Elephant Rock at Isla Santa Catalina
After a morning playing with a group of common dolphins and a lunging blue whale, we made our way to the picturesque Elephant Rock off of Isla Santa Catalina. This island boasts many endemic species including the giant barrel cactus and the rattleless rattle snake. We all kept our ears open as we landed on the cobble beach late in the afternoon and headed up the arroyo.
The cardons are larger here and the giant barrel cactus can tower over eight feet tall. Galloping cactus, cholla and coyote melon also spot the surface of the arroyo. Everywhere we looked we could observe the various adaptations of desert plants that naturalist Linda Burbank shared in her presentation earlier today. Hikers also had to be watching the path carefully, lest they find themselves stepping on silent slitherers. But we were all very excited to come across one of these famous rattleless snakes. While the more timid stayed back, naturalist Carlos Navarro tamed the snake for closer looks. The evening ended with wonderful sunset photo opportunities on the beach as the boat circled off Elephant Rock.
After a morning playing with a group of common dolphins and a lunging blue whale, we made our way to the picturesque Elephant Rock off of Isla Santa Catalina. This island boasts many endemic species including the giant barrel cactus and the rattleless rattle snake. We all kept our ears open as we landed on the cobble beach late in the afternoon and headed up the arroyo.
The cardons are larger here and the giant barrel cactus can tower over eight feet tall. Galloping cactus, cholla and coyote melon also spot the surface of the arroyo. Everywhere we looked we could observe the various adaptations of desert plants that naturalist Linda Burbank shared in her presentation earlier today. Hikers also had to be watching the path carefully, lest they find themselves stepping on silent slitherers. But we were all very excited to come across one of these famous rattleless snakes. While the more timid stayed back, naturalist Carlos Navarro tamed the snake for closer looks. The evening ended with wonderful sunset photo opportunities on the beach as the boat circled off Elephant Rock.
