Blue wonder – Local biologists, whale watchers, paddlers and boaters are experiencing a rare up-close look at the world’s largest animal

Craig Stanton was sitting on the deck of his condo overlooking King Harbor in Redondo Beach a little more than two weeks ago when something in the ocean caught his eye. A white plume rose from the blue water not far from the harbor’s entrance. Stanton, a 100-ton captain and longtime harbor hand, was puzzled. He