Isla San Ildefonso and Gull Rock
We began our New Year with a blazing red sunrise. The National Geographic Sea Bird was bound for Isla San Ildefonso in hopes seeing some of the magnificent bird species that have been know to linger, nest, and live near these impressive landscapes.
As we explored this island in the Zodiacs, our expectations were definitely exceeded. Magnificent frigate birds, great blue herons, and American oystercatchers could all be seen along the shoreline and soaring through the air. Although the water was slightly turbulent, we found calm coves and caves for shelter. Gorgeous Sally Lightfoot crabs gracefully crawled on the rocks, trying to avoid our attention. We admired their grace, diverse colors, and rapid movement. We discovered courting blue-footed boobies and brown boobies staring at us from the hollows in the rocks. Also nearby were small groups of eared grebes, whose webbed feet were clearly visible underwater. Our most extraordinary sighting, however, was a pair of red-billed tropic birds. These incredible birds danced together with their splendid white tails streaming behind them. It was as if these brilliant birds were painting ribbons in the sky. Red-billed tropicbirds spend most if their time at sea and it was a very rare sighting at Isla San Ildefonso. We were delighted with the possibility that they may make a new nesting site there.
In the afternoon, as we made our way south we were greeted by a large group of bottlenose dolphins. As they playfully breached and swam toward us, they quickly made their way to our bow, where our bow wake pushed them forward and they surfed just inches from us—dolphins really are the best surfers! Also impressive was the height at which they were able to launch themselves into the air.
“I was amazed as I was sitting on the starboard side of the boat and I saw one come out of the water about 15 feet!” said Chief Mate, Shawn Nettles.
Most of us roared as we hung our heads over the bow and witnessed these playful mammals and their spectacular performance.
Later, we arrived at a beach on the Baja Peninsula just behind a landmark called Gull Rock. While one Zodiac was in route to the beach, a brown juvenile pelican hopped onboard and got a free ride. We laughed as the pelican sat inches from one guest. Someone yelled, “Hey where is that guy’s life jacket?” as the Zodiac and pelican arrived ashore.
The hikes at Gull Rock were remarkable. The geologic wonders that exist there were extremely impressive to our eyes. Huge red boulders dwarfed our hikers as they wound their way through a scenic arroyo. We also found varieties of fauna and flora that were different from those we have been finding on the surrounding islands. As we hiked up the sandy arroyo the air was perfectly cool and our laughter echoed through the canyon. Those who did the longer hikes were able to climb huge boulders and maneuver through crevasses.
In the evening, we stayed anchored near Gull Rock had a New Year’s Day party on the Bridge Deck. Some were blindfolded in the attempt to break open a Mexican piñata, while others shared their New Year’s Resolutions and a drink. Most of us agreed that today was a perfect way to start 2009.
We began our New Year with a blazing red sunrise. The National Geographic Sea Bird was bound for Isla San Ildefonso in hopes seeing some of the magnificent bird species that have been know to linger, nest, and live near these impressive landscapes.
As we explored this island in the Zodiacs, our expectations were definitely exceeded. Magnificent frigate birds, great blue herons, and American oystercatchers could all be seen along the shoreline and soaring through the air. Although the water was slightly turbulent, we found calm coves and caves for shelter. Gorgeous Sally Lightfoot crabs gracefully crawled on the rocks, trying to avoid our attention. We admired their grace, diverse colors, and rapid movement. We discovered courting blue-footed boobies and brown boobies staring at us from the hollows in the rocks. Also nearby were small groups of eared grebes, whose webbed feet were clearly visible underwater. Our most extraordinary sighting, however, was a pair of red-billed tropic birds. These incredible birds danced together with their splendid white tails streaming behind them. It was as if these brilliant birds were painting ribbons in the sky. Red-billed tropicbirds spend most if their time at sea and it was a very rare sighting at Isla San Ildefonso. We were delighted with the possibility that they may make a new nesting site there.
In the afternoon, as we made our way south we were greeted by a large group of bottlenose dolphins. As they playfully breached and swam toward us, they quickly made their way to our bow, where our bow wake pushed them forward and they surfed just inches from us—dolphins really are the best surfers! Also impressive was the height at which they were able to launch themselves into the air.
“I was amazed as I was sitting on the starboard side of the boat and I saw one come out of the water about 15 feet!” said Chief Mate, Shawn Nettles.
Most of us roared as we hung our heads over the bow and witnessed these playful mammals and their spectacular performance.
Later, we arrived at a beach on the Baja Peninsula just behind a landmark called Gull Rock. While one Zodiac was in route to the beach, a brown juvenile pelican hopped onboard and got a free ride. We laughed as the pelican sat inches from one guest. Someone yelled, “Hey where is that guy’s life jacket?” as the Zodiac and pelican arrived ashore.
The hikes at Gull Rock were remarkable. The geologic wonders that exist there were extremely impressive to our eyes. Huge red boulders dwarfed our hikers as they wound their way through a scenic arroyo. We also found varieties of fauna and flora that were different from those we have been finding on the surrounding islands. As we hiked up the sandy arroyo the air was perfectly cool and our laughter echoed through the canyon. Those who did the longer hikes were able to climb huge boulders and maneuver through crevasses.
In the evening, we stayed anchored near Gull Rock had a New Year’s Day party on the Bridge Deck. Some were blindfolded in the attempt to break open a Mexican piñata, while others shared their New Year’s Resolutions and a drink. Most of us agreed that today was a perfect way to start 2009.
