We blasted up the coast with a nearly continuous escort of long‑beaked common dolphins, all dialed in on a massive bait fish buffet. How could we tell? The ocean smelled like fresh, lively fish — not funky or rotten, but that clean, ocean‑market scent that tells you the water is loaded with life.
Trailing the dolphins was our mystery whale, which we believe was a Bryde’s whale (pronounced Brood‑us). They’re unusual visitors in San Diego, but with water temps hovering near 70°, finding a subtropical species that usually hangs out in Mexico isn’t far‑fetched at all. At first we considered Minke, but this whale surfaced regularly and had a very narrow dorsal — and while we didn’t get a close look at the rostrum (Bryde’s have three ridges; Minkes have one), the behavior and body shape leaned Bryde’s.
We cruised home under another golden, glowing sunset — the perfect finish to a warm‑water wildlife evening.
— Naturalist Alison
