Humpback Whale Emerges To Greet Tourists

With humankind being so distanced from nature, it is easy to forget what kind of glorious wonders there are living in the deep woods and oceans. Some choose to do so. Others, opt not to.

So many organizations organize tours that can take you to the most remote of places just so they can remind you we are not alone on this planet. A vast number of species reside in the mountains and oceans, calling them their home. If you are fortunate and humble enough, you just may be greeted by the residents of the environment you are visiting.

Dolphins especially are known to be curious about outsiders, the animals that dwell on the surface. They are known to break the surface of their habitat, shine their adorable smiles and greet their visitors with a giggle. There is hardly a feeling that can trump that situation.

One that can, though, is to be greeted by a massive humpback whale. They are the giants of the sea; one whip of their mighty tails can squash you into pieces!

A tour of whale watchers had the great opportunity to be greeted by one such glorious specimen while out in the Santa Barbara channel in California. Here’s what the original poster of this clip had to say about the encounter:

“This behavior is called a spyhop in which a whale will stick its head out of the water to get a better views above the surface. In this case this baby humpback was taking a look directly at us! [It is] truly a [wonderful] moment shared in the lively Santa Barbara channel!” And truly beautiful it is!

The Santa Barbara channel is one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on this planet. There are a few endangered species of shale, such as the blue, fin and humpbacks, that come to feed in an area north of the Santa Rosa and and Santa Cruz islands. They are in danger to be struck by ships that pass through a shipping lane that moves stock south of the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Some 100 collisions are documented since 1982, making some 6 per year on average.

This channel is home to over 27 species of whale, both in the colder and warmer months of the year. If you go there during winter or spring, you just might be greeted by a Pacific grey whale from the water. If you visit during the fall, you might even see the largest mammal on Earth, the blue whale! There are so many majestic creatures that call this place their home, you trip will surely no fall unforgettable!