Gray Whales at San Ignacio Lagoon
Guide Report
Week of January 27 thru Feburary 1, 2014
By: Hayley
Carmody
At Capo Cortez the beginning of the season opened with a
diverse group of people led by the fearless guide Norma. This adventure began
in the afternoon. On the boat ride out to the observation area our boat driver,
Roberto Fisher, is always aware of the whales around. Roberto grew up
surrounded by whales, and has been a boat driver in Laguna San Ignacio for 11
years. His father, Maldo taught him how to recognize the friendly whales. At
the time there were about 180 whales in the Laguna. They swim up to greet the
people who have never before been so close to these whales.
The first whale to approach was a curious female. She swam
up to the boat looking at the eager people. As the whale got closer everyone
could really appreciate the size of this enormous creature. The boats ride
along with the whales and the current. The small pangas provide the opportunity
to be close with the whales. People are able to observe the whales taking in this
majestic creature, while understanding the physical diversity of the whales. We
began to get to know the whales based on coloration and fluke types. The gray
whales frequently approach boats in the breeding grounds of Baja California.
One whale swam up to the boat to see the people. She rubbed up and let people
splash her and then taking part in the fun, she splashed everyone back winning
the game. She was named “splashy” and continued to visit the boats. 
The whales are very expressive in the Laguna San
Ignacio. They spy hop, breach, tail sail, bubble blast and do other actions. At
times we observed the mothers assisting the babies in these different whale
behaviors. We saw a mother spy hopping and the baby pushed itself out of the
water and rolled around on the mother in attempts to mimic her. As we looked
out on the horizon there were whales in every direction. They appear to be
putting on a show for each other and we are the privileged bystanders viewing.
Leaving the lagoon we waved bye to all the whales while they
The photos and Noli's, Hayley's and Rubi's blogs conjure up such sweet memories of my few short days at Campo Cortez. May Campo Cortez and the whales of the San Ignacio lagoon never loose their sacred place in my heart.
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