There are always illuminating experiences to be had wherever you are in Baja, but this is especially the case when out on the bay to encounter the gray whales that use these warm, shallow waters for birth and rearing. From early morning to late afternoon we had rich and lasting encounters with these whales. Most were cows and calves who stayed near the boats, allowing guests to place their hands upon, even pet, their rostra before descending and resurfacing again. This continued all throughout the day—truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 28 Mar 2019
San Ignacio Laguna, 3/28/2019, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Baja California
Rich Kirchner, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Rich Kirchner has worked as a naturalist in Antarctica, Alaska, the Bering Sea, Baja and the High Arctic, including Svalbard, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and Iceland, along with other destinations. His 33 years as a professional wildlife photograp...
Read MoreJames Napoli, Videographer
Jim was born in rural New England where he quickly developed an appreciation for the outdoors and a love of exploration. Four years with the U.S. Navy further enhanced his appetite for travel. Always interested in the visual arts, he studied Televis...
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Baja California: A Remarkable Journey
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La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur, is rich in culture, sights, and beauty. To enjoy our day in this lovely city, we set out for several activities: a tour of the city’s murals and art, a visit to the local eco-park to birdwatch, and a trip to historic El Triunfo. There is much to see in this wonderful region, and we were excited to explore. Our local guide showed us street art and told us stories about the city’s culture. We saw an impressive 47 species of birds on our walk! Lastly, the trip to El Triunfo showed us parts of the rich history of the area.
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San Jose del Cabo
This morning, we visited San Jose del Cabo for a morning of birding, photography, and exploring this lovely town on the southeast coast of Baja. Between the different birding groups, there were over sixty species spotted in the lush estuary on the edge of town. There was also some shopping done during the town visit, and the weather was perfect for both activities! In the afternoon, National Geographic Venture cruised north while looking for wildlife, and we were not disappointed. Humpback whales and a megapod of common dolphins entertained us until the sun was setting and cocktail/recap hour began. It was a great end to a very special day!