Mile 179 Report
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
March 9, 2009
The 40 foot long juvenile male fin whale which was washed up on Sunday the 8th was being buried in an 11 foot deep trench by a local Florence excavating company.
Report Details
The 40 foot long juvenile male fin whale which was washed up on Sunday the 8th was being buried in an 11 foot deep trench by a local Florence excavating company. Emanating from the carcass was an incredibly strong smell of rotting flesh that could be smelled all the way to the east parking lot. There was a crowd gathered watching the burial of the whale and taking photographs. Park personal had sprinkled lime on the carcass to keep the smell down so that predators would be less likely to dig it up. In the middle of the burial a brief storm blew in with strong winds, rain and icy sleet.Samples from the whale for study had been taken earlier in the day by marine biologists in order to determine the cause of death. There was speculation that the whale may have sucumbed to malnutrition.
Conditions
Temperature: 44 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -0.1 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 26. Photography: 7. The 40' juvenile male fin whale which was washed up on Sunday the 8th was being buried in an 11' deep trench by a local Florence excavating company. There was a crowd gathered watching and taking photos of the burial. A Park ranger was sprinkling lime on the carcass to keep the smell down so that predators would be less likely to dig it up.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 12.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Dead 40' young male fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) located toward the south end of Heceta Head Lighthouse beach just above the drift line.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Wood pieces.
Actions & Comments
The Fin Whale is a baleen whale, the second largest whale thought to live at least 80 years, growing up to 80' long, and weighing as much as 130 tons. They lunge feed on krill, squid and small fish such as herring. Long and slender they can swim up to 20 mph in short bursts. Occuring in all major oceans, and listed as endangered, they were heavily hunted in the 20th century. Their recovery is hampered by collisions with ships and noise from human activity.
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oystercatcher
CoastWatcher
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Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
The 40 foot long juvenile male fin whale which was washed up on Sunday the 8th was being buried in an 11 foot deep trench by a local Florence excavating company.
oystercatcher