whale watching
Pacific grey whales were hunted to near extinction before the International Whaling Commision enacted a ban in 1946. During the killing years the whales were known as devil fish because of their fierce attacks on whaling boats. How strange then that these same animals, less than 30 years later, should choose to behave in a gentle and friendly manner toward their former predators. They trust us so much, that the mammoth animal will allow a stranger to touch their babies, something no other wild animal does.
There is only one explanation as to the whales behavior, according to Jose Angel Sanchez, marine biologist, and that is because they are as curious about us as we are them.
These are pictures from my trip!
January thru April is the traditional height of the whalewatching season. February is peak time. During this time, pacific grey whales mate and give birth in shallow coastal lagoons, such as San Ignacio Lagoon, mid-south Baja, Pacific side. This region has become known the world over for having the friendliest whales. In February the number of whales in this lagoon averages about 250. Mothers will nudge their babies toward boatload of tourists and allow them to stroke heads, tongues and baleen. Juvenile whales frolic around the boats, splashing people and rolling around in the water, like children.
Heres how it works. You drive down to San Ignacio. You will get on a tour bus that drives you to the mouth of the lagoon. At this point you embark on a panga and you will have to endure a pretty fast, bumpy, wet ride to the middle of the very large lagoon. If your prone to sea sickness, take something. This journey lasts about 30 minutes. Bring a raincoat. It can get cold during this time of year. You are now in the watch region. the boats will cruise around till whales are seen and slowly approach them. You will get lunch on the boat. The entire length of the trip from start to finish is all day and about 2-3 hours of touring the waters watching the whales. BRING CAMERAS.
This is an amazing, unforgetable experience. Even though i didnt get to touch one, (we had a ton of kids on our panga) it was awesome. I will never forget it.
Thats me below holding the camera with my whale raincoat on.
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