This morning National Geographic Sea Bird was cruising northward in the San José channel with the sun illuminating the Sierra de la Giganta on the Baja California Peninsula to our west. We were delighted to have both bottlenose and common dolphins come to the ship to ride our bow wave. Even a humpback whale made a fleeting appearance.
As we turned at the northern tip of Isla San José and headed to the south, we gathered in the lounge for informational briefings about our excursions to shore. We then handed out snorkel gear—wetsuits, fins, masks, and snorkels—to prepare for the next couple days.
In the late morning, Steve gave a presentation about digital photography—Photography through a Positive Lens—to get us more comfortable making images with our cameras.
We pulled into the shelter of Half Moon Bay on Isla San Francisco and set our anchor in this picturesque cove.
After lunch we went ashore and commenced our afternoon activities. Water sports included kayaking and snorkeling. A glimpse beneath the waves reveals the surprisingly rich and colorful world below the surface. We also offered walks with the naturalists on the island to explore the desert vegetation. There was an interesting transition from the dunes near the shore, through the salt flat and up to the ridge. The views were beautiful. It is quite amazing to see the amount of life here when we take a close look at the desert by the sea.
Interesting birds today included red-billed tropicbird, yellow-footed gull, American oystercatcher, and verdin.
Back on board we were invited to the lounge for cocktails, appetizers, and Recap, all in keeping with Lindblad-National Geographic traditions. After dinner there was a presentation by the National Geographic representative, Birgit Buhleier, entitled Crittercam: A Wild Point of View.
We remained at anchor in Half Moon Bay for a peaceful and restful night, anticipating the adventures of tomorrow.
