WHALE MAKES JOYFUL SOUNDS WHILE GETTING HUGGED BY MAN
Have you ever had someone you desperately wanted to meet? And what can be better than meeting than someone when they are just as excited to see you.
That's exactly what happened to whale lover Adam Ernster on a recent expedition to Baja, Mexico. After spending years documenting whales from afar, his dream of meeting gentle giants has finally come true. As much as he enjoyed the experience, Marguerite the whale seemed equally delighted as she made happy noises throughout the encounter.
A video posted by Silver Shark Adventures shows an excited Ernster petting, hugging and even kissing a whale. "When you normally get behind the camera and finally get to document your dream moment with one of the most extraordinary animals you live," the whale watching company captioned the video. "It's safe to say everyone on board has enjoyed watching Ernster transform his life in the sun with Marguerite, one of the friendliest whales we've ever seen on our grey whale adventures."
In the whale watching videos, Marguerite seems to enjoy the cuddles so much that she even goes back to being more serious. "Marguerite is known for her friendly and unpredictable demeanor and decides to return to get more attention just when Adam thinks this meeting is over," shares Silver Shark, along with a clip of Marguerite returning to Ernster's side. The man is visibly excited when he has to communicate with the whale again and say goodbye.
The experienced whale videographer captured his encounter in a lengthy video that he uploaded to YouTube. Looking back, he wrote, "This beautiful interaction is in stark contrast to the past, when these gentle creatures were hunted to extinction. Today, they display a unique curiosity about the creatures that once threatened their existence."
He adds that these meetings great attention is paid. "The local people involved in this highly regulated event are working hard to protect the whales and their habitat, and to ensure the health and abundance of these magnificent creatures for future generations."
Ernster also welcomed the opportunity to share his love of whales with others. As more people become aware of their beauty and kindness, more can be done for them and their environment. "As incredible as my experience with the Ojo de Liebre's grey whales was, seeing how others from the deep interact with these giants gave me so much hope for the future," he said. “I am fortunate to be able to spend my days surrounded by wildlife of all kinds. This is a privilege I will never take for granted. But to see people from all walks of life and from all over the world travel to experience THAT connection was surreal. It makes me more grateful every day for that little blue ball.”