Whales of the Southern Ocean, Ross Dependency

I was a bit indecisive about today's post since I had two super duper things on the menu, but in the end I opted for this one, and decided to leave the other for a different letter in the third round since there will be a third ABC round after all... Yay!!

So today W is for their majesty, the Whales!

I do like whales actually and don't find them as intimidating as sharks, though that might be because I haven't encountered one in real life yet :D
This post today shows a number of Whales issued by the Ross Dependency, and I believe  that first I should say a word or two about this issuing entity before I move on to the whales.

Ross Dependency stamps have been issued by New Zealand postal authorities for use on mail from Scott Base since 1957. This post office was closed in 1987 as part of the rationalisation of New Zealand Post, for later, New Zealand Post to resume the issue of stamps inscribed “Ross Dependency” in 1994, “due to local and international demand.
The denominations match those of contemporary New Zealand stamps but these stamps are not generally valid on New Zealand mail. Mail from the Ross Dependency is processed by the “Ross Dependency Agency”, located at a post office in Christchurch where people can post items bearing Ross Dependency stamps. Mail is canceled with the inscription “Ross Dependency Agency, Christchurch.
The general rule is that there is just one issue per year, and this issue here is the one that was chosen in 2010.
It consists of 5 stamps on a mini-sheet, featuring:

- 60c - the Sperm Whale / Physeter macrocephalus - the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator

- $1.20 - the Minke Whale / Balaenoptera Acutorostrata - It is the smallest member of the rorquals and the second smallest species of baleen whale. Although first ignored by whalers due to its small size and low oil yield, it began to be exploited by various countries beginning in the early 20th century. As other species declined, larger numbers of common minke whales were caught, largely for their meat. It is now one of the primary targets of the whaling industry. (unfortunately =/)

- $1.90 - the Sei Whale / Balaenoptera Borealis - a baleen whale, the third-largest rorqual after the blue whale and the fin whale. It inhabits most oceans and adjoining seas, and prefers deep offshore waters. It avoids polar and tropical waters and semi-enclosed bodies of water. The sei whale migrates annually from cool and subpolar waters in summer to winter in temperate and subtropical waters, with a lifespan of 70 years.

- $2.40 - the Killer Whale / Orcinus Orca - ok, this is like the most famous whale out there thanks to movies and stuff. It is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. These whales are considered to be highly social. (unlike me :D)

- $2.90 - the Humpback Whale / Megaptera Novaeangliae - a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species that has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating.

So that would be all from the whale world today. For other interesting W-related stamps, you know what to do :)