By: Stan B
| 0: Daybreak Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 1: Sunday May 20 Ver detalle |
| 2: 8:15 a.m. Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 3: 9 a.m. Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 4: 1 p.m. Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 5: 2:30 p.m. Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 6: 5:30 p.m. Monday May 21 Ver detalle |
| 7: Daybreak Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 8: 8 a.m. Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 9: 8:15 a.m. Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 10: 1 p.m. Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 11: 2 p.m. Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 12: 5 p.m. Tuesday May 22 Ver detalle |
| 13: Daybreak Wednesday May 23 Ver detalle |
| 14: 7 a.m. Wednesday May 23 Ver detalle |
| 15: 3 p.m. Wednesday May 23 Ver detalle |
| 16: Daybreak Thursday May 24 Ver detalle |
| 17: 8 a.m. Thursday May 24 Ver detalle |
| 18: 5 p.m. Thursday May 24 Ver detalle |
| 19: Daybreak Friday May 25 Ver detalle |
| 20: 9:15 a.m. Friday May 25 Ver detalle |
| 21: 1 p.m. Sunday May 27 Ver detalle |
| 22: 8 p.m. Sunday May 27 Ver detalle |
| 23: 8 a.m. Monday May 28 Ver detalle |
| 24: 9:15 a.m. Monday May 28 Ver detalle |
| 25: 2 p.m. Monday May 28 Ver detalle |
| 26: 6:45 a.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 27: 1p.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 28: 3 p.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 29: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 30: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 31: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday May 29 Ver detalle |
| 32: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday May 30 Ver detalle |
| 33: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday May 30 Ver detalle |
| 34: Daybreak Thursday May 31 Ver detalle |
Whales spotted by Coast Guard teams about 2 miles north of Rio Vista
At about 2 p.m., the whales end a 4-day stay in the Port of Sacramento when they start moving down the Sacramento Deepwater Ship Channel. Experts think the whales' move was triggered by the startup of engines on two nearby tugboats.
Traffic backs up on Highway 12 as liftbridge is held open while whales and several escort boats pass under.
The whales stop their downstream trip, reversing course to swim back past the Highway 12 bridge.
They're on the way north again. Spotters see the whales near the Ryer Island Ferry, heading north.
The northward journey continues. The whales are now about 3 miles north of Rio Vista on a course that could take them back to the Sacramento Deepwater Ship Channel. An attempt to block their northward voyage with boats failed when the whales simply swam under the boats.
The National Marine Fisheries Service tells a news briefing that the whales are about 2 miles north of the Rio Vista Bridge, or about where they started the day. Efforts to keep them moving southward will cease at nightfall.
The whales' whereabouts are unknown. Searchers are scanning the area near the Rio Vista Bridge.
The Coast Guard investigates reports that the whales have been seen north of the Rio Vista Bridge. No dice. The whales remain at large.
TV news helicopters spot the whales about 4 miles north of the Rio Vista Bridge. Rescue teams get ready to resume "herding" operation.
The whales are heading southward, accompanied by the sounds of metal pipes being banged to create unpleasant underwater noise. Their position is almost exactly what it was 24 hours earlier.
The whales are slowing a bit, but still heading in the right direction. They're just about a mile north of the Rio Vista Bridge.
Scientists hope to use a rising tide to help coax the whales beneath the Rio Vista Bridge this evening. For now, the animals remain just north of the bridge, and experts told reporters this afternoon they are growing concerned about the health of the whales. The animals' skin condition is deteriorating.
Experts are looking for the whales. Once they'find the animals, teams are planning to resume the noisemaking operation, hoping to herd the whales past the Rio Vista Bridge and on downstream.
Whales spotted 3 miles upstream from Rio Vista Bridge. Noisemaking operations to begin soon.
Once again, the whales turned back when nearing the Rio Vista Bridge. They had traveled almost four miles downstream today, but a tide change appeared to stop them. Scientists plan to try some different underwater sounds, hoping to find a combination that will chase the whales back to sea.
Experts plan yet another new approach today. They will use recorded sounds of feeding orcas, hoping to disturb the wayward whales enough to get them moving toward the ocean.
First spotting of the day. The whales are swimming downstream, about a mile north of the Rio Vista Bridge.
A National Marine Fisheries Service biologist admits scientists have lost track of the whales. They were last seen swimming upstream after crews abandoned their "noisemaking" tactics.
A new day, new tactics: scientists say they will deploy firehoses today. They acknowledge they don't know if a spray of water and a wall of bubbles will attract or repel the whales.
Whales are reported to be holding about 5 miles upstream from the Rio Vista Bridge.
They're on the move! The whales pick the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend to begin a downstream journey. Observers say the animals turned around 7 times in the first 45 minutes of their voyage, but eventually set a course for the open ocean.
At nightfall, the whales are sighted about 9 miles upstream of the Benicia Bridge. They've moved 17 miles in the last few hours.
Unconfirmed sightings place the whales near the Benicia Bridge. Experts say they're encouraged by the fact that the whales are now in saltier water, which is better for their health.
The whales are reported to be just downriver from the Benicia Bridge. Observers say they are pleased to see that the calf is very active, exhibiting what they call "typical calf behavior".
The whales have backtracked a bit. After passing beneath the Benicia Bridge this morning, they're now in a holding pattern about a mile upstream from the bridge.
Westward ho! The whales are spotted near Port Coasta, heading for the Carquinez Bridge. They're swimming against an incomg tide.
The whales are swimming fast as they head out farther into San Pablo Bay
The whales have been swimming at between 3 and 4 knots. They're now near Point Molate, a few miles north of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
They've blown past the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and are now about 10 miles from the Golden Gate.
The whales are now in a holding pattern south of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The water here is saltier and colder than anything the whales have seen in the last few days.
Whales seen off Tiburon's Paradise Cay near nightfall.
Officials admit they can't find the whales this morning. Numerous unconfirmed sightings have been tracked down and none panned out.
Plenty of people are watching--but no sign of the whales. Experts hope this means they've made it back to sea. Since earlier attempts to "tag" the mother whale with a location-transmitting device failed, no one can say for certain where the whales are at this hour.
No sightings in 36 hours. Experts are assuming the whales have made it back to sea. Farewell, and good luck!