By Ed Snyder/Outdoors
Tuesday, August 28 provided some very unusual activity and a rare treat for those of us who witnessed it. Along about 7am anglers noticed some unusual activity in the water on the Gulf side of the pass when two snub nosed critters appeared to be nosing their way into the pass. These critters were eventually identified as Pilot Whales, a mom with a pup, who began broaching and feeding along a sandbar that holds just in front of the pass. For about an hour they circled, feeding back and forth around the sand bar before heading out to sea.
At least twice they nuzzled their way in close to the east wall of the pass as if they were trying to enter the pass, but never came in. This whale activity was very unusual and rare for this area, but a eyeballed treat for those of us who were there.
If anyone can give some insight on the what’s and whys of the whales appearance and activity here at Rollover Pass, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] as it’s still a mystery.
I saw the pink dolphin yesterday 9/30/12 while crossing the Bolivar ferry to Galveston at 5:55 pm.
While coming in on the 11:00am ferry to Bolivar I spotted the pink dolphin yesterday, (9/13/12). She was swimming next to a regular friend close to the Bolivar landing area. Hopefully she will hang around for awhile. I’ve also noticed alot of jumping high out of the water lately. Guess they are ready for fall too! Keep a lookout!
What an awesome story. So wish I had been there to see that. Grew up on the Texas Coast and have never witnessed an event like this.
I found this info..seems they do live in the Gulf of Mexico in large numbers…in my 65 years, (32 on the coast), I’ve never seen one.
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/globmacr.htm
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/pilotwhale_shortfinned.htm
Thanks for the photos…Wish I had been there!