Isla Espiritu Santo, Gulf of California, Baja California Sur
Searching my heart for its true sorrow,
This is the thing I find to be:
That I am weary of words and people,
Sick of the city, wanting the sea;
- Edna St. Vincent Millay
It is a curious fact that our own human blood, sweat, and tears all have the same salinity as that found in the waters of oceans all around the world. We all are connected to the sea on a very basic human level. For all of us, this week aboard the Sea Lion is a reaffirmation of that connection.
For many of us, that reconnection has come in the form of whales, literally tons and tons of them! Our expedition goes by the title “Among the Great Whales,” and this week has lived up to the expectations. California gray whale mothers and calves cavorting in the warm and protected waters of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. Humpback Whales breaching and tail-lobbing in the lower Gulf of California near the Gorda Banks. Today we were visited by two fin Whales just offshore from our anchorage at Espiritu Santo. Tomorrow we search for blue whales near San Jose Island. We have been among great whales each and every day of our journey so far.
For the children in the group (of all ages), the connection is more physical. Walking the tidal flats along the beaches of Isla Espiritu Santo today we felt the ocean in its many diverse forms: hermit crabs carrying their houses on their backs, shells of every size and shape imaginable, sea stars in many hues and shades, and of course the wonderful feel of waves crashing over our bare feet as we explored this desert paradise.
For Photo Expedition leader Ralph Lee Hopkins, the magic comes in the form of photographic images by his students. All week long the shutterbugs have been diligently practicing how to translate the magic of Baja to a print or computer screen. Presented here are three images that reflect the beauty and diversity of this magical place.
Searching my heart for its true sorrow,
This is the thing I find to be:
That I am weary of words and people,
Sick of the city, wanting the sea;
- Edna St. Vincent Millay
It is a curious fact that our own human blood, sweat, and tears all have the same salinity as that found in the waters of oceans all around the world. We all are connected to the sea on a very basic human level. For all of us, this week aboard the Sea Lion is a reaffirmation of that connection.
For many of us, that reconnection has come in the form of whales, literally tons and tons of them! Our expedition goes by the title “Among the Great Whales,” and this week has lived up to the expectations. California gray whale mothers and calves cavorting in the warm and protected waters of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. Humpback Whales breaching and tail-lobbing in the lower Gulf of California near the Gorda Banks. Today we were visited by two fin Whales just offshore from our anchorage at Espiritu Santo. Tomorrow we search for blue whales near San Jose Island. We have been among great whales each and every day of our journey so far.
For the children in the group (of all ages), the connection is more physical. Walking the tidal flats along the beaches of Isla Espiritu Santo today we felt the ocean in its many diverse forms: hermit crabs carrying their houses on their backs, shells of every size and shape imaginable, sea stars in many hues and shades, and of course the wonderful feel of waves crashing over our bare feet as we explored this desert paradise.
For Photo Expedition leader Ralph Lee Hopkins, the magic comes in the form of photographic images by his students. All week long the shutterbugs have been diligently practicing how to translate the magic of Baja to a print or computer screen. Presented here are three images that reflect the beauty and diversity of this magical place.
