Ensenada Grande, Isla Partida
We spent the final day of our Baja California expedition tucked out of the wind in Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida. This exquisite bay is surrounded by rock formations that are a stunning reminder of cataclysmic volcanic activity that began about 140 million years ago when present-day Baja California was still a part of mainland Mexico, in what is now Sinaloa. These magnificent rocks (that looked like a layer cake of volcanic ash and lava debris) are welded ash flows formed by a rapid downhill flow from the volcano. The extremely hot flows were filled with gases that were captured within the ash as it cooled and welded together. Erosional forces of wind and waves have revealed a beautiful honeycomb pattern, known as Tafoni, very characteristic of this type of volcanic rock.
A full day at this place of immense natural beauty provided us maximum opportunities to get our last looks at Baja. We were able to do it all today: hike, swim, kayak, snorkel, and sit on the beach! The hikers had a very nice climb to the top of one of the peaks and were serenaded by the lovely calls of the canyon wrens while feasting on the red berries of the mammalaria. Some of our younger guests tried numerous times to catch the elusive desert iguanas. After the first gasp as they entered the refreshing gulf waters, the snorkelers enjoyed looking at the yellow-tailed surgeon fish, parrot fish, king angels, and lovely coral heads so characteristic of these productive waters.
Many went kayaking for the first time and discovered the joy of being able to drift silently past the sally lightfoot crabs that were scurrying for their meals on the rocky shore as well as the great blue heron that was contemplating its next meal. It was just so great to paddle and drift and to reflect on the shared journey we had all experienced on the Sea Bird that had been our home for the week.
We spent the final day of our Baja California expedition tucked out of the wind in Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida. This exquisite bay is surrounded by rock formations that are a stunning reminder of cataclysmic volcanic activity that began about 140 million years ago when present-day Baja California was still a part of mainland Mexico, in what is now Sinaloa. These magnificent rocks (that looked like a layer cake of volcanic ash and lava debris) are welded ash flows formed by a rapid downhill flow from the volcano. The extremely hot flows were filled with gases that were captured within the ash as it cooled and welded together. Erosional forces of wind and waves have revealed a beautiful honeycomb pattern, known as Tafoni, very characteristic of this type of volcanic rock.
A full day at this place of immense natural beauty provided us maximum opportunities to get our last looks at Baja. We were able to do it all today: hike, swim, kayak, snorkel, and sit on the beach! The hikers had a very nice climb to the top of one of the peaks and were serenaded by the lovely calls of the canyon wrens while feasting on the red berries of the mammalaria. Some of our younger guests tried numerous times to catch the elusive desert iguanas. After the first gasp as they entered the refreshing gulf waters, the snorkelers enjoyed looking at the yellow-tailed surgeon fish, parrot fish, king angels, and lovely coral heads so characteristic of these productive waters.
Many went kayaking for the first time and discovered the joy of being able to drift silently past the sally lightfoot crabs that were scurrying for their meals on the rocky shore as well as the great blue heron that was contemplating its next meal. It was just so great to paddle and drift and to reflect on the shared journey we had all experienced on the Sea Bird that had been our home for the week.
