Isla Raza (Isla Rasa), a fairly small island in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), is the world's main breeding spot for Heermann's Gulls and Elegant Terns. Royal Terns also breed there. We were there toward the end of the breeding season; most of the birds had left, but many, both adults and juveniles, were still there. The island is protected and visits are restricted, but permission had been granted for our group to go ashore briefly, with strict limits on our movements.

bj050352: Heermann's Gulls

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bj050393: A fin whale. We encountered a pod of these. They are huge--the second largest whale species--but not much of them shows on the surface when they breathe.

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Copyright © 2005, Edwin E. Moïse. Revised July 15, 2005.