Watching Whales

"Thar she blows!"

We went on a whale watching cruise.  We hopped on a boat and went out to see.  Don't call me Ishmael.

 

It was a lovely day for a boat ride.

It is great to see the whales blow their stacks.
We were upwind, so we did not get the pleasure of smelling whale breath.

These guys are nuts.
Standing up on the rolling sea
to see gray whales 4x the size of one's boat
just doesn't seem like a good idea.

Three whales in tight formation.
We were told they're on their way from Baja
to the Bering Strait.

The flotilla chases the whales.

I'm holding the camera parallel with the deck of the boat.
It was rockin' with the 7-foot swell.
A few got seasick.  People, not whales.

Here is my shot of one of the whales breaching.
He leapt half-way out of the water.
Impressive sight, and to think I caught the split second with my camera!
What a treat.

The white spots are barnacles along for the ride.
I think there could be a business in barnacle removal services,
if I can only figure out how to receive payment.
Maybe that's what Bitcoin is for.

Though not a whale, this sea lion provided entertainment,
swimming around and under the boat.

The tail, or "fluke."

Waving good-bye.

Looking past Point Loma and across the bay to San Diego.

 

It's a beautiful day!

The first hour was nice, but as the sun got lower in the sky, the thrill faded.  Thankfully, there was entertainment on the way back in. 

The lighthouse on the point.
Why isn't every square inch covered with houses?
This land is owned by the government.

A large fishing party.

More whale watchers.

This is a US Navy black whale.
It must be mating season, since we saw another in the distance,
waiting outside the harbor.

What's this all wrapped up?

Shrouded from view, it's the tail of a Navy Black Whale in dry dock.

This is one of 3 US Navy surface whales in the harbor.
This one is retired and serves as a museum.

Whale of a nice sculpture, don't you think?

The whale watching all done,
we watched the sun set from the other side of Point Loma.

Under the Redwoods

Muir Woods is one of the world's great places.  The redwoods nestle into a steep damp valley, shielded from the worst of the weather off the Pacific.  The place is quietly majestic.  Even without the additions of the Visitor's Center and engineered paths, anyone with any connection to nature would know immediately that this is a special spot.

It is amazing that such a place can exist 16 miles from the San Francisco Civic Center.

Tony rejoices at not being the oldest.
This tree's brothers have him beat by 1000 years.

Dave is not intimidated
by those of slightly greater height.

Massive trunks tower above.

Not all are destined for the straight and narrow.

High above, and entirely different ecosystem is supported by the massive conifers.

The needles littering the forest floor have fallen from the length of a football field above.
You can decide if if was World or American football.

Do you see people?

Walking the paths provides a sense of peace.

Ferns also prosper in the foggy valley.

Do not visit if you have neck vertebrae problems,
or visit with good friends who will push your gurney.

Thick bark protects the trees from fire.
Sometimes the center of a tree will burn out,
but the living shell remains.

Shards of a once-towering tree.

Ferns line the creek.

Since it was nearly dark when we arrived, it was difficult to appreciate
the aquamarine color of Redwood Creek.
I'd like to be there when the Coho Salmon are spawning.  

It must be exciting to hear and see a redwood fall,
especially if it is in your direction.

As daylight waned, we lost our light on the forest floor.

The gang posed inside a tree.
Tony brandishes his cellphone aloft to give my camera
something to focus upon in the dark.

On the twisting road out, we stopped briefly to admire
Venus following the sun below the horizon.

Then we headed back to the city by the bay...

...as complete darkness fell.

But we will long remember our walk...

...along the paths....

...among the giants, ...

...admiring from below, ...

...even though we are mere shadows 

in the forest of the redwoods.