Los Islotes
Soft shades of pink and blue were painted across flat calm seas as the Sea Bird made her way south heading for her morning anchorage of Los Islotes. Warm temperatures and not a breath of wind provided excellent conditions for our morning activities of Zodiac outings and snorkeling at this small island grouping that serves as a haul-out and rookery for California sea lions and a myriad of sea birds commonly found in the Gulf of California.
As soon as anchoring of the Sea Bird was complete, Zodiacs were dropped and the Expedition leader called all potential snorkelers to the aft section of the boat for a lifetime experience of snorkeling with juvenile sea lions….an experience that could be compared to a romp in a small park with a large group of Labrador puppies. Our morning romp would be in the waters of the Gulf of California, in wetsuits, snorkel gear donned, and most assuredly diving into the underwater world of extremely adept and agile swimming California sea lions. From the moment we dropped over the side of the Zodiac we were greeted by the curious faces of several young sea lions. As we moved back and forth in front of the rookery, we were escorted wherever we swam. From the large eyes peeking out from under the Zodiac to the constant rush and sudden stop of small Sea lion bodies where ever we swam, there was a new found playmate awaiting our next move!
The Zodiac groups experienced the same escort by several playful sea lion pups who followed behind each vessel as the Zodiacs circumnavigated Los Islotes. On the water’s surface, we moved slowly coming in very close to the rock walls of Los Islotes for closer looks at sleeping sea lions, yellow footed gulls, brown boobies and the beautifully dressed sally-light-foot crabs….constantly trying to side-step what they must have thought was going to be quite a battle with a very large approaching object, namely our Zodiacs. Diving deep into crevices, climbing up and over rock ledges these small crustaceans attempted an earnest escape. Little did they know that all we really wanted was the chance to capture a quick photographic image of their spectacularly colored shells!
All too soon, we were called back to the Sea Bird. Plans for the afternoon were in the making and it was time to move a short distance to our afternoon anchorage just south along the west side of Isla Partida, where we entered a gorgeous protected bay called Ensenada Grande. From to different beaches we would have a chance to hike, swim, bird watch, and kayak, with a grand finale of a dinner ashore. As a bonfire roared on the beach we enjoyed the customary fare prepared for an outdoor meal finishing with s’mores and a creation myth, first blessed and then wonderfully told by naturalist Adrian Cedra. His voice echoed off the walls of the canyon surrounding our evening’s dining site. As he regaled us with a complex weaving of gods and goddesses who created the world around us, our imaginations were filled with images, that no doubt would creep into our dreams during the night, as the Sea Bird continued her journey south, heading for tomorrow’s destination…
Soft shades of pink and blue were painted across flat calm seas as the Sea Bird made her way south heading for her morning anchorage of Los Islotes. Warm temperatures and not a breath of wind provided excellent conditions for our morning activities of Zodiac outings and snorkeling at this small island grouping that serves as a haul-out and rookery for California sea lions and a myriad of sea birds commonly found in the Gulf of California.
As soon as anchoring of the Sea Bird was complete, Zodiacs were dropped and the Expedition leader called all potential snorkelers to the aft section of the boat for a lifetime experience of snorkeling with juvenile sea lions….an experience that could be compared to a romp in a small park with a large group of Labrador puppies. Our morning romp would be in the waters of the Gulf of California, in wetsuits, snorkel gear donned, and most assuredly diving into the underwater world of extremely adept and agile swimming California sea lions. From the moment we dropped over the side of the Zodiac we were greeted by the curious faces of several young sea lions. As we moved back and forth in front of the rookery, we were escorted wherever we swam. From the large eyes peeking out from under the Zodiac to the constant rush and sudden stop of small Sea lion bodies where ever we swam, there was a new found playmate awaiting our next move!
The Zodiac groups experienced the same escort by several playful sea lion pups who followed behind each vessel as the Zodiacs circumnavigated Los Islotes. On the water’s surface, we moved slowly coming in very close to the rock walls of Los Islotes for closer looks at sleeping sea lions, yellow footed gulls, brown boobies and the beautifully dressed sally-light-foot crabs….constantly trying to side-step what they must have thought was going to be quite a battle with a very large approaching object, namely our Zodiacs. Diving deep into crevices, climbing up and over rock ledges these small crustaceans attempted an earnest escape. Little did they know that all we really wanted was the chance to capture a quick photographic image of their spectacularly colored shells!
All too soon, we were called back to the Sea Bird. Plans for the afternoon were in the making and it was time to move a short distance to our afternoon anchorage just south along the west side of Isla Partida, where we entered a gorgeous protected bay called Ensenada Grande. From to different beaches we would have a chance to hike, swim, bird watch, and kayak, with a grand finale of a dinner ashore. As a bonfire roared on the beach we enjoyed the customary fare prepared for an outdoor meal finishing with s’mores and a creation myth, first blessed and then wonderfully told by naturalist Adrian Cedra. His voice echoed off the walls of the canyon surrounding our evening’s dining site. As he regaled us with a complex weaving of gods and goddesses who created the world around us, our imaginations were filled with images, that no doubt would creep into our dreams during the night, as the Sea Bird continued her journey south, heading for tomorrow’s destination…
