This is a Fin that breached just off of the bow of Daedalus.
I have finally managed to get some of the pictures off of the Flash Card, and wanted to post a couple of them here – these were taken in July mid-way between San Bruno and Isla San Marcos.
The picture, as usual, do not do the experience justice, but needless to say we had about 8 to 10 adult and juvenile Fin Whales all around us.
Several times we have snorkelers, one as young as 3 1/2, in the water looking for them. Unfortunately, even though they came pretty close to Daedalus (our Panga), they were smart enough to avoid the snorkelers.
Breaching just off Isla San Marcos. This kind of view was all around us.
At the same time, we had an amazing aerobatic display of Mobula in schools of well over 100. These the snorkelers did end up getting right in the middle of. They were able to see the Mobula come right up, within inches, and leap and flip out of the water.
After this experience, we headed to the Northern point of San Marcos and snorkeled with the enormous Sea Lions that live in a permanent rookery on a small group of pinnacles that break the surface.
After a long afternoon, we began to head back to San Bruno when we, again, encountered the Fin Whales. The Fin Whale is the second largest animal (after the Blue Whale) and can easily be identified by the large white patch, right side, lower jaw; this kind of asymmetry is rare in the natural world, but considered normal in the Fins.
The white jaw is clearly visable allowing us to identify the species as: Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
These sightings are becoming more common to us, the more we dive these new locations. San Bruno is about 20 minutes North of Mulegé and is due West of Isla San Marcos. We are finding that leaving Daedalus there and using San Bruno as a launch pad to the islands, as well as Isla Tortuga, is providing a real benefit to us (and our clients). The diving is varied, we have a lot of pelagic life found in the channel, the small marina is perfect for launching, while the town itself is small and peaceful.
Another one that came within feet of Daedalus
I hope you enjoy the photographs – some of which were taken by Ash & John Coady who were on the boat with us, along with their two children.
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