BajaNomad

Gray Whale Census for Laguna Ojo de Liebre & SAn Ignacio

shari - 1-17-2019 at 05:46 PM

The first Gray Whale census from CONANP IS IN!
According to the census, they counted 74 whales in Laguna Ojo de Liebre...21 mothers with their calves and 32 solitary whales.

In San Ignacio there are 5 whales. The migration seems to be a bit late this season but more whales are coming into the lagoons every day. Make your reservations now for Whale Magic Tours while we still have spots left!

Here is the first calf we saw this season we named Corazon for the little heart shaped birthmark it has!

fishbuck - 1-17-2019 at 05:57 PM

My heart goes out to him.

shari - 1-28-2019 at 06:22 PM

the whales are now entering Laguna Ojo de Liebre in numbers and the whale watching has gotten much better with lots of mothers and calves everywhere and mating trios engaged in courtship and mating.



The older calves are just starting to climb onto the moms back and approach the boats.





Yesterday an old whale friend of mine came to introduce me to her new calf...she is a really unique whale who loves to be upside down so we scratch her chin!







Our remote Whale Magic Tour whale camp is getting a new dining room with a deck out front this year...we had a fantastic fresh lobster lunch with chocolata clams an oyster appetizers after a long day of filming with a crew!










Fatboy - 1-29-2019 at 10:55 AM

As always, so cool!

Thanks for sharing.

fishbuck - 1-29-2019 at 11:34 AM

Thanks Shari.
I saw a solo gray on Sunday in front of Newport Beach. He/she was heading north already. Looked large by the heart shaped blow.
So forsure most southbound greys must be close to or in the lagoons now.
A few weeks for peak whale peeping in baja.
It's been steady whale sightings here for weeks now. And not just grays.
Blues, Humpies, Wrights, and a few others.
The ocean seems full of life right now...

Bajaboy - 1-29-2019 at 12:37 PM

Shari, how is the filming going?

shari - 1-29-2019 at 04:34 PM

I took a look at the whale census for the last few years to see what the numbers usually were in mid January. Here are some stats from Ojo de Liebre.

This season there were under 100 on Jan.12th so the count is waaaay down in the lagoon for this date...seems like they are just late but time will tell....lots of whales reported passing California coast these days.

Jan 18 2016- 809
Jan 19 2015- 1036
Jan 14 2014- 727
Jan 17 2013- 560
Jan 16 2012- 660

Zac...we had an epic 5 days on the lagoon and they got some really cool stuff! They lost one of the smaller drones to a seagull attack!

fishbuck - 1-29-2019 at 06:03 PM

A few southbounders today. Heading your way.

shari - 1-29-2019 at 06:54 PM

I heard from the census takers in Monterrey that there are a whack of whales passing now!

elgatoloco - 1-30-2019 at 11:44 AM

https://acs-la.org/volunteer/gray-whale-census-behavior-proj...

1/29

fishbuck - 1-31-2019 at 12:55 PM

Looking steady and on the rise.
Maybe a little late but on the way!
Warm water here too.
Lots of baby sea lions washing up and needing rescue.
Rescue center says warm water is pushing the bait deep and baby sea lions can't get em.
El Nino on the way too.
Fun times coming:coolup:

From Davie's Locker Newport Beach, CA

1/30/19 6 Gray Whales, 1200 Common Dolphin, 5 BottleNose Dolphins, 175 Whitesided Dolphins
1/29/19 12 Gray Whales, 2100 Common Dolphin
1/28/19 5 Gray Whales, 100 Common Dolphin, 165 Bottlenose Dolphin, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphin
1/27/19 19 Gray Whales, 1,025 Common Dolphin, 30 Bottlenose Dolphin
1/26/19 8 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 200 Common Dolphin, 73 Bottlenose Dolphin
1/25/19 4 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 475 Common Dolphin, 10 Bottlenose

[Edited on 1-31-2019 by fishbuck]

Bajaboy - 1-31-2019 at 12:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
I took a look at the whale census for the last few years to see what the numbers usually were in mid January. Here are some stats from Ojo de Liebre.

This season there were under 100 on Jan.12th so the count is waaaay down in the lagoon for this date...seems like they are just late but time will tell....lots of whales reported passing California coast these days.

Jan 18 2016- 809
Jan 19 2015- 1036
Jan 14 2014- 727
Jan 17 2013- 560
Jan 16 2012- 660

Zac...we had an epic 5 days on the lagoon and they got some really cool stuff! They lost one of the smaller drones to a seagull attack!


Can't wait to see it! You can tell me about the seagull attack next time we share a beer.