For Spectators, it's a Whale of a Sight
 Tanya Sierra - SD Union-Tribune
| | Mark Whyte, captain of a sportfishing boat from Oceanside Harbor, led a whale-watching excursion yesterday. Gray whales can be seen on an annual migration from December through March. (Charlie Neuman/Union-Tribune) |
Oceanside, CA Carrie Haynes waited an entire year to see a gray whale during its annual trek to the warmer waters of Baja California.
Last year Haynes boarded a whale-watching boat, much like she did yesterday, hoping to spot the puff of water the whale spews.
Last time I only saw dolphins, said Haynes, a Carlsbad resident.
This time she was armed with more than a camera and binoculars the typical whale-watching gear. Haynes brought along friend Erica Shrader of Oceanside, who made gray whale good luck charms the friends strung from their belt loops.
I had a dream about a whale last night, Shrader said, pointing out that she was dressed in shades of blue what she called whale colors.
I love whales, they're so awesome, she said.
About 40 minutes into the two-hour cruise, a plume of water shot into the air, then another.
Yay! Whales! the crowd cheered as they gathered at bow of the 95-foot boat.
Then silence.
With all eyes on the whales' footprint a slick spot on the water left by the tail onlookers waited for another sighting.
They can hold their breath for 20 minutes, said tour guide Mike Roach.
Just as passengers started getting restless, allowing their eyes to dart around the sparkling sea, the duo swooshed out of the water again.
Shrader, who had been rubbing her good luck charm, looked at Haynes and smiled. I'm so happy right now, she said. The two whales were visible for about an hour.
Each year the gray whales make an annual winter journey from the Arctic to the warm lagoons of Baja California, where they mate and nurse their young.
It's an astounding round-trip migration up to 12,000 miles long, which draws daily spectators between December and March.
The whale-watching boat, run by Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing, makes up to three trips a day. Visitors from England, Mexico, Australia and various states joined one of yesterday's tours.
Denise Hollingworth, who is visiting her sister in Vista, traveled from Australia. She said it had been 10 years since she last went whale-watching.
It was delightful, Hollingworth said.
As for the two whales, they'll be in Ensenada by this afternoon, Roach predicted.@Tanya Sierra: (619) 498-6631; tanya.sierra@uniontrib.com |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | January 2007 
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