Gorda Banks and Cabo del San Jose

 

You wake up in the morning and anything can happen! Overnight we sailed into the Tropics and a softly streaked pink sunrise found us working our way south along the stark and jagged coastline of the eastern Sea of Cortez. We’ve left the exquisite volcanic islands behind us to search for humpback whales—those charismatic aerial athletes of the cetacean family. After a bit of scouting and some brief glances at passing whales, the sharp bow lookouts observed some repeated large splashes out on the horizon. We carried on hoping that the action would continue, and soon we were very near a mother and her calf—both of them leaping out of the ocean very near our ship. They were accompanied by another adult male, an escort (read hopeful). These remarkable giants have come south from the Pacific Northwest to the area of Gorda Banks for breeding and calving—most likely the energetic youngster we were watching was born near the place we were cheering him or her on.

 

Ashore this afternoon, we explored the cape region on a visit to the historical mission town of San Jose and on a bird-watching excursion along a year-round, palm-lined water course. A hooded oriole flitted above us in the trees, while busily fishing in the estuary were snowy and cattle egrets, a tricolor heron, and a juvenile little blue heron with a white morph. As several vocal ospreys surveyed the scene, we had a glimpse of two beautiful wood storks flying by. In town, we visited a glass-blowing factory and enjoyed fine traditional crafts from many Mexican states offered for sale.

 

Our fine weather continued to draw us toward the cape and the Pacific Ocean, though we stopped for another mother, her active young calf and an escort along the way. As we turned to continue our journey, the two adult humpback whales both breached in unison very close to the National Geographic Sea Bird! Wow!

 

As sunset approached, margaritas were served on deck and we enjoyed the last light of the day on the iconic granite rocks at Land’s End.

 

Who knows what wonders tomorrow will bring?