Fabrice Schmitt and Steve Howell on their just-completed cruise, Valparaiso to Los Angeles

Covering 60 degrees of latitude—a third of the planet’s surface—exposed us to many different habitats, both on land and at sea, as exemplified by a total of 32 tubenose species (and 57 species for this and the preceding cruise combined!).

The unique Inca Tern, icon of the Humboldt Current, was a feature of the first week at and around our coastal stops.

Our first day at sea was filled with Juan Fernandez Petrels, as well as excellent views of this Bryde’s (pronounced “Bru-duh’s”) Whale.

The fancy White-bellied Storm-Petrel was also seen this first sea day, a taste of the storm-petrel show soon to come.

Off southern Peru, in one day we saw 1000+ De Filippi’s (or Masatierra) Petrels, 600+ Hornby’s (or Ringed) Storm-Petrels, and 250 White-faced Storm-Petrels. The white underwings and fluttery, kicking flight of the White-faced (here) contrasted with...

The floppy, sailing and wheeling flight of the Hornby’s, with its striking dark underwings.

In Pisco, Peru, a highlight was great views of Humboldt Penguins, here panting in the heat.

Landbirds at our widely scattered stops between Chile and Mexico ranged from superb views of Andean Tinamou in Peru...

To displaying Long-tailed Manakins in Nicaragua.

The relaxing, warm blue tropical waters...

Featured numerous dolphins, turtles, and boobies, here a Brown Booby resting on an Olive Ridley Turtle, ...

And here a Nazca Booby that flew by at arm’s length!

Flyingfish added another dimension, here a Pied-tailed Necromancer.

Our birding group aroused curiosity among many passengers, and even the captain came to visit us, here posing graciously for a photo.

Our last day off the Baja California Peninsula brought us back to cooler waters, home to Laysan Albatross, here, plus Craveri’s and Guadalupe Murrelets.

Birding with beers at the end of the last day—what a trip!