Arriving at Lopez Mateo, a birthing lagoon in Magdalena Bay, we went into pangas and headed out in search of gray whales. We were treated to some really great sights, including a gray whale calve and mother! With a bit of wind in the air there were many birds out on the water including magnificent frigates, brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, great blue herons and even egrets. Later, after two rounds of whales watching, we had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant and enjoyed all that Magdalena Bay has to offer.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 03 Feb 2020
Lopez Mateos & Boca de Soledad, 2/3/2020, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Baja California
Amy Malkoski, Undersea Specialist
Amy was raised near Cape Cod in coastal Marion, Massachusetts, and her relationship with the ocean and nature has always been an active one. Her parents, avid divers and marine biologists, introduced her to the underwater world when she was very youn...
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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay
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Walks in the desert can hold a plethora of surprises, and today was no exception. From clusters of scarlet Palo Adan flowers, the gems of the morning, to purple and white striped passion flowers. The numerous fruits on the vine attested to a series of flowers earlier this month. A diminutive bird, the verdin, was also interested in the Palo Adan flowers. The verdin’s short beak cannot reach the nectar, so this bird approaches the base of the flower, nips it open, and takes a nectar reward; pollination of the flower is thwarted in this thievery. The exoskeleton of a tarantula was found under the scrub, an indication of a spider that has molted and grown a bit bigger. At the end of the trail, we were all rewarded with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Good things come to those who venture outdoors.
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Today we woke up in the northernmost part of Magdalena Bay. In the morning, we went whale watching at Boca de la Soledad, where we came across a mother and calf. Later, we went to Estero Chivo at high tide, where we observed a variety of birds. We were particularly interested in the numerous shorebirds, egrets, and herons. We raised anchor to continue our day. While transiting Hull Canal, we spotted bow-riding bottlenose dolphins. National Geographic Sea Bird set anchor in front of Magdalena Island. The wind was blowing, causing the dunes to come alive. After walking among dunes and desert plants, we arrived at the Pacific coast of Magdalena Island. We enjoyed walking along the beach and observing various shells, snails, and sand dollars. In the distance, we spotted the carcass of a beached gray whale and contemplated both life and death. These animals begin their lives on the coast of Mexico, and their cycle also ends here.