Tag Archives: Frank Coster

•

Scott and Tree Mercer sit out on the bluffs most days looking for Gray Whales and other marine life. As of yesterday, they have seen 99 Gray Whales swimming fast to the birthing lagoons of Baja. These first whales are the pregnant females and they are intent on reaching the safety of the lagoons before giving birth.

Here is a photo Ken Bailey took a few years ago showing the spout - the exhalation of air - and the tail.

And next is a flipper of a Gray Whale, photo by Paul Brewer.

You can see this Gray Whale was in the surf break, photo taken by Frank Coster.

And here is the migration route the Gray Whales take. They travel thousands of miles, twice a year!

Today is the last sunny day for a while as three storms are lined up for the days ahead. But when there is a break, you can look for Gray Whales, as thousands more will be passing by in the days, weeks and months to come. I find it comforting to know they are just offshore, living their lives as their ancestors did.

Thanks to Ken, Paul and Frank for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To follow the Mercers whale counts, visit their Facebook page, Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study at this link: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

• 2 Comments

•

Frank Coster was at Jenner with his camera when he noticed a Gray Whale calf and its mother, quite close in. Here is the calf, taking a good look around!

And here is the calf with its mom.

In the last photo you can see how close they were to the crashing waves - that's pretty darn close!

The vast majority of the mother/calf Gray Whale pairs are still making their way out of the birthing lagoons off Baja California. Only a few have made it to the Mendonoma coast, so we have many days and weeks ahead to see them pass by. As for me, it never gets old seeing them. Knowing that they are passing by on their oh-so-long migration northward warms my heart.

Thanks to Frank for allowing me to share his photos with you here. You can find Frank and see his wonderful nature photos on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013869702560&fref=search

•

Frank Coster has taken some incredible photos of the two Jenner Bald Eagles. I love this one with the eagle about to catch his or her dinner.

To see more of Frank's nature photography, he shares them on his Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013869702560&fref=search

And thanks to Frank for allowing me to share this photo with you here. He took some great photos of a Gray Whale and her calf a couple of days ago. I'll be sharing them here soon.

•

Frank Coster had his tripod and camera set up on one of the pullouts off Highway One, just above Jenner. That is where two Bald Eagles have been seen in recent years. They often fish for Pacific Lampreys, a fish that is thin and long, up to three feet long. Frank saw the Bald Eagle fly towards a Sea Lion, which had a Lamprey in its mouth.

The brash eagle then dove towards the Sea Lion, his talons extended and ready to grab his meal.

Here the Bald Eagle steals the Lamprey from the Sea Lion.

And then Bald Eagle flies off with his spoils.

The disappointed Sea Lion then dives, perhaps looking for a meal he or she can keep.

What a great series of photos! I thank Frank for allowing me to share them here with you. Frank also collaborated with me for a feature about Bald Eagles in yesterday's Press Democrat. You can read my article and see some of Frank's other wonderful Bald Eagle photos at this link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7855159-181/bald-eagles-making-a-comeback

And you can view other dramatic photos taken by Frank at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynegrwr/