Cazar Ballenas Canción.

20.7N 105.3W. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico.

We often are treated to humpback whale songs...especially at night while in the berth...with our ears at the water line. Last night's experience was profound. Early one morning, Steve noted the whales...as he often does. I was also awake listening to the distant songs. It sounded to us like three whales...each taking a turn at answer-and-call. As time rolled on, the whale songs continued...progressing, in sophistication and nearness. At one point, we felt that we were surrounded by the whales...one calling from one side of the boat...another answering for the other side. It was truly incredible. We kept awake for hours listening to their songs. Before dawn, the whales had moved on...our experience, however, held us in awe. Amazing.

Come morning...and the morning boat chores...it was interesting to hear one boat to another hale each other, asking if they had heard the whales. Yes, yes...was the answer...all over the anchorage....of fifty or more boats at anchor. Yes!, we heard them. I had an image of the whales singing along the bahia...hearing the voices of mariners tucked in their berths...asking each other if they heard the whales...the buzz from the anchorage enticing the whales to swim closer....sounding along...more voices...more songs...more voices...for hours...

I will never forget this experience. It was magical. There was one sailboat, however, that had an even closer experience with the whales in the anchorage. Interesting enough, the boat hails from Arcata. You can read about their Ballenas Interruptus if you are wish.