Ask the Aquarium: Whales

AYes, a variety of whales pass through North Carolina waters during migration. Of the 10 great whales—animals in the order Cetacea that reach lengths of 30 feet or more—eight have been reported in our coastal waters: Minke, sei, Bryde’s, fin, blue, humpback and northern right.

One of the most predictable great whales that pass through our waters is the humpback. These behemoths tend to swim near shore during migration. December and January are prime months to spot them, as they travel southward to the warmer waters of the Caribbean to breed or give birth. They pass our shoreline again in March and April on their return trip north to cool polar waters for a summer of feeding..

Humpbacks are the most animated and acrobatic of the great whales. They can lift their 40-ton bodies almost completely out of the water in a dramatic behavior called breaching and are the most vocal of the baleen whales, producing an elaborate melody of moans, yelps and chirps that make up the most complex song in the animal kingdom.

Another migratory visitor to our waters is the North Atlantic right whale. From November through mid-April these leviathans make their way down the Atlantic coast. It’s estimated there are as few as 450 of these great whales, making them one of the most endangered marine mammals. Each winter, pregnant females travel more than 1,000 miles from feeding grounds off Canada and New England to the warm coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida. These southern waters are the only known calving areas for this species.

More than 20 other Cetaceans, which also include dolphins and porpoises, have been recorded in the coastal waters of the Carolinas. The most abundant Cetacean along the Atlantic Coast is the bottle-nosed dolphin; other visitors include the harbor porpoise and four species of beaked whales.

Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquarium. Call 1-800-832-FISH for more information. € Do whales migrate along the coastline? If so, what are good months to watch for them?

A right whale and calf pass just offshore near Beaufort. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE JUSTICE FOR THE NC AQUARIUMS

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ABUELITA’S LEGACY AN ISLAND CHURCH PERSPECTIVE

18 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of Godto you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. HEBREWS 13:7 J anuary 25 would have been my grandmother’s 96 th birthday. She died just one week after her 80 th birthday in 2004. I still remember sitting in my office going over the business of the week when the call came in. Grandma, or Abuelita as we called her, was the only grandparent I ever really knew. My Abuelita came with us when left for North Carolina from New York. She was always in my life. She either lived with us, upstairs, next door or just down the street.

After moving outside of Greensboro in what to us was “the country,” my Abuelita was able to plant flowers and a garden. Going to her place, you would find her working in her flower or vegetable garden. She loved to be outside. More than working outside, she loved to take care of her family. My sisters and I were always at Abuelita’s. Abuelita loved having us over. Nothing made her happier than to serve and make over her family. She was good to us, but I like to think Abuelita had a special place in her heart for me.

One year, Abuelita was going to make a trip to Puerto Rico to visit her family. She would be gone for two months. She wanted me to accompany her. I hadn’t been to Puerto Rico since I was two. My parents weren’t comfortable with me being gone for so long and I was not able to go. I was heartbroken and Abuelita was disappointed.

Recalling her, she was funny in how she faithfully watched her soaps during the day and talked to the television in Spanish. Just like little old ladies with their peculiarities, she had her living room filled with little figurines everywhere. And you didn’t dare touch or move them or you would hear “NO TOQUES” (DON’T TOUCH)!

The interesting thing about Abuelita, she spoke little to no English and I hate to admit this, but I spoke little to no Spanish. I would speak to her in English and she would speak to me in Spanish. No matter, we understood each other clearly.

There was this one summer when Abuelita was taking care of a few of her grandchildren. My cousin was there and he didn’t want to eat something that Abuelita had prepared. I remember hearing the only English I can remember my Abuelita ever speaking with almost an Italian accent. She replied to my cousin’s “I don’t like this,” by saying, “What’s matter with you? Eat!”

When my grandmother died, I had not seen her in several months. She had a stroke a few years back and lost most of her eyesight. She was no longer able to do the things she loved. In fact, she was no longer able to live on her own. Her adult children would share in taking care of her. She would stay with one for several months and then go to another. It was hard to see her not being able to enjoy this last season of her life on her own terms. I remember one time she tried to be helpful by attempting to cook, but out of fear she would hurt herself she was kept from doing so. I could see defeat in the way she carried herself as she would just sit. It broke my heart.

This may sound like a sad story, but it is not. It is a beautiful story. My Abuelita had such a great influence on my life. My most fond memory of Abuelita is her devotion to our Lord. She was a strong Christ-follower! She was a disciple maker! She loved to read her Bible and know God more, but she loved to pray to God as well. I remember this little old lady getting on her knees and praying every night before bed and sometimes for very long periods of time. She would pray in Spanish for God’s glory, for her family, for me…

In her faith, she ran a race in life for the Lord. When she passed away, in her example of devotion to the Lord she passed to many of us a baton of faith that we now carry as we run our race for the Lord. I have so many great memories of Abuelita and I smile in joy when I think of her because of the hope I have in Christ. That one day, I will see her again because this life is but a vapor, one day here and the next gone. The promise of everlasting life is her’s and because of Christ one day it will be mine. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ! Thank you Lord for my Abuelita and her instilling in me an example of following Christ. €

THE ISLAND CHURCH

PASTOR PAUL ORTIZ Paul Ortiz is a follower of Jesus Christ, not religion. A husband and father, he is pastor of The Island Church in Emerald Isle. Reach him at paul@TheIslandChurchEI.org