The first right whale spotted offshore this season was a cow with a calf near the Santee River delta, reinforcing evidence that South Carolina is part of the critical winter breeding grounds. The photo is courtesy of Sea to Shore Alliance, taken under NMFS permit #15488. The story is here: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121227/PC16/121229477/1005/right-whales-may-be-giving-birth-off-south-carolina.