Golden light, glassy seas, and a whale that stole the whole show.
We pushed far to the west on tonight’s sunset trip and were met almost immediately by a loose, scattered group of about 200 common dolphins. They fell into formation beside us like an escort, riding our pressure wave from six miles offshore all the way out to ten.
Then Captain Austin — with those ridiculous eagle eyes — caught a distant spout. It was only visible when the crepuscular rays sliced through the low stratus clouds just right. We changed course and soon found ourselves with a fin whale who seemed perfectly content to linger at the surface. Its breaths were soft, unhurried, almost like it was taking a little twilight nap.
The whole boat lit up with shouts of awe as we got a few incredible looks before turning back toward shore. Moments like that — quiet, gentle, and enormous — stay with you.
We’re back out tomorrow. Let’s see what magic the ocean decides to share next.
— Naturalist Alison
