Tag Archives: spy hopping

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Two Gray Whales decided to swim close to shore near the mouth of the Gualala River. Photographers Tom Eckles and Ron Bolander were on the Gualala Bluff Trail with their cameras in hand. The first two photos are Tom's. You can see a fellow on the sandbar was having an up close and personal experience that day!

Gray Whale just off the mouth of the Gualala River by Tom EcklesPectoral fin of a Gray Whale by Tom Eckles

These next three are Ron's photos:

Gray Whale spouts by Ron BolanderGray Whale by Ron BolanderBarnacles cover much of the head of a Gray Whale by Ron BolanderIn this last photo you can see the head of this  Gray Whale is encrusted with barnacles. That means it is an adult. It is spy hopping - taking a good look around.

I wish I had been on the Gualala Bluff Trail while these two Gray Whales were making a personal appearance!

Thanks to Tom and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Tom's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.tomeckles.com

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Spy hopping is when a whale pokes its head out of the ocean and appears to take a good look around. Ron LeValley photographed several Gray Whales doing just that.

In the photo below you can see the Gray Whale's eye just above the water line if you look closely.

The other theory regarding spy hopping is that the whale is listening for the wave break so it can best align itself on its long migration.

I was on the bluffs at the southern end of The Sea Ranch on a wildflower hike several years ago. There were six of us, including my husband, Rick. I happened to glance out at the ocean and saw a Gray Whale spy hop. I almost couldn't believe what I saw. No one else saw it and when I looked again it was gone. A sweet memory for me.

Lucky for us all that Ron had his camera at the ready. I thank him for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's photography, here is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/