After breakfast passengers and staff boarded pangas to embark on day one of whale watching in Bahía Almejas. A stop at a mangrove forest offered very special close up views of nesting frigate birds, cormorants and several other avian species. Whale watching was truly exhilarating; gray whales in every direction spy-hopping, breaching and diving. After that we landed on Isla Santa Margarita for naturalist walks, kayaking, a beach barbecue, and a full moon hike. Another fantastic day in Baja California Sur.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 09 Feb 2020
Bahía Almejas and Isla Santa Margarita, 2/9/2020, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Baja California
James Ramsdell, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
From a young age James has had a passion for science and exploration. Growing up on the coast of Massachusetts with regular trips to New Hampshire's wilderness led to a love for the oceans and mountains. He earned a degree in Geological Sciences at a...
Read MoreRoss Weinberg, Videographer
Born in Hollywood with a camera in his hand, Ross is a documentary filmmaker and photographer who is inspired by a good-organic-wholesome-LA-vegan cause and strives to raise awareness wherever he can through his pictures and films. While majoring in ...
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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
3/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Puerto Magdalena
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.
3/14/2025
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Boca de la Soledad
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.