9 North Bound 0 South Bound 8.25 hrs

Busy day with three different species of Cetacea Mysticeti also known as baleen whales, including, one fin whale, nine gray whales and a pair of humpback whales. The fin whale was seen early in the morning half a mile or more off shore followed by a pair of humpback whales that came in as close as 300 yards off shore and remained nearby feeding until well after sunset while slowly moving north. Three of the gray whales were underweight, one was emaciated. Sea lions and dolphins were seen stampeding to and from the feeding frenzy areas, zig zagging across the transect several times throughout the day.

The sky was so clear and ocean so calm and flat the view behind passing ships could be seen earlier in the day.

The near shore humpbacks and squadron of Brown Pelicans on shore today delighted local beach goer Richard Corman .

Humpback pair feeding near shore as close as 300 yards. Baleen whales have special throats that are pleated and expand while feeding, then as the whales gulp the fish filled water it is filtered out between the baleen and the fish that remain are swallowed. Humpbacks consume 3-5,000 lbs of small fish or krill per day! Sea-lions and dolphins took turns in the feeding frenzy on and off throughout the day.

Low south bound Naval Helicopter flyby over Point Dume Natural Preserve.

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