Juvenile Gray Whale cruising behind the face of a wave. Torrance Beach, Los Angeles, California. Nikon D4 with Sigma 50-500mm APO OS HSM 1/1250 s, f/8.0 ISO 2000, Manual mode with Auto ISO with +.7 compensation, handheld. image copyright 2013 Robert OToole Photography
Winter time is my favorite time of the year in Southern California, its normal to see seals, dolphins and whales swimming right offshore. This time of the year its not unusual to see dolphins and seals riding waves, but on Friday I saw something amazing. A juvenile gray whale took a close up look at the waves at torrance beach and even tried to ride a couple believe it or not!
Now its not unusual as I mentioned to see them up close near shore, sometimes half a dozen or more, but they are on the move. This Whale was swimming right at the shore line trying to catch waves right at me. Unfortunately the waves were not big enough so it was forced to turn back under the waves since it was too shallow where the waves were breaking.
Gray Whale rolling up the face of a wave. Torrance Beach, Los Angeles, California. Nikon D4 with Sigma 50-500mm APO OS HSM 1/1250 s, f/8.0 ISO 2000, Manual mode with Auto ISO with +.7 compensation, handheld. image copyright 2013 Robert OToole Photography
At one point the whale met up with a small pod of dolphins and it was interesting that the dolphins at first stopped swimming and waited for the whale to approach. Then they reversed direction and swam with the way and continued down the beach at one point swimming right by a surfer. You can see the group waiting for the whale in the image below.
Something you dont see everyday, a surfer, dolphins and a gray whale spouting, Torrance Beach, Los Angeles, California. Nikon D4 with Sigma 50-500mm APO OS HSM 1/1250 s, f/8.0 ISO 2000, Manual mode with Auto ISO with +.7 compensation, handheld. image copyright 2013 Robert OToole Photography
What an experience to be able to watch the whale play around in the surf, it something I know I wont forget. Not only were the actions of the whale interesting to see but it was good to see the whale swimming strongly, rolling and swimming to catch waves and not at all distressed or dragging any man made objects.
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