Whale Waters & Isla San Francisco
Today was a day to fit in as many different ways to experience Baja as possible. It started before sunrise as the seas were glassy, a fiery sunset was developing, and the National Geographic Sea Bird was surrounded by Common Dolphins. We enjoyed a pre-breakfast feeding frenzy as the dolphins drove bait fish to the surface which were then feasted on by a myriad of birds. Mobula rays breached around us and a few Bryde’s whales exhibited their typical erratic but exciting displays.
In the distance, a towering blow was spotted and during breakfast we approached the largest of all creatures, a blue whale. This whale was on a very regular pattern of diving for 8-9 minutes, surfacing for 5-6 blows, and then lifting its 15 foot wide flukes into the air and returning to the depths to feed. Then a mother calf pair of blue whales joined the fray and added to the thrill. To see these massive creatures so close in perfect conditions was an incredibly special event.
Next, we anchored at San Francisco Island and went ashore for a variety of walks. Some strolled along the salt pans, while others relaxed on the crescent shaped beach. Others of us went vertical, up past Verdin nests in cholla cactus and pack rat mounds, to a ridge with spectacular views. Magnificent Frigatebirds soared overhead while Ash-throated Flycatchers and Black-throated Sparrows flitted in the bushes.
After lunch, it was time to explore the undersea world. Some took advantage of the low tide to check out the intertidal creatures, while others donned masks and fins and got wet. Snorkelers were rewarded with large schools of grunts and snappers, neon blue damselfish, and the stunning king angel. I was diving and shooting video, and was lucky to find two large green morays that I was able to show to a few hardy snorkelers.
Next on the list was kayaking, and without a breath of wind, it was the perfect way to wind down the day. However, distracting us was a group of at least 300 pelicans that were dive bombing a gigantic school of bait fish right off the beach. Cormorants and gulls joined the melee and an incredible feeding frenzy happened within feet of the beach. This frenzy continued on and provided the backdrop for our beach barbecue. A glowing sunset, tasty barbecue, and bombing pelicans was a fitting end to a perfect day.
Today was a day to fit in as many different ways to experience Baja as possible. It started before sunrise as the seas were glassy, a fiery sunset was developing, and the National Geographic Sea Bird was surrounded by Common Dolphins. We enjoyed a pre-breakfast feeding frenzy as the dolphins drove bait fish to the surface which were then feasted on by a myriad of birds. Mobula rays breached around us and a few Bryde’s whales exhibited their typical erratic but exciting displays.
In the distance, a towering blow was spotted and during breakfast we approached the largest of all creatures, a blue whale. This whale was on a very regular pattern of diving for 8-9 minutes, surfacing for 5-6 blows, and then lifting its 15 foot wide flukes into the air and returning to the depths to feed. Then a mother calf pair of blue whales joined the fray and added to the thrill. To see these massive creatures so close in perfect conditions was an incredibly special event.
Next, we anchored at San Francisco Island and went ashore for a variety of walks. Some strolled along the salt pans, while others relaxed on the crescent shaped beach. Others of us went vertical, up past Verdin nests in cholla cactus and pack rat mounds, to a ridge with spectacular views. Magnificent Frigatebirds soared overhead while Ash-throated Flycatchers and Black-throated Sparrows flitted in the bushes.
After lunch, it was time to explore the undersea world. Some took advantage of the low tide to check out the intertidal creatures, while others donned masks and fins and got wet. Snorkelers were rewarded with large schools of grunts and snappers, neon blue damselfish, and the stunning king angel. I was diving and shooting video, and was lucky to find two large green morays that I was able to show to a few hardy snorkelers.
Next on the list was kayaking, and without a breath of wind, it was the perfect way to wind down the day. However, distracting us was a group of at least 300 pelicans that were dive bombing a gigantic school of bait fish right off the beach. Cormorants and gulls joined the melee and an incredible feeding frenzy happened within feet of the beach. This frenzy continued on and provided the backdrop for our beach barbecue. A glowing sunset, tasty barbecue, and bombing pelicans was a fitting end to a perfect day.
