I spotted these whales near San Francisco’s Pier 39 – a popular attraction in the City by the Bay. It looks like there’s an adult Gray Whale and its little one on this mural in Embarcadero. And this whale mural on the Pier 39 Parking Garage seems to be a creation of Robert Wyland.
Wyland, I understand, is known for his marine murals. He is said to have created over a hundred whale murals as part of a project called Whaling Walls that went on from 1981-2008. Going by the 1994 on it, I believe the artist gave this large piece of art to the city of San Francisco in the year 1994.
According to Encircle Photos, this mural is the 60th one of the series. I also learned that what the whales are doing in this mural is ‘spy hopping.’ When they spy hop, whales (even dolphins) position themselves vertically and hold their heads out of he water for brief moments, often observing the world outside the water, maybe even for communication with their peers.
If you’d like to go see this mural for yourself when you’re in San Francisco or in the city’s Embarcadero area, you should be able to see it on the parking lot just across Pier 39. It is by the pedestrian bridge (Bay Walk?) that connects the pier to the multi-level Pier 39 Parking Garage.
And this isn’t the only marine art you will see in the area. You might also want to check out —
These marine creatures of the San Francisco Bay
… and these Painted Sea Lions of San Francisco
If you’d like to see more Whale murals in the San Francisco Bay Area, there’s the
Whale Mural near San Leandro Marina
The Whale Murals of Livermore
Linking to —
Monday Mural on Colourful World
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Come, Trip with us. 😉
This is stunning, Dee. It is really a unique and very large mural. I was intrigued by the spy hopping. It was certainly easy to find the artist’s name on this one.
Stunning it is. And ‘spy hopping’ is an interesting term. 🙂
This artist’s a popular muralist and I guess as it was part of a series, the name had to be there.
Don’t we love it when we can attribute these wonderful murals to their creators?! 🙂
Thank you for coming this way, Elizabeth.
Have a lovely week, ahead!
Wow, what a fabulous and gigantic mural. Very talented artist.
Thanks for participating in Monday Murals Dee
It is, and and he surely is talented.
Thank you so so much for hosting, Sami.
Have a great week!
Very cool mural! I love whales, and go out whale watching when I have a chance.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Such amazing creatures, aren’t they?
Whale watching is exciting. I’ve only done it a couple of times but they’re great memories!
Thank you so much, Mae.
Here’s wishing you a good week. 🙂
So soothing.
🙂
Welcome here, Susan.
I like your submission on MM, too. 🙂
I hope to see you here again.
A surprise bonus with a visit to this lovely place.
It’s an area we can visit over and over again, even with all those crowds, no?
There’s so much great art all over the city, right?
Thank you, M. 🙂
Have a fabulous week!
…I have seen a lot of Robert Wyland art on Maui. The mural is a wonderful one. Dee enjoy your week.
His murasl would be just right there, too. I’m guessing some of them were part of this series of whale murals.
It is wonderful.
Thank you, Tom, You too!! 🙂