Isla Santa Catalina
Our morning was spent exploring one of the arroyos of Isla Santa Catalina and looking about the surrounding ocean world. The first guests on land made their way up to an exposed ridge that offered great views. Others were able to walk up a beautiful canyon full of birds that included gila and ladder-backed woodpeckers, strikingly colored black-throated sparrows and loggerhead shrikes. At least 20 species of fish swam through the clear water including the dazzling immature king angelfish, Cortez rainbow wrasses, and whisker toting Mexican goatfish.
After lunch we went in search of whales. Less than an hour out from our anchorage we found a cow and a yearling blue whale heading in our direction. They crossed our bow heading east but soon turned back and began feeding. We were quite lucky in encountering one of the 17% of “blues” that show their flukes on a dive. At one point when we were directly behind her, we watched a fantastic cascade of seawater run off her rising flukes and cascade into the sea. We soon sailed on for more adventures.
As we headed west and drew closer to the peninsula, a tall spout was seen amongst smaller bushier blows. A fin whale passed on our port side, but the sight in the distance drew us on. A tall black dorsal fin seemed to hang above the surface for just a second. Killer whales were possibly on a fin or blue whale. As we drew closer, we never saw the tall spout again. There were three adult males that passed by the ship now and then as they possibly fed. Heermann’s and yellow-footed gulls landed in little groups presumably feeding on scraps. One of the males passed right alongside the ship and allowed us to peer down into the clear water at his submerged body. These beautifully adapted creatures with such superb aquatic skills seem to command a respect and thrill that is difficult to comprehend. Some are left only to squeal in excitement while others, like myself, try to stoically grasp this incredible beast. We stayed with this group of about 10 individuals for 2 ½ hours. They would mill around in small groups then dissappear for a few minutes then vanish again. Another boat in the area found about a one square foot piece of dark gray skin with blubber attached to it that probably once belonged to a fin whale. This was a sighting of a lifetime. One we will never forget.
Our morning was spent exploring one of the arroyos of Isla Santa Catalina and looking about the surrounding ocean world. The first guests on land made their way up to an exposed ridge that offered great views. Others were able to walk up a beautiful canyon full of birds that included gila and ladder-backed woodpeckers, strikingly colored black-throated sparrows and loggerhead shrikes. At least 20 species of fish swam through the clear water including the dazzling immature king angelfish, Cortez rainbow wrasses, and whisker toting Mexican goatfish.
After lunch we went in search of whales. Less than an hour out from our anchorage we found a cow and a yearling blue whale heading in our direction. They crossed our bow heading east but soon turned back and began feeding. We were quite lucky in encountering one of the 17% of “blues” that show their flukes on a dive. At one point when we were directly behind her, we watched a fantastic cascade of seawater run off her rising flukes and cascade into the sea. We soon sailed on for more adventures.
As we headed west and drew closer to the peninsula, a tall spout was seen amongst smaller bushier blows. A fin whale passed on our port side, but the sight in the distance drew us on. A tall black dorsal fin seemed to hang above the surface for just a second. Killer whales were possibly on a fin or blue whale. As we drew closer, we never saw the tall spout again. There were three adult males that passed by the ship now and then as they possibly fed. Heermann’s and yellow-footed gulls landed in little groups presumably feeding on scraps. One of the males passed right alongside the ship and allowed us to peer down into the clear water at his submerged body. These beautifully adapted creatures with such superb aquatic skills seem to command a respect and thrill that is difficult to comprehend. Some are left only to squeal in excitement while others, like myself, try to stoically grasp this incredible beast. We stayed with this group of about 10 individuals for 2 ½ hours. They would mill around in small groups then dissappear for a few minutes then vanish again. Another boat in the area found about a one square foot piece of dark gray skin with blubber attached to it that probably once belonged to a fin whale. This was a sighting of a lifetime. One we will never forget.
