07-26-2015: More Humpbacks Show up in The Monterey Bay and Moss Landing, Reports of Blue Whales and More

Moss Landing Humpback
Humpback takes a dive in front of Moss Landing. Photo: Sack, www.sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015.

The marine conditions have been unstable over the last week or so. But we have also had some of the best conditions of the year. So it’s been hard to predict.

Monterey Bay Whale Watching
Moss Landing humpback whale goes down for some anchovies. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015

The afternoon trips have been taking the most hits with generally windy conditions and lumpy seas. The good news is that there seems to be a mass of ocean life moving it’s way up the coast and into the Monterey Bay.

BBC Big Blue Live Crew
The BBC Big Blue Live crew has been filming in the Monterey Bay over the last week. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015

Moss Landing continues to be the sure thing for humpback whales as there have been between four and six humpbacks feeding daily in front of the Moss Landing Harbor for going on 2-years straight now.

Monterey Bay Sea Otter
Female sea otter warming her paws. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015

We have been getting the occasional tail lob or full-breach. But for the most part it’s been routine whale watching. The warmer water temps seem to have driven the anchovies deeper. So we’re seeing some long dives.

Monterey Bay Sea Otter
This sea otter somehow collected two crabs from the bottom and was eating one of the crabs while balancing both them on it’s chest. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-26-2015.

The whole mass of sea life was reported last week south of Point Sur in Big Sur (Humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, blue whales, fin whales and more). Reports each day over the last week indicate that the whole mass of marine life is moving steadily to the north and into the Monterey Bay.

Monterey Bay Whale Watching
Another humpback shows us it’s tail fluke. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015

We expect the feeding action to pick up soon as we have been seeing more anchovies at the surface over the last few days. Today we also heard reports of rampant lunge-feeding off  Point Pinos and Marina beach about six to eight miles to the south.

Monterey Bay Tern
A tern hovers above a dense school of anchovies just before plunge diving on them. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015.
Monterey Bay Northern Fulmar
This Northern fulmar was just hanging out there all alone. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015.
Monterey Bay Common Murres
A common murre chick and father. After the chicks fledge the nest, the fathers take over and teach the young bird to fish and survive in the ocean. The mother takes off and recuperates from laying and producing one of the biggest eggs compared to it’s body size. The eggs are also more conical in shape than other eggs. This is because these birds nest on cliff ledges. And if the egg gets nudged, it will roll more in a circular motion so as not to roll over the cliff. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015.
Monterey Bay Elephant Seal
A young elephant seal comes up to the surface to tank up on oxygen before submerging. The longest known dive of an elephant seal is almost two hours. But more routinely they are under for 30-minute periods. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-26-2015.

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