Dear whalewatchers:
We have seen 9 species of marine mammals since leaving Ensenada harbor (for our immigration stop into Mexico) and it’s not even lunchtime yet! We’ve seen fin, gray, humpback, minke whales, and two species of dolphins. We also saw elephant seals, harbor seals, and California sea lions at Islas Todos Santos.
The weather is fine too. A full report for the day will follow.
Capt Art
Manta ray
Photo by Charles Howell
Photo by Charles Howell
2011 passenger, Dave Eagle, made this video of Searcher trip experiences and wildlife. Enjoy!
Photo courtesy of Michael Ellis, Footloose Forays
There are 103 cow/calf pairs and 53 single gray whales in the lagoon.
Steve “Wrong Way” Lamb (aka Lamp Chop) shares a decadent dessert recipe, as served aboard Searcher Natural History Tours.
Lamb Chop in his native habitat!
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients:
1-1/2 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar (Ghirardelli)
2 eggs
1/4 cup(s) heavy cream
8 tablespoon(s) (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup(s) sugar
1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1/4 cup(s) cake flour
Directions
To make centers, melt 2 ounces of chocolate (1/2 a baking bar) and cream in a double boiler. Whisk gently to blend. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Form into 6 balls; refrigerate until needed.
To make cake, heat oven to 400°F.
Spray six 4-ounce ramekins or custard cups with cooking spray.
Melt 4 ounces of chocolate (1 baking bar) and butter in double boiler; whisk gently to blend.
With an electric mixer, whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, and vanilla on high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and light.
Fold melted chocolate mixture and flour into egg mixture just until combined.
Spoon cake batter into ramekins. Place a chocolate ball in the middle of each ramekin. Bake about 15 minutes or until cake is firm to the touch. Let it sit out of the oven for about 5 minutes. Run a small, sharp knife around inside of each ramekin, place a plate on top, invert and remove ramekin.
Garnish with raspberries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Conditions were just right for a great shot of the surfacing dwarf sperm whales. Congrats to Chef Charles Howell for capturing this elusive cetacean! (Editor’s note: It takes boat-handling skill by Capt Art too!)
There are 80 mother/calf pairs and 89 singles, for a total of 249 gray whales. Thanks to Chef Charles for the spyhopping gray whale photo taken in the lagoon!
