Whale Watching Report

Gray Whale Boat Watching (GW #383)

Showing off His Best Side (GW #383)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"Our guests started their day dockside watching Norman, our friendly Harbor Seal, showing off his catch of the day!! We had no idea what the day had in store for us!! We departed from the dock slowing down for some great looks at a nesting Osprey, perched Bald Eagles on Jetty Island, hauled-out California Sea Lions, and flyby's from Pigeon Guillemots! Moments out of the marina we had our first two Gray Whales!! Patch, #49, and his comrade #21 gave our guests some great views as we enjoyed these giants in the warmth of the sunshine on glass calm water!! Shortly after we spotted another whale just south of Gedney Island. Gray Whale #383, hands down stole the show!! Feeding on a shallow watery shelf on the south end of the island we decided to again try out the soft sounds of Jack Johnson as part of our continued musical experiment!! And did it work!! He spyhopped 7 times, bringing his face out of the water in order to check out what was going on at the surface!!! The remainder of the trip was spent on a surreal Gray Whale high as we found 2 more whales, enjoyed more fluking, listened to the sound of their exhalation, visited with a raft of 30+ Surf Scoters & 500+ Western Grebes!!! We also saw before returning to the dock Red-necked Grebes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Brandt's Cormorants, and Harbor Seals!!" - Naturalist Kate Janes