December 7, 2012: Allen Vinson had his camera at the ready and was rewarded with this Gray Whale spy hopping. It was seen just south of Gualala, off The Sea Ranch. Another Gray was seen spy hopping, this one on New Year's Eve day. Three generations of one family got to see this event. First the whale lifted its head out of the water quite close in. Then the whale disappeared only to spy hop a second time, this time further out. It disappeared again and reappeared even further out. One theory is this whale was listening to the wave break to make sure it was on the correct migration route. It then headed south. What a great sighting for that family!
—Jeanne Jackson

Courtesy of Allen Vinson