As a Writing exercise, I wrote this from a newspaper article in our local community paper. It is just a beginning and perhaps may turn into a book or short story.
Mystery of the Grays
For eighteen years, Helen Wellman has kept a gray eye on the waters in Depoe Bay, Oregon. This petite administrative assistance decided there was more to life, and consequently volunteered for the whale watch program. In fact, you can also find her smiling face helping out at the Visual Arts center, the Performing Arts Center, and the aquarium. But during the spring and winter, you’ll find attention gazing the blue-gray water, scanning the horizon for the gray giants of the sea.
“There!” Helen points excitedly as a 12-foot blow rises above the horizon. The crowd appropriated awed at the sight. “The blow, is condensation or vapor the whales release into the air,” Helen explains. “Although visible to the naked eye, they are much easier to see with binoculars.”
A little girl stood staring at the horizon. Helen bends down and continues, “Sometimes we see the sun shining on the backs. It looks like a dark shiny item in the water. When we see this, we know it’s a whale.” The little girl smiled.
Dressed in layers, Helen pulls her navy sweater tighter around her neck. “It’s getting colder,” she said to David, as they headed back to the station.
“You really are good with the public, a real natural. So when do you leave?”
Helen was heading for a trip she had dreamed about since she was a little girl, over 40 years ago. “Monday we head out of Seattle, and I arrive in Anchorage at 3pm.”
“The Bering Sea is a cold place. Remember to dress warm!”
Helen laughed. She had been saying that to visitors for eighteen years, it was funny to be on the other end for a change.
—-
Dr. Pathka met Helen at the terminal. “It is going to be a great time, he said breathlessly. The gray whales are migrating. We have seen several pods already and it appears it is going to be a great year.”
“Grey whales travel from the Baja area, where the pregnant females give birth during the winter and travel up the coast to the Bering Sea to feed.” Helen’s speech ran in her head like a recording.
“We’ve seen some great specimens so far,” Dr. Pathka continued.
“Adult whales measure about 40 feet and a calves measures about 15 feet at birth.” the recording continued.
====
Frank Metzger, the senior researcher at the Aleutian station, listened intently to whale vocalizations. “Charlie, come listen to this.”
“Is that what I think it is?” his assistant smiled.
“Therrrre Baaaack!” Frank sang.
About Suzanne