San Esteban & San Pedro Martir Islands
A long, wonderful day full of marvelous places and great animal encounters started long before sunrise; many die-hard photographers landed on San Esteban Island in the pre-dawn darkness hoping to place themselves in the right spot to capture the first rays of the sun. Their efforts were rewarded by the dramatic pictures that they all took of our ship and of galloping and cardon cacti silhouetted against both sky and sea.
A bit later in the morning, a more civilized landing took place and we all went exploring looking for the several native reptile species of the island, including its two large endemics, the San Esteban chuckwalla and the spiny-tailed iguana. Everyone got the opportunity to see both of them and the photographers utilized an enormous number of pixels to document their different postures and habits. Iguanas were seen eating foliage, climbing on top of ironwood trees or giant cardon cacti, jumping or just plainly resting under a bush.
After leaving San Esteban, the National Geographic Sea Bird headed due south towards one of the jewels of the Gulf of California; San Pedro Martir Island is located in the middle between the three most important upwelling areas in the Gulf and the great productivity of its waters is reflected by the big number of birds seen all over the place. The photographers had a great time trying to get the perfect shot of the red-billed tropic birds, blue-footed or brown boobies flying around, sometimes almost within an arm’s reach!
Not long after, a big, tilted blow was discovered far away and we expectantly headed its way. A large solitary male sperm whale logged at the surface, and slowly submerged after giving us the chance to admire its size and crenulated skin. Soon, more distant blows were spotted towards the west and we had a great time watching numerous fin whales slowly swimming in pairs or trios in very calm waters and a gorgeous light.
Eventually the sun completed its daily path and then pure magic appeared, painting the skies and seas with both marvelous fiery colors and pastel tones, putting an end to another beautiful day in Baja California.
A long, wonderful day full of marvelous places and great animal encounters started long before sunrise; many die-hard photographers landed on San Esteban Island in the pre-dawn darkness hoping to place themselves in the right spot to capture the first rays of the sun. Their efforts were rewarded by the dramatic pictures that they all took of our ship and of galloping and cardon cacti silhouetted against both sky and sea.
A bit later in the morning, a more civilized landing took place and we all went exploring looking for the several native reptile species of the island, including its two large endemics, the San Esteban chuckwalla and the spiny-tailed iguana. Everyone got the opportunity to see both of them and the photographers utilized an enormous number of pixels to document their different postures and habits. Iguanas were seen eating foliage, climbing on top of ironwood trees or giant cardon cacti, jumping or just plainly resting under a bush.
After leaving San Esteban, the National Geographic Sea Bird headed due south towards one of the jewels of the Gulf of California; San Pedro Martir Island is located in the middle between the three most important upwelling areas in the Gulf and the great productivity of its waters is reflected by the big number of birds seen all over the place. The photographers had a great time trying to get the perfect shot of the red-billed tropic birds, blue-footed or brown boobies flying around, sometimes almost within an arm’s reach!
Not long after, a big, tilted blow was discovered far away and we expectantly headed its way. A large solitary male sperm whale logged at the surface, and slowly submerged after giving us the chance to admire its size and crenulated skin. Soon, more distant blows were spotted towards the west and we had a great time watching numerous fin whales slowly swimming in pairs or trios in very calm waters and a gorgeous light.
Eventually the sun completed its daily path and then pure magic appeared, painting the skies and seas with both marvelous fiery colors and pastel tones, putting an end to another beautiful day in Baja California.
