Re: [Paddlewise] Orca breaching among kayakers

From: Melissa Reese <melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 13:03:25 -0700
On Thursday, September 19, 2002, at 11:57:11 AM PST, Rcgibbert_at_aol.com
wrote:

> I can't give enough credit to the whale for narrowly avoiding our
> collision into him!

I've paddled with breaching Orca a few times, and I paddle with Gray
Whales all the time (sometimes breaching), and I'm always amazed - and
appreciative! - of just how graceful those huge creatures can be. Both
Orca and Gray Whales swim within inches of my hull and never once have
they caused a disturbance. Obviously collisions can happen - like with
the recent fishing boat incident - but from my experience, the whales
have a very good sense of where my wee boaty is in relation to
themselves, and they're very good at avoiding collisions.

One local whale actually seems to enjoy playing with my boat at
times...pushing the bow around in gentle circles (eek!  I can already
hear the indignant cries of "anthropomorphism!" coming on! ;-)).  At
the risk of anthropomorphizing even more, I'll say that the whales
I've encountered are curious, gentle, and graceful.  :-)

-- 
Melissa

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Received on Thu Sep 19 2002 - 13:04:32 PDT

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