Peninsula Valdez

O que lindo. Today I set off for Peninsula Valdez, which usually is packed during the migration of the whales. And is also famous for the Orca whales that kill their prey (seals-elephant seals) by stranding themselves on the beach. I have seen this before on discovery channel and such, but never knew that this is the predominant place where you can find orcas that have this technique of hunting. I wish I could say I saw an orca attacking a seal...but alas I cannot.

However, I can tell you I saw some very very cute little baby seals all along the beach. And at this time of the year after the mothers give birth they go out to the ocean and hunt for food, about 3 days. On return to the beach they come out of the water and yell, a gurgling guttural call, to their child. And if they came up on the correct part of the beach their baby should reply with another cry, softer but still coming from below. I was able to witness this display.

The mother was swimming close to the shore and started to yell, you could than hear another cry in reply and witness some movement amongst the masses of babies and other mothers. As the mom came out of the water the baby seal started pushing through the herd and moving towards mom. All of this movement with the ever ceasing cries from both mom and baby. As the mom fully emerged from the water you could see the baby running or I guess wobbling on its body (almost like the worm) as fast as it could go. It was incredible. I want to say they embraced each other warmly..but all I could see was two bodies colliding.

Later, we saw some Magellan penguins (tomorrow I am going to Punta Tomba, and that is the hub of penguins so Ill talk later about them) and some elephant seals. But not too many because it is not the right season to witness their babies and such. When they have their babies or the kids are about to leave for the ocean...you have higher chances of catching some orcas that are in need of food. Another time, another time.