Featured Image Credit: Mark Girardeau via Instagram
The whale-watching community, on occasion, are a very lucky bunch. It seems like an endless world of surprises— and an awesome one. On January 8th, watchers with Newport Coastal Adventure were 3 miles off the shore near Laguna Beach, California, and they were certainly in for a treat when they saw a large 45 foot gray whale and her calf coming right towards them!
They did happen to turn, not long after the drone video began— but when the calf turned back around to swim directly towards the boat in curiosity, it caused the mother to do the same, following not far behind to catch up and attempt to guide the baby back to their South-bound course. Meaning that…
You guessed it!
The two whales passed right underneath the lucky 23 foot boat! Giving them an amazing and up-close view!
During the drone video captured by photographer Mark Girardeau, someone aboard the boat told the passengers that the engine was “totally shut down” after the whales were spotted; as to not frighten or harm the mother or her calf.
Girardeau also revealed that he believed the calf to be less than two days old at the time of the sighting, and that’s one very good reason that Newport Coastal Adventure’s Facebook page deemed it one of their “most exciting encounters ever today!”
Watch the video below and witness the experience with an amazing bird’s-eye view!