With a Red-tailed hawk scanning the terrain behind us, Counters were observing playtime in the kelp off Counter Point.

This was our last of four Gray whale Cow/calf pairs on the day that began, stunningly beautiful with towering white and pink (?) clouds. (We have no idea where the pink came from.) All four Northern Channel Islands were in view. Some were harder to see than others, but it provided a very dramatic backdrop.

Around 2 PM the winds started to churn up the water, and we were forced to call it a day before 3.

Gray whales northbound (all) 8 | Calves 4 — 2015 Count 1386 | 230

Hours 5:43