OK, I know someone asked about watching whales in the middle of March and I read that the whales left the lagoons later last year than before. So the
question is,
What is the latest in the year anyone has been able to successfully go whale watching?
We have always gone in Jan or Feb. but have a friend who wants to go out later.
Thanks
Dianefishbuck - 2-17-2009 at 02:13 PM
Shouldn't you know this already? You live in whale land.elgatoloco - 2-17-2009 at 02:21 PM
March 21st
DianaT - 2-17-2009 at 02:30 PM
Thanks elgatoloco---was that Ojo de Liebre or San Ignacio? I think I have heard they stay in one lagoon later than the other.
Anyone any later?
Dianeelgatoloco - 2-17-2009 at 02:53 PM
San Ignacio. On that trip they were reporting 109 mother/calf pairs and only about 20 bulls. We drove out from town on our own first thing and ended
up at Kuyima. We got out there early before all the van loads of folks from town and ended up in a panga with two other people. We were out amongst
the whales and just as the panguero told us it was time to head back in a mother approached the boat with baby in tow. It was a great experience.Bajahowodd - 2-17-2009 at 03:05 PM
Don't know if crazy cat was there last March, but we were there one week prior to 21st, and it's almost like they have a script. Got out to the lagoon
and got into a panga with one other couple (from Austria). Floated around for well over an hour, with minimal sighting of whales in the distance.
Then, all of a sudden, up comes a mama and calf, and we spent the next 20-30 minute in joyful interaction. Everything that I've read says that the
whales are behind their historic schedule. Most likely climate change, water temp and food availability.BajaNomad - 2-17-2009 at 03:24 PM
When we were down visiting Catalina & Maldo Fischer at Laguna San Ignacio at the end of December, this topic came up - and Maldo was encouraging a
visit even through mid-April.
Said that some will have left by then, but there were still enough to enjoy a trip on the Lagoon, that the weather was warmer, winds more calm, and
fewer tourists. Said he thought that was the very best time to plan a visit.
YMMV.
-
Doug
[Edited on 2-17-2009 by BajaNomad]shari - 2-17-2009 at 03:44 PM
Yes, gray whales stay in San Ignacio lagoon longer as they arrive a month later there as well...most of the "residents" who calved in Ojo de Liebre
have vacated by mid march but some passing whales can still be seen in late march there at least at the mouth of the lagoon but it's OK in San Ignacio
even into early april...DIanne you are missing the show for sure..every day there is a parade by here where they pass between the island and the point
here and breach right outside the rock in front of our house...spectacular!!bajabound2005 - 2-17-2009 at 03:47 PM
Gray whales' migrating a week later than in past
By Mercury News
Posted: 02/16/2009 01:37:06 PM PST
Updated: 02/17/2009 07:02:17 AM PST
Out in the deep waters of Monterey Bay, gray whales will be swimming home later this month after a brief winter vacation in Baja California.
Wayne Perryman, a researcher at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, said scientists at the center have observed the whales for more
than 20 years as they pass through Monterey Bay. Compared with two decades ago, Perryman said, the animals are reaching the bay a week later.
"This isn't trivial," Perryman said. "It's a significant change."
Before leaving their arctic homes, the animals gorge on tiny crustaceans that live along the bottom of the ocean floor. Most gray whales won't eat
during their swim south or when they finally reach Baja, so they must develop thick layers of blubber to help sustain them as they fast.
As warmer waters melt the oceans' ice, other animals move into the whales' habitat and start feeding on the crustaceans. Crowded out by the new
competition, the gray whales have to travel farther north and feed longer to get their fill. These changes have disrupted the timing of the whales'
yearly migration.
Jim Harvey, a professor of ecology at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, worries that as the arctic ice continues to thin, the gray whales' food
supply will start dwindling. But marine scientists don't know how the changes to the whales' schedule will affect the animals over time.Russ - 2-17-2009 at 03:51 PM
Just talked to a friend that spoke with a scientist type who was headed to SI lagoon to study/observe the whales this year. She is a researcher from
Alaska and they are very concerned about the health of the Grey Whales because they are not feeding in their historical wintering areas. I've been
hearing this over the last several years. They have migrated further west than before. anyway I'm wondering if they'll stay longer on our West coast.
My friends like to go later, in April, because the males have mostly left the lagoons and the mothers and calves are more friendly. At least that's
their take on it.DianaT - 2-17-2009 at 03:55 PM
Thanks for all the answers, and yes Shari, we wish we were there to see the parade now! John still loves the whale that wished him a happy birthday
last year by doing a full breach right in front of our house last year.
We like both lagoons for different reasons and have always gone out before March, but this is great information for our friend.
Diane
[Edited on 2-17-2009 by jdtrotter]
moms & babes early April
Mulegena - 2-17-2009 at 04:59 PM
San Ignacio Lagoon, first week of April two years ago, several mothers and calves still in residence, very few tour boats in the water, very calm
mother whales and curious babies, wonderful whale-human interaction.
Some good news & not so good
Russ - 4-26-2009 at 12:49 PM
Just read this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8017291.stm article about the gray whale. The bad news is that BP, Exxon and Rosneft, were still
planning to carry out seismic work in 2009. I know my latest posts make me appear to be a "raving greenie". I'm not. Just like to see some thing that
appears like we are turning away from the destruction of our ocean resources. When fish is more expensive than beef some thing is out of kilter.Cypress - 4-26-2009 at 01:23 PM
Russ, Hang tuff! Appreciate your on-the-spot information. Raving greenie? No, you're just a fellow fisherman that understands what's happening in the
Sea of Cortez. This battle was fought 25 yrs. ago in the northern Gulf of Mexico and the gill-netters are gone. The fish are back.BajaDanD - 4-26-2009 at 08:31 PM
wait a minute
That artical said there were only 130 grey whales left and 35 were females
Are they talking about some other kind of Grey Whale then the Calif. Grey WhaleBajahowodd - 4-26-2009 at 11:10 PM
Confusing at best. It talks about allowing them to breed. I thought they did that way down South. Guess you can't believe everything you read.mtgoat666 - 4-27-2009 at 05:50 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaDanD
wait a minute
That artical said there were only 130 grey whales left and 35 were females
Are they talking about some other kind of Grey Whale then the Calif. Grey Whale
you should have read the article. turn off your TV, and concentrate shari - 4-27-2009 at 04:41 PM
this is another gray whale population...the ones along the west coast of north america are called California Gray Whales and are doing very well.
There used to be an eastern stock which are believed to be extinct and a Japanese population with very few animals left and in great danger of
extinction. Gray whales feed in shallow water so the noise issue could certainly affect feeding behavior and habitat.Bajahowodd - 4-27-2009 at 05:21 PM
Thanks for the clarification. Just knew that between Liebre, Ignacio, Magdelana, 130 whales would make it really thin.wilderone - 4-28-2009 at 09:45 AM
What is the latest you can whale watch? Not sure about the actual date that the salt works closes the gate to whale watching at Scammons, but it's my
understanding that at some point you're not allowed access through their property.
I know too that studies done several years ago, confirmed that whales go from one lagoon to another during their stay in Baja CA. I think it would
be safe to assume that the whales in Mag Bay, being further south, might drop in at San Ignacio on their return trip (?) allowing some whales to
straggle and be seen there.shari - 4-28-2009 at 11:09 AM
I believe the closing date was April 15th in Ojo de Liebre...
The fish are back.