Journals 2006/2007

Cyndy Martin
Portland High School, Portland, Maine

"STAR Project NOAA R/V McArthur II" July 28 - August 26, 2006

Journal Index: September 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9            10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16            17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23            24 - 25 - 26

August 6, 2006
Orcas!

Lat: 13° 13.9' N
Long: 122° 48.4' W
Skies: PC
Wind: 17 kts, 060 deg T
Seas: waves = 2-3', swells = 4-5'
Course: 160 deg T
Speed: 10 kts
Distance in 24 hrs: 202 nm
Sea temp: 28.7 deg C (which will be the highest recorded temp on this leg)
Distance from land: 640 NM SW of Clarion Is

The day began in calm seas with an unusually accommodating group of killer whales. The small boat was launched and some photos obtained. Couldn't get any biopsies, though there were several in the area scattered over a few miles. What I found most interesting about this sighting was the association between the Tahiti petrels and Pseudorca. More and more data is revealing that seabirds may often provide subtle cues leading to sightings and even identifications.

Most of the cetaceans we've been seeing out here have been quite evasive. They're not really used to seeing ships, and when they do they're likely to be tuna boats! The dolphins have had decades to learn that they should turn and run from tuna boats. Apparently most have that down, as they seem rather skiddish and rarely want to play or investigate.

Acoustics getting some good clicks from the orcas