Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 20, 2009 at 2:25 AM
The Grey Whales are migrating south right now. So on a tip from a friend we took the family to Point Lobos to check them out. We saw at least 20 whales go by. Man that is cool to watch!!! I had never seen that many whales at one time before in the wild.
Unfortunately the longest lens I own is 200mm. So I couldn't do any close ups. But you can see their spray and tails in the images. I also liked how sunset backlit their spray which made it easier to spot them. It is much better to view these in larger images. Here is this one: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#458095297_6LKSf-A-LB
Derek, if you and your family saw at least 20 whales then there must have been many more over the migration period right now. The two in the BG with the spray in the air is as good as it gets from this vantage point here on shore. Thanks for sharing these recent sightings, especially with us inland folks.
Posted by Steve Sieren on January 20, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Very nice find Derek, I can't believe you got 2 at once. I drove by the Whale Watcher Cafe in Gorda yesterday and found everyone glued to the windows.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 20, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Thanks Steve,
There were times when I actually saw 3-4 spouting at one time. But I was trying to put something interesting in the foreground. So I waited until they got in front of the rocks with the sea lions and birds.
Another option I was thinking about is to go out in a sea kayak and shoot them from the water. It would be nice to see them closer up. There were some boats and jet skis going in for a closer look.
The ranger at Point Lobos said when they migrate back in early Spring they will have their young. And that Orcas will be migrating then as well. Anyway this is quite a sight for a novice viewer like myself.
Derek
Posted by Paul Dileanis on January 20, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Derek,
You can launch kayaks from whalers cove. Let me know if you want to go out in the spring. I have been wanting to go out during the migration for some time, but can never find anyone to join me. I think the prospect of just sitting and bobbing in a small boat for several hours does not appeal to many. Gotta watch the currents out there, too.
I will report later on Yosemite and the Glacier point hut. I have alot of work to catch up on today.
Paul
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 20, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Paul,
That actually sounds really fun! I spent most of my younger years in the water surfing and have been around sea life, currents, waves, etc... But I have never kayaked before. So I would be a total novice. However what better place or time to give it a go then when there is so much to see. I would also guess one needs to be somewhat cautious around these giants.
I was diving at Whaler's Cove on Tuesday last week (13th) and the dive team behind us (the surfaced 20 min after us) had a gray whale swim right up to them by the entrance to the cove, near the middle reef. It must of been amazing. If the visibility and surge conditions hold up I will return there on Friday :-)
Sweet! I've seen a few whales, but not nearly that many! Great job working with your limited focal length too, you pulled out a neat environmental comp.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 21, 2009 at 2:34 AM
Here is a shot in which I caught 4 whales spouting at once. I didn't include it above because the foreground isn't as interesting. But it helps visualize how cool it is watching large groups of 6-12 whales going by and spouting in alternate intervals: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4037468_kxbME#458820646_2sWiw-A-LB
Discussion
8 repliesUnfortunately the longest lens I own is 200mm. So I couldn't do any close ups. But you can see their spray and tails in the images. I also liked how sunset backlit their spray which made it easier to spot them. It is much better to view these in larger images. Here is this one: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#458095297_6LKSf-A-LB
Here is one with the tail kicking up:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#457539565_Cbsui-A-LB
Here is a shot that is directly into the sun:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#457839947_tdv2y-A-LB
Derek
There were times when I actually saw 3-4 spouting at one time. But I was trying to put something interesting in the foreground. So I waited until they got in front of the rocks with the sea lions and birds.
Another option I was thinking about is to go out in a sea kayak and shoot them from the water. It would be nice to see them closer up. There were some boats and jet skis going in for a closer look.
The ranger at Point Lobos said when they migrate back in early Spring they will have their young. And that Orcas will be migrating then as well. Anyway this is quite a sight for a novice viewer like myself.
Derek
You can launch kayaks from whalers cove. Let me know if you want to go out in the spring. I have been wanting to go out during the migration for some time, but can never find anyone to join me. I think the prospect of just sitting and bobbing in a small boat for several hours does not appeal to many. Gotta watch the currents out there, too.
I will report later on Yosemite and the Glacier point hut. I have alot of work to catch up on today.
Paul
That actually sounds really fun! I spent most of my younger years in the water surfing and have been around sea life, currents, waves, etc... But I have never kayaked before. So I would be a total novice. However what better place or time to give it a go then when there is so much to see. I would also guess one needs to be somewhat cautious around these giants.
Derek
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4037468_kxbME#458820646_2sWiw-A-LB
Derek