IN THIS ISSUE

Killer Whales Hunting off the Farallon Islands

Restore the Sanctuary's Budget

Seagrasses in Tomales Bay: The Unsung Heroes of Habitat

Wildlife Spotlight:
Common Murre (Uria aalge)

 

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Mark your calendars and don't miss the film:

A Life of Skulls
a film by Beth Cataldo about Ray Bandar with questions and answers following!

Wednesday, February 28, 7:00-8:30pm
Bay Model, 2100 Bridgeway Blvd, Sausalito

Thursday Evening, March 8, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Randall Museum
991 Museum Way
San Francisco

For more information and RSVP, contact Joanne Mohr at jmohr@farallones.org. (415)561-6625 x307

 

 

Come see the murres scouting for nests on the Farallon Islands!  Enjoy all the amazing wildlife on our April 29 Whale Watching trip!

 

Sail the Bay on a historic schooner or canoe out to Bair Island!   Visit SaveSFbay.org to see other bay events.

 

Mavericks: The Big Wave Surf Contest could happen any day now. Help us to minimize the impact this year. For more information contact: jmohr@farallones.org

 

Join Elkhorn Slough Safari on April 14 and view the sea otters!

 

Take part in the exciting Gulf of the Farallones Research Course, April 21-22, 2007.  Board the 133ft oceanographic research vessel White Holly to learn methods of oceanographic research and marine wildlife observation. As one of 12 students in a 2-day overnight intensive scientific research course, you will learn why thousands of birds and marine mammals come to this area to feed and breed. Course Outline

 

Kayak with the whales and dolphins in Baja. Blue Waters and Sea Trek have amazing week long expeditions from late February to mid April.

Donate to FMSA Today

Are you 70 ½ years old or older?

During 2007, you can send your required minimum distribution from your IRA to FMSA without paying income tax on it!

Please contact Susanna Beck to take advantage of this limited time opportunity:

415-561-6625 ex. 315 or sbeck@farallones.org

 

Killer Whales Hunting off the Farallon Islands

On January 24, a large group of killer whales (orcas) were sighted in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The visiting black and white whales were spotted by the captain and passengers aboard the Superfish on a trip to the Farallon Islands. 

Two of the whales photographed by Sandra Cannon (from SFBAY Images) were identified by the saddle patch behind their dorsal fin as K20, a 20-year-old mother from the K-pod, and her 3 year-old calf, K38.  The K-pod is one of three pods (K, L, and J) who make up the Southern Resident killer whales from the Pacific Northwest’s San Juan Islands. 

Continued >>

 

Restore the Sanctuary’s Budget

The newly elected 110th Congress faces a momentous choice as they consider the FY 08 budget. Congress can continue their predecessors’ six-year pattern of relentless and damaging cuts to the federal programs that protect our air, water, climate, wildlife and public lands.  Or they can choose to reverse that trend, and begin to restore funding to key environmental protection and conservation programs.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is responsible for refining scientific understanding of climate change and its impacts; managing and conserving our oceans, expanding scientific exploration and ocean observation, sustaining coastal economies, and forecasting our weather. Yet NOAA has suffered continuing funding cuts and the political battles waged during the appropriations process have taken a heavy toll on NOAA. 

Continued >>

 

Seagrasses in Tomales Bay: The Unsung Heroes of Habitat

It’s a calm, quiet morning on Tomales Bay; the water is motionless and glassy as the sun peeks over the hills.  A sudden, silver flash at the surface breaks the stillness for just a moment, sending a ripple across the water and reminding us that beneath the quiet surface there is an unseen world teeming with life. At its heart is eelgrass (Zostera marina), a unique plant that has adapted to living submerged in salty coastal waters.

In places like Tomales Bay, where conditions are favorable, eelgrass forms thick beds with thousands of simple, long, green, ribbon-like leaves all but filling the water column. It looks much as you might expect – like tall grass underwater – but its unassuming appearance belies the important role eelgrass plays in the bay ecosystem.

Continued >>

 

Wildlife Spotlight: Common Murre (Uria aalge)

Often described as “flying penguins” or “footballs”, common murres are the most abundant bird in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.  Every winter these hearty seabirds return to the sanctuary to prospect (scout) for nests.

Common Murres belong to the Alcid Seabird family, which includes Puffins and Auklets.  Their breeding plumage, which lasts from December through August, is a distinctive charcoal-black and white. They have thin black bills and short stubby wings, and are about fourteen inches in length.

Continued >>