Boca de Soledad & Hull Canal
Although we awoke early this morning to an overcast sky, we were not disappointed during our Zodiac cruise in the Boca de Soledad, or “mouth of solitude.” We soon were witness to numerous episodes of spy-hopping as well as multiple close encounters with female gray whales and their newborn calves. Here in this protected area, the young calves are learning how to swim against the currents at the mouth of the bay in preparation for their long northern migration to the Bering and Chukchi Seas. What a way to spend the morning!
After lunch, we made our way south towards San Carlos via the Hull Canal. A narrow and very shallow passageway, this waterway is often as little as 10 feet deep and only 100 yards wide. However, with our trusted Mexican pilot, Alejandro, we safely traversed this beautiful area. Against the background of barchan dunes and red, white, and black mangroves, we encountered several bottlenose dolphins, and a large variety of birds including: great blue and tricolored herons, green and night-herons, cormorants (double-crested and the rarer neotropic), long-billed curlews, white ibis, and of course pelicans.
Later in the afternoon we dropped anchor near a sandy stretch of beach where we were able to enjoy a variety of activities including sea kayaking, Zodiac cruises in the mangroves channels, and even a final walk among the barchan dunes.
Returning to the National Geographic Sea Lion we gathered for one last recap and hors d’oeuvres before our farewell dinner. Those of us that watched the setting sun were able to experience a colorful sunset as well as the elusive green flash. All in all it was another wonderful day in Baja California. We have experienced many incredible sights and sounds during the past week and hopefully will be able to share these experiences with our friends back home.
Although we awoke early this morning to an overcast sky, we were not disappointed during our Zodiac cruise in the Boca de Soledad, or “mouth of solitude.” We soon were witness to numerous episodes of spy-hopping as well as multiple close encounters with female gray whales and their newborn calves. Here in this protected area, the young calves are learning how to swim against the currents at the mouth of the bay in preparation for their long northern migration to the Bering and Chukchi Seas. What a way to spend the morning!
After lunch, we made our way south towards San Carlos via the Hull Canal. A narrow and very shallow passageway, this waterway is often as little as 10 feet deep and only 100 yards wide. However, with our trusted Mexican pilot, Alejandro, we safely traversed this beautiful area. Against the background of barchan dunes and red, white, and black mangroves, we encountered several bottlenose dolphins, and a large variety of birds including: great blue and tricolored herons, green and night-herons, cormorants (double-crested and the rarer neotropic), long-billed curlews, white ibis, and of course pelicans.
Later in the afternoon we dropped anchor near a sandy stretch of beach where we were able to enjoy a variety of activities including sea kayaking, Zodiac cruises in the mangroves channels, and even a final walk among the barchan dunes.
Returning to the National Geographic Sea Lion we gathered for one last recap and hors d’oeuvres before our farewell dinner. Those of us that watched the setting sun were able to experience a colorful sunset as well as the elusive green flash. All in all it was another wonderful day in Baja California. We have experienced many incredible sights and sounds during the past week and hopefully will be able to share these experiences with our friends back home.
