Los Islotes & Isla San Francisco
Whether it was endocrine glands in overtime hormone production, or a general feeling of machismo, the male sea lions hauled out at Los Islotes this morning had much to say. We cruised around this tiny frosted islet as their boisterous vocalizations reverberated off the cliffs and melded with the honking and whistling of blue-footed and brown boobies. Yellow-footed gulls added their defamatory remarks to the general mix.
We had two views of the California sea lions, the dry side and the wet. From our Zodiac vantage point, the resting sea lions seemed to meld comfortably into the rocks. They looked as if they were chocolate candies forgotten on the front seat of a car parked in the sun on a hot day. Assorted sized pools of Ghirardelli chocolate sea lions spilt over and on to each other as they lounged on the toffee brown volcanic tuff. The wet side of sea lion viewing was quite different. The mood changed markedly as adolescent sea lions joined our neoprene enveloped snorkelers. Racing about the waters were bubble blowing whiskered sea monsters. Their magnified bug-eyed faces viewed through our masks might concern an ophthalmologist, but they are finely designed masters of their watery universe. Snorkelers returned enthused from their party with the pinnipeds.
We’ve enjoyed a variety of discoveries as we cruised far north and now south in the Gulf of California. Some of our guests have writings to share, reflecting their experiences and highlights. This is your invitation to join in the magic and wonder of discovering Baja California.
There once were some Naturalists on the Bird
Who never thought questions were absurd
They smile and wink
No matter what the guests think
And always took care not to be nerds
-Jeannie McDevitt
Leaping Dolphins
Inquisitive Whales
New things everyday
Dinners
Breakfasts
Lunches
All aboard for Zodiac cruises
Danzante island barbecue
Enthusiastic naturalists
X-ray of baggage
Passports
Elegant terns
Daily Expedition Reports
Interesting lectures
Trails to be hiked
Imagination of children
Orcas to be found
Next trip?
Sunrise, sunset
-Rodney Crittenden
Whales are nice
Dolphins are sweet
Cactus are prickly
But still really neat
Sea lions make noise
When you come by
Sometimes they are quiet
And look you in the eye.
-Lauren McDevitt, age 7
There the whale breaches
Is she calling mates, joyous
Or just watching us?
-Carlos Navarro
Oh mighty sperm whale
What are you thinking while in
The abyss alone?
-Carlos Navarro
Whether it was endocrine glands in overtime hormone production, or a general feeling of machismo, the male sea lions hauled out at Los Islotes this morning had much to say. We cruised around this tiny frosted islet as their boisterous vocalizations reverberated off the cliffs and melded with the honking and whistling of blue-footed and brown boobies. Yellow-footed gulls added their defamatory remarks to the general mix.
We had two views of the California sea lions, the dry side and the wet. From our Zodiac vantage point, the resting sea lions seemed to meld comfortably into the rocks. They looked as if they were chocolate candies forgotten on the front seat of a car parked in the sun on a hot day. Assorted sized pools of Ghirardelli chocolate sea lions spilt over and on to each other as they lounged on the toffee brown volcanic tuff. The wet side of sea lion viewing was quite different. The mood changed markedly as adolescent sea lions joined our neoprene enveloped snorkelers. Racing about the waters were bubble blowing whiskered sea monsters. Their magnified bug-eyed faces viewed through our masks might concern an ophthalmologist, but they are finely designed masters of their watery universe. Snorkelers returned enthused from their party with the pinnipeds.
We’ve enjoyed a variety of discoveries as we cruised far north and now south in the Gulf of California. Some of our guests have writings to share, reflecting their experiences and highlights. This is your invitation to join in the magic and wonder of discovering Baja California.
There once were some Naturalists on the Bird
Who never thought questions were absurd
They smile and wink
No matter what the guests think
And always took care not to be nerds
-Jeannie McDevitt
Leaping Dolphins
Inquisitive Whales
New things everyday
Dinners
Breakfasts
Lunches
All aboard for Zodiac cruises
Danzante island barbecue
Enthusiastic naturalists
X-ray of baggage
Passports
Elegant terns
Daily Expedition Reports
Interesting lectures
Trails to be hiked
Imagination of children
Orcas to be found
Next trip?
Sunrise, sunset
-Rodney Crittenden
Whales are nice
Dolphins are sweet
Cactus are prickly
But still really neat
Sea lions make noise
When you come by
Sometimes they are quiet
And look you in the eye.
-Lauren McDevitt, age 7
There the whale breaches
Is she calling mates, joyous
Or just watching us?
-Carlos Navarro
Oh mighty sperm whale
What are you thinking while in
The abyss alone?
-Carlos Navarro
