Los Islotes & Espiritu Santo Island
The best way to begin another day at sea is with a fantastic green flash! The clouds were few, high, and the moment the sun showed at the horizon, it showed us its best side: green! Then the day started.
We were heading south toward the northern tip of Espiritu Santo Island, to two small islets, where around 300 California sea lions are to be found year round, as well as hundreds of other birds, such as magnificent frigate birds, pelicans, turkey vultures, brown and blue-footed boobies, yellow-footed gulls (endemic to the Gulf of California) and a magnificent great blue heron. This last bird produces a new chick every year.
So, we set off on our Zodiacs to enjoy these animals. After these rounds, we had the opportunity of swimming in these waters, and seeing a great number of colorful fishes, as well as many invertebrates, such as sponges, corals, urchins and sea stars.
After lunch, we sailed on southward, along the eastern side of Isla Espiritu Santo, to an incredibly long, white sand beach, called Bonanza. Here we kayaked and hiked into the magnificent desert, where the rare black jackrabbit and the antelope ground squirrel live. Some of us had the opportunity of seeing both of them!
The desert is very dry at this time, and few plants are flowering, but the desert plants, especially the cacti, are well.
In the late afternoon we had a delicious barbecue dinner on the beach, and a mesquite bonfire to sing songs.
The best way to begin another day at sea is with a fantastic green flash! The clouds were few, high, and the moment the sun showed at the horizon, it showed us its best side: green! Then the day started.
We were heading south toward the northern tip of Espiritu Santo Island, to two small islets, where around 300 California sea lions are to be found year round, as well as hundreds of other birds, such as magnificent frigate birds, pelicans, turkey vultures, brown and blue-footed boobies, yellow-footed gulls (endemic to the Gulf of California) and a magnificent great blue heron. This last bird produces a new chick every year.
So, we set off on our Zodiacs to enjoy these animals. After these rounds, we had the opportunity of swimming in these waters, and seeing a great number of colorful fishes, as well as many invertebrates, such as sponges, corals, urchins and sea stars.
After lunch, we sailed on southward, along the eastern side of Isla Espiritu Santo, to an incredibly long, white sand beach, called Bonanza. Here we kayaked and hiked into the magnificent desert, where the rare black jackrabbit and the antelope ground squirrel live. Some of us had the opportunity of seeing both of them!
The desert is very dry at this time, and few plants are flowering, but the desert plants, especially the cacti, are well.
In the late afternoon we had a delicious barbecue dinner on the beach, and a mesquite bonfire to sing songs.
