Magdalena Bay, 2/2/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Baja California
Our whale search started early this morning. Before breakfast, a grey whale cow and her calf were spotted off the bow of our ship. We spent the entire day admiring different females with their recently born calves. On the way to La Boca de Soledad, where the lagoon opens up to the Pacific, we observed various seabirds.
The day ended with a beautiful beach barbecue, a stunning sunset, and lots of toasted marshmallows.
Lisa grew up in the mountains of the Black Forest in Germany. When she was 18, she moved to Italy where Lisa spent two years of working in different places meanwhile studying Italian. At 20 years old, returning from Italy, she moved to Hamburg and fi...
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This morning, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the sand dunes south of Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos. After breakfast, we loaded into our local pangas for the first time to go out whale watching. We saw a couple of whales, a large group of bottlenose dolphins, and many different types of birds. Both before and after lunch we were able to spend some time on the bow as we navigated the narrow passages of Canal de Soledad. After dropping off our local pilot, Sergio Camacho, who helped us through these shallow waters, we lowered our Zodiacs and kayaks to spend the afternoon exploring the mangroves of El Barril on Isla Magdalena. It was very low tide, so we got a good look into the intricate root systems of this hugely important ecosystem, and we watched feeding shorebirds on the exposed mudflats. Back on board National Geographic Sea Bird , we had a fascinating presentation by our Stanford guest speaker about the history of cartography of the Baja California Peninsula. It was another wonderful day!
Saltation, creep, and suspension - three different ways sand is moved in the wind, depending on wind velocity and the sand grain size. We were clearly experiencing suspension this morning as the strong breeze carried rivers of sand skimming across the beach on Isla Magdalena. Not to be deterred, we romped across the island, learned of the tenacious flora of the dunes and investigated shells, bones, feathers and a whale carcass rolling in the surf.
Today began in the quiet hush of dawn with a foggy, monochromatic world unfolding around us. The mist hung low over La Bocana, giving our whale-watching excursion a mystical, almost dreamlike feel. As if on cue, dolphins danced at our bow, weaving effortlessly through the water, playful and full of energy, a perfect contrast to the morning’s serene atmosphere. Through the haze, the ocean came to life — a graceful cow and her calf surfacing together, their silhouettes emerging like shadows in the waves. Other whales followed, their spouts breaking the stillness, adding to the magic of the moment. But the adventure didn’t stop there! Later, after a delicious brunch, we slid down the rolling desert dunes, laughing all the way — pure, carefree fun! Meanwhile, some guests opted for a more tranquil experience, stretching and unwinding in a relaxing beachside class. From misty oceans to golden sands, today was a perfect mix of thrill and serenity — a reminder of how diverse and incredible nature’s playground can be!
