Tag Archives: early migration

The southward-bound Gray Whale migration has begun earlier than usual this season. And, as we've been having clear-as-a-bell weather, it is easy to see their spouts. Peter Cracknell photographed a few Grays at sunset.

Gray Whales at sunset by Peter Cracknell

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

I wish you the happiest of New Years and hope you will take the time to appreciate our natural world - it is filled with wonders.

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