We spent a few days in the Bahia de Magdelena on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur, observing and interacting the the Gray Whale mothers and their calves. This mother was very interested in us, and sported a coating of barnacles that covered a part of her body with a thickness that approached a garment. The barnacles are parasites that use the whales as transport to move them through the water as they collect food. During this particular visit I was the only one that this whale approached and allowed me to touch her although she encouraged her calve to do so many times. When I did reach down to pet her head, she shivered, I believe from pleasure. What I didn't notice until we had left and were on our way back, that making the connection with her had also transferred another former passenger to the palm of my hand, one of the whale's lice.