False Killer Whales in San Diego! – 24/2/21

So jazzed I SAW FALSE KILLER WHALES LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM THE SHORE!!

Not a species I EVER expected to encounter so close to San Diego, and I can’t believe the amazing luck we had. @beachlinds of @surfgrass_productions and I decided to randomly go on a midweek whale watch aboard @legacywhalewatch and man, did we pick it!!

We first encountered a solo, southbound, extremely fashionably late Gray Whale north of the city migrating to Baja, then steamed south to Point Loma where the action was taking place. When the naturalist said we were heading towards something rare, I looked at Lindsay and said, “false killer whales. Either False Killer Whales or actual Orcas,” and when the species was announced, I celebrated!

These toothed whales/pelagic dolphins stay well offshore in about 3,000 ft of water, and why they were here may be a mystery the Pacific never reveals. It was incredible as a photographer to capture these guys with downtown San Diego in the background; there was even a juvenile (pictured) with them! My heart starts racing every time I think about this encounter, how the stars just absolutely aligned for us.


Can’t wait to get back out on the water! Keep pushing forward, friends.

-Kristin

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