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Old 01-31-2018, 06:17 PM
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Alert Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

I asked bey if he wanted to do anything special for his birthday weekend, thinking like maybe an overnighter in Sausalito or camping at the beach or something, and without hesitation he says "Whale Watching". That man is a genius!

We took off out of Santa Cruz Harbor last Saturday a little after noon. We had Moss Landing as a landmark, so basically I guess we went south down the Bay toward Monterey and back. All told it was about a 4 hour trip.

map.jpg

He also had the genius idea to rent binoculars, and we spent a lot more time looking through those than trying to get pictures, but of course we have some to share. :unpic:

grady_thumb.jpgjade.jpggrady_bin.jpg

We saw lots of birds, but didn't manage to get any pictures of them.

The first interesting undersea life we saw were jellyfish. Then we kept seeing them, jellyfish for miles. Moon Jellies and Sea Nettles. Amazing.

jellies0.jpgjellies1.jpgjellies2.jpg

Also, whales. Humpbacks specifically, just like in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home! :hyper: We tracked one for a bit, then we followed a pair of them for a real long time. Finally we left them alone and tracked another loner who we thought might have been the first guy again, but he wasn't.

They mostly hang out under the water, so there's a lot you don't get to see. But you can see their noses (blowholes) when they breathe, and the spray you see is their very warm breath condensing in the air.

hump2.jpghump.jpg

The money shot is when they dive and their tail (fluke) comes up out of the water. Exciting stuff!

fluke.jpg
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Old 01-31-2018, 06:48 PM
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Default Re: Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

It was my first time whale watching and it was a blast.

I love lots of things about living here in California but the state’s natural beauty including its flora and fauna is a big part of that beauty.

If you haven’t been whale watching, it is a fabulous experience.

The binoculars were just enough zoom to put your perspective up close to the whales while still being very easy to use.
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Old 01-31-2018, 08:50 PM
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Default Re: Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

The only thing you missed was a breach, you know, this:


Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Breaching by Peter Spradbrow, on Flickr

I've never seen it, and I'd love to.
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Old 02-01-2018, 03:05 AM
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Default Re: Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

I spent six months of my life in Santa Cruz (not to mention a year or two in Socal) and never went on or in the water. I think I missed out!
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Old 02-01-2018, 04:42 AM
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Default Re: Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ensign Steve View Post

Also, whales. Humpbacks specifically, just like in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home! :hyper:
:wriggle:
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Old 02-01-2018, 06:24 AM
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Default Re: Monterey Bay Whale Watching Trip Report and Pics

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Originally Posted by beyelzu View Post
If you haven’t been whale watching, it is a fabulous experience.
Hell yes! We went whale watching near here a year and a half ago and loved it. That was sperm whales, and yeah, they didn't do a lot other than float around looking massive and blowing occasionally - but that was pretty amazing. Looks like you had a great time!
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