The idea seems absurd at first: Playing peek-a-boo with the largest creature on Planet Earth. The only place something as big as the blue whale could possibly hide from human eyes is the ocean.

But they are not as hard to find as they used to be and that’s where the Ocean Institute’s Blue Whale Safari comes in. The summer program has become so popular that boat trips are already sold out until September. But for those still curious, Rick Baker, senior program director of the science department and frequent guide aboard institute boat trips says the trips still hold magic for him, too.
 

Q: The blue whale is an animal even most avid whale watchers don’t get to see, what’s the attraction for you?
 

A: When you get close to a blue whale, the first thing that strikes you is the immense size. And when it exhales, the sound is piecing. Everything is on a larger scale. The skin is very smooth and dark blue. There is nothing growing on it. They just swim too fast. Our gray whales are always on a linear path, the blues are more about feeding. They’re not migrating. They’re not bent on getting to a destination.
 

Q: What exactly can folks expect on the trip?
 

A: We have whale artifacts and a powerpoint demonstration. We have a staff of marine biologists too. Captain Mike Bursk goes out and finds where the blues are. He likes to go to the 14 -mile bank or between Catalina and San Clemente Island. But it’s one of our tougher trips. We’re out on the open ocean all day. I warn everybody.
 

Q: Even though you’re going out to meet the blue whale, how successful are you most of the time?
 

A: This time of year it’s a pretty sure deal, but occasionally we don’t see any. We do see a lot of dolphin, and birds as well. Nothing in the ocean is a sure thing. Ten years ago, we didn’t see anywhere near what we see now. They’re moving in and think it has something to do with food supply. I don’t know about whether it’s good or bad. It’s a mystery. Most of that stuff goes back to currents and weather systems. It’s driven by that and that’s not well understood yet.
 

Q: What do most people on the trip know about the blue whale?
 

A: Generally, they know some things but there’s a whole lot they don’t know. We’re known for our educational trips, so we’re steeped in that side of it.
 

Q: Do you and the guides continue to see new things? If so, what are they?
 

A: Every so often. They did see whales about a month ago that are very rare. A humpback and minke. Humpback’s are usually a little north of us. That’s where they like to hang out, so when we see them down here it’s unusual.

By  Shawn Price
The Orange County Register
sprice@ocregister.com