I was driving to Seattle early this morning when I heard on the radio about a dead whale that had washed up on the beach at Seahurst Park. A Fin Whale. The second largest living creature on the planet. Amazing. I was awe-struck with the magnificence of it. I was saddened that it lost it’s life from being struck by a sea going vessel. I was fascinated discovering all the detail. It was every bit a celebration of wonder.
At high tide most of the whale was submerged
We returned later at low tide
Researchers concluded it was struck on it’s right side
Baleen inside it’s mouth
The small dorsal fin
Blood still flowing, returning from where it came
A small sweet offering someone left for it
The Cascadia Research Collective was one of the organizations that were present to examine it. Here is their preliminary report.
http://cascadiaresearch.org/Burien%20fin%20whale%20-%2013%20April%202013.htm
Here is their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cascadia-Research-Collective/110495958982184
A Celebration Of Wonder 