Los Islotes & Bonanza Bay, Espiritu Santo Island
Just another of those incredible sunrises in Baja California! The cloud cover went berserk with oranges, pinks, and grays. We sailed into the proximity of Los Islotes, two islets very near the northern tip of Isla Partida, home to about 300 California sea lions and innumerable blue-footed and brown boobies, turkey vultures, magnificent frigate birds, and a cornucopia of smaller birds such as cormorants, sandpipers, ravens and a great blue heron couple in their nest. Of course brown pelicans use the island as a resting place also..
We lowered our Zodiacs and had very interesting cruises around the two islets, all the while being followed by a good number of young playful sea lions. Later we snorkeled there, enjoying the plentiful number of colorful fish and the playful sea lions, who underwater show off how well they swim; how clumsy we are in comparison!
Earlier in the day we had sighted a massive group (possibly 2000) of long-nosed common dolphins. Many of them loved bow riding our vessel, allowing us to photograph them easily. We could even see remoras on some of them; these medium-sized fish hold on to the side or venter of the dolphin, and take a free ride to food; when the dolphins catch their fish, remoras eat the scraps!
After lunch on the ship, we turned south, down along the eastern shores of the island of Espiritu Santo, down to its southeastern corner, Bahia Bonanza, a wonderful sandy beach at least three miles long. We had an excellent time with the kayaks and fantastic hikes into the desert. At the end of the day we had a delicious bar-be-cue.
Just another of those incredible sunrises in Baja California! The cloud cover went berserk with oranges, pinks, and grays. We sailed into the proximity of Los Islotes, two islets very near the northern tip of Isla Partida, home to about 300 California sea lions and innumerable blue-footed and brown boobies, turkey vultures, magnificent frigate birds, and a cornucopia of smaller birds such as cormorants, sandpipers, ravens and a great blue heron couple in their nest. Of course brown pelicans use the island as a resting place also..
We lowered our Zodiacs and had very interesting cruises around the two islets, all the while being followed by a good number of young playful sea lions. Later we snorkeled there, enjoying the plentiful number of colorful fish and the playful sea lions, who underwater show off how well they swim; how clumsy we are in comparison!
Earlier in the day we had sighted a massive group (possibly 2000) of long-nosed common dolphins. Many of them loved bow riding our vessel, allowing us to photograph them easily. We could even see remoras on some of them; these medium-sized fish hold on to the side or venter of the dolphin, and take a free ride to food; when the dolphins catch their fish, remoras eat the scraps!
After lunch on the ship, we turned south, down along the eastern shores of the island of Espiritu Santo, down to its southeastern corner, Bahia Bonanza, a wonderful sandy beach at least three miles long. We had an excellent time with the kayaks and fantastic hikes into the desert. At the end of the day we had a delicious bar-be-cue.
