Endangered Species Highlight: Blue Whale*These magnificent marine mammals rule our oceans! They are among earth’s longest-lived animals, with a lifespan of over 80 years. This longevity, however, does make their population slower to recover after its decline during commercial whaling in the early 1900s. Blue whales have been a protected species since 1966 and listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1973. With the protection from commercial whaling and conservation efforts focused on their recovery, there is hope that these gentle giants will continue to roam our oceans for many years to come. Southern California is one of the few places in the world where you can see these endangered, gentle giants. We are fortunate to see blue whales in Newport Beach beginning in May and extending through the summer.********#newportbeach #whalewatching #whales #bluewhales #planetearth #dronephotography #dronestagram #dronenature #roamtheplanet #wildlifephotography #natureaddict #cetacean #conservation

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This week we will be highlighting endangered marine mammal species! Orca or Killer Whale are the largest member of the dolphin family. They are also widespread, found in every ocean in the world.Although all Killer Whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, not all populations of Killer Whales are listed as endangered.Southern Resident Killer Whales (a population that resides in Washington State) are the only endangered Orca in the United States, with numbers estimated to be at only 72 individuals. There are ongoing conservation efforts to help save this population, to learn more check out @orcaconservancy …#newportbeach #newportcoast #southerncalifornia #killerwhale #orca #pacificocean #endangeredspecies #underwaterphotography #gopro #whalewatching #whale #dolphin #gooutsideandexplore #stayandwander #oceanlife #wildcalifornia #roamtheplanet

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Anyone else feeling the same as this California Sea Lion? Male Sea lions can easily reach over 800lbs when their fully grown. Males also begin to develop a huge bump on their forehead as they grow. We call this bump a ‘sagittal crest’ which makes it pretty easy to pick out males from females. …#whalewatching #marine mammals #pinnipeds #sealions #newportbeach #newportcoast #newportharbor #oceanminded_arts #wildcalifornia #ourlonelyplanet #stayandwander #roamtheplanet #quarentine

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Giant Kelp can grow up to 2ft a day and it can stretch to be over 100ft high, no matter what depth it’s growing at! It’s also considered to be an algae and not a plant. This playful Humpback Whale is doing a behavior called ‘kelping.’ Whales seem to enjoy the feeling of the kelp as they swim through the water.In California we are so fortunate to have this beautiful algae along our coast that provides a rich and unique habitat for a host of marine life….@visitnewportbeach @balboaislandca @newportbeach #discoverocean #whalewatching #oceanminded_arts #visualsofearth #discovererdrone #dronewhales #wildcalifornia #humpbackwhale #newportbeach #earthcapture #whales #stayandwander #rometheplanet #ourlonelyplanet

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Calling all bird nerds! Many of our seabirds including cormorants (pictured here) and pelicans are starting to get their breeding plumage! We are in our last few months where you can see surf scoters, grebes, and loons before they head back north to their summer ranges. Spring is a perfect time to come photograph Southern California’s beautiful seabirds. Photo by deckhand Kristin**********#audubonsociety #bird #birdnerd #seabirds #wildlifephotography #canonphotography #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdlovers #birdwatching

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