BajaNomad

Lunch with Bahia Finback Whales

Paulina - 8-30-2006 at 09:27 PM

We were in Bahia for the first three weeks of this month. We fished almost every day. One afternoon after a morning of fishing we headed for Smith Island to fart around. On our way we saw a few whales in the distance. Dern headed the panga over for a closer view. The whales were in the process of feeding, circling the bait balls, turning on their sides with their huge mouths wide open. The birds were diving, the Mackerel were thick as well as the krill in the water. Dern turned off the motor, we popped a few cold refreshments and watched their lunch time show. The whales were so close that there was no need for the telephoto lens. I haven't seen this happen since Glendale College Marine Biology class in '81. I felt very lucky as we watched them pass under the panga and continue with their meal. The keys to the truck and the radio were in the dry bag just incase we were invited to join their party...

P.

Paulina - 8-30-2006 at 09:28 PM

mouth wide open

Paulina - 8-30-2006 at 09:28 PM

Another view

Ken Bondy - 8-30-2006 at 09:32 PM

Magnificent photos Paulina. I have never seen them feeding. Absolutely wonderful, what a great experience. Thanks,

++Ken++

Catalina - 8-30-2006 at 09:45 PM

What awesome pic's of the whales!! Last year when we were in Bahia my husband was also fortunate to see the whales and what seemed like hundreds of dolphins swimmimg around his 16 ft boat , was alittle intimidated but it was quite the experience for him. Had some pic's from that but were accidently erased from the camera.
We are headed for Bahia next wek for 4 week's and we can't sleep were so excited!! Hopefully the whales will still be around when we arrive in Bahia.
:P:yes::saint:

Paulina - 8-30-2006 at 10:31 PM

Catalina,
There were many whales in the bay as well as 4 Whale Sharks at Rincon. The dolphin were there, small pods in the bay. Out in the open water the dolphin seemed to go on for miles.
Have a safe trip.

P.<*)))><

Tomas Tierra - 8-30-2006 at 10:34 PM

Suuuuuuuuuper cool!!!

a little freaky at first?? i bet..
Thanx for sharing.

jerry - 8-31-2006 at 09:24 AM

great pics thanks

Mike Supino - 8-31-2006 at 11:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Catalina
What awesome pic's of the whales!! Last year when we were in Bahia my husband was also fortunate to see the whales and what seemed like hundreds of dolphins swimmimg around his 16 ft boat , was alittle intimidated but it was quite the experience for him. Had some pic's from that but were accidently erased from the camera.
We are headed for Bahia next wek for 4 week's and we can't sleep were so excited!! Hopefully the whales will still be around when we arrive in Bahia.
:P:yes::saint:


You may not be able to sleep there either..
We just returned last week; the heat and humidity were overwhelming.
Stayed at Casa Diaz; no a/c

Catalina - 8-31-2006 at 02:03 PM

thx for the weather update. Living in Arizona has prepared us for heat and humidity. We just get naked wet a towel and lay in front of a fan.
good day
:bounce:

Catalina,

Paulina - 8-31-2006 at 03:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Catalina
thx for the weather update. Living in Arizona has prepared us for heat and humidity. We just get naked wet a towel and lay in front of a fan.
good day
:bounce:


Great reply! That's what we do too! We love the heat and prefer Bahia in Aug. when the temps are up and the # of tourists are down, and the fish are in. Bedsheets dipped into the ice chest before going to bed works wonders too, that mixed with a night breeze, if the wind gods are favoring us that is!

P.<*)))><

Catalina - 8-31-2006 at 06:02 PM

Paulina I gotta tell ya.
Love your quote.
"Well behaved women rarely make history".
:moon::moon::moon:
who said that?

Santiago - 8-31-2006 at 07:53 PM

Great pics Paulina. Hope they're still there first week in Oct.