Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo Island
The first rays of the sun this morning were green and purple as they emerged on the orange horizon above the sea. We were sailing southbound to Los Islotes, a remarkable set of islet famous for its colony of California sea lions and numerous sea birds. As we approached, the barking of the sea lions and the smell of the guano gave us advance warning of what was waiting for us.
In fact, later on, some of us snorkeled among these playful and acrobatic creatures while others took Zodiac cruises exploring the dramatic volcanic rock formations. Many frigate birds, cormorants, blue-footed and brown boobies, and gulls, were soaring above, flying and trying to get some breakfast, or worried about attracting females with their colorful gular pouches and feet. In the water, the sea lion pups displayed an endless repertory of clown-like attitudes, and the fishes and marine invertebrates make the ocean look like an outrageous garden. Those on the boats saw the adult sea lions warming up and bothering each other for the most comfortable spaces on the rocks, including a little one that enjoyed been on a big male’s back (in the picture).
In the mid-morning we pulled up anchor and headed south along the western side of Espiritu Santo Island looking for a nice harbor to conduct our afternoon activities. In the meantime, our Expedition Leader delighted us with an interesting lecture about geology and the formation of the Baja California peninsula. Once anchored, the crew displayed our kayaks, and we used these to visit the small and beautiful emerald-colored little bays with pelicans plunge-diving to catch fish. Those on land hiked for several hours along the well moistured arroyo until they got to the eastern side of the island. In fact, because of the recent storms that hit the peninsula, small ponds were formed and huge amounts of water were absorbed by the plants, dressing the pink island with a bright green mantle. On the way back, we observed ground squirrels, chuckwallas, spiny and banded rock lizards, and a whipsnake. The day was finished with a delicious dinner and the promises of more action in the Copper Canyon.
The first rays of the sun this morning were green and purple as they emerged on the orange horizon above the sea. We were sailing southbound to Los Islotes, a remarkable set of islet famous for its colony of California sea lions and numerous sea birds. As we approached, the barking of the sea lions and the smell of the guano gave us advance warning of what was waiting for us.
In fact, later on, some of us snorkeled among these playful and acrobatic creatures while others took Zodiac cruises exploring the dramatic volcanic rock formations. Many frigate birds, cormorants, blue-footed and brown boobies, and gulls, were soaring above, flying and trying to get some breakfast, or worried about attracting females with their colorful gular pouches and feet. In the water, the sea lion pups displayed an endless repertory of clown-like attitudes, and the fishes and marine invertebrates make the ocean look like an outrageous garden. Those on the boats saw the adult sea lions warming up and bothering each other for the most comfortable spaces on the rocks, including a little one that enjoyed been on a big male’s back (in the picture).
In the mid-morning we pulled up anchor and headed south along the western side of Espiritu Santo Island looking for a nice harbor to conduct our afternoon activities. In the meantime, our Expedition Leader delighted us with an interesting lecture about geology and the formation of the Baja California peninsula. Once anchored, the crew displayed our kayaks, and we used these to visit the small and beautiful emerald-colored little bays with pelicans plunge-diving to catch fish. Those on land hiked for several hours along the well moistured arroyo until they got to the eastern side of the island. In fact, because of the recent storms that hit the peninsula, small ponds were formed and huge amounts of water were absorbed by the plants, dressing the pink island with a bright green mantle. On the way back, we observed ground squirrels, chuckwallas, spiny and banded rock lizards, and a whipsnake. The day was finished with a delicious dinner and the promises of more action in the Copper Canyon.
