Tag Archives: Scott Mercer

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Kate Bloch was at the right place to capture this beautiful photo of a breaching Humpback Whale. Just imagine you are in a little boat close to this big cetacean when the whale crashes back into the ocean. Talk about rocking the boat!

Copyright Kate Bloch 2023

Humpback Whales are feeding off the Mendonoma Coast now. Mothers have been seen with their calves. Scott Mercer tells me the calves will be going off on their own soon.

Thanks to Kate for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

It's sunny and warm here today, with the breeze picking up this afternoon. It's a great time to be on the Mendonoma Coast!

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Scott and Tree Mercer, of Mendonoma Whale and Seal, are presenting the 3rd annual Ocean Life Symposium. It begins on Monday, October 25 from 9 am to noon, and continues throughout the week.

You will undoubtedly learn more about Humpback Whales, as photographed here by Craig Tooley. Here is the link to learn about the many learned speakers of this informative event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/845494016135619/

To learn more about the Mercers and Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, here is the link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

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Scott Mercer noticed a feeding frenzy off the Mendonoma Coast. Anchovies have been here in massive abundance. Whales, fish and birds - and who knows who else! - have been feeding on them.

Steve Bennett photographed the fun sight of Brown Pelicans coming in for a landing, with some cormorants watching.

Thanks to Scott and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To follow Scott's whale sightings, you can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma- Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236

Smoky and mild on the Mendonoma Coast today. We're hoping the sea breezes will pick up and disperse the smoke.

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I'll let Shari tell the story. She wrote, “On Monday [of last week], Scott Mercer, of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, told me that during his survey he had seen two Gray Whales foraging near the Point Arena Lighthouse, and they were there when he left just 30 minutes before. I drove to the Lighthouse, watched, and saw a blow.  A whale was still there."

“The whale was close enough that, though I had to crop my photos heavily to increase the size, they were sharp enough to see detail, so I texted them to Scott. I was surprised when he texted back that he had sent them to a researcher in Washington, who replied immediately.  The whale is somebody!  It’s CRC-6, first photographed in the Straits of Juan De Fuca in 1986.

“That makes it older than 34 years old [they can live 40-60 years]; it escaped a boat collision, but sustained boat propeller injuries on its left side, and has rope scars on its right side where it escaped entanglement in fishing gear.  It apparently has not migrated, since most Gray Whales should be in Alaskan waters feeding and storing resources for the winter migration to Mexican lagoons.  CRC-6 may be a ‘resident,’ a local Gray Whale, at least for a while.”

Scott later learned this whale is a female. She's been seen with a calf in the past. What stories she could tell us if we only knew her language!

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

The morning fog quickly gave way to a sunny, mild day.

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Gray Whales are one of the oldest species of mammals. They have been swimming in the Earth's oceans for nearly 30 million years, according to Science Daily. To contemplate their awesome twice-yearly migration is to fill you with wonder. Scott and Tree Mercer watch for whales and other marine sightings on the bluffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse. This past week they have counted 133 northbound Gray Whales.

Paul Brewer has a front row seat to view the ocean. Over the years he has photographed Gray Whales. Here is one spouting, where the whale is exhaling.

The Mercers have seen their first  mother/calf pair, which is very early this year. Another pair was seen by Diane Hichwa off of Bodega Bay. Calves seem to enjoy breaching, as Paul captured. The baby whale is beside his/her mother.

Calves have stubby heads as Paul's photo shows.

And here's a look at two Gray Whale tails, perhaps mother/calf.

And here's an x-rated sighting of a male's member, which is nicknamed the Pink Floyd.

Males on the northbound migration can have mating on their minds, but the females aren't interested. We have seen this action several times in the past week off the Mendonoma Coast.

I hope you will take comfort in these trying days that the Gray Whale migration continues as it has for millennia. I wish for all of us the best of health.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his wonderful photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here  is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/