Magdalena Bay
This morning found the Sea Bird at Boca de Soledad – an opening out into the Pacific Ocean which, while easily traversed by the gray whales, is equally prohibitive to our passage. This is the northernmost point that we will explore on our visit to Magdalena Bay. The sunrise today was both glorious and foreboding. It is a day full of possibilities, opportunities and experiences, but what is yet to develop will have to wait for awhile. A light fog hung over the sea and surrounding dunes – almost like the heavy breath of the gray whales which we are so eager to seek out. After a hearty breakfast, we hastened into our carriages (the 21 foot long inflatable Zodiacs which make our journey of discovery possible) and headed out towards the Boca. Several hours later we all returned to the ship – fully sated. To watch a fully-grown gray whale cross under your Zodiac, within feet of the surface, can be awe-inspiring. Especially when you suddenly look up and realize that while you were watching the tail go by at the stern, someone else was getting a good glimpse of the eye – forty feet away and in another boat!
The afternoon followed suit with another opportunity to view whales. We also had time to explore the nearby beach where we found some lovely specimens along the shoreline, including this Venus clam. Although the dunes appear to be barren and lifeless from a distance, the bounty and variety of life in the area springs into focus when viewed more closely.
Tonight we will have our dinner brought in from a local restaurant and celebrate another fabulous day – Fiesta-style and complete with musicians. A suitable ending for a picture-perfect day. But what will tomorrow hold in store for us? That remains to be seen.
This morning found the Sea Bird at Boca de Soledad – an opening out into the Pacific Ocean which, while easily traversed by the gray whales, is equally prohibitive to our passage. This is the northernmost point that we will explore on our visit to Magdalena Bay. The sunrise today was both glorious and foreboding. It is a day full of possibilities, opportunities and experiences, but what is yet to develop will have to wait for awhile. A light fog hung over the sea and surrounding dunes – almost like the heavy breath of the gray whales which we are so eager to seek out. After a hearty breakfast, we hastened into our carriages (the 21 foot long inflatable Zodiacs which make our journey of discovery possible) and headed out towards the Boca. Several hours later we all returned to the ship – fully sated. To watch a fully-grown gray whale cross under your Zodiac, within feet of the surface, can be awe-inspiring. Especially when you suddenly look up and realize that while you were watching the tail go by at the stern, someone else was getting a good glimpse of the eye – forty feet away and in another boat!
The afternoon followed suit with another opportunity to view whales. We also had time to explore the nearby beach where we found some lovely specimens along the shoreline, including this Venus clam. Although the dunes appear to be barren and lifeless from a distance, the bounty and variety of life in the area springs into focus when viewed more closely.
Tonight we will have our dinner brought in from a local restaurant and celebrate another fabulous day – Fiesta-style and complete with musicians. A suitable ending for a picture-perfect day. But what will tomorrow hold in store for us? That remains to be seen.
