Los Islotes & Bahia Bonanza, Isla Espiritu Santo
Early this morning we arrived at Los Islotes, with soft blue light from a cloudy sky throwing shadows on the rounded red bricks and spires of volcanic tuff. We joyfully noticed the return of a pair of peregrine falcons and later in the morning, a pair of great blue herons to their traditional nesting site. For years we have we have observed these two pairs of birds hunting and nesting and raising their young on this remote islet. The small colony of blue-footed boobies is also showing signs of interest in creating family. With all of the sky-pointing, whistling and presenting of those beautiful blue webbed feet, perhaps some young boobies will be in evidence soon.
This year’s crop of California sea lions appears to be numerous and healthy. The mother sea lions are weaning the pups and they are swiftly gaining independence. Like puppies, they are curious about us and our Zodiacs, hanging out in groups of five or six, diving under the boats and porpoising through the water. Their antics bring delight to both the cruisers and the snorkelers, and our morning around this bit of red rock teeming with life was a memorable experience for all.
On the southeast side of Isla Espiritu Santo is a spectacular white crescent of sand beach extending more than two miles. Bahia Bonanza provided a perfect afternoon stop for kayaking, beachcombing, desert walks and swimming. Some set out in search of the islands’ endemic black jack rabbit while others wondered about the origins of the profusion of bones and beautiful shells strewn across the beach.
At sunset, we gathered near the mouth of the arroyo for a barbeque and shared stories of adventures already experienced and thoughts of those yet to come.
Early this morning we arrived at Los Islotes, with soft blue light from a cloudy sky throwing shadows on the rounded red bricks and spires of volcanic tuff. We joyfully noticed the return of a pair of peregrine falcons and later in the morning, a pair of great blue herons to their traditional nesting site. For years we have we have observed these two pairs of birds hunting and nesting and raising their young on this remote islet. The small colony of blue-footed boobies is also showing signs of interest in creating family. With all of the sky-pointing, whistling and presenting of those beautiful blue webbed feet, perhaps some young boobies will be in evidence soon.
This year’s crop of California sea lions appears to be numerous and healthy. The mother sea lions are weaning the pups and they are swiftly gaining independence. Like puppies, they are curious about us and our Zodiacs, hanging out in groups of five or six, diving under the boats and porpoising through the water. Their antics bring delight to both the cruisers and the snorkelers, and our morning around this bit of red rock teeming with life was a memorable experience for all.
On the southeast side of Isla Espiritu Santo is a spectacular white crescent of sand beach extending more than two miles. Bahia Bonanza provided a perfect afternoon stop for kayaking, beachcombing, desert walks and swimming. Some set out in search of the islands’ endemic black jack rabbit while others wondered about the origins of the profusion of bones and beautiful shells strewn across the beach.
At sunset, we gathered near the mouth of the arroyo for a barbeque and shared stories of adventures already experienced and thoughts of those yet to come.
