A kayaker released this incredible video recently of his up close encounter with an enormous Blue Whale:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/v/HVtw94PJ8XA?version=3&hl=en_US expand=1]

The Los Angeles Times writes the video was taken by a Redondo Beach kayaker off the coast of Southern California on October 8:

"The YouTube poster, MrRJCtube, described the Oct. 8 experience as 'heart pounding excitement," but noted that he does not recommend or endorse trying to swim with whales.

'The whales are large unpredictable animals and potentially dangerous,' he wrote."

Blue whales are the planet’s largest creatures. ABC News writes that their hearts alone are the size of a compact car.