Two tales…. One story four years ago….. an …
Two tales…. One story four years ago….. an amazing tale with an even more special ending….perhaps if you read the story I wrote back in 2005 – the Day of the Whales it will help balance out the following more disturbing story. You see, that story was nearly four years ago. / This story – was this week, and again our south west shores have seen the heartbreaking and incomprehensible mass strandings of many cetaceans. Eighty seven whales and five dolphins were found stranded on the beach at Hamelin Bay early Monday morning. / Over seventy of the long finned pilot whales died there on the shores, along with the dolphins, with only eleven whales surviving until yesterday morning. Over 200 volunteers from the community and various groups, together with wildlife officers and veterinarians fought to provide relief and save these amazing creatures over the past two days and nights. / / Humans Caring The level of dedication and care by those who give everything to help the distressed whales is a very tangible and powerful energy. The connection between humans and cetaceans is a deep and almost primeval urge, our need to be near them, to know them, and to create interactions, is often beyond our understanding. But the emotions evident amongst all the human carers in these situations are real and a testimony to that mysterious link between our ocean dwelling friends and ourselves. Yesterday, the surviving eleven whales were transported over land to the calmer but deeper waters of Flinders Bay on the opposite side of Cape Leeuwin to Hamelin Bay. It was hoped this would give them a greater chance of returning to the open sea and thus surviving. Once lifted from the Hamelin Bay beach with cranes, Large trucks were used to transport the whales in this desperate and unique attempt to save them, and after the 15 minute journey, another huge crane was used to lift them in slings and move them down to the ocean where volunteers guided them into the water and kept them calm and still until they were all together. It was feared if some were allowed to head out to deeper water too soon, the distress calls of those left behind would only cause them to rebeach themselves. / Volunteers hold the whales in Flinders Bay, while waiting for the rest of the survivors to be transported to the safer harbour / A crane lowers the whale down into the waters of Flinders Bay, Augusta One whale reacts as it finds itself back in the ocean, dowsing those all around with the spray….either with frustration at being held captive by humans or simply joy at being back in the water Volunteers get up close to administer care to the surviving whales Once the eleven were all in Flinders Bay, they were guided out to deeper water by volunteers and professionals using boats and various other means. One female became extremely distressed and had trouble breathing, finally heading back into shallow waters where the decision was made to euthanize her to end her suffering. And then there were ten… / After suffering so much, what would this whale be thinking as he was lowered on a crane towards the water? After witnessing the live whales being returned to the sea, I felt filled with hope for them…. but wanted to pay homage to those who had not made it. I wandered along the shore of Hamelin bay and silently viewed what could only be described as a scene of carnage. Front end loaders and trucks lined up to move the huge whales, some measuring up to six and half metres and weighing three and a half tonnes, to a disposal site. It was a gruesome sight on that once beautiful beach, to see the whales going to their final resting place in the arms of heavy machinery rather than the gentle caress of ocean waves. It almost seemed blasphemous, but these beautiful creatures had long gone home to better places and the need to remove so many carcases was a nightmare that had to be attended to as soon as possible. Sharks had moved in and bites were taken from any whales that remained near the water. The bay itself had become a potentially dangerous place with the sharks being lured in by the potential of easy food. It is not even sure if sharks had attacked these large whales before they were stranded as many on the shore were scarred and marked with wounds. On this sad beach, and surrounded by the sadness and death, humans worked with respect and silence as the whales were still “taken care of” with dignity and sensitivity. I still wonder what makes these majestic and intelligent creatures commit such an act of destruction upon themselves. And why our corner of the world has such a regular occurrence of these mass strandings. According to the DEC, there have been at least 21 instances of mass strandings of whales and dolphins along this coastline since 1984. Some say it is the gentle slope of our beaches that confuses their radars….. some believe that more human intervention has created confusion or damage to their sonars or health, in the form of military sonic testing under the ocean…..in some cases strandings have been linked back to US naval exercise in the regions where whales have washed up onto beaches. Could it also be the series of recent earthquakes felt across the fault lines of Australia? Is there some chance that beneath the sea, the effects of these disturbances are felt by the sensitive cetaceans? Or is it that when a lead whale of a pod becomes old or unwell, that they make a choice to take themselves to a quiet beach to die, rather than risk being torn to shreds by sharks in the open ocean, but unfortunately, due to the loyalty and incredible social nature of whale pods, the others follow their leader into dangerous situatons? / The sad beach / the silent wave goodbye / The sign says it all We might never quite know what causes these horrific occurences, but one thing is very evident to me as I witness or take part in the ensuing scenes – That for all the large numbers of people who rush to the scene to help and strive to save the whales, these beautiful creatures are doing just as much to help and heal the humans who get in the water with them, or seek to touch and comfort them. It is almost as if the healing and care extends both ways, as anyone who has taken part in “saving the whales” will tell you….their lives have been enriched and changed forever by the experience, by that touch, that look in the eye, by the sounds of whale song or language, or just the invisible communication that passes between human and cetacean at a time when it is often impossible to know which one needs the other’s presence more. In the case of this story, the sadness continues, as of the ten released to the sea, six have since died and only four remain alive, but at this point in time, travelling safely out to sea in a group. The one redeeming factor in all this tragedy is that for all the deaths, there are still some alive who would not have survived without the care of countless individuals with big hearts and helping hands. And that the most important memory to take away from this is not the tears or sorrow and regret for those who did not make it this time but the symbolism of four whales swimming bravely back out to sea, to reclaim their existence and continue their journey. Two tales, one of hope, one of despair….two stories, different endings…. / One rides to the ocean and perhaps new freedom / One rides to eternity More of this story can be read “here”:http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25234417-2761,00.html / “here”:http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25228579-2761,00.html?referrer=email / And “here”:http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=132200 (sorry, I could not get the above three links to print and work, so if you are interested, just copy and paste them…)
Wooohooo!!! Thank you sooo much for featuring this in the Fractal Frenzy group. Hugs, / Sal xxxxxxxx
Hi! Many thanks to Art and Stories For Children for featuring my “Whale Of A Time” painting :D Below is the quote that inspired this p…
Hi! Many thanks to Art and Stories For Children for featuring my “Whale Of A Time” painting :D Below is the quote that inspired this painting: ” 20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
Hi to all, / I guess many journals start the same way. I love the concept of RedBubble and I hope to spend some time around here. / My phot…
Hi to all, / I guess many journals start the same way. I love the concept of RedBubble and I hope to spend some time around here. / My photos show the underwater wonders that I have found around the world. There will be colorful coral reefs from the tropics, but also leopard seals from Antarctica. Cute seahorses and elegant sharks. / I hope you enjoy viewing my photography as much as I did creating the images underwater. / Best,
Beluga has been featured in the dolphins & whales group! / Thank you!! / I’ve not had work featured before and considering the quality of …
Beluga has been featured in the dolphins & whales group! / Thank you!! / I’ve not had work featured before and considering the quality of the other work I see on redbubble it’s not surprising, so I’m delighted. / this is the group here “http://www.redbubble.com/groups/dolphin-and-whale-art”
Go here to view the video and let me know what you think! T…
Go here to view the video and let me know what you think! This is just another reason why we should keep our oceans clean and always focus on saving our planet! Being a Pisces, I have an affinity for all things of and from the sea. Enjoy! Cheers! ~ b.chris
Migaloo Blue Magic was featured in Art and Stories Made For Children !http://images-1.redbubble.net/img/art/cropped/size:small/view:ma…
Migaloo Blue Magic was featured in Art and Stories Made For Children Migaloo Blue Magic / Art and Stories Made for Children thank you to the hosts!!
!http://images-1.redbubble.net/img/clothing/backgroundcolor:fafafa/bodycolor:aqua/size:large/style:womens/view:preview/1382435-1-little-l…
/ Little Lost Orca TShirt Thank you Red Bubble for featuring Little Lost Orca today on the TShirt Feature Page and thanx to all my friends who’ve supported my new venture at migaloomagic gallery @ red bubble
I’m pleased to announce my 2009 range of Australiana themed calendars are now available to purchase via my online sales agent, RedBubble….
I’m pleased to announce my 2009 range of Australiana themed calendars are now available to purchase via my online sales agent, RedBubble. There’s 12 different calendars in the collection to date which depict various aspects of Australia. You’re most welcome to browse through the collection, and if you’d like to provide feedback, that will be great. Calendars are an ideal gift for giving to family and friends, and yourself. / A snap of the jolly old fellow from last year See below for more product information. Here’s the full list for viewing. Each thumbnail is clickable and it will direct to a full preview of the calendar and unit pricing. / Australia’s Animals / We’re a bit different in Australia / New South Wales / New South Wales – South Coast / Humpback Whales / Great Ocean Road / Australia – The Bush / Aussie blokes and sheilas / Victoria / North-East Victoria / Trees In Australia / Great Alpine Road / Central Tilba
Thank You to all the moderators who featured my works! I am honoured! Dolerite_Cliffs_at_Carr_Villa...
Thank You to all the moderators who featured my works! I am honoured! Dolerite_Cliffs_at_Carr_Villa featured in The_Scavenger_Hunt Purple_Foxglove featured in The_Woman_Photographer Colours_of_the_Bay_of_Fires featured in Sea Recherche_Bay featured in A_Place_To_Call_Home Sculpture_of_a_Southern_Right_Whale featured in Statues_and_Such Cells_–_Penitentiary_Port_Arthur featured in Heritage_in_Stone Jumping_for_Joy! featured in Tasmania Ruins_of_a_Huon_Pine_Barge featured in Rustic Moonscape_-_Queenstown featured in You’re_Accepted! So very happy!! Marilyn :o)
RedBubble is a great place to find art, design, photos and writing from over 80,000 talented people.
On stunning greeting cards, awesome t-shirts or beautiful prints to hang on your walls.
It’s really simple. If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, we’ll fix it.
Since February 2007 we’ve shipped over 243,200 items to more than 70 countries around the world.
Sign up for your free account, upload your work, join some groups and share your creative genius with the world.