October 18, 2011 8:23 AM
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Eye-to-eye with giant blue whale
(CBS News)
Two kayakers had an up-close encounter of the Southern California coast with the largest animal on Earth.
Paddling off Redondo Beach, south of Los Angeles, they got an amazing close-up view of a blue whale.
Rick Coleman even plunged into the water for a face-to-face meeting -- and brought bring back video to prove it.
Susan Coleman recalled, "He was so close, and I was kinda all excited, and, y'know, it gets your heart rate pumping!
"And the fin came up close to the kayak, and my first thing was like, 'Oh, Rick!' And I didn't scream out, but that was my first thought - 'Oh my gosh, I hope he didn't get hit."'
The 50-foot-long whale didn't hit him but, or an unforgettable moment, the man and the graceful giant were eye-to-eye.
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