There she blows - a blue whale off San Diego

Today was another great day. A whale watching trip out from San Diego on an absolutely superb early summer day in South Western California. Bright sky, warm sunshine, cooling breeze and exceptional visibilty.

Leaving the harbour we immediately saw sea lions, seals and small dolphins but the real excitement was sighting a blue whale, the first seen off this coast this year. The Blue Whale, is of course, the largest living organism on the earth and here we were able to see one in its natural environment. Quite awe inspiring.

We watched the whale for quite a long time, surfacing and diving, blowing and just resting on the surface before returning to harbour. On the way back a school of common dolphins surfed in the bow wave of the boat - another spectacular sight.

Later on in the afternoon we went to Point Loma, to see the Cabrillo Monument. Cabrillo was the explorer who found San Diego. Views from the point over San Diego were amazing and provied several candidates for today's blip.

In the evening we went out for a meal in La Jolla, enjoying a flight of 4 locally brewed beer as well as good food and good company