Amortajada and Isla San Francisco
Most of the guests were eager for our dawn outing. We entered a shallow channel on the south end of Isla San Jose as flocks of snowy egrets passed near our Zodiacs. As they were leaving, we were entering an area of mangroves, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. We hugged the margin of the entrance, passing red and white mangroves that occasionally brushed the sides of our boats. Not more than 200 feet into the lagoon we saw leaves moving near the water and discovered a mangrove warbler hopping amongst the branches. To spot these small and elusive birds often takes a great deal of “pishing” and other odd sounds that birders make to attract them. Seeing this one almost seemed too easy. These warblers are a form of yellow warbler, with a brick-colored hood that many consider to be one of the avian highlights of mangroves. Little blue herons, yellow-crowned night herons, white ibis, belted kingfishers and whimbrels were also seen.
One of the narrow mangrove passages had upside-down jellyfish on the bottom. These are in the genus Cassiopaea and have short thick tentacles that branch out, covering their tops. It is quite odd for a jellyfish. For many of us the highlight may have been the spectacular view of the banded volcanic cliffs of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains forming the backdrop across a small glassy bay. The air was especially clear, making the mountains appear much closer than they were.
We left this beautiful spot and cruised through the San Jose Channel, a route where whales and dolphins are sometimes found. We located a Bryde’s whale and calf. These tropical baleen whales feed on fish and are about 45 feet long. They have a curved dorsal fin that is quite upright. The calf was usually on the opposite side of its mom, so our best views of it were when the adult appeared to have two dorsal fins.
The ships’ officers anchored within the stunning bay of Isla San Francisco as we finished lunch and prepared for our shore outing. Whatever our guests had on their minds, they were able to do it here. A few made it to the top of the island where today’s photo was taken. It shows the sandy white beach far below. Others took shorter hikes and learned more about Sonoran Desert natural history.
Kayaking, snorkeling and swimming were also popular activities. Huge shoals of tiny fish ringed the bay. They extended out about 100 feet from the shoreline and occupied groups of brown pelicans plunge-diving from the air into them. The pelicans continued diving throughout our shore barbecue as William Lopez-Forment told us of the Mexican gods beating up on each other. Darkness closed in as guitar music and singing filled the night.
