Arroyo Encantado, San Jose Island
Our first chance of exploration started this day with a fantastic hike on San Jose Island at Arroyo Encantado –The Enchanted Arroyo. From the distance of the ship the terrain looked empty and barren; but once we landed we discovered the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. In fact, as our hikes progressed, we encountered the fascinating cardon cactus that substitutes the sahuaro at this latitude; we also saw copal, elephant tree, nightshade, morning glory and more different cacti species with fruits and flowers. The birds were also delightful: the endemic Xantus’s hummingbird, black-throated sparrow, verdin, canyon wren and gray flycatcher were present, as well as different butterfly, ant and wasp species, like the gigantic “tarantula hawk.” High vertical walls made of conglomerate made for an impressive geological walk along the arroyo.
Later on, the ship moved in a southerly direction. La Giganta mountain range on the eastern (or gulf) edge of the peninsula showed its high and sharply peaks. We finally dropped the anchor in a beautiful bay known as Ensenada Grande on Espiritu Santo Island. There, we set up our kayaks and got ready to hike again.
Kayaking was very good as the seas were calm. We explored the rocky seashore and beaches of the island with its many sea bird species such as pelicans and yellow-footed gulls. Some of us took a leisure hike to observe more different plants, like the Palo San Juan and the slipper plant or candelilla (little candle). Others preferred to take a more challenging hike to the other side of the island. After almost two hours of going up, observing figs, banded rock and brush lizards, we finally reached the eastern edge -- discovering the rugged cliffs and the fantastic scenery. At the top we found what we called the “spiny love of the desert”: a strange love heart-shaped stem of a prickly pear that looked as if it was waiting for us.
Our first chance of exploration started this day with a fantastic hike on San Jose Island at Arroyo Encantado –The Enchanted Arroyo. From the distance of the ship the terrain looked empty and barren; but once we landed we discovered the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. In fact, as our hikes progressed, we encountered the fascinating cardon cactus that substitutes the sahuaro at this latitude; we also saw copal, elephant tree, nightshade, morning glory and more different cacti species with fruits and flowers. The birds were also delightful: the endemic Xantus’s hummingbird, black-throated sparrow, verdin, canyon wren and gray flycatcher were present, as well as different butterfly, ant and wasp species, like the gigantic “tarantula hawk.” High vertical walls made of conglomerate made for an impressive geological walk along the arroyo.
Later on, the ship moved in a southerly direction. La Giganta mountain range on the eastern (or gulf) edge of the peninsula showed its high and sharply peaks. We finally dropped the anchor in a beautiful bay known as Ensenada Grande on Espiritu Santo Island. There, we set up our kayaks and got ready to hike again.
Kayaking was very good as the seas were calm. We explored the rocky seashore and beaches of the island with its many sea bird species such as pelicans and yellow-footed gulls. Some of us took a leisure hike to observe more different plants, like the Palo San Juan and the slipper plant or candelilla (little candle). Others preferred to take a more challenging hike to the other side of the island. After almost two hours of going up, observing figs, banded rock and brush lizards, we finally reached the eastern edge -- discovering the rugged cliffs and the fantastic scenery. At the top we found what we called the “spiny love of the desert”: a strange love heart-shaped stem of a prickly pear that looked as if it was waiting for us.
