There was a hush of anticipation as we boarded our expedition landing craft in the half-light of dawn and glided from our anchorage and motored north through Magdalena Bay seeking gray whales. Guided by 30-foot-high spouts it took no time at all to find several sets of mother-calf pairs swimming in unison in the shallow waters of the bay. Breeches, spy-hopping, fluking, and flipper slapping were all observed. At this time of year the calves are only two- or three-weeks old so we saw many examples of calves sliding off the backs of their mothers when they came up to breathe. As the sun rose above the eastern horizon the light exposed the exquisite contrast of the water, abundant with whales, and the windswept sand dunes of the barrier island that separates this bay from the open Pacific.
We returned to the National Geographic Sea Bird, lifted anchor and sailed south, our afternoon destination was Sand Dollar Beach. Stretching for miles along the Pacific side of Magdalena Island this beach is a jewel of the western coast. A contemplative stroll on this spectacular ribbon of white sand and gentle lapping surf was a fitting end to a week filled with deserts, ocean and wildlife. We will be heading home tomorrow with sand between our toes and with memories that will last a lifetime.
