Feeding the flames
In the spring of 2024, my family took another excursion with Lindblad National Geographic to Baja Sur California. Magdalena Bay is where Grey Whales go to have and nurse their babies before the long trek north to the arctic to feed on small crustaceans and amphipods. While on this expedition, I was reunited with Melissa Heres from our Alaska trip and met Lisa Hornak. On this trip, I was exposed to a wide variety of wildlife to photograph; including birds like pelicans, cormorants, and whimbrels before the main event of seeing several grey whales and a few newborns.
One of the classes that we attended on ship was a phone camera class. We were introduced to techniques for using our phones in some new and unconventional ways to take unique (and better) photographs. During this trip I spent time with both Lisa and Melissa and worked outside of my comfort zone of only taking pictures of wildlife, but also learning how to expand to the flora around me.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t stray too far from my comfort zone. While on one of our hikes, I took a picture of a bird perched on some brush, but right at the moment a hummingbird was flying by. One of the younger members of the trip was able to follow where the hummingbird flew to. Melissa and I were able to move close to where it was last seen and found a ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on a nest. We didn’t get too close, and I was able to get some amazing pics of her on the nest. After a few minutes, she flew off again while I was still there. I just happened to stick around long enough to look into the nest (from a distance with my camera) and saw a little baby hummingbird inside. TOTALLY amazing.
Then came the whales. The whales. Words cannot describe the feeling being so close to these giant and majestic creatures. I couldn’t get enough information about them; how the fed, where they traveled, did they stay together or travel alone, food, navigation….. You name it, I was devouring whatever I could find about them to learn as much as I could.
We went out in Pangas, local boats, and traveled to known nursery areas where the whales usually gather. We sat at the southern end of Magdalena Bay, and were rewarded with about 7 whales; both adults and a few juveniles. From spy hopping, to swimming in circles, to swimming fast away trying to lose us, we were graced with a ton of activity. Such beauty and grace.
Every trip I have done with Lindblad National Geographic has been another lesson in photography and how I can use it to capture the world around me. My love for the natural world has been fueled, and my desire to capture as much of it as I can will never be quenched. So, come along with me on my journey as I keep searching for more, new, and ‘wild’ wildlife to bring to you and your screens.