Whale Watching
We were reminded by the local paper that the coastal activity of whale watching was in full swing. In the Spring they cruise up the coast to feast in the Bering Sea, from Baja California where they breed and give birth. The trip is about 14,000 miles, at a speed of approximately 8 MPH. A good description of these Gray Whales (named after a person) is HERE.
Yesterday was Saturday, and the prediction was for high 70s, even near the coast. So we set out for Bodega Bay. So did everyone else. Bodega Highway was crowded and where it intersects with Highway 1 there was a one mile backup. I have never seen more than two cars waiting at that intersection. Bumper to bumper through the town of Bodega Bay. We were all heading for Bodega Head, the piece of land that reaches out the furthest. It is a high bluff and the best place for whale watching.
Almost no parking in the lot, and cars were parked ½ mile on the road, both sides, which made it difficult for entrance and exit. I found a place when someone left. There were crowds with cameras and scopes. There had been five sightings so far, but so far out that all one could see was the spouts. It was windy and very cold so we left after a couple of hours. With my new 4G phone I was able to read DKos even there, which was impossible with 3G.
It was little hazy yesterday so my photos weren’t clear so I grabbed some from Photobucket. A few years ago several whales meandered close to shore. I got this photo with good luck; you never knew when and where they would surface.
This was at the beach below the Head. A much warmer day.
Even more contrast. Back home the lilacs are in blossom. IMHO there is no better perfume.
This is, as always, an open thread.
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with readers of Daily Kos who aren’t throwing pies at one another. Drop by and tell us about your weather, your garden, or what you cooked for supper. Newcomers may notice that many who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but we welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.