Isla Rasa / At Sea
After a smooth ride through the night, we arrived at Isla Rasa. As the sun appeared on the horizon, we dropped the anchor in front an incredible bird breeding colonies. Five hundred thousand birds find sanctuary on this small 138-acre island, to produce a new generation year after year. 95% of the world’s population of Heerman’s gulls and elegant terns nest here. The reason for this is not as evident as it might seem. The Midriff Island region is the most productive part of the Gulf of California, which is among the most productive sea on the planet. Low water temperatures and topography conspire to create massive upwellings that bring nutrients close to the ocean’s surface. This is the fuel that is catalized by sunlight to create an explosion phytoplankton. This richness of life at the base of the food chain in turn supplies the nutrients necessary for each trophic level to thrive, including these thousands of birds.
After experiencing Rasa Island, the Sea Voyager set sail bound for San Pedro Martir Island. Wildlife did not take long to show up. A big group of Long-beaked common dolphins was spotted, and as we approached, we got great looks at this magnificent animal. Several fin whales and even a Bryde’s wale were spotted at a distance. Our main goal for the day was successfully accomplished when we spotted our frist sperm whales in the vicinity of San Pedro Martir. A group of about 16 whales was seen very close to our ship. The spectacular views were really hard to beat. We could see them diving right under the bow repeatedly. Some animals breached in the distance and others curiously approached the ship. Two big males escorted the females and several young. To find two of these enormous foreigners around the same area is quite rare. Generally these leviathans visit the Gulf of California just to meet with the females, breed and then take off on their own. Their massive bodies were notably bigger than the females, this encounter we experienced was really impressive.
We spent the morning in company of half a million birds and the afternoon witnessing one of earth’s deepest diving mammal, and biggest of the toothed whales. Today was an excelent example of a great day, enjoying the majestic Gulf of California.
After a smooth ride through the night, we arrived at Isla Rasa. As the sun appeared on the horizon, we dropped the anchor in front an incredible bird breeding colonies. Five hundred thousand birds find sanctuary on this small 138-acre island, to produce a new generation year after year. 95% of the world’s population of Heerman’s gulls and elegant terns nest here. The reason for this is not as evident as it might seem. The Midriff Island region is the most productive part of the Gulf of California, which is among the most productive sea on the planet. Low water temperatures and topography conspire to create massive upwellings that bring nutrients close to the ocean’s surface. This is the fuel that is catalized by sunlight to create an explosion phytoplankton. This richness of life at the base of the food chain in turn supplies the nutrients necessary for each trophic level to thrive, including these thousands of birds.
After experiencing Rasa Island, the Sea Voyager set sail bound for San Pedro Martir Island. Wildlife did not take long to show up. A big group of Long-beaked common dolphins was spotted, and as we approached, we got great looks at this magnificent animal. Several fin whales and even a Bryde’s wale were spotted at a distance. Our main goal for the day was successfully accomplished when we spotted our frist sperm whales in the vicinity of San Pedro Martir. A group of about 16 whales was seen very close to our ship. The spectacular views were really hard to beat. We could see them diving right under the bow repeatedly. Some animals breached in the distance and others curiously approached the ship. Two big males escorted the females and several young. To find two of these enormous foreigners around the same area is quite rare. Generally these leviathans visit the Gulf of California just to meet with the females, breed and then take off on their own. Their massive bodies were notably bigger than the females, this encounter we experienced was really impressive.
We spent the morning in company of half a million birds and the afternoon witnessing one of earth’s deepest diving mammal, and biggest of the toothed whales. Today was an excelent example of a great day, enjoying the majestic Gulf of California.
