The Wild Things

Sailing north, only 8 passengers on board.  We're nearing Black Point and although it's been relatively calm today the winds are starting to pick up and we know we will have to turn back sometime soon.  We've been following a yearling humpback whale for over an hour now.  He's by himself, although his mother was with him this morning, but is nowhere in sight now.  This is something seen a lot with yearlings and their mothers- these duos will often make the migration south together back to the Hawaiian Islands and then cut ties permanently leaving the yearling to find its way back north alone.
This particular yearling appeared to be playing by himself swimming back toward the channel between the Big Island and Maui (the channel that will open up toward the north for this little guy to head home).  As he spiraled through the water slapping his pectoral fins together as if he was clapping his hands we realized he was not alone.  Swimming in front of him, a pod of dolphins.  10-15 individuals all swimming in a row as if leading him toward the channel opening.  Often times the only major interactions between whales and their cousins are negative (the dolphins tend to annoy the whales with their sonar and are usually chased off after the whales have had enough).  This display of camaraderie was so amazing to witness in person that I nearly forgot I was supposed to be teaching these guests about the whales, not just drooling as I stared off into the distance.  The yearling continued to playfully spiral through the water toward Maui, trumpeting bashfully at the dolphins swimming in front of him.  It was such a sight to be seen.  This little whale, all by himself in the Pacific Ocean, had made friends, if only for the time being with a group of creatures whose only way of communicating with him was by swimming by his side as he began his first solo migration home.
As we made a turn to return back to the harbor for the day, out of nowhere two huge whales swim right below the boat.  Coming up along the port side to say hello and examine the boat a little closer.  The larger of the two, probably nearing 45 feet in length, is the largest whale I have seen close up in my life.  While incredibly huge and much more powerful than any boat in the area, their presence is also nothing but awe-inspiring and majestic.  There is no fear when you see these creatures, just awe and adoration.  Their presence is humbling and their beauty reminds anyone who sees them how precious the wild world is and how important it is to save it.  I'm inspired every day I see them to make positive changes- environmental, mental and spiritual.
Eat some krill and think of the whales.  I hope everyone finds something to inspire them today. <3