Boca de la Soledad, Hull Canal and Sand Dollar Beach
There are no words to describe the feelings everyone had in response to what happened this morning during our gray whale watching time at Boca de la Soledad. The so called “life-changing” event of touching a whale occurred for most of us, but there was more than that. This event may change our lives back home in many ways, but here in the wilderness of Magdalena Bay and in the very heart of the gray whale nursery, we understood the message: they are not only beautiful and huge animals, but also beings that feel and enjoy as we do. We saw this in their eyes and in their behavior. The cows pushed the calves several times towards our Zodiacs, as if to encourage them to have an encounter with us. The calves, accordingly, were eager to be in touch with our hands to receive a delightful scratching of their heads, or a gentle petting of their tongues and palates, or a soft caress on the mouth edge. At the same time, they closed their eyes and enjoyed those demonstrations of respect, affection and care from us. Even the nightmare-looking whale lice jumped onto our arms. Such was the intimacy we established with these gentle giants, and the miracle of the gray whale protection.
Later on, we navigated southwards in the Hull canal and observed more whales and birds. In the afternoon we anchored and hiked on the beautiful gold-colored, moon-like dunes of the Island of Magdalena. Jackrabbits, plants, birds and lizards were seen in this magnificent ecosystem. A feeling of deep relaxation was the final bonus for an incredible voyage that took us from The Gulf of California to the legendary Magdalena Bay.
There are no words to describe the feelings everyone had in response to what happened this morning during our gray whale watching time at Boca de la Soledad. The so called “life-changing” event of touching a whale occurred for most of us, but there was more than that. This event may change our lives back home in many ways, but here in the wilderness of Magdalena Bay and in the very heart of the gray whale nursery, we understood the message: they are not only beautiful and huge animals, but also beings that feel and enjoy as we do. We saw this in their eyes and in their behavior. The cows pushed the calves several times towards our Zodiacs, as if to encourage them to have an encounter with us. The calves, accordingly, were eager to be in touch with our hands to receive a delightful scratching of their heads, or a gentle petting of their tongues and palates, or a soft caress on the mouth edge. At the same time, they closed their eyes and enjoyed those demonstrations of respect, affection and care from us. Even the nightmare-looking whale lice jumped onto our arms. Such was the intimacy we established with these gentle giants, and the miracle of the gray whale protection.
Later on, we navigated southwards in the Hull canal and observed more whales and birds. In the afternoon we anchored and hiked on the beautiful gold-colored, moon-like dunes of the Island of Magdalena. Jackrabbits, plants, birds and lizards were seen in this magnificent ecosystem. A feeling of deep relaxation was the final bonus for an incredible voyage that took us from The Gulf of California to the legendary Magdalena Bay.
