I live with my husband in San Luis Obispo, California, about three miles from the beach. Every few years, the humpback whales come into the bay for a few days while they're migrating. November 2020 was one of those times, so we took out our yellow double kayak(皮艇)to watch the wildlife. We paddled out the length of the pier(码头)and saw seals, dolphins, and about 20 whales feeding on silverfish. We were in awe watching these graceful giants—each one about 50 feet long—breach and spray through their blowholes. We laughed when they turned their side fins so that it looked as if they were waving at us.
At the time, my friend Liz was staying with us. The next day, I asked her if she wanted to go out on the water to see them.
"No way, " said Liz, now 65. She was not an experienced kayaker and was terrified that the kayak would overturn while we were surrounded by hungry whales. "There's nothing to worry about, " I assured her. "The craft is stable, and we can turn back anytime. I've learned somewhere that whales have enormous mouths but tiny throats. Anything they can't swallow they spit right out. " After some cajoling(劝诱), she finally agreed to join me. I didn't want her to miss this magnificent experience and regret it later.
Liz and I got out on the water at 8:30 the following morning. There were already about 15 other kayakers and paddleboarders in the bay. It was warm for November, so we wore T-shirts and leggings. After a half-hour, we had our first whale sighting just past the pier: two humpbacks swimming toward us. How amazing to be that close to a creature that size, I thought as the whales dipped under the waterline.
When whales go down after breaching, they leave what looks like an oil slick on the water. I figured if we paddled toward that spot, we'd be safe from the whales, since they'd just left. We followed them at a distance—or what I thought was a distance. I later found out that it's recommended to keep 300 feet away. We were more like 60 feet away.
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Suddenly, we felt our kayak rocking violently.
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Still, I didn't panic and I just kept thinking I've got to breathe in this "white wall".