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Author: Subject: Whale trips down south
BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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[*] posted on 3-28-2015 at 07:48 PM
Whale trips down south

I just read this on the Pony Express and it seems to have been an extra special outing - for those who have already done ojo de liebre - san Ignacio lagoon and /or other spots:



What a gift! The Sea of Cortez has gifted us with THREE rare sightings in the past month, and just yesterday two Blue Whales, the earth’s largest creature, able to grow to more than 100 feet and weigh more than 200 tons, were seen approximately 5 miles offshore in the rich waters in the area between Punta Pescadero and Cardonal. A week ago Wednesday, a pod of 16 Sperm whales were seen in nearly the same location and a month ago a rare Elephant Seal was spotted in nearly the same spot. Blue Whales are the most elusive of whales, and not often seen in pairs. They are breathtakingly enormous and awe inspiring to experience in person. Their more lean, submarine shaped bodies seem iridescent under the water’s surface and their U-shaped heads displace so much water they create their own wave. Their blow spout is distinctive and reaches very high - as much as 35 feet. They don't breech (thankfully!) but we did see them rising up and lunging into the water as they were feeding, allowing their immense throat pleats to expand and capture up to 4 tons of food a day. The surface action of their feeding creates a huge vacuum at the surface. Blue Whales have rebounded from near extinction and graced 18 of us plus crew that were aboard yesterday (Thursday) with their immense presence. Remember Moby Dick? That's the Sperm Whale, with the enormous square head; these mammals winter at the equator and venture into the Sea of Cortez only when following an abundant food source. They are meat eaters and can hold their breath for up to two hours and dive as deep as 5,000 feet while chasing squid! Seeing a pod of this size and so close to shore is very rare as they normally are found in deep waters. Eight years ago we were 50 miles offshore and experienced a mass migration of 80 Sperm whales on their journey south. Sperm whales have bounced back from near extinction although are still listed as endangered. And the Elephant Seal? Rare and nearly never up the Sea of Cortez. They do however come ashore to molt and breed mid-way down the peninsula on the Pacific side. Like Gray whales, they can migrate more than 12,000 miles a year. They are beguilingly ugly, yet sweet, and this huge bull engaged with us like a 5,000 pound, 15 foot long dog, practically take bait from our hands. Rare gifts, indeed! Theresa with Baja’s Awesome Sportfishing & Whale Adventures; combertheresa@Hotmail.com





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