It was bittersweet as we set off with Bajaguy's family on the last whale adventure of the season for me. It was a rather blustery morning and the
young children were a wee bit nervous about the rocking and rolling of the panga but forgot about it when some friendly whales came over to visit us.
There weren't a lot of whales there as most had left for northern feeding grounds so we had to look around for awhile in choppy water and visit a few
whales before getting lucky. At the end of the season, most of our familiar whales are gone and sometimes visitors are in that we dont know.
The last and best whales we had contact with were favorites of mine who I thought had left the lagoon as I hadnt seen them anywhere for over a
week...so I was really excited when I saw who was approaching us.
The mother whale was nudging her calf up to the kids. It was very tricky for the whales to position themselves just right with so much wind and
current pushing the boat away but them worked hard to delight us with contact
"Happy" was a calf that was intrigued by my GoPro camera and always came over to it and rubbed her head on it and looked at it underwater.
She is a sweet calf who loves kids and twirls around after being rubbed. It was wonderful to watch the excitement in the girls faces as they made
contact with the whales...and the huge grins on the grandparents faces with tears of joy. I too cried like a baby when Happy raised her head up to
mine for a smooch and a cheek rub after I scratched her chin.
We had a great couple days and enjoyed staying at La Posada Don Vicente that has a nice kids park and a very nice clean swimming pool too!
It was a magical couple months at the lagoon and I thank all of you who came out with us...I will be getting more videos together soon of your trips
too. This is one of my favorite shots.
It was quite a learning curve working with the GoPro camera and I look forward to getting better at it next season. This was my first attempt at
putting together the footage...it's far from perfect but it was fun to do...hope you like it.
[Edited on 4-3-2014 by shari]
THANK YOU!!!!!!
bajaguy - 4-2-2014 at 05:10 PM
Shari
Thank you for setting up our adventure and also for speaking to the whales and calves and asking them to stick around for the G-Kids.
Your pre trip whale education talk at dinner and the information you provided on the water was really appreciated.
What an outstanding experience for the 9 year old, the 6 year old......and also for their parents and the grandparents. We will be talking about this
for years
You have a way with whales and kids. The trip and adventure was all we hoped for and we will be back.
Thank you again!!!!!!Udo - 4-2-2014 at 05:22 PM
Thanks, Shari for sharing this video on Nomads as well as you tube.
Hopefully we'll be down south full time by this time next year.shari - 4-2-2014 at 05:26 PM
and thank you Bajaguy for all the support and inspiration you have given me.
Udo, I know that the whales will work some magic on Jana to lighten her heart.24baja - 4-2-2014 at 06:36 PM
I so look forward to the day we can come meet you and those wonderful creatures. Our friends who came down and went on your tour had a wonderful time
and experience. Thanks for all you do for those wonderful creatures and all of us nomads.shari - 4-2-2014 at 07:37 PM
thank you...it's all I can do to give back a little of what all the wonderful creatures do for ME!churro - 4-2-2014 at 08:10 PM
Thanks for posting!monoloco - 4-2-2014 at 09:04 PM
Wow Shari, well done!jimcallard - 4-4-2014 at 09:33 PM
Shari, Another great year with you and your crew! We came up from Loreto twice this year and as usual, it is a once in a life time experience.
Seeing the changes in the whales between February and March was fascinating. Our friend from Durango Colorado said it was one of "the most memorable
experience in her life"--and she was 71. A class act! Our hats off to the guides too. See you next year.shari - 4-5-2014 at 08:45 AM
thank you Jim, I always enjoy your company on the panga.
Your comment touches on an interesting topic. Many people come out to the lagoon once and are forever changed by their experience. But it is always
great when folks like you come back repeatedly at different times of the season and appreciate the differences in their behavior and of course the
size and development of the calves.
Each month is unique and wonderful in it's own way. In January, you may see an enormous pregnant mother with her midwife at her side..they are often
very friendly as they are just biding their time till the birth. Or you may get lucky and witness a birth. There is more mating activity and seeing
the mother carry her newborn on her back melts your heart. Plus there are very few people around so the boats are much less crowded.
February is when the mom's start schooling their calves and you can be part of the swimming school parades and see how strict the mom's are with their
babies....and there is still mating behavior then as well and the mothers begin to introduce their babies to humans. The lagoon is like whale soup
with so many whales all around you.
March is exciting as the calves are getting older and more playful. So you see, there is really no "best" time to see whales. You will see them every
day you go out no matter what month.
Here's looking at you kid...
woody with a view - 4-5-2014 at 11:09 AM
Shari puts on a Class A tour! we've been twice now and can't wait to get back.
