Isla Santa Catalina, Sea of Cortez
There is something about solitude in the company of nature that replenishes the soul. It may come from the majestic view that is the reward for an arduous climb. It may come from a quiet moment admiring the audacity of a cactus that dares to decorate an arid desert with exquisitely delicate flowers. For me, no solitude can nourish more than being under the ocean, alone but in the company of a multitude of creatures who go about their business, little concerned by my presence, as I move amongst them.
I had the great privilege of spending nearly an hour underwater this morning at Isla Santa Catalina, absorbing into my spirit the breathtaking abundance and diversity of this island’s nearshore marine life. I scuba-dove just prior to the snorkeling excursion that followed. I luxuriated in this morning’s solitude, a rare gift I will treasure always. But wonder is enjoyed most when shared, and I wanted with all my heart to share my experience with kindred spirits. The solitary dive was wonderful, but I so truly hoped my fellow travelers might feel the same about this magical place as I did, once they saw it. I think, I hope, they did.
My mother taught me to scuba dive when I was a child; she was pursuing her career as a marine scientist. On reefs around the world, she would take me by the hand and point out this nudibranch or that well-camouflaged fish. She couldn’t speak to me underwater. She couldn’t tell me their names. And in the fullness of the day, I would forget to ask, “what was that slug-looking thing that was white with pink spots?” But the pure joy of being shown these things will reside in my soul for the rest of my life.
I have a lot of years under my belt since then. Now I am on my first Lindblad Expedition as an Undersea Specialist, and I am dazzled, frazzled, and overwhelmed in my duty to impart the magnificence of our oceans on those with whom I am sharing this voyage. This is the stuff that nourishes the soul and renews the Sense of Wonder of which Rachel Carson wrote in 1956. If only I can allow myself to be the vehicle for its conveyance. With regard to sharing her own Maine back yard with her four-year-old nephew, she wrote:
“I have made no conscious effort to name plants or animals nor to explain to him, but have just expressed my own pleasure in what we see, calling his attention to this or that but only as I would share discoveries with an older person.... I am sure no amount of drill would have implanted the names so firmly as just going through the woods in the spirit of two friends on an expedition of exciting discovery.”
If only my mother and I, underwater, could have spoken those names, I might feel much more poised as I try to impart that sense of wonder on the guests I have come to know and care about during this voyage.
I am not the only one with a passion to share. Each naturalist has expertise and passion that is inspiring, to say the least. Our whale expert, Michael, has enthusiasm to spare, and it is wonderful. We saw more than 30 blue whales today, which is extraordinary by any standard. Think of it: This is not just the largest animal in the world; it’s the largest animal that has existed, in the world, ever! And they are so elusive that scientists still don’t know where they go to breed and calf. We saw dozens today, and how cool is that? Until this week, and in spite of my ocean-intensive upbringing, I had never seen even one. Now I’ve lost count.
When he wasn’t busy watching for whales, Michael was discovering rarely-seen fauna on land. The endemic (it exists nowhere else in the world) rattle-less rattlesnake was encountered during the hike he led. It was a rare and most memorable experience, both for those who were there, and for those who lived it vicariously through the day’s retellings of the story.
Having gone on too long already, suffice it to say: Life is beautiful, and today was proof.
There is something about solitude in the company of nature that replenishes the soul. It may come from the majestic view that is the reward for an arduous climb. It may come from a quiet moment admiring the audacity of a cactus that dares to decorate an arid desert with exquisitely delicate flowers. For me, no solitude can nourish more than being under the ocean, alone but in the company of a multitude of creatures who go about their business, little concerned by my presence, as I move amongst them.
I had the great privilege of spending nearly an hour underwater this morning at Isla Santa Catalina, absorbing into my spirit the breathtaking abundance and diversity of this island’s nearshore marine life. I scuba-dove just prior to the snorkeling excursion that followed. I luxuriated in this morning’s solitude, a rare gift I will treasure always. But wonder is enjoyed most when shared, and I wanted with all my heart to share my experience with kindred spirits. The solitary dive was wonderful, but I so truly hoped my fellow travelers might feel the same about this magical place as I did, once they saw it. I think, I hope, they did.
My mother taught me to scuba dive when I was a child; she was pursuing her career as a marine scientist. On reefs around the world, she would take me by the hand and point out this nudibranch or that well-camouflaged fish. She couldn’t speak to me underwater. She couldn’t tell me their names. And in the fullness of the day, I would forget to ask, “what was that slug-looking thing that was white with pink spots?” But the pure joy of being shown these things will reside in my soul for the rest of my life.
I have a lot of years under my belt since then. Now I am on my first Lindblad Expedition as an Undersea Specialist, and I am dazzled, frazzled, and overwhelmed in my duty to impart the magnificence of our oceans on those with whom I am sharing this voyage. This is the stuff that nourishes the soul and renews the Sense of Wonder of which Rachel Carson wrote in 1956. If only I can allow myself to be the vehicle for its conveyance. With regard to sharing her own Maine back yard with her four-year-old nephew, she wrote:
“I have made no conscious effort to name plants or animals nor to explain to him, but have just expressed my own pleasure in what we see, calling his attention to this or that but only as I would share discoveries with an older person.... I am sure no amount of drill would have implanted the names so firmly as just going through the woods in the spirit of two friends on an expedition of exciting discovery.”
If only my mother and I, underwater, could have spoken those names, I might feel much more poised as I try to impart that sense of wonder on the guests I have come to know and care about during this voyage.
I am not the only one with a passion to share. Each naturalist has expertise and passion that is inspiring, to say the least. Our whale expert, Michael, has enthusiasm to spare, and it is wonderful. We saw more than 30 blue whales today, which is extraordinary by any standard. Think of it: This is not just the largest animal in the world; it’s the largest animal that has existed, in the world, ever! And they are so elusive that scientists still don’t know where they go to breed and calf. We saw dozens today, and how cool is that? Until this week, and in spite of my ocean-intensive upbringing, I had never seen even one. Now I’ve lost count.
When he wasn’t busy watching for whales, Michael was discovering rarely-seen fauna on land. The endemic (it exists nowhere else in the world) rattle-less rattlesnake was encountered during the hike he led. It was a rare and most memorable experience, both for those who were there, and for those who lived it vicariously through the day’s retellings of the story.
Having gone on too long already, suffice it to say: Life is beautiful, and today was proof.
