Tag Archives: southward migration

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Scott and Tree Mercer, of the Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, sit out on the bluffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse most days, looking for Gray Whales and other marine life. The beginning of the southward bound Gray Whale migration was late this year, which caused concern. But yesterday, and again today, Gray Whales are passing by in big numbers. Yesterday the Mercers spotted 63 Grays Whales, and today by 2:00 p.m. they have seen 42. Here's an aerial photo of three migrating Gray Whales taken by Craig Tooley several years ago.

Here's a panoramic view of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands taken by Peggy Berryhill. It's a great place to whale watch!

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

You can follow the Mercer's daily posts on their Facebook page, which is: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

Quite cloudy today, temps in the low 50s. Rain coming late tomorrow.

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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/

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Carol Bogovich was watching the Gray Whale southward migration on New Year's Day. Two whales came closer in and she was able to get these photos.

The heart-shaped blow of a Gray Whale by Carol Bogovich
The heart-shaped blow of a Gray Whale
Two Gray Whales by Carol Bogovich
Two Gray Whales spout.
The tail of a Gray Whale by Carol Bogovich
A Gray Whale's tail lifting out of the ocean.
Gray Whale tail by Carol Bogovich
And one last look before the tail disappears into the Pacific Ocean.

 

Gray Whales are being seen every day, weather-permitting. Today we had a nice, gentle storm move in, giving us a good 1/2 inch of rain. Of course that makes spotting Gray Whales impossible, at least from my vantage point.

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