After making our way north last night, National Geographic Sea Bird dropped anchor just outside San Ignacio Lagoon. San Ignacio is well known for offering exceptional experiences to visitors, who look for California gray whales. Not only is the whale population is healthy, but this lagoon is an example of conservation. San Ignacio survived as suitable habitat for whales after the attempts of foreign corporations intending to convert it into a world-class salt-work operation. This effort was halted by the Mexican Government, which saved San Ignacio from being changed forever. Another very interesting fact about San Ignacio is that the local whale-watching cooperatives have increased the regulations that the Mexican Government stipulates, to reduce the impact of visitors on the whales. Working together, the "Pangueros" have created a unique self-enforced model of conservation.
Today dozens of gray whales shared their breeding grounds with us. How fortunate we all are to be able see these magnificent leviathans in their natural habitat, taking care of their young. These calves are about two months old, and the older they get, the more curious they grow. Little do we understand gray whale behavior, and this is okay, since the mysteries of the sea, which attract so many of us here will keep challenging our intellect. In a few words, it is not necessary to understand why these animals do what they do. All we can do is take a couple steps back in our urge to have our questions answered, and just admire nature per se.
We spent all day getting close looks of these gray whales. Most of us had an experience that is quite unusual. The mothers and their calves found us and our inflatable boats interesting enough to approach us! Photographers were delighted to capture fantastic images of whale-human interaction, as others were having the life experience of touching a whale!
