Isla Rasa / Midriff Islands
After sailing through the night over calm waters, MV Sea Voyager reached the productive waters of the Midriff Island region. Shortly after breakfast, fin whales were sighted at the distance. As we approached, we were surprised by the exceptional feeding activity that we were witnessing. The second largest animals that ever inhabited our planet performed a well organized feeding frenzy by pairs, most of the times dashing up to the surface with their mouths open and belly-up while their pleats were fully extended inflated by large amounts of water containing their tiny prey.
We left the fin whales behind to disembark on Isla Rasa, a flat small island which is the nesting place for thousands of royal terns, elegant terns, and about 95% of the world’s population of Heerman’s gulls. Dr. Enriqueta Velarde greeted us to guide a short hike through the breeding colonies of Heerman’s gulls. Most of the chicks had already hatched and were being protected by the adults. On a high part of the island, we gathered so Enriqueta could tell us about the conservation history of the island, and the biology of the three species of sea birds. From that place, we could see thousands of terns incubating and rearing their young over a flat plain of guano.
Zodiac cruises were also offered. As the seas were calm, we could go around the island on our Zodiacs. Here, we got a different perspective by looking at the birds feeding on small fish and bathing on the ocean. Peregrine falcons were also seen; these are residents from the island who prey on sea birds. Peregrines are majestic birds, which hold the world record for speed, reaching almost 150 mph.
Later in the evening, we sailed to a nearby island, Isla Partida Norte. Here we anchored in a nice bay on the northwestern side of the island. We snorkeled in the refreshing clear waters, where a nice variety of sea life became evident. Interesting shapes of algae, bright colors of sponges and a number of rays were the highlights of this snorkeling site.
After enjoying the undersea realm, we discovered new places on our Zodiacs. Sea lions, bottlenose dolphins and a great variety of sea birds were feeding frenetically on large schools of anchovies. As the sun went down, the light gradually dimmed over the mirror waters, which surface was suddenly broken by dolphins and sea lions.
After sailing through the night over calm waters, MV Sea Voyager reached the productive waters of the Midriff Island region. Shortly after breakfast, fin whales were sighted at the distance. As we approached, we were surprised by the exceptional feeding activity that we were witnessing. The second largest animals that ever inhabited our planet performed a well organized feeding frenzy by pairs, most of the times dashing up to the surface with their mouths open and belly-up while their pleats were fully extended inflated by large amounts of water containing their tiny prey.
We left the fin whales behind to disembark on Isla Rasa, a flat small island which is the nesting place for thousands of royal terns, elegant terns, and about 95% of the world’s population of Heerman’s gulls. Dr. Enriqueta Velarde greeted us to guide a short hike through the breeding colonies of Heerman’s gulls. Most of the chicks had already hatched and were being protected by the adults. On a high part of the island, we gathered so Enriqueta could tell us about the conservation history of the island, and the biology of the three species of sea birds. From that place, we could see thousands of terns incubating and rearing their young over a flat plain of guano.
Zodiac cruises were also offered. As the seas were calm, we could go around the island on our Zodiacs. Here, we got a different perspective by looking at the birds feeding on small fish and bathing on the ocean. Peregrine falcons were also seen; these are residents from the island who prey on sea birds. Peregrines are majestic birds, which hold the world record for speed, reaching almost 150 mph.
Later in the evening, we sailed to a nearby island, Isla Partida Norte. Here we anchored in a nice bay on the northwestern side of the island. We snorkeled in the refreshing clear waters, where a nice variety of sea life became evident. Interesting shapes of algae, bright colors of sponges and a number of rays were the highlights of this snorkeling site.
After enjoying the undersea realm, we discovered new places on our Zodiacs. Sea lions, bottlenose dolphins and a great variety of sea birds were feeding frenetically on large schools of anchovies. As the sun went down, the light gradually dimmed over the mirror waters, which surface was suddenly broken by dolphins and sea lions.
