"ROSEBUD" was a 60 foot, 23 ton female fin whale Balaenoptera physalus which, after washing up killed on a La Jolla CA beach was dragged to deeper waters (843 meters) and sunk by scientists from Scripps Oceanography for the purpose of study. Several newly discovered species are depicted on this painting, with others known but previously little studied. Some are ancient creatures which live only on whale falls. It is estimated that at any given time there are hundreds of thousands of whale falls through the world's oceans, but at depths which, prior to the recent advent of ROV exploration, have made them difficult to reach or observe. For more information and a list of species please go to