Nature Cruise May 7 & 8, 2011

Bottlenose dolphins greeted Bright & Morning Star passengers Saturday morning as
they left San Diego Bay….always a good start to a Nature Cruise.  A little
farther out, a small group of young common dolphins were observed–and
heard….. then we got a special treat– a really good viewing of three blue
whales and a couple blue whales in the distance.  Two of the blue whales showed
their tail flukes when diving.  A good-sized mola mola was spotted as we went on
to the Islands.  The sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals on Los Coronados
Islands never fail to please passengers, and many got to watch a baby brown
booby chick being fed by its mom.  Great day on the water.  Whalers Judy L. and
Ruth and all the passengers on board enjoyed the trip immensely.

A blue whale was observed on Sunday’s cruise in the same area as Saturday‘s blue
whales were seen….though not as cooperative as those seen on Saturday….it is
always fantastic and special to see such a magnificent animal.    As we headed
toward Dead Man’s Island….there it was….a breach…a humpback; we slowed
down to a crawl and this energetic whale put on a fantastic show for all of
us….quite a Mothers’ Day treat.  So many breaches and fin slaps, it even came
within 20 or 30 feet of the boat hurling its body out of water…..everyone was
wowed!  Three young mola mola’s (ocean sunfish) were also observed.  The marine
mammals on the islands, as always, were appreciated by all, and once again the
brown booby chick was seen being fed by its mom.  The trip back was quite
blustery; but everyone accompanying the crew and Museum Whalers Rosie and Diane
agreed it was a fantastic tour.

Submitted by Whaler Diane