Our second day aboard National Geographic Sea Bird started with a lovely sunrise and a stretch class with wellness specialist Ava. It was a little chillier than expected on the bow, so guests and staff grabbed an extra layer to prepare for the day. Our first adventure was the chance to kayak through the mangroves at El Barril. Little blue herons and great blue herons were spotted hiding among the roots in the red and black mangroves. After kayaking, guests had the chance to explore even more on a Zodiac, and we took advantage of the high tide. To get to our next destination, we cruised through the shallow canal of Boca de Soledad. The afternoon’s activities consisted of walking along the sand dunes of Boca de Soledad. Some of the Global Explorers learned how to make plaster to cast the footprints of a great blue heron. After a fun-filled day, the evening ended with live music from Los Coyotes.
3/15/2023
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Boca de Soledad
Today our guests ventured to the northern end of Magdalena Bay known as Boca De Soledad, where we were treated to multiple mother and calf pairs. One particular calf kept lifting its head out of the water with every exhale, giving us great looks at the whale's eye and cute little face. These babies were practicing swimming in the bay’s opening with its challenging, swift moving water. They need to build the vital muscle mass required for the long migration against the California current back to their feeding grounds for the summer. At this point in the season, these calves have grown quite a bit, drinking the rich milk (over 50% fat) that mom produces and gaining close to 100 pounds a day. After an eventful morning, we transited the Hull Canal, where we observed pelicans, herons, and a coyote! We even spotted bow-riding bottlenose dolphins with a little calf. We ended our afternoon at Sand Dollar Beach. Some guests hiked to the Pacific, some lounged on the beach, and some searched for unique shells and animals. As we end our trip tonight, we will watch our collaborative guest slideshow and reflect on the incredible weather, the friendly whales, and the new friends made during this amazing trip.
