|
STS081-724-024 Magdalena Bay, Santa Margarita Island, Mexico January 1997 Magdalena Bay, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, can be seen in this south-looking view. Located on the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Baja California, the rather narrow Magdalena Bay is the winter home to some of the largest animals on Earth. At the end of their 5000 mile (5650 km) journey from the Bering Sea between Russia and Alaska, thousands of gray whales congregate each year in the protected bay waters to mate, bear their young, and pass the winter months before returning to the Bering Sea in the Spring. The bay is also home to sea lions, dolphins, and other types of large whales. Magdalena Bay is located in a semi-arid wilderness surrounded by rugged islands, uninhabited beaches, sand dunes, and mangrove channels. Thousands of tourists visit this region each winter to observe the large numbers of animals congregating in and around the bay. Near the left center of the image, the small, but rugged island of Santa Margarita can be seen. | |