Bahia Magdalena
We awoke this morning at the Boca de Soledad with the Sea Bird once again surrounded by gray whale mother-calf pairs. Half of our group explored the dunes accompanied by the ever inquisitive coyote, while the rest boarded the Zodiacs for more outstanding views of the gray whales. Just like yesterday, the gray whales put on an incredible show for us visitors to their nursery. We enjoyed the incredible bond between mother and calf as many of us were treated to prolonged views of the constant contact between the pairs. We were witnesses to calves playing on their mother’s backs and being lifted out of the water, and even occasionally breaching or spy hops. What a fabulous two days we spent with these leviathans, but it was time to move on.
After lunch we transited the Hull canal to the south and were treated with excellent views of many different shorebirds. Patient observers went over the finer points of heron and shorebird identification, all the while admiring the mesmerizing dunes and our escort of bowriding bottlenose dolphins. As we approached our southern exit to Magdalena Bay, known as “La Entrada,” things began to get really exciting. Hundreds of gulls and cormorants were feeding on the surface and we quickly spotted their entrée, pelagic red crabs. These crabs resemble small lobsters and have a pelagic stage that at times results in mass groupings that become a smorgasbord for birds, tunas, and even whales. We also spotted a number of adult gray whales as “La Entrada” is a place where gray whales come to mate. Many adults were seen in groups, possibly cavorting together to create a calf that would be born thirteen months later, maybe at the Boca where we spent the previous two days.
The sun began to dip towards a crystal clear horizon over the Pacific, and everyone gathered on deck to contemplate the green flash. Many different strategies and theories (some centering upon consumption of margaritas) were tossed around amongst the believers and non-believers. However, all were convinced as a stunning green “blip” appeared as the golden orb dipped below the ocean. We all said goodbye to the grey whales and Magdalena Bay and look forward to saying good morning to the Sea of Cortez and continue our journey amongst the great whales.
We awoke this morning at the Boca de Soledad with the Sea Bird once again surrounded by gray whale mother-calf pairs. Half of our group explored the dunes accompanied by the ever inquisitive coyote, while the rest boarded the Zodiacs for more outstanding views of the gray whales. Just like yesterday, the gray whales put on an incredible show for us visitors to their nursery. We enjoyed the incredible bond between mother and calf as many of us were treated to prolonged views of the constant contact between the pairs. We were witnesses to calves playing on their mother’s backs and being lifted out of the water, and even occasionally breaching or spy hops. What a fabulous two days we spent with these leviathans, but it was time to move on.
After lunch we transited the Hull canal to the south and were treated with excellent views of many different shorebirds. Patient observers went over the finer points of heron and shorebird identification, all the while admiring the mesmerizing dunes and our escort of bowriding bottlenose dolphins. As we approached our southern exit to Magdalena Bay, known as “La Entrada,” things began to get really exciting. Hundreds of gulls and cormorants were feeding on the surface and we quickly spotted their entrée, pelagic red crabs. These crabs resemble small lobsters and have a pelagic stage that at times results in mass groupings that become a smorgasbord for birds, tunas, and even whales. We also spotted a number of adult gray whales as “La Entrada” is a place where gray whales come to mate. Many adults were seen in groups, possibly cavorting together to create a calf that would be born thirteen months later, maybe at the Boca where we spent the previous two days.
The sun began to dip towards a crystal clear horizon over the Pacific, and everyone gathered on deck to contemplate the green flash. Many different strategies and theories (some centering upon consumption of margaritas) were tossed around amongst the believers and non-believers. However, all were convinced as a stunning green “blip” appeared as the golden orb dipped below the ocean. We all said goodbye to the grey whales and Magdalena Bay and look forward to saying good morning to the Sea of Cortez and continue our journey amongst the great whales.
