Anchovy buffet at Moss Landing!

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How do I describe the smell of whale breath? 

Sort of heavy and compost-y.  A bit fishy.  

Sort of like a big post-anchovy-feast burp (although scientists will tell you that whales' respiratory and digestive systems are not connected, so their breath has nothing to do with their diet) 

How would I know this?

I showed up -- along with the Fall run of anchovies and the accompanying mass of marine mammal feeders--  at Moss Landing on the northern CA coast one week this September.   This is what I saw: 

WHY'RE SO MANY MARINE ANIMALS AT MOSS LANDING?

Moss Landing enjoys a queer underwater topographical feature that resembles the Grand Canyon -- some 2 miles deep, running perpendicular to the shoreline, for more than a mile offshore!

Marine mammals find this deep water appealing, and the migrating anchovy mass irresistible.       At Moss Landing,  a slick of sea lions, 200+ strong, accompanied by more than a dozen diving humpback whales, kept our boat entranced for hours!  Check out how close they were!

WHAT'S THE BEST BOAT AT MOSS LANDING?
The Sanctuary -- no question!
This whale watch outfit operates solely on biodiesel, a more expensive but far cleaner marine fuel that supports the protected waters of Moss Landing.
They are a small boat, so it's easy to find a spot at the rail.

With 3 marine naturalists and only about 30 guests on board, I surely got a great bargain at 50 bucks for 5 hours with the whales!

WHAT MONTH AT MOSS LANDING IS BEST FOR WHALE WATCHING?
ALL months!
In Spring, baby gray whales migrate north with their mothers along the coast of Moss Landing, and orcas can often be seen hunting them.
In Summertime,  krill -- that microscopic plant growth, blooms in the bay around Moss Landing, attracting large baleen feeders like humpbacks and blue whales.
Fall brings typically calmer seas and the anchovy run, like I filmed above.
And Winter is a parade of gray whales past Moss Landing-- although they're stealthy bottom-feeders and our naturalist said they were consequently hard to get a good "visit" with.

WHAT  ANIMALS MIGHT YOU SEE OFF MOSS LANDING BESIDES WHALES?
The Californian sea otter -- that playful marine mammal with hands that can unscrew the drain on aquarium tanks! -- has the lushest fur of ANY mammal on earth!   Moss Landing is a protected marine site and so enjoys the privilege of hosting newly rehabbed otters from the Monterey Aquarium.

Sea lions pile on the docks, and spotted seals leap through the water.

And birds!   The albatross comes all the way from Hawaii to feed;  pelicans and murres can be seen year round.  And the Shearwaters, straight from Hitchcock's The Birds?   They're out there, too.

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