We started our journey yesterday in Magdalena Bay. It was lucky we had views of a cow and calf gray whale there before our morning hike. They were most likely the last pair remaining in the Magdalena Bay complex. Recent word was that there were 142 cows and calves in San Ignacio Lagoon, so we headed north yesterday afternoon and arrived here this morning.
San Ignacio Lagoon is well known for its friendly gray whales. This morning we rode Zodiacs around the breakers, which are caused by sandbars, and entered the lagoon. Soon we were surrounded by spouts of cows and calves. All of our Zodiac tours found friendly whales. It was here in the winter of 1975-1976 that Ray Gilmore with passengers in a panga first encountered a "friendly" whale. These individuals seek out boats and move in close enough to allow people to make contact with them. They don't mind being rubbed and stroked, in fact, they seem to enjoy it. It is truly a privilege to view such enormous animals at close range. This viewing distance allowed us to see cyamid amphipods, or whale lice, all gathered around and between barnacles. Their segmented bodies and claw-like legs help them hang onto cracks and depressions in the whale's skin. We were often showered by the spray from the blows. Droplets of nasal fluid covered our hair and faces. Some of us even had a chance to see some reddish whale poop. Now that's getting up close and personal.
The calf shown in this photo was probably born about 2 months ago. It will gain about 400 lbs./month and grow at about + inch/day. It will be weaned at 8 months after a spring migration of nearly 5,000 miles with its mother.
