Flat calm ocean, 46 degrees with 1-3mph wind early morning. Cargo ship’s name clearly seen without binoculars. First sighting was a fast moving pair one mile out, followed by a fast moving pod of five whales 4+ miles out. One whale had a pock like mark on its upper rostrum along with several long thin white gash scars. The dorsal hump area has an eye shaped patch, possibly from barnacle scars.

The Coastguard Helicopter MH-65 Dolphin patrols the coast with a full team waving to beach goers today.

The majority of whales went right past without stopping but still, some good looks were had. The wind picked up 5-7 mph late morning and by afternoon white caps increased as the wind picked up to 10-12mph and up to 15-18 mph late afternoon with 20-25mph +mph gusts blowing the palm trees. A sailboat struggled to stay steady passing us heading south.

Late afternoon the wind surfers were out along north end of Zuma with rough choppy seas making it harder to spot the whales. A large group of 30-50 men were up on the bluff for a ceremony or event of some kind with great views of one whale passing outside Pirates Cove. A juvenile whale stopped at Tower 2 area and spy hopped several times in the rough choppy water.

“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.” ― Walt Whitman