Gorda Banks & San Jose Del Cabo
A flash of green at sunrise…another wonderful start to a day in Baja California Sur. The Sea Bird had sailed through the night to our morning’s destination of Gorda Banks. Although known as highly productive waters for fishing, we were in search of humpbacks. Banks and seamounts such as these might act as under water marine road signs for large congregations of breeding animals. At any other time of year these whales might be here taking advantage of large schools of sardines or mats of krill. However, during the breeding and calving season for humpback whales their focus is elsewhere.
Just after breakfast, we came upon what appeared to be cavorting adults rolling, pec-slapping and head-rising just off the bow of the ship. On closer inspection there seemed to be an unusual “third wheel” in the party. A California sea lion was rolling and porpoising right along with the amorous pair. After a few powerful pec-slaps from the humpbacks, the sea lion moved on.
During the afternoon, we explored lower Baja’s cape by water and land. Some folks went to Bahia Chilenos to search for reef fishes and corals, while others set off for San Jose del Cabo for birding. Some of the collected afternoons treasures included a slithering tiger snake-eel on the reef and a broad selection of Baja birds or should I say Baja bills along a small stream.
At days end, we found ourselves at Lands End enjoying mango margaritas on the bow along with all sorts of avian life aloft in a beautiful blue evening sky. With a toast and a cheer, we set off into the Pacific to begin our passage north to Magdalena Bay.
A flash of green at sunrise…another wonderful start to a day in Baja California Sur. The Sea Bird had sailed through the night to our morning’s destination of Gorda Banks. Although known as highly productive waters for fishing, we were in search of humpbacks. Banks and seamounts such as these might act as under water marine road signs for large congregations of breeding animals. At any other time of year these whales might be here taking advantage of large schools of sardines or mats of krill. However, during the breeding and calving season for humpback whales their focus is elsewhere.
Just after breakfast, we came upon what appeared to be cavorting adults rolling, pec-slapping and head-rising just off the bow of the ship. On closer inspection there seemed to be an unusual “third wheel” in the party. A California sea lion was rolling and porpoising right along with the amorous pair. After a few powerful pec-slaps from the humpbacks, the sea lion moved on.
During the afternoon, we explored lower Baja’s cape by water and land. Some folks went to Bahia Chilenos to search for reef fishes and corals, while others set off for San Jose del Cabo for birding. Some of the collected afternoons treasures included a slithering tiger snake-eel on the reef and a broad selection of Baja birds or should I say Baja bills along a small stream.
At days end, we found ourselves at Lands End enjoying mango margaritas on the bow along with all sorts of avian life aloft in a beautiful blue evening sky. With a toast and a cheer, we set off into the Pacific to begin our passage north to Magdalena Bay.
