Sand Dollar Beach & Hull Canal
The fog lifted this morning revealing the sand dunes of Isla Magdalena and the waters of Bahia Magdalena. Our morning’s destination was Sand Dollar Beach located in Bahia Santa Maria on the Pacific Ocean. To get there we crossed dunes of fine sand spotted with patches of sand verbena, sea purslane, and rattleweed. Curious mounds of broken shells or middens provided us with a glimpse of the eating habits of past human inhabitants of the area. The sound of the surf became amplified as we climbed the last and highest dune. Before us lay a beach strewn with treasures washed-up from the sea: kelp, dolphin and sea turtle remains, red mangrove seedlings, and sand dollars galore. Following our return to the ship, some of us participated in a stretch class on the bridge deck while others sipped cervezas while lounging in the sun.
In the afternoon, we weighed anchor and with our pilot, local expert Alejandro, at the helm, we began our journey through the Hull Canal. Binoculars in hand, we convened on the bow and began scanning the mangroves that line the channel for birds. Great blue herons, reddish egrets, Brant’s geese, and many more caught the attention of avid birders and proclaimed non-birders alike. Our first marine mammal sighting of the trip was a group of bow-riding bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins, jockeying for the best surf spot, emanated pure joy. We left the narrow, sinuous channel behind and entered the upper portion of the Magdalena Bay complex. It was not long until we saw the distinctive blow of a gray whale. Although our whale watching was restricted in these waters, the whales, unaware of the rules, ambled alongside the ship giving us a preview of our next day’s adventures.
The fog lifted this morning revealing the sand dunes of Isla Magdalena and the waters of Bahia Magdalena. Our morning’s destination was Sand Dollar Beach located in Bahia Santa Maria on the Pacific Ocean. To get there we crossed dunes of fine sand spotted with patches of sand verbena, sea purslane, and rattleweed. Curious mounds of broken shells or middens provided us with a glimpse of the eating habits of past human inhabitants of the area. The sound of the surf became amplified as we climbed the last and highest dune. Before us lay a beach strewn with treasures washed-up from the sea: kelp, dolphin and sea turtle remains, red mangrove seedlings, and sand dollars galore. Following our return to the ship, some of us participated in a stretch class on the bridge deck while others sipped cervezas while lounging in the sun.
In the afternoon, we weighed anchor and with our pilot, local expert Alejandro, at the helm, we began our journey through the Hull Canal. Binoculars in hand, we convened on the bow and began scanning the mangroves that line the channel for birds. Great blue herons, reddish egrets, Brant’s geese, and many more caught the attention of avid birders and proclaimed non-birders alike. Our first marine mammal sighting of the trip was a group of bow-riding bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins, jockeying for the best surf spot, emanated pure joy. We left the narrow, sinuous channel behind and entered the upper portion of the Magdalena Bay complex. It was not long until we saw the distinctive blow of a gray whale. Although our whale watching was restricted in these waters, the whales, unaware of the rules, ambled alongside the ship giving us a preview of our next day’s adventures.
