Gray whale

Description:

Approximately 200 gray whales have chosen to reside on the Oregon coast, largely forgoing the second leg of the annual migration that takes them to Baja in the Winter and the Arctic in the summer, making it possible to see gray whales in certain locations 10-11 months out of the year. One of the longest standing groups lives off Port Orford. Viewers are treated to sights of spouting, tails and the rugged back near the blowhole coming out of the water and very rarely spy hopping or breaching.

Notes:

Viewing is best in the evening before dusk, as the whales come into the small cove adjacent to the fishing pier. During the day they range up and down the coast, largely staying within the confines of the "bay" I saw, but wasn't able to catch one of the whales spy hopping