Gulf of California
Our first day of the voyage was certainly a lucky day for marine mammals. After breakfast, we spotted a multi- species flock of sea birds frantically feeding on the surface that included brown and blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, brown pelicans making acrobatic dives to fill their gular pouches with water and fish, gulls, terns and of course, magnificent frigate birds ready to steal a meal from other birds.
All this feeding orgy led us to a pod of common dolphins, who were also taking advantage of what we believe, was a school of fish. For a moment, we were almost engulfed by these playful marine mammals; very young dolphins jumping out of the water were easily spotted by their smaller size.
We sailed around Isla Danzante over calm seas looking for other marine mammals. During our watch we could see Mobula rays jumping and sending their “wing tips” out of the water, while occasional sea lions would show up without minding our presence. On our way to Isla Santa Catalina we encountered a couple of Bryde’s whales, which we could observe for moments until they dove down in their characteristic unpredictable direction. A couple of dorsal fins were seen at the distance, although we could not figure out which species they belonged to; Larry perhaps they were pygmy sperm whales of the genus Kogia.
After lunch, when dessert was being served, Larry announced the presence of a pod of pilot whales; he said that we didn’t have to rush because these animals are not very shy. I think no one paid attention to this last phrase, as everyone, including myself, rushed out to the bow to observe these amazing animals. It was a fairly big group of whales that included several large males. We had the opportunity to see them for a long time, and each time they surfaced they came closer to the ship. This picture was taken at the exact moment that everyone exclaimed: Ooh! Ahh!
Jim’s slide illustrated presentation about geology took place while we were still on our way to Isla Santa Catalina. Our afternoon activities on Isla Santa Catalina included snorkeling near the “elephant rock,” long, short and intermediate hikes on the arroyo and cruising in the Zodiac. Back on the ship, we had our evening recap just before dinner. It is hard to believe that we made all this happen in a single day, but believe it or not we did it!
Our first day of the voyage was certainly a lucky day for marine mammals. After breakfast, we spotted a multi- species flock of sea birds frantically feeding on the surface that included brown and blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, brown pelicans making acrobatic dives to fill their gular pouches with water and fish, gulls, terns and of course, magnificent frigate birds ready to steal a meal from other birds.
All this feeding orgy led us to a pod of common dolphins, who were also taking advantage of what we believe, was a school of fish. For a moment, we were almost engulfed by these playful marine mammals; very young dolphins jumping out of the water were easily spotted by their smaller size.
We sailed around Isla Danzante over calm seas looking for other marine mammals. During our watch we could see Mobula rays jumping and sending their “wing tips” out of the water, while occasional sea lions would show up without minding our presence. On our way to Isla Santa Catalina we encountered a couple of Bryde’s whales, which we could observe for moments until they dove down in their characteristic unpredictable direction. A couple of dorsal fins were seen at the distance, although we could not figure out which species they belonged to; Larry perhaps they were pygmy sperm whales of the genus Kogia.
After lunch, when dessert was being served, Larry announced the presence of a pod of pilot whales; he said that we didn’t have to rush because these animals are not very shy. I think no one paid attention to this last phrase, as everyone, including myself, rushed out to the bow to observe these amazing animals. It was a fairly big group of whales that included several large males. We had the opportunity to see them for a long time, and each time they surfaced they came closer to the ship. This picture was taken at the exact moment that everyone exclaimed: Ooh! Ahh!
Jim’s slide illustrated presentation about geology took place while we were still on our way to Isla Santa Catalina. Our afternoon activities on Isla Santa Catalina included snorkeling near the “elephant rock,” long, short and intermediate hikes on the arroyo and cruising in the Zodiac. Back on the ship, we had our evening recap just before dinner. It is hard to believe that we made all this happen in a single day, but believe it or not we did it!
