Dear whalewatchers:
We had a day that might qualify for one of Searcher’s greatest days on the Sea of Cortez!
This morning we awoke at Isla Monserrate to a calm placid ocean. We started watching for whales and it didn’t take long for the boys on the roof to find us several whales right away. First we spent some time with a fin whale cow and calf pair and there were other fin whales in the area.
Soon after we spent some time with a minke whale and as it turns out, it was the same minke whale as last trip. This minke is crazy curious about Searcher and it spent at least 1.5 hours around the boat, making passes under the bow, along the side and coming up right beneath us. The clear water afforded everyone unparalled views of this small cetacean, one we don’t often see on these trips. All of the passengers and crew were running from side to side for a good photo. She (yes, we were able to determine its gender as she twirled on her belly next to the boat) appeared to make eye contact with all of us and make relaxed surfacings next to the boat.
Next the fin whale cow and calf made a curious encounter with Searcher. First the calf spent time surfacing very close to us, then the mother and baby made a few passes together. Again with the clear water, we could see every field mark and get a great perspective on sizes of these animals since they were so close.
Having these giant cetaceans come so close to us was unforgettable for all aboard.
Then we encountered several herds of active common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and several kinds of seabirds such as Cravieri’s murrelets, least and black storm petrels, terns and gulls, and loads of manta rays jumping and flipping.
After lunchtime we had either a snorkel or a Krazy Koastal Kruise at Las Galeras to see sea lions, pelicans, frigates, boobies, and lots of other birds.
For our late afternoon, we found a Bryde’s whale to add to our baleen species list as well. Then at sunset, we found a herd of pilot whales that we watched until it got dark.
Ending a very special day in Baja,
Capt Art
We had a day that might qualify for one of Searcher’s greatest days on the Sea of Cortez!
This morning we awoke at Isla Monserrate to a calm placid ocean. We started watching for whales and it didn’t take long for the boys on the roof to find us several whales right away. First we spent some time with a fin whale cow and calf pair and there were other fin whales in the area.
Soon after we spent some time with a minke whale and as it turns out, it was the same minke whale as last trip. This minke is crazy curious about Searcher and it spent at least 1.5 hours around the boat, making passes under the bow, along the side and coming up right beneath us. The clear water afforded everyone unparalled views of this small cetacean, one we don’t often see on these trips. All of the passengers and crew were running from side to side for a good photo. She (yes, we were able to determine its gender as she twirled on her belly next to the boat) appeared to make eye contact with all of us and make relaxed surfacings next to the boat.
Next the fin whale cow and calf made a curious encounter with Searcher. First the calf spent time surfacing very close to us, then the mother and baby made a few passes together. Again with the clear water, we could see every field mark and get a great perspective on sizes of these animals since they were so close.
Having these giant cetaceans come so close to us was unforgettable for all aboard.
Then we encountered several herds of active common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and several kinds of seabirds such as Cravieri’s murrelets, least and black storm petrels, terns and gulls, and loads of manta rays jumping and flipping.
After lunchtime we had either a snorkel or a Krazy Koastal Kruise at Las Galeras to see sea lions, pelicans, frigates, boobies, and lots of other birds.
For our late afternoon, we found a Bryde’s whale to add to our baleen species list as well. Then at sunset, we found a herd of pilot whales that we watched until it got dark.
Ending a very special day in Baja,
Capt Art
