Monday March 27th, 2023

Sunny, flat calm ocean with shore break waves. Wind 1-3mph and 64 degrees. The first sighting was a pod of 5 gray whales that migrated through quickly without stopping. Three of the five whales fluked. All of the whales produced audible blows as they went past creating large tall blows that reportedly were seen from Trancas beach (the north end of Zuma Beach) just under 3 miles away as beach goers were driving along the PCH on route to Point Dume Beach. Three experienced snorkel divers already in the water waited patiently until the whales went through and did not chase or interfere with the whales migration path.

The next sighting was a trio slowing down the Baywatch LA boat which kept at least 100 yards behind as required by law, stopping and slowing down with the whales. Two of the trio were large adults fluked and continued on at a faster pace. The third whale turned back to the boat and the Caption promptly stopped the engine. The whale got closer but changed directions again and left on the same path, fluking as it went and eventually caught up to the faster pair.

Other sightings involved two underweight whales, and one whale with what looks like older propeller scars along the dorsal hump area. One of the underweight whales changed directions in the surf line several times, exhaling underwater making bubble blast rings that dissipate on the surface to form white foamy ridge circular areas with flat water in the middle.

Cumulus clouds form as warmer air rises, then cools and water vapor or humidity in the air condenses to produce the billowy clouds. Areas in the clouds change in height and shape as the air temperatures change creating interesting shapes.

Wildflowers are in full bloom along the hills and local canyons! Lots of varieties hidden within the poppies and lupine this year, including wild cucumber, sage, salvia, fiddle necks and rusty popcorn to name just a few. Tall fields of wild oats, wheat and buckwheat are abundant too. At Point Dume Natural Preserve the coreopsis is well past peak bloom but there are still native sunflower and non native crown daisy blooms to be enjoyed.