Journals 2004/2005

Katie Roberts
Hingham Middle School, Hingham, Massachusetts

"Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance,and Status of Humpback whales (SPLASH)" NOAA Ship McArthur II June 27-July 26, 2004

Journal Index: June Intro - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 July 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

July 25, 2004

Photo: Protected Resouces Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California. swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/PRD/

Due to the overcast skies and inclement weather, we did in fact complete our last watches this morning and made our way into port at Kodiak a day early. Though we were looking forward to spending some time exploring Kodiak, I wished for another month at sea, joining the McArthur II on its next leg out the Aleutian Islands, then into the Bering Sea.

Roger Payne, a noted cetacean biologist, quipped that for some "whales become lodged cross-wise in your heart" and after my experiences on the McArthur II, I understand how scientists can spend a lifetime observing and researching the ecology and behaviors of these leviathans of the deep. Wishing fair winds to the scientists and crew on the SPLASH team!