Magdalena Bay
It is gray whale breeding time in Magdalena Bay and love is in the air and the water. A far cry from the scene 100 years ago when whale hunters took advantage of new born calf curiosity and minimal lung capacity by hunting them to near extinction. We set out today with hopes of showing some affection and respect to mother and young. Seeming to sense our benevolence, up to three cow/calf pairs at a time were within view giving us every opportunity to see them in all their glory. From spy-hopping calves, to pectoral fin slapping mothers, to breeching males they did it all, save letting us touch them. With the males providing the aerials as a way to impress would be partners and the cows chasing away pesky bottlenose dolphins with their pectoral fins, there was plenty of action in these shallow breeding grounds.
Every year at this time, gray whales embark on a 6,000 mile journey from their northern feeding grounds in the Bering, Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas to our current location midway down the western coast of the Baja Pennisula. Protected from likely predators, such as killer whales, Magdalena Bay offers tranquil, safe waters for this most inquisitive of species.
Today was a day for whale appreciation, and I acquired as much as anybody. Even as I write this, in the twilight hours back onboard the Sea Lion, I am surrounded by the sounds of surfacing grays. If you line yourself up just right and look at the outline of a gray’s blow you might see it swirl up into the shape of a heart, enforcing my belief that there is indeed love in the air and the water.
It is gray whale breeding time in Magdalena Bay and love is in the air and the water. A far cry from the scene 100 years ago when whale hunters took advantage of new born calf curiosity and minimal lung capacity by hunting them to near extinction. We set out today with hopes of showing some affection and respect to mother and young. Seeming to sense our benevolence, up to three cow/calf pairs at a time were within view giving us every opportunity to see them in all their glory. From spy-hopping calves, to pectoral fin slapping mothers, to breeching males they did it all, save letting us touch them. With the males providing the aerials as a way to impress would be partners and the cows chasing away pesky bottlenose dolphins with their pectoral fins, there was plenty of action in these shallow breeding grounds.
Every year at this time, gray whales embark on a 6,000 mile journey from their northern feeding grounds in the Bering, Chukchi and Western Beaufort Seas to our current location midway down the western coast of the Baja Pennisula. Protected from likely predators, such as killer whales, Magdalena Bay offers tranquil, safe waters for this most inquisitive of species.
Today was a day for whale appreciation, and I acquired as much as anybody. Even as I write this, in the twilight hours back onboard the Sea Lion, I am surrounded by the sounds of surfacing grays. If you line yourself up just right and look at the outline of a gray’s blow you might see it swirl up into the shape of a heart, enforcing my belief that there is indeed love in the air and the water.
