Scott and Tree Mercer saw three Gray Whales swimming southward this past weekend, most likely pregnant females headed for the birthing lagoons off Baja. Many thousands to follow over the next two months.

Shari Goforth-Eby put together this visual on the most helpful way to photograph Gray Whales for possible identification. She would appreciate receiving any Gray Whale photos you may take in the weeks and months ahead. She is chronicling the resident Gray Whales.

Here's one of my favorite Gray Whale photos - a magnificent photo taken some years ago by Ron LeValley of a Gray Whale breaching.

Thanks to Shari and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To sent Shari your sightings, here is her email: go4thegrays@gmail.com To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

It's stormy and cold on the Mendonoma Coast today!