One of our research assistants, Samara, is from Texas. She knows big. Today was BIG.

The morning gave us a big, beautiful sky and 8 southbound whales. At almost eleven, a big pulse of northbound Gray whales started about three plus miles outside: a big distance from us. We matched north and south with 8 each.

At one-thirty, with a wind building a northbounder appeared just past Holly. In spite of catching it late, we got good looks and added it to the Count.

At quarter-to-three another northbound pair blew through the chop.

And, going the other way a southbound trio countered and matched the pot with three.

Approaching the final bell, two more northbound whales blew alongside the late afternoon glare, while yet another southbound Gray whale headed the other way. We tracked that whale into overtime and to another Gray whale that qualified for the northbound Count board: 14 for the day headed to Alaska, plus a bunch going toward Mexico that will make the board on their return.

Big fun.

Gray whales northbound (all) 14 | Calves 0 — 2015 Count 056 | 000

Hours 8:07