[CINC] "Rope," the Humpback Whale

[Mr Zalophus]

There has been a  tiny Humpback Whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) calf around
for a few weeks.  For you veterans, this calf is the child of "Rope," a
mature female we have seen almost every season for the past 9 or 10 years.
Rope gets her name from the fact that she was entangled in fishing gear and
had a rope tightly wound around her when she was first identified.  Michael
Smith told me once that this rope was polypropylene line, so early on some
called her "Poly."   She somehow shed the rope and gear and is left with a
prominent scar around her body which is how we identify her nowadays.  This
is her 3rd calf in ten years.  Mom and calf can be seen together out on the
feeding grounds, and photos are online at:

http://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2011-06-25-SB-Channel


best fishes and have a WHALE of a day!

Bob Perry
Condor Express
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