Bahia Magdalena - Sunday, March 13th, 2005
Our first morning in Bahia Magdalena began with Zodiac cruises through the winding green alleyways of the mangrove forest at "El Barril" on Isla Magdalena. The tide was rising and hundreds of shorebirds of several species were being pushed from their feeding grounds on mud flats into the mangroves and higher beaches. Long-billed curlew, willet and marbled godwit were species observed that serve as good examples of resource partitioning – the variation in bill length and shape between the species allows them to feed in the same locations without competing for the same food items. Many more species besides migratory shorebirds benefit from the richness of the mangrove ecosystem. Mangrove wetlands also serve as an important nursery ground for many fish species that, as adults, spend their lives in the open ocean.
During the afternoon we repositioned the Sea Lion to Man-O-War cove and offered walks across pristine sand dunes from the bay side of Isla Magdalena to the roar of the mighty Pacific Ocean beach. The shining dunes were laced with tracks of wildlife – coyote, jackrabbit, mice, lizards and birds – that make this desolate-appearing area their home. Not many places in the world have such a beautiful, wide beach that extends for miles and miles without any development in sight. Guests enjoyed beachcombing and the discovering the ornate architecture of many of the shells found. Near sunset we sailed out of Magdalena Bay and headed south for Land's End and our morning destination.
Our first morning in Bahia Magdalena began with Zodiac cruises through the winding green alleyways of the mangrove forest at "El Barril" on Isla Magdalena. The tide was rising and hundreds of shorebirds of several species were being pushed from their feeding grounds on mud flats into the mangroves and higher beaches. Long-billed curlew, willet and marbled godwit were species observed that serve as good examples of resource partitioning – the variation in bill length and shape between the species allows them to feed in the same locations without competing for the same food items. Many more species besides migratory shorebirds benefit from the richness of the mangrove ecosystem. Mangrove wetlands also serve as an important nursery ground for many fish species that, as adults, spend their lives in the open ocean.
During the afternoon we repositioned the Sea Lion to Man-O-War cove and offered walks across pristine sand dunes from the bay side of Isla Magdalena to the roar of the mighty Pacific Ocean beach. The shining dunes were laced with tracks of wildlife – coyote, jackrabbit, mice, lizards and birds – that make this desolate-appearing area their home. Not many places in the world have such a beautiful, wide beach that extends for miles and miles without any development in sight. Guests enjoyed beachcombing and the discovering the ornate architecture of many of the shells found. Near sunset we sailed out of Magdalena Bay and headed south for Land's End and our morning destination.
