Spring Equinox-Magdalena Bay
The equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. The sun is at its zenith above the equator and the daylight hours grow longer each day. The subtle hints of change are not lost to the animal world. The gray whales of Magdalena Bay have produced a fine nursery of calves this year and we’ve watched them exercise against the strong tidal flow where the ocean meets the bay. Their size and weight have increased dramatically in the several weeks of feeding on the mother’s fat-rich milk. The numbers in the bay decrease each day as they leave in twos and threes to begin the five thousand mile journey to the arctic seas. In a few weeks time the Sea Lion will also begin her yearly migration north where she and her sister ship, Sea Bird, continue their explorations.
This afternoon we wandered in the sculpted sand dunes of Isla Magdalena and had an opportunity to reflect upon our journey and all that it encompassed. As travelers to Baja California we have been enriched by the diversity of her coastlines and islands. The wealth of marine life we have discovered here is testimony to the health of the waters through which we have sailed. The rewarding experience of our week here serves to remind us of the value of the wild places and renews our passion to preserve the land and the wildlife we have enjoyed.
The equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. The sun is at its zenith above the equator and the daylight hours grow longer each day. The subtle hints of change are not lost to the animal world. The gray whales of Magdalena Bay have produced a fine nursery of calves this year and we’ve watched them exercise against the strong tidal flow where the ocean meets the bay. Their size and weight have increased dramatically in the several weeks of feeding on the mother’s fat-rich milk. The numbers in the bay decrease each day as they leave in twos and threes to begin the five thousand mile journey to the arctic seas. In a few weeks time the Sea Lion will also begin her yearly migration north where she and her sister ship, Sea Bird, continue their explorations.
This afternoon we wandered in the sculpted sand dunes of Isla Magdalena and had an opportunity to reflect upon our journey and all that it encompassed. As travelers to Baja California we have been enriched by the diversity of her coastlines and islands. The wealth of marine life we have discovered here is testimony to the health of the waters through which we have sailed. The rewarding experience of our week here serves to remind us of the value of the wild places and renews our passion to preserve the land and the wildlife we have enjoyed.
