francene--blog. Year 2013
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Dec 31st

12/31/2013

 
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Here's a fitting story to end the year's blogging. A humpback whale jumped for joy yesterday after her friend was cut free from entangling ropes. It must have taken the observer's breath away, especially when the spectacular victory roll caused a wave that almost capsized the rescuers.

Christine Callaghan, a guide with a whale-watching cruiser in Canada’s Bay of Fundy, about two miles off Long Island in Nova Scotia caught the magical moment while riding in the boat with the fishermen who cut the whale free from lobsterpot ropes. The 40-ton humpback whale celebrated the release by soaring from the waves. It must have been an incredible moment.

Many years ago on the bottom of the globe, I caught sight of a Southern Wright whale in the cold water at Robe, in South Australia. Sitting in the sunshine on a cliff top, I watched her rise for hours, spellbound by the awe of eye contact with a giant of the ocean.


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In the northern sea, tourist boats can draw close to slow-swimming humpbacks, which get their name because of the habit of raising and bending the back in preparation for a dive, accentuating the hump in front of the dorsal fin. They have the longest flippers of any baleen whale which may be up to a third of the total body length. These are used for feeding and social signaling. Breaching, lob tailing and flipper-slap are common and often occur several times in a row.

And so I leave this year's blog with a water slap from the humpback whale and a victory roll. I've achieved 360 posts of my views on news this year. I'm setting up a blog for 2014:  http://511580395457358476.weebly.com
(it should work this time. I left the http:// off yesterday. Pop over and take a look.

I'll continue my daily views on news there next year. Hope you stay with me. I appreciate your support.


suzanna link
12/30/2013 06:59:58 pm

Congratulations on the great blog posts.
The Whale story was an awesome way to end 2014.
Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Suzanna x

Francene Stanley link
12/30/2013 09:11:24 pm

Thank you for your support, Suzanna.

Bonnie Gean link
12/30/2013 08:43:53 pm

I've never had the pleasure of seeing a whale up close, but I would definitely love to!

Why are you starting a new blog for 2014? What's wrong with continuing to write on this one?

Francene Stanley link
12/30/2013 09:14:11 pm

Somehow, there is a communication between a whale and a person which is awesome.
On the other subject, This blog's title is Year 2013. I didn't know if I'd complete the year. Now, it seems appropriate to have a blog for each year, rather like a diary.

Sophie Bowns link
12/31/2013 02:03:50 am

I have loved reading your posts throughout 2013!
Happy New Year Francene :)

Francene Stanley link
12/31/2013 04:28:02 pm

Thank you for your many comments, Sophie. I wish you the best for 2014.

Alana link
12/31/2013 06:20:57 am

Happy New Year, Francene. A triumphant ending to a year of blogging. I'll be visiting your new blog tomorrow. I'm happy you decided to continue with blogging - it's addictive, isn't it?

Francene Stanley link
12/31/2013 04:29:06 pm

Thanks for giving me the push at just the right moment, Alana. ;-)
It will be good to continue our mutual support.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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