Magdalena Bay
As the sun exploded above the horizon, some of us set out for our final zodiac trips amongst the gray whales. While many watched from the Sea Bird, the early risers in the Zodiacs were treated to a spy hopping extravaganza. A number of whales repeatedly rose straight out of the water, with their entire heads sticking above the surface, much to the delight of the human audience. Also, many groups of adults were observed in possible mating groups. Two to four individuals traveled together, with much rolling over, chasing, and rapid direction change.
In the late morning, we pulled anchor and set sail south through the Hull canal. With the tide being at a spring high, many of the whales were way up in the nursery area of the canal. From the Sea Bird we had amazing views of mothers with their young calves, some still showing the natal folds signifying a very recent birth. We were continually fascinated by the interactions of the mothers and their calves. Many mothers were observed “logging” at the surface while the calf would dive underneath, probably in nursing behavior. These gray whales pairs will remain in this sheltered lagoon for about three months, the babies growing rapidly on the extremely fat-rich milk. Other calves were more playful, often seen crossing over their mom’s back and being lifted out of the water. At least 20 cow-calf pairs were observed, almost always in constant contact with each other. The bond that is developed here will continue on the migration north, until the calf is weaned, usually on the summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.
The day ended as we entered the Pacific Ocean, which today lived up to its name. As we headed south past the metamorphic Isla Margarita, we were surrounded by sea lions, more gray whales, a single humpback whale, and dolphins. Our first common dolphins of the trip were busy feeding, but many did come in for a quick bow ride. Enjoying the wave the ship pushes in front, the surfing dolphins were a spectacular end to the day.
As the sun exploded above the horizon, some of us set out for our final zodiac trips amongst the gray whales. While many watched from the Sea Bird, the early risers in the Zodiacs were treated to a spy hopping extravaganza. A number of whales repeatedly rose straight out of the water, with their entire heads sticking above the surface, much to the delight of the human audience. Also, many groups of adults were observed in possible mating groups. Two to four individuals traveled together, with much rolling over, chasing, and rapid direction change.
In the late morning, we pulled anchor and set sail south through the Hull canal. With the tide being at a spring high, many of the whales were way up in the nursery area of the canal. From the Sea Bird we had amazing views of mothers with their young calves, some still showing the natal folds signifying a very recent birth. We were continually fascinated by the interactions of the mothers and their calves. Many mothers were observed “logging” at the surface while the calf would dive underneath, probably in nursing behavior. These gray whales pairs will remain in this sheltered lagoon for about three months, the babies growing rapidly on the extremely fat-rich milk. Other calves were more playful, often seen crossing over their mom’s back and being lifted out of the water. At least 20 cow-calf pairs were observed, almost always in constant contact with each other. The bond that is developed here will continue on the migration north, until the calf is weaned, usually on the summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.
The day ended as we entered the Pacific Ocean, which today lived up to its name. As we headed south past the metamorphic Isla Margarita, we were surrounded by sea lions, more gray whales, a single humpback whale, and dolphins. Our first common dolphins of the trip were busy feeding, but many did come in for a quick bow ride. Enjoying the wave the ship pushes in front, the surfing dolphins were a spectacular end to the day.
