March 4

Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, Caroline and I are on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at Pt. Vincente scanning the ocean for whales. As volunteers for the Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, we spend four hours each week counting these magnificent marine mammals (stock photo) as they migrate up and down the California coast. From my perch on the deck, I gaze southwest at the rugged coastline, the open water and a barely-visible, Catalina Island on the horizon. Looking more closely, I notice a few Cormorants resting on a rock below. In dense vegetation next to the deck, I spot a few perching White-crowned Sparrows while overhead a flock of soaring Brown Pelicans catch my attention. Suddenly, one of the spotters yells, “blow” as we focus our binoculars on the open ocean. Soon, a couple of Gray whales surface and are photographed by a fellow observer with a high-powered, telephoto lens. During one of the lulls, I leave the deck and follow a path north along more of the rugged coastline before I pause to observe a perching California Towhee. Poison oak is one of the hazards of outdoor recreation in California. It lines trails and covers hillsides, seemingly lying in wait to inflict its itchy, weeping rash on the unwary. But it’s also an integral part of the landscape and part of the daily life of California Towhees. Many towhees build their nests in poison oak and feast on the plant’s copious crops of pale white berries. Along the way, I notice blossoms of Sea-lavender swaying in the breeze and a Bumble Bee feeding on blossoms of Milkvetch. Turning around, I observe the tiny blossoms of Cranesbill Geranium and the variable-colored blossoms of Garland Daisy. Back on the deck, Caroline & I are pleased to observe and count several more Gray whales, for a count total of 11, 10 northbound and 1 southbound. Unfortunately, the overall numbers for the season are following a dramatic downward trend. Flash back to 2016. At that time, about 27,000 gray whales swam along 5,000 miles of Pacific coastline. They spent their winters in the warm waters off Mexico raising their young and their summers up north in the Arctic, feeding on crustaceans and other bottom dwellers. Today, the population is around 15,000, continuing the rapid decline. Researchers blame most of this on climate change, especially in the Arctic, where Gray whales spend their summers bulking for the arduous journey. Warmer water means less sea-ice cover, nutrients and access to high quality food sources resulting in emaciated whales that die along the way.

 

Start of March

Noon of the day

Land meets sea

Nature’s array

Breaking waves

Rumble and roar

Pounding surf

Hammering shore

Silent seconds

Momentary lull

Concert continues

Shrieking gull

 

D. DeGraaf