Whale watching in southern end of Baja peninsula, afternoon spent in San José del Cabo
Just before 7:00am this morning, the large red-orange ball of the sun rose out of the waters of the Gulf of California, greeting the day and shedding light over the world. The seas were calm and the early morning light exquisite. The National Geographic Sea Lion was making her way south heading for the northern end of a humpback whale mating and breeding grounds. We would be spending the first half of our day along the eastern side of the southern tip of the Baja peninsula in search of more marine mammals.
As if on cue, blows were spotted all around the ship! The Expedition Leader had staff and crew positioned all around the National Geographic Sea Lion with the hope of spotting humpback whales, and particularly several sets of special behaviors that often occur on the grounds where this particular whale gathers every winter. As the sun rose, the heat of the day also rose, as our vessel moved south into tropical waters, cruising past the Tropic of Cancer at 23 degrees, 27 minutes north latitude. It is surmised by marine mammal specialists that these warm winter seas attract the humpback whales to the Gulf of California for their birthing and breeding season.
We found several competitive groups of presumably male humpbacks fighting for the opportunity to breed with a female in close proximity. A mother and baby were also spotted, engaged in active tail lobbing. The mother would lift her tail out of the water; slap the surface while her baby did its best, moving its tiny tail across the water, imitating the behavior of the mother. Whale watching continued during the next three hours, as the National Geographic Sea Lion moved slowly south, between Los Frailes to the northeast, and Boca de Tule and La Fortuna in the south, heading towards San José del Cabo.
At approximately 10:45am it was time for our ship to continue making her way towards our afternoon destination. As we picked up speed, a group of bottlenose dolphins took up position under the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion. In and out, more dolphins came in, rode the sweet spot or pressure wave created just under the bow of the ship.
Civilization had been looming out in the distance, barely visible, but nonetheless present. More and more sport fishing boats came into view as we approached the tourist section of the Baja peninsula. Approximately 25 miles northeast of Cabo San Lucas our vessel made a sharp right hand turn into a new marina located on the outskirts of the town of San José del Cabo. In no time, and with the efficiency of our officers and crew, we were tied up at large dock with two Mexican tour buses parked nearby ready to transport us into an old traditional Mexican resort town.
San José del Cabo was founded in the 1700’s as a Jesuit mission outpost and community. Today, the population is approximately 25,000 people and a quiet, picturesque community of the original mission church, homes, restaurants, and fine galleries displaying some of the beautiful and unique ethic and cultural art so well known in Mexico. We spent our afternoon either bird watching in the estuary just outside of town, and/or enjoying the quiet, shaded streets with brightly painted buildings giving many an opportunity for interesting photography, a fine margarita and a little shopping.
All too soon it was time to return to our buses, and head back to the National Geographic Sea Lion. Leaving port, our vessel headed south to Lands End, the tip of the Baja peninsula and an enormous granitic outcropping. This evening it was crowned in a halo of circling birds looking for an evening roost. After a few closer looks at the arch, and a little bird watching, we moved around Lands End and left the Gulf of California behind and entered the Pacific Ocean.
The last rays of the sunlight were playing at the edge of the sea as the National Geographic Sea Lion made her turn and began heading north up the western side of the Baja peninsula, into the night and into our next days of adventure in the protected waters of Bahia Magdalena.
Just before 7:00am this morning, the large red-orange ball of the sun rose out of the waters of the Gulf of California, greeting the day and shedding light over the world. The seas were calm and the early morning light exquisite. The National Geographic Sea Lion was making her way south heading for the northern end of a humpback whale mating and breeding grounds. We would be spending the first half of our day along the eastern side of the southern tip of the Baja peninsula in search of more marine mammals.
As if on cue, blows were spotted all around the ship! The Expedition Leader had staff and crew positioned all around the National Geographic Sea Lion with the hope of spotting humpback whales, and particularly several sets of special behaviors that often occur on the grounds where this particular whale gathers every winter. As the sun rose, the heat of the day also rose, as our vessel moved south into tropical waters, cruising past the Tropic of Cancer at 23 degrees, 27 minutes north latitude. It is surmised by marine mammal specialists that these warm winter seas attract the humpback whales to the Gulf of California for their birthing and breeding season.
We found several competitive groups of presumably male humpbacks fighting for the opportunity to breed with a female in close proximity. A mother and baby were also spotted, engaged in active tail lobbing. The mother would lift her tail out of the water; slap the surface while her baby did its best, moving its tiny tail across the water, imitating the behavior of the mother. Whale watching continued during the next three hours, as the National Geographic Sea Lion moved slowly south, between Los Frailes to the northeast, and Boca de Tule and La Fortuna in the south, heading towards San José del Cabo.
At approximately 10:45am it was time for our ship to continue making her way towards our afternoon destination. As we picked up speed, a group of bottlenose dolphins took up position under the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion. In and out, more dolphins came in, rode the sweet spot or pressure wave created just under the bow of the ship.
Civilization had been looming out in the distance, barely visible, but nonetheless present. More and more sport fishing boats came into view as we approached the tourist section of the Baja peninsula. Approximately 25 miles northeast of Cabo San Lucas our vessel made a sharp right hand turn into a new marina located on the outskirts of the town of San José del Cabo. In no time, and with the efficiency of our officers and crew, we were tied up at large dock with two Mexican tour buses parked nearby ready to transport us into an old traditional Mexican resort town.
San José del Cabo was founded in the 1700’s as a Jesuit mission outpost and community. Today, the population is approximately 25,000 people and a quiet, picturesque community of the original mission church, homes, restaurants, and fine galleries displaying some of the beautiful and unique ethic and cultural art so well known in Mexico. We spent our afternoon either bird watching in the estuary just outside of town, and/or enjoying the quiet, shaded streets with brightly painted buildings giving many an opportunity for interesting photography, a fine margarita and a little shopping.
All too soon it was time to return to our buses, and head back to the National Geographic Sea Lion. Leaving port, our vessel headed south to Lands End, the tip of the Baja peninsula and an enormous granitic outcropping. This evening it was crowned in a halo of circling birds looking for an evening roost. After a few closer looks at the arch, and a little bird watching, we moved around Lands End and left the Gulf of California behind and entered the Pacific Ocean.
The last rays of the sunlight were playing at the edge of the sea as the National Geographic Sea Lion made her turn and began heading north up the western side of the Baja peninsula, into the night and into our next days of adventure in the protected waters of Bahia Magdalena.
