Isla Espiritu Santo and Los Islotes
The wind continued to blow in the southern Sea of Cortez, but we found a beautiful, calm anchorage at Ensenada Grande. We went ashore here at the northwestern corner of Isla Espiritu Santo for the morning, and took full advantage of its possibilities. Our bright fleet of kayaks was laid out on the beach, and many folks decided to venture out into the bay. We paddled along the dramatically eroded shoreline and peered into the clear water to see sergeant majors and chocolate chip sea stars. Other folks decided to keep their feet on land, and walked up the arroyo. Whether on the long hike, or the leisure walk, we heard canyon wrens and hummingbirds and saw an abundance of greenery and floral color. This San Lucan Rock Lizard (petrosaurus thalassinus) was observed basking on a rock, soaking up the sun and nearly oblivious to our presence.
For the afternoon we had a half-hour wild ride to the northern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo, before tucking the Sea Bird into the lee behind the small, rocky islet known as Los Islotes. We found surf crashing on the north side of the island, and over a hundred California Sea Lions hauled out on the rocks. We watched their playful behavior from the ship, but decided to go a little closer. Several intrepid snorkelers donned wetsuits and jumped into the water with these curious young animals. Although none of the humans ever mastered the swimming technique the sea lions seemed to be showing them, the encounter left everyone breathless. Short Zodiac cruises for those wanting close-up photos rounded out the day.
The Sea Bird turned south and found another calm anchorage at Caleta Partida for the evening, and our enjoyment of the Captain's farewell party and dinner.
The wind continued to blow in the southern Sea of Cortez, but we found a beautiful, calm anchorage at Ensenada Grande. We went ashore here at the northwestern corner of Isla Espiritu Santo for the morning, and took full advantage of its possibilities. Our bright fleet of kayaks was laid out on the beach, and many folks decided to venture out into the bay. We paddled along the dramatically eroded shoreline and peered into the clear water to see sergeant majors and chocolate chip sea stars. Other folks decided to keep their feet on land, and walked up the arroyo. Whether on the long hike, or the leisure walk, we heard canyon wrens and hummingbirds and saw an abundance of greenery and floral color. This San Lucan Rock Lizard (petrosaurus thalassinus) was observed basking on a rock, soaking up the sun and nearly oblivious to our presence.
For the afternoon we had a half-hour wild ride to the northern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo, before tucking the Sea Bird into the lee behind the small, rocky islet known as Los Islotes. We found surf crashing on the north side of the island, and over a hundred California Sea Lions hauled out on the rocks. We watched their playful behavior from the ship, but decided to go a little closer. Several intrepid snorkelers donned wetsuits and jumped into the water with these curious young animals. Although none of the humans ever mastered the swimming technique the sea lions seemed to be showing them, the encounter left everyone breathless. Short Zodiac cruises for those wanting close-up photos rounded out the day.
The Sea Bird turned south and found another calm anchorage at Caleta Partida for the evening, and our enjoyment of the Captain's farewell party and dinner.
