Spectacular whale sightings from shore, surprise encounters with bobcats in the Bay Area foothills and the return of the rarest bird to roam across Northern California have made the past 10 days among the best imaginable for people who love wildlife.
Conditions have been ideal. On the coast, clear skies, bright sunny days and gentle seas have allowed the whales to often roam in just beyond the surf line. In the foothills, a break in the weather has wildlife out hunting for food.
A photo gallery with candid wildlife shots that capture the phenomena of the past week was posted Sunday at sfgate.com/outdoors. Here's a sample of some of the encounters:
Whales
Point Arena pod: A half-dozen or so whales, including a mother with calves, have been providing an amazing close-up show in the shallows, just off the Point Arena Pier and Lighthouse. Other sightings in the area have been reported at the Sea Ranch, Gualala and Anchor Bay. The best came during a noon lunch break, when high school students were hanging out at the pier, and a whale came right up within close range, all captured in photos by longtime field scouts Jeanne Jackson and Deborah Heatherstone. In another episode, a whale swam right up to a surfer, who had the shock and sighting of his life
A surfer gets a show of his life when this whale came up alongside, at Point Arena in Mendocino CountyPhoto courtesy Deborah Heatherstone Photo: Deborah Heatherstone
A young gray whale was spotted at close range just off Point Arena Pier in Mendocino County. Other sightings were reported at the Sea Ranch, Gualala and Anchor Bay. Photo: Deborah Heatherstone
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