Puerto Magdalena, 2/19/2024, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Baja California
National Geographic Sea Lion guests went ashore to begin the morning hikes, with offerings of a moderate, plant interpretation hike or a strenuous hike to a saddle offering a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean.
After lunch, guests and staff embarked on Zodiacs back to shore to enjoy tours of the local desalinization plant, visit with a local merchant, and to enjoy ceviche and cold beverages at local Chejo’s restaurant, Mira Mar.
Melissa Heres is a diver, captain, marine biologist, and hydrographer. Growing up on a farm in a landlocked portion of Germany, she explored the natural world surrounding her which translated into a fascination with the sea and travel.
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We began the day at Boca de Soledad where we spent the morning watching the incredible gray whales. Several mothers with calves and a few curious males approached the boat, offering guests a rare close-up view. The waters and clear skies made for an ideal whale watching experience. In the afternoon, we transited to Hull Canal, with guests on the bow scanning the water, air, and land for wildlife. We observed a variety of seabirds, including frigatebirds and brown pelicans. Dolphins were also spotted swimming gracefully below the bow. The surrounding desert hills added a striking backdrop to the wildlife sightings. The day ended with a stunning sunset, marking another unforgettable day filled with breathtaking wildlife encounters in Baja California Sur.
National Geographic Sea Bird remained at anchor throughout the night, ready for today’s exploration of El Barril. This unique mangrove forest is an important habitat for a myriad of species. Red and white mangrove trees create a sheltered and protected area of salt water where tropical fish begin their lives. The leaves of the mangrove shed throughout the year. Settling on the deep soils in the salt water, the detritus is fed upon by fungus and bacteria, changing carbohydrates to proteins and providing food for many species. Birds use the mangroves for roosting and nesting and are great hunters of the many fish in the waters below the trees. Our Zodiacs and kayaks were launched, and our morning was spent exploring the channels of this mangrove forest searching for its many residents. afternoon was spent in the Boca de Soledad investigating the northern regions of Bahia Magdalena. Seven pangas arrived from Lopez Mateos and pangeros, with a minimum of thirty years of experience observing grey whales, brought us to an area known for grey whale mothers and calves. After some searching, we were rewarded with the touching site of a mother grey whale and her baby.
For the second day in a row, we awoke underway with a beautiful sunrise and gray whales surrounding us as we headed south to Bahía Almejas. Pelicans and double crested cormorants flew low, their reflections mirrored in the calm morning water. Every so often a curious California sea lion would pop its head out of the water. After breakfast, we went out in local boats, pangas, to enjoy our second outing watching these amazing whales. Every direction we looked there were whales, and often we just quieted ourselves to soak up the sounds of their breathing. Back on board the ship, we went north to begin our afternoon hikes at Sand Dollar Beach. Starting on the bay side, we journeyed west through the stunning sand dunes to arrive on the Pacific side. This area was lovingly nicknamed for the multitude of sand dollars that you can find here washed ashore, but it is a rich area for beach combing in general. In the dunes, we stopped to photograph the resilient vegetation, the shell middens, and the animal tracks we found in the sand. It was another wonderful day!
