The image above is not from todays events. Im simply using it to illustrate how big Whale Sharks actually are.

The single most exciting moment in my snorkeling career and more.

After a full day of snorkeling the pristine, albeit dry and rocky, bahias of the Sea of Cortez, on the way back to the marina, in our little skiff(?) bouncing over waves, throwing up torrents of white foam and mist in our wake, the Capitan, no es marinero (La Bamba), Javier, heard on the radio a sighting of the Gigante Tiburon(Whale Shark.)

We speed over to the sighting area, and there she is, a big black bulge in the water, moving fast. I squeeze into my wet suit and Gabriel the Dive Master tosses me my mask, snorkel and fins from the bow, and comments how I look like a Gigante Condone. He points into the water and says GO GO GO, and over the side I go, back first with hands over mask, perfect scuba diver form, and me only being an apprentice snorkeler. There I GO heels over head into the water with the boat still moving and when I turn the Whale Shark is a foot away, turning left across my path, and I see a smaller symbiote fish on its left side, or maybe it is a bebe shark. The size astounds me, I feel deep down in the very essence fear and wonder of the size of this animal, I reach out to touch it and stop in fear of its power.

I mildly panic now as its entire enormity passes by and its tail swooshes next to me, knowing the power in that tail to sweep me into my watery grave.

As quickly as it appeared, the shark was gone. My attempts to follow were as feeble as my wobbly fins.

Climbing the ladder back into the boat, Gabriel asked me IF I TOUCHED THE SHARK. Without thinking, I suddenly replied, YES.
Gabriel said, YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO TOUCH THE SHARKS.
I did not realized I had lied until he forced me to face the facts. I had wanted to touch the shark, but was too afraid. I had actually believed I had touched the shark, an inner lie to myself to deny the cowardice I felt.
I quickly covered that lie with an even more shameful lie. I THOUGHT YOU SAID SAW THE SHARK.... YES, I SAW THE SHARK. Gabriel nodded.

I sat in my wet seat in complete wonder and the experience, besides the exhillaration, Im left with knowing that as afraid as I was, the giant shark was as gentle as a lamb.

Mi Señor, If I were to be as a lamb, If only I could be as a lamb.