Sperm whale carcass

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oldsalt
I've Got Gills
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Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:02 am

Sperm whale carcass

Post by oldsalt »

My obsession with whales continues. While stopping to visit the wreck of the Peter Iredale on the Oregon coast, I found a bunch of people checking out a dead sperm whale. Of course, I had to hobble down to the beach to see for myself. The first photo shows the relationship between the whale and the shipwreck.
Sperm1
Sperm1
A newspaper article said an expert had determined that it had been struck by a ship. No expert needed. The lacerations caused by a large propeller are obvious to anyone. I am somewhat empathetic with the whale because many years ago, I was cut up by a boat propeller. A much smaller propeller in my case.
Propeller marks
Propeller marks
The final picture shows the whale from head on. I suspect the missing slice in the picture was the result of a tissue sample taken when the researchers conducted a necropsy.
Head shot
Head shot
I much prefer to see whales alive. In fact, I am down here on the coast hoping to catch sight of any gray whale stragglers on their southern migration.
-Curt :rawlings:
Happy to be alive.
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