Early morning finds National Geographic Venture cruising north along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula towards the Magdalena Bay complex. A spectacular afternoon of hiking at Belcher’s Point was a great start to the day. Soft light of the afternoon and endemic organisms are rich textural strands that contribute to the intricacies of the expedition’s weave.
1/22/2025
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National Geographic Venture
The Baja Peninsula
A gull flew by the rising sun to begin our day. We rounded the end of the Baja Peninsula and sailed into the Pacific. Soon after the dawn brightened into day, the first whale blows were seen. Bow decks filled with whale enthusiasts pointing at humpback whales diving and breaching all around our ship. We encountered a heat chase: about seven males thrashed through the water to gain the prime location next to a female for possible mating. Lisa Hornack, our National Geographic certified photo instructor, gave a presentation on “Photographic Storytelling” to help enhance the images of our day. James Hyde explained the “Dynamics of Oceanography” until he was interrupted by a pod of long-beaked common dolphins bow-riding our ship. Rich Kirchner presented his photographic journey, “Wild from Pole to Pole.” We went back on deck for sunset and the chance to see the fabled Green Flash. Our jam-packed day ended with sunset and photographic proof that the green flash does indeed exist.
