Los Islotes & Espiritu Santo
The morning began, for many of us, around 5 o’clock when the anchor was lifted. We departed a sheltered bay and entered the rolling waves of the Gulf of California. The cirrus clouds of yesterday were replaced by cumulous, creating a magnificent background for the sunrise. We arrived at Los Islotes, an island created by a hardened layer of volcanic rock and eroded by wave action. This small, isolated island was an audio and visual delight. The California sea lions hauled out along the base of the island and exhibited exaggerated displays of disgust when another sea lion attempted to join them on their rock. Their barks of contempt could be heard above the crashing of the waves.
The excitement continued to the top of the island where brown and blue-footed boobies perched precariously on rock ledges, taking flight in unison in response to an unidentifiable disturbance. Just to the south, we explored the desert landscape of Ensenada Grande. Between the gently sloping beach and the cacti-dominated land, was a stand of mangroves, mangle dulce, and other salt-tolerant plants. As we walked along the footpaths, the diversity of vegetation, including an abundance of flowering plants such as morning glory, altered our impression and expanded our appreciation of the desert environment. Although the wildlife was inconspicuous, we observed the Northern mockingbird, the endemic antelope ground squirrel, and scorpions. A select group enjoyed an afternoon of snorkeling off a sandy beach while others relaxed onboard. When we returned to the island, the beach had been transformed for a gourmet barbeque complete with bonfire and s’mores. Back onboard, we were rocked to sleep, excited for what adventures would unfold the next morning.
The morning began, for many of us, around 5 o’clock when the anchor was lifted. We departed a sheltered bay and entered the rolling waves of the Gulf of California. The cirrus clouds of yesterday were replaced by cumulous, creating a magnificent background for the sunrise. We arrived at Los Islotes, an island created by a hardened layer of volcanic rock and eroded by wave action. This small, isolated island was an audio and visual delight. The California sea lions hauled out along the base of the island and exhibited exaggerated displays of disgust when another sea lion attempted to join them on their rock. Their barks of contempt could be heard above the crashing of the waves.
The excitement continued to the top of the island where brown and blue-footed boobies perched precariously on rock ledges, taking flight in unison in response to an unidentifiable disturbance. Just to the south, we explored the desert landscape of Ensenada Grande. Between the gently sloping beach and the cacti-dominated land, was a stand of mangroves, mangle dulce, and other salt-tolerant plants. As we walked along the footpaths, the diversity of vegetation, including an abundance of flowering plants such as morning glory, altered our impression and expanded our appreciation of the desert environment. Although the wildlife was inconspicuous, we observed the Northern mockingbird, the endemic antelope ground squirrel, and scorpions. A select group enjoyed an afternoon of snorkeling off a sandy beach while others relaxed onboard. When we returned to the island, the beach had been transformed for a gourmet barbeque complete with bonfire and s’mores. Back onboard, we were rocked to sleep, excited for what adventures would unfold the next morning.
