Here’s a Giant Dead Whale That Just Washed Up on a New York Beach

On Thursday, things took a strange turn for early morning beach-goers at Smith Point County Park on Long Island, New York. A massive finback whale washed up dead on the beach, NBC New York reports. The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Prevention estimates that the creature was around 58 feet long, and though it showed no visible signs of injury, it did show signs of advanced decomposition. That means it had probably been dead for some time before washing ashore.

The foundation is now working with park officials to investigate — and to figure out how to get rid of it.

One helluva whale beached at Smith Point Park in Suffolk County. WATCH @NBCNewYork pic.twitter.com/ezIr4yuoG6

— Keith Feldman (@NBCproducer) October 9, 2014

Clearly, this incident proves why you shouldn’t go to the beach when it’s obviously autumn. Just embrace the changing seasons — why not grab a pumpkin spice latte and head to an apple orchard instead?