2011 September 15, Thursday
Gulf of Mexico, "Green Canyon"
Another outstanding day for finding whales, whale sharks, and sea turtles in the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico! About 150 miles south of New Orleans, just 15 miles north of our planned rendezvous point with the whale-shark scientists and free divers, we came upon an extraordinary sight. A very large sperm whale putting on an impressive tail-slapping show. But beyond him there was another quiet one, and another, and another... in an area smaller than one-half square mile, we had two large individual sperm whales and three mother-calf pairs! The calves were about one-half as long as their moms and were nursing, though once a calf came alongside mom and appeared to be slapping her with his pectoral fin. (Must be a son, boys will be boys, right?). The sight of these giants hanging out together and feeding their young is thrilling and reassuring. Love and Life are alive here still.
NOTE: Unless noted, no photos or video provided by On Wings Of Care are "photoshopped" or otherwise altered in any way that could degrade accurate interpretation of what we observed.
Our colleagues aboard the "Fisheries Research" vessel greeted us enthusiastically with the news that bait balls were alive and the tuna were jumping already. We found our first whale shark for them immediately, and for the next dizzying 5.5 hours hardly a minute went by when we weren't following a whale shark and guiding the boats and divers there. All total, between last Sunday and today, scientists placed information-gathering tags on ten different whale sharks, plus gps SPOT tags on three of them, and finally photographs plus core samples to identify them using DNA. The information tags will pop off and be retrieved at a pre-determined time several weeks from now, providing recorded information on behavior, location, and body indicators. The SPOT tags are used to track the whale shark's surface positions for a period of several months at least. Of the ten tagged whale sharks, only two were females! One, whom we nicknamed "Fatty," came right up to the boat and the divers twice in a row and each time turned or dove just as they reached for her. Must have been one of those voluptuous "hard to get" gals, because the more she teased, the more determined they were to get her. Our all-woman airplane crew were proud of her!
And last but not least, we saw a very handsome leatherback turtle swimming along strongly! He passed alongside the shadow of our plane as we pulled power to be slow and quiet and not frighten him. No closeups of seaturtles until we can afford some great zoom lenses, because we will not go closer to those sensitive critters than about 500' so as not to spook them and make them dive.
Photos and video follow, first of the sperm whales and leatherback turtle, and then of the whale sharks. The flight log with lat/longs and times of all waypoints marked (which for this flight were mostly just whale sharks, plus the sperm whales and an area of a dozen or more shrimp boats working) is appended to the bottom of this article. The GPS flight track for today can be downloaded from the main menu item called "Flight Tracks". By using the application "Basecamp", you'll also be able to download a spreadsheet (.csv file) that will give you the position and time of every point on our flight at 10-20 sec intervals. For those who like this trivia, today's flight totaled six hours, covered 570 statute miles and an area of 242 sq mi, with average speed of 96 mph. Now, enjoy the photos and videos!
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Just for fun, here are screenshots of our route as tracked by our Garmin gps, with gradually increasing resolution. The last one shows the kind of dizzying circles we make endlessly as we "hang on" to the animals in our sights to guide the scientists to them efficiently. This is where our faithful airplane changes from a fuel-efficient cruiser at 150 mph to a near-helicopter with flaps down and throttle pulled back til we're circling at a gentle 50-60 mph, windows wide open and all eyes and cameras pointed at the water.
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20110915-Sperm Whales and Whale Sharks - On Wings Of Care Gulf Flight Log
Flight departed KNEW at 0810am CDT (1310 Z), returned to KNEW at 1409 PM CDT (1909Z).
Six-hour flight, covered 570 statute miles, covered an area of 242 sq mi, avg speed 96 mph.
Initial rendezvous point with the GCRL scientists/divers was the Innovator platform at:
N28° 13.230', W89° 36.900'.
Note1: GPS Track started saving at around 40 nm off shore from Grand Isle.
Note 2: Lat/Longs are in degrees and decimal minutes. Times are in UTC (Z) = CDT + 0500.
0003 -=9231 (previous waypoint): N28 47.673, W89 44.739, 1511Z.
At least 12 shrimp boats in this vicinity, nets down, plus five more ships 1-2 miles south of them, plus a recreational fishing boat.
0004: N28 34.734, W89 41.325, 1517 Z. E-W line of sargassum, patches and streamers, healthy looking. Also the start of some blue water.
0005: N28 15.570, W89 37.243, 1528 Z. The sperm whale community! wow, delightful. 3 mom-calf pairs, 2 large singles.
0006: N28 02.833, W89 40.652, 1548 Z. First bait ball with whale shark...
ALL waypoints below were bait balls with tuna jumping and a whale shark in each!
We lost track (didn't take notes any more) about which ones were tagged or core-sampled or SPOT-tagged, so we don't have all that info here.
0007: N28 03.061, W89 40.962, 1620 Z. TAGGED!
0008: N28 03.228, W89 41.147, 1622 Z.
0009: N28 03.145, W89 41.133, 1642 Z.
0010: N28 02.991, W89 41.421, 1648 Z. TAGGED! (plus SPOT tag)
0011: N27 59.104, W89 43.457, 1715 Z.
0012: N27 58.841, W89 43.334, 1737 Z.
0013: N27 57.665, W89 41.881, 1814 Z.
0014: N27 58.958, W89 41.911, 1825 Z.
0015: N27 58.346, W89 41.182, 1908 Z. TAGGED!
0016: N 27 57.911, W89 39.621, 1936 Z.
0017: N 27 58.813, W89 38.668, 1942 Z.
Pellie Lou!
"The Story of Pellie Lou - a Pelican who survived the Gulf of Mexico oil spill"
by Bonny L. Schumaker, Ph.D.
With 46 photos from the Gulf of Mexico.
ALL proceeds go to benefit Gulf wildlife!
Order your autographed hard copies or an electronic copy here!
Follow Our Flights!
You can track our paths for several days after them, when we keep our GPS "SPOT" transmitter on "Track" mode. For the latest flights, see
For our latest journeys see (Track our flights).
Read about our rescues under Rescue Tails!
Here are some samples:
A Dog Named Pepper Doesn't Give up Easily on Life!
20130428 - This 15-yr-old deaf, blind, arthritic senior held out in a hot, dry, desert parking lot until love finally found him!
CHAZ - No Ordinary Extraordinary Cur!
20130422 - Left to die but instead, this super-intelligent deep-hearted dog discovered love, family, and even fun -- from the most unlikely mentors!
Turbulent Trails for Tails from TX-20130413
Six rescue dogs from east Texas find forever homes in Nevada and California!
Skip the Wonder Sled Dog - 20120930
Happy Update! 20130312
Last but not left! 20130106
Happy Update - 20130311!
20121223-Thanks to Sheba, the rescued and rescuer
Who was rescued, and who was the rescuer? Anyone who has known this kind of bond has felt something so deep, so real, so ancient, that it cannot be described with words. These bonds ground us and free us from pettiness in our lives. Thank you Sheba. Rest in peace.
A Letter From Your Admirers! 20121231
20121208- 43 Dogs go from dead-end in Porterville to homes and happy hearts!
This was a last-minute challenge that seemed beyond even our own grandest heroic imaginings. But it turned out not to be beyond the devoted hearts and energies of about 30 rescuers, shelter staff, volunteers, and families working together. Forty-three (yes, 43!) dogs in one day, from dead-ends in a Porterville shelter to homes and real lives with real humans who love and want them. Rescuers ROCK! 
20121206-Saga of Squee: From orphan with mange to her own fur-ever family!
Orphaned very young, left alone and hungry til her fur fell out and her skin was covered with mange. Thanks to some big-hearted Texas rescuers, not only did she recover, she found the family who wanted to love her forever. How glad we were to be able to give this little pup with the big paws the ride to the rest of her life! 
20121205-Blackie Goes Home at Last, and Taylor Turns Texan!
Four long months since Blackie's lifelong human companion and partner Tammy suffered a serious injury from a passing truck and disappeared from his life. Suddenly Blackie was in a shelter kennel, and Tammy fought for her life as she dreamed of her beloved dog. Thanks to many people, both of these souls survived to find each other again! This was a rescue and a reunion we'll never forget.
Miss T'Chen was lost in Hurricane Isaac, and saved 800 miles away!
2012 Oct 02
The same rains that made us work "On WHEELS Of Care" this week kept us grounded for this trip, which serendipitously combined the transport of Skip northward and the joyful and miraculous reunion of Miss T'Chen, who had been rescued and taken to Illinois after Hurricane Isaac, with her family in Baton Rouge!
This flight went almost as planned, and our plane was filled to over-flowing on every leg. And we met some wonderful new cat and dog rescues in Idaho and Oregon!
20 Lucky rescued dogs flown to homes in Canada!
2012 Sep 22
It turned out to a journey full of unexpected challenges, but these 20 lucky lovable canines who had been through the worst of times in California were just the best through it all, and now they are warming the hearts and laps and lives of some very lucky Canadian families! 
Spindletop Scandal and the Search for Scarlett
2012 July 17 - present
With pitbull-like tenacity, we wouldn't take "NO" for an answer. Out of 21 dogs we sought, we have closure on all but two. Alas, one of those two is our Scarlett. 
Tale of seven cities, six cats, and five goats!
2012 July 16
Who knows if the pleas for help brought the plane, or vice-versa.
But when serendipity puts this much together, there's no saying no!
Homeless Mom and Pups no More!
2012 July 08
Sometimes rescuers find the IDEAL person to adopt that animal in need ...
themselves! And in the process, a hole gets filled for the entire family.
This lucky mom now lives with Bear, Sheba, and Dave!
From Empty Nest to Love Fest!
2012 May 11
That last urgent plea came for the five orphaned pups ...
but what about the two large senior boys who would probably never get adopted?
Some people are just angels, meant to be who they are and where they are.
Check out these two and their new happy pack!
JEREMIAH has come home to us!
UPDATE 2012 July 7!
2012 January 13
His adopter called to say she had become ill, and could we care for Jeremiah? You bet we could. We rented a plane and flew to Arizona and retrieved him immediately. Jeremiah was indeed a true friend, and we aim to be his true friends, too. He has been eating like crazy and slept his stress away for the first few days, and now he's acting like a young dog again. Read more here! 
CHAMP found at the airport!
2012 January 01
A sad, scared but dignified young Champ quickly won the hearts of everyone who met him at the New Orleans airport, and within two days we had permission from his original breeders to give him to a young couple with a younger female boxer mix, all of whom fell totally in love with him at first sight! Champ and Miss Princess are leading the good life now, and Champ's new dad finally has the fishing buddy he wanted! They tell us we made their dreams come true. We think they made Champ's come true, too.
Abby & Dinozo -- Two of a Kind!
2011 September--2012 January
Orphaned brother and sister, rescued and adored until calamity struck and they lost their family. Orphaned again, these gentle gems and perfect canine citizens found love and adventure with us until we found them their true forever home! Abby & Dinozo came with us to Washington January 7, and they were welcomed warmly and immediately into a home. Read more here! 
Yo! Get a Load of Yolo!
2011 November--2012 January
Left in the cold, high in the mountains of southern California, life was over before it had barely begun for this orphan teenager.
Little did he know, his adventures had only begun! As of January 7, it's back to snow but this time with a family who adores him, and lots of fun and play in the Pacific Northwest!
Saving Scarlett -- Love Forever at Last!
2011 August--December
Found on the streets, teats full but puppies absent, a battle-torn very hungry pitbull.
Hardly that sought-after doggie in the window.
But after we brought Miss Scarlett home to love and food, warmth and stuffed animals,
we discovered a warm heart and sweet spirit that changed us forever.
Gunner and Cain - A Very, Very Long Journey Home and the Happiest Reunion Ever!
2011 July--September 29, A Joyful Reunion At Last!
Here they are during their flight with four other dogs Sep 29 (New Orleans to Oakland, CA, fuel stop in Roswell, NM). .JPG)
And here's a photo from the happiest reunion ever!
More photos and updated videos here!
Ten dogs from death row to Canada!
Sheba-Cosette - this lovely lady waited a lifetime!
(2011 June) 
Jeremiah - a true friend finds a new lease on life!
(2011 May) 
Two Giant Dogs & three cats reunited with their family on Whidbey Island, WA
(2011 April)
Chihuahuas "Betty" & "JellyBean" fly to their rescue in Bremerton, WA!
(2011 April)
New Year's Rescue: 33 dogs & cats are flown to rescue in the Pacific Northwest!
(2011 January)
Hounds fending for themselves for years in Alabama fly to rescue in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Romo & Stanley are flown to safe havens in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2013
Site Search
NEWS!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf - 2013
Tue Apr 02 - OIL
Sat Mar 16 - OIL
Fri Mar 08 - OIL
Sun Feb 17 - Coal&Oil
Sun Jan 27 - OIL
Sun Jan 20 - OIL
Fri Jan 04 - OIL
Special Articles
2013 Apr 12 - Mayflower, AR Pipeline Spill
2013 Apr 02 - Bayou Corne #6
2013 Mar 23 - IMMS Marine Mammals
2013 Mar 19 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#5
2013 Feb 15 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#4
2013 Jan 26 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#3
2012 Dec 24 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#2
2012 Nov 08 - Tar Sands and Texas
2012 Aug 30 - Hurricane Isaac Conquered
2012 Aug 28 - Hurricane Isaac Arrives!
2012 Aug 13 - Sinkhole in Bayou Corne, LA
2012 Jun 13-Dispersant Spraying Exercise off LA
2012 April - Chronicles of the Endeavor
2012 Dec 10 - How Dilute is Dilute Enough?
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2012
Sat Nov 17 - Platform Explosion
Wed Nov 14 - Barrier Islands 1
Sat Nov 10 - OIL
Fri Nov 09 - OIL
Sat Oct 06 - Whale Sharks
Fri Oct 05 - OIL
Fri Sep 14 - OIL
Sun Sep 09 - Hurricane Isaac
Sun Aug 12 - Whale Sharks
Wed Jul 11 - Whales & More
Fri Jun 29 - Whale Sharks & More
Dominica - The Nature Island!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2011
OIL:
Fri Dec 30
Tue Dec 20
Fri Dec 09
Sat Nov 12
Sun Sep 25
Wed Sep 21
Thu Sep 15
Tue Sep 13 - USCG
Sun Sep 11
Sat Sep 10
Wed Sep 07
Tue Aug 30
Thu-Fri Aug 25-26
Fri Aug 19
Fri Jul 01
Thu Jun 16
Sat May 14
Fri May 06
Thu Apr 21
Sat Mar 26
Wed Mar 23
Tue Mar 22
Mon Mar 21
Sun Mar 20
Sat Mar 19
Fri Mar 18
Sperm Whales & Whale Sharks:
2011 Sep 25, Sun
2011 Sep 15, Thu
2011 Sep 11, Sun
2011 June
Humpback Whales!
Our Gift for YOU for 2011!
Click Here to Smile
from your heart, out! 
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2010
Galapagos Veterinary Support
Galapagos vets do much with little,
thanks to true friends who shipped a TON of supplies and meds from the U.S. in June, 2011.
Alabama
2011 April --
“Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe.”
-Albert Schweitzer
