Spyhopping
...just one of the Gray Whale surface behaviors you can see from Hike Bike Kayak's Whale Watching Kayak tours. Spyhopping is when a whale treads water to view its surroundings. The Gray Whale will thrust itself vertically above the ocean's surface and use a steady motion of its pectoral fins to maintain an elevated position. This upright position is controlled and slow, and can last from just seconds to minutes at a time if the whale is sufficiently inquisitive about whatever (or whomever) it is viewing. This behavior also allows them to pinpoint known landmarks that help them stay on course. Whether it be a familiar lighthouse on a cliff, or recalled coastal boating docks, the Gray Whale will identify such places to navigate from Alaska to Baja and back, their twelve-thousand mile round trip migration. Here at Hike Bike Kayak, Spyhopping is our favorite Gray Whale behavior because of this very reason. If witnessing a spyhop on our Whale Watching Kayak Tour, you must note that the whale is just as interested as watching you, as you are in watching it!
"Alright, take the pic, take the pic...I've got people to watch and places to see"
A double spyhop just off our local coast!!
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