Off the coast of Mexico, an encounter with a hungry whale

MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR :: MEXICO

In winter 2024, I was free diving in the warm, clear waters off the coast of Baja California Sur when I witnessed an extraordinary spectacle: a feeding frenzy during the annual Mexican sardine run.

Each year from October to January, millions of glittering sardines travel through this stretch of the Pacific, transforming it into a kaleidoscope of marine life as a diverse cast of predators—from striped marlins and dorados to sea lions—converge to feast in the fishes’ wake.

To protect themselves, sardines gather in tight, spherical formations called bait balls. I was trailing one just below the surface when suddenly, a massive Bryde’s whale appeared, mouth wide open, and began to eat.

In a sea full of predators, awareness is essential—and in that moment, I was in the perfect place at the perfect time. Heart pounding, I lifted my camera.

Of all the images I captured that day, this one stands out. Just before the whale took its final gulp, the sardines clustered into a shape that, for a split second, resembled a heart. The moment was nothing short of surreal.