Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo
Last night we sailed in a southerly direction on a very calm Sea of Cortes that allowed everybody to sleep well. Our nocturnal journey ended up early in the morning at Los Islotes, a small rock islet that provides shelter and breeding territories for the acrobatic California sea lions as well as for several species of marine birds like blue-footed boobies, cormorants and frigate birds. Our first activity this morning was a pleasant snorkeling round on the protected side of the rockery where most pregnant females, adult males and yearling sea lions were busy heating themselves under the sun. As we entered into the water, a myriad of marine creatures revealed itself to our curious eyes. Here and there, fishes of diverse types, colored and sometimes spiny echinoderms, like sea urchins and starfishes, alien-like slugs and sponges, and playful sea lion pups, among others, were part of the living scenery. Later on, we jumped on the Zodiacs to increase the number of angles in which the sea lions and the numerous marine birds (flying everywhere or perched on the boulders) could have been seen best. Finally, as we went back on the ship, one of our naturalists increased our knowledge of marine mammals with a first-class lecture on board as we sailed to a new location on Espiritu Santo Island.
As the sun begun to go down in the early afternoon we arrived to the beautiful place known as Ensenada Grande, where we continued our activities with hikes and kayaking. During the hikes we observed the green phase of the Sonoran Desert because the place received two days of rain in September and 3 days of rain last week. Along the arroyo, the once wire-like branches of the ocotillo looked different from what we are used to as they were bearing leaves. The flowers of many other plants were also present, like those of the mimosas, rama parda, nightshades, morning glory and chicura. On the other hand, the best way to observe the impressive geologic past of the island was via kayaking. Tons of compacted volcanic ash covered with solidified lava floods, and the highly eroded arroyos, were easily observed few yards from the shore. Brown pelicans, gulls, wandering tattlers, great blue herons and more boobies were also part of the natural canvas this afternoon.
Just before sunset, with everybody dry and clean, we enjoyed a well-deserved barbecue on a small, pretty beach at Ensenada Grande. There, our naturalists closed another full and nice day with a bonfire, ancient Mexican tales and singing accompanied by the guitar and the soft whisper of the waves.
Last night we sailed in a southerly direction on a very calm Sea of Cortes that allowed everybody to sleep well. Our nocturnal journey ended up early in the morning at Los Islotes, a small rock islet that provides shelter and breeding territories for the acrobatic California sea lions as well as for several species of marine birds like blue-footed boobies, cormorants and frigate birds. Our first activity this morning was a pleasant snorkeling round on the protected side of the rockery where most pregnant females, adult males and yearling sea lions were busy heating themselves under the sun. As we entered into the water, a myriad of marine creatures revealed itself to our curious eyes. Here and there, fishes of diverse types, colored and sometimes spiny echinoderms, like sea urchins and starfishes, alien-like slugs and sponges, and playful sea lion pups, among others, were part of the living scenery. Later on, we jumped on the Zodiacs to increase the number of angles in which the sea lions and the numerous marine birds (flying everywhere or perched on the boulders) could have been seen best. Finally, as we went back on the ship, one of our naturalists increased our knowledge of marine mammals with a first-class lecture on board as we sailed to a new location on Espiritu Santo Island.
As the sun begun to go down in the early afternoon we arrived to the beautiful place known as Ensenada Grande, where we continued our activities with hikes and kayaking. During the hikes we observed the green phase of the Sonoran Desert because the place received two days of rain in September and 3 days of rain last week. Along the arroyo, the once wire-like branches of the ocotillo looked different from what we are used to as they were bearing leaves. The flowers of many other plants were also present, like those of the mimosas, rama parda, nightshades, morning glory and chicura. On the other hand, the best way to observe the impressive geologic past of the island was via kayaking. Tons of compacted volcanic ash covered with solidified lava floods, and the highly eroded arroyos, were easily observed few yards from the shore. Brown pelicans, gulls, wandering tattlers, great blue herons and more boobies were also part of the natural canvas this afternoon.
Just before sunset, with everybody dry and clean, we enjoyed a well-deserved barbecue on a small, pretty beach at Ensenada Grande. There, our naturalists closed another full and nice day with a bonfire, ancient Mexican tales and singing accompanied by the guitar and the soft whisper of the waves.
