Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is in the Grey Whales family (Eschrichtiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,010 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Grey Whale: observations by month (U.S.)
About Grey Whale
The gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), also known as the grey whale, gray back whale, Pacific gray whale, or California gray whale is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. It reaches a length of 14.9 meters (49 ft), a weight of 36 tonnes (40 short tons), and lives between 55 and 70 years. The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. Gray whales...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Grey Whale by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,910 | March | Jan–May |
| Oregon | 490 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Washington | 453 | April | Mar–Aug |
| Alaska | 157 | June | Apr–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Grey Whale?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from January to September.
Where is Grey Whale most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.