Isla Santa Catalina

Each day begins with a sunrise and ends with a sunset, yet they often go unnoticed. When they are as spectacular as what we have seen during this past week, it’s hard not to pause for a long moment and take note; and in the case of this photographic expedition, to take a lot of photographs.

Today’s sunrise shot out fierce rays of light into the clouds and the sea. And as it rose higher into the sky, it gently illuminated the mauve, burnt tan and dusty orange of the cliffs above Puerto Escondito. While the sun was still low in the sky, the ship was passed by a massive pod of Common Dolphins. Hundreds and hundreds of dolphins swam, jumped and dove past us. They seemed to be feeding, all very active, but intent on the task at hand. Where other dolphins we have seen come get a ride on the ship’s bow wave, these were focused on finding the morning’s catch.

After passing a few shy fin whales in the afternoon, we made our way towards Isla Santa Catalina. The zodiacs then brought us to shore from the National Geographic Sea Lion, where the group split for an assortment of walks. The long, aerobic hike followed a sandy arroyo to the top of the island’s ridge, affording a view of the shadows of mountains on the Mexican mainland across the sea.

Another group opted for a long walk, but with plenty of time along the way to stop and identify the birds, cacti and other plant life on the path. Incredibly sharp eyes spotted a rattle-less rattle snake under a shrub and pointed it out to the people returning down the arroyo. It was very serenely coiled up upon itself, maybe at the end of its evening siesta.

Others stayed close to shore, admiring the vegetation there as well as the beautifully rounded gray pebbles and stones lining the beach. Returning to the ship, we could all gaze upon elephant rock, walking into the sea.

As the sun began its descent once again into the ocean, some lingered on shore to shoot the amazing fire that burned through the sky and down through the ripples of the sea. And before heading back to the ship and into the dining room, it was wonderful to just stand there gazing out at the horizon, mouths agape in the shape of a whispered “wow,” heads tilted to one side while sighing at the awe-inspiring beauty of the day-to-day in Baja, Mexico.