Tag Archives: Tree Mercer

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Even while the southward migration of Gray Whales continues, the first northward-bound Grays have been seen. These are the newly pregnant females, and they are heading fast to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. They will be eating for two! Scott and Tree Mercer, of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, saw their first northbound Gray on Tuesday around noon.

Here is a fun photo taken by Ken Bailey a while ago of what I believe are two Gray Whales, one spouting and the other diving, showing the tail.

Ken also photographed the barnacle-encrusted head of a Gray Whale.

Here is the migration map of the Gray Whales, a journey of about 5,000 miles, one way.

Pretty amazing!

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Ken's photography, including his wonderful underwater photography, here is the link: http://www.seadreams.org/

To follow the Mercers' daily posts of their sightings, here is the link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

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It's the time of year for us to witness the vanguard of the Gray Whale migration. Scott and Tree Mercer spotted one of the first groups last Sunday, nine Gray Whales, swimming purposefully south. These are the pregnant females hurrying to their birthing lagoons off Baja.

Emily Jordan was out on a boat excursion and near the Point Arena buoy when she spotted these Gray Whales.

We have had a group of subadult Gray Whales feeding off the Point Arena coast, seen nearly every day. They are probably what Emily photographed. Beautiful photos of these cetaceans that we love so much.

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

We have a storm coming in later today, the first rain in many days. We are looking forward to it!

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Scott and Tree Mercer are studying marine life off the Mendonoma coast. One of the most productive sites is the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse. Scott recently photographed Tree on the bluffs. She was helping spot whales.

The Mercers post their daily sightings on Facebook at Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

They also share their sightings with other research groups, and fortunately with me, for my weekly Mendonoma Sightings column in the Independent Coast Observer. Recent sightings have been young Gray Whales feeding off the coast, and several Humpback Whales about 3 1/2 miles out.

I thank Scott for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Tree Mercer was out near the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and took my advice to always check near your toes. Wildflowers can be very small. She looked down and this is what she found - Redmaids, Calandrinia ciliata.

Redmaids by Tree Mercer

California Poppies have been amazing this spring. Peter Cracknell photographed one tightly closed up, a rather unusual look at this wildflower.

CA Poppy by Peter Cracknell

Native rhododendrons, Pacific Rhododendron, are blooming. Catherine Miller took this photo.

Pacific Rhododendron by Catherine Miller

Today we are having light rain showers. That can only benefit our beautiful native wildflowers. Thanks to Tree, Peter, and Catherine for allowing me to share their photos with you here.