Humpback Love at Lover's Point

Sean (BlondStallion),  his friend Dan and I launched from Lover's Point this morning at about 7:30.  Heavy overcast, moderate breeze, 4-5' swell and intermittant drizzle.  it quickly turned out to be a day for marine mammal watching. 

As soon as we launched, we were surrounded by a pod of porpoises.  They escorted us around the point and then handed us off to a curious sea lion, who spent a couple of minutes inspecting Sean and Dan and then dove, swimming directly under my boat at a depth of  3-4 feet.  He swam so fast, I was reminded of a torpedo.

We drifted/trolled for halibut for three hours or so, but the the catch (and release) consisted of a couple of rockfish and an octopus.

Toward the end of the day, we had drifted back near Lover's when I noticed a couple of whale watching boats nearby.  It quickly became obvious why they were there when the Humpback surfaced about 30 feet from us.  I couldn't help noticing, as his head broke water, that it (his head) was larger than  my kayak!  The boats were close enough that we could hear the guide's running commentary.  The were estimating length of the whale at 50 feet.  I was too surprised to get the shots I would have loved to have taken (the head and flukes, but I did manage this one:

That is absolutely magical. When you can smell their breath.

WOW. 

Amazing Randy!

Awesome shot--very nice.   

that's why I love monterey bay

Way to have the presence of mind to take a shot for us all to enjoy. Thanks.

Nice shot Randy.  sorry you didn't get a flatty.

We struck out today too, at Delmonte, and we didn't even get to see whales.

Saw a sea lion, though....does that count?

Allen

Cool. You all are so good at taking pics, I love to see them. good job.
Jack

That was a pretty sweet day.  No flatties, but the whale was a sweet treat.  My friend Dan was stoked to see all the sea life.

Randy, thanks again for being our guide for the day.  It was good seeing you agian.

And nice pic!  I just emailed it to Dan.

Later, Sean

Awesome.  I had a humpy pop up next to me and Pescadore last year off of Bragg.  We were in awe after we finished having our heart attacks.

We will be in Monterey for a few days near the end of the month.  I would love to see that again. I at least want to take my girls out some place that they can see an otter....they love those things!

Randy, that whale must have been close for it show up that well in the photo.  Very cool!

Otters are plentifil at Elkhorn Slough. Tons in Capitola too.

Very cool photo Randy! This is one of the many reasons why I like to paddle 

so cool