Gray Whales at the Salinas River

This week’s Walk the Bay group was surprised to see several gray whales playing in the shallow water at the mouth of the Salinas River today. We were able to see their flukes and watch them spout as if we were aboard a whale watching boat. I’m always telling our walkers to look for whales…I just never thought we’d see them so close to shore.

The whales were joined by frolicking dolphins and a multitude of sea birds. We were able to watch all of this for about 30 minutes before the whales continued their northward migration. Birds in the area included brown pelicans, double crested cormorants, surf scoters, whimbrels, and black bellied plovers.

This portion of the walk, from Moss Landing to the mouth of the Salinas River, is one of the most remote walks along the Monterey Bay. If you have a couple of hours and are in the area, you will not be disappointed if you head out to the Salinas River State Beach and take a walk south to the river mouth.