Do you want to know how killer whales put their brains into slumber mode?
Have you ever wanted to experience what it would be like to be a killer whale, from the whale’s perspective?
Did you want to learn more about our San Juan killer whale population?
You can learn all this and more during the family-friendly program, “Killer Whale Tales,” presented by Adopt A Stream Foundation and the Snohomish Parks Department Saturday at McCollum Park in Everett.
The program will be delivered by Jeff Hogan, who is a professional biologist, a photographer and a trained actor who knows how to delight all ages, said Adopt A Stream Foundation director Tom Murdoch.
“Jeff spends much of his time with the killer whales in waters around the San Juan Islands and has many great whale stories to tell,” Murdoch said in a statement.
“He also makes that link between the salmon streams we teach about and the biggest predator in the Pacific Northwest.”
Hogan will provide a “whale’s-eye view” of swimming with the San Juan pod using footage from a research web cam that was temporarily attached to a large male killer whale’s dorsal fin, the big fin on the whale’s back, Murdoch said.
After watching, visitors will be able to recognize if a whale is swimming to get to another location, hunting for salmon, or just playing.
Visitors also will be able to tell if the whale is sleeping. A whale’s brain is so large that it puts half its brain to sleep when tired and keeps moving with the other half awake, but in slumber mode, according to a press release.
Visitors will be given the latest information about the San Juan Killer whales’ birth and death rates, and find out where they hang out in winter.
Visitors will receive workbooks.
“Killer Whale Tales” is to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Cost is $5 for Adopt A Stream Foundation members and $7 for nonmembers.
Murdoch said this is a popular family show and registration is required by calling 425-316-8592.
Herald staff
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