Whale watching bonanza as grays head south in record numbers

Seeing a whale's fluke, as we've done off the coast of San Diego, is a thrill to remember.

EPIC WHALE WATCHING SEASON CONTINUES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller
about to board City Cruises' Hornblower
Adventure for a thrilling whale watching time.

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

ONCE YOU'VE thrilled to the sight of a whale's fluke, or heard the whoosh of air from his blow hole, you're hooked. Seeing a mom and calf, even better!

You wait, you watch -- for a breach, a family, a fluke, the dive back into the ocean. Wow.  What a thrill. It brings tears, cheers and applause.

Welcome to the club. You're now a proud lifelong whale watcher. If you've always wanted to see whales, you have a fine opportunity now as 20,000 gray whales and hundreds of other species are passing by, delighting whale watchers from Ventura,  Oceanside and San Diego -- all along the coast as they head to the lagoons of the Baja. 

Seeing the "blow" remains a
thrill even after dozens of
sightings worldwide. 

This year is a banner year for watching these magnificent creatures. Besides bountiful numbers of grays, blues, humpbacks and minkes are also being spotted, along with thousands of playful
dolphins.

I was initiated years ago when as a newlywed, we watched whales off San Diego. It was a marvel and left an indelible imprint. 

A  grey whale "spy hops" off the coast of San Diego near
 La Jolla, bringing his body above water level, a sight
to behold. It's prime whale viewing season here now. 

TEN MINUTES from our home, we're in good company as more than 20,000 gray whales pass by enroute to warmer waters south.

Channel Islands prime whale viewing

 They make an impressive 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja

San Diego Whale Watch has been tracking
whales for nearly 10 years, year round. Grays
are being seen now, and blues in the summer.

 California, where the females give birth to their calves. We lucky San Diegans may watch the journey close-up, so this time of year, look for us on the water -- on all of the several boats that offer a chance to commune with these magnificent creatures. City Cruises' Hornblower vessels offer longer tours, leaving from San Diego Bay with interesting commentary on the city's fascinating waterfront and
sea life before we hit the ocean. Naturalists from Balboa Park's famed Natural History Museum share whale lore and commentary illustrated with props. 

San Diego Whale Watch offers shorter, equally engaging trips from Mission Bay, closer to the water for a shorter trip. Check out the websites to determine the best fit for you and your group.
We've been binging on whales the past few weeks, letting the ocean calm, delight and encourage us. It's good therapy as we recover from our state's recent fires. 

 

Whales, dolphins delight in Channel Islands

Baleen is made from keratin, the same
material in our human fingernails.
For baleen whales it filters food.
 

Everyone wants to see "the blow," and we've been lucky this year to many times see what looks like mist. It's actually expelling warm air from its lungs into the cold atmosphere. The temperature change causes water vapor in the whale's breath to condense into water droplets, creating the misty spout that can be seen for miles. if you're quiet, you can really hear the sound of his blowhole -- a mighty whoosh of air expulsion. Thus the expression, "thar she blows."

Aboard San Diego's varied and equally engaging whale watching enterprises, one learns about the symbiotic relationship between the whales and their "hitchhikers" -- barnacles and lice, which use the whale for free transport while they hunt for food, picking off pieces of dead skin and flesh.

To see the rainbow like spray of air from the blow and hear them breathing is an absolute thrill.  With the help of knowledgeable volunteers, we admire samples of the baleen which acts as a food filter. Whales suck in water and scoop its contents, straining the protein rich fish and shrimp for nutrition.

We were enraptured to photograph a mother
and calf, a rare occurrence and happy moment.

WE'VE WATCHED whales cavort in the waters of Hawaii, Norway, Iceland and Mexico. I can honestly say our best whale watching is in southern California. 

To book City Experience Hornblower

To book San Diego Whale Watch 

Leigh Scarritt, left, and Rachael VanWormer play Hertha
Ayrton and Marie Curie, two brilliant scientists in the
male dominated early 20th Century.

BEST BET: Two gifted actors, a poetic script, beautiful lighting and talented direction make "The Half-Life of Marie Curie" a must-see.  This engaging performance is at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad, north of San Diego. It's a play for people who love theater and the connection with character it offers.  This work charms and captivates.  The Lauren Gunderson play features two fine actors, Rachael VanWormer and Leigh Scarritt, playing physicist Marie Curie and electrical engineer Hertha Ayrton.   Theirs is is an inspired story, directed with imagination by Kym Pappas. As female scientists in the male dominated world of the early 20th Century, the two create a spellbinding chemistry. A deep bond develops as they deal with both personal problems and the sexism of the times.  Subtle lighting and dramatic scenic design are compelling and the two actors weave magic as the story unfolds with pathos, humor and searing detail. New Village Arts is a small, intimate venue. Don't miss it, through Feb. 23:  newvillagearts.org

Bo, the head of San Diego Zoo Safari Park's
lion pride, enjoys the company of three females.
 Here, he posed for us after a satisfying lunch.

COMING SOON: We're exploring beauty around us -- both elegant man made art and the exquisite work of nature. Next week, we feature Bo, the handsome head of the lion pride at San Diego Zoo's world renowned Safari Park. Then we cavort on the waters of Fort Lauderdale, commune with Salvador Dali's spirit in Spain and giving tips on how to find and use a bathroom abroad.  We look at a San Diego's family run enterprise which introduced whale watching to the world.  All that and more, as Flagship Cruises celebrates its 110th birthday with record breaking whale sightings up the southern California coast. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on performance, nature, travel, family and the arts: www.whereiscookie.com