38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 4-10, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com LIT Monterey County knows James Michael Dorsey well from his books and talks, including the ongoing “Before They Vanish” travelogue series in the Monterey Public Library the third Friday of each month through June. Dorsey has published two books based on his travels to some of the most remote places in the world, from Lapland to Burkina Faso. But this place and this book—his third, The Lagoon: Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio—is special. Dorsey and his wife, Irene Dorsey, chose to return to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California each summer for over 20 years, working as volunteers. “I like these animals,” Dorsey says about gray whales, the distinct inhabitants of the lagoon. “By now, I can identify them by their personal marks, such as birthmarks.” San Ignacio, located on the Pacific side of Baja California, was discovered by Westerners in the mid-19th century by whaling captain Jared Poole. Like Dorsey, Poole and his brother-in-law, whaler Charles Melville Scammon, were attracted by a unique nursery of gray whales, the only such place after their Atlantic and then Pacific populations dwindled, mostly due to whaling. Since 1988, the area has been part of the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Mexico’s largest wildlife sanctuary. It is home not only a Pacific gray whale sanctuary—it is their last and only undeveloped nursery and breeding ground in the world. “San Ignacio is one of three isolated lagoons where gray whales come to teach their newborn calves the fine art of being a whale,” writes Dorsey, “and these lagoons are the only known places on Earth where wild animals actively seek out human contact on a regular basis. Being among the largest creatures on Earth, it is all the more spectacular.” The Lagoon embraces the importance of fighting whaling, outlawed by the U.S. in the 1970s, but still practiced by Norway, Iceland and Japan. The book includes the natural history of Baja and calls for the protection of this precious environment. Using Dorsey’s own words on gray whales: “They are friendly, curious, and docile. Lacking arms or hands, I believe, they simply enjoy the sensation of touch, especially being petted, because they often respond to stroking by pushing against one’s hand.” The Lagoon: Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio will be available May 23. Learn more at jamesmichaeldorsey.com. COURTESY OF JAMES DORSEY On the Lagoon Learn about the only place in the world where gray whales and humans become lifelong friends. By Agata Pop˛eda James Michael Dorsey and his wife, Irene, have a special place in their hearts for San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja. They volunteered there each summer for over 20 years. HEATED OUTDOOR SEATING | DOG FRIENDLY | LOCAL VENETIAN CUISINE LOCAL & ORGANIC | LUNCH & DINNER | FULL BAR Open Tuesday – Sun 11:30am – 2pm and 4 – 8pm San Carlos, Between Ocean & 7th www.basilcarmel.com 831.626.8226 Mother’s Day Brunch Select from our regular menu or our Mother’s Day Special! Sunday, May 14th•11am to 4pm Complimentary glass of Mimosa or Bellini for each mom Make your reservation now! 3665 RIO ROAD, CARMEL • SHEARWATERTAVERN.COM Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 14th • 7am – 1pm Reservations strongly suggested: 831-624-1841 x 3 Reservations may also be made on Open Table Smoked Salmon on a Mini Bagel, accompanied by Boursin cheese, onion, chopped eggs, tomato and capers Fluffy French Toast served with Chantilly whipped cream and maple syrup Ratatouille Salad featuring roasted eggplants, tomatoes, zucchinis, squash, and pearl onions topped with grilled chicken breast Peruvian Shrimp Sliders with a spicy rocoto chili pepper aioli Full Bar including Sparkling Mimosa with fresh juice or Bloody Marys Breakfast entrees are priced from $12-$20. In addition to the restaurant’s newly launched breakfast menu, Executive Chef Fabian Di Paolo will feature exclusive entrée selections in celebration of local and visiting moms. Full menu + additional specials
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