Bahia Magdalena
We awoke this morning anchored just inside the Boca de Soledad at the northern end of Isla Magdalena. We are positioned here in hopes of observing gray whales as they enter the protected waters of Bahia Magdalena after a two month journey from the Arctic waters of Alaska. To the north of us is Santo Domingo Channel, a mangrove maze nearly 50 kilometers long. It is in these calm, shallow waters that the gray whales give birth to their calves. We set out in Zodiacs in search of whales. The upcoming full moon summoned a very high tide, submerging sand bars and creating huge crashing waves. Our search was not in vain; a solitary gray whale broke the water surface with an audible exhale. The intact mangrove forests, important nursery areas for fish and shrimp, are popular roosting sites for many resident and migratory birds. Keen eyes and binoculars revealed white ibis, green herons, tri-color herons, great blue herons, mangrove warblers, magnificent frigate birds, and more. The afternoon walk along the sea shell-strewn shore and amidst the sand dunes provided a great opportunity for those in search of solitude. In the evening, a local group of musicians, Los Coyotes de Magdalena, joined us in the lounge providing a taste of Mexican culture.
We awoke this morning anchored just inside the Boca de Soledad at the northern end of Isla Magdalena. We are positioned here in hopes of observing gray whales as they enter the protected waters of Bahia Magdalena after a two month journey from the Arctic waters of Alaska. To the north of us is Santo Domingo Channel, a mangrove maze nearly 50 kilometers long. It is in these calm, shallow waters that the gray whales give birth to their calves. We set out in Zodiacs in search of whales. The upcoming full moon summoned a very high tide, submerging sand bars and creating huge crashing waves. Our search was not in vain; a solitary gray whale broke the water surface with an audible exhale. The intact mangrove forests, important nursery areas for fish and shrimp, are popular roosting sites for many resident and migratory birds. Keen eyes and binoculars revealed white ibis, green herons, tri-color herons, great blue herons, mangrove warblers, magnificent frigate birds, and more. The afternoon walk along the sea shell-strewn shore and amidst the sand dunes provided a great opportunity for those in search of solitude. In the evening, a local group of musicians, Los Coyotes de Magdalena, joined us in the lounge providing a taste of Mexican culture.
