Isla Partida & Los Islotes
This morning we awoke aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in calm waters on the Sea of Cortez. In the company of seabirds we headed south for Isla Partida where we would spend our morning in the beautiful bay of Ensenada Grande.
Disembarking the ship after breakfast, some headed for the beach and an aerobic walk up the canyon while others enjoyed the honeycombed coast by kayak. We knew it was going to be an amazing day when shuttling from ship to shore we saw bottlenose dolphins in the bay. The waters of Ensenada Grande were so clear that kayakers hugging the shore had a bird’s eye view of life beneath the surface. The intricately carved cavernous coast was full of intriguing indentations and those bound to kayak and paddle admired the wonders of weathering. A great blue heron made its way along the coast stealthfully peering into the underworld in pursuit of prey while mobulas (a species of ray) jumped out of the water entertaining those whose eyes caught their fleeting flight. Paddling back to shore we could barely wait to see what curiosities nature would unveil on the ground of Isla Partida.
Splitting into groups determined by pace we ventured into the Sonoran desert. Walking from the beach we encountered plants particularly adapted to saline environments and were distracted by the chit chat of what at first glance one would think a chipmunk. The antelope ground squirrel prefers rocky desert habitats and dietary delights such as fruits of cholla, prickly pear and seeds. Weaving through rock and cactus we realized we were not alone, as in the domain of ground squirrel was evidence of the endemic and elusive black jackrabbit. Large shell middens provided proof of cultures now bygone, and stories of the pearls that once abounded painted a different picture of the islands we visit today. With resistance we left the beach of Ensenada Grande and with a bow pointed north headed for Los Islotes.
Zodiac cruises after lunch around Los Islotes provided us an intimate perspective of the sound and smells of California sea lions at both play and rest. Curious playful pinnipeds, they seemed fearless in approach and later we donned mask and snorkel and had opportunity to enter their underwater realm. What a perspective to see them both above and below the surface of the water being marine mammals, giving us greater appreciation for their lives and the productive waters of Baja that support them!
From Los Islotes we picked up anchor to return to the kayak beach for a BBQ and evening ashore amongst the stars! It wasn’t long before whales were spotted in the distance and we were able to make the perfect day even better with great views of fin and blue whales!!!!!!!
This morning we awoke aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in calm waters on the Sea of Cortez. In the company of seabirds we headed south for Isla Partida where we would spend our morning in the beautiful bay of Ensenada Grande.
Disembarking the ship after breakfast, some headed for the beach and an aerobic walk up the canyon while others enjoyed the honeycombed coast by kayak. We knew it was going to be an amazing day when shuttling from ship to shore we saw bottlenose dolphins in the bay. The waters of Ensenada Grande were so clear that kayakers hugging the shore had a bird’s eye view of life beneath the surface. The intricately carved cavernous coast was full of intriguing indentations and those bound to kayak and paddle admired the wonders of weathering. A great blue heron made its way along the coast stealthfully peering into the underworld in pursuit of prey while mobulas (a species of ray) jumped out of the water entertaining those whose eyes caught their fleeting flight. Paddling back to shore we could barely wait to see what curiosities nature would unveil on the ground of Isla Partida.
Splitting into groups determined by pace we ventured into the Sonoran desert. Walking from the beach we encountered plants particularly adapted to saline environments and were distracted by the chit chat of what at first glance one would think a chipmunk. The antelope ground squirrel prefers rocky desert habitats and dietary delights such as fruits of cholla, prickly pear and seeds. Weaving through rock and cactus we realized we were not alone, as in the domain of ground squirrel was evidence of the endemic and elusive black jackrabbit. Large shell middens provided proof of cultures now bygone, and stories of the pearls that once abounded painted a different picture of the islands we visit today. With resistance we left the beach of Ensenada Grande and with a bow pointed north headed for Los Islotes.
Zodiac cruises after lunch around Los Islotes provided us an intimate perspective of the sound and smells of California sea lions at both play and rest. Curious playful pinnipeds, they seemed fearless in approach and later we donned mask and snorkel and had opportunity to enter their underwater realm. What a perspective to see them both above and below the surface of the water being marine mammals, giving us greater appreciation for their lives and the productive waters of Baja that support them!
From Los Islotes we picked up anchor to return to the kayak beach for a BBQ and evening ashore amongst the stars! It wasn’t long before whales were spotted in the distance and we were able to make the perfect day even better with great views of fin and blue whales!!!!!!!
