Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Early this morning the National Geographic Sea Lion crossed the Tropic of Cancer and officially entered into the tropics. Pre-dawn light found the ship positioned just off finisterra, (land’s end), the famous granitic arch that marks the end of the 800 mile long Baja Peninsula. This magnificent formation defines the end of the Pacific to the west and the beginning of the Gulf of California to the east.
As the sun rose higher and higher, the warmer reds and oranges were replaced by cooler yellows and greens, and finally clear blue sky which filled our camera viewfinders. Turning the bow toward the inner harbor of Cabo San Lucas gave us a view of our first snorkeling sight, Pelican Rock and the hustle and bustle of a once village turned major tourist destination.
After taking in the underwater and city sights of Cabo, we ran along the coastline a few nautical miles and found ourselves among humpback whales that held our attention until sunset. Adult male humpbacks were posturing for the right to escort a female, while sub-adults mimicked and practiced the same behaviors. Breaching, lunging, peduncle throws, and pectoral fin slaps were the main topic of conversations and images.
Honestly our images hold the details, our hearts the rare opportunity to be present in this wild place that needs our continued protection. All in all, it was a whale of a day.
Early this morning the National Geographic Sea Lion crossed the Tropic of Cancer and officially entered into the tropics. Pre-dawn light found the ship positioned just off finisterra, (land’s end), the famous granitic arch that marks the end of the 800 mile long Baja Peninsula. This magnificent formation defines the end of the Pacific to the west and the beginning of the Gulf of California to the east.
As the sun rose higher and higher, the warmer reds and oranges were replaced by cooler yellows and greens, and finally clear blue sky which filled our camera viewfinders. Turning the bow toward the inner harbor of Cabo San Lucas gave us a view of our first snorkeling sight, Pelican Rock and the hustle and bustle of a once village turned major tourist destination.
After taking in the underwater and city sights of Cabo, we ran along the coastline a few nautical miles and found ourselves among humpback whales that held our attention until sunset. Adult male humpbacks were posturing for the right to escort a female, while sub-adults mimicked and practiced the same behaviors. Breaching, lunging, peduncle throws, and pectoral fin slaps were the main topic of conversations and images.
Honestly our images hold the details, our hearts the rare opportunity to be present in this wild place that needs our continued protection. All in all, it was a whale of a day.
