An interesting study out today on humpback whale song in Antarctic feeding grounds, which breaks the long held view that feeding and breeding activities are spatially and temporally distinct. Song production produced by males, and which has a reproductive function, is now shown to occur in feeding grounds. For humpback whales, as for humans, the way to a female's heart is through her stomach!
Read more at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121219174156.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fdolphins_and_whales+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Plants+%26+Animals+News+--+Dolphins+and+Whales%29
And download the scientific publication at:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0051214
Thursday 20 December 2012
Friday 14 December 2012
Job done! Our latest acoustic buoy trip
100% success on our third acoustic buoy trip! We successfully deployed 3 MARUs and recovered the one pending MARU.
There was a lot of waiting around because of bad weather, but once we got going, we got everything done in a record 4 days.
Many thanks to all who were with us: Luis Bedrinana (Centro Ballena Azul/Universidad Austral de Chile), Fred Channell (University of Cornell), Nicolas Alonso (Que Pasa), Devin Altobello and the Captain and crew of Yagan II.
Here are some photos of our trip:
There was a lot of waiting around because of bad weather, but once we got going, we got everything done in a record 4 days.
Many thanks to all who were with us: Luis Bedrinana (Centro Ballena Azul/Universidad Austral de Chile), Fred Channell (University of Cornell), Nicolas Alonso (Que Pasa), Devin Altobello and the Captain and crew of Yagan II.
Here are some photos of our trip:
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| Setting off! Luis Bedrinana, Nicolas Alonso, Susannah Buchan, Fred Channell and Devin Altobello. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| Fred programming the buoys. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| With Luis on the upper deck. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| Tying down the equipment in rough seas! Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| Luis on the look out for cetaceans. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| Luis and Nicolas having mate on the upper deck. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| On our way to the first deployment site... Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| The MARU ready for deployment. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
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| All done! Unloading our equipment. Credit: Susannah Buchan |
Tuesday 4 December 2012
Sunday 2 December 2012
Loading today and leaving port tomorrow!
We have loaded all our gear today and should be leaving tomorrow, weather permitting. We have been waiting in port in Dalcahue on Chiloe Island for the storm to pass for the past four days... But at least we got to sight-see a little, especially the beautiful oceanic side of Chiloe Island.
The purpose of our trip is to install some more hydrophones (Marine Autonomous Recording Units, MARUs) on the sea floor to listen for whales. I'll be updating on how our trip goes. But for now, fingers crossed for good weather!
The purpose of our trip is to install some more hydrophones (Marine Autonomous Recording Units, MARUs) on the sea floor to listen for whales. I'll be updating on how our trip goes. But for now, fingers crossed for good weather!
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| Getting the MARUs ready with Luis Bedrinana and Nicolas Alonso |
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| Loading MARUs and lowering them into the hold |
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| The beautiful oceanic side of Chiloe Island |
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