Los Islotes, off of Isla Partida
The dulcet tones of Expedition Leader Bette Lu Krause’ wake-up call were soon replaced by the strident barking of California sea lions as the Sea Bird anchored off of Los Islotes. These small volcanic islets of bright red volcanic ash are frosted with a white icing that attests to their use by myriad seabirds. As we arrived the last of the evening roost of brown and blue-footed boobies were heading out to spend their day plunge-diving for fish in the productive waters of the Gulf of California. Left behind, cavorting in the water and resting on low-lying rocks, were several hundred California sea lions. Los Islotes is one of the major sea lion haul-outs and breeding colonies in the Gulf of California. As much as the sea lions were an attraction to us, so, it seemed, were we to them. Our Zodiacs were soon surrounded by sea lions leaping from the water and putting on an impressive show of aquatic agility. On the rocks were yet more sea lions, including the female (seen above) in quiet repose with her pup now approaching a year in age. In a few months the female will give birth to another pup and this one will be left to make its own way in the world.
Our Zodiac tours were followed by another trip highlight: snorkeling with the sea lions. The curious, young puppies seemed to regard us as playthings to incorporate into their aquatic games as they zoomed under, over, and around us in frenetic motion.
Our afternoon involved aquatic activity of a more peaceful sort. We moved to Bonanza Beach, at the south tip of Isla Espiritu Santo, where our fleet of kayaks was launched for a leisurely paddle around the rocks – yet another way to enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of California.
The dulcet tones of Expedition Leader Bette Lu Krause’ wake-up call were soon replaced by the strident barking of California sea lions as the Sea Bird anchored off of Los Islotes. These small volcanic islets of bright red volcanic ash are frosted with a white icing that attests to their use by myriad seabirds. As we arrived the last of the evening roost of brown and blue-footed boobies were heading out to spend their day plunge-diving for fish in the productive waters of the Gulf of California. Left behind, cavorting in the water and resting on low-lying rocks, were several hundred California sea lions. Los Islotes is one of the major sea lion haul-outs and breeding colonies in the Gulf of California. As much as the sea lions were an attraction to us, so, it seemed, were we to them. Our Zodiacs were soon surrounded by sea lions leaping from the water and putting on an impressive show of aquatic agility. On the rocks were yet more sea lions, including the female (seen above) in quiet repose with her pup now approaching a year in age. In a few months the female will give birth to another pup and this one will be left to make its own way in the world.
Our Zodiac tours were followed by another trip highlight: snorkeling with the sea lions. The curious, young puppies seemed to regard us as playthings to incorporate into their aquatic games as they zoomed under, over, and around us in frenetic motion.
Our afternoon involved aquatic activity of a more peaceful sort. We moved to Bonanza Beach, at the south tip of Isla Espiritu Santo, where our fleet of kayaks was launched for a leisurely paddle around the rocks – yet another way to enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of California.
