Isla San Francisco
A quiet anchorage is a wonderful place when winds howl and the seas build. Our ship pulled into a protected half-moon shaped bay in Isla San Francisco. As we approached the beach for our activities we noticed a dark color just under the surface of the water. It slowly moved, sometimes shimmered, and then turned to small white splashes as small fish jumped. A group of pelicans began diving into this huge school. Just before they entered the water they would throw their wings back as if being transformed into arrows, and then disappear with a splash. Our undersea specialist thought the fish might be flat-iron herring.
Soon the kayaks were lined up awaiting their captains, as folding chairs filled with sandy-footed guests. Photographers rose to the challenge of trying to capture a falling bird before it became a splash. The bay was protected from the wind and was the perfect place for kayakers to explore the shoreline.
Snorkelers could either leave from the beach or drop in from an anchored Zodiac. Wavy-lined grunt flashed in the sunlight, Moorish idols dazzled their beholders, and reef cornetfish hung motionless and waited for their prey. Freckled porcupine fish stared blankly, and giant damselfish chased away trespassers from their precious beds of algae. Snorkelers that swam into the dense clouds of fish watched tunnels open through the schools. The underwater world is a quiet adventure for any explorer willing to take the plunge.
The afternoon was packed with exploration. Photographers took their own walk, concentrating on plants and the little things you can see and photograph if you take time to concentrate. Some of the hikers went up to a wind-swept ridge for views of the beautiful bay and the distant islands. The longest hike took a new route toward the true summit of the island. Steep unstable slopes with crumbling rock made the trip an adventure for some. The spectacular views of the San José Channel, the mangroves we were in yesterday, the Sierra de la Giganta and the distant bay of La Paz made the journey worthwhile.
Our undersea specialist went out early and collected specimens from beneath their rocky hiding places, then temporarily placed them in a large container. Hikers met him later and had a chance to see the long arms of brittle stars waving snakelike in the water. There was also a sunflower star with many more arms than one might expect. A peanut worm and sea cucumber were also seen before all the creatures were returned to their homes.
Pelicans were still diving as we loaded into Zodiacs for the trip home. The sun sank below the mountains, and the sky lit up with oranges and pinks on the eve of Christmas. Our dinner was followed by a talk about stars and a chance to sing Christmas carols. The night was full of constellations like so many years before.
