The Cape Region of Baja California
Splashes ahead of the ship brought us running to the bow on this beautiful morning. The long narrow pectoral fin of a humpback whale was waving back and forth at the surface; noisily smacking the sea and sending up plumes of spray as this large baleen whale lay on its side and languidly swung its fifteen foot ‘arm’ back and forth. There were two additional humpback whales in this group, and two others nearby- was there perhaps some communication between these animals? The mysteries surrounding the communication behaviors of these interesting whales are many and intrigue both scientists and observers.
We do know that some other specialized communication was also happening in the area. Just as soon as a hydrophone was lowered into the water, we heard some unusual sounds – the groans and moans of a humpback whale singing. Humpback whales have a haunting and complex song, with similarities to human music: both contain phrases and stanzas. Only the males sing, hanging perfectly still in the water column with heads facing downward. All of the males in the north Pacific population are singing the same song. Next year the song will change somewhat, and all of the males in the north Pacific population will once again be singing the same song. Recent research suggests that the song may repel females rather than attract them as previously believed.
This afternoon the National Geographic Sea Bird made a port call in the resort town of Cabo San Lucas and following a delightful lunch ashore, we divided into birders, snorkelers and those curious about the local art, crafts and culture. The estero at Cabo del San Jose provided a wealth of avian species amongst the palms and rare fresh water and moorish idols and convict tangs delighted those under the sea, while culture seekers checked out everything from art galleries to pomegranate margaritas.
Sunset pinks softened the infamous granite arches at Land’s End as we begin our northbound journey to the calving lagoons of Bahia Magdalena.
Splashes ahead of the ship brought us running to the bow on this beautiful morning. The long narrow pectoral fin of a humpback whale was waving back and forth at the surface; noisily smacking the sea and sending up plumes of spray as this large baleen whale lay on its side and languidly swung its fifteen foot ‘arm’ back and forth. There were two additional humpback whales in this group, and two others nearby- was there perhaps some communication between these animals? The mysteries surrounding the communication behaviors of these interesting whales are many and intrigue both scientists and observers.
We do know that some other specialized communication was also happening in the area. Just as soon as a hydrophone was lowered into the water, we heard some unusual sounds – the groans and moans of a humpback whale singing. Humpback whales have a haunting and complex song, with similarities to human music: both contain phrases and stanzas. Only the males sing, hanging perfectly still in the water column with heads facing downward. All of the males in the north Pacific population are singing the same song. Next year the song will change somewhat, and all of the males in the north Pacific population will once again be singing the same song. Recent research suggests that the song may repel females rather than attract them as previously believed.
This afternoon the National Geographic Sea Bird made a port call in the resort town of Cabo San Lucas and following a delightful lunch ashore, we divided into birders, snorkelers and those curious about the local art, crafts and culture. The estero at Cabo del San Jose provided a wealth of avian species amongst the palms and rare fresh water and moorish idols and convict tangs delighted those under the sea, while culture seekers checked out everything from art galleries to pomegranate margaritas.
Sunset pinks softened the infamous granite arches at Land’s End as we begin our northbound journey to the calving lagoons of Bahia Magdalena.
