Tour # 5: Offshore La Paz area
We have great whalewatching weather today so we are “Searching…”
Tour #5: Isla San Jose, San Francisco and Los Islotes
Dear whalewatchers:
Today was a day full of wildlife activities. We started with a pre-breakfast mangrove skiff ride to see birds such as herons, egrets, osprey, night herons, shorebirds, oystercatchers, and the elusive mangrove warbler! There were many warblers today, maybe because their nesting season is approaching and the males were territorial enough to chase each other around. It was a beautiful morning in a special place on the south end of Isla San Jose.
After breakfast we visited Isla San Francisco and everyone enjoyed this gorgeous beach and cove. Some people hiked up the cliff for a view of the Sea of Cortez and others snorkeled in the rocky cove and over the sandy bottom.
After a bit of travel, we arrived at Los Islotes for another snorkel with the sea lions. We decided to do something different on our last trip of 2012 and have a beach party with Charles’ BBQ and a fantastic sunset from the beach tonght. Oh yeah, there’ll be some margaritas to drink too.
We are looking forward to more whalewatching in the humpback zone tomorrow. Who knows what else we will find!
Capt Art
Tour #5 Isla Catalina
Hello whalewatchers:
Today we went ashore at Isla Santa Catalina. There was a slight breeze so it was cooler today. That resulted in less reptiles with the exception of two rattlelss rattlesnakes. They were in the same area as last trip. As usual, the cactus are tremendous and all the cardons are within days of full bloom.
Part of the group had a snorkel session and a few people went on a Krazy Koastal Kruise with Kapt Kenny to see dolphins and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
We had lunch at anchor and then ventured out to look for whales. It was windy so we worked south with the wind and swell. We saw a large herd of common dolphin and a humpback whale that breached a few times.
Looking forward to tomorrow at Isla San Jose and Isla San Francisco.
Capt Art
p.s. Marin “helping” Chef Charles clean the frosting bowl…
Tour #5: Isla San Jose
Dear whalewatchers:
Today we arrived soon after sunrise for light on the colored sandstone cliffs of Isla San Jose. Then we were ashore for a desert walk to see plants and birds. Then a coolish snorkel in a gorgeous cove of underwater boulders. The water was super clear for good visibility of reef fishes.
As soon as we set sail (and Charles tried to serve lunch), we found a fin whale mom and calf to watch. This was a very large fin whale cow, It is great when you can see the right side of the jaw and ho white it is. We had the cow and calf at the surface at the same time to see the jaw of both whales. Just a little to the west of the fin whales we came upon an area of manta rays. They were jumping and there was little packs of 4-8 manta rays together on the surface. The water was clean enough to get great looks at these really cool animals. They had a average wing span of about 6-8 feet.
Then next, we came upon a blue whale mom and calf! This pair was very cooperative and we all had beautiful looks at this magnificent animal and her baby.The calf was a bit curious and came to visit us more than once.
We went west into the San Jose channnel to look for something diffferent. We found a herd of 2000 long beaked common dolphin that was spectacular. We stayed for a while and everyone had great opportunities to view and photograph them.
Headed to Isla Catalina tonight for tomorrow.
More then,
Capt Art
Tour #5: Offshore Cabo San Lucas and Los Frailes
Dear whale watchers:
Today we saw a total of probably 30 humpback whales in calm seas and blue water. It was great for photographing all the behaviors of these whales. There were also lots of sea turtles and at least four tropicbirds. A highlight was spotting a whale shark who swam right next to the boat. That’s a first for these trips. A beautiful animal..
This afternoon we had a snorkel and a birdwatch at Los Frailes. Two people saw a sea turtle in the snorkel zone. All of us are happy with this full day of wildlife in Baja!
Looking forward to tomorrow,
Capt Art
Tour #5: Offshore Cabo San Lucas
Make sure to click the MORE button on these posts to see photos…!
We are watching and listening to humpbacks this morning. Naturalist Rob N. deploys the hydrophone.
Tour #5: Offshore Bahia Magadalena
Dear whalewatchers:
Today we had to deal with very windy conditions which made wildlife spotting difficult. After a quiet morning, we totaled five blue whales, two Bryde’s whales, at least two large herds of common dolphin, a very cooperative red-billed tropicbird, and loads of shearwaters and other seabirds for the afternoon.
We are headed for the Cabo area and our weather forecast looks much improved.
Capt Art
Tour #5: Laguna San Ignacio
Whalewatching is still excellent as is the birding in the mangroves this noontime.
Tour #5: Mid day report
Just a quick note to say we have a beautiful morning in Sam Ignacio and the mother and calf gray whales are treating everyone to a magical “friendly” whale experience!
Tour #5: Laguna San Igancio, day 2
Dear whalewatchers:
We had a glorious morning in this special place. The 110 cow-calf pairs that are still here kept us very busy! It seems like there were several pairs to watch around Searcher all day, and there were plenty of friendly whales to visit everyone in the pangas. It’s clear we’ve all been touched by a whale.The calves are getting to be three months of age and are inquisitive and playful.
In addition to panga trips to see the whales, we had a trip into the mangroves as the tide was coming in and found lots of shorebirds and herons feeding. There was also a very windy trip to the beach, as the wind had increased by the afternoon. But the shells and bones were interesting and a desolate beach is always a great place for a walk. And then there was Chef Charles’ boat-made cheesecake with blueberry sauce for dessert!
We left the lagoon for the last time in 2012, but vowed to bring others back again next year to experience the gray whale magic.
We are heading south for new territory and more wildlife.We’ll be offshore Bahia Magdalena all day tomorrow.
Capt Art
