Isla San Ildefonso & Caleta San Juanico
This morning we awoke aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in the midst of a feeding frenzy in the Sea of Cortez. Surrounded by long beaked common dolphins and their accompaniment of foraging birds, we were reckoned by the richness of these waters and the myriad of life dependent on this healthy ecosystem! Our views of this small yet prolific species of cetacean were enhanced by their foraging behavior and proximity to the ship! The cast of characters who fed in their wake were species with which we would soon have close encounters.
Isla San Ildefonso is a bird sanctuary and is one of many in the string of volcanic islets in the Sea of Cortez. After breakfast we boarded Zodiacs for explorations in and out of coves and tight corners. The constant chatter of the endemic yellow footed gull filled the air as brown pelicans both displayed breeding plumage and carried nesting materials to unseen nests nestled amongst volcanic rock. The brown and blue footed boobies provided the medium for all things seabird as our naturalists shared their love and admiration for the birds of the sea who make this their nesting grounds. Magnificent frigatebirds hovered overhead while flightless/molting grebes ducked beneath the surface every time we made approach. Sea turtles and a California sea lion were also spotted adding to the web of life and waters of Isla San Ildefonso.
After lunch we landed in the lovely cove of San Juanico on the Peninsula and embarked on a variety of activities: we got out feet wet with kayaking, our bones chilled when snorkeling and we experienced the rare rain of the desert as we strolled into the interior. The Sonoran desert really lived up to its lush reputation with flowers, cacti and legumes of plenty. We found a horn toad and birders added many species to their list including: phainopepla, green tailed towhee, the ash throated flycatcher amongst many other.
Another beautiful, if not brisk, day in Baja California!
This morning we awoke aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in the midst of a feeding frenzy in the Sea of Cortez. Surrounded by long beaked common dolphins and their accompaniment of foraging birds, we were reckoned by the richness of these waters and the myriad of life dependent on this healthy ecosystem! Our views of this small yet prolific species of cetacean were enhanced by their foraging behavior and proximity to the ship! The cast of characters who fed in their wake were species with which we would soon have close encounters.
Isla San Ildefonso is a bird sanctuary and is one of many in the string of volcanic islets in the Sea of Cortez. After breakfast we boarded Zodiacs for explorations in and out of coves and tight corners. The constant chatter of the endemic yellow footed gull filled the air as brown pelicans both displayed breeding plumage and carried nesting materials to unseen nests nestled amongst volcanic rock. The brown and blue footed boobies provided the medium for all things seabird as our naturalists shared their love and admiration for the birds of the sea who make this their nesting grounds. Magnificent frigatebirds hovered overhead while flightless/molting grebes ducked beneath the surface every time we made approach. Sea turtles and a California sea lion were also spotted adding to the web of life and waters of Isla San Ildefonso.
After lunch we landed in the lovely cove of San Juanico on the Peninsula and embarked on a variety of activities: we got out feet wet with kayaking, our bones chilled when snorkeling and we experienced the rare rain of the desert as we strolled into the interior. The Sonoran desert really lived up to its lush reputation with flowers, cacti and legumes of plenty. We found a horn toad and birders added many species to their list including: phainopepla, green tailed towhee, the ash throated flycatcher amongst many other.
Another beautiful, if not brisk, day in Baja California!
