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November 03, 1988 - A Giant Visitor From a Vanishing WorldNovember 3, 1988/The Suffolk Times /Page 9A A Giant Visitor From a Vanishing World By Paul Stoutenburcih There's been a lot of publicity about whales in the media lately. Particularly interesting was the sighting of a minke whale in Peconic Bay. Whales were plentiful in Colonial times and, as a matter of fact, whaling got its start here on the East End by early settlers copy- ing methods the Indians used. Along our south shore whales were often spotted and pursued. Once har- pooned they were pulled ashore, cut up and processed into oil. It was a sure sign of a good day's whaling when across the bay you could see the huge fires of whalers boiling down the blubber in their big, iron pots. Some say that is one explanation of how Fire Island got its name - from the big fires. Today we can glimpse these wonder- ful creatures by taking a short trip off- shore aboard the Okeanos whale - watching vessel. I can heartily recom- mend the trip. We had humpbacks blowing right along side the boat and finback whales spouting off in the dis- tance at the same time. Whales are sel- dom seen inshore anymore but I can re- member occasions when one would par- allel the national seashore at Fire Island when I was a naturalist there. From ranger station to ranger station the whale's progress would be reported so when the star of the show came along there would be a crowd on hand for viewing. It's hard to tell just what was in our bays in early times before so- called civilization settled in. We assume seals were common in the winter on most of the sand peninsulas. In fact, there is one theory that Robins Island got its name from a derivative of a Dutch word be- cause of the seals there. I'm sure our bays, Sound and ocean fronts harbored a wide variety of sea mammals in those early days. In the early 50s I remember going out in Long Island Sound in a canoe with my new bride, Barbara. We experienced the thrill of paddling out to a school of porpoises. It was exciting to drift and have these handsome, sleek, playful an- imals move through as we sat in awe of their grace. But, sorry to say, today I see no porpoises in the Sound. In those days they were quite common. I remember fishermen cursing them when they came through; they said they al- ways chased the fish away. A bit more unusual was to see por- poises in the bay but I can remember seeing schools of them as a teenager. Focus on Nature One time in particular we saw a school of porpoises dashing along in their up- and -down pursuit off the great sand banks of Southampton on the bay, where we had gone for a picnic. Usually we sailed over, anchored our boats offshore and then climbed to the top of those hundred- foot -high banks. They are on a continuous erosion pat- tern; no green material has ever been able to establish itself there. The stark - naked, sandy- colored banks are a land- mark even today from almost anywhere offshore. From atop it seemed as if you could see forever. Even with youthful vitality one would be puffing by the time he reached the top. But what a glorious spot for a picnic. In those days, few people ever ventured there. A Storm Takes Over One trip stands out in my mind above all others. We sailed over and anchored, climbed up, and were about to do our usual running and jumping off into space -- to see who could jump the far- thest - when we noticed an approach- ing storm. It was so spectacular we all stopped and watched. Our tiny sailboats looked insignificant far below as their white hulls stood out against the black water reflecting the menacing sky above. The wind started to blow and the sand was unleashed in a howling blast up the banks and upon us. Our hands covered our faces as we ran and hid behind some bushes further back to get out of the fury. As quickly as it started, it ended. The sun came out and our world of jumping and picnicking continued. It wasn't until years later, when I be- came more interested in how the world functions, that I realized why the high banks of Southampton never were able to retain any growth. Knowing the severity of our northwest winter winds and how they charge across the open bay, ripping at the loose sand, I realize whey they are as they are. I've seen this same sort of wind ero- sion on the barrier beaches along the south shore. This is why the "Keep Off The Dunes" signs are so important. Na- ture is given a chance here to build through the wonder of dune grass which holds the sand and lets the dunes estab- lish. Once walked upon and broken HUUNK SNACK BAR FII RESTf MR."15NT Bringing Greek Hospitality To The North Fork Main Road. East Marlon (adjacent to Island's End Golf Course) SOUVLAKI, GYROS AND OTHER GREEK SPECIALITIES, PLUS OUR FAMOUS FRESH LEMONADE We have a full line of beer, wine 8t liquor to complement your meal _ BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER AND DAILY SPECIALS 477 -0138 Open Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 am. to 10 p.m., SaUndar, Sunday tlr Monday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh THE THRILL OF WHALEWATCHING -The latest sighting of a minke whale in our local bays has added new interest in these monarchs of the sea, down the dune is left at the mercy of the winds. More recently, when our kids were teenagers, we found a single porpoise stranded in our creek. I remember it was cold and very low tide, so low the por- poise was partially out of the water and thrashing about in the mud of the creek. We walked out in knee -deep mud and picked up this slippery, sleek and very- much -alive porpoise that I think under- stood its predicament. We carried it bodily over the causeway and into the bay. We were a sorry - looking group but felt rewarded as it headed east and hope- fully to its happy hunting grounds. The sighting of the whale in our bay gives us an inkling of what used to be. Today, most of the porpoises, seals and whales are gone. No matter where you look, whether it be at whales, the rain forest of Brazil, the elephants and rhinos of Africa - all are being diminished by what man calls civilization. Isn't it time we stopped what we're doing to this planet of ours before we, too, are blown away like the sands of the dunes? Clip & Save - 1.00 off Any Pizza--- 1 Reg. Sic. Reg. Sic. j 1 Cheese 7.00 9.00 Onions 8.70 10.50 Ex- Cheese 8.50 10.50 Garlic 8.50 10.50 1 Sausage 8.50 10.50 Black Olives 8.50 r/ t Pepperoni 8.50 10.50 Anchovies 8.50 10.50 1 1 Meatball . ......... .. House Special 13.50 14.50 1 Mushroom 8.50 10.50 Stuffed Pizza 16.50 16.50 1 Peppers 8.50 9.00 Each Extra Topping $1.00 b. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh THE THRILL OF WHALEWATCHING -The latest sighting of a minke whale in our local bays has added new interest in these monarchs of the sea, down the dune is left at the mercy of the winds. More recently, when our kids were teenagers, we found a single porpoise stranded in our creek. I remember it was cold and very low tide, so low the por- poise was partially out of the water and thrashing about in the mud of the creek. We walked out in knee -deep mud and picked up this slippery, sleek and very- much -alive porpoise that I think under- stood its predicament. We carried it bodily over the causeway and into the bay. We were a sorry - looking group but felt rewarded as it headed east and hope- fully to its happy hunting grounds. The sighting of the whale in our bay gives us an inkling of what used to be. Today, most of the porpoises, seals and whales are gone. No matter where you look, whether it be at whales, the rain forest of Brazil, the elephants and rhinos of Africa - all are being diminished by what man calls civilization. Isn't it time we stopped what we're doing to this planet of ours before we, too, are blown away like the sands of the dunes? Clip & Save - 1.00 off Any Pizza--- 1 Reg. Sic. Reg. Sic. j 1 Cheese 7.00 9.00 Onions 8.70 10.50 Ex- Cheese 8.50 10.50 Garlic 8.50 10.50 1 Sausage 8.50 10.50 Black Olives 8.50 10.50 Pepperoni 8.50 10.50 Anchovies 8.50 10.50 1 1 Meatball 8.50 10.50 House Special 13.50 14.50 1 Mushroom 8.50 10.50 Stuffed Pizza 16.50 16.50 1 Peppers 8.50 9.00 Each Extra Topping $1.00 Clip & Save Baked Platters 1 Buy 2 - Get 1 FREE Manicotti 4.50 1 1 Stuffed Shells 4.50 1 1 Baked Ziti 4.50 1 Baked Ravioli 4.50 Catering for all occasions Green ort Sterltngton Commons, Third � ZZZ Street, Greenport - 477 -9584 Open Friday & Saturday 11 - 11, Sun 12 - 9:30, Weekdays 11 - 9:30