Latest news with #MontereyBayWhaleWatch
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Largest animal on the planet spotted with her baby off CA coast. See rare moment
The largest animal on Earth and her baby were spotted off the coast of California and boaters are calling the moment 'magical.' On July 18, boaters got the chance to spot a blue whale with one of her babies, according to a Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The 'inspiring' moment along with the 'beautiful, flat water' left boaters in awe, the group said. The group even got the chance to witness a blue whale show off its tail, passengers said. Onlookers said this moment served as a reminder for people 'to do everything' they can to 'protect the oceans and its inhabitants' as there are only 10,000 blue whales left in the world, the group said. Blue whales can weigh up to 330,000 pounds and grow to 110 feet long, making their length about the same as the height of a 10-story building, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They can live up to 90 years, though there was one that famously lived to be 110 years old, according to the nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Facebook users rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on the 'wonderful experience' with one person saying, 'Best thing we've ever done. I almost cried when that first one breached right in front of us!' 'What fantastic pics!' another wrote. 'These are terrific!! How great to see all those wonderful animals!!' someone said. Monterey is about a 120-mile drive south from San Francisco.
Miami Herald
18-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Tiny sea creatures seen ‘leaping in sync' with their mamas off the coast of CA
Boaters were able to spot 'tiny, energetic' baby sea creatures off the coast of California. Witnesses in Dana Point spotted baby 'dolphins everywhere' during their July 17 boat ride, according to a Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The 'adorable babies' left passengers 'delighted,' the group said. The little babies were seen in photos zipping through the air alongside their mamas. Dolphins are born weighing around 20 pounds after 10 or 11 months of gestation, measuring about 2-feet long, the group said. Facebook users ran to the comments to share their thoughts on the photos, with one person saying, 'How beautiful.' 'Magnificent Shots of baby and mommy dolphins!!' another wrote. 'Adorable Pictures,' someone said. Dana Point is about a 70-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Massive sea creature makes eye contact with boaters off California. See it stare
A massive sea creature spotted off the coast of California really kept its eye on boaters. Boaters got the chance to see an 'absolutely incredible once in a lifetime encounter' with a humpback whale, according to a July 17 Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The 'friendly' humpback 'rolled over on their side' and made direct eye contact with the onlookers, the group said. But the 'outstanding day' on July 16 didn't stop there – the whale even showed off some 'fun behaviors' like breaching and displaying its tail, the group said. Humpbacks usually display this behavior as a means of communicating with other whales as the sound of them slapping their bodies against the water can be 'heard for miles' underwater, according to The Marine Mammal Center. Later, the group was able to spot a 'big beautiful cetacean' – a blue whale, the group said. Along with the bright-eyed humpback and blue whale, the group was able to see a combined 60 other humpback whales and 45 Risso's dolphins throughout the day. Monterey is about a 120-mile drive south from San Francisco.
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Massive baby sea creature and mom put on show off CA coast. See ‘rare occurrence'
A massive sea creature was spotted off the coast of California with her baby in a moment deemed a 'thrill' for boaters. The boaters got the chance on July 14 to witness a show – a baby humpback whale and her mama breaching, according to a Facebook post by Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The 'double breach' is a 'rare occurrence' that made for a memorable moment, boaters said. Humpbacks usually display this behavior as a means of communicating with other whales as the sound of them slapping their bodies against the water can be 'heard for miles' underwater, according to The Marine Mammal Center. 'Humpback whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 10 years,' according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Calves stay close to their mom for up to a year before weaning, with the mother being 'protective' and 'swimming closely and often touching them with their flippers,' according to the NOAA. Boaters also witnessed some 'fun behaviors' from another calf, even getting the chance to spot some 'tail lobbing,' the group said. Throughout the day groups got to see 112 humpback whales, 20 Risso's dolphins and two harbor porpoises, the group said. Facebook users rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on the pictures, with one person saying, 'Spectacular!!!!' 'FANTASTIC PHOTOS!!,' another wrote. Monterey is about a 120-mile drive south from San Francisco.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Show-stopping sea creature stuns off California coast. See the ‘entertainer'
A show-stopping sea creature dazzled boaters off the coast of California, leaving onlookers 'blown away.' On July 4, boaters got the chance to see the 'well known' humpback whale named Fallon, according to a Facebook post by Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The 'handsome' Fallon, known for being an 'entertainer,' put on a show for boaters with numerous pec slaps and tail lobs before getting up close and personal with the boat, the group said. Humpbacks usually display this behavior as a means of communicating with other whales as the sound of them slapping their bodies against the water can be 'heard for miles,' according to The Marine Mammal Center. Throughout the day, groups saw 102 humpback whales, and 240 Risso's dolphins, Monterey Bay Whale Watch said. Although Fallon was the main event, onlookers even got a chance to spot a sea otter 'munching on an octopus.' Users rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on the sightings with one person saying, 'Great photos!' 'Loving looking at these photos!,' another wrote. Monterey is about a 110-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.
