Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay March 2022

From Marika Powers, Expedition Guide, Safari Voyager

It was a one of those days where you woke up just knowing that it was going to be a good day, that something special was bound to happen.  Maybe it was the deeply colorful sunrise illuminating the rugged mountains of the Sierra de la Giganta.  Perhaps it was the buzz of anticipation during the early breakfast.

Arriving at Magdalena Bay after a journey crossing the entire width of the Baja peninsula, everyone was taking in the tranquil waters and blue skies. It had only been a short panga ride when, the first blow was sighted. Sideling up to the glassy ‘footprint’ left by the diving whale, all eyes were on the water.  All at once, the massive grey whale broke the surface just off the bow.  So close, we could take in the mottled pattern clearly on its massive back.  When it next surfaced, it rolled gently over on one side and took a long glance at us.  Staring right into the huge intelligent eye as it stared back at us, a fragment of a quote from Victorian novelist Frances Hodgson Burnett came to mind. 

“How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak without even making a sound, to another soul” 

It was totally unexpected and yet, just the very reason that Baja continues to amaze and thrill me after many years of visiting here.  There is always something special bound to happen.