Isla Magdalena, Baja California
Throughout the day Magdalena Island sheltered the Sea Bird from the open Pacific. Sculptured dunes lured us ashore at Sand Dollar Beach, a lovely spot for a morning walk. Miniature avalanches cascaded beneath our feet with each step onto a mound of windblown sand. The young and young-at-heart climbed to the dune tops to jump down the steep faces. We passed lemon-yellow blooms of evening primroses and purple spikes of locoweed that danced in the breeze, bordered by immense accumulations of colorful sea shells.
The outer beach stretched for miles in an uninterrupted crescent. Sand dollars lay scattered like giant white cookies across the upper intertidal zone, and clam holes squirted with each retreating wave. There were no condominiums, no beach umbrellas, and no four wheelers in sight. We had time to wander, to investigate treasures carried in by the tides, and to look out over the lapping waves at the wildness of this pristine coastline.
During the afternoon the ship motored north, winding its way through narrow channels lined by mangroves and past open bays where mudflats lay stranded before the incoming tide. This was a great opportunity to hone our bird watching skills and to watch bottlenose dolphins leaping beside the bow.
The anchor dropped near Boca de Soledad, where we spotted the first gray whale spouts. Two cow and calf pairs rolled and spiraled together in whale ballet while we watched from the stern, giving us a preview of what tomorrow may bring.
Throughout the day Magdalena Island sheltered the Sea Bird from the open Pacific. Sculptured dunes lured us ashore at Sand Dollar Beach, a lovely spot for a morning walk. Miniature avalanches cascaded beneath our feet with each step onto a mound of windblown sand. The young and young-at-heart climbed to the dune tops to jump down the steep faces. We passed lemon-yellow blooms of evening primroses and purple spikes of locoweed that danced in the breeze, bordered by immense accumulations of colorful sea shells.
The outer beach stretched for miles in an uninterrupted crescent. Sand dollars lay scattered like giant white cookies across the upper intertidal zone, and clam holes squirted with each retreating wave. There were no condominiums, no beach umbrellas, and no four wheelers in sight. We had time to wander, to investigate treasures carried in by the tides, and to look out over the lapping waves at the wildness of this pristine coastline.
During the afternoon the ship motored north, winding its way through narrow channels lined by mangroves and past open bays where mudflats lay stranded before the incoming tide. This was a great opportunity to hone our bird watching skills and to watch bottlenose dolphins leaping beside the bow.
The anchor dropped near Boca de Soledad, where we spotted the first gray whale spouts. Two cow and calf pairs rolled and spiraled together in whale ballet while we watched from the stern, giving us a preview of what tomorrow may bring.
