Isla San Pedro Martir
This morning while near the dramatic uplifted Isla San Pedro Martir, we were lucky to encounter the second largest mammal to ever inhabit the water planet – the fin whale; and not just one of these magnificent creatures, but several repeatedly surfaced and blew high spouts. They seemed totally undisturbed by our presence as they went about their cetacean business.
Late morning was devoted to Zodiac rides around the guano-coated island in pursuit of glimpses and photos of lounging California sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed and brown boobies, Brandt’s cormorants, rafts of eared grebes, and the elegant red-billed tropicbird.
After lunch, our siesta and packing was interrupted by sperm whales. Moby Dick himself swam under our bow giving us exceptionally close views of the world’s largest carnivore’s massive head and blow hole. Other sperm whales logged at the surface until after several deep breaths, dove with a goodbye wave of their flukes. Just when we thought it was safe to go below for a geology lecture, racing bottlenose dolphins put on a lovely show of leaps and bow riding.
This past week has been one of islands – worlds onto themselves - Tiburon, Santa Catalina, Marcos, San Esteban, San Pedro - places that harbor endemics, unique species limited in their distribution. Our ship, the Sea Bird, has been our island, and for a few days, we have been its endemics. Tomorrow we will return to the outside world but not necessarily the “real” world. This adventure in magical Baja and the Sea of Cortes has been a taste of nature and precious wild places that deserve our careful stewardship.
Adios and come back again soon.
This morning while near the dramatic uplifted Isla San Pedro Martir, we were lucky to encounter the second largest mammal to ever inhabit the water planet – the fin whale; and not just one of these magnificent creatures, but several repeatedly surfaced and blew high spouts. They seemed totally undisturbed by our presence as they went about their cetacean business.
Late morning was devoted to Zodiac rides around the guano-coated island in pursuit of glimpses and photos of lounging California sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed and brown boobies, Brandt’s cormorants, rafts of eared grebes, and the elegant red-billed tropicbird.
After lunch, our siesta and packing was interrupted by sperm whales. Moby Dick himself swam under our bow giving us exceptionally close views of the world’s largest carnivore’s massive head and blow hole. Other sperm whales logged at the surface until after several deep breaths, dove with a goodbye wave of their flukes. Just when we thought it was safe to go below for a geology lecture, racing bottlenose dolphins put on a lovely show of leaps and bow riding.
This past week has been one of islands – worlds onto themselves - Tiburon, Santa Catalina, Marcos, San Esteban, San Pedro - places that harbor endemics, unique species limited in their distribution. Our ship, the Sea Bird, has been our island, and for a few days, we have been its endemics. Tomorrow we will return to the outside world but not necessarily the “real” world. This adventure in magical Baja and the Sea of Cortes has been a taste of nature and precious wild places that deserve our careful stewardship.
Adios and come back again soon.
