Tag Archives: Scott Mercer

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Scott and Tree Mercer are studying marine life off the Mendonoma coast. One of the most productive sites is the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse. Scott recently photographed Tree on the bluffs. She was helping spot whales.

The Mercers post their daily sightings on Facebook at Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

They also share their sightings with other research groups, and fortunately with me, for my weekly Mendonoma Sightings column in the Independent Coast Observer. Recent sightings have been young Gray Whales feeding off the coast, and several Humpback Whales about 3 1/2 miles out.

I thank Scott for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Jon Loveless saw some, and Paul Brewer too. Young Gray Whales, juvenile whales who did not migrate up to their feeding grounds in the Arctic, have been seen most days off the Mendonoma coast. Paul Brewer got a few photos of one of these whales.

Whale expert, Scott Mercer, is excited about this development. He says, “These sightings clearly demonstrate how rich our local coast is.”

Our heat wave is over and the smoky skies have cleared, thank goodness.

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

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Ken Bailey spotted this young, pre-adult, Gray Whale feeding off the Mendonoma Coast. It has quite a load of barnacles on its head.

Pre-adult Gray Whale with a load of barnacles by Ken Bailey A Pre-adult Gray Whale spouts by Ken Bailey The barnacled head of a pre-adult Gray Whale by Ken Bailey

Whale expert Scott Mercer took a look at these photos. He said the size of the whale's head tells him it is around three years old.

It's great to see this young whale. Gray whales don't become mature - sexually active - until they are at least eight years old.

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ken's wildlife photography, in particular his underwater photography, here is a link to his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

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Richard Kuehn noticed spouts over the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps the vanguard of the southward Gray Whale Migration. More Grays have been seen, though in small numbers.

Early California Gray Whales migrating south by Richard Kuehn

Scott Mercer, a Gray Whale expert, related the theory that, because there was an early ice-out in their prime feeding grounds, they were able to feed earlier than usual. It was then thought the Grays might be on the move earlier than usual, and that has proved to be the case.

Here is an aerial photo of a Gray Whale that Craig Tooley took last year.

A Gray Whale by Craig Tooley

Thanks to Rich and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much, much more of Craig's Nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com