2013 04-28 SB Coast

The overcast skies gave way to partly sunny skies as the Condor left Sea Landing for its 12noon trip along the coast of beautiful Santa Barbara and in all, we closely watched eleven gray whales. There were 5 mother-calf pairs and a single. We followed them from east beach westward to Arroyo Burro. As has been happening lately, the youngsters spy hopped and tried to climb on mom’s back. Many groups formed and parted during the trip.

Out of this world!

Be sure to click on the "Map This" button to see where we went.

Thank You!

Mother gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) takes a look around.
Eschrichtius robustus spyhop 2013 Coast 237
A gray whale calf (Eschrichtius robustus) tries to climb on top of mother.
Eschrichtius robustus calf top cow 2013 Coast 517
Two northbound gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) side-by-side.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Coast 085
Mother and her calf, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Coast 173
Mother and calf, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Coast 095
Close look at a gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Coast 322
Adult gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in profile, along the edge of the kelp beds.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Coast 557
(1 of 3) Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) near a big cruise ship.
Eschrichtius robustus cruise ship 2013 Coast 010
(2 of 3) Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) near a big cruise ship.
Eschrichtius robustus cruise ship 2013 Coast 014
(3 of 3) Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) near a big cruise ship.
Eschrichtius robustus cruise ship 2013 Coast 107
A gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mother lifts her head out as her calf, alongside, spouts.
Eschrichtius robustus cow calf 2013 Coast 241
Mother and calf, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus cow calf 2013 Coast 129
Mother and calf, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus cow calf 2013 Coast 062
Mother gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), with her head out of the water, and her calf in the foreground.
Eschrichtius robustus cow calf 2013 Coast 245
Wide angle view: A gray whale calf (Eschrichtius robustus) does a small spy-hop.
Eschrichtius robustus spyhop WIDE 2013 Coast 443
Close up view: A gray whale calf (Eschrichtius robustus) does a small spy-hop.
Eschrichtius robustus spyhop CLOSE 2013 Coast 443
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) tail flukes.
Eschrichtius robustus tail fluke 2013 Coast 030
A gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) flukes up.
Eschrichtius robustus tail fluke 2013 Coast 029

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2013 04-28 SB Coast