Drone Footage Of Grey Whale Mother And Calf Playing With Tourists

By Mark Hodge @mrhodgey

A BOAT full of lucky tourists get the chance to meet a friendly group of grey whales

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Videographer / Director: Mark Carwardine
Producer: Mark Hodge, Chloe Browne
Editor: Sonia Estal

Whale of a time: Photographer Marks captures the giant sea mammals using a drone camera

Using a drone to give an aerial view, wildlife photographer Mark Carwardine captured these magical moments in San Ignacio lagoon along the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico.

The huge adult whale dwarfs the boat as she approaches with her young calf

The enthusiastic animal lovers in the boat were also able to film their interactions with the grey whale mothers and their calves.

An aerial view of the majestic whale interacting with the boat

The tourists had the unique opportunity to pat and stroke the giant sea mammals, which came to greet the boats.

Catching an eyeful: A close-up shot of one of the friendly sea creatures

Every year, these majestic creatures migrate at least 5000 miles between their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic and breeding grounds in the warmer waters of Mexico.

A tall tale: The excited animal enthusiasts encourage one of the adult whales to come close to the boat

UK conservationist and zoologist Mark has been photographing wildlife for more than 35 years.

The group of eager tourists pet the giant grey whale

A portrait shot of photographer Mark Carwardine who was operating the drone camera

He said: “Just a couple of days in San Ignacio lagoon can be life-changing.

“To have a 40 foot whale willingly approach you and bring its enormous baby for a scratch and tickle is arguably one of the most uplifting and thrilling wildlife encounters on Earth.

“The grey whales literally lie alongside the small boats, calmly waiting to be petted.

“It’s incredible to think they can be so trusting given how only in the 1940s, whalers were coming into the same lagoon to hunt them.”