Thick Arctic ice may be the reason for a precipitous drop in this spring's two-month gray whale count at Point Piedras Blancas. Only 115 gray whale calves were counted this year by scientists at Point Piedras Blancas, down dramatically from the 285 counted last year. It's the fourth-lowest count in the 14-year history of the cetacean census. The most gray whale calves ever counted at the point was 456 in 2004, just three years after the low of 87 in 2001. By counting calves swimming alongside their mothers, scientists said the health of the entire population can be assessed. Counts...