The Whales Are on the Move
As
you sit in your cozy classrooms today, where are the California
gray whales? Are you surprised to learn that many are still plowing
south on their 5,000 to 6,000-mile swim from Alaska to Mexico? But most gray whales are in the warm Mexican lagoons
right now.
Going on a whale watch is one of the top items on our list of things to do in San Diego. We missed the boat, so to speak, last month, but we’re on board next year for sure.
What migrations do your families get jazzed about? In the east, we loved watching for the juncoes every winter and (of course) the monarchs in the summer. We had a nesting pair of bluebirds in a box under our deck; every year they delighted us by raising a small brood outside my office window. Here, it’s the parrot flock that delights us, whirling above our street in their noisy green throng. They live here year-round, I believe, the descendants of long-ago escapees. One of these days I’ll get a picture.
From bluebirds and juncoes to parrots and whales! Talk about a wild year!
JoVE says:
If you like the parrot flock you might enjoy the film “Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”. Tigger really liked it and it is about a homeless man who “looks after” the wild flock in SF.
On February 7, 2007 at 10:07 am
Jeanne says:
Ruby-throated hummingbirds! One of the things I will miss now that I have returned to Virginia from Mississippi is the annual hummingbird festival near Holly Springs, MS. This year it is coming up Sep. 6 -7 at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center. The air gets THICK with hummingbirds there – and kids can see them banded and feel their heart beats. It is worth attending from another STATE! My best advice is DON”T go on the “school” day. But GO if you can!
On February 7, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Laura says:
You know, you can see the monarchs up north, too – in Monterey. And you ought to get up there to the Aquarium some time anyway! Love that place.
I remember going to see the elephant seals on Ano Nuevo beach several years in a row. Really awesome experience. I miss CA!
On February 7, 2007 at 3:05 pm