5/29/22 “The Frenzy”
Two and a half days of immaculate seas and incredible whales has been a cherished respite in the midst of the constant barrage of NW winds these past few months, and as they say, “All Good Things…” Discovery sent out two boats this morning, making haste as impending wind loomed on the horizon. Barely three miles northwest of Monterey Harbor, Captain Danny spotted it: the frenzy. Somewhere between 15 and 20 humpback whales led the charge as some 500 hundred sea lions swarmed their position under the cover of birds by many hundreds more. This way and that, the whale zigged, zagged, and circle the wagons as anchovies by the thousands met their end. No one even seemed to noticed the DOZENS of other whales around us, spread far and wide. Truly, some 50 whales could be seen within 2 miles of our position (typical visual range). It was there we made our stand, for a great time, as white caps and wind and waves gradually began to grow, and just as the bellies of our guests began to turn a few heads towards longing looks home, we waved goodbye to these magnificent beasts and – as they say – got the heck outta there with heaps of photos and memories of whale stink by breath, and the sounds of their powerful blows amongs the cacophany of barking sea lions, squaking gulls, the splashing, the wind… I miss it already. One and done. No afternoon nor evening. See ya next week!
-Naturalist Isaiah
