In March of 2015, I went with my friend Martha on my third trip with Baja Discovery to San Ignacio Lagoon. I hope these photos will give a glimpse into the magic of being in this beautiful breeding ground for gray whales. Mothers and calves approach little boats (called pangas) and “ask” to be touched. The resulting interaction between species (humans and gray whales) defies description. This is indeed a magical place, and I am grateful to the brilliant and inspired staff of Baja Discovery for sharing it.

Cessna Caravan, San Diego to the Lagoon dirt strip

Panga line to bring bags ashore

Camp Punta Piedra

Martha and Carol

Our tent Karina

Martha, Carol and whale bones

We visit whales by panga

Guide Lupita

Many whales blow, breach and spy-hop

and approach our pangas

Here comes a friendly calf

Mom and calf

Moms and calves are always together

Calf atop its mom looking at us

Calf atop its mom looking at us

A calf asks to be touched

Amy and calf smooching

Closed eye

Any and closed whale eye

April rejoices with mom and calf

Breaching gray whale

Fluking

Flukes (see Orca teeth marks)

Gray whale barnacles

Barnacles up close

Whale eye

Spy-hoping calf

Calf swims to and then under the panga

Mom and calf approach

Carol and calf make eye contact

Pangera hangs on to April!

Here’s looking at you

Magical contact

Kid meets calf

A little girl rejoices at touching calf.

Whales approach two pangas

We see olphins too!

A raft of thousands of cormorants

Punta Piedra at Sunset

Campers looking for the green flash

Punta Piedra at Sunset

Osprey also camps at Punta Piedra

Brandts off shore

Marbled godwits and Willets

Tide pool walk

Jawfish in its home

Tiger snake eel

Scallop shell in tide pools

Sunset over the lagoon

Celebrating a glorious day

Big Dipper over Karina

Pato and Pepe say Adios

Our wonderful group!