Boca de Soledad
The joyful Mexican ranchero sounds of the local trio “Coyotes de Magdalena” from Pto. Lopez Mateos fill the lounge as we celebrate an unforgettable day among California gray whales. It’s the height of gray whale season in the lagoon and there are about 50 adult whales with their calves in the northern part of Magdalena Bay.
We experienced the delight and mystery of friendly whale behavior today! In about 1975, in San Ignacio Bay to the north, a gray whale first swam up to a fisherman in his Zodiac, presumably out of curiosity. Since then, more and more of these gentle giants have chosen to connect with people in small boats, offering us a moment of grace and an unexplainable connection to these huge, slow-swimming mammals. Several of the calves have recently become curious about our Zodiacs and like all youngsters, are doing a bit of exploring away from mom. Why this species of whale, which was hunted nearly to extinction, should initiate contact with humans is one of nature’s extraordinary mysteries, and we aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird feel very privileged to be here in Boca de Soledad, the “Mouth of Solitude” today.
