Memorial Day Weekend… What can I say? Whales, whales, and plenty more whales of the Humpback variety have invaded Monterey Bay, decimating the anchovy populations left and right with consistent surface feedings, and celebrating with abundant beaches, tail throws and pectoral fin slapping. Trips have been seeing anywhere from five to fifteen humpbacks per trip, with ship-to-ship radio communications indicating plenty more inside the bay. Risso’s dolphin have also upheld their supremacy, as California Market Squid continue to spawn in the bay. Not a trip has gone by – the last few days – that hasn’t seen at least 100 Risso’s dolphin. Casper, the world’s only known albino Risso’s Dolphin has been seen nearly every trip as well, offering passengers a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the rare, celebrity animal. Weather forecast shows the wind backing off the next few days, making for more agreeable sea stage conditions and an opportune time to come hang out with all of these wild, wild animals. Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
–Naturalist Zay
