Great Looks at Active Juvenile Humpback Whales, But Waiting to See our Winter Grays

PHOTO COPYRIGHT Lisa-Marie Pohl, December 2019

January 2020

Young humpback whales are scattered in small groups throughout Monterey Bay. Fun times to see these juvenile humpbacks display behaviors at the surface: diving and fluke displays, head slaps, surface feeding, breaching! 

Most of the adult humpbacks have begun their migration south, but there is a growing number of juvenile humpbacks that appear to be wintering here! Today we observed at least 5 humpbacks, scattered throughout the Monterey Bay, most of them not full size, but actively feeding. We were lucky to see several surface lunges today. Still waiting for the first gray whale sightings! But the humpbacks keep stealing the show.

On Sunday we got to watch 3-4 juvenile humpback whales, lots of activity. Plus, the sea lions, otters in the kelp, and a little bit of surfing as we motor in to the Santa Cruz Harbor. Still keeping an eye out for our Winter gray whales to come through the Monterey Bay. Great wildlife viewing to start the New Year!