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This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 1st, 2014, 11:39 am
by JAMAUGHN
This summer's been unprecedented on the Monterey Bay. The mammals occur a bit further down in the post, but I wanted to add a little bit of what else I've been seeing, as well.

ImageEgg Yolk Jelly, Phacellophora camtschatica by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImagePurple-striped Jelly, Chrysaora colorata by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageLion's Mane Jellyfish, Cyanea capillata by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageOchre Sea Star, Pisaster ochraceus, and Gooseneck Barnacles, Pollicipes polymerus by J. Maughn, on Flickr

Dead, unfortunately, but still cool to see:
ImageSalmon Shark, Lamna ditropis by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageGiant Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola by J. Maughn, on Flickr

The cause of all the excitement:
ImageNorthern Anchovies, Engraulis mordax by J. Maughn, on Flickr


The Mammals:

ImageSouthern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, enjoying the company of a Pacific Rock Crab, Romaleon antennarium by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageSouthern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, enjoying the company of a Pacific Rock Crab, Romaleon antennarium by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageCalifornia Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHarbor Seal, Phoca vitulina by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageCommon Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageCommon Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus by J. Maughn, on Flickr


...and finally, the real stars of the summer:

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, Lunge Feeding by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr


...Did I mention all of these whale shots are FROM SHORE? If you have even a passing interest in Marine Mammals, and live within a couple hundred miles of Moss Landing, CA, you owe it to yourself to get out there before this goes away. It's a mind-boggling experience.

I'll hopefully be adding to this post as the summer progresses...


**edit** A few more shots, this time from a boat...

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageSouthern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr

ImageHumpback Whales, Megaptera novaeangliae by J. Maughn, on Flickr



Thanks for looking,
JimM

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 1st, 2014, 1:26 pm
by Curtis Hart
That's pretty impressive from shore! I really like the Salmon Shark as well, even if it is dead.




Curtis Hart

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 1st, 2014, 1:30 pm
by PNWHerper
This is incredible!! :shock: :beer:

I love the diversity and the behaviors you captured. Whales breaching! Sea otter eating crab! A wild sunfish... woah, man, this is a naturalists dream. Glad you had those experiences.

:thumb:

Thanks for the great photos.

Fil

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 6th, 2014, 5:57 am
by Berkeley Boone
Holy crap those are awesome! One day I would love to make it out to California to see that stuff!
Thanks for posting this!
--Berkeley

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 7th, 2014, 6:40 am
by BillMcGighan
from shore - wow
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 7th, 2014, 9:25 am
by JAMAUGHN
Thanks, all. I've added a few more.

JimM

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 7th, 2014, 6:00 pm
by Tamara D. McConnell
Utterly amazing. I love the drama of the whale shots. The "from shore" part makes it even more incredible.
Thanks for the vicarious trip to an evidently stunning part of the world.
I can't pick a favorite...the whole post is dreamlike beautiful.

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

Posted: August 31st, 2014, 11:04 am
by Fieldnotes
Simply incredible! Incredible opportunities to get some incredible pictures, which you did. A sunfish too, those things are awesome! :beer: