Month: July 2014

07-23-2014: Lunge-feeding and Breaching Humpbacks, Common Dolphins and Dalls Porpoise

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
More Lunge-feeding humpbacks just outside of Moss Landing. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-23-2014.

Today it was the 10:00 AM that took the show. We haven’t seen common dolphins for a while. So it was nice when these common dolphins came buzzing through this large group of lunge-feeding humpbacks.

Moss Landing Humpack Whales
The productivity of the Monterey Bay is astounding. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-23-2014.

It was hard not to follow them right when they came through. But when you have 6-8 humpbacks lunge feasting with a large gang of marauding sea lions, you don’t leave. Then after about 20 minutes of surface-feeding hijinks, the humpbacks seemed to have had their fill for the moment.

Moss Landing Lunge-feeding Humpback
Humpbacks surface feeding. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-23-2014.

It was a good thing for us that the common dolphins didn’t go far as they were feeding on other nearby schools of anchovies.

Moss Landing Common Dolphins
These common dolphins came buzzing through the humpback whale feeding zone. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-24-2014.

Our luck ran out for today’s afternoon trips. The wind whipped up hard and made the going ruff starting with the 3:00 PM trip. After trying to keep up with a continuously breaching mother and calf pair, we had to turn back because the chop and wind made it impossible to keep up.

Moss Landing Common Dolphins
Common dolphins cruise along side the boat. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-24-2014.

But on the way in, we had probably the best series of close up breaches by another mother and calf just outside of the harbor mouth. We almost always see more breaching and acrobatics when the wind and chop pick up. And today was no different.

Moss Landing Common Dolphins
Close up of a “porpoising” common dolphin. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-23-2014.

We could see explosions of white water happening all around. When the conditions get rough, I have to put my camera down and keep my hands on the wheel. I hate when I have to do that. But some of the passengers got some incredible breaching photographs as this mother and calf breached repeatedly about 20 yards from the boat.

The 5:00 pm trip ended up being a wild ride in challenging conditions. But we did get some excellent looks at bow riding Dall’s porpoise. But I had my hands full keeping the boat straight. What a difference a day makes.

07-21-2014: Mind Boggling Humpback Whale Feeding Frenzy Accelerates

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
Epic lighting, epic ocean conditions and humpback whales in a surface feeding frenzy. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-21-2014.

Just unbelievable. It’s really hard to put into words what we’ve been seeing out in front of Moss Landing over the last few days. And I’m not one to be at a loss for words. The real action has been on our 5:00 PM trips. That seems to be when the feeding frenzy happens.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
As we were making our way in, we stopped for a bit to see what these whales were up to. The next thing we knew, the frenzy was on. These whales did this repeatedly within 10-yards of the boat. Incredible. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-21-2014.

Today it kicked on a little late. We had a lot of surface lunges and breaching. But it really didn’t get crazy until about 7:00 PM. So we stayed an extra couple of hours and had the experience of a lifetime for most people. Including me. After an epic sunset and crazy lunge feeding fest, we finally pulled into the dock around 9:00 PM. It’s hard to leave when you have five-plus humpback whales simultaneously lunge-feeding right next to the boat. But we started loosing light and I couldn’t get anymore good photos. So that was that.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
It just kept on going. But as the light faded and the sun went down, we had to make our way back to the harbor. Notice the color of the pectoral fin sticking out of the water on the right. Under the normal lighting, those are white. Here we can see the warm glow of the sunset reflecting off of the whale’s pectoral fin. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-21-2014.

Alaska whale watching veterans are telling us they’ve never seen anything like this, even in the land of big nature Alaska. After coming out on our evening trips, veteran whale watchers and first timers alike are immediately booking trips the next day. It’s that intense.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
This little fella breached at least 50 times. After looking at this photograph, it made me think that this calf was breaching next to the boat to get a look at us. I blew up the photo and his eye is looking straight at me. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-21-2014.

“Sensory overload” as one passenger said the other day. It’s hard to imagine. These whales don’t even seem to know we’re there. Once the feeding frenzy begins, the whales just start popping up all around the boat doing these massive, vertical surface lunges.

We’ve also been seeing a lot of full breaches. The only thing that would make this better is if some orcas showed. Which we are due for by the way. It’s been over two weeks since we’ve had an orca encounter.

07-19-2014: Welcome To The Moss Landing Whale Park

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
Two humpbacks “lunge-feeding” at the surface just off the Moss Landing North Jetty. Notice the anchovies jumping in the foreground. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-19-2014.

I hereby designate the 200 yards outside of Moss Landing Harbor the Moss Landing Whale Park. I mean really.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
This is a humpback whale “lunge-feeding” off the south Moss Landing Harbor jetty just in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-19-2014.

There is no other area in the country (probably the world) where you can get close up looks of massive lunge feeding humpback whales right from shore. It is truly spectacle to behold.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
Humpback whales on the prowl off the north Moss Landing Harbor jetty. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-19-2014.

We’re beginning to see a pattern. The feeding seems to be happening in the morning and late afternoon. Most of the big surface lunges seem to be after 3:00 PM to dark over the last few days. Plus the lighting is incredible.

Moss Landing Humpback  Whales
The feast continues. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-19-2014.
Moss Landing Humpback Whales
This rambunctious humpback breached about 20 times in a row. Just spectacular. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-18-2014.

07-16-2014 Humpbacks Feeding inside the Harbor Mouth

Today people were lining the beach and jetty doing whale watching from shore. We had humpbacks 25 yards off the beach today as well as actually inside the Moss Landing Harbor mouth.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
These two humpbacks were actually inside the Moss Landing Harbor. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-16-2014

It’s hard to imagine the incredible event that is going on right now. In fact, today it was humpback whales feeding pretty much inside the harbor! Just incredible. Moss Landing is likely the best place in the country (maybe the world) to observe these amazing humpback whales right now.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
More lunge feeding just outside of Moss Landing Harbor. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-16-2014.

It’s pretty rare to watch humpback whales feeding alongside bottlenose dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins along the California coast are typically found just outside the surf zone. Well, that’s where the humpback whales of the Moss Landing Whale park are also feeding. Amazing.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
The humpback whale feeding frenzy goes into high gear today. Non-stop since our 08:00 AM trip this morning. Remarkable. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-16-2014.

If you plan on going whale watching on the Monterey Bay, Come to Moss Landing!. We are literally getting 4+ hours of face time with the whales. This seems to be the new normal for Moss Landing. It’s pretty much been like this since March.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
Lunge feeding all day long. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-16-2014

Leaving out of anywhere else in the Monterey Bay, you’re getting 2-3 hours of travel time and little time whale watching. Because most of the whale watching boats are coming to Moss Landing as this is where the action is.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
The new Moss Landing norm. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-16-2014.

Truly remarkable. Plenty of room on our 08:00 AM trip tomorrow , Thursday.

 

07-02-2014 Humpback “Fireworks Display” today and Blue Whales

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
Humpback whale breaches off Moss Landing. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.

Today was one for the record books. Just within a few miles of Moss Landing we had about 15 humpback whales working in pairs and sometimes coming together in foursomes to herd their food.

Moss Landing Blue Whale
It looks like the blue whales are starting to show and they’re feasting on krill. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.

There was enough krill to bring in two huge blue whales that we observed feeding for the entire four and a half hour trip.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
More breaching. This happened many times. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.

We also had great looks at a pod of Risso’s dolphins that were playing around some humpbacks.

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
A young humpback whale gets lively. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.

But one young humpback really stole the show today. It started breaching, then tail lobbing, then pec slapping, then back to breaching. This went on for about an hour and a half all great viewing distance to the Sanctuary!

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This is the young humpback on it’s side, just kind of playing around. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.

We were all astounded at this young whales energy and exuberance. This is one of those days we will never forget and why tell customers to keep coming out again and again. You never know when you’ll hit the whale jackpot!

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This humpback kept doing these odd chin slaps as it moved along at about 4-5 knots. It almost seemed like it was “porpoising.” Photo: Michael Sack, 07-02-2014.