Canal de Ballenas and Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California
The sun began to paint everything yellow this morning as we sailed on the calm waters of Bahia de los Angeles, on the western edge of the Sea of Cortes, a few miles south of Angel de la Guarda Island. Fantastic rock formations on the peninsula of Baja California and on Coronado Island were the backdrop for dozens of cormorants and other sea birds that were in the process of seeking food. Just as we were ready for breakfast, we detected a big group of yellow-footed gulls and several Heermann’s gulls flying above a big school of fish. After a careful observation, we unexpectedly found a trio of killer whales, including a mother and a calf, chasing the fish. Immediately, naturalists and guests abandoned their breakfast to have a close encounter with these impressive marine mammals. In the meantime, many gulls moved rapidly behind them showing a marked intention of getting food without great effort.
Later on, we left the orcas and sailed along the Canal de Ballenas in order to look for more marine mammals. By 10:00 am we reached a beautiful spot on the Baja peninsula, called Bahia Alcatraz, where we dropped our kayaks to explore along the shoreline, and also walk the desert terrain. During our hikes we observed creosote bush, old man cacti, mesquites, iron wood trees and different species of land birds. The kayakers and those that swam or rested on the beach saw three ospreys, or fish-eagles. After all this exercise and entertainment we pulled up our anchor and sailed to the northeastern corner of Angel de la Guarda Island. On the way, I started our series of lectures with one about Island Biogeography and Reptiles of the Sea of Cortez.
By mid afternoon we reached a beautiful spot on Angel de la Guarda Island and hiked under a refreshing breeze. We observed the flat and gentle slopes covered by yellow grasses and little gardens made of cardon cacti with their nurse plants. On the shore, just before leaving the island, Lee, one of our naturalists, found a raptor and we witnessed the hunting of a sandpiper. The full moon rose above the sharp peaks of Angel de la Guarda and closed the whole experience on this pristine area.
The sun began to paint everything yellow this morning as we sailed on the calm waters of Bahia de los Angeles, on the western edge of the Sea of Cortes, a few miles south of Angel de la Guarda Island. Fantastic rock formations on the peninsula of Baja California and on Coronado Island were the backdrop for dozens of cormorants and other sea birds that were in the process of seeking food. Just as we were ready for breakfast, we detected a big group of yellow-footed gulls and several Heermann’s gulls flying above a big school of fish. After a careful observation, we unexpectedly found a trio of killer whales, including a mother and a calf, chasing the fish. Immediately, naturalists and guests abandoned their breakfast to have a close encounter with these impressive marine mammals. In the meantime, many gulls moved rapidly behind them showing a marked intention of getting food without great effort.
Later on, we left the orcas and sailed along the Canal de Ballenas in order to look for more marine mammals. By 10:00 am we reached a beautiful spot on the Baja peninsula, called Bahia Alcatraz, where we dropped our kayaks to explore along the shoreline, and also walk the desert terrain. During our hikes we observed creosote bush, old man cacti, mesquites, iron wood trees and different species of land birds. The kayakers and those that swam or rested on the beach saw three ospreys, or fish-eagles. After all this exercise and entertainment we pulled up our anchor and sailed to the northeastern corner of Angel de la Guarda Island. On the way, I started our series of lectures with one about Island Biogeography and Reptiles of the Sea of Cortez.
By mid afternoon we reached a beautiful spot on Angel de la Guarda Island and hiked under a refreshing breeze. We observed the flat and gentle slopes covered by yellow grasses and little gardens made of cardon cacti with their nurse plants. On the shore, just before leaving the island, Lee, one of our naturalists, found a raptor and we witnessed the hunting of a sandpiper. The full moon rose above the sharp peaks of Angel de la Guarda and closed the whole experience on this pristine area.
