As the sun rose over the Baja Peninsula, guests gathered on the bow of National Geographic Sea Bird to enjoy mimosas and prepare for another day of observing the gentle giants that flock to the lagoons of Baja California Sur. With the calmest conditions of our trip yet, we witnessed new behaviors between mother and calf gray whales and had some of our closest encounters yet. The idyllic conditions persisted through the afternoon as we explored the coastal mangroves by kayak and expedition landing craft, gaining a firsthand understanding of a vital and unique ecosystem.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 11 Mar 2019
Baja Peninsula, 3/11/2019, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Baja California
Alex Krowiak, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
A childhood surrounded by the woods and streams of Pennsylvania initially sparked Alex’s curiosity about nature. That curiosity eventually led him to pursue degrees in biology and environmental studies at Boston College. During his time there he cond...
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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay
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3/15/2025
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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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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.