Christmas Day 2002 – Baja California Sur
Oh, What a Fine Day – Christmas Day on the Sea of Cortez!
The clouds turned to sun. We make our first landing of the day on Isla San Jose courtesy of our Zodiacs named Cupid, Comet, Donner and Blitzen. A group of 15-years-olds and under, two parents, and a naturalist shot up the arroyo looking under rocks and brushes. We were looking for scorpions, bugs, lizards, spiders and anything that moved. We scrambled up the wide arroyo that became so narrow that only one person would fit through before emerging into a wider space above. Most of the guests did a more leisurely walk and pursued the birds, plants and wonderful varieties of rocks. A few guests enjoyed a quiet reading time onboard the Sea Bird. After lunch the younger ones of the group took turns at a pinata while the Sea Bird was under way to Isla San Francisco.
The half-moon bay on Isla San Francisco was a perfect spot for snorkeling, kayaking, hiking the hills and walking on the long fine white sandy beach. The “fish of the day” to find today when snorkeling was the King Angelfish and the marine invertebrate to search out was a Chocolate Chip Star. While the Chocolate Chip Star didn’t turn up, the King Angelfish did and we saw a numbers of “Crown of Thorns” Stars as well the ultra thin and long Cornet Fish.
During our daily recap of events we heard about orienteering on desert islands, the definition of island ecology and how it can be applied to mainland areas, the finer point of mistletoe and finally the history and reasons for Biosphere reserves in Mexico.
We enjoyed a great Christmas buffet of turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes and the greatest strawberry mousse and chocolate Truffle desert. The finale of our day was a video of what we saw during our snorkeling expedition.
Oh, What a Fine Day – Christmas Day on the Sea of Cortez!
The clouds turned to sun. We make our first landing of the day on Isla San Jose courtesy of our Zodiacs named Cupid, Comet, Donner and Blitzen. A group of 15-years-olds and under, two parents, and a naturalist shot up the arroyo looking under rocks and brushes. We were looking for scorpions, bugs, lizards, spiders and anything that moved. We scrambled up the wide arroyo that became so narrow that only one person would fit through before emerging into a wider space above. Most of the guests did a more leisurely walk and pursued the birds, plants and wonderful varieties of rocks. A few guests enjoyed a quiet reading time onboard the Sea Bird. After lunch the younger ones of the group took turns at a pinata while the Sea Bird was under way to Isla San Francisco.
The half-moon bay on Isla San Francisco was a perfect spot for snorkeling, kayaking, hiking the hills and walking on the long fine white sandy beach. The “fish of the day” to find today when snorkeling was the King Angelfish and the marine invertebrate to search out was a Chocolate Chip Star. While the Chocolate Chip Star didn’t turn up, the King Angelfish did and we saw a numbers of “Crown of Thorns” Stars as well the ultra thin and long Cornet Fish.
During our daily recap of events we heard about orienteering on desert islands, the definition of island ecology and how it can be applied to mainland areas, the finer point of mistletoe and finally the history and reasons for Biosphere reserves in Mexico.
We enjoyed a great Christmas buffet of turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes and the greatest strawberry mousse and chocolate Truffle desert. The finale of our day was a video of what we saw during our snorkeling expedition.
