Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A beluga experience [WW and OW]

They are called "canaries of the sea" due to their high-pitched twitter. Beluga whales are gregarious marine mammals that are entirely found in arctic and sub-arctic waters. It was my first time to see beluga whales up close and personal, and they were playful and magnificently swimming around the Coldwater Quest gallery of the Georgia Aquarium.
















These white whales were approximately 12 feet long, and they live at Georgia Aquarium's state-of-the-art 800,000 gallon beluga whale habitat that simulates their natural environment and maintained at 13 degrees Celsius.

Sad news though, I read in Georgia Aquarium's website that Nico, a 25-year old male and one of the whales in these photos, died unexpectedly on October 31st.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw them for the first and only time at Sea World in San Diego. They are a joy to watch, such a character.

Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

This for sure must have been an impressive sight. Only wonder why 'time' has become that way, that they are 'enjoyed' in an 'indoor-outdoor aquarium'.

Please have a wonderful Wednesday.

A New England Life said...

Such sad news. And if I'm correct they are also an endangered species. Such beautiful mammals. I wonder how long they can actually live?

January Zelene said...

Happy New Year Miranda!

Great Photos for WW & OW..

My WW & OW Entry

eileeninmd said...

They are wonderful creatures and amazing to see. Happy New Years.

eden said...

I haven't heard them yet and this is my first time. Thanks for the info.

Great photo.

Happy New year

Martha said...

Great post. I loved to watch the Belugas at Sea World. They are so graceful, and appear to be so gentle.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

My ABC & Watery Wednesday

Momgen said...

Very entry for today Miranda...Happy watery Wednesday.

mine is here

Maria said...

Amazing creatures. Thanks for the visit and best wishes.

nuts said...

amazing creature and they are 12ft long..wow..

Shellbelle said...

They are such beautiful creatures. I know that showing them up close and personal to visitors to such places is good for the species in the long run, for it is only when humans know and understand that they will help to protect them from extinction. Sad, but true.