Saturday, January 8th, was our first Pacific Marine
Exploration cruise on our Research Vessel, Sea Explorer,
of 2019; and if it was a predictor of voyages to come, then 2019
should be a banner year. Under the darkening sky of that
approaching rainstorm, we saw three different types of
cetaceans. “Cetacea” is the order which includes all whales
and dolphins. Exiting the harbor, we saw the blow of a
Pacific Gray Whale, less than a mile from the harbor
entrance. It was a sub-adult, about 30 feet long, paddling
gently towards Baja. It allowed us alongside for a GREAT
look, never broke stride, its body language calm and
relaxed. Twice it showed us its flukes, and several times
angled towards the Sea Explorer for a closer look.