Month: August 2014

08-29-2014: Breaching Humpback Calf, Close-in Lunge-feeding Humpbacks, Bottlenose Dolphin

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This calf breached about 15 times. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-28-2014.

The action just keeps on going just outside of Moss Landing Harbor. As has been the case almost daily since March, before we even left the harbor we were already seeing whales just outside the harbor-mouth.

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
Surface lunge-feeding humpback just off the beach north of the harbor. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-29-2014.

And today a lot more whales moved closer in today. We had about 10 humpbacks between the harbor entrance and the MLA buoy less than a mile off the beach.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales
The next thing we knew, there were whales popping up all around us. And then there were the sea lions splashing around. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-29-2014.
Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This calf repeatedly breached. Photo:Michael Sack, 08-28-2014.

We did a little exploring and came across a breaching and tail-lobbing humpback whale calf. So that was fun.

Kayaking with the humpbacks
These kayakers had the encounter of a lifetime. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-29-2014.
Moss Landing Humpback Whales
Kayaking with the humpbacks. Photo: MIchael Sack, 08-29-2014.

But the real action continued to be inside just outside the harbor. On the way in we came across what were probably the same 10 some-odd humpbacks feeding together with about 150 California Sea Lions.

Lunge-feeding Moss Landing Humpback
Lunge-feeding Moss Landing Humpback. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-29-2014.

 

 

08/23/2014: Orcas, Breaching and Tail-lobbing Humpbacks, Bottlenose Dolphins and More

 

Breaching Humpback
Breaching Humpback off of Moss Landing. Photo: Michael Sack

Today on the way in we came across a handful of Orcas. So that was a nice way to end the trip. The humpbacks just continue to feast on the abundant anchovies.

Moss Landing Killer Whales
Orcas on the prowl just outside of Moss Landing Harbor. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-23-2014.

Over the last few weeks, the waters off of Moss Landing have been the site of an incredible humpback whale gathering and feeding event. We’ve pretty much had between 20-30 whales just outside the harbor and it seems to just keep on going.

Moss Landing Killer Whales
Moss Landing Killer Whales. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-23-2014.

We still continue to see humpbacks on the prowl within a mile or two of the harbor. We’ve also been seeing 200+ sea lions feeding along side the humpback whales. And then there is the breaching and tail-lobbing. On just about every trip we’re seeing breaches and/or tail-lobbing.

Moss Landing Killer Whales
We came across this group on the way in just before dark. You can see they are just outside the harbor prowling for harbor seals. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-23-2014.