Blue whale - Balaenoptera musculus

I went whale watching three times in August and would have gone every day if my schedule allowed it.  What better way to beat the heat than viewing magnificent blue whales and joyous dolphin in the open ocean. 

Until about 5 years ago, blue whale sightings along our coast were rare. Now sightings are more regular as the whales show up from late July through September to feed in the Catalina Channel.  It is speculated that climate changes are having an effect on their food supply, but there is no conclusion yet.  Blue whales are the largest animal to ever live on our planet and are often seen up to 70' or 80', but there are reports of blue whales up to 110'.  Our grey whale, which migrates past out coast December through April, is a mere 45'.

Someone asked me why I was going out a third time.  After all, hadn't I already seen whales?  Yes I have seen whales. I have seen humpback whales with their calves off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and also in Alaska's Inside Passgae feeding together in large numbers. I've see grey whales resident in Oregon, migrating past our coast, and with their calves in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. I've seen fin whales, minke whales, orcas in our Southern California waters. I saw pilot whales in the Molokai Channel on the way to Oahu, Hawaii and off the southern coast of Spain, where I also saw magnificent sperm whales.  And of course the smaller whales, dolphin and porpoises, including bottlenose, common, Risso's, and Pacific white-side provide spectacular shows leaping and playing with the boat.  

Everyone on the boat springs to life when someone sees the first whale blow.  Each species has a distinct blow pattern that can be seen at a distance.  Sometimes the whales swim right under the boat and you can see the entire body. They are awesome in their size.  I think my favorite experience is hearing the whale breathe as it surfaces suddenly next to the boat.  It is a loud breath that announces its presence and makes me hold mine.   

Common Bottlenose Dolphin - Tursiops truncatus

      Why would I want to go whale watching again?  I have to ask - why wouldn't you?