This morning on the National Geographic Sea Lion began with a pre-sunrise landing on Isla Angel de la Guarda in the Midriff Islands of the Sea of Cortez. Here we found ourselves in a gorgeous garden of cardon cactus against a stunning, rugged mountain backdrop. The striations of geologic colors and azure sea were beautiful punctuation to our morning ashore. As we walked further towards the steep walled canyon, we were delighted to find ourselves amid a sea of flowering lupine blossoms in shades of white, pink and blue. Our afternoon was spent at sea in search of marine mammals, finding a variety of seabirds feeding in these rich waters including brown and blue-footed boobies, and ending with a last-minute dramatic sunset over Isla Tiberon.
3/10/2018
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Isla San Jose & Cruising for Wildlife
In true expedition photography style, we were up an hour before the dawn and landed on the shore at Punta Colorado on Isla San Jose for a sunrise shoot. The warm light reflecting off the blue water on the red cliffs was a photographer’s dream. The sun cast beautiful shadows on the fossilized bones and shells imbedded in the red sedimentary rocks. After a quick breakfast back on the ship, we returned to the shore for energetic walks in the colorful arroyo and atop the beautiful red cliffs with stunning views of the Gulf of California. In even more true expedition travel, our plans changed by the hour as we encounter great pods of whales. First about a dozen sperm whales that logged on the surface right next to our ship between long deep dives. Then a pod of a few dozen short-finned pilot whales came close to investigate the ship which allowed for incredible photo opportunities. Just when we thought it was safe to venture south, we happened upon a sea of mobula rays jumping out of the water and a humpback whale that breached a few times as the sun set on this very special day. Southward tomorrow for more adventures.
