Islas Monserrate and Santa Catalina
Days like today remind me why Baja California is one of the greatest places on earth, and probably the greatest spot for marine mammals in the world. Shortly after breakfast, we spotted a gigantic blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived! We followed it for nearly an hour, trying to figure out its strange behavior. It traveled slow, then fast. The whale made a large circle, and then charged through the water faster than the Sea Bird could go.
In the distance, we spotted two more whales, lunging or breaching, making huge splashes. At first, we assumed they were humpbacks, but then realized they were more blue whales. Why was this happening? We really started scanning the horizon and spotted a pod of about 500 common dolphins. About one mile behind them was the cause of all the commotion: ORCAS! The dolphins quickly became alarmed and took off in escape mode. The orcas tore through the group of dolphins, and we witnessed some very scared dolphins. The sight of 500 leaping dolphins all fleeing the orcas is one not soon forgotten. We were totally overwhelmed with blue whales escaping in one direction, common dolphins in another, orcas in the midst, and a feeding frenzy of tuna and birds.
The blue whales continued charging away, and the orcas seemed to lose interest in them and gain interest in us. Two smaller individuals and a large male decided to check out the ship, coming in for a close view. With our bow camera deployed we were able to capture some amazing underwater video of the orcas bowriding and passing by as they investigated the ship. Repeatedly they surfaced within only a few feet of us, and it was difficult to tell if the orcas or humans were having more fun.
After more than an hour with the orcas, we decided to break off and head to our afternoon destination, Santa Catalina. Just before lunch, we spotted two more blue whales. Our great karma continued as these whales became very comfortable with us and even passed under the bow a few times. Repeatedly, they surfaced incredibly close and we were able to follow their hulking blue outlines as they traveled just below the surface. One even passed in front of the bow camera and gave us a view of its gigantic flukes, nearly sixteen feet across. Later, we joked how we need a wide angle lens on our new bow camera to get the entire bodies of the orcas and blue whale. They were too close! All of this on our first day of this voyage amongst the great whales. I cannot wait for sunrise tomorrow!
Days like today remind me why Baja California is one of the greatest places on earth, and probably the greatest spot for marine mammals in the world. Shortly after breakfast, we spotted a gigantic blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived! We followed it for nearly an hour, trying to figure out its strange behavior. It traveled slow, then fast. The whale made a large circle, and then charged through the water faster than the Sea Bird could go.
In the distance, we spotted two more whales, lunging or breaching, making huge splashes. At first, we assumed they were humpbacks, but then realized they were more blue whales. Why was this happening? We really started scanning the horizon and spotted a pod of about 500 common dolphins. About one mile behind them was the cause of all the commotion: ORCAS! The dolphins quickly became alarmed and took off in escape mode. The orcas tore through the group of dolphins, and we witnessed some very scared dolphins. The sight of 500 leaping dolphins all fleeing the orcas is one not soon forgotten. We were totally overwhelmed with blue whales escaping in one direction, common dolphins in another, orcas in the midst, and a feeding frenzy of tuna and birds.
The blue whales continued charging away, and the orcas seemed to lose interest in them and gain interest in us. Two smaller individuals and a large male decided to check out the ship, coming in for a close view. With our bow camera deployed we were able to capture some amazing underwater video of the orcas bowriding and passing by as they investigated the ship. Repeatedly they surfaced within only a few feet of us, and it was difficult to tell if the orcas or humans were having more fun.
After more than an hour with the orcas, we decided to break off and head to our afternoon destination, Santa Catalina. Just before lunch, we spotted two more blue whales. Our great karma continued as these whales became very comfortable with us and even passed under the bow a few times. Repeatedly, they surfaced incredibly close and we were able to follow their hulking blue outlines as they traveled just below the surface. One even passed in front of the bow camera and gave us a view of its gigantic flukes, nearly sixteen feet across. Later, we joked how we need a wide angle lens on our new bow camera to get the entire bodies of the orcas and blue whale. They were too close! All of this on our first day of this voyage amongst the great whales. I cannot wait for sunrise tomorrow!
