The early part of our 2024 right whale season was characterized by frequent poor weather. The sightings by the Florida and Georgia state aerial survey teams suggested that the whales were generally to the north of us. The aerial surveys have reported a total of 13 mothers with calves. But not for us. There have only been a few public sightings of lone juveniles off Flagler Beach and south of Cape Canaveral.
Today, Tuesday, at noon, the phone rang. Paula Smith at Surf Club #2, reported a sighting, perhaps a mother-calf pair. Sara, Jim, and Lorraine soon spotted the whales from Linda Weigman’s condo in Surf Club 3. Mikhail Korhchemkin took photos from his upper balcony in Surf Club 1.
We were joined by Tom Green and Laura-Renée Allen as we shifted to the beach walkway in hopes of launching the drone. It was not to be. The rain increased. We retreated.
Since it appeared the whales were heading south, we next moved to Bay Drive Park. The rain had stopped. The conditions were workable. But, the whales did not appear. Then the rain returned. On this day, we were unable to launch the drone, and the whales went unidentified. As we called it a day, a magnificent rainbow appeared.
We are encouraged with the knowledge that, yes, there is a mother-calf pair in our area. In the coming days, please keep a sharp lookout. We would sure like a second chance at knowing who they are.
