With perhaps hundreds of blue whales scattered throughout Southern California waters, it would seem disappointing to embark on a whale-watching excursion and not see one of the majestic leviathans.
But Natalie Booth-Massey and others aboard the Voyager on Monday were hardly disappointed because they witnessed a far more unusual sight: that of a sperm whale, which came into view shortly after they had seen a minke whale breach 11 times.
Booth-Massey on Monday evening posted photos on her Facebook page, along with the exclamation, "I am still on a whale high. I am barely able to talk I am so giddy!"
Sperm whales, which are toothed whales that prey almost exclusively on squid, are rarely seen off Southern California. However, the whale spotted Monday off the Palos Verdes Peninsula is believed to be the same whale that has been seen multiple times in the same general area since it was first photo-documented aboard the Voyager in 1996.
Presumably, this whale, estimated to measure 45-55 feet, is foraging in the depths of Redondo Canyon, which is said to be teeming with market-sized squid. Many of the whale sightings were in August and September, so it will not be surprising if this whale is encountered again this summer.
Booth-Massey said the Voyager managed to get about 100 yards from the whale, which was "logging" on the surface, taking multiple breaths before revealing its towering fluke and making a dive that lasted 29 minutes.
Because sperm whales stay down so long, the Voyager had to leave after the whale's second dive. Chances are, however, the vessel will be back in the area during its Tuesday afternoon runs.
This marks at least the second sperm whale sighting in Southern California this year. Last March a pod of up to 15 female and juvenile sperm whales was encountered off Long Beach one day, and San Diego the next.
-- Sperm whale image is courtesy of Natalie Booth-Massey
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