Gray Whale Census
The Gray Whale Census is shore based study of Marine Mammals focusing on Gray Whales during their migration. From the cliff side of a Palos Verdes CA location we can easily observe Gray Whales as they migrate to and from the Bering Sea and the Baja coastline. Some are in so close you can see them with your naked eyes and hear them when they blow. Some are out farther and require binoculars to see them.
Many other species of Marine Mammals are also observed. I have personally seen Blue Whales, Fin Whales, a Minke Whale, Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Pacific White Sided Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, Sealions and Harbor Seals while at the Census and many more species have been spotted by other volunteers.
These are some pictures I took of Gray Whales very close to shore. Sometimes we have to stand to see them over the cliff. The Gray Whales with calfs often come in extremely close to shore when heading north in April and May.
For more information on the Gray Whale Census
Find local chapters
To read about my experiences while participating in the Gray Whale Census go to my forum
From www.cetacea.org
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~Gray Whale Census~
You can read about the "Floating Fiesta" Whale Watching Trip that the ACS had this last March 20th 2004. We left from San Pedro at the 22nd St Landing on the Monte Carlo and went around Catalina. We saw THOUSANDS Dolphin, some Porpoise, Gray Whales and a Bald Eagle.
During the Gray Whale migration you can usually find a boat going Whale Watching out of any Harbor in Southern California. I prefer to go out of Newport Beach/Balboa or Dana Point. Here are some of my favorite Whale Watching companies.
Newport
Dana Point
The first three do fishing trips most the year and Whale Watching during the migration. Dolphin Safari does year around Dolphin and Whale Watching and is a fantastic boat to go out on.
Gray Whales migrate past the California coastline from approximately November until May. The best months to see the Gray Whales are January to March
Gray Whales typically surface 3 to 5 times for breath before going down on a deeper dive. Usually the Gray Whale will stay under for 4 to 5 minutes however breathing and diving patters vary not only from Whale to Whale but for each instance. A Gray Whale might surface only once before diving and could potentially stay down for 20 minutes if they choose. Grays will often raise their tail flukes out of the water on deep dives.
For more recent stories and Whale Watching photos please visit the Whale Watchers Unanimous Message Board. My Whale Watching stories will be posted there first as will my most recent photos of Whales, Dolphins, Sealions or any other forms of Marine Life. Photos, stories and information from others will be posted there too. Come share your own Whale Watching adventures, photos or information.
*Changes and additions may come to these pages at any time.
Please feel free to link these pages or the Forum to your own site. If you have a Cetacean or other Marine Mammal site that you want linked here post a message in the forum.
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