Los Islotes & Punta Dispensa
Today we feasted on a Baja Buffet. This not-so-ordinary buffet was co-hosted by Baja California and our Expedition Staff. Together, they saturated our senses with all the noisy, smelly, prickly and beautiful plants and wildlife Baja has to offer. We began our morning in bright sunlight at Los Islotes, distinctive welded ash formations separated from the end of Isla Partida. With guano from all the birds that come here topping the rocks like an odor-riffic frosting, these structures are certainly dramatic. Our attention was quickly diverted from the tops of Los Islotes down to the water’s edge. The loud and persistent barking of numerous California sea lions reached our ears. Our activities of snorkeling, diving, and Zodiac cruising brought these sights, sounds and smells even closer to us. Some of us donned masks and flippers and joined the sea lions cavorting and playing in the water. Our attempts to mimic their graceful antics must have entertained these curious creatures endlessly. The sea lions were not the only stars in the water, however. Bright schools of fish darted about, easily seen in the clear, calm water. Our Undersea Specialist Mike and Chief Mate Doug captured snorkelers, sea lions and fish alike on the underwater video camera during their dive. Meanwhile, above water, Zodiacs cruised in and out of inlets, allowing us close-up looks of sea lions basking in the sun, shuffling among the rocks, and even glimpses of pups nursing. During the cruises we learned about thermoregulation and the probability of breeding success produced by sexual dimorphism, but mainly we enjoyed watching the sea lions interact with each other. Not to be out done by some sea lions, the birds, too, grabbed our attention. Brown boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, turkey vultures, and even a wandering tattler swooped, soared, and hopped around us.
In the afternoon we cruised along Isla Espiritu Santo, coming to anchor in the bay at Punta Dispensa. With the kayaks launched and staff members leading walks into the desert, our options were open. For some, exploring the long stretch of white sand was enough to fill the afternoon. Those who walked back into the desert were granted another sensory surprise: the cochemia cactus in bloom. Usually, this cactus does not begin to flower until at least March, but perhaps due to recent rains, the flowers decided to make an early appearance. The brilliant red stands out against the greens, browns, and grays of the surrounding desert plant life. The delicate flower also stands out in direct contrast to the long prickly spines of its stalk. As we made our way back to the beach, more amazing colors awaited us. With the sun setting, oranges, pinks, and reds flamed across the sky, providing us with a perfect backdrop for the yummy dinner served ashore. With our senses of sight, touch, smell, and sound sated during the day’s explorations, our sense of taste was now satisfied too.
Today we feasted on a Baja Buffet. This not-so-ordinary buffet was co-hosted by Baja California and our Expedition Staff. Together, they saturated our senses with all the noisy, smelly, prickly and beautiful plants and wildlife Baja has to offer. We began our morning in bright sunlight at Los Islotes, distinctive welded ash formations separated from the end of Isla Partida. With guano from all the birds that come here topping the rocks like an odor-riffic frosting, these structures are certainly dramatic. Our attention was quickly diverted from the tops of Los Islotes down to the water’s edge. The loud and persistent barking of numerous California sea lions reached our ears. Our activities of snorkeling, diving, and Zodiac cruising brought these sights, sounds and smells even closer to us. Some of us donned masks and flippers and joined the sea lions cavorting and playing in the water. Our attempts to mimic their graceful antics must have entertained these curious creatures endlessly. The sea lions were not the only stars in the water, however. Bright schools of fish darted about, easily seen in the clear, calm water. Our Undersea Specialist Mike and Chief Mate Doug captured snorkelers, sea lions and fish alike on the underwater video camera during their dive. Meanwhile, above water, Zodiacs cruised in and out of inlets, allowing us close-up looks of sea lions basking in the sun, shuffling among the rocks, and even glimpses of pups nursing. During the cruises we learned about thermoregulation and the probability of breeding success produced by sexual dimorphism, but mainly we enjoyed watching the sea lions interact with each other. Not to be out done by some sea lions, the birds, too, grabbed our attention. Brown boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, turkey vultures, and even a wandering tattler swooped, soared, and hopped around us.
In the afternoon we cruised along Isla Espiritu Santo, coming to anchor in the bay at Punta Dispensa. With the kayaks launched and staff members leading walks into the desert, our options were open. For some, exploring the long stretch of white sand was enough to fill the afternoon. Those who walked back into the desert were granted another sensory surprise: the cochemia cactus in bloom. Usually, this cactus does not begin to flower until at least March, but perhaps due to recent rains, the flowers decided to make an early appearance. The brilliant red stands out against the greens, browns, and grays of the surrounding desert plant life. The delicate flower also stands out in direct contrast to the long prickly spines of its stalk. As we made our way back to the beach, more amazing colors awaited us. With the sun setting, oranges, pinks, and reds flamed across the sky, providing us with a perfect backdrop for the yummy dinner served ashore. With our senses of sight, touch, smell, and sound sated during the day’s explorations, our sense of taste was now satisfied too.
