Out of nowhere bottlenose dolphins slide in and ride our bow as we transit the inside waters of the Magdalena Bay lagoon system. The dolphins float through abstract reflections as we gaze down towards our anchor. We are touring through California gray whale calving habitat. Serendipitously natural wonders present themselves. White-browed cormorants struggle with silver fish. Coyotes forage along dunes and shorelines. Pelicans and herons nest in tangled mangrove islands. Kettles of frigate birds hang like mobiles on thermals in the sky.
Yet our excuse for this expedition is to observe the whales. We watch mother gray whales with newborn calves beside them tranquilly breaking the syrupy surface of the bay's sanctuary. Suddenly a mother thrusts herself from the water in a full breach alongside our ship! This naturalist stammered indecipherably and pointed at the erupting creature as guests spun around to watch.
It is the unpredictable and mysterious behavior of these beautiful animals that inspires us. As well, it is the emotional connection felt as we make eye contact at close range from our Zodiacs.
While watching whales gives us immeasurable pleasure and renews our awe and respect for nature, we use the quest for whales as an opportunity to experience all aspects of our natural environment. We continuously weave an image of our natural communities and of our own relationship to them as we observe and appreciate each creature and changing mood of life's scenery along our way to see the whales.
