December 23, 2012

When we planned the trip to San Diego we promised Zaph that we would go to the beach. As we are leaving later today, the beach was the first item on the agenda today. Zaph, Barry, John S, Ed and I piled into the car and drove to Dog Beach at Ocean Beach. The best way to travel with three people and two large dogs is for one person (me) to sit in the back seat between the dogs.

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The backseat of the car ... me and my buddies.

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Zaph was overwhelmed by all the balls, people and dogs. Within the first couple of minutes he had snagged himself a big colorful ball which soon had the owner dog attached.

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I've got it!!!

The whales are migrating south to Mexico, so it's a good time to go whale watching. John S, Carol S, Ed, myself and Barry went on a three hour whale watching trip. Barry doesn't really enjoy boats and even enjoys being on the outside deck even less but if Carol was going so was he. Barry felt a bit better when a couple kids started petting him.

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A view of San Diego from the ship.

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This sea lion found an interesting place to lounge.

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The captain of the ship was quite excited to see this pod of Risso's dolphins. Risso's dolphins are one of the larger members of the dolphin family. They are usually an offshore dolphin whose inshore appearance is uncommon.

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The dorsal fin is tall, curved and located near the middle of the back. The Risso's dolphins are typically 10 feet in length with an average weight of 650 pounds.

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There were a number of gray whales in the area. The gray whale is a "coastal" whale that migrates along the North American Pacific Coast between arctic seas and the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.

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The gray whale has no dorsal fin. About 2/3 of the way back on its body is a prominent dorsal hump followed by a series of 6-12 knuckles along the dorsal ridge that extend to the flukes (tail lobes).

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The sea lions claimed the dock.

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After supper Ed, Zaph and I drove back to Yuma. For once Ed was happy that I fell asleep on the drive --- there was no one to complain as he had fun driving the car through the hilly windy road.