(1/2 day) An unbelievably beautiful day greeted passengers on board the Bright and Morning
Star Thursday morning. The great Pacific Ocean was as calm as a lake. A mixed
pod of common and Pacific White-sided dolphins appeared as we neared Los
Coronados, along with spouts of gray whales. We all marveled at the 14 gray
whales spotted throughout the day; one pod of five took a deep dive, almost in
unison–spectacular! The hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of sea lions on the
islands often approached the vessel as if we were “Moody’s Lunch Wagon.” Their
dexterity, swimming and climbing ability is awesome. A new elephant seal had
been born within the week, and was spotted nursing at Elephant Seal Cove. Black
Oystercatchers greeted us at three of the islands, and all enjoyed seeing the
many Brown Boobies and their chicks. Whalers Gaynell and Diane, and all the
passengers, were sad to see their day enjoying Los Coronados and the beautiful
Pacific come to an end. It is amazing to have such spectacular scenery, marine
mammals and birds all within a day’s cruise from San Diego!
–Whaler Diane