Whales: Touching the Mystery

by Doug Thompson

Ever since his first contact with a gray whale as a teenager, Doug Thompson has had a passion for this majestic marine mammal. Here, he shares stories of whales he has met over his 30-year career, in particular the "friendly" Gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. He describes the thrill of interacting with these gentle giants who seek out human contact within their birthing lagoons.Weaving his own and others' fascinating personal accounts with factual information he describes the hidden lives of whales, their mysterious migrations, and the modern threats they face in the world's waters. He also chronicles the efforts of human champions who are working to end whale hunting and promote whale watching - a far preferable economic alternative -worldwide. Ideal for seasoned whale watchers and the general-interest reader, this appealing package includes photos and maps as well as a first-rate companion DVD.

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2006

About the author

For over four decades Doug Thompson has been a marine naturalist, ecologist, and award-winning filmmaker, recognized internationally for his natural history expeditions and for being among the first to recognize the intimate “friendly whale” behavior in San Ignacio Lagoon, the migratory breeding grounds of Baja, Mexico.

As Director of Expeditions for The SummerTree Institute, Doug is often found lecturing on the wonders of the natural world or leading wildlife and marine expeditions in local and far off places. He has organized over a hundred long-range natural history excursions for groups ranging from elementary school classes to Fortune 500 leadership teams. As a marine naturalist, he enjoys worldwide authority as an innovator in experiential research with whales and dolphins, sharing richly woven stories of human interaction with the natural world in his lectures. Universities, corporations, and world-class resorts are among the many clients to whom Doug brings a fresh perspective on nature and the environment, offering participants diverse and memorable experiences.

Reviews

[Iryna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book "Whales, Touching the Mystery", the author tells the story of San Ignacio Lagoon, located on the coast of Mexico, which is a place where whales return from the Arctic summer waters. The lagoon is famous for its friendly whales that allow people to touch them and their calves born in the lagoon. The book genuinely conveys the author's love for whales and his desire to protect them. It also discusses the history of whaling and the modern threats they face