|
In the Spring of 2002 a dead Grey Whale nearly 40
feet in length was deposited high on the sand berm between the
Pacific Ocean and the channel to the mouth of the Pistol
River....where it lay decomposing, being sand blown and feasted
upon by crows and turkey vultures through late Fall. |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Thanks to Jeff Werner and John Wilson
of Fisherman Direct,
Paul Hook, and James Crook. It is our hope that the
Port/Community of Gold Beach can accommodate this Grey Whale skull
with the proper venue - for public viewing and education - it's a
true Natural Treasure. |
| -Click on any picture for a larger
view. Photos show the skull upside down - no lower jaw.
Its length is 100 inches, width 50 inches and it weighs between
400 and 500 pounds. |
|
This Humpback whale washed up at almost the exact
same spot during December 2003. It since moved a few miles
north to the mouth of Myers Creek. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Also during the late
Fall many vertebra and rib bones were picked up by various folks wanting
souvenirs. It is legal to pick up bleached Grey Whale bones off of
the Oregon beaches as the Grey Whale is no longer listed as Threatened and
Endangered.
Our first big Fall storm was late in coming but brought with it a very
large groundswell reading 50' + on the offshore buoys. This surge
pushed what was left of the whale carcass off the high sand berm and into
the river channel... apparently to be swept out to sea. But surprise,
surprise...the next day the river receded and there sat the whale skull,
stripped almost entirely clean. It took several people to muscle
this thing over the berm and into a pick-up.
|
