Baja, Mexico and the Sea of Cortez

Swimming with sea lions on Los Islotes

Four days after returning home from the Around the World by Private Jet trip, I was on a plane bound for La Paz, Mexico and two back to back trips aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird.  I had been on this trip in 2008, and it is a favorite place as it combines two of my favorite environments: the ocean and the desert.

Whale watching is a big part of these trips, and the waters of the Baja and the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) is a major stage for this opportunity.  Humpbacks, Pilot and Blue Whales are found in these waters, and can provide great photographic opportunities.

Whale "footprint"

Baby gray whale under panga

I love the opportunity to dive or snorkel, and the Baja can be productive location for diving.  We had the chance to snorkel with sea lions on Los Islotes, a sea lion haul-out.  These creatures are amazing underwater..the younger sea lions will race up to you, right-side up, upside down or sideways or a combination…all at extreme speed.  No chance for AF underwater, so the camera went on a hyper-focal focus mode…more info below.

sea lions near Los Islotes

The underwater photos were taken with an Olympus E620 in an Olympus PT-E06 housing with a 7-14mm lens, all images shot at 400 ISO