Tag Archives: subadult

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Eric Zetterholm photographed this Gray Whale very close to the surf break at the sandbar by the Gualala River. Two beach walkers had an up-close-and-personal experience that day!

Here's a second look.

Whale expert, Scott Mercer, says this is a subadult Gray Whale. We have a small group of young Gray Whales that did not migrate, and we are know seeing them 12 months of the year.

Yesterday, Scott and Tree Mercer saw two Blue Whales, and I may have seen those Blues later in the afternoon. I saw a super tall spout quite a ways out, and the spout lingered. Sounds like a Blue Whale to me. Closer in there was a pod of at least four whales, perhaps Humpbacks. Lots of wonderful whale sightings lately.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Breeze picked up today, making whale spouts almost impossible to see! Warmer weather ahead.

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We have a group of sub-adult Gray Whales who have stayed along our coast rather than migrating to the Bering Sea. This has been happening for several years now. It's exciting to see and it's heartening to know there is enough feed for them here. Karen Wilkinson recently photographed a young Gray Whale.

You can tell it's a young gray by the stubby head. And, if we had something to compare it with, you'd see the length of the young whale is less than an adult.

Thanks to Karen for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

We had our first rain in nearly six months yesterday and the night before. It felt so wonderful to hear and see it. This morning the damp forest smelled so good. We have another storm predicted for Monday night. Could mushrooms be far behind?!?

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For the past four days the Pacific Ocean has been calm with no whitecaps. That has allowed many to see the vanguard of the southward migration of Gray Whales.

Yesterday this young Gray Whale, called a subadult, was seen just off Gualala Point Island. Richard Kuehn got this photo.

On Thursday, Dec. 11th Gray Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions and Gulls were feasting on what we think was a school of anchovies. All this action took place off The Sea Ranch. On Wednesday a pod of Gray Whales was seen off the Point Arena Lighthouse. They are on the move, headed for Baja California where the pregnant females will give birth in the weeks and months to come.

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