Kauai Day 4 – Whales!
“Admiral, there be whales here!”
-Scotty – Star Trek IV
Photo: Humpback Whale Underwater – PD Wikipedia
It was so unbelievably cold. Not that the Island was cold, or the water, it was that we were cold…
We got on our boat tour at Port Allen and sailed out a ways until we found a spot with lots of sea turtles and went snorkeling there. It was overcast, and when we got out, it started to rain and the wind really picked up. With the wind, and wet towels around us, we froze!
With that explanation, you’ll understand why the video we took and posted below is so shaky.
Even though it was cold and overcast, the whales were jumping! We were able to capture just one good jump on video.
A little about humpback whales from wikipedia:
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 metres (39–52 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the water. Males produce a complex whale song, which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi) each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. The species’ diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the bubble net feeding technique.
Like other large whales, the humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry. Due to over-hunting, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks have since partially recovered; however, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution also remain concerns. There are at least 80,000 humpback whales worldwide. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpbacks are now sought by whale-watchers, particularly off parts of Australia, New Zealand, South America, Canada, and the United States.
Humpbacks feed primarily in summer and live off fat reserves during winter. They feed only rarely and opportunistically in their wintering waters. The humpback is an energetic hunter, taking krill and small schooling fish, such as herring (Clupea harengus), salmon (Salmo salar), capelin (Mallotus villosus) and sand lance (Ammodytes americanus) as well as mackerel (Scomber scombrus), pollock (Pollachius virens) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in the North Atlantic. Krill and copepods have been recorded from Australian and Antarctic waters. Humpbacks hunt by direct attack or by stunning prey by hitting the water with pectoral fins or flukes.
The humpback has the most diverse feeding repertoire of all baleen whales. Its most inventive technique is known as bubble net feeding: a group of whales swims in a shrinking circle blowing bubbles below a school of prey. The shrinking ring of bubbles encircles the school and confines it in an ever-smaller cylinder. The whales then suddenly swim upward through the ‘net’, mouths agape, swallowing thousands of fish in one gulp. The plated grooves in the whales mouth allow the creature to easily drain all the water that was initially taken in.This ring can begin at up to 30 metres (98 ft) in diameter via the cooperation of a dozen animals. Using a crittercam attached to a whale’s back it was discovered that some whales blow the bubbles, some dive deeper to drive fish toward the surface, and others herd prey into the net by vocalizing. Humpbacks have been observed bubble net feeding alone as well.
Source: Humpback whale. (2011, February 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:47, February 23, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Humpback_whale&oldid=415485425
Compared to a Human, how big is a humpback whale?
Humpback Whale Size Comparison – Photo Source:Chris Huh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Humpback_whale_size.svg
We traveled up the NaPali. Our boat was a catamaran which had motors and a sail. It was quite large and had two bathroom facilities on board and a covered deck area to seek some shelter if it rained (and it did).
In the winter on Kauai, it rains more often than in the summer, but the winter provides the best time to see the whales.
So there were were motoring out way up the Na Pali Cost which is absolutely breathtaking.
Our cousin Rob took a different tour the same day and we got a picture they took of our boat tour:
These beaches were used in filming the next Pirates of the Caribbean Movie:
Below is another boat (a catamaran) that was following us:
Our cousin’s tour is in the small boat. Those get pretty bouncy when riding over the waves. They had someone get pretty sick.
Once the sun shown through the dark clouds better, the scenary really light up.
We came across some dolphins:
Look at those mountains!!!
Driving back, the skipper announced that there was a humpback whale ahead.
Not just one whale…there was a cow with her calf. Below the calf is checking us out:
Below you can see the very tip of the mother’s chin and the body of the baby to the right:
The baby decided to put on some aquabatics for us:
After the whale watching adventure, we headed back to the Shipwrecks beach area and walked past the Hyatt to where we could see the sunset.
Walking back from the sunset area, we took this picture of the Hyatt’s little lagoon:
Read what happened next in our adventure:
- Kauai Day 1
- Kauai Day 2 – North Shore
- Kauai Day 3 – Falls, Poipu, and Shipwrecks
- Kauai Day 4 – Whales!
- Kauai Day 5 – Church & Kipu Falls
- Kauai Day 6 – Grand Canyon & Baby Whale
- Kauai Day 7 – Helicopter Ride of a Lifetime
- Kauai Day 8 – Sunrise and Polihale
- Kauai Day 9 – Bike Ride and Poipu Beach
Read More
Kauai Day 3 – Falls, Poipu, and Shipwrecks
Ahh, relaxation…we woke up and spent time in the morning on Rob and Shelley’s deck and just watched the ocean for a bit.
We packed up a little while later and drove up to Wailua Falls.
Some sources say that the falls are 80 feet tall, but another source that measured with line say that it is 170+ feet tall. In ancient times, Hawaiian young men would jump off the falls to prove their manhood.
Driving to the falls was very enjoyable, the scenery was green.
After the falls, we drove to Poipu Beach. It’s one of the more popular beaches. We walked past “baby beach” which is shallow and good for kids.
We spent quite a bit of time there and got a little sun.
We decided to head back to Piopu beach and Shipwrecks beach to catch the sunset there. We drove there to read a little and relax on the beach, and then started a hike past the Hyatt along the shore and up to a great place to watch the sun set.
Along the way, we found a Monk Seal taking a snooze on the beach. Angie spotted it first, and I thought it was just a big rock.
Workers watch for the seals and rope off the area around them when they come ashore. Monk Seals are called Monk Seals because they usually land on the beach by themselves instead of in communities like other seals.
After watching the seal snooze, we walked out to the sunset point and snapped some pics along the way looking back at the beach.
Looking back at Shipwrecks Beach.
We arrived a the lookout point and saw tons of whales (literally).
Then we started to notice gray clouds move in, and then those clouds got darker and closer, so we decided to head back. It started to rain a bit, but rain is no big deal.
Then it started to rain a lot, and it was a bit of a walk back to the car. Everyone else on the beaches had packed up and gone in except for a couple dressed in wedding clothes (a bride and groom) who were seeking shelter from the rain under the overhanging roof of the bathroom there.
The rain makes it fun (except probably for the wedding couple).
Read what happened next in our adventure:
- Kauai Day 1
- Kauai Day 2 – North Shore
- Kauai Day 3 – Falls, Poipu, and Shipwrecks
- Kauai Day 4 – Whales!
- Kauai Day 5 – Church & Kipu Falls
- Kauai Day 6 – Grand Canyon & Baby Whale
- Kauai Day 7 – Helicopter Ride of a Lifetime
- Kauai Day 8 – Sunrise and Polihale
- Kauai Day 9 – Bike Ride and Poipu Beach
Read More
Kauai Day 2 – North Shore
We made a trip trip to the north shore of the island on our second day of adventure. Rob and Shelley our cousins told us that the north shore was so beautiful, but we already thought the south shore was beautiful.
Well, we made our way to the north shore and they were right; it was very beautiful.
Traveling up the coast, we could see the giant, sheer mountains covers with green foliage.
The North Shore
Making our way to the lighthouse on the north shore, we stopped out a lookout point and could see humpback whales splashing in the distance.
Whale waving its pectoral fin
We were way far away, I mean way far away, but were able to zoom in with the camera and see some wales.
Zoomed out, you can see how far we were from the ocean in the picture below of the lighthouse. We were standing where we took this picture, and zoomed in to the wales out past the lighthouse.
We entered the lighthouse park. It’s a pretty neat place.
The park is a preserve for birds there and cost five dollars a person to get in.
I thought that parking would be expensive everywhere on the island; it’s not. Parking is frees and so is admittance to the beaches.
The lighthouse was cool, but our camera battery died! The clerk at the gift shop was very nice and let us charge the camera there.
We enjoyed looking at the lighthouse, and we even enjoyed the view from the lighthouse. The Kilauea lighthouse was built in 1913.
We then drove all the way up the coastline of the north shore. We literally reached the end of the road.
It was fun driving to the end of the road because we passed over a lot of one-way bridges. Some of the bridges were larger but allowed for only one way of traffic. I’m glad we made our way there during the day so we could see the cars more easily.
We arrived at the beach at the end of the road enjoyed some leisurly time there eating lunch and fending off a few roaming chickens.
We also passed Hanalei Bay (which I think Hanalei is featured in a song about a smoking puffing dragon).
We then hiked up to a lookout point from that beach. It was a pretty steep climb. Fortunately, a hiker on the return gave Angie her walking stick just as we were starting up.
You can see part of the trail to Angie’s right in the picture below.
Hike to a lookout point at the end of the road
If you keep going on the trail, you can reach a waterfall, but it’s a four-hour round trip, so we went to the half-mile marker. It was a pretty steep trail.
We stopped and took a great break at the half-mile point, and just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air.
Along the hike at the half-mile point.
At half-mile point looking out over the Napali shore
We ended the day by eating a Fish Market, a restaurant near the lighthouse. It’s on the road to the lighthouse on the left-hand side of the road, just in case you were wondering. It took us a long time to find it. We got fish wraps there.
Read what happened next in our adventure:
- Kauai Day 1
- Kauai Day 2 – North Shore
- Kauai Day 3 – Falls, Poipu, and Shipwrecks
- Kauai Day 4 – Whales!
- Kauai Day 5 – Church & Kipu Falls
- Kauai Day 6 – Grand Canyon & Baby Whale
- Kauai Day 7 – Helicopter Ride of a Lifetime
- Kauai Day 8 – Sunrise and Polihale
- Kauai Day 9 – Bike Ride and Poipu Beach
Read More
Kauai Day 1
We had a pretty good flight to Kauai, and enjoyed flying in first class. We arrived in the evening and by the time we got to where we were staying in Kahaleo, it was already dark.
We did however see a whale from the airplane and we descended to the airport. The airport is right over the water.
We started off our first full day going to Spouting Horn. The GPS on the phone worked great to get us there.
The picture above and below are at spouting horn.
Here’s the spouting at spouting horn.
Some people say that the hurricane in 1992 broke open the chicken coups causing the chicken population to run free over the island. The chickens have no natural predators and are all over the place. The good thing is that they keep down the bug population.
Near Shipwreck Beach
We enjoyed a little hike near Shipwreck Beach and could look out over the ocean from the cliffs.
We enjoyed a good little hike along Shipwreck beach.
We strolled along the beach in the opposite direction from our hike along shipwreck and passed by The Grand Hyatt.
Costco made its indelible impression on our trip as we stopped there to get some food for our stay. It’s great having a Costco nearby.
Fishing at “Secret Beach”
We rode with our cousins to a special beach for a little fishing. We could post the fishing poles in these special holders so we didn’t have to hold them unless we thought something bit.
We set up the little grills and grilled some food…we grilled some fish…no it wasn’t from anything we caught, but it was Alaskan Salmon we got from Costco.
We didn’t catch anything fishing, but they’ve previously caught three to four-foot sharks over and over again at the same spot.
Unfortunately, the water was murky, probably making the fishing harder.
Winter-time in Kauai brings rougher seas and showers. For some visitors, it will rain their whole trip in the winter, for others, it’s great weather. Our first day was overcast, and a little windy, but other than that, it was great!
Read what happened next in our adventure:
- Kauai Day 1
- Kauai Day 2 – North Shore
- Kauai Day 3 – Falls, Poipu, and Shipwrecks
- Kauai Day 4 – Whales!
- Kauai Day 5 – Church & Kipu Falls
- Kauai Day 6 – Grand Canyon & Baby Whale
- Kauai Day 7 – Helicopter Ride of a Lifetime
- Kauai Day 8 – Sunrise and Polihale
- Kauai Day 9 – Bike Ride and Poipu Beach
Read More
A Few Thoughts on Bethlehem at this Holiday Season
Sometimes, that which seems small can signify great things. As we’ve reflected and were taught about Bethlehem and the Savior’s birth, we’ve added and compiled a few thoughts:
Bethlehem
Meaning “house or place of bread,” Bethlehem would produce the “Bread of Life.”
The Inns
There were no rooms in the Inns but He has said He has prepared a place for you in the mansions of his father.
The Lamb of God
The Lamb of God was born in a stable and perhaps near where shepherds kept the flocks of sheep for the temple.
The Good Shepherd
The announcement of the birth of the Good Shepherd near Shepherd’s Field was given to the shepherds who cared for the flocks of Israel.
The Manger
Set in a manger used for feeding, He would be the one to feed Israel.
King of Kings
The King of Kings was born in the most humble of circumstances.
Passover
Jesus, the Lamb of God was born at or near the Passover season when the sacrificial lamb would be sacrificed commemorating the physical deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt. Jesus came as the spiritual deliverer.
Looking out from the shepherd’s fields, we could see olive trees down below.
Olive Trees in the Shepherd's Fields
Earlier in 2010, we sat at the Shepherd’s Fields and sang:
1. O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.2. For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.3. How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.Hymns, O Little Town of Bethlehem, no. 208
Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835–1893
We also sang Silent Night:
1. Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.2. Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!3. Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.Hymns, Silent Night, no. 204
Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792–1848; trans. by John F. Young, 1820–1885
Bethlehem - House of Bread
Some insights to Bethlehem from our previous post:
- There are three different processions at the Church of the Nativity: Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Aramaic.
- The announcement to the shepherds of Jesus’ Birth is thought to have been in the Shepherd’s Field area we visited.
- In the same area, the story of Ruth and Boaz occurred.
- Jacob’s wife Rachel died in the Bethlehem giving birth to Benjamin.
- It is called the City of Kings.
- David, King David, was from Bethlehem.
- Bethlehem is about 800 meters above sea level.
- The area of Bethlehem is full of caves, we saw and entered into a few.
- Caves there are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Caves were easily expanded due to the soft nature of the limestone.
- It sometimes snows in Bethlehem.
- It’s 75 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem (a 4 day trip).
- Joseph and Mary came during Passover.
- The firstborn of the sheep were to be set aside for sacrifice.
We recently watched again The Nativity Story
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Cave/Dwelling in Bethlehem
From Mathew Chapter 1
18 ¶Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
From Matthew Chapter 2
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 ¶And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 ¶Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 ¶But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
For us, singing those Christmas hymns at church will never be the same, but you don’t have to Israel to know that it’s true. Thanks for reading.
Read More