhabiting the sea; generally taken to include the cetaceans (whales, porpoise, dolphin), the sirenians (sea-cows, including manatees and dugong) and the pinnipeds (the carnivores of the group, seals, sealions, walruses). . Cruises are Saturdays and Sundays. Call for schedule. Fares are $22 general, $16 seniors (55-plus) and juniors (4-12). Not for children younger than 4; 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive Harbor Drive is the name of a street in Portland, Oregon, which was formerly a freeway that carried U.S. Route 99W along the western shore of the Willamette River in the downtown area. . Call (949) 496-2274 or visit the Web site, www.ocean-institute.org. Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari: Capt. Dave takes guests out on a two to two-and-a half hour cruise for an up-close and personal look at whales and dolphins, departing Thursdays through Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. from Dana Point Harbor. The boat's special feature includes an underwater video camera and cockpit monitor that gives passengers a view of whales or dolphins playing underneath the bow. Mrs. Capt. Dave's killer brownies are included. Fare is $40 adults, $35 children 12 and younger; 34675 Golden Lantern. Call (949) 488-2828, or visit the Web site, www.dolphinsafari.com. SAN DIEGO San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. Seaforth Sportfishing: Daily two- to three-hour tours aboard Seaforth Landing's fleet of five vessels depart from Mission Bay at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., through mid-March. Fares are $20 general, $15 seniors (62-plus) and juniors (15 and under). Visitors are guaranteed to see a whale or dolphin or they can go again free; 1717 Quivera Road. Call (619) 224-3383 or visit the Web site, www.seaforthlanding.com. San Diego Harbor Excursions: Guided three-hour trips are daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through April 1. Whale sightings are guaranteed or whale watchers go again free (weekdays only). Cost is $23 general, $21 seniors and active-duty military, $15 children 4-12. Call (619) 234-4111 or (800) 442-7847. FESTIVAL OF WHALES The 30th annual Dana Point Festival of Whales, Millennium Migration, with fun and educational events, runs from Feb. 24 through March 4, weekends only. Includes whale watching, arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. , entertainment, a film festival and street fair in various locations throughout town. A free shuttle runs from Dana Hills High School Dana Hills High School is a high school in Dana Point, California. It is one of the oldest high schools in South Orange County, having opened in 1972. The school's enrollment of 3,000 students is drawn from the nearby communities of Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, and , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends during the festival. For more information, call (888) 440-4309 or visit www.dpfestivalofwhales.com. EVENTS ON TAP Chamber Street Faire 2001, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24-25. Whale and Wild Dolphin Film Festival, featuring premiere of documentary film footage shot by Capt. Dave Anderson Dave Anderson might refer to:
Niguel Art Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both weekends. Tidepool Hikes, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. both weekends. The Brig Pilgrim, Thar She Blows, 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 24-25, March 3 at the Ocean Institute. Sand Castle Workshops, 9 and 11 a.m. both weekends. Whale Run for Kids, 8 a.m. registration March 3. Wag-A-Thon pet contests and walk, registration at 7:30 a.m. March 3. Taste of Dana Point Harbor, 1 to 4 p.m. March 4. Ocean Awareness Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 4. - From Staff Reports CAPTION(S): 7 photos, 3 boxes Photo: (1 -- 3 -- cover -- color) Whale-watching season is here, and we spout off on the best ways to do it. (4 -- cover -- color) no caption (binoculars) (5 -- 6) Passengers aboard the Voyager, above, watch a gray whale flukes during a trip off the Palos Verdes Palos Verdes is often used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the Los Angeles/South Bay area of California. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, good schools [1] extensive horse trails [2] Peninsula. At left, California sea lions lounge around Verb 1. lounge around - be lazy or idle; "Her son is just bumming around all day" bum about, bum around, frig around, fuck off, loaf, arse about, arse around, loll around, lounge about, waste one's time, bum, loll off Dana Point Harbor. (7) Whale watchers aboard the Voyager out Redondo Beach Redondo Beach (rĭdŏn`dō), city (1990 pop. 60,167), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1892. Once a commercial port for Los Angeles, it is a residential and resort city with a protected harbor and an excellent marina. observe some common dolphins riding along the ship's bow. Staff Photos by Michael Leione, Bernardo Alps and Andy Holzman Box: (1) Whale-watching glossary (see text) (2) If Jonah had only known...(see text) (3) Getting on board (see text) |
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