The climate in the Gulf of California is unpredictable during the winter-spring transition, since it sits at the confluence of three different wind systems between the west, north, and south. Today, the wind began from the north and made National Geographic Venture locate to one of the most idyllic bays in this sea: Bahia Concepcion – south of the copper mining town of Santa Rosalia and north of the historic California capital of Loreto. The historical flavor of the early exploration and colonization of this peninsula, respectively, by Spanish Conquistadores and Jesuit missionaries blew through the winds and across the landscape.
Taking the opportunity given in the bay’s clement waters, our guests and naturalists explored the area’s underwater expanse over snorkeling and cruising by boat around Coyote Island. The spotting of several osprey nests found off the island’s magnificent cliffs was the uncontested highlight of the day. From the boat, we counted ten individuals shared between breeding pairs and their chicks—a very healthy population! The parents were busy acquiring fish for the chicks, which never stop crying and demanding nourishment. The nests were very close to one another; so much so that it was difficult to determine which pair’s nest was whose. Wandering tattlers and frigates, pelicans, cormorants, and yellow-footed gulls were present, all immersed in their own affairs for the day.
The vegetation of the island was no less interesting, having consisted heavily of organ pipe, galloping, and cardon cacti. The high cliffs demarcating the island were just gorgeous, seemingly immense against the set sky, fragmented and vivifying, all adorned in blooming and fruited cardon cacti.
At night, everybody went aboard the ship, taking in the night hours over cocktails, stories, and an exceptional dinner.
