Daily Expedition Reports
09 Apr 2017

Punta Colorada, 4/9/2017, National Geographic Sea Lion

Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
Baja California

Dramatic geology, early morning light, and small hints of color in blooming cacti at Punta Colorada stole the show for our last full day exploring Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.

Article by

Jennifer Davidson, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Jennifer Davidson has been a lifelong lover of wide open spaces. She grew up in a ranching family in remote West Texas. Her roots run many generations deep in that land, which she has always considered home. She studied marine biology on the sh...

Gulf of California & Isla San Ildefonso

Daily Expedition Reports

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.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/9/2018

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Cruising & Isla Carmen

As the sun was slowly rising to the East, the National Geographic Sea Lion cruised the east side of Isla Carmen in hopes to see wildlife, especially of the cetacean kind. We did not have to wait long, a feeding frenzy of birds beckoned us slightly farther to the East, and turned out to have a vast pod of common dolphins busily herding the bait fish from below! Soon after leaving this amazing scene, we spotted a Blue Whale, which gave us several good looks before continuing on to Puerto Escondito. Finally, we repositioned to Puerto Ballandra, on Isla Carmen, for an activity stop, cocktail hour and sunset on the beach.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/25/2017

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National Geographic Sea Bird

San Esteban & Rasa Islands

Today the National Geographic Sea Bird arrived to a very special part of the Sea of Cortez known as the Midriff Islands region, where several islands—including Mexico’s two biggest—act as a bottleneck for the tidal currents that create strong upwellings. Here, the waters are highly productive and life flourishes everywhere. We had the chance to explore two of those islands, San Esteban and Rasa, each one totally different than the other, encountered several unique and charismatic species, and even met a true environmental heroine. What a wonderful day!

Punta Colorada, 4/9/2017, National Geographic Sea Lion

Jennifer Davidson, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

San Cristobal Island

Gulf of California & Isla San Ildefonso

Isla San Jose & Cruising for Wildlife

Cruising & Isla Carmen

San Esteban & Rasa Islands